A-level Results Day - A day of celebration or the most stressful day of the year?

'Forget about style; worry about results'

A quote from Bobby Orr.

For students the latter part of this quote is very well the feeling that sends a chill down their spine. The moment someone says the word 'results', only one day is triggered in their mind.
So I was thinking, as today is in fact the dreaded day for many A-level students, is this a day for celebrating a year of working hard for a specific letter associated to the grade you have achieved to be printed onto a certificate or is this the most stressful day of the year?

Some people will probably say, it's only a time of celebration if you got the results you want. Others might say, we can celebrate even though we may not have got the results we wanted but still managed to pass the whole year, or get into our chosen university.

This I understand greatly. I still remember this time last year I was finding if I got into university and what my A2 results were.

I remember waking up at 6am. Okay I didn't wake up intentionally, how could I with the thought of wanting to know my grades and whether I made it into university or not. The university was the most important as I really wanted to get in and fulfil my wish to study Magazine Journalism.

So there I was lying in bed, feeling extremely tired as I had little sleep and really wanted to go back to sleep but I knew that if I did that, I would probably wake up and UCAS Track would have about as much traffic as the M25 rush hour every morning. Something I really didn't want to endure.

So I decided to go for it and retrieve my laptop off my bedroom floor and find out if UCAS has updated my Track telling me if I have got into university. My heart was beating a million beats per minute as I waited for my laptop to fire up. Once I logged myself in and got the internet browser, I thought to myself 'This is it!'.

The next half an hour was the most stressful I have ever felt. I didn't want to go on Facebook or Twitter because I really didn't want to see if anyone else had found out their result for uni. It took me at least three goes before my screen loaded with the UCAS Track homepage. Funnily enough it loaded parts of the page from the top of the browser from the bottom.

And there it was. The words I wanted to see - even though I truly convinced myself that I was going to see the dreaded UCAS Clearing information.

'Congratulations! Your place at Southampton Solent University to study Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing has been confirmed'

It was one of the best feelings in the world, to know that I had got into my chosen university to study the course I really wanted to do. Obviously the next step was waiting for my college to open and for me to get my results, however I was not as nervous as I was for finding out my university place.

Thankfully I wasn't really bothered by my results as I knew I had got into university but I still managed to achieve a BBD.

For me I managed to make results day into a positive experience. But what about those students who stay quiet on social networking sites while they frantically phone up universities because they have been given the dreaded Clearing number. Or to those students who aren't going to university but didn't achieve the results they wanted.

There is a lot of pressure on students to do well. From the university side, there is a lot of pressure to make sure they get the points they need for a place at uni whilst competing with many other students from across the country and overseas. From the results side, it has become a big 'competition' to see who gets the highest grade possible, especially as last year was the first year the A-levels included the A* grade.

It can be a divided topic and for someone like me, I will never be able to empathise with those who may be spending results day stressed and upset because they recieved the news/results they didn't want to hear. And it is these people who will say that results day is the worst day of their life.

It is all about making sure that whatever result you acheive is not something to be ashamed of. Okay, if you didn't get the A grade but managed to get a B or a C is good. It is not that you have failed, it is this pressure of wanting to boast or impress other people or friends that you managed to get a higher grade than them.

This is why I get annoyed when all I see on Facebook or Twitter is people going on about the different grades they got, just so they can say they are 'smarter' than others. I try to find out which subject it is before getting impressed i.e. someone who got an A in what some people might call the 'Mickey Mouse' subjects would not be as impressive as those who got an A in the traditional English, Maths or Science.

At the end of the day, be proud of what you have acheived. But don't go to the extent of building yourself a pedestal just so you can show off to other people how 'smart' you are. At the end of the day, you may be having the best day ever while someone else could be having the worst day, fighting for a place at uni or fighting back the tears of their results.

So all I can say is don't make results day something to be stressed or ashamed of, make it day of celebrating what you have achieved because remember, you still achieved an A-level in whatever subject you studied. For those battling for those last places at universities in clearing, don't give up hope! You are still in with the chance of going to university!

Dancing on Ice Tour 2011 - 25th April

I am going to dedicate this blog post to my expedition to see the Dancing on Ice Tour at Wembley Arena on Easter Monday (25th April). I have to say out of all the tours I have been to, and I have been to every single Dancing on Ice tour, I can happily admit that this year's was the best yet!

It is always the same routine when an event like this comes along. I wake up, get dressed and sort out my bag with all the usual goodies I pack in there but this year was slightly different. Normally I am much more prepared but I think I have been very distracted this year. A lot has happened and more is going to happen for the rest of the year but let's not worry about that!

