Birthday Remembrance

Where does all the time go! March already, and more than a week since I last updated my blog! Still, I'm updating now - and it's been a busy week again. Today would have been my grandad's 66th birthday, but he died just under a year ago, and so all my family are thinking of him today. It was very hard losing my gran, as we were so close, but when my grandad died I was so much older, and so much more aware, that it was even harder. I honestly cannot believe that it'll be a year on the 16th since he died: it seems like just last week. Last Friday (the 27th - my birthday!) would have been my gran's 66th birthday too, and so this time of year is always a hard one for everyone, especially my mum (as they were both her parents). It's hard all the time, but so much harder when it's a momentous occasion that those who are gone have missed: I was feeling this the other day when I had my first driving lesson, and wishing that my grandparents could have been here to see me.

Anyway, onto happier topics, it was my birthday on Friday - and I had a great day. My friends were all really generous and thoughtful with gifts, which included series one of the Tudors, and two collages of photos of all our friends, with a couple of images of cute famous guys who I like thrown in for good measure :) My friend J made me a collage full of things that she felt were linked to me and here, which was really nice - and funny! It included references to the novel I'm writing, to things we had growing up (I've known her since I was two) and odd phrases that we both come out with. Then, straight after school I had my first driving lesson. I was extremely nervous, but once I was in the car I absolutely loved it! It was straight onto the road, and we did lots of looping round residential roads, practicing things like hill starts and gear changes. Then I was onto roads with more cars, and ended up doing 2 roundabouts! I really loved it, and i now have L plates and insurance sorted on my mum's car, so I'm practicing every chance I get! Then, in the evening, my mum, sister, dad and I went to see 'He's just not that into you'. I have to say I was a little disappointed with it: it was pleasant enough viewing, but not as good as I'd hoped. Still, we had a nice night. Unfortunately I had to cancel my night out on Saturday with my friends from work as two of them had come down with this sickness bug that seems to be going around (as have most of my other friends - fingers crossed I'm not next!) but I'm just postponing it for a couple of weeks.

If you've read my blog before, you'll be shocked at what I did Saturday night: got up to date with all my homework! :O I know, amazing. For once I didn't procrastinate, I just got it done - and it was nice to have a free day Sunday, which I spent reading and then helped my mum with the shopping at Tesco. I then bought 2 new books at Tesco, which is a mistake as I already have so many to read! (My current one is "A great and terrible beauty" by Libba Bray - it was a little slow starting, but I'm getting into it now!)

I then had my second driving lesson on Monday during my free periods, where we did more of the same, and I've been practicing in car parks and small roads with my mum too. I was driven home by one of my friends for the first time today, and it feels odd - for years we've all been reliant on our parents (the public transport down here is terrible!) and it's nice to have some freedom, although it feels weird knowing you're allowed to be driving!

Off to practice some driving now, then just a little homework to do tonight =] I will try and update soon, else otherwise I end up writing loads and loads when I finally get to update! I hope the sun comes back soon, I only got to see it for a day, and now the rain's back ... =[