Becoming a graduate

I AM A GRADUATE GUYS. I cannot believe it. I got all my final results today and got amazing grades that I wasn't really expecting. It made me super emotional when my final one came through in the middle of a crowded restaurant and my Mum was sat there crying. Oops. I am so pleased though and totally thrilled that things turned out the way they did.

University has been a big deal for me. It has been a long three years of learning, growing and developing both personally and educationally. I leave university as a woman who knows her craft and knows herself. I am hoping to upload a small section of the work that I worked on this uni year to show you all, especially those who are thinking of doing a Creative Writing degree; I would recommend it.

Sheffield Hallam is a wonderful community with a diverse range of people and subjects. It's a beating heart filled with noise and colour. I have loved every moment spent within the walls of the buildings that make up the uni. I have been surrounded by wonderful lecturers who shared their own craft with us and who helped me embrace who I am and supported what I wanted to write. I have never felt alone with my work and have always been able to contact tutors for support and guidance or just a confidence boost.

The final year has been the hardest of my life but also the most wonderful. I have made life long friendships and have produced work I have never done before that is advanced and completely out of my comfort zone. It feels so incredible to sit here and know I made it to the end and I did better than I could have imagined, achieving a 2:1 degree. It's brilliant and I am thrilled.

Kate. xx

Whitby // Final Day

Good morning everyone. It's a beautiful sunny Wednesday and I am uploading my final instalment of my stay in Whitby. I am back in Nottingham now (a big step away from the beauty of waves and cliffs I can assure you) but I had the most wonderful weekend with my now fiancée Lewis. It was completely magical and it gave us some time to relax and revitalise after stressful months beforehand.

Whitby is a beautiful little town, filled with coffee shops, book shops, fish and chips and lots of seagulls. More than that it has so much energy, around every corner and down every little side street.
It is a happy place with music and laughter. I absolutely love it.

My Mum and Dad bought us the holiday as our Christmas present last year so we were very grateful for the time spent away from home. We stayed with a company called Shoreline Cottages and stayed at Quayside Cottage which was right along side the harbour wall and overlooked the beach and the sea. We have stayed with the company before in Whitby but hadn't seen this particular cottage. It's stunning, with modern décor and a cosy atmosphere fit for two people.

The cottage was right in the centre of town, near the steps up to the abbey on the hillside so everything was in reach. We visited a lot of different places including the abbey itself, the pier that stretches out far into the ocean and has a lighthouse on it and we also frequented all the old fashioned sweet shops that sold cinder toffee and lots of stick rock.

Whitby will forever hold a place in my heart now as on Saturday 20th May, Lewis got down on one knee and proposed to me at the Abbey at sunset. It was what I had always dreamed and the ring he got me was elegant and flawless. I was so shocked but so incredibly happy. Our relationship is something I treasure and I am very lucky to have him in my life to support and guide me.

Our last day was spent perusing shop windows, eating ice cream by the harbour and drinking wine to celebrate our engagement. It was perfect.

Being back home is a wake up to the reality of everyday life. When you are by the sea you somehow get lost in the sound of the waves and the tranquillity of the wind. Nottingham is home and will always be but a little part of me lives in Whitby now.

Kate xx.



SIDE NOTE: This blog post was scheduled to go up yesterday (Tuesday 23rd May) but after the horrendous attack in Manchester I didn't feel it appropriate to upload. I would firstly like to send love and prayers to everyone involved. We stand with you arm to arm in solidarity against this wicked evil. For those who have experienced the darkest of losses we can only extend our love to you and all of our thoughts are with you in this terrible time. These people want to change our everyday lives, make us scared and feel isolated and take away our freedom. We cannot let them achieve their aims. We must stand strong together and spread love and understanding over the next few months. Love one another, hug those you love tighter and start everyday positively.

Whitby // Day Two

Hi.

I'm uploading a couple of photos from our second day in Whitby (Saturday) - sorry it's so late but there is a good reason why. (Click the announcement link below.) Whitby is beautiful and we were so very lucky to have some lovely sunshine and hot weather.

We took a walk out onto the pier to capture the waves of the sea and spent some time looking round the new and old parts of the town.

I HAVE A SURPISE ANNOUNCEMENT - CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.

Kate xx

I am engaged!

I started dating Lewis on the 27th February 2014 after he took me to see the Lego movie (I knew he was the one for me.) Lewis is one of a kind. He's compassionate, strong, caring, loving and warm. I am very lucky that he has spent the past three years supporting me, protecting me and holding me up when I wanted to fall. He's the kindest man I know and my love for him is unending.

The three years I have spent with Lewis have been incredible. I've grown and matured so much and learnt so much about myself all with him by my side. There has been tough times where he put an arm around me and kept me going and there have been such happy times which we celebrate together.

On Saturday 20th May, Lewis and I ventured up to the sprawling headland of Whitby (where we are staying on our holidays) to see the sunset and explore the abbey on the hillside at night. It was quiet, fresh and absolutely stunning. It was there, when I was lost in the tranquillity of it all that Lewis got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so surprised but completely overwhelmed. I didn't know I could be even happier than I already was.

As you can imagine, there were tears hence the emotional snap Lewis caught of me (before and after the news) but I am so in love with Lewis and it was easy to say yes. The ring is beautiful and dainty and fits perfectly.

It seems so strange but you do feel different. To go from girlfriend to fiancée it does have some weight to it and I spent many hours just getting used to the new status. I am so thankful that he asked me and thankful for our beautiful relationship.

Thank you for the wonderful messages that have been left on twitter for me. It's brilliant to share the news and enjoy this moment together.

Lots of love,

Kate. xx

Whitby // Day One

Good morning from a beautiful Whitby. Currently writing this at 5.15am after I got up to watch the sunrise at 4.49am which was a stunning pink glow in the sky - photos later. I am so excited to be back in this wonderful place which is my 'happy place.'

We arrived here yesterday (Friday 19th) at about 4pm. Lewis drove us down and he did a great job navigating the twists and turns of the countryside and the plummeting hills. It is slightly rainy here but the coastal winds blow it over quickly so we are hoping for a lovely few days.

The cottage we are staying in is right on the harbour wall and the first picture is our view for the weekend. It feels so calm and tranquil to be here, in our own space, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We had a little walk through the streets, poking our heads in a few shops and bars to check out where we wanted to go today. I am thinking a trek up to the abbey on the hill to get some amazing photos!

That is all from me. I am off to drink tea and read my book whilst I wait for Lewis to awake (so I will be waiting until at least 12pm!)

Kate x