So, me not being my usual self I decided I needed to pop to Sainsbury's to get some last minute sweets to take with me. Of course I would have got them sooner but like I said earlier, I was distracted with other bits. Anyway, my trip to Sainsbury's was quick and simple. Well, it was but I did buy more than what I thought I was going to get.

I was planning to buy a packet of Revels, hmmm yummy! But I did have to browse through the left over Easter chocolate aisle and I have to sadly admit that I did shove a lot of sweets into my arms. So here I am heading for the self scan tills, my arms filled to the brim with Easter chocolate and my sweets for the evening. It did make me look slightly piggy but I did get some sweets for my family as well, not that bad then.

So I drove back home with one bag filled with sweets. A successful shopping trip I must say. Then it was back home to chuck the sweets into the cupboards, and my room. My tummy was starting to build up the sensation of butterflies, which meant that it wasn't going to be long before my grandparents would arrive so we can head off to Wembley.

Lunch consisted of tomato soup and a couple of slices of bread. Definitely a filling meal which would allow me not to feel so hungry later on. I helped mum put the bowls and plates in the dishwasher, doing my bit to help, then I can think about grabbing my cardi and bag for when we get prepared to leave.

I wait impatiently as my mum does her last minute touch up with make-up and my dad's last minute check up of the Sat-Nav - making sure it was charged up and set for our destination. 4pm came along and my family and I were ready to get into my dad's car so we can set off for Wembley Arena.

The journey was alright, long journey's aren't satisfying but I had my iPod at hand so I could plug myself in and listen to some good tunes for the 1 and a half hour journey. The usual traffic build-up at Hindhead was expected and it was nice to see how the new tunnel is coming along, especially as it is going to hopefully be completed in the summer this year. Very exciting.

M25 was a smooth ride. I personally wouldn't like to drive along it myself but it was amazing at watching how people drive. As a driver I now compare my driving to that of other people, and in some ways I can sympathise with my dad at how long and tedious this journey can be. The M4 was okay but getting towards the end of the motorway became a bit of a slog. Rows of car surrounded our car, like a typical 5pm rush hour traffic, only it was a bank holiday.

This wasn't slow thankfully. We managed to get off the M4 and continue our way to Wembley. This is when my excitement reaches a whole new level as I know we are very close to our final destination. Driving through London is very different to that of Portsmouth or Southampton, lots more cars and people driving like maniacs. Okay, not maniacs but London drivers are much more daring in their approach to driving. Definitely need your wits about you.

Hanger Lane. When I see this it always reminds of the large roundabout at the end of this road. Traffic lights are on red, my dad has his foot ever so slightly on the accelerator and his hand on the handbrake, getting ready to move as soon as the light goes green. These traffic lights are not the kindest of traffic lights, only a couple of cars go through and as soon as they go red, the cars at the other set of traffic lights are already moving so you have to be quick!

Seeing Wembley Stadium in our sight, I turn off my iPod so I can enjoy the views and let my excitement run wild. And before long we were turning into Engineers Way and there it is, Wembley Arena in all it's glory. We head towards the car park and the price was astounding! £22.50 for one car. What a rip off! It makes me wonder where this money goes? I chipped in with the £2.50 because I felt it was right for me to contribute to help my parents out, I do have my own money now.

For the first time in a couple of years we arrive at Wembley very early, just over half and hour early before the doors open. For me and my dad this was easy decision - a wander around Wembley Stadium. The sun was shining in the blue sky with only a brisk wind. But it was nice to look along the horizon of London, such a picturesque view. It was also nice for me and my dad to have a chat, not always possible to do that at home - what with uni work keeping me busy and weekends I am at work. Me and my dad did enjoy looking around the area, contemplating on the many sights we saw.

6.30pm drew near so my family and I decided to head over to the entrance we needed to be at to get into the arena. The doors were opened as soon as we got there so I got the tickets prepared for the guy at the entrance to scan them - a very good system as anybody could forge a ticket and get in to any event they wanted. Once you enter the arena if you have a bag it will have to be searched, something that does get a bit annoying but I guess it is for security reasons. However I opened my bag to the guy and he literally looked at the bag and let me through. So much for a 'bag search'. But I am not complaining - I wanted to get to my seats.

