⋆ My personal notebook ⋆

About me

Likes

Sudoku, dark red, battleships puzzles, dark brown furniture, finding good books and cute clothes at charity shops, making stickers, the library, my new sherpa coat, delicate jewellery

Food and drink: millionaire milkshakes, millionaire bites, sushi, ranong green matcha, loaded fries, waffle fries, popcorn chicken, cherry bakewells, brown sugar milk tea, orange juice with coconut water

Dislikes

My painful joints!!, metallic tasting water, wooden ice lolly sticks or paper straws touching my teeth

Favourite products

Simple Moisturising Face Wash, Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Face Wash, Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid, ARE PLUS Spot Patch, Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice and Honey Glow Mask, Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Sunscreen, Vaseline Original, Vaseline Rosy Lips, Vaseline Cocoa, Derma V10, Studio London Brow and Lash Gel, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Mitchum deodorant, Febreze Vanilla & Magnolia, Imperial Leather Oatmeal Bar Soap, Dove Beauty Bar, Palmolive Naturals Coconut & Milk Shower Cream, Nivea Soft Cream, XBC Aloe Vera Cream, County Sales Beauty Nail Polish Remover Pads, Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish

Research topics

• Good ballpoint/gel pens to buy
• Create my own 'canon' books
• Morse code
• Short term memory
• Waking up early and falling asleep
• What is shifting?
• Addiction
• Parasocial relationships
• How does time work in dreams? Timeline? Do dreams happen at a normal speed or are they slower or faster than real life?
• Why are dreams so random?
• Is it possible to dream in another real language and understand it?
• Can memories be created in dreams and then you get nostalgic in another dream or remember a moment from a previous dream or a made up past?

Projects

• Copy illustrations from childrens books as practice - drawings and paintings
• Steam clean the whole house
• This website!
• Project pan

Essay ideas

• Trees and zombies

Website ideas

Resources

None of the art is mine! Here are some resources I used!

I used doqmeat's template for this journal!

Lots of graphics, pixels, stickers, etc

Lots of cute graphics

Media journal!

This media journal contains all things media! I will keep a log of the media I consume, give ratings, write mini reviews.

Current media

• Reading: Good Morning, Midnight by Jean Rhys
• Watching: Alice in Borderland, Oregairu
• Playing: My Sims (DS)
• Listening: Diet Pepsi by Addison Rae, Close by Ne-Yo

Things I like in media!

• Shows with good soundtracks!! I love listening to soundtracks. 3/5 tops artists on my Spotify Wrapped were artists who made the soundtracks to some of my favourite shows
• I love movies and shows with time travel or space travel or dimension travel or even atomic travel. It's just so interesting to me.
• I love groups. I love different personalities in one space. That is probably why I loved music groups. I just love when a cast has different types of people and I love seeing their different dynamics.
• I love guitar riffs.

Library

The Anthropology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

This is really interesting so far!

Animal House

I got this book from the charity shop because it looked like a good book to use for making crafts. It was actually really fun to look through. I never look through art/photography books and it was nice to read the author's reasoning for creating this book.

The Wrath & The Dawn

Thoughts while reading

I don’t really care for any of the characters. Maybe Jalal because I love cheerful and funny side characters. It’s the same as a lot of books I have read: strong sharp-tongued female lead and mysterious and emotionless male love interest. There is also a love triangle. Surprise surprise. Oh and she does archery! I have 40 pages left and the big secret was just revealed. But I feel like there was so much left to unravel: Shazi’s dad’s powers(?), the war, Despina and Jalal’s baby. I think a lot of this will be uncovered in the second book. The story wasn’t anything crazy. It was interesting enough to keep reading. I think I am the problem when it comes to romance stories because I just didn’t see what Shazi saw in Khalid. I will admit the scene where he was wiping her wound was very cute.

Final thoughts

UPDATE!! I just finished reading the book. I think the last 40 pages were so much more eventful and page-turning than the rest of the book! It was very good. There were lots of cute moments between Shazi and Khalid! We finally see more of Shazi’s dad. Turns out I was right a lot of this story will be resolved in the second book (which I may read). It definitely ended on a cliffhanger. Does Khalid think Shazi is dead? Why did Jalal let Tariq take Shazi and say never to return? What about Shazi’s dormant powers? What is magic like in this world - do random people have it or is it a blood thing? I think I enjoyed this book. It was very easy to read. Again, the characters were not that impressive but I did like the story. This is hard to rate because it was 3 stars all the way and then end was interesting so maybe 3.5?

