THE BEACH : How Uptopia can drive a man insane... but leave a reader entrapped.

A book which addresses the issues of paradise. How far one man will go to find it and the awful effects it can have on his mental health. A gripping read!

The Beach by Alex Garland focuses on backpackers in Thailand who become captivated by the beauty of 'the beach', a legendary and idyllic location, untouched by tourism.



Simple plot summary to reveal no spoilers:

Richard, a young English traveller comes across a bizzare Scotish man whilst residing in a run down hotel in Thailand. As discussion between the two develops Richard is given knowledge of 'the beach'. Together with a young and beautiful French couple, Étienne and Françoise, the trio sets out to find what they believe must be paradise on earth.

After various obstacles block their path, the trio find themselves on the picture perfect beach and it is not long before they are welcomed into the community and absorb themselves in the daily routines.

But as expected, paradise comes at a price. Natural consequences lead to devastating events and particular characters devise an uncanny personality. But will the trio remain on the beach or leave to return to the hustle and bustle of everyday life?


Personal Review:



Plot:
The beginning seems slow in comparison to the quick development of events from middle to end. Nevertheless, the scene, introduction to characters and plot is detailed, producing a visual image for the reader.


Character:
The description of movements and emotions felt by Richard leave the reader following his psychological changes as the impact of the beach affect his mental functioning. His opinion on the world leaves the reader questioning their own views about Utopia and whether it can really exsist?


Theme:
The theme of a Utopia is a tough concept to grasp. Many authors have tried to invisage a world of peace and freedom. But Alex Garland turns a simple, yet beautiful, Thailand island into a place of dreams. This real life island adds a realistic spin on Utopia, highlighting the dangers which come with paradise.

Though often dark, Garland's novel is fresh and engaging with modest flourishes that never detract from the story. Capturing tense action scenes and picture perfect emotions, the characters are well-drawn and unabashedly defined by their status, relationships, and how they are perceived by other characters.

Overall is it an absorbing and thrilling read.

My biggest advise is to read before you watch!

Zakynthos

So I have just returned from a beautiful holiday to the island of Zakynthos in Greece. It was perfect.

As I lay here typing it seems impossible that just this morning I was waking to the sound of roosters and the sun beaming brightly through the window. Floors too hot to stand on barefooted and seas which were gleaming blue. Now, back in England, I dare not stand on the floor barefooted for fear of glass and although the sun may occasionally pop out, it seems the skies are more filled with clouds and rain. Typical English weather. 

WEEK ONE- THE NORTH

Mikro Nisi was the first stop, near the scenic St Nicholas Port. We stayed in Climati Studios, owned by John and his wife. http://www.zanteweb.gr/zakynthos.zante/en/climati (100 Euros for the week).

It was a tidy room, nicely kept with a beautiful view. John himself was very helpful and managed to get us a hire car for 25euros a day: surprisingly cheap. He also drove us to the second destination for 20euros. A taxi was double the price! The home made wine, olive oil and complementary fruit and water was a perfect start. A short fifteen minute walk led to a supermarket and various restaurants. I would recommend Niko's. 

There were two beaches. Both stoney. But both wonderful all the same. Just outside of Climati and left was a small path which lead down to a small beach. It was almost private, par for the few Greeks who came for their daily swim! It was like something out of a movie.

Our 'private' beach

Without a doubt it is essential you get a car, unless planning to spend the entire holiday on one beach. With 30 euros of petrol we managed to see the whole West coast and North of the Island. There are places you stumble across which just take your breath away.

St Nicholas Port was the ideal spot to get a boat to shipwreck and the blue caves: a must for any sight-seer. We paid 15 euros each and fully enjoyed ourselves.

WEEK TWO: THE SOUTH.

