Three weeks ago I went to my first literary event ever. Sounds really fancy, doesn’t it? And it was. And then it wasn’t. It was mostly just a lot of fun.

Somewhere in December John Green announced he would be doing a tour of the UK & Ireland and I just bought two tickets right then and there. Luckily for me the lovely Amber wanted to go with me so on the third of February we set off for London bright and early. It takes only two hours to travel from Cardiff to London so the time passed really quickly.

We arrived at Cadogan Hall well in time, got our tickets from the box office and then joined the by then rather long line of people to get into the foyer. The reason the line was there was because every person attending the event got a pre-signed paperback copy of The Fault in Our Stars which was included in the ticket price. Can we say awesome?

Once we were seated the hall quickly filled up with awesome people of all kinds of ages. Most people were in the 16-21 age bracket but we also saw some more mature booklovers in the audience. I have to say that Cadogan Hall is such a nice venue, not too big but with still a pretty large capacity (900 people I think).

For the next hour we listened as John talked about his journey to TFIOS, we smiled and tried to sing along with Hank’s songs and nearly died laughing at the segment with Maureen Johnson asking the brothers audience questions.

Afterwards John and Hank were signing books and as I wanted to get my hardcover copy of TFIOS signed as well as my copy of An Abundance of Katherines, we got into the ENORMOUS line. We were the last people of the balcony to get into the line – after about half an hour of staying in our seats as the line wrapped itself around the balcony. The line moved quicker than I anticipated but even then it was fun to just chat with Amber. You could feel the buzzing all around the auditorium.

No, I did not freak out at John Green. The picture looks like I did but I did not – Amber can attest to that. I did give him some Belgian chocolate and he seemed genuinely taken aback by it. Kind and funny he took some time to chat as Hank tried to keep up with his signing speed. Drawing hanklerfish takes a bit more time than just signing I guess.

Once we got our books signed we were famished. The event had started at noon and by then it was nearly 3 pm. We sped off to Trafalgar Square to indulge in a burger at Byron Haymarket. Pictures were taken, good bloggers as we are, and I nearly inhaled their namesake Byron burger. Delicious. I think we may have found a new favourite. I’ll definitely be visiting again next time I’m in London.

The train ride back to Cardiff whizzed by and too soon I had to wave Amber goodbye and go back home. At least I have my TFIOS-tour shirt and a poster for my walls. I never said I wasn’t a bit of a fangirl.

Now that I’ve shared with you the message of the day it’s time to catch up a bit. It was my birthday yesterday. I had a lovely day with my mum and then spent the evening with my family. As good a birthday as any.

Being twenty-four has taught me a myriad of things so I guess that today I’m sharing some of them with you all.

• You can accumulate a LOT of stuff. Seriously, stop buying things or you’ll never be able to take them with you when you move.
• Happy = healthy. Try to be as happy and positive as possible and healthy nutrition will follow (at least it does for me).
• Kristin Chenoweth was right when she said in her book that you should sing with your hoo-hoo. Take advice from people who know what they’re talking about.
• You’re fooling nobody by trying to casually walk by the entrance of RWCMD because you’re nervous. They will still see you come in. Be brave.
• Talking to people is something you never regret. If you think the person sitting next to you on the plane is cool and you’re dying to ask them about that book on their lap, do so. Seriously.
• Taking care of yourself is important.
• There are a lot more people who care about you and your dreams and hopes than you could imagine. Appreciate them.

I hope you guys all have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be here working and whenever I’m home writing like mad for NaNoWriMo (I’m massively behind! Eek!)

I’ve been in a bit of a blogging rut. I started work on the 16th and my body’s slowly getting used to being on my feet for so many hours a day but I have to be honest: I’m exhausted every night when I get home.

I have to admit that my blogging ‘dry spell’ is about more than that. You know how you don’t do something? And then the next day you’re like: oh it’s only one day more. And before you know it five days have passed and you kind of, sort of, maybe, totally feel guilty for not doing that thing and then you don’t.

