Relay for life

I've always been pretty enthusiastic when it comes down to charity work, so the past weekend was amazing getting to spend time with friends, as well as doing a relay for cancer research at the same time. I've been doing this for a few years now, and I've realised that it's more than likely to rain on the day of the relay. Nevertheless, a waterlogged field wouldn't stop this event from happening. To me, the most challenging thing is the idea that one person from each team should be on the track at all times. The relay lasts from 11am Saturday until the next morning on Sunday, which proves to get tough at 3am... During the day, people can choose to draw or write messages on candle bags to dedicate them to people who have cancer, had cancer, or just in the hope that others can fight cancer. The candle bags are lined around the track and lined up to spell out words, and I can't help but be moved when I read the messages on them. My favourite part is walking around the track when it's dark and you can see the messages light up. Each year is great and if there's an event like this near you, I encourage you to take part. 

{Tents pitched in the middle field, while team members walk around the track} 

 {Candle bags lit up with drawings and messages written on are lit up around the track}

{Candle bags lined up on a hill to spell out "HOPE"}

Favourite five

{I love the taste of salsa at the moment so making fajitas is perfect} 

{Board games are one of my favourite ways to spend a lazy day}

{My friends bought me this camper van ornament for my birthday as I adore them} 

{Dreamcatchers to ensure I only dream of sweet things}

 {I wear Daisy - Marc Jacobs perfume every day as it's my favourite fresh scented perfume}

TFiOS book review

John Green has always been an inspirational writer for me, and one of my favourite authors within the young adult genre, which is why it’s no surprise that when his newest book “The Fault in Our Stars” was released this past January, I had to have it. And a signed copy, at that. The first time I read it was in one single sitting, from cover to cover. Since then, I’ve read it several times, and each time I’ve had to prepare myself for the emotional turmoil that I know this book brings.

Through reading this, John Green succeeds in every manner to bring out so many emotions at once, in a way that I’ve never experienced while reading a book. Before reading this, I had read the summary and understood that it involved the story of cancer patients. What I didn’t expect was to find myself crying hard one minute then laughing hard the next, but John Green’s choice of characters was a choice that I could not fault whatsoever. Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters are, dare I say, the strongest characters that use humour and wit in a way that makes this fictional novel feel so real, and I can’t thank John Green enough for that. Within chapters, I found myself emotionally attached to Hazel and Augustus, and I doubt I’ll ever forget how this book has made me feel.

This is a book that has helped me through a lot. While I imagine almost every reader will fall in love with these characters, for their vulnerability, charisma, or relationship, I also imagine that almost every reader will envy these characters for sharing love in the way that they do. I, for one, definitely envy them. I can only recommend that everyone reads this. It’s a book that needs to be shared.

"But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."

New beginnings

This is the start of a blog that I’ve been meaning to get around to writing on for a while. Writing is one of those things that makes me feel comfortable, but as much as I enjoy writing fictional stories and novels, this blog will be for my own amusement and I’m not yet entirely sure of what it will entail. While I express myself through my writing, I find that I’m influenced plenty by reading books of others.

I’m currently a student at a sixth form in North East England, and going through the process of considering my post-18 options. I’m a vegetarian and pretty enthusiastic regarding charity work. I find myself drawn to the idea of learning new things and being in a search for inspiration in anything that I can. Hopefully, this blog will be a new place to both represent and find inspiration.

Oh, and my name is Ashley.