The day I was a tourist...

I discovered this strange little postcard in a little shop near where I live. There is something really creepy about it, not least because I think the children pictured are brother and sister. I'll be back soon, enjoy!

The day I had a break...

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas. This is my favourite secret from the selection this week at www.postsecret.com - go and check them out for yourself! I am still really busy with work and other commitments but I promise to get back to you soon.

The day before...

Seasons greetings faithful readers. I know I have been silent for a while and I can only apologise for that. To mark my return I am revealing to you one of my most important secrets yet. My sister is pregnant and I am going to be an aunt. I could not be more happy about this news. I went to the first scan over a month ago and it was the single most amazing experience I have ever had. At that point the baby was only 7cm long but it looked completely fully formed and was waving at us. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and I will return soon with my blog overhaul and regular secrets, I promise. Love and best wishes to you all.

The day I came back...

I am sorry I have been completely MIA for the last week. I have been really busy with university and work (they've got me doing a 46 hour week!). I actually made a secret in the week but just haven't had the chance to post it yet. This is my favourite secret from www.postsecret.com this week. Let me know what you've been up to!

The day we went to see Ross Noble...

I am very lucky to have always known what I wanted to be. I can't imagine being anything but a teacher. I hope that my passion and determination will shape me into the type of teacher that has the power to change a child's life. I fully expect to have my life changed by the children I will someday teach. This is my favourite postsecret from the selection this week, go and check them out at http://www.postsecret.com/.

The day I spoke to Anna...

I have had a long day at work but my evening got off to a really lovely start when a friend from Oxford skyped me. As glad as I am with the choices I've made over the last few months I do really miss Oxford and I miss my friends. That feeling fits in with the tone of this secret, is it something you can relate to?

The day I finished...

I have done all my christmas shopping and I only have a week and a half left of university so after next week I will be around much more. This means I can finally commit to the blog re-design I've been promising for months. Here is my latest secret, I hope you like this one - is it one you can relate to?

The day I started to wake up...

I am back. I would go into details about why I've been so silent for the last few weeks but it isn't blogworthy or worthy of me giving any more thought to. So instead let me tell you all the good things that have been happening (here is my top five):

1. I have been awarded a scholarship for my teaching course.
2. I have started the process of becoming a volunteer with the Samaritans.
3. I have my very own signed photo of Katie Price.
4. I start my first school placement in January at Ewell Castle School.
5. I have, after many years of resisting, finally indulged my love for leopard print.

To those of you who only know me via the world of blogging some of those things won't make any sense to you - trust me that they are all very exciting developments. I am sorry to have not kept up with comments, thank you all for your kind words. Care to tell me your good news in five easily digestible points?

The day I said sorry...

I feel awful for posting absolutely nothing this week, I have been so busy that the one secret I did manage to make I never actually had the chance to post. Anyway this is my favourite postsecret this week, go and check them out for yourself! I do this all the time. Pretty much in every secret I make there is a hidden message for someone. I hope that my friends/family will read that specific secret and know that I am trying to tell them how I feel about them. It reminds me of one of my favourite secrets that I made over a year ago (you can see it here). Enjoy!

The day I knew you wouldn't...

This is my favourite postsecret from the selection this week, go and check them out at www.postsecret.com. I connected with this secret as soon as I saw it. It is actually something I do via my blog on a regular basis. The messages I leave are quite ax explicit as these ones, and often they are embedded in the secret, but often they are comments about friends/family. It would be nice to be able to say these things to people but then you never know what people are thinking about you, right? I hope you all had a lovely weekend, I will catch up with you this week hopefully. Enjoy!

The day I was fine...

I really hope we get snow soon - snow in November seems like some kind of strange luxury. It does mean, however, that I am going to have to invest in a coat at some point. I am so tired today and I think I am coming down with a cold so whilst I would love to update you further on what I have been up to I will have to settle for another day. Let me know what you are all up to though, that might just brighten my day a little. Enjoy!

The day I forgot...