This week we stayed in Sofia Hotel in Kalamaki. http://www.sofias.gr/

Unlike Climati it didn't come with any free gifts yet the room was cleaned regularly and was slightly cheaper. There was a pool and sunloungers and even a slow moving dog (Lola). The whole place was clean and the company was nice. However, it was very different to Climati. It had many rooms, rather than a limited eight and near the end of the week we were joined by 'youths' clearly on an end of exam holiday. Rather unpleasantly we were woken in the middle of the night by one singing out loud. Nevertheless, this is not the fault of the hotel. Although we did not eat in the bar we did purchase our food in Sofia's market, just next to the hotel. The prices were reasonable and the shop assistants were friendly. The only downside about the hotel was the extra charges for air conditioning and a safe, both of which, we chose to live without.. it is without saying that the nights would have been a bit more comfortable with the help of air conditioning.

Nearby was Kalamaki beach. A sandy haven where turtles lay their eggs. The beach was nice. Again, I would recommend hiring a car. We got one from rent a cars on the street which the hotel sits on. For three days we paid 68 euros. I would then recommend driving to Keri for the views and the peninsula, especially Gerakes beach. The endangered turtles means the beaches in the South are protected and therefore, very little spoils them.

The main street on which Sofia's is situated contains numerous tourist shops and restaurants. In the evening's each restaurant entices those walking down the street with offers. One night we got free cheesy garlic bread starters and two large cocktails free. Meal prices are all roughly the same. You are looking at 6-9 euros a meal unless delving for the more lavish of ingredients. The restaurant which we rate highest was Heaven's kitchen. It does not draw you in with freebies, but does not need to. With large portions and reasonable prices, I place it as a winner on the restaurant front. Although Poseidon, just left of Sofia, was closely following behind.

Heaven's Kitchen

Obviously different holidays suit different people. We find that travelling around the island and seeing the sites  was the best use of time. However, I would recommend the North for peace and quiet. Little beaches and scenes of a fairytale. Kalamaki for shops and restaurants but not the rush of a tourist filled area. And without a doubt, Laganas is the place for clubbing (including a KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut). We drove through Laganas, although, the hustle and bustle was not for us.

MY TOP ATTRACTIONS

Water village: http://www.zantewatervillage.gr/
If attending after 2pm the price of entry is reduced to 14euros and it is well worth it if you enjoy water slides. The boomer and bowl are good for thrill seekers and the free fall is not for the faint hearted. But there really is something for everyone. Fast high slides. Slow low slides. A lazy river. Children's play area and a water jungle. It was a last minute decision for us to go here, but I wouldn't look back on the afternoon filled with adventure.

Askos Stone Park: http://www.askos.gr/
I was unsure what to expect from attending a stone park which contained only little animals. As a city girl I have come to think of zoos containing elephants and lions, not deer and peacocks. But once again, it was well worth the visit. We often got to fed the animals, including deer, horses and raccoon, as well as hold a tortoise. It was a friendly zoo with many animals to look at.

Turtle spotting
In the South there are numerous boat trips offering turtle spotting to see the Caretta Caretta. These turtles make their way from Africa each year to lay their eggs on the beaches of Zante before returning to Africa in September.
A coach picks you up from a nearby location and take you to the boats departure port. We paid 15 euros each for a four hour excursion. This included swimming on the turtle island and Keri caves, as well as sighting the giant turtles! This is not one to be missed.

Shipwreck Beach and Blue Caves
Very similar to the above except the excursions run to the beach where you can view the famous shipwreck, and to the blue caves in which you may swim.

Without a doubt I would return to the island and bathe back in the warm heat of the sun. But suppose that must now wait for another year!!

Pre-holiday prep.

So tomorrow it's time for me to leave the UK and delve into Greek culture!

The island of Zakynthos; better known at Zante is my destination. Typically, the island is known for its night life which attracts various teenagers from around the globe. And has become a regular sight on Sun Sex and Suspicious parents. But a clubbing holiday is not for me. Instead, myself and my fellow companion will be travelling to the North of the island, heading to a remote apartments with two local small beaches --> http://www.zanteweb.gr/zakynthos.zante/en/climati. So the web makes it look like paradise, with nearby attractions such as the shipwreck beach (above) and the blue caves (below), what more can one want?

