Since I was really small, cricket has played a huge part in my life. I've been going to games every Saturday in the summer, and picking up the rules, and playing sweep shots in my back garden. And I love it.
When I was about 9, I went with my brother and father to a cricket training session, just because I wanted to try something new.
But the problem was, the coach was very 'traditional' in his beliefs, and didn't believe that the cricket field was the best place for women. So, obviously, the 2 of us girls who turned up to training week upon week didn't have a chance.
So, I gave up. We girls stopped training - at the time I didn't know of any girls who played cricket; didn't even know that there were female international teams.
I just knew that I wouldn't be seen in the same way as the guys.
Ok, I'm definitely not the best cricketer in the world. Heck, I'm not even the best cricketer in my family.
But shouldn't you do things because you enjoy them, not just because you're good at them? And maybe that's what I should have done. Stuck it out and practised some more. Even if I didn't ever play, or if I gave up when I left primary school...
Because my brother plays for the Seconds team, and both my parents are scorers, and my dad's a junior coach, and my brother's an assistant coach...
My family are all involved, and although I know that there's a place for me, I sometimes feel like a hanger-on.
If I was 10 years younger, then I'd possibly be playing right now. Because the new coach is amazing, and talks to me about the Women's Ashes (he's even desperate to train me up as an umpire right now!!)
So although we haven't had a women's team in our village since the 50s, I'm holding out hope that one day soon there'll be a group of girls who'll decide that they
love cricket and do what I did wrong in not caring what anyone thinks.
Monday, 27 July 2015
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Thinking Out Loud (Well, Nearly)
I am here
I don't know where I'm going
But maybe that's the best way to be.
These metaphoric arms
Still have half a hold upon me -
Tell me, why can I not feel free?
This is probably going to be the least organised post I've ever written, because it's basically just a jumble of thoughts that I need to put into words.
So, recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking.
I mean, a lot of thinking.
It's like my last year of school sucked my personality from me - fed me the opinions of others instead of my own, told me not to question why.
And now, I'm thinking so much. Forming opinions - so much so that I'm starting to question who I am.
What do I believe in? Where do I stand? Where am I going?
Where do I belong?
This question of belonging has been throwing itself about my brain for so long. Not so much in a physical sense - where is home? - but in a metaphorical (if not even spiritual) sense.
Where do I belong in this world I call home?
Of course, I know what I want to do for a living.
But that still doesn't stop these questions circulating.
Who am I? Who am I? Who am I?
But I think I've finally come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter.
You don't need to find yourself, because each day is a new day.
You learn, you discover, you grow.
As human beings, we evolve.
Each day, we will find a 'new' version of us.
It might not be a revolutionary change, but the us we are today will be different to the us we were yesterday - or the us we will be tomorrow.
After studying Buddhism for 2 years, I think these past weeks have allowed me to finally understand the concept of anicca. Impermanence.
Nothing stays the same forever.
It's why I don't enjoy the songs I did 5 years ago... Get along with the same people...
It's why I say I know where I belong, then question myself again.
I may have found myself when I was 15, but that doesn't mean that I'll be that same person forever.
I don't want to be that same person forever.
So maybe who am I? isn't the right question. Instead, maybe I should stop trying.
Stop trying to categorise myself, and instead concentrate on life itself.
Maybe by doing this, I'll find who I am, in this moment.
But, then again, who knows.
I don't know where I'm going
But maybe that's the best way to be.
These metaphoric arms
Still have half a hold upon me -
Tell me, why can I not feel free?
This is probably going to be the least organised post I've ever written, because it's basically just a jumble of thoughts that I need to put into words.
So, recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking.
I mean, a lot of thinking.
It's like my last year of school sucked my personality from me - fed me the opinions of others instead of my own, told me not to question why.
And now, I'm thinking so much. Forming opinions - so much so that I'm starting to question who I am.
What do I believe in? Where do I stand? Where am I going?
Where do I belong?
This question of belonging has been throwing itself about my brain for so long. Not so much in a physical sense - where is home? - but in a metaphorical (if not even spiritual) sense.
Where do I belong in this world I call home?
Of course, I know what I want to do for a living.
But that still doesn't stop these questions circulating.
Who am I? Who am I? Who am I?
But I think I've finally come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter.
You don't need to find yourself, because each day is a new day.
You learn, you discover, you grow.
As human beings, we evolve.
Each day, we will find a 'new' version of us.
