Sorry guys, this is a bit late… but I thought I would still post it as I want to keep up with the quarterly posts.
I’ve been a lot busier since I started back at work.
April/May/June
So, that bloody pandemic is still happening… I am however back at work and have been for two and a half weeks. It is definatly nice to have a bit more normality. My work schedule isnt 100% back to what it usually is so I’m trying to make sure I still use this extra time to get through all my new books that I bought for the COVID-19 outbreak.
Lets have a look at what I have read during this next quarter… we’re halfway through the year already, madness.
Books I have read:
The Flat Share by Beth O’Leary
The Secret Seaside Escape by Heidi Swain
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (3/4, but I’ll leave it on the list as its a biggun’)
The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer
Heidi Swain is one of my favourite authors so I was so excited to have this book in my second quarter. I had pre ordered it so that was a very welcome arrival.
As you can see I have also been enjoying Beth O’Leary’s books this quarter. I started with ‘The Switch’ as I have seen lots of recommendations on Instagram and then my friend at work read it and suggested it too. I really enjoyed it and consequently bought her second book, which I enjoyed even more.
‘The Family Upstairs’ I found really gripping. I literally couldn’t put it down by the end, its funny how some books grip you like that! I had this book at the beginning of lockdown so I can’t believe its taken me this long to get around to it.
I have even more books planned for the third instalment, so check back to see what I’ve been reading.
Or, check out my Insta ‘RoseannesBlog’ as I post regularly on there too.
‘Well I’d never do that’ or I don’t see those things’ isn’t enough. The fact is you could, as a white person, and get away with it. Its disgusting.
White privilege is an unseen, unconscious advantage.
You are automatically one step ahead because of the pigment of your skin.. because that is the only difference, we are all part of the human race but our skin pigments vary.. everything else is the same, literally everything.
ℝ𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕤𝕞 & 𝕤𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕔 𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕤𝕞
Racism is usually carried out by individuals or groups.
Systematic racism is when groups use their power to instill biased values.
(These definitions are adapted from online research.)
This bias within the very systems and fabric of society create a culture of privilege and biased views. When this racial bias results in actions this is when racism becomes a active part of society.
If you are biased you may believe that a black person is more likely to be the culprit of a crime. When you use your position to emphasize this view you are actively being racist, eg: you call the police when a black person is doing nothing that is illegal, but you call anyway, because of the colour of their skin.
This systematic racism within institutions such as the police means that once you’ve made that call that person is unlikely to be treated fairly.
We all know the tragic stories of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless innocent people. It’s sickening.
Can you imagine being terrified everytime you see a police car? No, white privilege.
If you committed a crime and it was between you and a black person, would you be deemed more trustworthy, more innocent regardless of the evidence? Yes, white privilege
𝑫𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆?
𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱.
That is nothing really is it! The least you can feel is uncomfortable. Because it’s nothing compared to actually being subjected to it.
ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘/𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕤𝕞
You don’t get it?
It’s because you dont have to shout to be heard.
It’s about fighting for a right/s that most people already have as basic human rights… why aren’t black people afforded the same rights?
The system twists these rights so that they aren’t applicable for everyone. Especially in the US. They seem like they apply to everybody, that everybody is free, but they aren’t, not if those in power don’t want you to be.
The Thirteenth Amendment (to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime) being a prime example… you are free unless we can pin a crime on you then you are at our mercy.
So stop and think about how you would feel if you knew you were always going to be on the back foot.
Wouldn’t you want to fight against that?
Yes riots can turn to property damage… I suppose it depends if you equate property damage to human lives? If a bit of rioting is all it takes for people to not care about the ‘Black Lives Matter’ then they were never really on board with it in the first place and thats part of the problem, it’s all too easy for people to walk away from it, black people don’t have that luxury, it’s literally their life.
𝔹𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕃𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣
All lives cannot matter until black lives matter.
The voices that need to be heard at the moment are that of black people because they are increasingly being targeted. I’m talking about the ‘all lives matter’ debate here; If a house on your street was on fire, would you expect the fire service to arrive and point their hoses on all the houses? Of course not. While they would, rightly, argue that all homes matter, in that very moment they’ll focus their attention and expertise on the house that’s burning down.
All lives cannot matter until black lives matter.
So, what can you do?
Educate yourself. Speak up. Stand together.
👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼
Here is a link to the petitions, sign, sign, sign. It’s so easy.
Netflix and Spotify have some brilliant resources that you can watch and listen to.
𝔹𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 🌍🤜🏿🤛🏻
It’s so important that we keep talking about these issues. It’s important that we not only use our platform to do this but to educate ourselves at home too.
Black Lives Matter Is A Movement Not A Moment.
I am by no means an expert, after all I’ve lived my life in a very privileged position (even if I haven’t always realised it) so I am doing my best to change this & educate myself.
Over on my Instagram (roseannesblog) it was decided, via a poll, that my next blog post would be my ‘Day in the Life’
I am going to do a Part One and a Part Two, a mini post for each one.