 Then in the second week, we will be heading down South to stay at the Sofia Hotel. http://www.sofias.gr/en/index.php

This second week will be more tourist filled, i imagine, being closer to the airport but nevertheless, it appears we will be getting the best of two worlds. The tranquillity of the North and the hustle of the South, (plus shops!)

So, this evening it is last minute packing. The stress of getting your luggage under the weight limit is looming heavily on my shoulders! Checking we have everything up together, including: passport, money and health cards! What a disaster that would be if one was left behind. Before an early morning (3:30am!) and a short flight to Greece.

In two weeks time i'll return and fill you in, will Zante be paradise?

The Queens Jubilee celebrations

So the past few days have been exciting! The Queen has celebrated her jubilee with grand events and public outings.

Sunday 3rd saw the floatila down the Thames. Hundreds of boats from rowers to Dunkirk ships drifted down the historic waters as the Queen stood on the Royal barge. Alot of emphasis was put on the fact that she did not once sit on the comfy looking seats, produced for herself and her huband. It just shows that she puts the people at the forefront of her mind; personally, I would have been very tempted to parch myself on the seats.  The British weather was unfortunetly unpredictable and caused the fly-past to be cancelled. Nevertheless, the day was not ruined. The Queen dressed for the weather in a beautiful white outfit, standing out from the golds and reds.

Monday 4th the Queen watched a concert held in her own lawn at Buckingham palace. Stars such as Elton John, Robbie Williams and Paul McCartney played for the Queen. It has been dubbed the best and biggest concert of all time. I'd recommend watching it on BBCiplayer, if you have not done already. Though the picture wasn't complete without the Duke of Edinbourgh. He wasn't present due to being in hospital with a bladder infection. Im sure he would have been watching on tv.

Tuesday 5th the Queen has continued without her 'rock' through the service at St Pauls, lunch and the Royal Procession. Her carriage gold and red in splendor. Hundreds of people flocked down the streets and crowded the front of Buckingham Palace. The Queen standing on the balcony you can see the love which she has for the people of her country and those others who are combined in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth which she takes pride in.

The Red Arrows were as amazing as ever!!! Leaving behind their trail of red white and blue. The Queen happily pointing at the sky as they did so. It really was a beautiful moment

Now we just wait for the Queen's recorded message at 18:00.


British traddition has been upheld with clothing of fine reds and golds, horses brushed to perfection and honour gleaming through all those involved. Long live the Queen.

Proud to be British.

(Ps: we all wish Prince Phillip the best, get well soon)

I've deleved into the twitter world.

So i've begun a twitter using this name :)

please follow: Itsatoughlife92



Prometheus Questions

So, I've written this in a seperate blog since I didn't wish to reveal anything which happened to those who have not seen it. So stop reading! Should you not have seen the movie yet. :)  But if you have, please shed some light on what you think in answer to these questions, really are puzzling. As well as Scott did there was not alot revealed... a good basis for a follow up movie perhaps?


1. So the alien at the beginning: he drinks the 'poison' and breaks apart and dies in the waterfall. But where is he? To me it looks like earth. Grass, trees etc. Not the planet which they later visit. So, does this mean that the aliens have been to earth before? It is also not revealed why the alien kills himself and is dressed in a 'human' cloak. Perhaps the humans did something to anger him?

2. It is never explained why the same painting is tracked throughout history. Could this link back to the fact that the alien (above) was on Earth?

3. When the 'oh so familiar alien' bursts from the stomach of the human alien at the end we are reminded of Ridley's other movies and how this aimed to be a pre-sequal. However, surely the octopus alien did not impregnant the other upon attack, and within seconds an alien was born? No. So does this mean that inside all the white men are those aliens?