It might not be a revolutionary change, but the us we are today will be different to the us we were yesterday - or the us we will be tomorrow.
After studying Buddhism for 2 years, I think these past weeks have allowed me to finally understand the concept of anicca. Impermanence.
Nothing stays the same forever.
It's why I don't enjoy the songs I did 5 years ago... Get along with the same people...
It's why I say I know where I belong, then question myself again.
I may have found myself when I was 15, but that doesn't mean that I'll be that same person forever.
I don't want to be that same person forever.
So maybe who am I? isn't the right question. Instead, maybe I should stop trying.
Stop trying to categorise myself, and instead concentrate on life itself.
Maybe by doing this, I'll find who I am, in this moment.
But, then again, who knows.
10 Songs That Are Beautiful (Links Included)
1. When The Right One Comes Along - Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio (Thank you Nashville!)
2. Hero - Family of the Year (The perfect song for a summer road trip soundtrack)
3. Flaws and Ceilings - Frank Hamilton and Lauren Aquilina (Listened to this song alone in a university room at 7am, and cried)
4. Thorns - Charlie Simpson (Ditto.)
5. Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez (This song gives me shivers every time)
6. Old Pine - Ben Howard (Best intro I've ever heard!)
7. Tiger Striped Sky - Roo Panes (I envy this man's song-writing talent)
8. Give Up - Low Roar (This song is so magnificently beautiful and expressive)
9. I'll Keep You Safe - Sleeping At Last ('You are an artist, and your heart is your masterpiece... I'll keep it safe...')
10. Monsters - Angus Powell (Apparently he's just as good live as he is recorded. Which I believe, because this guy's voice is incredible)
2. Hero - Family of the Year (The perfect song for a summer road trip soundtrack)
3. Flaws and Ceilings - Frank Hamilton and Lauren Aquilina (Listened to this song alone in a university room at 7am, and cried)
4. Thorns - Charlie Simpson (Ditto.)
5. Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez (This song gives me shivers every time)
6. Old Pine - Ben Howard (Best intro I've ever heard!)
7. Tiger Striped Sky - Roo Panes (I envy this man's song-writing talent)
8. Give Up - Low Roar (This song is so magnificently beautiful and expressive)
9. I'll Keep You Safe - Sleeping At Last ('You are an artist, and your heart is your masterpiece... I'll keep it safe...')
10. Monsters - Angus Powell (Apparently he's just as good live as he is recorded. Which I believe, because this guy's voice is incredible)
Friday, 10 July 2015
Current Thoughts - I Sometimes Wish I Was A Tree
I sometimes wish I was a tree.
Not a huge
tree – just a little sapling;
An innocent
fixture in this huge world,
Where
darkness and beauty coincide.
And if I
were this tree
I’d feed on
nature’s radiance;
Bask in rays
of sunshine;
Inhale the
pollution of the world
Exhale
purity.
I’d grow to
be protector.
My boughs a
shade from corruption;
In the
shelter of my leaves
Man would
unite harmoniously.
The world
would stand witness
To this miraculous
feat:
Bringer of
peace;
Maker of
forgiveness.
I sometimes
wish I was this tree
Just this
little sapling;
An innocent
fixture in this huge world,
Where
darkness and beauty coincide.
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
First Ever Binge Watch
Hello! How are you guys?
So, now that exams are over (and I'm a free bird), I've beenusing my time productively by (kind-of) binge-watching the incredible TV series 'Nashville'.
The series started back in 2012, but I only became properly aware of it about a month or two ago, when I saw the advertisement for Series 3 (it's become a lot more advertised since it's moved TV channel this year!), but I waited until the end of my exams before giving it a go. Y'know, in case I got obsessed or something...
And then on Saturday (thanks to my mum, whohad a midlife crisis and decided to switch TV package a month or so ago) I realised that I could actually watch all 3 series of this show on boxset whenever I wanted. (I'm actually surprised just how excited I am about this. I'm not even a massive TV fan. I always get criticised by my friends for not having seen certain films/TV series).
So, basically, 'Nashville' is a TV series set in Nashville, Tennessee (*points for creativity*) based around the lives of fictional country-music artists Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes, chronicling the ups-and-downs of their careers, personal lives, and the lives of those around them.
Trust me, it's a lot more exciting than it sounds.
And the music is incredible - as someone who wasn't quite sure where I stood on country music a week ago, I've definitely found my feet in the genre!