100 Pretentious Nursery Rhymes

This book is nursery rhymes alongside their pretentious versions. I got this as a gift when I younger and I barely understood a word. I'm finally going through each poem and taking note of words I still don't understand. This taught me a whole new set of rhymes I never knew. Some are very sinister. The book is exactly as it seems. It’s not anything crazy. Some rhymes don’t follow the same rhythm as the original so it sounds a little off or forced. It is a good place to find new vocab which was my main purpose.

Good Morning, Midnight

Initial thoughts: I AM LOVING THIS!! I relate to the main character so much. I lover hearing her thoughts!

Summary

The story follows Sophia Jansen and her life in Paris. We get snippets of her past that troubles her and we see her interact with different people. We see her problems with alcohol and trusting people, especially men.

Character

I really enjoyed this book. I saw myself in Sophia’s character a lot: how she overthinks and doesn’t always say what’s on her mind. Her inner monologue is so funny. She also seems a little superstitious. It’s a short book but I read it quite slowly. I’d continue it every few days and whatever I’m feeling then is what Sophia seems to be feeling too. It’s actually a little funny. Probably my favourite character I’ve read so far. Or maybe it’s because she’s so similar to me.

Plot

I really like books with seemingly no real plot like this. I think I read it at the perfect time because I’m also feeling similar feelings to the main character.

Vampire Diaries: The Awakening

Initial thoughts: This was written before Twilight but all I can think about while reading this is how similar it is to Twilight. I disliked Bella's character so I have a feeling I will come to dislike Elena's character too. Let's see!

Summary

Elena meets new boy Stefan who seems to be avoiding her. Elena will do anything to have him. Strange things happen in the small town and Elena soon learns Stefan’s big secret.

Characters

I did not particularly like Elena’s character or any character in this book. I would say the most likeable character would be Matt but he is a very grey character who just kind of lets things happen to him. What I did like about the main character is that she isn’t a complete stereotype. I feel like in high school romances the main character is either a popular mean girl or an unpopular sad outcast. Elena is popular and still a little mean but I think she is sweet (or maybe she wants to seem sweet because to me it didn’t feel authentic but then again maybe I am hung up on the ‘popular mean girl’ stereotype). I can tell the author wants us to like Elena but I didn’t really feel anything towards her. At times, I did feel frustrated because she really is boy-crazy. The part where the three girls share blood and make an oath and Elena says "I swear not to rest until he belongs to me" was so funny to me because they are really taking this so seriously. The obsession over Stefan reminded me a lot of Bella (Twilight) and her obsession with Edward. Reading Twilight was very annoying because Bella is literally Obsessed with him. If I had to choose between Elena and Bella, I would choose Elena because she at least cares about others aside from her boyfriend (Bella does care for Jacob but it doesn’t feel the same).

Aside from learning about Stefan’s backstory, I don’t feel like I learnt a lot about his character. Like he just seems meh. He is kind, soft, protective, a gentlemen. Maybe because it’s too predictable it bores me. Same with Damon: menacing, dangerous, evil. I need characters with a little more depth and layers to their personalities. This is just the first book so maybe we learn more about the characters later. Maybe we see a softer side to Damon but that too is too predictable.

I did like Bonnie’s character. She is more eccentric than the rest which is probably why I like her. I tend to like the weirder characters. I feel like there is more to her character that we will see in the later books. I’m not too sure about the Vampire Diaries world but there may be some other mythical creatures like Banshees. I think Bonnie may be similar to Lydia from Teen Wolf in a way; she seems like she can sense danger and death.

I feel like none of the characters are really that interesting. Some just seem like they aren’t really necessary. But then again this is only the first book in the series. I feel like Meredith wasn’t a necessary character. I think the story would have been just the same without her in it. Also, I thought Caroline would be a bigger character but she literally wasn’t around for most of the book. I think in a later book she’ll be more important and she’ll have a plot line with either Stefan or Damon.