Part One : Quarantine DITL
Part Two : Back to Work DITL
🄼🅈 🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 🅆🄾🅁🄺 🄳🄰🅈 🄸🄽 🅃🄷🄴 🄻🄸🄵🄴
6.30 am Get up! (Begrudgingly) and do our ((Bounce)) trampoline workout.
7.15am I make my breakfast smoothie after ((Bounce)) and I either drink it as I get ready or I leave it in the fridge to take to work with me.
I try and pop something into the slow cooker before I leave for work. I am loving it as it saves any faffing when I get back from work.
8.30 am – 3.30pm Work, Work, Work!
4pm Once I’m home I get changed into my Pjs or comfies.
Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this!!??
I usually use this time to wind down a bit. I’ll watch a bit of TiKTok, read or watch some tv with a snack.
6 30pm Dinner.
Some meals we have been loving recently are Mexican dishes such as Nachos or Tacos. We’ve also been loving sausages, burgers and BBQ chicken.
8pm onwards
I usually do either a guitar lesson or a little bit of practise at this time. I don’t always do a full lesson, it just depends on my mood.
I also either read or play/chat on House Party with my sister.
11pmonwards Bed time 😴
I probably should go to bed earlier but I’m so rubbish at it, I can’t switch off. Plus, the lockdown got me in bad habits as I didn’t have to get up the next day at a particularly early time.
I usually read or listen to podcasts before bed. I try to limit my screen time.
At the moment I’m listening to the ‘Showmance: Glee recap edition’ podcast with Jenna Ushkowitz & Kevin McHale.
This is awesome, especially if you are a fellow gleek.
I have just finished ‘The Switch’ by Beth O’Leary which is awesome! I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a book to read.
What have you guys been up to in the evenings since we can’t go out?
Over on my Instagram (roseannesblog) it was decided, via a poll, that my next blog post would be my ‘Day in the Life’
I am going to do a Part One and a Part Two, a mini post for each one.
Part One : Quarantine DITL
Part Two: Back to Work DITL
🄼🅈 🅀🅄🄰🅁🄰🄽🅃🄸🄽🄴 🄳🄰🅈 🄸🄽 🅃🄷🄴 🄻🄸🄵🄴
8am Wake up
I usually use this time to scroll through social media, watch YouTube Video’s or Tik Tok and generally wake up.
9.30 ((Bounce)) Workout
This is a 45 minutes trampette exercise class that we usually would do, in the evenings, at a nearby venue. They have moved to online classes during the quarantine and we bought a trampoline each.
It’s great fun & a good workout. We have been doing this 5 days a week.
10.15am Wash and get ready for the day.
(Usually leggings & a hoody or Pyjamas, let’s be real)
10.30am Phonics with my Nephews via Skype.
I work as a Learning Support Assistant in the Early Years class of a Primary School so I was happy to do this for both their (and my) benefit whilst we were unable to be at school! I don’t wanna get too rusty!
11.15am Skype chats & hanging out
Whilst we do this I usually write my to do list for the day. At this point I would also either make some breakfast or brunch depending on how hungry I’m feeling… accompanied by a cuppa of course!
12pm I would usually sit in the sunshine by our double doors playing a bit of Animal Crossing whilst I watch Golden Girls or Glee.
The weathers been amazing.
1pm Work stuff/courses etc on my laptop.
I usually either listen to music whilst I do these or I have Glee on the tv in the background. I hate silence.
3pm Sorting out
Around this time I would do a general tidy round of the flat, hang up any washing, do a spot of washing up… all the fun stuff 🤪
4pm Guitar lesson online
I used the website ‘Fender Play’ to do my online Guitar lessons. I have really been enjoying these during lockdown and I’m pleased with my progress so far. My best achievements are learning chords, Hedwig’s theme guitar tab and the guitar riff to such classics as Salt N Pepa’s ‘Push it’ and MJs ‘Beat it’
5pm I would usually read or play some more animal crossing or go on my phone (thrilling stuff I know!)
6pm Dinner time!
8pm Skype quizzes or game sessions
I love quizzes! And we have been doing these loads during lockdown… we have even started a weekly family quiz on a Friday night.
Me, my husband Tim, my twin sister Sarah and her Husband Dan have been playing board games over Skype too. That’s been really fun and interesting to work out! Sherlock Holmes, a Cludeo style board game was the most interesting to attempt during a video call.
We’ve also played ‘Now that’s what I call Music’ the board game, Birds Names, Harry Potter Monopoly, Tension, Harry Potter Scene it and Big Bang Theory Cluedo.
10pm onwards
Usually I would either watch a film with Tim, read my book or go on my laptop.
I’m not gonna lie, my sleep has been so messed up in this lockdown. I go to bed so much later (or early, depending on how you view 1am/2am) and I’m not up as early as my usual 5.30/6am get up for work. Thank goodness for books and podcasts.
So, one good thing to come from being ‘locked down’ is that I can finally tick something off my bucket list, something I’ve wanted to do forever… a full Harry Potter marathon. All 8 films, back to back.
Lets do this.
