How colour blind are you?

Hey guys! I've just seen this pop up on my Facebook newsfeed and thought I'd share it with you guys. Below, is a link for a test to see how colour blind you are - the higher the score, the more colour blind you are. I got a score of 60, but I made my mum do one of them.

 
(source: images.cryhavok.org)

Give it a try, I dare you!

WARNING - YOUR EYES WILL DECEIVE YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR SIGHT IS A BIT FUNNY.

The Colour Test

Console war - PS3 vs. XBOX

Hey guys! Right, I've recently decided I want a games console but I am really stuck for choice as to which one I should get. So I thought I'd weigh up the pro's and cons to see which one is better. Plus, I'd really love your input on this as I am really indecisive and some personal opinions would really help me in this situation. So, I've narrowed it down to two choices: 

Playstation 3 vs. XBOX.

 
(source: www.cavemag.com)

 Admittedly, I've wanted a gaming console for years. After getting my first games console when I was 16, the Nintendo Wii, I really wanted a more gaming console for me. We use the Wii as a family console, but I really want something I can call me own and use it at my own convenience. Be it watching a film on Lovefilm or Netflix or having a stress-free day where I can be lazy and play games all day. This was triggered more so after the recent release of GTAV (not a personal choice for me) as everyone was ranting on about how awesome gaming it and going on about their different consoles, and it really got me thinking. If I was to get one, which one would I get? Which one is better for me?

For starters, the PS3 has a Bluray player. This is an instant pro for me as I'm starting to invest in more and more Blurays and this could come in great use! Whereas, XBOX doesn't have Bluray. Admittedly, not the biggest problem in the world but it does sway the decision a bit. Next, they both have internet. As a film nerd, I love watching my films online. I've noticed both consoles have access to the likes of Lovefilm and Netflix. This would come in great use for me, but is it free to use on the consoles? I don't know. I have accounts on these sites (obviously), but can I access them for free on the console? 

Secondly, all I hear about the XBOX is the 'ring of death'. I never hear anything positive about it, apart from the fact it is really good for gaming. But how good? I usually hear how the PS3 is good with some games, but not so good with others. Which is the best for gaming? Admittedly, I will not be playing the typical GTA, FIFA or COD. They are not of interest at all. I like games such as Sims, Rayman etc. Y'know, older games which I would've played as I child. My final issue is cost. Let's be honest, I'm on supermarket wages and I'm a student. This means I am not made of money, unfortunately! This is a major issue as I want value for money and don't want to waste it on a console which isn't what is right for what I want it for.

As you can tell, I am really indecisive about this and in need of some direction to help me in the decision making. I am absolutely clueless and want the best console for what I want. 

PLEASE HELP ME, GUYS.

'You must have perfect skin to be beautiful...'

Hey guys! For today's society dictates, I'm going to look at how skin defines someone as 'beautiful'. Now, skin is a big personal issue of mine and I'm pretty sure plenty of girls, and guys, share the same problem as me!

 
(source: http://www.tumblr.com)

Has to be said, this is one of the biggest issues teenagers have to face on a day to day basis. The majority of teenagers have some form of issue with their skins, be it: eczema, acne, outbreaks etc. It does bring a major downer on your day and can really damage your self-esteem as your body image, for you, is shattered. This, added with negative comments and snide remarks, can really crush someone's confidence and, chances are, it's not even their fault they have problems with their skin. I can vouch for this...

I have eczema. You might not be able to tell if you actually look at my skin now, but if you go back 5-6 years, you would see a different story. As a child, I always had mild eczema like most children. However, when I was 14, I used a spot cream which was designed to be put directly on spots and basically put a layer all over my face which burnt my face as the cream was incredibly concentrated and acidic. After the inflammation went down, I went to the nurse as I still had flaky skin so she gave me some E45 cream which I majorly reacted to and my skin on my face swelled up. Not what a teenage girl wants! My skin then did some form of chemical peel which was very strange and I managed to infect my skin. My arms and face used to be red underneath the skin surface and very itchy and sore. 

In school, this was the last thing I needed! I'd have people stare and comment, it was actually heartbreaking and killed my self-esteem so much. Eventually, I was prescribed with some tablet which got rid of the infection and I was just left with very dry skin. Over time, it has definitely improved and, now, it's hard to tell I have anything wrong with my skin. But, at the back of my mind, it's still as bad as it was. That will never go away. At least I have found the right products which can keep all flare ups under control!