Of course the mean bully is called Tyler. Tyler SMALLWOOD and DICK Carter. HAHAHAHA!

Plot

The plot was very basic. I mean I wasn’t expecting anything groundbreaking or a major plot twist. As a reader, we already know Stefan is a vampire because of the title even before he reveals it (although the actual word is never mentioned). The only ‘twist’ may be that the crow and evil man Elena saw before was actually Damon. But that was very predictable and not surprising. I think the most surprising thing would be Bonnie’s behaviour at the cemetery when she froze and a voice that wasn’t hers spoke from her mouth saying "Elena, there’s someone waiting out there for you." That was a little creepy. It wasn’t explained what possessed her but I guess we can infer that it was Damon possessing her with the Powers he has.

At the end of the book, Elena has a nightmare about Stefan being hurt after reading her missing diary. I’m guessing that could be a foreshadowing of something that happens in the next book. I think Damon took her diary and may be altering or adding new entries and then showing it to Stefan to manipulate him and show him who Elena really is: not the soft and innocent girl he thought she was.

Overall, I think this book is just meant to be a fun read for people who like vampire romances. I wonder what people who like Twilight think of this book. Some things in this book reminded me of Twilight. In my mind Twilight is so much more popular than Vampire Diaries and I wonder why. Is it because Twilight was movies instead of a long series? Is it because the main character was more relatable: not super popular, not super pretty? Is it because in Twilight we follow Bella’s life as a new girl whereas with Elena we are sort of plopped into her life? Maybe because of the year it was released? Or maybe the story is just better? If that is the case, then I don’t know if I will continue reading this series because I didn’t like Twilight that much. I liked it when I watched it the first time when I was 14 but reading and rewatching the first two books/movies, I wasn’t that into it. I bought the Vampire Diaries book (books 1 + 2) at a charity shop for 50p because I have been wanting to watch the show because I heard it was good. I saw it on the shelf and I thought it was funny for some reason so I had to get it. I will be finishing the second book (The Struggle) since they came together and from there we shall see if I will continue reading the series or just start watching the show.

My rating for this book? I honestly don’t know. I feel like I give most books that are just okay 3 stars. But then I look at the books I read and some 3 star books were quite good and objectively better than other 3 star reads. So… maybe 2 stars for this. Because it wasn’t anything crazy. I didn’t like the characters, the plot was very basic. I wonder if I prefer werewolves. I did very much enjoy Teen Wolf.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Initially, I really liked the main character, Feyre. She seemed different from other main characters I’ve come across. But I lost a lot of interest in her once she fell in love with Tamlin. She seemed like any other main character after that. The story was okay and then it got boring when she had to return home, but then it got really interesting once Alis revealed all the secrets. Seeing the first half of the book in light of all the secrets was really cool and interesting. Of course, every book I read and every movie I watch, I will make connections. Reading Fourth Wing, I thought it was amazing because I’ve never read anything like it. So reading ACOTAR, I’m reminded of Fourth Wing and also Hunger Games. In Fourth Wing, Xaden has shadow powers and can communicate with Violet with his mind. The same with Feyre and Rhysand. The three trials she had seemed quite quick but I guess they had to be. Maybe I was expecting a full battle when Amarantha died so that also felt a little rushed. But I mean how else could it have been extended? Anyways, I hated Feyre’s family. I love that there’s a character named Alis. I’ve never seen that name before in media. I’m excited to see the full extent of Tamlin’s power because he is a High Fae like Rhysand but I don’t fully know what he is capable of. Whereas, Rhysand we know has shadow and bird powers. Anyways, intrigued to see where Jurian’s eye and finger bone went after Amarantha died. I like enemies to lovers but the book ended with the couple on good terms so will I enjoy the rest of the series? But I guess her and Rhysand have some tension maybe but I feel like that was resolved also. Some of the main characters seem to blur together. Tamlin is more quiet and Rhysand more seductive and sly but I guess deep down, they’re the same(?): sad and lonely maybe. Also, the love scenes were not extremely long or explicit, which is fine. I feel like after reading Fourth Wing, I expected some more spice. I enjoyed the book even though I did get bored in the middle but I liked how it resolved. I enjoyed Tamlin having a stone heart, Rhysand helping Feyre, I like Lucien’s and Feyre’s relationship. 