Here is my latest secret, I hope you like it. A number of things changed when I left Oxford - most of them for the better. I have completely got my life back on track and I feel happier now than I have done for a long time. I know the path I am following now is the right one but I can't help feeling as though I have let a number of people down, including my parents. I feel that now, more than ever, I have to prove myself and to constantly defend my choice to other people. It is not simply enough for me to know that I made the right decision because not everyone else understands that. I would love for my parents to be as proud of me as they were when I was accepted to Oxford, but I don't think they will be. I would love for it to be less obvious that the decisions I've made are a disappointment to them, but it isn't. I would love for it not to matter, but it does. More than anything I would love for this secret not to be true of how I feel most of the time, but it is. I suppose only time will serve as a way to heal the past, and the choices I make now play a large role in that.

The day it increased...

This is my favourite postsecret from the selection this week, go and check them out for yourself at http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/. I judge other people based on a variety of other things - it is something we all do. I rarely take anything from these snap judgements, because it is always more important to find out what someone is like from spending time with them. It is interesting, however, that little things about your room/handbag/house/car can tell other people a small amount about the kind of person you are. Is this a secret you can realte to? enjoy!

The day I checked...

Here is my most recent secret, I hope you like it. I have been really busy lately so it is fortunate that I made some secrets in the limited downtown I had earlier this week. I need to do an updated post on what I've been up to but that will have to wait as I am heading off to university for a class, enjoy!

The day after...

This secret is one I have been preparing to reveal for a while. I am undecided as to what it says about me - whether I've never experienced true love or that I absorb myself so much in literature that real life doesn't stand a chance. More importantly, is this a secret anyone else can relate to? I'm not sure it is possible to feel the pain of love more acutely than when indulging in Wuthering Heights...I guess only time will tell. Enjoy!

(I am using a larger picture format, is it better?)

The day we missed each other...

This is my latest secret, I hope you like it. There are certain people who you just know will have a positive effect on your life. A person who has all the qualities you admire and who can bring out the best qualities in you. I can't really explain this secret further at the moment, but just know it is very important (an update to follow). I hope you've had a lovely weekend, enjoy!

The day I swapped...

I always thought when I lived away from home that the feelings of longing to be there were more to do with the comfort of my house than the people. Living at home now I can see it much more clearly. I love spending time with my family - we don't tend to spend a great deal of time together so it is really the little moments that are the most important. My home is defined by the people in it and ultimately I am too. Go and check out the other postsecrets this week at www.postsecret.com. Enjoy!

The day I thought of us...

... and what it had become. Here is my latest secret, I hope you like this one. Sorry for only posting one secret this week - I've been really busy with various things which I'll update you on at some point. Thank you for all the lovely comments lately, it is so nice to know that there are people out there reading this. Enjoy!

The day I moved on...

So this is my first secret after reaching my 400th - I can't believe I have so many. I want to start this new period off with a really positive note. I feel really great at the moment, I have such high hopes for the future and I am so happy right now. This photo totally represents how I am feeling and it is nice to have something that captures the moment so perfectly. I am going to leave this post here before I start gushing and you all begin to feel nauseous. Enjoy!

The day I dedicated my post to Marika...

I found out some really sad news this week and I have been trying to get my head round it for the last few days. If you read my posts regularly you will know that for the last 4 months or so I have been volunteering in a charity shop. On my first shift, and quite a few subsequent ones, I worked with this lovely old woman called Marika. She was eccentric and wonderful and told me such interesting stories about her life. Sadly her husband had terminal cancer and she was caring for him, despite her own health problems. A few months ago her husband, David, passed away. I hadn't seen Marika for a long time as she suspended her volunteering at the charity shop whilst he was particularly ill but I had been keeping up with how she was from a fellow volunteer who knew her well. About a week ago I decided to write to her, so I sent her a card letting her know how much we all missed her at QEF and how sorry I was for her loss. I went into the charity shop on Thursday and found out that she passed away 3 days ago. I wonder if she read my card, I wonder if she knew how important she was to people or how much of an impression she made on my life even in the short time we knew each other. I didn't know her very well and our connection in life was brief but nothing better reminds you of the fragility of human life than the passing of a friend. I want to dedicate this post to her, and the following poem:

Everything passes and vanishes;

Everything leaves its trace;

And often you see in a footstep

What you could not see in a face.