For teenage girls, in particular, skin is a big deal! If you have bad skin, you can wear many foundations or much make up. You also get people pick up on the fact your skin is bad. Especially if one day, you wear make up and, the next, you don't wear any and it's clear why. In particular, the media promote the image that girls need flawless skin to be perfect and beautiful. Let's be honest, have you ever seen a model with acne? Have you ever seen a magazine be nice about someone who isn't wearing make up...

I'm going to use Mila Kunis as my example, possibly one of the most gorgeous women in the world. 

 
(source: http://www.tumblr.com) 

Now, her skin in the majority of her images is simply stunning. Flawless, clear, beautiful.. That's what you get when you have an amazing makeup artist! Something the rest of us can not afford, unfortunately.  Yet, the minute she get's snapped without her makeup, she gets slated big time. How is that meant to encourage young girls to go for the more natural look when celebrities get slated for it so extremely?!

 
(source: http://www.tumblr.com)

Sorry but I'm pretty sure there are more important things for the media to be publicising and criticising rather than slating and slagging off someone because they look 'rough' without makeup on. What kind of example does that set young girls?! The fact that most images of airbrushed and perfected anyway greatly impacts how reliable and truthful these images are. They're not real! Same for the images of girls with thigh gaps (for those who missed my post on thigh gaps, click here), these images are edited to promote the 'ideal figure' when, actually, it's an incredibly unhealthy lifestyle. With sites, such as tumblr and instagram, also promoting these images, no wonder there are so many negative and pressured girls out there with incredibly low self-esteem.

So, have a think next time you make a snide remark or see these images in magazines or online. How on earth do you think these people feel?! People really need to take a step back and realise they are not perfect either so they have NO right to make judgements on someone else until they've walked in their shoes.

5 Things I've learnt from working with children..

Hey guys! As a childcare student, I've been working with lots of children from different ages. Definitely one of the most rewarding jobs I can think of if I'm honest, scaffolding their learning and helping them develop along the way. However, there are a few things in particular I have noticed and learnt since working with them.

1. All children are different.

This seems incredibly obvious, but after working in a school and nursery, it's amazing how much you can notice it. No children are the same, not at all. You'll get the quiet ones, the loud ones, the shy ones, the confident ones...The big differences are behaviour and ability. All children behave in different ways and have different abilities. For whatever reason, this is how they are. But there will always be a few who stand out. For example, a child who is very loud, clever but really underconfident. Another example, a child who is quiet, confident but is really badly behaved. All children have big personalities and it is so rewarding when you can bring them out of their shell and bring out their full potential. It makes you feel great and makes them feel amazing!

 
(source: www.istockphoto.com)

2. You must be a child to work with children.

For some people, childcare is an easy way out because they don't know what to do with their lives. If this is you, don't even bother. Seriously. If you don't have the passion to work with children, then you will fail at working with them. I've found from working with children that if you have a childish mentality, you can really connect with the children on a number of levels. From giving them examples to help them in their work to general discussions with them. When working in nursery last year, I found that I could really engage with the children during play as I actually enjoyed what they were playing with or when reading with them as I'd made an effort to do the research before my placement to see what kind of things were popular with children. Turns out the Gruffalo is a clear winner, along with Room on the Broom!

(source: www.google.com)

3. Be involved.

Children absolutely love it when you are involved with their learning and play, it makes them feel valued and involved which really helps their self-esteem. It also helps you feel like part of the class/group if you are actively involved within a lesson or play. Children feel more able to talk to you and you come across as a lot more approachable, compared to some childcare students who ignore the children and sit on their phones for an entire session. Besides, being involved can be so much fun! Especially when it's a fun activity, you can't sit out and be boring. Not exactly encouraging, is it...

(source: www.onekama.k12.mi.us)

4. Be a role model.

This goes without say. When you work with children, they will look up to you no matter what. You are there to be a role model for them to aspire to and look up to. You are there to encourage them and scaffold them as individuals. You want to encourage them to fulfil their full potential and achieve the best they can. If you show them that you are interested and motivated, they will respond to this and become more involved in what they're doing. If you show them a negative attitude, they will show it back. If you show them you're positive, they will show you a positive attitude. If you respect and value them, they will return the favour.

 
(source: www.pinterest.com)

5. Children's drawings are entertaining. 

Now, if you've ever worked with children or have younger siblings/family members, you will know where I'm going with this. They way children draw is simply hilarious and somewhat adorable at the same time, and often very creative. I've noticed this a lot since being in a school setting and nursery. Admittedly, my Key Stage 1 groups were more entertaining because at least you had a vague idea what they were getting at compared to nursery children. For example, children seem to be fixated on triangular noses. So when they draw a person or a face, it must have a triangle for a nose. I found this so adorable and funny at the same time. But that's just children, they are amazing and entertaining for the rest of us to watch and see!