The Strange Library

It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. But also I had no idea what it would be about. Was the boy autistic or hallucinating? It seems like he wasn’t dreaming because his Starling died and his mum eventually. It seems the Old Man actually had something to do with it. But it seems the Starling was also the girl in the basement without a voice. So the girl was just the starling’s ghost so he might have already died. Then how did the mum die? It says mysterious illness. What does the sheep man represent? Maybe the fact that the boy is a coward and a people pleaser. Who was the librarian at the reception who told him to go to that room in the first place? Overall I think maybe a 2 stars. I enjoyed the pictures.

Movies

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Greg is so annoying!! He is the WORST friend! Rowley is adorable. I love this movie. It's funny and Greg's facial expressions are so good and genuine.

Sydney White

I watched this because I loved Amanda Bynes in She’s The Man. I didn’t like this movie. It was too predictable but some little bits were funny. It’s a ‘not like other girls movie’ but in a different way. Also, I really thought Sydney and Lenny would end up together! Update: I just found out this is a Snow White retelling?? How did I not realise? Now the kiss sleep makes sense.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

I didn't like this one. The first was a lot better. This just felt like there was no real plot.

Catch Me If You Can

I feel like there is so much analysis I could do on this movie if I watch it a second or third time. I think there's so much more beneath the surface of this movie. It was a good movie but I wasn't amazed.

The Parent Trap

My fav movie. I grew up watching this all the time. It's just so warm and cosy and I love it. This movie reminds me of almost all the seasons even though it takes place in summer.

Clueless

My second time watching this after so many years! I thought I would like it more. There are some really funny lines but I think some parts of the plot just didn't make sense to me like Tai liking Travis but then Josh but then she completely forgets about Josh and goes back to liking Travis.

Scream 5

I didn't like this as much as the previous ones. I personally don't like when the killer is so obvious. I normally like when the fourth wall is broken but it was just too much in this movie. I did love Jenna Ortega in this movie!

Pitch Perfect 2

I liked this. Not as much as the first. It was funny. I don't think I liked the songs as much as the first but it was still a fun movie.

Wild Child

I really liked this movie. I really need to watch more British movies and shows. I loved the friendship between the five girls. It was so cute! It’s a 2000s movie and you can really tell. The vibe, the clothes, the plot. Although it was very cliche, I really enjoyed watching this! Fav scene: *while running for the bus* MY SANITISER!!

Human Lost

The visuals were amazing! But I just wish I understood what this movie was even about.

The Amazing Spider-Man

I really like this version of Peter Parker - he is so awkward but also a little sassy. I thought the film was very pretty with all the lights at night in New York. I wasn't amazed though but it was a good film.

Baby Driver

I've watched this movie before, years ago. I really liked it again. I really want to watch more movies like this where the music matches the movements in the movie. I really liked Baby's character and Debora is so pretty. The visuals and lighting were so good. I'm going to need to listen to the whole soundtrack! Why do I love diners?

Aftermath

I really enjoyed this movie because I, for some reason, love hostage movies. I haven't seen Dylan Sprouse seen Suite Life on Deck so it was nice to see him again! Every time he was on screen, I just thought "Wow, he looks so much like his brother." Hehe. I love when I recognise actors in movies and shows. Dichen Lachman from Severance is in this movie. I don't think this movie was anything groundbreaking but I personally really liked it because I just love movies where there's high-stakes and lots of tension. It was a fun movie, I liked the old veteran man, love Dylan Sprouse and Dichen Lachman.

Update: I read some reviews on Letterboxd and people HATED this movie omg! I do agree that the dialogue was bad, but when I'm watching a movie and I think something was a little cringe or bad, I immediately think that I'm the problem and I just don't understand cinema. Apparently, some scenes used AI, which to be honest I didn't catch. This is a just fun mindless watch.

SpongeBob SquarePants Frantic Fry Cook

Games

The Sims 2

Palia

Mirror's Edge

Media wishlist

Books

Stand-alone books

Series books

DNF books

Movies

Live-action movies

Animated movies

Series

Games

DS games

XBOX 360 games

PS5

PC games

Albums