Closing Time

I realise I haven't really been reviewing the recent episodes of Doctor Who but last night's episode was so good, I feel like I have to!

First of all, I was really excited for this episode purely for the return of Craig. I adore James Corden and he is really good alongside Matt Smith. His character is adorable and he just seems to get the Doctor, he understands him more that the Doctor does himself. Point proven when Craig says 'He needs someone, he just can't admit it'. Craig and his son were adorable, 'not mummy' was hilarious and I actually love that the Doctor can speak baby, it makes his conversation with Craig and Alfie so funny.

The story was good - I feel that the Cybermen aren't as overexposed as the Daleks so I was pleased to see them. The silver rat was gross and scary in a 'holy crap that was fast' kind of way. It was also clever how they were under rather than in the sky.

What else? Oh well, Amy and Rory was really cute, I liked how Amy had moved on and made a name for herself - it was also really cute how the Doctor looked both proud and sad at the headline.

And I think lastly, the ending, the nice little twist that wasn't really a twist - I knew Craig was going to save himself but I didn't think that it would be Alfie crying that would bring him back. And his 'simplistic' explanation was so Disney-esque that it was cute.

Oh, no, the actual ending, with River and eye-patch lady. I think the only thing I can say about that is: weird and somewhat predictable. Come on, we knew River was going to be the astronaut!

Missed anything? Any thoughts? Let me know in the comments... oh wait, that's YouTube. Meh, you know what I mean.

The Poor Student's Life

Before I get too far into this, I think it would be fair to warn you this post will be a bitch and whine about money and university. So, feel free to leave - I can't promise this will interest you but I'm sure I'll manage to entertain you, if only due to be my childish moaning. 

Still with me? Oh, thank you!

I haven't started my second year of university yet, I have another two weeks before I have to go to register and sit through induction talks. However, you would not believe how much money I have forked out* for the start of this year! Trust me to pick what is most likely one of the most expensive courses in higher education! 

You may recall me telling you about the modules I took last year? And did I tell you about the one's this year? I can't remember so I am just going to say that last year I took four modules and this year I am taking five. Not by choice, I may add: each module counts for a certain amount of credits and you need a certain amount of credits to pass the year, thus five modules. Anyway, five modules, yes? And for each module, I have to buy at least four new books. Averaged out, each book probably cost about a fiver, yes? So, five times four times five...? I don't know, maths wasn't and still isn't my strong point. My point is I have only bought about half of the books I need for this year and I spent over one hundred pounds! Get that? £100! And I still need to spend more on the rest of my books! Excuse me while I just mourn for any chance of a social life this year. 

That is not even the end! I also need another student rail card, which is £26 and a bus pass which is £90! Seriously, do they think we are made of money? Add that to the tuition fee and train tickets and food and drinks and clothes and I don't even have to pay rent! 

*Screams into a pillow* Ooh, ok. I'm done. I know I am lucky to have generous parents willing to let me stay at home and feed me (most of the time) but it does not stop it from being frustrating to watch your money slip steadily out of your hands and  not being able to do anything about it. 

So, some advice? If you're planning on attending university or collage, I'm not going to talk you out of it, but definitely listen to financial advice and save your money! Even if you get a loan, you will need to pay it back!   Just, stay money conscious and hopefully you will never have to watch your bank account go into the red... 

Ok, I'm going to stop myself from getting preachy and just thank you if you managed to read all of that.  

*For those unfamiliar with this phrase, 'forking out' means spending money when you don't necessarily want to. 

Hogwarts? No, not really.

I wish I could say I'd been busy getting ready to go to Hogwarts, stuffing my face at the Feast, starting my classes, but I can't. Because as much as I wish I was at Hogwarts, I am not. I appear to have missed the train, as it were. Anyway, I am nineteen, I should have graduated and moved on by now. Actually, I think I would stay on as an apprentice. Maybe Hagrid's. Or Professor Sprout's. Not sure I would have stayed with my Head of House though (Snape, if you're interested).

This leads me onto another subject: Pottermore. As you may or may not remember, I posted about Pottermore when the announcement came out, expressed my excitement and my confusion and left it at that. However excited I was for it, it didn't seem to be nearly the same as some of the others scattered around the internet that I stumbled across. This in itself made me feel somewhat... inadequate, like I was a "true" Harry Potter fan. Stupid, I know; you don't have to be part of every single related thing to be a fan of something. And so I wasn't all too aware of the early entrants for Pottermore - I checked one or two days of that week but again, I missed the train. In fact, I was so late and unaware, I was the last girl stumbling up the steps to the platform as the train had already left and was tooting around the corner. Taking my last chance with it.

Ok, I'm going to stop being so dramatic now.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while I am happy for everyone who got into Pottermore early (which appears to be everyone, for God's sake!) it is a little annoying for me to see, all over the internet, expressions of joy and happiness unbound for their screen names, their houses, their wands, and all the features that some of us are missing out on! Fine, I admit, I'm jealous!

Huff. Ok, let's change the subject before I throw a full-blown hissy fit. Anyone been watching Doctor Who? I apologise for not writing some sort of review on the first two episodes, it just slipped my mind. I will say that I am glad that River has gone for now, Rory kicks ass, Amy is still as hilarious as ever and the Doctor is amazing. Oh, and those Night Terrors? Ahh, bloody scary or what! I couldn't get to sleep for an hour Saturday night because of those creepy dolls!

So, let me know if anyone is holding a grudge against Pottermore, or if you have any opinions on Doctor Who so far? I, personally, can't wait until James Cordon comes back in episode 11 *sighs dreamily*.