The meaning of life.

It has been such a long time since I was last here. And 25th is back.

Now moving onto what's most important. And to me, it's the people who make me who I am. The people who have given me more than I can ever ask for. The people who keep me smiling no matter what happens. They are my amazing family, and my gorgeous friends.

I can't thank my friends enough for always being there for me. This is my chance to say how much I love you all.. And you mean EVERYTHING to me.

On this note, I'd like to say how much I miss a certain someone.. Someone who I held so close to me.. And you know what, I still do.

PEACE AND LOVE <3

True or false? Right or wrong?

"Respect the country YOU have chosen to live in by being discreet about your religion and culture."

Does 'respect' actually define being secretive about your religious beliefs and origin, or does it mean have respect for others around you who may not want to know or hear about your beliefs? Or even both?

We live in a multi-cultural society where we all interact with one another on a daily basis. Learning from each other. Surely that's a good thing, right? But a hyped story in the news of a girl refusing to take her Hijaab off as it's not part of her school uniform is her right to do so, correct?

Freedom of expression.. Hmm?

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SHUMAILA HUSSAIN

The concepts are beautiful and the photography is scenic.

This is Shumaila Hussain.

Living and working in Norway, Shumaila's life-long hobby is reflecting her talent. Her breathtaking images make it hard NOT to fall in love with them! The autumn pictures are my favourite, check them out!






Find out more on, http://www.shumailahussain.artworkfolio.com

Anish Kapoor - Royal Academy of Arts

PIA WALTER got there before us, and she got there just in time. So, what's the verdict?

Prepare to feel miniscule, perplexed, and bedazzled! Anish Kapoor’s sculptures at the Royal Academy of the Arts invite you to join a world where space is relative, the colours dumbfounding, and sex is everywhere.

Kapoor is an internationally acclaimed artist and winner of the 1991 Turner Prize. This major solo exhibition, which runs until 11 December, surveys his career to date, showcasing a number of new and previously unseen works.

His pieces are often simple, curved forms, usually monochromatic and brightly coloured. Tall Tree and the Eye, a major new sculpture on display in the Annenberg Courtyard, is a pristine example of this. By creating works which both distort and disorientate, the Bombay born artist intends to challenge our traditional notions of time and space, leaving the spectator to deal with an oddly appealing form of nausea.

Kapoor seems fascinated with sculptures actively participating in their own creation, as seen with Svayambh, meaning self-generated in Sanskrit. This rather macabre piece, which occupies five galleries, consists of a vast block of wax moving slowly along tracks and squeezing itself through the classical doorways of the Royal Academy, leaving behind a viscous red residue.

Svayambh, along with other works such as Shooting into the Corner, a cannon that fires red wax at 20 minute intervals, in a manner which reminds one of a sneeze, makes you wonder how his pieces are dismantled.

There is no doubt that Kapoors work swallows you for magical moments in which you stand in awe, oblivious to your immediate surroundings. This surreal exhibition is truly original and definitely worth visiting. Although a complaint can be found in its briefness, which seems rather disproportionate to the very real £8 (practically student price!) expected at the door.

TRAINS TRAINS TRAINS!

Call me crazy, but sitting in a brand new tube at Oxford Circus station got me so excited I couldn't stop smiling!

So you always seem to question the weekend closures, that extra 15 mins to your journey, but are we really going to benefit after all that scarificing? Causing delays to people's journeys is worth the wait when you'll be getting cleaner, bigger and cooler tubes in return.

Weekend and evening closures can be a right pain, but I have to say Boris ain't such a nob after all ;) I happened to jump on a tube on Tuesday afternoon and as I got on, I couldn't help but stare around like it was my first time on the tube. Brighter lights, new COMFORTABLE seats, and best of all were the wider carriages which gave me enough space to move away from people's unpleasant body odour at the end of the day.

Let's hope we see more of these trains around on more Underground lines. Over populated London is desperate for better public transport and I think we've waiting long enough. More new trains will be running on tracks in the new year and hopefully we'll get a chance to enjoy them more!

Promote Vegetarianism

"Eating meat could become as socially unacceptable within a generation as drink-driving."

A very interesting article I came across the other day. Stop eating meat, cows harm the planet. Confused? So was I.

Apparently climate change experts say that meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. Dietary shifts are needed to halve greenhouse gases caused by methane-producing livestock such as cows. Does this really mean giving up meat altogether?! I personally know some people who would faint after reading this.

Singer and animal rights activist Chrissie Hynde is determind, and called for cruelty-free dairy farming worldwide.

Meat consumption is wasteful of resources including water and land, not to mention secondary issues like the increased medical costs associated with eating a meat-based diet. So would we all be better off giving it up?

There are entire cultures representing millions of people who have lived and thrived for centuries without meat, which is enough evidence that human beings do not "need" meat to satisy their taste buds or to survive. In fact, the evidence weighs heavily in the other direction: The hazards of a meat diet in comparison to the benefits of a vegeterian diet are well known in the medical and scientific community. Health, animal cruelty, and environmental issues could be alleviated if everyone ate a vegeterian diet.

