It Has Been A While

Has it been 2 years? I looked back at the last post and it was published on 8th January 2015, so okay, it has been just over a year. I find that strange because time feels as though it moves so quickly, but then it obviously has not been going as quickly as I felt it had.

What has happened? What has changed? Questions I ask myself and others might too.

Well, firstly, I completed a Foundation Art & Design course which was the duration one year, and that explains my absence, I was so busy putting my all into it I stopped properly blogging half way through. Usually people who want to go to universtity in the art, design or graphics sector will take this course as an advantage over other applicants, say over someone who has just finished A-Levels. When I was applying for the course it was all for fun at the time, to fill empty time and I was adamant that I did not want to go to uni afterwards.

I learned so much and taught myself so much during

Artistic Endeavours

Do you ever put so much effort into something and then step back and actually feel proud of what you’ve done? I have. And I’m pretty sure we all have at some point. Except that after a period of 24 hours I see everything wrong with it, and suddenly I’m not so proud of it anymore.

This could be with anything… Exams, cooking, writing, photography even dealing with a situation.

Quote of the Day

Theoden: Who am I, Gamling?
Gamling: You are our king, sire.
Theoden: And do you trust your king?
Gamling: Your men, my Lord, will follow you to whatever end.
Theoden: To whatever end…

Algarve: Portugal, December 2014

This was an impromptu ‘holiday’. My Grandma had recently got very ill, leaving her unable to read and drive so she constantly needed someone with her. Originally my father was going to Portugal where she lives, along with my brother and sister for some mountain biking practise. But somehow all four of us elder children ended up going.

I really didn’t want to go, but after lots of pressure from my family I thought maybe I should go after all, spend some time with my Grandmother and get a little break from the house (although I was still doing housey stuff while I was in Portugal). Primarily consisting of helping my Grandma while everyone else was out, walking her dogs, cooking dinner etc.

I’ve been to Portugal many times, so I spent a lot of my time

Quote of the Day

‘Indeed the worldly life is about broken remains that are beautified by desires, it is a trap for heedless hearts.’

Poem of the Day

“Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah.

And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him.

And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him.

And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness.”

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim

Quote of the Day

Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon ’em. ~William Shakespeare

Autumn Sun

It has been a long while since I have gone for a ‘walk’ or even set foot on some ground that isn’t on the way to college. Autumn has to be one of my favourite seasons, if not my favourite. How can I not love the colours?  The leaves blow off the trees like flakes of gold. The birds are migrating, their formations shifting across the sky, the smell of sweet wood burning and the blue skies look like they should be part of summer. The hills are red and purple, a halo of mist surrounding them in the morning.

After a particularly exhausting few weeks it is now half term, but I have a lot to do. Last week Friday

Quote of the Day

A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame someone else. –John Burroughs

College & Life

Salaam (peace) lovely readers,

It looks like I’m going to be posting a lot less since I am super busy with an Art course I am doing in college. I will absolutely try and post though, just less often.

Alhamdulillah it’s really exciting and I’m learning many new things. Due to a hectic life for the past 3 years I have been unable to study and now I have the chance so I am taking it! The people are really wonderful, and well, being in a class full of artists is just so refreshing because everyone is amazing at different things. I am looking forward to working really hard and putting in a lot  of effort for this one year that I have. Aim for a distinction! InshaAllah I will create some wonderful pieces of work as well.

I am so blessed to have got into this course considering I haven’t been through the education system like everyone else and have the necessary qualifications, I got straight to the top and highest level course that I can get alhamdulillah.

It’s very different traveling in the country side than in the city, if I go by public transport I have to get up super early and catch the first bus into the next town, if I miss that one bus then I will be late by an hour and a half at least. And to think some people travel from Wales! So appreciate city transport, where the bus comes every 10 minutes, and costs are free (for students).

However it’s a lovely experience walking through town and just going out into the world a teensy bit more 🙂

Thank you for reading!

Aaliyah