Still On Cloud Nine

Firstly, I would like to congratulate my friend and mentor Jeannette, who was given the role of Magic Smoke’s “Guest Editor” this week.

 

I would like to thank her as she choosing my journal as one of her ‘picks’.  What a surprise and honour it was to learn I had been chosen.  It must’ve been a very hard job to pick six journals as there are so many out there in J-Land. 

 

I’m so enjoying reading and commenting on Jeannette’s other choices.  It is thrilling to discover some journals that I have never visited before.

 

Waiting for my ‘A’ Level results wasn’t as bad as I had thought.  I was excited more than anything.  All of us were told to line up and wait outside the Headmaster’s office.  Then one by one, we were called in and then handed our results on a piece of paper, and given a hearty congratulations and a pat on the back!

 

I do not agree with this procedure at all because the teachers already know the results and it’s unfair on the student.  I believe that the Results should be put in an envelope and then given to the open.  Then, they can deal with whatever good or bad news privately. 

 

I know the teachers must be there to support and guide students, but whatever happened to privacy?

 

To make things worse, I had to go and see the Deputy Headmaster then, to check if I had received acceptance from my chosen University.  It was total chaos!  The University’s switchboard was jammed.  So I was sitting for an hour and a half, waiting for a response.  That was the worst part… not knowing whether or not you had got onto your course.  In the end, I gave up… it seemed like I had been sitting there hours… so, I came home and checked online.  There it sat in my inbox:  “YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED!”

 

Later on that night, we had a little drink to celebrate in the back garden.  It was nice.  Mum, Dad, Uncle Robert, Maggi, his girlfriend Auntie Helen and Kailei were here.  Not too many people, just the people that mattered.  We all had Champagne and some strawberry cheesecake.  I paid the price the next day though with the mother of all hangovers!  I must say, I don’t drink much, so it goes straight to my head!

 

Thank you to everyone who sent congratulations on my ‘A’ Level Results.  I am still on cloud nine.  I’m so excited to begin this new chapter in my life.  The other students won’t know what’s hit them, hee hee! 

 

Tags: A/AS Levels, examinations, results

'A' Level Results Day.

Today I received my ‘A’ Level Results.  Guess what?

 

 

 

 

I PASSED!

 

  

Level	Subject	Result	Grade over 2 years
AS (1st yr)	Health & Social Care	C
A2 (2nd year)	Health & Social Care	C	C
Advanced Diploma	Welsh Baccalaureate		A
AS (1st yr)	English Literature	C
A2 (2nd yr)	English Literature	D	C

 

At the end of the two years, the grades are added together then divided to give an average.  So this means I have 1 A and 2 C grades. 

 

I can confirm that I have been accepted into my local University to a degree in “English Studies”.  Can’t believe it at the moment, the news hasn’t quite sunk in yet.  I’m so excited to see what lies ahead.

 

CHEERS EVERYONE!

 

 

Tags: A/AS Levels, examinations, results

Music, Movie & A Meal!

First of all, I must apologise for the numerous e-mails I sent out to people regarding my last post.  I assumed that because I had received no Alerts no-one had commented.  Then, I checked on Monday evening when the Alerts were working and lo and behold, people had.  I was so happy to have 7 comments!

 

This time next week, I will have the results of the A-Level examinations I sat in May and June.  This time next week we shall know whether or not I am going to University.  OMG!  Leigh… you must think positive now.

 

Last week, my Nan and I went to see the new movie version of “Mamma Mia!”  It was hilarious from start to finish.  Julie Walters is legendary and Meryl Streep is surprisingly good at singing.  The songs by ABBA just want to make to get up and join in… and people did!

 

I am now teaching Chantelle (the little girl Mum child minds) some songs that appear in he movie.  Singing with her takes me back to when I was younger, I think I was about 9 or 10, when I would sing ABBA tracks and make up little dance routines to go with them.  It’s slightly embarrassing now, LOL!

 

Today is my Uncle Robert’s Birthday!  Later, we are going out for a meal to celebrate, so I must go and get ready now. 

 

Until next time…

 

Tags: A/AS Levels, ABBA, examinations, Mamma Mia, results, songs

A Postcard from Ibiza

Dear J-Land members,

 

Hope things are well with you.  Have you missed me while I’ve been away?

 

The weather is lovely here in Playa D’En Bossa, Ibiza.  Some mornings have been cloudy, but fine.  It did rain one afternoon for about an hour, but it didn’t deter people at all – they just carried on without a care in the world.

 

The apartment is small and compact.  There is no T.V, but I’m sure I’ll find other things to do.  We have a very noisy air conditioning system in the room.  It keeps the room cool, but the noise from the machine and Dad’s snoring are a bad combination!

 

On the first Wednesday, we visited the Hippy Market in the town of Es Cana.  We took a boat ride over and passed through Figeueratus and Cala Longa.  The market is very popular with the Spanish and tourists alike.  I had never seen so many people about.  I felt like we were packed in like sardines!

 

Afterwards, we met up with Dad’s friend and his wife who are staying in Es Cana and went for a meal.  The return boat ride was much calmer and we were also given a free cup of sangria to enjoy.  It was “a nice treat”, Mum says.

 

We visited the nearby town Figeuratus, which is  rumoured to be the Gay capital of Ibiza.  My first impression was not a good one as the buildings looked terribly old fashioned.  However, we had a lovely meal in a Spanish restaurant in the town.

