Queens Diamond Jubilee

This year, HM The Queen will celebrate 60 years on the British throne and there are many celebrations planned.

While at work today I witnessed a spectacular display from numerous Glasgow bands as they marched the streets in some of the early merriments that are taking place – very impressive!

Harpin' in the park...

Catching some rays and plucking away for intrigued onlookers.

http://www.wix.com/katie_m92/harp

Birthday goodness!

Had a good cackle at the local comedy club last night – The Stand - as I was in need of some birthday shenanigans…the bottle of wine consumed prior to the gig gave us that boost of confidence to choose front row seats and await a GRILLIN ‘ from the comedians. They didn’t ripp into us too harshly, although I was giggling my head off none the less and surrounded by all my favorite people - all in all a TREMENDOUS outing.

So with 19 years down, I finally have to embrace my 20^th year – Grow up and reach out for everything that is flung in my direction. I look forward to all the exciting plans in the pipeline and thanks to all my truly outrageous friends for being you and letting me be me…

Blazing Heath Fires

A number of homes in the Highlands have had to be evacuated close to my house and the Aigas hillside has been ablaze for a considerable period of time now. After speaking with my mum on the phone she informs me that fire-fighters and the committed community are desperately beating the wildfire that is spreading ferociously through the dry heath.

The blaze broke out just after 21:00 on Thursday.

Luckily everything is now under control and the flames are being heavily guarded by the public and firemen. Mum informs me that she is keeping the troops well fed and watered and that although the smoke and fumes are horrendous – it is any girls dream being surrounded by a load of buff firemen – only she could humour a situation like this one.

Wish I could be there to lend a helping hand! BIG LOVE <3

Glasgow Sunshine

Four days of glorious sunshine in Glasgow...

Bright smiles as people stroll down the street in floaty maxi dresses, oversized sunglasses and gladiator sandals. Who needs a holiday when the UK displays weather like this?!

I love nothing better than attempting to embrace my academic coursework while lounging around the university campus with the sun beating down. Laptop on lap, fresh fruit for lunch and soaking up as much of the vitamin D as possible – got that summaaaa time feeling. So as I tune into Labrinth… LET THE SUN SHINEEE, let the sun shine babyyyy!  

Work night out – Saint Judes

Open Microphone Night – amazing guitarist with the talent to strum along to anything anyone wished to sing. PR girls killed the song ‘wanna be’ – it was horrendous and we will never live it down. Our screeching is probably still ringing in the ears of the audience. Fabulous night though!

Saint Judes really is a wonderful venue - an ivy-covered townhouse, on one of the most vibrant streets of Glasgow – well worth a visit if you’re a cocktail fan!

South Africans embrace the Scottish Highlands

Thanks to the impressive fundraising effort of my sister and her friends over a period of 3years, the final lump sum of money mounted to an incredible £10,000. This allowed nine ambitious South Africans to get a taste of Scottish culture and a glimpse into our everyday life which was a huge contrast to their humble upbringings.   

Staff and pupils at Charleston Academy hosted the senior students and three staff from J E Malete secondary school in Tsakane, a township outside Johannesburg which they visited a year ago.

Our family had the company of two wonderful young gentlemen living with us for a week- Kamogelo Aries Mtshali and Fanie Nhlapo. They blended into the family so perfectly, with infectious grins and a wicked sense of humor as well as intriguing us by sharing many hearty stories from their homeland.

The trips were part of the British Council’s Teams and Dreams scheme, which promotes leadership through sport and encourages schools to form lasting partnerships. After a fun packed week, the boys left with SFA certificates in football coaching, after a session at the Highland Football Academy, while the girls took in a dancing workshop at Eden Court Theatre. Throughout the week, they also visited Loch Ness, received numerous gifts of clothes from the generous Inverness community to take home to loved ones and enjoyed a good ‘knees up’ at an energetic ceilidh.

I am pleased to say I got the brothers that I have always wanted - we will be lifelong friends for sure and thanks to the wonders of facebook, keeping in contact is easy.

Scribbles

An afternoon of artistic flare, friends and daydreaming – I remember exactly how much I LOVE to paint!

Made in Falkirk

Celebration: Pandas 21^st

For the Friday - we'll probably just all chip in and do a tex mex night: fajitas, nachos...TEQUILA!

And for alcohol, byob if you want - but might be easier to just have a kitty and do a big shop at the nearby Tescos

Cocktails also included...and a spot of clay pigeon shooting over the Lochan and Croquet on the lawn if you're game For those visiting on the Saturday: bring your glad rags cos we're going to have a celebratory banquet in true toff style...venison and wild game included (not joking - fare provided by the family estate)

For the Friday - we'll probably just all chip in and do a tex mex night: fajitas, nachos...TEQUILA!

And for alcohol, byob if you want - but might be easier to just have a kitty and do a big shop at the nearby Tescos

Cocktails also included...and a spot of clay pigeon shooting over the Lochan and Croquet on the lawn if you're game

Location:
Windy Yetts Farm, a stunning

re-vamped farm house.

Theme: Made in Falkirk - a memorable weekend away with the girls to the country - mimicking the hit show ‘Made in Chelsea’.

Dress code: tweed and willies to roam the hillside and not forgetting to bring the glad rags for a celebratory banquet in true toff style.

Fine dining experience: Venison and wild game included (fare provided by the Fraser family estate haha).

Evening antics: cocktails, a surprise guest and let’s just say the birthday girl was literally swinging from the ornate wooden beams.

Stefans Visit

Great friend from Germany visited for a couple of days and we had a fun-packed week enjoying all the touristy things in and around Glasgow…

We were aware of how much Stefan likes things in order and scheduled so we drafted up a little timetable of activities haha!

 

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
AM		Enterprise meeting at 11am – Stefan invited to take part.	Bus to Edinburgh - £6.	Long lie in BED or the possibility of a bit of GOLF?
PM	STEFFY ARRIVES 4pm in Edinburgh (let the carnage begin)	University 3-4pm Stefan entertain yourself for an hour (shopping?)	In Edinburgh we will go to the zoo (to see the CHINA PANDA) – Open 9am to 4.30pm, £13. Visit the dungeons - £10. Have lunch out in Edinburgh - £10.	University – 3 to 4pm	Science Centre (Open 10AM-3PM, £8 entry) OR (with bus tour included, £14 entry) OR (just bus tour, £9) YOU CHOOSE?! Nicole going home L
Night	Griffin girls cook dinner in the flat and then we will watch a MOOOVIE – SCARY (to Katie’s disgust)	Night out with friends, pre-drinks at flat and bunker bar and then campus for some dancing	Get the bus home for movies and pizza/junk food at the flat.	Go to pubs for a couple of PINTS like LADS and then attend the Stand (comedy club) – doors open at 7.30pm, £7.	Dinner at the flat to save money and then to the cinema (£3 each)

Delicious dinner cooked in the Griffin flat

Main attraction at Edinburgh Zoo - Big Beautiful PANDA

ROARRRRRR!!

My beautiful sister and her new comical friends

Chillin' like a villain..

It’s when you know someone like Stefan who has such a good grasp of the English Language, that I wish I had taken the time to work on a second language myself when I was at school.