The day I felt sick...

Here is my latest secret, I hope you like this one. I created this secret by using some purple sequin stars and I wrote the message by scratching letters into them with some tweezers. You can just about read the words on it, but for those of you who can't it says 'I want to cure your troubled mind'. I would love to explain this secret to you but at the moment I am having some trouble putting into words how I feel about this, I'll get back to you when I have had some time to think about it. Is this a secret you can relate to in your own way? I'd love to know, enjoy!

(I was in such a hurry posting this secret that I forgot to mention that it is my 400th secret to date, hurrah!)

The day we shared...

In the rush of my weekend i almost forgot about postsecret. Here are my three favourites from the selection this week. Do go and check them out yourself and let me know which one spoke to you, enjoy!

The day my feet recovered...

I am completely exhausted. I spent the entire weekend working (over 23 hours in total) and now my feet are aching all over. How has your weekend been? This is my latest secret, I hope you like this one. I am going to catch up on work for uni today and then tonight I have training for my job. Let me know what you are all up to, enjoy!

The day I said thank you...

Another double-sided secret for you to digest. I suppose what these latest few secrets should tell you about me is that I've been doing a great deal of reflecting lately. I don't know if it is the total change in all aspects of my life that is prompting me to look back but honestly all I want now is to look to the future (and for the first time in a really long while it is looking bright). I guess what I am trying to say is that I am happy. I am happy with who I am, with where things are going in my life, with the support of my family/ friends and really, truly happy with the support I get from all my fellow bloggers. I'm not sure if it is because you don't know me and therefore your opinions are really impartial, or whether the anonymity of the internet would allow you to say what you really think - but the fact that you are all lovely in spite of this means that your comments are all the more heart-warming. So thank you and as always, enjoy!

The day I worried...

This is my latest secret, I hope you like it. This should probably be part of a pair with the leaf secret from a couple of days ago. There are some people you simply can't have in your life - because they are a destructive force or because they make you a destructive force in your own life. It doesn't mean that you don't care about the person, that you wouldn't do anything for them if they needed it...you just can't have screwing you over again and again. This secret is my way of saying I care, just perhaps not enough to make it work. Can you relate to this? Enjoy!

The day I remembered you...

I would like to share something with you. It seems crazy that revealing this to you feels somehow more difficult than revealing my secrets each day but for me poetry is a window to the soul. I know people have the same thing with music, movies or books, but for me poetry can move me to tears with only a couple of well placed words. Here is one of my favourite poems and the inspiration for this secret, 'Remember' by Christina Rosetti:

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day,

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

The day I worked...

So I have been working at the cinema I told you about. So far the job is going quite well, it is tiring but quite interesting and I get to see snippets of all the new films which is quite cool. I created this secret by using some beautiful leaves and a brown pen - I hope you like it. Any suggestion of my blog re-design do let me know, enjoy!

The day I reflected...

Here is my latest secret, I hope you like this one. I created this secret by using some beautiful coloured sequins and letters. This is a secret I have been keeping hold of for a while - and it wasn't one I was sure I wanted to reveal. It feels good saying it out loud, and it feels good putting it down on paper. It seems strange that one year could comprise of all of your favourite moments and of those moments which are better forgotten. On a more positive note I am thinking of doing a blog overhaul in the next few weeks - any ideas or suggestions? your input is welcome. Enjoy!

The day I recovered...

Here is my favourite postsecret from the selection this week, go and check them out for yourself. Sorry I haven't got back to you since before my birthday - I have had a hectic few days. I instantly recognised this secret as something I do. I actually spend a great deal of time thinking what I would take if my house was on fire. What would you rescue if your house was burning down? I'd love to hear from you, I think it is fascinating. I'll get back to you with my own secret a little later, enjoy!