I really do hope i'm not the only one with this view..

What happens next..?

Having an interest in the political crisis taking place in our country at present, I thought it would be a good idea to attend a debate taking place at my university about the upcoming general elections.

City University’s new Head of Journalism, Professor George Brock, who was hosting the event said: “The members of this panel will help to shape what you see and hear about the long election campaign that has just begun. Find out what they know. Find out what they think."

Walking in with an open mind was a positive start. It wasn’t long before the lecture theatre was almost full with under and post grads. The City University Journalism department is huge as it is, so I guess I was expecting some interesting questions being put forward to the panel.

The panel was made up by some of the UK’s most prominent political journalists, including Sam Coates (Chief Political Correspondent, The Times), Steve Richards (Chief Political Commentator, The Independent) and Pippa Crerar (Political Correspondent, Evening Standard), to debate the runners and riders in the general election race.

It started off pretty boring with Pippa Crerar so far away from the mike, you could hardly hear her. Then Steve Richards came to the mike and lit up the whole lecture theatre. His loud voice and strong views made a lot of the audience nod to his points. He came up with some plausible suggestions towards the Labour and Conservative party which stirred up some views from the audience. Concluding with Sam Coates and his ideas, a prediction was made of the election results by each panellist.

Some of their predictions made sense and in reality, could actually happen. But as far as I’m aware, political outcomes are always doubtful to the very end.

Many people came up with different points, such as why has The Sun made its decision to openly support the Tories during campaign? Has blogging changed political journalism? And has the MP’s expenses scandal really messed stuff for the outcome of these elections? All questions which may seem easy to answer, but difficult to understand what’s really behind it.

Overall I think the debate went well. It broadened my knowledge of the elections and what could actually happen. But I think I’m left with the question “What do the Tories actually stand for?” We seem to be wanting a way out from Labour, but a way in with the Tories may not necessarily be the answer...Hmm!

Charitable Causes - Get Involved.

It is a popular saying that: “To the world you are just one person. But to one person, you could be the world.”

Despite what we may often think, we are in an incredibly fortunate position. Studying at university is out of reach for so many people our age, yet still a major part of their dreams. With a little help and support however, we have the ability to make those dreams come true.

There are a wide range of charitable causes for students to get involved with to help make a difference, you just need a little direction. Here are three simple ways of supporting children’s charities, and making a difference:

Shopping – Helping Handbags was set up by Melora Johnson, a Londoner, after reading an article about a disabled children’s home in Bulgaria where the children, aged from just a few months to 18 years, were brutally neglected. Her idea was to design a handbag and sell it online, with all proceeds going to the Baba programme run by Bulgaria’s Abandoned Children Trust. The Tabitha, £150, comes in caramel, purple and metallic, and is available at www.helpinghandbags.co.uk

Mentoring – Kids Co. Mentoring was established by the Kids Company charity, based in London. The innovative and flexible mentoring programme is ideal for students, as it involves just one weekly meeting with your allocated mentee, at a time and place of your choice. This can be an exceptionally rewarding experience as you work with young people to help them achieve their goals, build confidence and self esteem, and reach their potential. Often with so many young people all that’s missing is that little bit of hope, which you can give them. More information on training and enrolment into the Kids Co. Mentoring programme is available at www.kidsco.org.uk/mentor

Partying –Trekstock was founded by Sophie Epstone in 2006 to raise awareness about the Teenage Cancer Trust. Parties, gigs and events are held for Trekstock, and all proceeds are donated to the Trust. People of all ages suffer from cancer, but the Teenage Cancer Trust specializes in young people, alike you and I, who are in need. Organising an event for Trekstock could lead to anything from a breakthrough in research to a simple smile for a patient. Either is entirely worth it. For information on how to get involved, visit: http://www.trekstock.com/

Actively becoming involved with charity work will not only benefit the children on the receiving end of your efforts, but will also enhance your own CV, especially causes like Kids Co. Mentoring and Trekstock. It is vital for the future of the children who depend on such causes for people like us to apply ourselves and get involved, so be it a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, or a bracket of time for an organised cause, it’s important we make the effort. If we don't do something ourselves, then we cannot expect a change.

Visit http://www.leapanywhere.co.uk/ to learn about new and exciting ways of helping others. To these kids, one person could make all the difference. That one person could be you.

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This moment will never be forgotten.

Michael Jackson. King of Pop. A LEGEND. R.I.P

For me and for all of us, hearing of Michael Jackson’s sudden death was a complete shocker. When I got a text from my mate, my initial thoughts were ‘HE’S LYING’. Switching to Sky News only confirmed what probably everyone was hoping not to be true.

His music will live on forever, for generations to come and appreciate his work. No matter what people say about him, he was one of a kind. We should at least give him the respect that he deserves now that he’s gone, which we didn’t really give to him while he was alive. He was the best best bestest! He gave us tunes that we'll remember and sing along to forever!

We all loved him, his music and just MJ himself.. And probably always will.

Rest in peace Michael.. x