4. DNA which turns Holloway and Fifield into weird beings that want to attack Humans and reproduce facehuggers not humans. Why?

5. What were the 'engineers' running away from in the dome?

Im pretty sure I thought of other stuff to, but for now I will leave it like that. Answers anyone? And anything which puzzled you?

Prometheus - my opinion

Ridley Scott has done it again. He has produced a sci-fi action packed film filled with all your favourite 'Alien' suspense.

So my boyfriend took me to see this movie, mainly because he has been counting down the days till it came out. I wasn't to sure what to expect. I'd seen the alien movies on tv before and found them entertaining. There isn't really a bad word you could say about them. They keep you hooked throughout.

The same could be said for Prometheus. I didn't find myself thinking about how long the movie was, or looking around at the packed seats and people munching on popcorn throughout the film. Instead I watched, wide eyed behind my 3D glasses.

A couple of times I found myself tightening my grip on my boyfriends hand as we awaited to see what was going to happen next. Unfortunately, the aliens lacked any scary element. Infact, there was a large likeness to the Kracken from Pirates of Caribbean at one point. There also didn't seem to be one form of alien as 3 different types appeared on the screen before us!

Ridley Scott really did pull out all the stunts with a high tech future spaceship and witty dialogue. Nevertheless, there are many unanswered questions which I will put in a seperate blog for fear of spoiling the movie.

Go see it! Let me know what you think.

What the sun does to a student

"The sun has got his hat on
Hip-hip-hip-hooray!
The sun has got his hat on,
He's coming out today.

Now we'll all be happy,
Hip-hip-hip-hooray!
The sun has got his hat on,
And he's coming out today."

What a great start to summer. The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting... but what does this mean to a student?

----

So the sun is shining brightly here in Cardiff. Surprisingly wet Wales is going against its conventional name and instead is beaming its light upon us.

Instantly it appears that everyone has ditched the hoodies and jeans and put on the smallest items they can find. Hot pants, bikinis and boob tubes to name the least. No disappointment there for guys. The park has become busy again and the grass is laden with empty bottles and scorching hot bbqs.

But as a first year law student are my priorities with the weather or with the books?

I've never been one to dash into the sun as soon as it comes out. Flashing skin as a bathe in the worlds glory. In fact, this is probably because i'd end up resembling a tomato not long later. Sunbathing has never really been my thing. Just laying and doing nothing, watching as the world goes by - couldn't be any more boring in my eyes! I'd rather be in the sun doing something. Frisbee perhaps... or swimming on the beach.

These luxuries are currently put on hold however, as my final exams loom ever so closer. It seems everyone is thinking the same as they sit inside and slave over textbooks with thousands of pages and cover their walls in posters so extravagantly you wouldn't see the paint.

So many times you hear people saying "first year doesn't matter, it doesn't count to your degree." They are correct in the sense that it does not amount to your final overall grade, but it is still recorded! I will find myself applying for training contracts next year with only the first year grade to go on. So don't tell me it doesn't matter.

As lovely as the weather is it must now be put on hold. I can't afford to lay around and get burn't when exams are on the line. And now i've been faced with the tricky decisions: do i go away for a few days next week! Ahhhh.

Well on that note, back to the books I go. Wish me luck!

Review on Evita

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Based on the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Evita the movie portrays the story of Eva Peron (1921-52) (Madonna) an Argentine heroine. It begins in her early childhood as she gets refusal to her fathers funeral due to her lower class. Her childhood not being one of riches but of discrimination against her lowly birth (illegitimate child). This scene, then contrasted with her lavish funeral gives the audience an awareness of where this movie is leading. Thousands of people flock and follow her coffin as it is paraded through the streets.

The movie follows her love affair at the age of 15 with Agustin Magaldi (Jimmy Nail) who sings a repetative song with the help of his battered guitar. With his help she tries to become known as an actress, performer and public figure. It is rumoured and portrayed in the movie, that many men 'help' her during these years and have freely given her favours.