As I've probably mentioned before, actually hate long periods of doing nothing - there's nothing more that I'd love to do right now than be in France, or Iceland, or back in Tinos, doing something - but so far, my job search has been unsuccessful, and I can't really go too many places on a bus from my village, and I don't drive...
So, instead of actually, y'know, being productive, I've spent the last 5 days of my life watching 16 episodes of 'Nashville'. 16! Never before have I ever watched so many episodes of one series in such a short period of time. Ok, so I did fast-forward some scenes that I found a bit 'meh'-y, but that's still a lot of 'Nashville' in not a lot of time.
For the first time in my life, I have officially binge-watched.
And, although I do actually feel guilty about it, it also did feel pretty good.
...I'm not going to be making a habit out of it though (*presses play on episode 17*)...
Afterthought: I found my perfect volunteer project yesterday. It's in Iceland, travelling 1,700km across the country, making/editing/producing a video documentary (as a group) about life in Iceland (etc.). Trouble is, it's next week (so, a bit short notice), and I wouldn't be back until the 20th July (and I'm going camping on the 20th of July).
I'm surprised just how sad I am that I can't go on this project. :(
So, now that exams are over (and I'm a free bird), I've been
 |
| Source: Huffington Post |
The series started back in 2012, but I only became properly aware of it about a month or two ago, when I saw the advertisement for Series 3 (it's become a lot more advertised since it's moved TV channel this year!), but I waited until the end of my exams before giving it a go. Y'know, in case I got obsessed or something...
And then on Saturday (thanks to my mum, who
So, basically, 'Nashville' is a TV series set in Nashville, Tennessee (*points for creativity*) based around the lives of fictional country-music artists Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes, chronicling the ups-and-downs of their careers, personal lives, and the lives of those around them.
Trust me, it's a lot more exciting than it sounds.
And the music is incredible - as someone who wasn't quite sure where I stood on country music a week ago, I've definitely found my feet in the genre!
As I've probably mentioned before, actually hate long periods of doing nothing - there's nothing more that I'd love to do right now than be in France, or Iceland, or back in Tinos, doing something - but so far, my job search has been unsuccessful, and I can't really go too many places on a bus from my village, and I don't drive...
So, instead of actually, y'know, being productive, I've spent the last 5 days of my life watching 16 episodes of 'Nashville'. 16! Never before have I ever watched so many episodes of one series in such a short period of time. Ok, so I did fast-forward some scenes that I found a bit 'meh'-y, but that's still a lot of 'Nashville' in not a lot of time.
For the first time in my life, I have officially binge-watched.
And, although I do actually feel guilty about it, it also did feel pretty good.
...I'm not going to be making a habit out of it though (*presses play on episode 17*)...
Afterthought: I found my perfect volunteer project yesterday. It's in Iceland, travelling 1,700km across the country, making/editing/producing a video documentary (as a group) about life in Iceland (etc.). Trouble is, it's next week (so, a bit short notice), and I wouldn't be back until the 20th July (and I'm going camping on the 20th of July).
I'm surprised just how sad I am that I can't go on this project. :(
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Versatile Blogger Award
A huge 'thank-you' is in order - to Andrea at Adventures with Andrea and Sarah at A Glimpse of Blue for nominating me for this award!
[Although I'd call my blogging style more disorganised mess than versatile!!!]
And, sorry for taking so long to post this!!
Anyhoo, I've decided to follow Andrea's 'tweaked' rules, because I feel they better encompass the true meaning of versatility, therefore these rules are as followed:
1. Nominate 5 (or more) bloggers who you think fit the definition of 'versatile'
2. Let these bloggers know that you've nominated them
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself, and set a challenge for the other bloggers
4. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you (again, danke Sarah and Andrea - you guys are awesome!!!)
5. Create your own 'Versatile Blogger Award Picture' and add it to your post
Right, here goes!:
My Nominations
* Lena at lena2theworld
* Jerneja at Sparkly Kid
* Rebecca Maria at Rebecca Maria Blog
* F at The Fence of Stars
* Martha at marffie.blogspot.com
7 Facts About Me (+ Andrea's Challenge - to write them without overthinking!)
1. I'm in my final week of high school, and will [hopefully] be off to university in September. I find this thought both highly terrifying and incredibly exciting!!!
3. Leading on from fact Number 2 - my favourite Doctor is (and always will be) David Tennant.
4. I've never eaten Ben and Jerry's ice-cream.
Apparently this is a sin.
