Things that have changed since the last post:

• I've started sixth-form college properly
• I've changed from A-Levels to the IB
• I've eaten sushi recently
• I've seen Swan Lake
• I've tried a cheese layered salad - and enjoyed it
• I've become ill for the first time in five months (that must be a record!)
• I've made vanilla and Nutella cupcakes
• I've been walking 15-20 minutes, not 2 minutes, to school
• I've talked to boys(!)
• I've missed my secondary school in ways I never imagined I would
• I've discovered the Starbucks five minutes away from school (thanks, Sara!)
• I've seen 'Sweet Lovers' Plums' - and plan to buy some
• I've completed a practical in Chemistry without screaming/jumping/standing a metre away from the bunsen burner
• I've seen the boy at school who wears a suit everyday
• I've introduced myself to dozens of different people
• I've developed a penchant for the Drench drinks sold at school
• I haven't stopped calling my 'college' a school - if I'm learning, it's a school!

Well (to be interpreted in a variety of ways)

I think I might learn Latin. I should start practising the 'carpe diem' motto, I suppose.

Is it bad that I like a fair few pieces from Boden?

So far, it's looking more promising than the standard fare of Topshop, New Look, River Island et al.

Ignorance is not bliss

I find it really disconcerting if I don't know something, but know enough about it to feel as if I should know more. This might be part of the reason why I don't want to give any subjects up.

Guilty pleasures

I don't understand them. Unless, that is, they really are something to feel guilty about; murder, for example. And if you felt guilt, you probably wouldn't find it pleasurable.

If I enjoy something, I'm usually happy to exclaim it. For example, watching the entire first series of Coach Trip in a matter of days - I see nothing wrong with that.

I love every subject so much. I don't want to give anything up.

I usually embrace change, but I'll be so sad to stop studying anything. This is a huge period of change, and I just don't think I'm ready give up so much. Unfortunately, I can't take ten A-Levels.

Reflection

I feel that this blog lacks direction. It's about my life - but there are many elements of my life that could come into it. The posts are sporadic, and many don't even reach the blog itself, instead left unfinished. Notice the length of my last few posts. None of them have even one substantial paragraph.

I still love writing; if anything, I enjoy it far more than when I started blogging. And this blog has certainly benefited me in various ways. I've learnt how to structure blog posts, devise attention-grabbing titles, sustain a project etc. But I just don't believe that it's completely, well, me any more.

I'm not saying this is the end at all, but rather a new beginning. As cheesy as that sounds, it's true. I'll continue to post here. Random thoughts, observations and questioning will be here. This is an important thing, this blog. It's tracked me through some very important times and I'll never lose that.

So, about this so-called 'new beginning'. I'm thinking about starting a new blog focused on a specific area that I'm passionate about and have a vested interest in. I have a few options, so it's just a matter of choosing something that I can maintain. For example, as much as I enjoy musical theatre, I just don't visit the West End often enough to blog about musicals on a regular basis. Besides, it would probably end up being dedicated to Avenue Q and Hair!

In summary, don't say bye (or un-follow!) yet. More is to come, believe me. I just need a bit of time to think. Things are changing enough as it is, so life is a bit hazy at the moment.

I've now seen 'Avenue Q'...

5 times!

But I won't stop there. I have two months and 11 days left - definitely room for at least one more show.

While watching 'Big Brother's Big Mouth'...

I'm sure I saw j0ames in the front row of the audience.

My French calendar phrase 'du jour':

Je n'ai pas de projets pour le week-end

My calendar knows me so well.

Ooh, someone from Russia has viewed my blog!

Спасибо! And thank you to the British people and Americans as well!

"Non, je ne regrette rien," "Vraiment? C'est possible?"

Actually, I don't know about regrets. I don't want to regret anything that I did academically, because I worked as hard as possible, so I really do hope that I achieve the results that I (along with my teachers) want. If I do, I'll have no regrets in terms of school.

As for regrets in other areas of life, I've never really done anything serious that's worthy or regret. Through what is essentially my own doing, my life has been sheltered, so I've had no opportunity to make some of the stupid mistakes that youths are supposed to make, according to newspapers, anyway.

But, on a more indulgent note, I think my parents and I regret the fact that we haven't been on more holidays abroad together. We've visited France, Belgium, Spain, Monaco (which is so small that it barely qualifies as a country - the country equivalent to Pluto, perhaps) and Ireland. Of course, we're lucky to have experienced these trips, as there are many families who can't afford any holiday at all, let alone one outside the UK.

However, yesterday my mother and I were thinking about our holiday past, and we realised that we should do more. We can get away with the environmental impact - we're recycling vegetarians without a car who fly no more than once a year, if that - and my parents are good with money so we'd have enough to do something nice.

One of the main problems is my aversion to heat. I just can't take it, and I burn so easily that I'd probably spend most of the time applying sun cream. Inevitably, this limits out holiday options. At some point I'll probably brave a hot country, but I'd need to build up my resistance - starting with an activity as simple as spending a few hours in the sun (well protected, of course), or visiting the beach for the first time in around four years

Yes, we all enjoy a bit of highly concentrated pain, don't we?

