What A Week!

Wow, has it really been ten days since I posted my last journal entry?  Time sure does fly when you are busy!  I have no more lessons from next week onwards until September, when the A2 courses officially start!

 

I had a job interview on Monday.  The school magazine was looking for a new journalist to join the team.  I applied – and I got the job!  I have also been given an official title for the job I do for the school radio station during the lunchtime – ‘radio presenter / playlist co-ordinator’ sounds posh, doesn’t it?  WOO HOO!!

 

I remember the first time the team tested my presenting skills live on air vividly.  I was so overcome with excitement, I messed up the date.  My radio colleagues have never let me live it down ever since!

 

I went to another Sixth Form party on Thursday night to celebrate the end of A/S exams.  I was a little nervous because I don’t usually go to parties, but once I got there, everything was fine.  I spent the night dancing and chatting to people.  Some I had not seen for about a year (seems a lot longer) so it was great to catch up!

 

Yes, I did have an alcoholic drink – three in fact!  I learn my lesson from the Christmas party, because from about 9p.m I drank soft drinks.  In the morning when I woke up, I was fine, though I felt disorientated from all the bright lights.  I had a great time!

 

Mum and I had arranged to go to a fete today, but it was postponed due to this awful rain!  It had been organised to raise money for the Bobath Centre in Wales, the place I go to have physiotherapy every year.  So that’s another event I, and you, can look forward to.

 

Have a good weekend!

Leigh

 

**Filemanager is not working, so I shall upload graphics at a later date** 

 

Happy Belated Father's Day

 

I thought the above graphic would be appropriate because my father loves to cook and last Saturday we had a barbeque in the back garden.  I invited my friends Jennie and Kailei.  It felt as if I had not seen them for months, so it was great to catch up with the girls!

 

My dad was pleased with the presents I got for him.  He said he could not wait to start watching Series One of “Prison Break”.  All the family are big fans of “24” and “Lost” so, apparently we’re “going to LOVE this show”.

 

I also bought him Gwen Stefani’s new CD called “The Sweet Escape”.  He’d been dropping subtle hints for months and I didn’t even know he liked her music!  She used to be the lead singer of a band called No Doubt.  

 

I’m not a big fan of her music, but not everyone has the same taste.  I've included a video, which is one of dad's favourite songs.

 

No Doubt: 'Don't Speak'

 

 

Hope you are having a good evening!

Leigh

'Dear J-Land...'

 

My examinations are over!  I had my last one on Monday.  WOO HOO! *Happy dance* I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  But there is no rest for the wicked as we have began our new A2 courses earlier!

 

 

In English, we have been given four more novels to study.  They are “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Island of Apples” by Glyn Jones and “Sons and Lovers” by D.H. Lawrence.  We do not know what other book we are studying yet.

 

 

The same teachers will continue the course.  I’ve heard it’s a “racy” book and Mr. X hasn’t retired, and taught us poetry last year tends to “focus too much on things that weren’t relevant”.  I’m a bit concerned he will focus too much on the sexiness in the book.

 

 

Sex is normal.  It’s a wonderful thing that happens between two people who love each other.  I just don’t feel comfortable talking openly about sex because it’s ‘private’.

 

 

At home, the subject is ‘swept under the carpet’ and not spoken of much.  I have a feeling English Literature is going to turn into a Sex Ed lesson and there’s probably going to be lots of blushing going on!

 

 

I’m 17 years old.  I shouldn’t really feel uncomfortable about sex.  I don’t know why I feel this way.  I am going to have to mature quickly during the next few months.  No nervous laughing or blushing at the thought, I can’t help it!

 

 

Is this normal or is there something wrong with me?  Any advice you have would really help.

 

 

Leigh

'Ready, Steady, Cook'

Move over Jamie Oliver, cause ‘Super Chef’ Leigh is going to take your crown!

 

Earlier tonight, I made a bacon, mushroom and sausage omelette with potato wedges for my tea.  I love omelettes!  They are so simple and easy to make.  This evening, was the first time I had made the dish myself, with a little help from Margaret, my care support worker.

 

My parents thought I’d made a brilliant effort.  Chantelle, a child my mum child minds really enjoyed her tea!  She always looks forward to when Margaret visits, because she knows she will have something special for her tea.

 

Do you like the photographs I’ve included?

 

'Any Dream Will Do'

Last night, one of my favourite shows reached its conclusion, “Any Dream Will Do”.  For the last ten weeks, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber has been attempting to find a male lead to play the role of Joseph in a new version of his play “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat”.

 

From thousands of hopefuls, twelve potential leading men were chosen to go to Joseph school.  While there, everyday the guys would work alongside professional voice coaches, choreographers and others, to improve their talent.  They also had to participate in several 'missions': one was to 'seduce' fellow judge Denise Van Outen.

 

Each Saturday night, each ‘Joseph’ had to sing live for viewers’ votes and to win over the judges “Doctor Who” star John Barrowman, vocal coach Zoë Tyler, actress Denise Van Outen, producer Bill Kenwright, and of course Lloyd-Webber himself.

 

Then, at the end of the show, the two men with the lowest votes would have to sing for survival in one final sing-off to impress Andrew.  He was allowed to save one guy each week... and he saved one guy four times, who later became a runner-up in the competition.

 

As the standard got better and better each week, it became increasingly difficult for the Lord (and the audience at home!) to choose who to save from eviction, as they were all so good.  Then last weekend 25 year old actor/singer, Lee Mead, from Southend-on-Sea achieved his dream role as Joseph.

 

I thought this show was brilliant.  It’s interesting to know what process goes on while choosing a leading man or lady for a theatre production.  Also I couldn’t vote because I found it really hard to choose my favourite.

The show will be held at Adelphi Theatre, London.  Lee has been an understudy for “Joseph” in the past.  Now, he is a leading man in his own right.  He says “I can give the public and the show the Joseph they know and love but with a new, fresh, individual stamp.”

Congratulations and good luck Lee!

Lee Mead - "Mack the Knife" 

Tags: Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Joseph, West End.

I'm Back!

Hello everyone!

 

I’m back from the sunny climbs of Playa d’En Bossa, Ibiza.  I had a brilliant time!  The weather was fantastic, although during the evenings it was chilly.  On first impressions I didn’t like the hotel because it had lots of steps and no facilities for the disabled.  But it was literally five steps away from the beach, which was good.

 

It was quiet and peaceful around the swimming pool.  I thought “Great, this is bliss!” because there were no children running and splashing about by the pool.  Then I spotted a lifeguard going around each of the sun beds… charging people 4 euros (£3) EACH to use them!

 

My parents said this was very unusual.  We have never had to pay for beds by the poolside before.  Mum always says “The good things in life don’t come forfree!”

 

We met a friendly couple from Llanelli named Gerald and Daphne while on holiday.  They told us the best places to visit during our stay in Playa D’En Bossa.  Gerald said during their holiday they had been “very lucky on the Bingo”.  In their company on Monday night, I called a Full House at Bingo and won 36 euros! 

 

I spent some of my bingo winnings on a caricature of myself.  I think it’s brilliant!  Can you see the likeness in the photograph I’ve included?  When I visited the place again with my dad, we participated in a quiz and won a bottle of champagne!  Gerald and Daphne’s luck must’ve rubbed off on me and my family.

 

I’ve had a fantastic holiday, but now it’s time to get back to work and prepare for examinations.  I’ve got two next week!  As promised, I’ve included photos.  I hope you like them.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Leigh