5. I have an obsession with bridges. Like, to the point that if I see a bridge that I like, I'll go out of my way to walk over it/take a photo of it/tell other people who don't share my obsession with bridges just how great a bridge it is.
I am officially a gephyromaniac.
6. My friend and I have started planning a 'hypothetical-backpacking-through-western-Europe-2016' trip, because we both love planning things and travelling.
Ironically, we've planned more for this hypothetical trip [that will probably never happen] than we have for the day trips that we're actually supposed to be planning for this summer.
7. My favourite song at the moment is 'I See The Light' from the Disney film 'Tangled' - which I've never actually seen in its entirety [But I did fangirl so hard when I found out that Zachary Levi voices Flynn Rider. I have no regrets.]
Sarah's Challenge - 7 Sources of Inspiration
1. My granddad
2. My friends
3. Various Writers/Poets/Musicians, namely: John Keats, Dylan Thomas, Benjamin Zephaniah, C.S. Lewis, Charlie Simpson and R.J. Thompson
4. The blogging community - namely the awesome bloggers on Teenage Blogger Central [*virtual high-fives to you all!*]
5. Girl Guiding - it's been a huge part of my life since I was 5 years old, and (as soppy and cheesy as it sounds) it's inspired me to become a better person
6. Sitting in my garden, listening to the birds in the trees and watching the sun set. Absolute pure bliss - and where the majority of my most productive blog posts/stories are initially created
7. The amazing Jack Edwards whose blog I found very recently; giving me a newfound inspiration and a kick up the abacus to post this :D
The Challenge
I'm really bad at coming up with inventive things like this, so I'm really sorry in advance that my challenge is awful!
My challenge to you guys is to share 7 places that mean something to you, and/or have had a great impact on you as a person.
My 'Versatile Blogger Award' Picture-Thing (sorry for my lack of creative talent!)
So, there we go!
I promise to post again soon - my exams finish on Wednesday, so probably then!
Ciao for now
x
[Although I'd call my blogging style more disorganised mess than versatile!!!]
And, sorry for taking so long to post this!!
Anyhoo, I've decided to follow Andrea's 'tweaked' rules, because I feel they better encompass the true meaning of versatility, therefore these rules are as followed:
1. Nominate 5 (or more) bloggers who you think fit the definition of 'versatile'
2. Let these bloggers know that you've nominated them
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself, and set a challenge for the other bloggers
4. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you (again, danke Sarah and Andrea - you guys are awesome!!!)
5. Create your own 'Versatile Blogger Award Picture' and add it to your post
Right, here goes!:
My Nominations
* Lena at lena2theworld
* Jerneja at Sparkly Kid
* Rebecca Maria at Rebecca Maria Blog
* F at The Fence of Stars
* Martha at marffie.blogspot.com
7 Facts About Me (+ Andrea's Challenge - to write them without overthinking!)
1. I'm in my final week of high school, and will [hopefully] be off to university in September. I find this thought both highly terrifying and incredibly exciting!!!
 |
| So true! Source: 80sflashbacks.com |
2. My favourite TV shows are Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Forever and Arrow. 3. Leading on from fact Number 2 - my favourite Doctor is (and always will be) David Tennant.
 |
| *Lookin' fine!* : David Tennant as The Doctor Source: David Tennant News/BBC |
4. I've never eaten Ben and Jerry's ice-cream.
Apparently this is a sin.
5. I have an obsession with bridges. Like, to the point that if I see a bridge that I like, I'll go out of my way to walk over it/take a photo of it/tell other people who don't share my obsession with bridges just how great a bridge it is.
I am officially a gephyromaniac.
6. My friend and I have started planning a 'hypothetical-backpacking-through-western-Europe-2016' trip, because we both love planning things and travelling.
Ironically, we've planned more for this hypothetical trip [that will probably never happen] than we have for the day trips that we're actually supposed to be planning for this summer.
 |
| The [hypothetical] route https://www.pinterest.com/pin/91197961177759121/ |
7. My favourite song at the moment is 'I See The Light' from the Disney film 'Tangled' - which I've never actually seen in its entirety [But I did fangirl so hard when I found out that Zachary Levi voices Flynn Rider. I have no regrets.]