I really did just see this on my Facebook News Feed.

In case you're interested...

This is my weheartit page. It's kind of like Tumblr in the way that you can easily share other people's work, but without the hassle that I tried to express in this post.

Even two months after I last had to carry a ridiculously heavy shoulder bag at school, my right shoulder still aches.

It's really quite odd, and it brings the memories flooding back. I find it quite funny how one little thing reminds me of so many aspects of secondary school, Year 11 in particular.

Formal attire is hard to come by

At the moment, most dresses from the high-street fall into one of just two categories: going out (i.e. partying, which supposedly calls for dresses that offer about as much coverage as a medium sized bath towel), or day wear (read: summery numbers, such as flowing maxi dresses, complete with halter-necks and florals).

Evidently, neither of these dress types will satisfy the brief. I imagine that things will get easier

Topshop

Lace sheer zip smock dress, £50

Corsage one shoulder dress, £40

Ruffle shift dress, £40

Anna frill dress by Yuki, £55

This didn't work at all because the images are far too big, but you get the idea. I think this might be indicating that I like frills, ruffles and lace, which I find quite odd as I usually gravitate towards bright colours and patterns. Mind you, it is difficult to find a bright green dress covered in red polka dots that could be considered formal.

A|wear

Ruffle dress, £30

Chiffon layer dress, £45

Cream lace shift dress, £40

Dropped waist lace dress, £45

Brocade tulip dress, £40

Antique lace dress, £35

That's a novelty

This October, for my aunt's 50th birthday, my family and I are going to a rather luxurious hotel (especially compared to what I'm used to - Travelodge et al.), and the dress code - set by my aunt - is strictly formal.

For a female, formal is of course code for a dress, coiffed hair, and maybe some heels if you can walk in them. This will certainly be a new experience for me, considering that I haven't worn anything resembling a dress/skirt for around nine years. I don't know how I'll fare, but there's really no choice.

I thought the dress would be a good place to start, and while I haven't even gotten round to buying the normal clothes that I'm in desperate need of for college, I can always do a bit of online window shopping.

Topshop and A|wear are as far as my shopping ventures have extended as yet, but after a quick browse it seems like they might have some appropriate dresses. I intend to post some of my favourites, but perhaps not all now as I have a sex education programme featuring the comedian who played Little Cook in Big Cook Little Cook to watch.

The downside of the West End

In terms of entertainment, the West End is one of the best places in London. Full of excellent shows to suit just about everyone, even those adverse to anything mildly musical, it's a must-visit if you're in London.

But, alas, as with every aspect of life, the West End must change. A show is lucky if it survives even just a few months there, and apart from the usual Les Miserables/The Lion King/Phantom of the Opera et al., the line-up changes constantly.

I've grown used to these changes, especially as, despite my fondness of musicals, not every show is on my 'must-see' list. Yes, it would be nice to watch Hairspray, Mamma Mia or Legally Blonde, but I wouldn't centre a London trip around this pursuit. Besides, these musicals are all well-known (mainly because of their film versions), so - unless popularity dwindles - they don't seem to be going anywhere soon.

However, as you may be aware of, there's a particular musical that I have a real thing about: Avenue Q. Completely unconventional and full of unrestrained adult fun, it's not naturally adapted to the West End, but in the four and a half years that it's been there the show has seen unexpected and unprecedented success for a musical of its calibre. Few shows can boast such impressive popularity - let alone modern musicals that are hardly tailored to a typical family. Granted, it's perfect for my parents and I, but the perfect 2.3 children family may not appreciate songs such as 'The Internet is for Porn' and 'Everyone's a Little Bit Racist'.

But, sadly, it had to come to an end. Avenue Q recently posted its closing notice, scheduling its end for the 30th of October, with no plans to move to a new theatre. This is reminiscent of its last planned closing - the show originally decided to end last March, but its popularity resulted in an extension at a new location. However, this time it may actually be the end. The final end.

I plan to see the show at least twice more before it closes, especially as Sam and I tried to go last summer but it was cancelled. I'm going to buy the memorabilia, download the entire soundtrack and savour every last moment of my final visits.

Something that worsens the situation is the fact that my second favourite musical (a recent addition), Hair, will also close soon - on the 4th of September, after only a few months on the West End. I'd definitely like to see this again at least once more; maybe I could pack Hair and Avenue Q into one trip! Gari Davies (whose blog I'm a fan of) has an excellent review of Hair here if anyone's interested.

I suppose when I considered what I like so much about both musicals, I realised that it wasn't just the catchy songs or the constant laughs - it's the fact that both make you think, and are still incredibly relevant and important today (despite the fact that one's set in the sixties!)

Perhaps I should be used to the harshness of London by now, but losing your favourite musicals is still difficult.