As the proud and seemingly handsome Juan Peron (Jonathan Pryce) steps onto the scene as an ambitious young army officer all changes. As love blossoms both are plummited into the limelight. Friends and enemies are made as Eva fights for the freedom of her people and focuses her attention not on the weathly but those of her similar background.

Working tiredlessly to help the poor she becomes their angel, their immortal savour. But her young death proves that even those who seem to fight against the unfightable, who can change the world and create such a large impact on such a wide audience, in the end... must fall.

Madonna's timeless portrayal of this Argentine angel shall be remembered for years to come. Her lavish hair styles and fancy costumes portray the female through her changing persona. Leaving her life as a poor illegitimate child to become the leader of the people. She may be known as a singer, but this role should not be forgotten quickly. Especially emotional is the death which she portrays, struggling to sing to Peron as she lay pale in her bed. Tears being held back as her shakey voice leads the audience to swallow the lumps in their throats.

Coupled with Antonio Banderas as 'Che', narrating throughout the entire movie, the pair seem to fit together like two peas in a pod. His ever changing character follows Evita through her life, singing from the viewpoint of the people. Even though Banderas doesn't have Madonna's vocal ability, he acquits himself well enough when it comes to singing, and his acting is the best that it's been since he parted ways with Pedro Almoldovar (after Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!).

The costumes and fashion would interest any female who endulges in diamonds and historic costume. The lavish dresses which she wears brings a sparkle to any females eye. To watch a girl who has nothing and lives in a life of discrimination grow to be such a strong woman, who leds her people and saves her Husband, is a truely inspirational story. And what makes it even more astonishing; Eva Peron was a real female. This is not a fiction fairytale, but instead a real life drama.

Some may argue that the lack of dialouge and constant singing ruins the emotion and feeling behind the story, but i beg to differ. I believe it is the complexity of emotions and sory telling which shines through the singing which makes the movie the wonder it is. I've seen it on stage, and it is the same. Song after song, the story flowing through dance and lyrics. As a comparison... it is more like The Who's Tommy then Singing in the Rain. So if 'real musicals' are not your thing, i suggest you stay away.

Yes I am bound to be bias as this is possibly my favourite musical but i'd recommend any musical lover to give it a try. To sit through the first 15 minutes of flashbacks and embrace the story of Eva Peron, told through the music wonders of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Is googling how to get money online really a good idea?

Being a student I often moan about the hardships of money and the lack of it which sits in my bank account. How everything in the world seems a hundred times more expensive then it did when I lived at home. So, like many, i googled how to make money online.

Imagine sitting in your room, at the comfort of your desk (although these student chairs which scratch your legs and pokey desks don't really count as comfort), and making money just by using your finger tips. Seems ideal, does it not?
Well, i've probably googled this option 3 maybe 4... maybe more times than that, and lets face it, im not rolling in bank notes yet.

The online money hoax.

As already stated, I class myself as a poor student, in dire need of money.


(Truth be told, I currently spend £10 a week on food in order to save my student loan for my holiday next month, but shhh, no one needs to know that.)


So I find myself stumbling across the world of google, rummaging through pages and pages of search finds all to find myself a way to earn money online. Perhaps I first through of looking online after watching channel 4's 'Phone Sex Secrets'. There is no way you'd catch me working in that line of business, first things first, i'd burst out laughing! One girl even spoke to man as if he were a baby, asking if his nappy had been soiled. Could not handle that.


But the show did raise the potential earnings of online activity. Googling it lead to many websites explaining how to earn money. A regular apparence came in the form of affiliate programmes. Adding a companies business link on your page in order to earn money. With every click you brought in the coin, and they really are coins and not notes. Without having a webpage this seemed useless to me.


