Goodbye 2013!

It's only fair to say that time has gone super quick! 2013 was full of ups and downs, but most importantly, new experiences. I've learnt so many life lessons that I simply didn't know 12 months ago. I finally found out that failing at something isn't the end of the world, and that with every end, there is a new beginning. New opportunities.

There are many things I'll remember 2013 for. Looking back, the only words to characterise the insanity of it all is drama-ridden. Quite literally. A year full of drama, both funny and petty.

As it all closes, 2014 will be a fresh start with many exciting things to happen. And oh, the World Cup. A perfect reason to stay glued to the television all day (the only ever time I watch football with anticipation).

x

The 2013 Playlist

Music has been pretty interesting as far as 2013 is concerned. I have quite a varied music taste, anything from country to electro-pop will suit me fine. I also have quite a thing with opera. I can honestly sit down and listen to it for hours (not that it features in this playlist). Here’s some my favourite albums/singles of the year!

Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience

This needs no introduction at all. All I can say is that it was the perfect comeback for Justin.

Taylor Swift – Red

Again, I’m a big fan of Taylor! With this album, I somehow felt that it’s quite grown up and mature, in a way. I mean, it’s much different from Fearless.However, I just think that her "you've ruined my heart...I hate you now" kind of songs are getting quite tiresome, so I'm hoping that there'll some new singles in the coming year not dealing with this theme.

Ellie Goulding – Halcyon

OMG PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT.

Bastille - Pompeii  

I haven't listened to songs like this before, so coming across this was a 'trial and error' type thing. Looks like I didn't waste three odd minutes.

The Heavy - Short Change Hero

This song was actually recommended by my friend, and I must say, it's quite a tune. Pretty laid back from the usual pop, so much that it's a great tune to listen to whilst revising!

Blake Lewis – Your Touch

This song actually featured in an Internet Explorer advert and I really really liked it. It's quite amusing that IE choose great songs for their adverts, yet their browser is far from satisfying. Hmmmmm.

John Newman – Tribute

I absolutely love his style! His most popular song 'Love Me Again' is quite relevant to The Great Gatsby...extremely relevant in fact!

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Last, but definitely not least. Another astounding album. Viva Coldplay!

'Tis the season!

Merry Christmas to all those celebrating today! May the day be full of festive fun and laughter!

Rahma. xo

Keep Calm and Study

That’s my mantra for the next 2 weeks; however, there will be some decent amount of resting. I mean, it is a holiday after all!

After a 9 week term overloaded with petty drama and procrastination, I think it’s very fair to say that I’ve been looking forward to the Christmas holidays for a long long time!

Apart from the likelihood of watching Home Alone for the millionth time (honestly, it never gets old!) , I’ll also be preparing for my January mock exams – the first thing I have when I get back.

Happy holidays everyone! I hope it's both restful and productive. :) 

Be Inspired

Watching BBC’s Sport Personality of the Year only meant one thing for me, inspiration. Seeing the achievements of both sportsmen and women recognised is one thing, but to inspire is something of greater value.

Below is the moment that clinched Andy Murray the most coveted prize this year:

One of the most astounding features of sport is its ability to bring everyone together, to rejoice both the good and bad, but most of all, the accomplishment of dreams. I think that being able to recognise that is a respectable thing, but taking a vital lesson from it is even more virtuous. Hard work is definitely on the cards. Like a 100m sprint – you don’t win by training the night before the race, but rather by devoting hours and hours for months leading up to the big day. Before you know it, you will be able to compete in that race with confidence and eventually- maybe win. This is a lesson of life rather than a sport one. Hard work pays dividends and sport is solitary proof of that. 

If  you're interested in watching the ceremony, click here (only avaliable on iPlayer until Sunday).

Work In Progress

OK, so it clearly seems that I haven't stuck to my commitment of posting everyday.

The past week consisted of being struck down with a throat infection, essays, essays and essays. They are quickly becoming the bane of my life and I cannot wait for term to end.

Other than that, I’ve also been thinking about the direction in which my blog is heading after the New Year. I initially thought that I would have some sort of a journalistic approach to this space, so basically blogging about things that really capture my interest. For instance: feminism, conflict, religion etc, not that I’m overtly politically minded. And of course “I’m having an essay crisis” will continue to feature (unfortunately…).

So that’s it really. I’m back in force, and will continue to blog for the rest of the month as part of Blogmas.

x

"Bene disserer est finis logices..."

That roughly translates as "The end of logic is to dispute well", a quote directly taken from Christopher Marlowe's best known work Doctor Faustus. Although I no longer study A2 English Literature, I decided to give it a read and had presumptions that I wouldn't enjoy it seeing as this piece of literature is classed under Gothic. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

The last time I read Gothic literature was about three years ago, when I was studying Shakespeare's Macbeth; and I have to say, I absolutely disliked it.I found the plot quite monotonous and tiresome- but it’s the complete opposite with Faustus.

Written during the Renaissance Era, the drama does provoke some controversy (if not a lot). One particular example is Faustus desire to become a being greater than God, and the way he goes about with this is to start the practice of necromancy. Now to do this in a society where religious decrees are held with great regard- this is highly controversial, but somewhat entertaining. Not of the laughing sort, but with shock, like “OMG whaaat?!” But the show doesn’t end there. He decides to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for 24 years of life, in which he decides to engage in really (and I mean really) stupid activities. In a way, this could represent Marlowe’s maverick ways as he was a contentious figure himself.

What I failed to understand however, was whether Faustus was too clever or insane. 

His speech seems very controlled providing hints that he’s beyond ambitious and arrogant – an aspect that slightly put me off.

But all in all, I found the play quite intriguing. Certainly better than Macbeth, and I must say, it’s got me interested into Gothic literature overall.