Most people make New Year resolutions. In fact, approximately 44 per cent of Americans make New Year resolutions and 80 per cent are broken by mid February. Many people make or break the same resolutions year after year. In The Happiness…
The way we think influences how our lives pan out. I’ve read so many motivational quotes that tell me it’s not about what happens to us, but our attitude to it that makes a difference. So, how do I build…
I just finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, twice. At first I thought it was just positive thinking fluff, but it reminded me of a few principles and inspired me to begin 2014 with a renewed mindset. Happiness…
*I’ve been traveling in the Outback for the last few weeks and haven’t had time to finish the Oxford Files before now. Here’s the final episode! The final days at Oxford were bitter sweet. Sweet because we’d completed our assignments…
Studying at Oxford was one of those things I put into a metaphorical box marked, Secret Dreams and Ambitions. Now, I find myself at Exeter College Oxford, nearing the end of a three-week creative writing summer school, in a city brimming…
Last weekend I had a couple of excursions. Bath was wonderful, but I would have loved to have more time there. The Jane Austen Centre was interesting and gave an insight into her life and work in that city. We…
The pressure is really heating up today as we are really getting into the nitty gritty of writing. Both of the subjects I’ve chosen have given us homework assignments. When we get to class we have to read them out…
It’s the evening Tuesday 23rd July and it’s my third day in Oxford. So much has been packed in, it feels like I’ve been here for weeks. Sunday: After settling into my room, I met a friend from Australia who…
You’d think getting a train from Paddington Station to Oxford would be a peaceful, lovely journey. You’d sit comfortably as you glide past beautiful scenery and think important thoughts, becoming more and more inspired, as you got closer to the…
Perfect Mercy is Elaine Fraser’s first YA novel. About the novel: Mercy Hamilton has the perfect life. She’s gorgeous, has amazing fashion sense, she’s intelligent and has the perfect boyfriend, family and home. Things start to unravel when Mercy does…