Songs of June

1. Girlshapedlovedrug - Gomez.

2. I Hate Myself For Loving You - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

3. Monday Monday Monday - Tegan & Sara.

4. 1901 - Phoenix.

5. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She & Him.

6. Comes and Goes (In Waves) - Greg Laswell.

7. In The Closet - Michael Jackson.

8. Street Map - Athlete.

9. Reading In Bed - Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton.

10. I Was Made For You - Rivers Cuomo.

Anne Frank Quotes

I've recently finished reading The Diary of Anne Frank, and along the way, I marked favourite passages and quotes. I read this book when I was younger, and didn't appreciate it like I should have. Now, I realise that it is one of the most eloquently poignant portrayals of hope in times of fear, and a very insightful look into the psyche and soul of an ordinary, yet extraordinary teenage girl.

1. "The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then and only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature's beauty and simplicity. As long as this exists, and that should be forever, I know there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances. I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer." Wednesday, 23 February 1944.

2. "It's utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too will end, that peace and tranquility will return once more. In the meantime, I must hold on to my ideals. Perhaps the day will come when I'll be able to realize them!" Saturday, 15 July 1944.

3."I think spring is inside me. I feel spring awakening, I feel it in my entire body and soul. I have to force myself to act normally. I'm in a state of utter confusion, don't know what to read, what to write, what to do. I only know that I'm longing for something..." Saturday, 12 Februrary 1944.

4. "I don't have much in the way of money or worldly possessions, I'm not beautiful, intelligent or clever, but I'm happy, and I intend to stay that way! I was born happy, I love people, I have a trusting nature, and I'd like everyone else to be happy too." Saturday, 25 March 1944.

5. "I've asked myself again and again whether it wouldn't have been better if we hadn't gone into hiding, if we were dead now and didn't have to go through this misery, especially so that the others could be spared the burden. But we all shrink from this thought. We still love life, we haven't yet forgotten the voice of nature, and we keep hoping, hoping for... everything." Friday, 26 May 1944.

6. "When everybody starts hovering over me, I get cross, then sad, and finally end up turning my heart inside out, the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside, and keep trying to find a way to become what I'd like to be and what I could be if... if only there were no other people in the world." Tuesday, 1 August 1944.

7. "I don't want to have lived in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!" Wednesday, 5 April 1944.

8. "Riches, prestige, everything can be lost. But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long as you live, to make you happy again." Wednesday, 23 February, 'Thoughts: To Peter'.

9. "I have the feeling that Peter and I share a secret. Whenever he looks at me with those eyes, with that smile and that wink, it's as if a light goes on inside me. I hope things will stay like this and that we'll have many, many more happy hours together." Sunday, 19 March 1944.

10. "Despite all my theories and efforts, I miss - every day and every hour of the day - having a mother who understands me. That's why with everything I do and write, I imagine the kind of mum I'd like to be to my children later on." Friday, 24 December 1943.

Songs of May

1. Talk Talk Talk - The Ordinary Boys.

2. White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane.

3. Lounger - Dogs Die In Hot Cars.

4. I Melt With You - Nouvelle Vague.

5. Casey's Song - City & Colour.

6. I Want You - Third Eye Blind.

7. Woman Like A Man - Damien Rice.

8. Woe - Say Anything.

9. Closer - Travis.

10. The Drugs Don't Work - The Verve.

Songs of April

1. Light Years Away - MoZella.

2. Inside Of Love - Nada Surf.

3. Love Remains The Same - Gavin Rossdale.

4. Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley.

5. Accidental Babies - Damien Rice.

6. We Are All On Drugs - Weezer.

7. Non Believer - La Rocca.

8. No Sunlight - Death Cab For Cutie.

9. I Shall Believe - Sheryl Crow.

10. Samson - Regina Spektor.

Old Hollywood: Actors

I adore old movies, so here is a list of some of my favourite actors from 'Old Hollywood'. I couldn't possibly put these in order of favourites, so they're just in a random order. They're all so handsome! :]


1. Steve McQueen.

2. Laurence Olivier.

3. Montgomery Clift.

4. Rock Hudson.

5. Gregory Peck.

6. Paul Newman.

7. Peter O'Toole.

8. Marlon Brando.

9. Cary Grant.

10. Albert Finney.

Playlist for Jimi

Happy birthday! :]

1. Comptine d'Un Autre Été - Yann Tiersen.

2. Never Had Nobody Like You - M. Ward feat. Zooey Deschanel.

3. Tiny Dancer - Elton John.

4. Happier Times - Joe Bonamassa.

5. Untitled - Interpol.

6. Moonlight Sonata -Beethoven.

7. Your Protector - Fleet Foxes.

8. Jolene - Ray LaMontagne.

9. I Might Be Wrong - Radiohead.

10. The Great Flood - Joe Bonamassa.

10 Steps

We all have bad days. Whether you're having trouble with the other half, feeling under the weather, suffering from bruised confidence thanks to some girl who has nothing better to do than tear others down to feed her own insecurities, or generally just feeling blue, it's a universal thing. This is the first in my '10 Steps' series, where I will compile a list of 10 things that are guaranteed to cheer me (and maybe you) up. Since today all I felt like doing was lying down and watching the box, this first list is a movie related one.

