Summer is upon us and with forecasters predicting "a warm hot summer" what isn't there to smile about? Well of course they always bang on about having a lovely summer, (that's why we had a severe flood in Gloucester back in 2007), I often wonder how they can make those rationales months in advance?
For many of us we will be looking forward to a well-earned warm holiday in the sun. I'm particularly looking forward to jetting off to Egypt in June, but of course not everyone are fortunate enough to vacate from the country, particularly during the recession-that's why business at British holiday hotspots is set to boom this summer.
Among the typical summer pleasures we all enjoy I am looking forward to wear dresses in beautiful summery colours like coral red. For many women the thought of wearing next to nothing on holiday fills them with dread-but fear not. So long as u exfloliate and defuzz oh and don't forget to add a little bit of fake tan on your lily white pins you will achieve an effortless look in minutes.
I have been mooching around the shops lately and besides the overwhelming sales on fab clothing, the summer clothing trend is loose fitting and adding lots of vibrant colour jewelry to plain white clothing. Boots have a wide range of beachwear that suits all shapes and sizes and can be dressed up with beautiful and bold bangles and necklaces.
As everyone is strapped for cash at the moment, it is best to go to places that offer beauty on a budget. Scouring through the clothes rails in Peacocks and New Look, you can buy a new outfit for just under £30 including shoes and accessories (perfect for students) and students can enjoy a tempting 10% off in both shops.
Whatever you are planning to do this summer, make sure you do it in style. If you are planning to tredge through mud at Glastonbury or paddling in the sea make sure you stand out from the crowd.

Love is all around us!

Ahhh what is that I hear? The soothing words of a couple declaring their undying love for one another! Yes that's right, it's that time of year singletons dread and couples love...Valentine's Day.

Over the years I have become cynical towards Valentines Day, I see it as a waste of money and for people who feel it is the most appropriate time of the year to confess to their crush how much they love them. Before I wrote this blog entry I asked my partner what he thought about Valentines Day and in his own words he said: "well, why just show your love for someone on one day when you can and should everyday?"

Well I'm glad he said that, atleast I will save myself some money not getting him anything! No doubt he will take me out for a pizza but it does question "if we are a product of consumerism with the average man spending £82 on a loved one?" I guess it could be argued, that if people didn't bother then it would just be another ordinary day. Moreover, with all the current problems in society we deserve a day where people express their love for one another.

A nation snowed under!

Who would have thought the weather man would actually get the weather forecast right? When they said they expected 'a band of wintry weather to come across from Russia', I didn't think they meant over a weeks worth. I love the snow...who doesn't? But when it causes serious driving and living problems its far from a laughing matter.

It all started on Monday, with London halting to a standstill and all forms of public transport cancelled and shops closed for the day. As the weather moved towards the North, it seemed there was no way of stopping it from causing treacherous driving conditions for commuters and gritter lorries frantically trying to keep the main roads clear.

It's been said that grit is at its all time low, with gritters rationing supplies and treating the main roads. This arguably isn't good enough, I live up a minor road like many others and find that it's down to you and neighbours to clear the road otherwise you will be stuck. You would have thought that paying a £1000 a year in council tax, that you would be able to receive adequate supplies of grit just so you can get off the drive. All the Local Authorities has to say is "it's all under control", well clearly not when many people are left stranded and walking for miles to get back home or to the local shop.

I for one have been sensible and stayed in for the week, working from home while others slide from road to road to get to their destination. As for school closures I think it's sensible because many teachers who live an hour away from the school have no other way to get to work other than to drive. Besides, the children are happy because they can spend the day with friends sledging down hills.

Which leads me to say, how tragic it was that gifted 16-year-old Francesca Anobile died on a makeshift sledge in Sheffield. The tragedy illustrated the harsh reality of how the snow may appear picturesque but can cause fatality. Across the country, there were scenes of young children and families similarly playing in the snow and some even snowboarding. Who would have thought that one incident would lead to the death of a beautiful and gifted young woman?

In the 18 years of my life, I have never seen soo much snow fall and stick so quickly, and with forecasters predicting more snow to come due to high pressure coming from the West we are set to endure another treacherous week in the snow. One thing is for sure this is a week that certainly will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Too fat...too young

Those of you who watched Gok Wan' s 'too fat too young' on Wednesday will know as a teenager Gok was 21 stone. It seems that childhood obesity has always existed, but in the last 10 years figures have shown it has become a serious problem with 1 in 5 teens clinically obese.

As a child, I remember there were always the 'chubby' kids whose parents knocked off cruel fat comments with the it's 'just puppy fat' reason. As the years have gone on, parents have continued adopting that attitude, now there is an epidemic of obese kids.

In my opinion, it's a little to late to be whinging about fat kids. I think parents are solely to blame for how their children turn out. A lack of discipline and knowledge on good parenting has led to a breakout of fat and unfit kids, who know no other than eating Frosties for breakfast and chocolate and crisps for lunch.