The day before my birthday...

So tomorrow is my birthday, I am turning 21. I haven't got any plans until the evening and I don't have university tomorrow so I think I might go shopping and have a relaxing day to myself. I'll definitely be making a secret so look out for that. Enjoy!

The day I used the internet...

My internet is down at home so I've had to come in University to use a computer. Unfortunately that means the secret I had planned to upload a few days ago will have to wait. Here is my favourite postsecret though:

I love reading true crime books and one of my favourite areas to read about is school shootings. As someone who wants to be a primary school teacher I find it particularly interesting as it tells us a great deal about the power of bullies. It is something that doesn't really happen in this country (mostly due to strict gun regulations) but I'm sure everyone has either been a bully of suffered at the hands of bullies at some point in their school career. This postsecret spoke to me for that very reason, can you relate to it in the same way? I got the job I mentioned last time I posted - I start at some point later this week so that is pretty exciting. The job is at a cinema which means I'll get to see early screenings of films that are coming out - the new Harry Potter film to be exact. I've actually never seen a Harry Potter film just to further infuriate any fans out there, but I'll let you know what I think. Enjoy!

The day I interviewed...

So I have a job interview today. I have been applying for jobs all over the place, pretty much anywhere that has anything available as I desperately need some money to keep me going. This is my second time at uni so in order not to get into more debt I have decided not to receive any student loans (read: I am broke). So send me good thoughts today and then hopefully I might ace my interview. This secret was created by using various different bits of card. I love finding new colour combinations that work well and this sort of reminds me of liquorice allsorts or something - either way I like it. What do you think? Have a nice day, enjoy!

The day I thought of Rolf Harris...

Can you tell what it is yet? I've been playing with the idea of image deconstruction. I love that you can take a recognisable, fully formed image and completely deconstruct it by taking it apart and reorganising the pieces. Anyway, this secret is about being unable or unwilling to ask for help when you need it most. I am more stubborn than most people so I know that admitting you need help can be tough but I have been in situations where it really is the only option. Can you relate to this secret? Enjoy!

The day I tried...

Here is my latest secret, I hope you like this one. I don't tend to use neutral colours because they don't really show up when scanned in but luckily this has worked, what do you think? I have a busy day ahead tomorrow so I probably won't post again until later in the week when I've had a chance to make some secrets. Enjoy!

The day I finally got some sleep...

I've not really had much of a chance to get any proper sleep recently. I decided to be lazy today and sleep in a little bit to catch up on all the missed hours. What better way is there to wake up than to realise that new postsecrets will be up? This is my favourite from the selection this week, go and check them out for yourself at postsecret. There are few things I would actually judge my friends for but how they treat my family has to be pretty high up. I always find it interesting that there is that unspoken dynamic between friends that you can bitch about your family as much as you want but that they have to sympathise without saying a bad word about them. What are you doing with your Sunday? hopefully relaxing like I am. Enjoy!

The day I thought about you...

Here is my latest secret, I hope you like this one. As you know I have had a crazy 6 months: I left Oxford, applied to new courses and started University again all while working about 4 different jobs. I thought the first time I would have a chance to slow down I could relax and take some time to think about things. I finsihed my job on Tuesday and since then I have been driving myself completely insane. Keeping busy seems to be the only thing that could keep me from thinking about everything all the time, and now I don't have as much to do I am inside my head all the time - truthfully, it is driving me crazy. My solution at the moment is to drown out my thoughts with bad TV and making secrets, we'll see how it goes. I hope you are all good, enjoy!

The day I made a choice...

Here is my latest secret - I hope you like it. I went shopping today for some new stationary (is there anything more exciting?) and found some beautiful sequins which I used to make this. I have finally had a chance to catch up with making secrets which is great - I don't feel like such an awful blogger now. I have a great secret to show you tomorrow so you can look forward to that. Speak to you tomorrow, enjoy! x

The day I counted...