Just as I was heading towards the area we needed to be at, my mum tells me that her, my dad and my grandparents want a toilet break. I thought I would take this opportunity before the toilets become crammed and the queues become a mile long for the ladies later on. Once we were sorted I power walk to the doors of where our block was. We were A2 which the rinkside seats so we had to go down some stairs before we reach our seats. Then I couldn't contain my excitement any longer - I was here, about to watch some of my favourite stars of the current series of Dancing on Ice skate in front of my very eyes! And I was going to be very close to them.

And there it was, sat in my seat waiting for the show to begin at 7.30pm. The warm up guy came on the stage to get the audience in the mood. Some comical moments with the big screens - showing certain audience members and he decided to take the mick out of them. Some light hearted entertainment and that is when he announces 'the green light is on and we are ready to get this show on the road. So start clapping your hands, stamping your feet, make some noise for the Dancing on Ice Tour!'

And so it began. The screen showed Torvill and Dean presenting to the audience the 'Dancing on Ice Academy'. This was very different from the montage videos they normally present to us from previous tours. And so the lights shone down on  the 'students' of the academy, those being the professionals and a few of the celebrities. From what I could see it was Hayley Tamaddon, Vanilla Ice, Sam Attwater, Chloe Madeley and Laura Hamilton. They skated to the Black Eyed Peas 'Let's Get It Started' with Torvill and Dean. I was very impressed with how this opening number turned out - so much so that it has become my opening out of the tours, even beating last year's opening which I thought was going to tough to beat.

Once the skaters made their final bows, the Dancing on Ice theme kicks in. And so I begin clapping with the whole arena staying quiet - I was quite surprised as normally the audience claps to the theme. But this didn't stop the excitement as the commentator introduces us to Andi Peters, the tour host. The judges are introduced to us and as part of the tour a guest judge is part of panel - a nice touch I must add. Karen Barber, Robin Cousins and Christopher Biggins were joined this year by none other than 2007 winner Kyran Bracken! I was happy, a good judging panel this year.

The skating stars of this year's tour are introduced. I thought it was a good line up this year however I wasn't too keen on seeing Johnson, Denise Welch and Comedy Dave. But it was a nice variety which always makes the tour interesting and a great show to watch.

The first half of the tour consists of the skating stars competing against eachother. Each star performs with their professional partner and get marked by the judges, a score of a possible 10 marks is available. Of course with the tour having a rink two thirds larger than that of the studio, the judges are going to much more harsher with their marks, looking more closely at how they cover the ice. 

Of course, favourites Hayley and Sam took the top two spots on the leader board but close behind was Chloe, Vanilla and Laura. This made it rather exciting to see how each star compete against eachother, even I noticed that some stars like Laura made a couple of errors. Sam Attwater's routine to 'Riverdance' was by far the best routine of the night! Both him and his partner Brianne Delcourt were in sync with eachother, each move flowing beautifully and I was absolutely blown away. And he deserved the full marks that were awarded to him, 40 marks out of 40!

Once the interval came along, I wanted the second part of the show to begin. It did give me a chance to stretch my legs and spot my friend in the arena. Funnily enough she was above me, it was very funny watching her face as she tried to spot me. The warm up guy returned as the whole arena dance to DJ Otzi's Hey Baby! The lights dimmed and so the second half of the tour began. 

The second half was altered slightly from previous tours. Normally all skating stars skate in this half but only the top 5 skated this time. But before we saw each skater provide us with another routine, there was the team challenge, as seen on the TV show. Two teams were made, team Sam and team Laura. In team Sam we had Sam, Johnson and Chloe. In team Laura we had Laura, Hayley and Denise. This part of the show was by far the most comical. Especially when the audience had to cheer for their favourite team to win. I really liked team Sam's routine but team Laura had a really nice flow around the ice and all the team members seemed to be enjoying themselves much more. And the winner was.....

Team Laura!

'On with the show' as Andi Peters put it. The second half of the tour presented us with our top 5 celebrity skaters performances who were, Vanilla Ice, Laura Hamilton, Chloe Madeley, Sam Attwater and Hayley Tamaddon. The tour also allows the audience to watch some of the professionals skate for us, and I have to say they are absolutely amazing. Some of the stunts they showed us was jaw-dropping and spectacular. I especially enjoyed Matt Evers and Nina Ulanova's Broken Strings routine but the routine that really stunned me was new professionals Jodeyne Higgins and Sean Rice. He was throwing Jodeyne in the air like a toy doll but the way he caught her made it even more surprising and outstanding.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean also presented us with a glorious routine of Ellie Goulding's 'Your Song'. I absolutely adore this song and to see two of the greatest skaters of all time skate to it made it more spectacular and beautiful. These two know how to make ice skating effortless. It does make me want to go ice skating myself, although I could never do some of the stuff they can. I will probably end up on my bum most of the time but I would never say to no to trying some of the stuff they do. Being the daring person that I am.