I'm not hear to preach, because I'm far from perfect when it comes to healthy eating and exercising. However, I know when I need to get fit not only will my mum nag me to go along with her to the gym but also the weighing scales are cruel too. I'm fortunate to have healthy parents who regularly exercise and cook me healthy dinners. But for some, it has become a way of life to follow in the foot steps of their parents and become over weight.

Whatever happened to playing outdoors? Now it is apparent kids spend more time entertaining themselves on the computer or watching TV. If this is the case, then why don't parents encourage kids to walk with them to town or take them swimming at weekends? I remember as a kid, it was the norm in my neighbourhood to play outside if it was dry. My parents were strict that no friends could come into the house unless it was raining, seems harsh but I spent many happy Winter and Summer days outside in the park or in the garden.

As many will know, the 'nanny state' that we live in has acted as a barrier from living the life of how our parents and grandparents did when they were growing up. I'm fully aware times have changed, that it's not safe for kids to play in the woods and come back home as and when they feel hungry. But nevertheless it's not a reason to allow our kids to become twice the size they should be for their age or let media entertainment dominate their lives.

It's an ongoing debate that I think parents can really argue in defence.

Big Brother analysed..

I like to think that I am an academic who over the last couple of years has successfully learnt to broaden and challenge the way in which I think and look at things in life. Before I started college in 2006, I would have been categorised as a passive citizen who didn't question anything. Not so long ago I considered auditioning for the reality TV show like Big Brother...now i'm glad I didn't. I believe as an academic you would be 'dumbing yourself down' if you were to bow down to the demands of big brother producers.

As stated on my law teacher's coffee cup, "Celebrity culture: I'm an academic...get me out of here." One might think this means celebrities are dumb and fake or that celebrities are missing a certain 'something' that an academic has. Either way I think it's a funny and fair comment because as my Media A Level textbook says 'there is a celebrity cult within society'.

You only have to see this in Celebrity Big Brother at the moment. As an avid fan, I can see that the dynamics in the house changes constantly mainly to the celebrities favour. In comparison to the ordinary big brother whereby producers portrays and edits footage to their satisfaction, it seems in this edition celebrities have the power. Late evictee La Toya mentioned she would only appear on the show if she were to receive £100,000 (more than other housemates) and footage showed her wearing makeup. Talk about a diva attitude.

Which brings me to say 'why do people like myself watch and enjoy the show? And more importantly vote to keep such people like La Toya in the show? The metaphor 'cult' cleverly illustrates how celebrities have the power to make people hate them, yet aspire to be like them.

It's one thing that I will be debating in Monday's lecture.

The bloody war between Gaza and Israel...

One thing my knowledge doesn't stretch to is politics (shame on me). However, in the three weeks I have been closely following the war between Gaza and Israel. There is a reason for this, one being I'm off to the Middle East in the summer and secondly, the war is helping me develop my knowledge and judgement of the political actions of foreign ministers.

As like many others, I don't condone violence: whether it being a punch-up in the street or countries bombing the hell out of one another. However, from what I have learnt i'm not going to generalise that statement across all acts of violence. Hammas, the president of Gaza has been, for quite sometime, dropping bombs into Israel and so far has got away with no response from the israelis.

Now, the Israelis quite rightly are fighting back, which in my opinion states 'if it's good for the one it's good for the other.' The terror on hundreds of children is terrible, but israel are attacking these areas because missiles are coming from places where children are situated i.e. schools. In my opinion, middle east leaders are 'crooks', surely Hammas should realise that over a 1000 of his 'people' have died due to his determination to continue bombing Israel.

In the light of it, it appears there is no hope for a resolution yet. Iran has become involved with support for Gaza, yesterday iranian protesters burned the American flag in hatred towards president elect Barack Obama as he chose to not get involved in the war. Unsurprisingly, iranians have threatened Britain and categorised us alongside the Americans for ignorance towards the war.

It will be interesting to see where this war takes us as a nation who are watching the news everyday and in time might be targeted as Hammas's next victims. One things is for sure though that the blood bath in Gaza will not only leave people angry but it will not solve any of the problems that originally triggered the war.

'From kidulthood to adulthood'

Over the weekend, I watched the gritty urban film Kidulthood (2006), which to my surprise depicted 21st century urban teenage life really accurately. I am a big fan of urban gangster films and so this film certainly lived up to my expectations.

For those of you who haven't watched the film, the film narrowly focusses on following several 15 yr old teenagers whom of which engage in sex, drugs and violence. The film is extremely violent in places, but it highlights the growing trend for teens to stab and use fire arms to kill people. Ultimately, the hot and loveable guy Trife is killed by his enemy Sam...which okay I admit I cried at.

For me the film 'kicks the door off its hinges'. I thought I knew what it meant to be a teenager growing up in the 21st century, clearly I was wrong. I guess the film illustrated to me how lucky I have been not to have sex for drugs, witness a stabbing or felt suicidal by the actions of school bullies. Although the film explicitly shows that this isn't the case for all teenagers.

The follow up to the film: Adulthood was released last year and supposedly is better than kidulthood. The film shows the teenagers 2 years later and how Sam who was sent to jail for the murder of Trife is now being targeted to 'settle the score.'

A must see film!! *****