26th April 2020 – 5.15am – 11.45pm
I popped my HP themed, comfy clothes on, made my self a HP themed breakfast 🤣 (Yet, I went all in!) And I made sure I had plenty of snacks for the duration, inc homemade flapjack 👌🏻
All set.
I made notes about my favourite parts of each film, as I watched, which I thought I would share here too.
Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone
Its just so sweet and (mostly) innocent and magical.
Its our introduction to the magical world.
That shot of Hogwarts over the lake, as the first years sail across in the little boats. The music, the panorama, the first shot of that magical place. Don’t tell me it doesn’t choke you up, because I wont believe you.
Hagrid telling them everything he shouldn’t; ‘should not have said that’
Christmas at Hogwarts ❤
and just the general nostalgia it brings of when me and my twin sister used to play Harry Potter. A lot of it was focused on the first book. We made Daily Prophets and everything y’all! It was very serious.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The Weasleys! And being introduced the magical yet so human and normal Burrow.
Dobby!
Ron freaking out because of the spiders; ‘Follow the spiders? Why couldn’t it be follow the butterflies?’
The blind Basilisk- poor boy. (Disclaimer, no I’m not a Slytherin I just feel bad for the corrupted, injured creature)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
(Disclaimer: This is my least favourite film, sorry)
Remus Lupin & Sirius Black
The back story of the Marauders (Which is even better in the book… obv)
Beaky, the little sweatheart.
The time travel aspect is cool and clever.
HERMIONE PUNCHES MALFOY (See, told you I’m not a Slytherin)
But, as I said, not my favourite as the directorial change sees a lot of changes to this film that to me makes it stand out and not flow as well within the series, in terms of appearance and layout continuity, as others.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
(One of my absolute favourites and the first one me and my twin sister went to see on our won 7 + times #sorrynotsorry)
THE HAIR. If Harry Potter and the goblet of Fire was a Friends episode it would be; ‘The One where none had a haircut’.
The Tasks!
OH THE ANGST.
That scene… any avid HP fans will totally get the crazy, hilarity of this…
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
(Disclaimer…..)
The award for the worst character goes to…
‘Hate is a strong word, but I really, really, really don’t like you.’ (I also hate you Umbridge)
Getting a little bit more of the Wizarding World history and back story via the Order of the Phoenix.
Seeing inside the Ministry of Magic for the first time. What at set! #tilegoals
Dumbledore’s (badass) Army
Fred and Georges epic, ‘in your face bitch’ style exit from Hogwarts.
My favourite quote courtesy of Kingsley Shacklebolt… ‘You may not like him, Minister, but you can’t deny, Dumbledore’s got style.’
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Finding out about the horcruxes. These are one of my favourite bits if the book. I love the Gaunt family history toooo (Suddenly Chapter One of the Goblet of Fire makes perfect sense, AM I RIGHT!!)
Harry on Liquid luck is one of the best Harry Potter scenes, period.
Aragog’s funeral, classic; ‘ Here lies Aragog, King of the Arachnids… His body will decaayyyyyyyy but his spirit will live onnnnnnn.’
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt1 & Pt2
They are basically just one REALLY long film because they are the same book.
Part 2 is better than Part 1 (Just sayin’)
Shit gets REALLLL DARK.
My favourite parts of part one are them collecting the horcruxes.
My favourite part of part two is most of it.
I love Christmas at Godrics Hollow.
The Battle of Hogwarts… ‘I’ve always wanted to do that spell’ (Badass Maggie G)
‘NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH.’
And then there’s… FRED. HEDWIG. DOBBY. and so many others 😦
19 years later. I can still remember seeing this film so clearly in the cinema and when this came on I wanted to cry because the final line of the book….’All was well’ is awesome, they did it! But also, its the end.
I just have to mention… The Harry & Hermione dancing in the tent scene… MEGA CRINGE, CAN’T WATCH. COVERS EYES. FAST FORWARDS. Ok, lets move on.
[FYI: Fave books 1 &7 Fave Films 1, 7 and 4]
Yay! I finally got it done. I’m so chuffed I finally managed to do this. You’ve got to make the most of the situation you are in. Nailed it.
Do you agree with my notes? (Be nice) Or have you got anything to add?
I actually started this post back in December 2019…
… I thought I would revisit it a week before my 29th birthday as this would of course see the start of ‘the last year of my twenties’… oh I would never have thought that this momentous year of my life would start how it has… lockdown, during a global pandemic, what a unpredictable and quite frankly shit turn of events.
But, I digress, there is still plenty of good in this world and lots to be thankful for. Lockdown, it turns out is a great time for reflection. So, what do I want to achieve in the last year of my 20s?
This list has changed slightly (due to the nature of the current situation) and I’m not 100% sure if some of these things will actually be achievable now, but that’s not important.
This is just something I wanted to document and I am in no way suggesting these are more important than the current situation. They are just things I have been thinking about for a few years, if they happen slightly after 30 or whatever is possible once the worlds been put back together, then so be it. As I said, it’s just something I wanted to reflect and document for myself.