The final part of the tour was the Bolero skate off. The top 5 skaters came back onto the rink and formed one line while they wait for their name to be called out. Our final two was Sam and Chloe, which the audience voted for. We had the chance to text the name of the skater we wanted to skate Bolero, with all costs going to Jayne and Chris' chosen charities. Of course I voted, it is a nice way of interacting with the tour. I voted for Sam and Chloe so it was nice to see that they both were in the skate off, my vote wasn't wasted, as it has been in past tours.

It was nice to see Chloe's bolero as on the TV show she came third. It was a beautiful routine but once again Sam won it for me. His rendition of Bolero is so amazing that it is close to that of Torvill and Dean. Still to this day the Bolero music sends chills down my spine, especially the opening chord. Once Sam and Chloe had skated their Bolero's, it was up to the judges to decide on who was the champion of the night. And the winner was....

Sam!

5 votes to 0. Unlucky for Chloe but it was lovely to see her Bolero, and to see it live was brilliant. On with the finale, all the skating stars and Torvill and Dean skate to Jennifer Lopez's 'Let's Get Loud.' A perfect finale for a brilliant tour. For people in the rinkside, it was an opportunity to head over to the rink and shake hands with some of the cast. I managed to squeeze between a couple of ladies and shake hands with Vanilla Ice, his skating partner Katie Stainsby, professional couple Alexandra Schauman and Lukasz Rosycki and a slight touch off Chris Dean. My night was made complete after that moment! 

Pyrotechnics sparked out behind the stage as the skaters take one final bow. As they wave to crowd, Andi Peters wraps up the tour for another year. The dancing on ice theme echoes around the arena as Torvill and Dean take one more final bow and the lights goes out in the arena. Another Dancing on Ice Tour over for another year.

I enjoyed every moment of the tour this year. I took some fantastic shots of the skating stars and Torvill and Dean, and even some videos. Feel free to check them out at my YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/crystalmoonwinx

I hope that next year's tour is even better. This year is going to be a tough year to beat but I have said that each year and every year always gets better and better. I shall keep my hopes up and I really hope that me and my family get the same seats like this year, we had a spectacular view and a great evening's entertainment. Roll on next year's Dancing on Ice Tour!

My lack of blogging...

I have been a bit lame with the blogging. Sorry about that!

University and my part time job is taking up most of my time at the moment so I think I need to make this a new resolution for me. 

Anyway, from today I will try to blog at least once a week... must start small to be safe!

My Passion...

My passion is theme parks, even when I was young I loved the thrill of rollercoasters - and they were only the kids rides that didn't go upside down!

So my job right now is to talk about theme parks. I guess I can provide you with statistics and facts - though you will only fall asleep. I could be really serious and provide news stories about theme parks - but then again even I will be slightly bored with writing that!

I'll just give you my thoughts on theme parks. I'm no enthusiast that knows the ins and outs of theme parks, how rollercoasters are made etc. But that doesn't mean that I don't know what is happening - only in the UK, although we know the biggest and most extreme rides are in the USA.

I've been to Thorpe Park and Chessington WoA many times when I was younger although the travelling was a pain in the arse. An hour long journey all the way to London is not fun but I didn't care - going to a theme park was a treat.

I have been to Alton Towers back in 2001 - wow that was 10 years ago. But the distance from where I live makes it difficult to travel there every year. I still remember the first time I dragged my mum onto the big rides, especially Nemesis - the inverted white rollercoaster based on a 'monster'. While my mum shut her eyes (and looked slightly green), my eyes were gleaming with excitement.


Of course theme parks are not for everybody. Some people have a fear of heights, some people have a fear of going really fast - yes it is true! but some people have a general fear of rollercoasters. 


I'm just one of those people that really love rollercoasters and theme parks in general, and I hope that this blog might open your eyes to how amazing theme parks can be. 


Remember...


Sit back, keep your arms and legs inside the carriage at all times and don't forget to SCREAM! 

First Post...

Haven't blogged before so I guess we need to start somewhere. Be prepared for nonsense, opinions and a lot of pictures! Hopefully I will be interesting.

I am on Twitter as well, and Tumblr. Links will be on the way.