 

We have taken part in many quizzes throughout the holiday.  There were three times where we were in a tie-break situation.  On the last night, we actually won the quiz and a bottle of champagne.  Then, mum decided to have a go at the Bingo – and she won 55 Euros!  Couldn’t believe it!

 

Lots of love,

 

Leigh

'Sand in My Shoes'

Hey guys,

 

How are you all?  This is just a short message to let you know that I’m home from my break in Ibiza.  We got back in Cardiff at 12:30p.m this afternoon. 

 

I’m feeling really tired now, as I’ve been up since 6:30a.m this morning, so I will write a ‘proper’ entry tomorrow or Sunday.   Yes Missie, I did take lots of pictures!  So many in fact, I may have to be selective.  At the moment, I am waiting for the batteries to recharge to upload them onto the computer.

 

I’ll leave you with a song now, which describes exactly how I’m feeling right now.

 

Dido – “Sand in My Shoes”

 

Two weeks away feels like the whole world should've changed
but I'm home now, and things still look the same
I think I'll leave it till tomorrow to unpack, try to forget for one more night that I'm back in my flat
on the road where the cars never stop going through the night
to a life where I can't watch the sunset, I don't have time, I don't have time

I've still got sand in my shoes and I can't shake the thought of you
I should get on, forget you but why would I want to
I know we said goodbye, anything else would've been confused
but I want to see you again

tomorrow's back to work and down to sanity
should run a bath and then clear up the mess I made before I left here
try to remind myself that I was happy here before I knew that I could get on a plane and fly away
from the road where the cars never stop going through the night
to a life where I can watch the sunset and take my time, take all our time

I've still got sand in my shoes and I can't shake the thought of you
I should get on forget you but why would I want to
I know we said goodbye, anything else would've been confused
but I want to see you again(x2)
I want to see you again

two weeks away, all it takes, to change and turn me around I've fallen
I walked away, and never said, that I wanted to see you again

I've still got sand in my shoes and I can't shake the thought of you
I should get on, forget you but why would I want to
I know we said goodbye, anything else would've been confused
but I want to see you again(x2)

I wanna see you again
I wanna see you again

Summer Break

Hi everyone.

 

This shall be the last post from me for two weeks.  I am going on a summer break with my family to Ibiza, Spain.  We are staying on the island of Playa D’en Bossa again.  You may remember we went there last year for a week, but this time we are staying at a different hotel. 

 

I cannot wait to escape from this miserable weather we have been getting!  The only thing I am not looking forward to is the early morning flight.  Although, it is not so bad on the return journey because you can have your breakfast and off you go back to the airport.

 

What else have I been up to?  Oh yes!  I have had new glasses.  These are ones that I can wear in and out of doors.  The lenses go darker in sunlight.  I think it will behandy to take one pair on holidays rather than two, and then I won’t be at risk to losing them.

 

I have also had a new manual wheelchair, which I use for long distance journeys.  I had been waiting eighteen months (a long time) for it.  I can’t tell you how happy I was this morning to finally get it.

 

Also, Katie has written a letter of complaint to the limo company that took us to the Ball on behalf of us all.  We hope to get a refund of £21.25 each and compensation of £40.  I would be quite happy just to have the deposit we paid.  I shall let you know any further developments when I get back from Ibiza.

 

Take care J-Land.  Until I return…

 

Oh, What a Night!

Sorry this entry took so long.  I have been waiting for the photographs to be developed and sorting through them.  I have selected the best ones to display here.  More pictures will be added later.

 

Kailei & I had a great time at the Sixth Form Ball that Saturday night.  It really was one I shall never forget.  From the photographs, I think you’ll agree when I say Kailei looked absolutely beautiful in her ball gown.  I felt like a prince with her on my arm.

 

The limo ride to the venue was thrilling.  We broke down – three times!  Trust that to happen to me, but it all added to the excitement!  Katie & Adam, her boyfriend, were sitting there panicking, while Kailei & I were singing "Que Sera Sera" loudly out the window, while drinking from our flasks of vodka and Malibu. 

 

The limousine got us to the venue, but we were forty minutes late because of the breakdown.  We will be complaining because unfortunately, we missed the professional photos.  Kailei and I didn’t really mind because Uncle Robert and Maggi, his girlfriend, had taken lots of pictures beforehand out in my back garden.  But the other couple may not have been so lucky.

 

Also, the limo driver told us that we had to be over the age of 21 to have a glass of champagne on the journey.  Afterwards, we found out we could’ve had a glass because we were all 18 years old, and legally adults.  It shows how much the driver knew about rules and regulations!

 

We arrived just in time for the three course meal.  We had leek and potato soup to begin.  Then for the main meal, we had chicken in mushroom sauce with asparagus wrapped in bacon.  With that, there was roast potatoes, new potatoes with carrots and peas.  For desert, we had a chocolate pyramid, with a crème brûlée filling.  The meal was very nice!

 

Then, after the meal, the headmaster and deputy headmistress gave some speeches of thanks, and then some ‘Awards’ were handed out for best looking male, female and couple of the evening (bias in my opinion)… Then the party really began!

 

I did not stop dancing all night.  The only problem I found that it was really claustrophobic on the dance floor.  It was really tiny, but that didn’t stop me getting my groove on!

 

I had an amazing night, and I know Kailei did as well.  It’s very true when it is said time flies when you’re having fun.  It really did, the party only seemed to begin when it was time to leave.  I’ll close now then and I hope you enjoy the photographs I have included.