So I think this secret is going onto my list of favourites - not just because of what is represents to me but also because of the journey it has taken to create it. What do you think of it? and does it mean anything to you? I am glad to finally be able to decorate both the front and the back of some secrets - I was sticking them in books before and obviously that meant no two sided secrets. I've yet to decide what to do with this secret: deposit it somewhere, send to postsecret, send to a reader, give to someone important? let me know what you think. Enjoy!

The day I started again...

Today has been wonderful. This morning I finally had some time to catch up on sleep. I got up and wrote some letters, made some phone calls and then set about doing some work for university. This evening I watched x factor and then made some new secrets for this week. I created this secret by using a picture from a fashion magazine I picked up at work. See if you can spot the song reference, enjoy!

The day I worked through it...

I agree with this postsecret in part. I love that I have an outlet for my secrets and I love that so many of you are interested (this still surprises me). I sometimes wish I had a private outlet for my secrets or even some secrets that I could keep to myself. I feel compelled to share my secrets with you and I love doing it but there are certain secrets I wish I could take back. I guess I am always going to feel like that, I just need to learn to moderate and I'm starting to understand that. How do you feel about secrets? go and check out postsecret for yourself, enjoy!

The day I ran out...

... of energy? of time? both really. Anyway, here is another secret from my ever expanding collection. I found this beautiful postcard in the charity shop I volunteer at, isn't it lovely? Please let me know how you have all been! I miss blogging regularly but what with my job and my new course I've been too busy to catch up with you all - I would love to know what you've all got going on. Enjoy!

The day I managed to post something...

I am so sorry for being completely MIA this week. What with work, my own enrolment, busy evenings and really rubbish internet I have found it difficult to find the time to blog. In replacement for my lack of secrets go and have a look at http://www.postsecret.com/ today as there are a whole load of wonderful Sunday secrets. This one is my favourite because I could instantly relate it to my life. Losing contact with people or falling out with someone is something we have all been through I'm sure. At the time you don't care or you actually want the person out of your life. I've lost people that way and I think it is horribly sad. I'd rather have those people in my life causing upset than to not be friends at all. Is this a secret you recognise about yourself? enjoy!

The day I couldn't comment...

Just a quick note to say arghhhh blogspot won't let me comment any of you back. Please excuse any delayed comments - I have been trying since yesterday evening but alas I can't get it to work. I will hopefully be posting my own secret later when I get back from work and shopping. Enjoy!

The day Rachel moved out...

For the last couple of years I have felt as though I was moving backwards. Things didn't quite seem right and the ultimate goal was getting further and further away. Especially when I left University I really felt as though I didn't know what I was doing with my life. I am so thankful to be in a place now where my life is on track - I know what I want and I am on the right path to achieving it. I still have moments where I doubt myself, and I can't 100% know this is the right thing...but it feels right at the moment and I guess that is all you can hope for in life. Sorry for being so rubbish with responding to comments recently, I promise you that I will catch up with all of you when I have some time. Enjoy!

The day there were technical difficulties...

I have been trying to use blogspot all morning and it wouldn't work. Oh well, success this time. Here is my favourite postsecret from the collection today. Working with children quite a bit of the time always makes me think about how I would raise my own family. I think people often believe they will shy away from the techniques that their parents followed, and I suppose this is a good idea in some. My parents are by no means perfect, there are certainly parenting techniques I would not want to replicate with my own children. However, on the whole I think the way I have been brought up has really shaped who I am and how I lead my life. Teaching your children good values and morals is such an important part of parenthood and something I vow to do with my own children someday. Do you feel as strongly about it as I do? My own secret to follow, enjoy!

The day I read it...

I am having a day to sort things out before I go back to work and enrol at my new university next week. Things are so crazy at the moment that I haven't really had a moment to myself. Anyway this afternoon I am going to dye my hair and organise all the things I need to get done while I have a small amount of time. How has your week been so far? enjoy!