1. Alice In Wonderland. "Ahoy, and other nautical expressions!"

2. Pride & Prejudice. "If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."

3. When Harry Met Sally. "Had my dream again where I'm making love, and the Olympic judges are watching. I'd nailed the compulsaries, so this is it, the finals. I got a 9.8 from the Canadians, a perfect 10 from the Americans, and my mother, disguised as an East German judge, gave me a 5.6. Must have been the dismount."

4. Charade. "Marriage license? Did you say marriage license? Oh I love you Adam, Alex, Peter, Brian, whatever your name is."

5. The Holiday. "Well, hello big dollop!"

6. Secretary. "Each cut, each scar, each burn, a different mood or time. I told him what the first one was, told him where the second one came from. I remembered them all. And for the first time in my life I felt beautiful. Finally part of the earth. I touched the soil and he loved me back."

7. How To Steal A Million. "I want you to take a long look at the trees, the blue sky, and the river, all of which I personally loathe, which is why a juicy stretch in a French prison doesn't bother me at all."

8. 10 Things I Hate About You. "I'm down, I've got the 411, and you are not going out and getting jiggy with some boy, I don't care how dope his ride is. My momma didn't raise no foo'!"

9. The 40 Year Old Virgin. " That's a good looking grandma! My grandma looks like Jack Palance."

10. Two For The Road. "Darling, what's French for 'Inspector, I don't believe a word you're saying and you're not gonna get a damn penny?'"

Songs of March

This is a bit late, but I got a tad sidetracked.

1. We Looked Like Giants - Death Cab For Cutie.

2. On A High - Duncan Sheik.

3. Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle & Sebastian.

4. Catch The Wind - Donovan.

5. I Know It's Over - The Smiths.

6. Love Lockdown - Kanye West.

7. Daniel - Bat For Lashes.

8. Persephone - Third Eye Blind.

9. Drive - Funeral For A Friend.

10. Lightning Crashes - Live.

Cities

I've only been abroad once and it was so disastrous that it hasn't been attempted since. I'm sure I will visit many of the places I want to at one point, so here is a list of some of them, plus cities I have been to before and wish to return to. Thanks to Naoise for the suggestion.


1. Edinburgh. A city I've visited hundreds of times on account of it's accessibility and what there is to do there. I adore the atmosphere, museums, art galleries, culture, history and architecture, and having lunch in the park with Gemma. Everytime I pass the statue of David Hume, I think to myself "Why is he in a toga?"

2. Kraków. I would really love to visit this city, and experience the culture. Visit the castles and cathedrals, look at the gorgeous architecture and of course, visit Auschwitz. That is something I have always wanted to do.

3. Paris. I have this utterly childish belief that I will fall in love in Paris (unless, of course, I go there already in love, which would probably be just as wonderful ) It just seems so romantic. I would love to visit the Louvre, and see how much French I can remember from school... better yet, it might be a good excuse to learn the language again.

4. New York. I have this sneaking suspicion that I would take black and white photographs all the time there. I'd love to just wander around there. Window shop (Tiffany's!) and obviously, visit all the landmarks. The Empire State Building, Statue Of Liberty, oh and Central Park.

5. Rome. I'd love to visit so many places in Rome, including the Pantheon in Old Rome with the hole in the ceiling, and the Colosseum. Plus, I love Italian food. Oh and not forgetting The Mouth Of Truth. I love Roman Holiday.

6. Berlin. Lots of different museums for me to enjoy, including a Jewish museum which I think seems really interesting and Topography of Terror. I also love visiting churches and there are some that look really interesting there, plus different memorials and the remaining section of the Berlin Wall.

7. Amsterdam. Many museums, churches and synagogues to catch my interest. I'd really like to visit the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh museum and take in the parks and countryside.

8. Athens. So many of the landmarks in Athens look fascinating, especially The Acropolis and The Ancient Agora.

9. London. I have been to London twice, but there is so much to see and do there, I'd probably have to go back quite a few times to get it all done. I've yet to visit St. Paul's Cathedral and The Tower of London. Lots of different museums and galleries too.

10. Prague. Prague Castle, Josefov - the historical Jewish ghetto, various museums and galleries and the Gothic Týn Church in the Old Town.

Sunday Songs

I wish Sundays were always brilliantly sunny and calm, where everyone can have long lies and then enjoy the day by mooching about in the comfiest of clothes, walking in unspoiled landscapes and having the most incandescent daydreams. Here are some Sunday songs; the ones I like to relax to, and the ones that should make the sleepiest of days just a bit more magical.

1. The Underground - Al Murphy.

2. This Is How My Heart Behaves - Feist.

3. Real Love - Regina Spektor.

4. Postcard From A Dark Star - Merz.

5. Lilac Wine - Jeff Buckley.

6. Meadowlarks - Fleet Foxes.

7. Crowd Surf Off A Cliff - Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton.

8. Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine.

9. Do You Want To Come With? - Stephen Fretwell.

10. Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead.