#11. Boris bike through London

Firstly, GREETINGS FROM BORDEAUX! I'm currently writing this in a McDonalds with my flatmates as we have no wifi in our apartment.

Ok, back to bizniss. Unfortunately there is no photographic evidence for this challenge as we were er, too busy trying; a) to find the bikes, b) to get the bikes OUT of the hold, c) not to die on the roads in London.
After a momentary lapse of forgetting how to actually ride the bike, the rest was quite enjoyable. Although, I would suggest not bringing a huge bag, wearing a helmet and taking a cycling proficiency test. Apparently there's something called signalling that has to be done before you do something? Cray.

So, we did it! And that completes another of our BY TWENTYONE CHALLENGE.

-Ama

#16- Camp for a night

Wow, sorry for the flurry of posts. I'm trying to get as many posts done before I leave next week! I did warn you there'd be a surge of posts at some point! Ha!

So unfortunately I was not able to camp with the girls this year at the annual youth event, but instead camped with my sister and one of my closest friends at the Mumford and Sons Stopover in Lewes in July. I love the band so much and actually saw them the week before at the Queen Elizabeth Park with a friend from church and another sister. I was so excited for my friend from uni to come down and visit!! I knew we were going to have an incredible weekend!

We got the train down on the Friday (which was packed with other festival goers) and arrived at Lewes with plenty of time to set up. We made the mistake of taking the wrong route to the camping site and ended climbing the steepest hill with all our stuff! We eventually turned back and found the entrance, but before we saw that, we saw the queue. It was crazy long! Extending from the campsite down the road and opposite some houses. We jumped in and waited. A good 25 mins later (not bad eh) we were searched, wrist- banded and made our way to where a sea of tents that was beginning to spring up. We started to put up our tent.

An hour later, with half tent missing and with the help of the lovely group next door,  we were ready to eat and explore. We headed back up the hill to 'Ask' (how camper-y) where we indulged on pizza and for me, my trademark rum and coke. Mmm. Deeelish! We bought some drinks and then made our way back to the tent to chill before the concert began! Headlining on the Friday was VAMPIRE WEEKEND. I am a new but huge fan and it was awesome to see them for the second time this summer at Lewes. I screamed the lyrics of 'Ya Hey' and 'Diane Young' and danced to 'Walcott', 'A-Punk' and mine and my bestie's song 'Cousins' which takes us back to dancing in the indie club back in Hull. It was a brilliant night!!

After the show we made our way back to our tent. We had no idea where it was though as there were thousands. Eventually we found it. And then came a problem. It was freezing cold. Like I actually thought I could freeze to death. We looked around for any blankets or clothing we could use to keep warm, but alas there was none. My friend ended up sleeping on her (single) blow up mattress and using just my towel as warmth. My sister and I even caught colds from in the night! It was ridiculous. Then there was another issue- where were the toilets?  My sister decided to brave it at 4am and try to find the loos. I waited, and waited. At half 6, she arrived back at the tent. I was having none of it and walked through the campsite to the main area where there was NO QUEUE. What I loved about the campsite also was that they hosed down the toilets every hour or so, so the porta-loos were mostly clean. Not only that, but breakfast stands were available serving everything from bacon sarnies to pots of organic porridge! What a great way to wake up...to the smell of sizzling bacon! Mmmm. 

The following day had it's ups and extreme lows. Especially waking up early in order to find breakfast in town (the queues were too long at the campsite) to waiting an hour and a half for a full English in a pub to find they'd run out of food!!!! Crazy. We spent the Saturday in the main area to watch Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, The Vaccines and, finally Mumford themselves. I can only describe that night as phenomenal. I am slightly obsessed with each band that played and I can't believe I had the pleasure of seeing each twice now! I loved it. The atmosphere was something else- I didn't realise it, but I'd been standing for over 8 hours it was that good! The Very Best Sound System blasted out a great dance set after Mumford and everyone partied on (we went to get fish and chips  at one of the stalls) and had a chill out session afterwards. We then aimed to go out and find a pub in town, but all fell asleep before we could do so; only waking up to the warmth of the following morning and the feeling that a great time had been had, absolutely. 

Camping is an ordeal. But with the right people and the right atmosphere I truly loved my first 'camping festival' experience and I hope to go to Coachella, Benicassim and Tommorrowland in the future!! Watch this space.

Here are some pics to add to the mix.

 <<<< Our tent- called Bertie. 

This doesn't look like it, but we were so close for Mumford's set!!

This is how far away we were for Vampire Weekend's set! #fail

The sea of tents! Literally thousands...

How tents...get it?

-Ama

ps. I went one better and camped for two nights. *high fives self*

#6- Attend Somerset House Film Festival & have a picnic

WAY WAY BACK on August 13th we took a trip down to Somerset House to enjoy a lovely evening of picnicking and outdoor cinema shenanigans. After waiting for an HOUR AND A HALF I met my sisters in Christ in the queue outside the beautiful venue. Carrying 7 bags between us and 4 blankets, we endeavored to find a decent spot to sit and watch the film. After a few minutes, we found one! Unfortunately a couple was taking up a good two thirds of it, so Nay insisted they move or we'd have them thrown out of the venue. She's so harsh sometimes. Scared to death by her constant threats, the couple moved and we made ourselves comfortable.

All three of us were ravishing at this point (it had been a longggg day) and decided to pig out!! We started small- coleslaw, couscous...the healthy stuff. Then came a whole roast chicken (Nay breaking it apart with her bare hands was a sight to behold), wraps, lemonade, strawberries, cheesecake, bread sticks, dips, crisps...endless amount of goodies. It was a feast fit for a King.

After this, a copious laughter and entertainment in the form of not being able to hear or understand each other, the film started.

The Way Way Back.

Amazingly, the director and writers were actually there to give a little introduction and introduce the film!! They were hilarious and showed their passion for the story they were about to tell.

Then it started...

I have to say, as one of the first people to see this film in the UK (it was the first showing here before release this week) it was a truly inspiring and beautifully written film. I laughed so hard throughout! It was my sense of humor spot on. I also have so much love for Steve Carrell. He is one of the many celeb crushes I have. Shh! Shtoom. I know he's old enough to be my Dad. But no. He's hilarious and one day- it could happen, I'm just sayin'. Don't judge me. Back to the point, I absolutely loved it!! I'm hoping to see it again and then get it on DVD.

All in all, we had a fantastic time!! The atmosphere was incredible and just made for such a special evening. I would strongly suggest going to the Somerset House film festival hosted by Film4 in the future. Guys, it's a great idea for a date, girls, it's a great place to watch people on dates, especially if you're not on one. And especially if Jess hogs the blanket and the couple in front are all cosy and warm. Wow. This has taken a turn. I'll leave now.

Here's the trailer for 'The Way Way Back'- enjoy!

-Ama

#10. Ride the Emirates Air Line (cable car)

I thought I'd be cool. I thought I'd be real cool, but as we ascended (at some pace) above the Thames, I could not keep my cool. You see,we were riding the new Emirates Air line cable car from North Greenwich to Custom House. On the ground, it looks like a very unique way of seeing London, I mean, we've already got a massive Ferris wheel right? You can even use your Oyster card and travel card to get a discount on a ticket! What a great idea. But when you're dangling above the Thames, high enough to take a picture of the roof of the O2 arena, these perks seem like a distant memory.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not the hysterical screaming kind and I haven't had a fear of heights for years, but knowing that mere air stood between me and the Thames below was a feeling I may not repeat for a while. Nevertheless, I loved it! The views were incredible (see below) although my camera quality was appalling- Blackberries are not known for...well...anything. I was comforted knowing that Naomi and Jess were having the same mini-panic attack in their heads too!

I think it is a imaginative and very different mode of transport and it's in an excellent location. Just, don't look down.

Oh and I HIGHLY recommend it! ;)

- Ama

#14 Reconnect with a childhood friend

So by chance I actually semi-fulfilled this one without even thinking about it. I met Holly when I was at a friends birthday party at the age of 7, we were in year 2. It was a sleepover at her neighbours, my school friend's, house. We did the standard little girl sleepover activities...eating junk food (melted icecream was my fave), gossiping (I know bad...I don't do that anymore) and jumping on beds. My clearest memory of this night was breaking a camp bed by bouncing on it, not me, someone else, but I'd bought the birthday girl a sewing kit type of thing so we tried to sew it up..OK I'm getting off topic.
Anyway, that was the last I saw of Holly until year 7 when we ended up going to the same senior school. We made friends properly in the next few years, but then I left in year 9 to go to a new school and really haven't seen much of her since. We somehow ended up keeping in casual text/facebook touch, I think purely because our parents were friends.

Fastforward to 2013. It's a week before Hillsong Conference and I have nowhere to stay and considering my 7.30am call time, travelling from home was pretty infeasible. I managed to get in contact with Holly, now studying at uni in London, and got to stay in her family's flat..10 minutes from our church conference venue, the O2 Arena.

We plan to meet up in September to hang out properly!

I hope this counts.

WE ARE SO BUSY

We're in the process of trying to fit at least 15+ of thee activities into this summer, with very little time. Please bear with (Miranda reference), they'll suddenly be a surge of posts in the next few weeks. In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of a cat.

AH SO CUTE!

-Ama

#2 Do the Race for Life

Hello world. So you may have noticed I (Naomi) have been particularly poor at completing these challenges, however, I have an exceedingly full life. I will get round to them, before the next 6 months are through. Yes that's right, we have 6 months (yesterday) until my 21st birthday, madness.

NEVERTHELESS, we have all three of us, completed number 2, complete the Race for Life. 
I think we all did our PBs. I thought I hadn't as when I crossed the line I got 28:03, (my previous PB having been 27:59) , but then I realised that I crossed the starting line at 00:06 and hence actually ran it in 27:57. 

It was a fantastic experience and I definitely want to do it again. 

To see the people around the course cheering you on is wonderful and knowing that you're doing it for such an incredible cause made the pouring rain and wind in your face worth it. I got to a point, somewhere between 3 and 4K where my thoughts went to; "Oh, just walk, no one will know" but at that same point I thought of my friend's brother who's currently going through leukaemia treatment and I don't know, something within me kind of spurred me forward, that if he could go through that I could so run another 1.5K or even more if it might raise a bit more money and maybe help in the search for a cure. 

I don't know if that makes sense, I hope it does.

We're currently at 98% of our target and our justgiving page is: https://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/hillsongyouth-surrey

So if you'd like to sponsor us please do.
Here's a photo of us...proof.

You can see the endorphins in our faces in the bottom pictures..ha!

#14: Reconnect with a childhood friend

When we first made this challenge, I genuinely believed that this would be one of the hardest ones for me. Not that I'm a completely anti-social person but because when you drift away from people, there's usually a reason and so going back to them is not always the best/easiest thing. But then I had a brainwave: one of my best friends from the good old days was a girl called Rianna. And I'd found out a couple of weeks ago that we went to the same uni. So I dropped her a text to see if she wanted to hang out...

Back to the 90s
I met Rianna in primary school, we were one of only four girls in the whole class and since our birthdays were only 5days apart, we instantly became best friends and did all the things that four year old girls do (including being bridesmaids together at a friend's mum's wedding). Life was good until....dun dun dun...my parents decided to move me to another school at the end of year 2 and her parents decided to move to EGYPT (!) at the same time. So we were separated and since we were only 6 or 7 and it was the late 90s, social media was not an option so we didn't really hear from each other from year 3 - 6

Reunited and it feels so good...
BUT in year 7 we both found ourselves in the same secondary school and in the same class, which was such a coincidence. We totally picked up our friendship where it had left off, had a lot of fun etc. until the end of year 11, when Rianna decided to leave (sob) and go to another sixth form, while I was lazy and just stayed at our current school/sixth form.

Sixth Form
We didn't keep in contact much in Sixth Form even though our colleges were literally down the road from each other; I guess A-Levels are just a crazy time and that kind of looked like that was end of our back and forth friendship. I started uni in Southampton in September 2011 and that was it..

Or so I thought..
One random day when I was in the SU, I heard someone call my name and since my name is crazily popular I ignored as per, assuming they were referring to one of the other billion 'Jess's' around. But then someone comes up to me and lo and behold, its Rianna - she's doing an Engineering degree at Southampton uni. We had a quick chat but both had to be on our way.Once we decided to do the 21 challenge, I realised this would be an awesome opportunity to reconnect with her - I know its a bit of a cheat because we did see each other sporadically since primary school but it works for me.

So a couple of days ago, we met up for lunch (it turns out we've lived about 30seconds away from each other for the past year - crazy, huh) in this cute little cafe called 'Kate's' and talked for about 3 or 4 hours; it was so nice!! I didn't take a picture of us because it was in the middle of revision/exam times so we were both looking grim (I'm talking the perpetual top knot, smudged eyeliner, jogging bottoms - the full works) but I've attached a pic of us circa 1997 at a school disco - totally retro. (I circled us in red - i'm so proud that I was able to do that, since I repel technology)

Jess xx

P.S. Fun little fact about Rianna, she has heterochromia iridum - she has two different coloured eyes!! One is blue and the other is green. I'm such a bad friend, I didn't notice until we were both 18, even though I've known her for years!!

xoxo

#6. Attend Somerset House film festival and have a picnic

THE DATE IS ALL SET. TICKETS ARE BOOKED. WE'RE GOING TO THE SOMERSET HOSUE FILM FESTIVAL. I won't reveal the film we'll be seeing as it'll take away the surprise, but oh is it a good'un. We hope. :) Exciteeeddddd


-Ama

#13. Go to each others lectures

Ama- Law Lecutre

I would like to dedicate this post to all those studying Law at university.

So today I took the bold step and completed no. 13 on the list to attend a law lecture. It was a revision lecture which covered various topics. I felt confident going into it- I was with my friend Rhoda. The lecturer went through a practice paper in preparation for thee law exam in a few weeks time. BOY. Law is tough, man. I tried my best to understand what was going on and some it was interesting, but I'd rather stick to greek symbols for now. Law is so wordy!! How can one person remember cases, specific laws, reports, principles etc and be able to use them all to answer ONE question.

I can understand the appeal though. It was so cool when the lecturer referenced "subsection 32 of the Law of Property Act, 1925" but I mean, if I was taking this degree I'd find it very tempting to just make up certain laws and cases and be like "it's a very obscure case, I had to visit the British Library in order to even find it...it exists, I promise". No. Whilst sitting there watching all the future solicitors, lawyers, judges and barristers furiously scribble down notes I couldn't help but thank the God almighty my degree is much more straight forward. The only I have to remember are a few equations (easy), graphs and be able to explain which Economist may have said what. And if that fails I always end with the phrase "of course, this is all hypothetical- in practise, this is unlikely to happen" and it's all fine and dandy. But noooo in law you have to be precise. What date was this act passed? Who said what in this case? Why did someone act like that?

I have a new understanding for Law degrees. Good luck to all those studying/thinking of studying/just finishing Law. We respect you. May the force be with you. God bless you. You'll need all the help you can get mate.

*These are my notes from the lecture. If they help anyone understand the law of Wills or property, I would have done something right. ;) Enjoy.

No. 8: Volunteer with the homeless

Ama
Recently, I had the privilege to volunteer at my local Big Kitchen near my university. Luckily, it's run by the church I already attend, so I knew some of the others who were helping out. I was really nervous for some reason- I've never done anything like that before, but I knew it would definitely be worth it in the end.
I arrived around 11 and was introduced to everyone. I then started to help prepare the snacks of fresh fruit. Those in the kitchen heated food of baked beans, hot dogs, toast, tea, coffee, juice and snacks and cupcakes to serve. I wrapped knives and forks and tried to remain calm.

The doors opened at 11.30 and a few of the men walked in with the tickets they received at the door. My job was to welcome them in, get chatting to them and generally wander round smiling and offering cups of tea. At first I was a bit apprehensive- everyone else who had done it before knew people's names and got chatting immediately. I decided to man up and asked to sit with a guy who'd already got his food. I introduced myself and asked him about his week. He then told me it'd been awful, that he'd been admitted to hospital for alcohol abuse and was told if he didn't eat, he'd die within a few weeks. I was astounded! I then got chatting to a man who had braces on his feet. I asked  him how his week was and introduced myself. He told me that he'd had an 'ok' week but had been admitted to hospital for his feet last week. I couldn't chat to him for long because he needed to speak to one of the other team members, but I got him some more food and cups of tea and wished him well.

I was beginning to feel more confident now and so approached a guy who was sat by himself. At the same time one of the other team members also approached him, so we sat down with him and began to chat. He asked me how I came to be at the kitchen and then suggested "Was it to meet guys?". I knew immediately this was going to be a very interesting conversation. I agreed that yes, it was to meet men. He chuckled and pointed at the other team member and asked "Him?" I laughed and said unfortunately he's not my type. He's too tall! We all chuckled (I've always wanted to use that word) and we asked how his week had been and he told us it'd been great. He asked me suddenly if I believed in God. I said yes, that I was a Christian. We then started talking about if there was a God, if there was, would they be male or female, what does the Bible say and so on and so forth. It was a really interesting conversation and I listened to all he had to say. I found it intriguing to listen to his opinions as I'd never heard anything like it! He asked if I would be there next week to carry on the conversation and I said I would be. He then left and I started to wander round, tidying up where I could.

I saw a couple in the corner and asked to sit with them. They unfortunately could not speak English, but I still tried to make conversation. I asked them where they were from, how long they'd been in the UK, whether they liked it and they asked if I was a student, if I liked the university and what I was studying. I helped clear their table and sat down with another couple. The lady was telling me how she was made redundant from several jobs but that she became a Christian and although her situation is still quite bad, she was hopeful for the future! I thought that was incredible! What an inspiration. She introduced me to her partner who was fro South Africa. He was also a Christian and he asked me about my testimony. I shared it with him and he seemed so interested in what I had to say and then told me his testimony and about he's still waiting to hear from God what the rest of the plan is. I won't go into it now, but it really is incredible. We even shared some scripture together which was just amazing!! I wished them well and hoped to see them soon, although deep down, I hoped they never would. I want their situation to get better so they don't have to come back. Although if they did, I'd love to sit and chat with them again.

It was time to clear up, so we packed down and made our ways home. It was such an incredible experience and I could honestly go on about it for ages! I was made to feel really comfortable and I hoped I did the same for those who came. This is such a cliché  but it put my life into perspective. These weren't "hobos" these were people who had to deal with and face terrible situations on a day to day basis with little support from anyone. I hope to help out again in future- in fact, I've given the days I'm free to the people who organise the Big Kitchen so hopefully, I'll be back to help out once again. 

Challenge of challenge #14

Reconnect with someone from our childhood.

So this sounds like it would be easy, maybe. However, I'm struggling to even start. I have two people as options in my mind, one from nursery school, however I have not spoken to her since I moved from my first to second school, when I was 5. 15 years ago. Long.
The other option is a girl who I've known since before birth...Yep.
Our parents shared ante-natal classes. I think it'd be fun to get back in touch, but yet again its tricky because I live in Surrey now kinda, whereas she is still in the Midlands and we don't go to university anywhere near each other.

Also, how do you even start a conversation as such?
'Oh hey, I'm doing a blog project and want to reconnect with an old friend and I've not seen you since before we were teenagers, lets be friends again?'

Not really my style. So we'll see.

Suggestions appreciated.

The challenge

THE 21 CHALLENGE:

1. Go to Iceland & see the Northern Lights
2. Do the Race for Life (5k run)
3. Write a song, direct a music video and put it online
4. Road trip from Surrey to the Isle of Wight
5. Ride the Circle Line from start to finish
6. Attend Somerset House Film Festival & have a picnic
7. Throw a Christmas Party
8. Volunteer with the homeless
9. Have a stall at a car boot sale
10. Ride the Emirates Air Line (cable car)
11. Boris Bike through London
12. Wear charity clothes for a week in your specified colour (Jess: pink; Ama: yellow; Nay: green)
13. Go to a lecture for each others subject (in the case of Naomi & Ama, Naomi must go to a logistics/supply chain management lecture and Ama must go to a law lecture) and Jess to an Economics lecture
14. Reconnect with someone from our childhood (Primary School or before)
15. Buy toys and donate to a children's hospital
16. Camp for a night 
17. Buy a nice outfit for each other for £21.21
18. Afternoon tea at the Ritz
19. Go to the Ice Bar
20. Each write the 1st chapter of a book, then another writes the 2nd chapter, and next writes the 3rd chapter, so we end up with 3 books of 3 chapters.
21. YOU DECIDE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

This is in no particularly order, perhaps at some point we will order it, perhaps we won't.


Comment what you think of it? Any suggestions as to how to go about it? Which you're looking forward to hearing about/seeing?

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the 21 Challenge! We’re Ama, Jess & Naomi.

What is the 21 Challenge?
I hear you ask...

Well we all turn 21 in January 2014, so we decided that we’d challenge ourselves to do 21 things that none of us has done before by January 1st (Naomi’s birthday). We will document it fully, with pictures, videos and our own personal thoughts/experiences as well as collectively for you all to enjoy and most importantly, for us to remember.

We all go to university in different places, which makes this slightly more fun.

How did we meet?

We met at church (Hillsong Surrey) about 3 years ago now and instantly became the closest of friends. Cringe. This isn’t true.  We did meet at church though, and that’s a massive part of all of our lives.

Who are we?

My name is Naomi, I study economics with management science (pretty exciting, I know you all want to be me) in Scotland, waheeey, so I am the most Northerly of this contingent. I was also born in the Midlands and lived there for many years, which leads to my being made fun of for my bizarre accent by Ama & Jess, and many others. Someone said we should write about our interests and hobbies, mine’s going to the gym, I like exercising, so I do it. As a child I used to go to a gym every Saturday to watch my Dad play basketball and I guess that’s just stayed with me. I am most excited about going to see the Northern Lights in Iceland because I’ve wanted to do this for years. Least excited? Tough question. Ama plugs her blog, so I’ll plug mine; 400milesnorth.blogspot.co.uk

I’m Ama, the second eldest/youngest (middle child) of this group and by far the best. I live in apparently the worst city in the UK, Hull. I too study economics (BIG UP TO MY MACRO MASSIVE) and it’s an incredible subject. I move to Bordeaux next year and sadly away from these girls so the challenge will be another way for us all to keep in touch! I’m also going to plug my other blog themusicmuseo.blogspot.com because it’s the bom diggity and you should read it. I love writing/playing music and hope to follow up that passion one day, although I’m yet to perform live. I’m so excited about writing a song with these two- Naomi is an avid rapper so I’m excited to see her drop some bars!! I think that’s enough from me. I’ll let the baby of the group introduce herself.

I’m Jess, the youngest of the bunch. I study law (why I chose it, I’ll never know) in Southampton. I wish I was like Naomi and could say I love exercising and love the gym - but alas, that would be a MASSIVE LIE. I hate the gym and all forms of exercise. My happy place is anywhere I can be in a horizontal position with a cup of Earl Grey tea and a slice of chocolate fudge cake in arm’s reach. I’m super excited about this challenge, mainly because I get to do it with the best two girls ever (no exaggeration, I promise) but also so I have some awesome stories to tell when I’m old - like thirty!! I’m new to blogging and only really started one because of this challenge (hence its name) but since the other two have plugged theirs, here’s mine: morenecessitythandesire.blogspot.com

We hope you enjoy- more to follow! :)