There are many others which are easily found such as writing e-books (i couldn't think of a topic which people would want to read) and participating in cam-chats. There are two which i decided to try.


1. Studentgems. A website which advertises jobs for students, many of these being writing articles and sending them online. Ideal? Well I was offered a job with one company writing blogs at £9 a piece. Didn't seem to bad since they online wanted 500 words a blog. Nevertheless, 3 months have passed and i've only been offered one blog to write. Many companies don't get back in touch and many jobs are focused towards website design, not my forte.


2. Online roulette. I know! Online gambling is never the way, but this website http://www.instant-income-system.com/members/uk/index.html made it particularly appealing. It explained step by step how you could turn £50 into £100 and more. So, being a naive student I went ahead and gave it a try. The site was right. I walked away with £90 profit. But I also left cancelling my accounts as I came to realise that it was just as easy to lose the money as it was to win it.
Human's get greedy, its just dialed into our DNA. So as i saw the figures piling up i began to take risks. With each risk I lost money until I found myself with £0. A fatal mistake. Luckily I knew when to stop and realised that the online gambling world, even though it offers its addicitve advantages, is a dangerous playground. I'd rather be poor than bankrupt.
In turn I advise no one to try it.


So here I am, left not making money online but happy. I don't have to worry about losing money through games. I just sit tight and wait to be asked to produce another blog for ChilliSauce. Instead I am just careful with money. I walk straight to the reduced section in tesco. I don't go out and about in the evenings and spend my days walking in the park or just relaxing in good company. There is no need for me to spend excess money when instead it can sit in my bank account waiting for the holiday of my dreams.

Beginning my blog journey

Today i begin the start of my blogging journey! No one can predict where this will end up or what I will write down on these pages.
But in my head I plan to write about the life of a student...
This may captivate an audience who find my stories on life entertaining, interesting or are just suitable to waste a bit of time. Nevertheless, I hope to address how life as a student can alter the way you view the world, walking step by step through this educational journey. There are always changing circumstances swirling around a students life, from a new home to money, to boyfriends to nights out.
So please, delve into my world.


Me, Myself and I

So this is me: Lauren, 19 years of age and almost finished my first year as a law student at Cardiff University. What a year it has been!

I have seen drunks, sadness, laughter, Wagner, and many many other things which remain a long and happy memory. But along side these I have seen the insides of hundreds of textbooks. Words printed over and over again acknowledging the legal world.
I've hiked around Cardiff looking for work experience. I've reached a low point in my bank balance and googled how to make money online... and a later blog will discuss the unusual outcome of this! And truth be told, I think i've found the boy im destined to be with for a long time. Fingers crossed anyway!
So now I find myself, sat in the middle of exams writing a blog about life in general. And it pleases me so. I feel that from now onwards this site may become my new best friend, my diary and a way of communication. This way I can blog about things which are effecting me, interest me and which i believe will interest you. This are activities which people experience from day to day and cannot be pigeon holed into one category.

If my blogs are remotely interesting to anyone else, perhaps i'll gain a mini audience. But if not; well thats ok too. Its nice just to get things down.
For now I will leave this be and begin on my journey of blogging. Lets see where it gets me and how many friends I can make along the way.


I've reached a low point in my bank balance and googled how to make money online... and a later blog will discuss the unusual outcome of this! And truth be told, I think i've found the boy im destined to be with for a long time. Fingers crossed anyway!
So now I find myself, sat in the middle of exams writing a blog about life in general. And it pleases me so. I feel that from now onwards this site may become my new best friend, my diary and a way of communication. This way I can blog about things which are effecting me, interest me and which i believe will interest you. This are activities which people experience from day to day and cannot be pigeon holed into one category.
If my blogs are remotely interesting to anyone else, perhaps i'll gain a mini audience. But if not; well thats ok too. Its nice just to get things down.
For now I will leave this be and begin on my journey of blogging. Lets see where it gets me and how many friends I can make along the way.

Lets begin