*OSCARS*...a night of inspiration..

I HAVE to see Slumdog Millionaire! I call myself a film buff and that's the only film excluding 2 or 3 that I haven't seen at the local Lincoln Odeon and I'm very annoyed. Twice it was sold out and other times my friends didn't want to see it.

I think it's brilliant they've done so well at the Oscars, for the British film industry, as it gives hope to wannabe film makers and actors, even in this economic struggle as films don't have to be made on an extreme budget. Benjamin Button had Brad Pitt, a $150 million budget, lots of hype and 13 oscar nominations...but only walked away with 3.

I am thrilled that Kate Winslet won best actress as she is such a versatile actress and those who didn't like 'The Reader' still praised her performance. I have always followed her career since watching Sense and Sensibility and Heavenly Creatures very young and every film i've since with her in i've loved.

She was criticised for her emotional outbursts at the Golden Globes but when I watched the speeches I had tears in my eyes, she was so grateful and happy that her work had finally been recognised and showed sincere admiration for her fellow nominees. I believe that young girls can look up to her, as she said in her speech, she was once a young girl who dreamed of winning an Oscar when looking in the mirror with a shampoo bottle.

Aside from British success, I am thrilled that Sean Penn won for his incredible portrayal of homosexual political activist Harvey Milk because there are still those in the state of California who think it's acceptable to vote against gay marriage! It's 30 years since Harvey Milk was elected into public office and also since he was assassinated, he was known as the 'martyr for gay rights' but those rights are still not equal. Hopefully this win opens the eyes of those who are ignorant.

My silent worry.

Every week I feel like I read/listen/watch news where a teen in London has been killed. They might be in gangs which make some people believe that "it was coming to them" but to me, that is not the point!! Killing another person cannot be justified by anything, especially not a lame excuse such as "he was in my area" so action needs to be taken to get these teenagers off the streets and give them some sort of motivation.

I find myself shaking my head when I read a new story because I can't believe it's happened again, especially when they've never been in any trouble before. I remember 2 years ago when Emmanuel Odunewu was killed outside Lewisham Police Station, 10 minutes from where I live, he went my college and to friends was known as the "gentle giant" for his warm and studious nature. I didn't know him personally but it still hit me and my friends as it brought up the terrifying reality that 'it could happen to anyone".

This is where the worry comes in. Every young person wants to have fun, go out and in some cases get drunk. I have a few friends that get into trouble now and again when they've had alcohol and I find myself thinking that one day, they'll come across someone with a knife or gun.
It is my fear that I'll get a call one day and it'll be someone I know especially as there have been several serious cases of murder, gun fire, mistaken identity and ruthless behaviour where I live.

South East London is where i'm from, but hopefully not where i'll stay. I am so happy in Lincoln but I find that when I stare at endless pages of tragic stories, I stop and think...when will the tragedy hit home.

Better late than never...

I must apologise for the lateness of this blog, especially when Valentine's was last week and this would appear to be outdated. The reason, well excuse is that I like to write things down on paper, jotting ideas by the side and scribbling if I need to; yes I must admit I'm quite a techno-phobe seeing as I clumsilly press something and it disappears of the face of the Earth.

LOVE vs. MONEY

A day to celebrate love or another excuse to get us to part with our money?

In a time of economic struggle, you'd think people would be sensible but I read in the Lincolnshire Echo that it is estimated that individually people spend up to £150 on a single present for Valentine's Day.

I must make a solid confession then...I did just that. OOPS! It's not like me really, I have always to some extent been a cynic as Valentine's Day has taken a whole new level to the origins of 500+ years ago when a single note was passed amoungst the ones who loved and Geoffrey Chaucer made public readings of "love letters" popular. Oh how romanticism gets swept away with the time...

These days, as soon as Christmas is over, Valentine's gifts appear in shop windows ranging from balloons to teddies to love bugs to chocolate, etc. And yes I admit, I bought a present for my other half but only because there's a day dedicated to "love". Truthfully, the way I or anybody else feels about the one they love should not be held for just one day in a year! On the otherhand though, it's hard not to want to celebrate when you're with someone and it sort of gives me a buzz when walking around town to see how many people are so intent on celebrating.

Maybe it is true what Richard Curtis tells us, that "love IS all around". Well... at least on Valentine's Day.

Cheerleading = No pain, no gain

As I prepare to walk into Nottingham arena with my fellow cheerleaders, I stop and it goes fuzzy...it's the beginning of Bring It On where Torrence Shipman, Captain of the Toros (Kirsten Dunst) is in the middle of a routine; she squats down, jumps up, pom poms in the air and she's... NAKED.

Nightmare scenario no.1! In reality this is pretty unlikely to happen but being me, anything can happen.

As a proud member of the Lincoln Jets, I am competing at the ICC (International Cheerleading Coalition) British Cheer and Dance Championships in March and what's on my mind? The hundreds of people that'll be watching and my clumsiness. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to be part of such a talented team that has taught me so much but the doubt is always there.

Cheerleading has definitely made me think more about having to work really hard to achieve success. In this case working on stunts, dances and jumps which believe me, aren't a piece of cake. I have to admit I used to be quite cynical, as the term "Cheerleader" came with a lot of stereotypes mainly drawing towards sexual objectification, unintelligence and spitefulness. However I have found the complete opposite; at basketball games the players are appreciative, thankful and admire the hard work that goes into a routine. The team look to teach and advise, not to criticise and every member is kind, supportive and as intelligent as they come.

I find it extremely annoying when people assume that cheerleading is easy. I can tell you now that it is not! Throughout the past 6 months I have been endlessly kicked in the face, trodden on, head butted and so on as a base and also seen a friend of mine nearly break her neck and miss a competition from falling. My role as a base is to lift the flyer into a stunt with my partner; whether it is a lib, a pyramid, a 180, an extension hitch, a basket or a log roll I’ve assisted it with not so pretty bruises in return AND I don't even get to see how great it looks!

I can't believe I’m complaining, when really I can't wait to see what they have in store for us this week. As for the competition we'll see what happens; try our best and we could walk off with a second trophy this year :D.

My first ever blog..

I can't believe after 6 months of being a Journalism student I haven't started one of these earlier! I feel quite guilty actually, seeing as I class myself as an opinionated person. Being a Journalism student at the University of Lincoln I have found myself in some challenging positions. Although I read the criteria before coming, I was unsure of what to expect.

I can honestly say, it has been a tough ride for me so far but definitely worth every minute. I enjoy the diversity of the course, from the history and law of journalism to the production side; and when I've told friends back home about the different modules they always question "But I thought you were doing journalism?" which I like as I find we are taught to look at every aspect, to broaden our minds and discover initially what path we should take on the outside world.