Sarah's Challenge - 7 Sources of Inspiration
1. My granddad
2. My friends
3. Various Writers/Poets/Musicians, namely: John Keats, Dylan Thomas, Benjamin Zephaniah, C.S. Lewis, Charlie Simpson and R.J. Thompson
4. The blogging community - namely the awesome bloggers on Teenage Blogger Central [*virtual high-fives to you all!*]
5. Girl Guiding - it's been a huge part of my life since I was 5 years old, and (as soppy and cheesy as it sounds) it's inspired me to become a better person
6. Sitting in my garden, listening to the birds in the trees and watching the sun set. Absolute pure bliss - and where the majority of my most productive blog posts/stories are initially created
7. The amazing Jack Edwards whose blog I found very recently; giving me a newfound inspiration and a kick up the abacus to post this :D
The Challenge
I'm really bad at coming up with inventive things like this, so I'm really sorry in advance that my challenge is awful!
My challenge to you guys is to share 7 places that mean something to you, and/or have had a great impact on you as a person.
My 'Versatile Blogger Award' Picture-Thing (sorry for my lack of creative talent!)
So, there we go!
I promise to post again soon - my exams finish on Wednesday, so probably then!
Ciao for now
x
Friday, 22 May 2015
Last Day Blues
Hello!
So, although I don't finish my exams until mid-June, today was officially my last day of secondary (high) school. [I'm not normally one for self-promotion, but if you guys want to learn more about school life in Wales, here's a little something I wrote for Teenage Blogger Central's 'Senior Year Around The World']
This afternoon, we had a little party, with music and cakes and crisps - and we signed each others' shirts and notebooks, and took loads of pictures, and reminisced about our time together...
So, as you'd probably expect, today has been a really emotional day - a time to say one final 'goodbye' to a place that's been my home for the last 7 years, before I (*fingers crossed*) leave, and start my new life as a university student.
But, days like these are always ones to reflect on past memories - so, although I'm really excited to leave, I also don't want to go!!!
And that's what's made this post so difficult to write - even though it should be a pretty simple thing to sum up. The fact that - although I thought I was - I'm not quite ready to admit that it's almost over. That close to a decade of my life is coming to an end.
That in four months, I'll be a minimum 5-and-a-half-hour train ride away from my best friends.
And I'm really going to miss them.
But I'm also so excited for this new chapter. For a chance to study the course I want to study, and do what I want to do...
To make new friends (but obviously still keep in touch with the old!), to gain new experiences, to kick-start my future...
So although I'm in two minds, I always knew that this part of my life wouldn't be forever. And although it's hard, it's what I need to do.
As someone wrote in my notebook earlier today - "We'll always have our memories. Don't ever forget those memories".
And, as soppy as it seems, I really hope I don't.
xRhiannon
Afterthought: My mum cried more than me when she read the comments people have written in my notebook. It's a happy-sad day for all!!!
So, although I don't finish my exams until mid-June, today was officially my last day of secondary (high) school. [I'm not normally one for self-promotion, but if you guys want to learn more about school life in Wales, here's a little something I wrote for Teenage Blogger Central's 'Senior Year Around The World']
This afternoon, we had a little party, with music and cakes and crisps - and we signed each others' shirts and notebooks, and took loads of pictures, and reminisced about our time together...
So, as you'd probably expect, today has been a really emotional day - a time to say one final 'goodbye' to a place that's been my home for the last 7 years, before I (*fingers crossed*) leave, and start my new life as a university student.
But, days like these are always ones to reflect on past memories - so, although I'm really excited to leave, I also don't want to go!!!
And that's what's made this post so difficult to write - even though it should be a pretty simple thing to sum up. The fact that - although I thought I was - I'm not quite ready to admit that it's almost over. That close to a decade of my life is coming to an end.
That in four months, I'll be a minimum 5-and-a-half-hour train ride away from my best friends.
And I'm really going to miss them.
But I'm also so excited for this new chapter. For a chance to study the course I want to study, and do what I want to do...
To make new friends (but obviously still keep in touch with the old!), to gain new experiences, to kick-start my future...
So although I'm in two minds, I always knew that this part of my life wouldn't be forever. And although it's hard, it's what I need to do.
As someone wrote in my notebook earlier today - "We'll always have our memories. Don't ever forget those memories".
And, as soppy as it seems, I really hope I don't.
xRhiannon
Afterthought: My mum cried more than me when she read the comments people have written in my notebook. It's a happy-sad day for all!!!
 |
| How I would feel if I didn't still have 5 exams to sit! [Source: http://www.quickmeme.com] |
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