Well. No more.

Today’s the day that I blog again. Also: the lovely Amber from Wind & The Willow tagged me for a Liebster award. It’s probably cooler to be all non-plussed about stuff like this but I’m totally chuffed. And the questions she set are pretty awesome.

1. What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry?
I don’t particularly remember. I get really moved and emotional about movies/books/tv shows but I hardly ever cry. I do remember when I was watching The Last Samurai in the movie theatre with a friend that I told her at one point: ‘Sofie, help me, I’m blubbering out my contacts.’ That was sad and hilarious at the same time.

2. If you were to win the lottery,what would you do with the money?
I would first of all pay for my year at RWCMD, my housing and living expenses. Then I’d set aside a big chunk on a savings account just in case – musical theatre isn’t the most stable of careers. And finally if there’s some extra money I’d either spend it on a car or travel.

3. What is a song that you’re listening to on repeat lately?
There isn’t exactly one at the moment. I keep having a song of the day in my head at work though: one song (mostly musical theatre) that I hum throughout the day. Though Sigur Rós is always quite rad.

4. What chore do you hate doing?
Hoovering. Hate it. With a passion. Weirdly enough I don’t mind mopping floors…

5. What are some things that help you relax?
A good shower, listening to music on my iPod in the dark before going to sleep, watching a good episode of Gilmore Girls.

6. What story does your family always tell about you?
I honestly have no idea. We’re not that much of a story-telling family that way. There used to be a story about me not being able to pronounce the rolling r properly. So I would call my brother (broer in dutch) bjoeje instead of broere. Yeah. They would all tease me about it and then I’d yell: ‘You can’t say bjoeje to my bjoeje!’ Good times.

7. What is the farthest you have ever been from home?
Canada. I went to visit friends from Guildhall summer school. It was amazing. I really want to go back.

8. Name a movie that you could watch over and over again.
You’ve Got Mail. It NEVER gets old.

9. What is one of your favorite quotes?
There are so many and it’s so hard to choose. However I’ve been thinking a lot about the following quote. First of all I think mr Hiddleston’s a wonderful actor (that guy is made for Shakespeare – hello talent crush) and he seems so genuinely nice and humble. I like that in actors/celebs.

10. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
This is a great one. There are so many skills I’d like to have. If I really have to choose one I would love to be an accomplished seamstress. I might just have to ask my friend Marieke (who’s a trained designer) for some lessons…

11. What do you miss most about being a kid?
Unbridled belief in the good of people. I always try to be positive and to believe that people are good but over the years I’ve (had to) become a bit less trusting and open.

I love books. No seriously, I really really do.

I’m an obsessive reader. The kind of obsessive reader that reads series multiple times (Harry Potter anyone?), who watches movies (Harry Potter again and a sprinkling of Hunger Games) and then buys nail polish tied in with those movies about books. Seriously, if there would be Harry Potter nail polish you could bet I would be all over that.

So when one of my favourite nail polish brands came out with Hunger Games polish… Well, do I really need to tell you what happened?

I got these two beauties delivered yesterday and they’re glorious.

Also: I am a nerd.

I spend a couple of minutes cleaning the windowsill so I can use what little day light there is available  to take pictures. Pictures of my Hunger Games books and the two nail polishes. Yes. And then people pass along the window as I’m taking a million pictures of said tower of books and look at me like I’m completely bonkers.

Looks good though.

And while I was at it I thought I might share a picture of my current reading obsession as well. I started George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series a couple of weeks ago and I’m onto the second volume A Clash of Kings. I’d been wanting to read it for ages and with tumblr exploding with Game of Thrones pictures I decided to read it now before I get spoiled on all plot points by the tv show.

I’m into reading very long books this year. The Crimson Petal and The White was 800+ and now this series. Very good for my reading muscle.

I unexpectedly had to work at the bakery this afternoon. Let me guess, you guys didn’t see that coming with the title didn’t you? The thing is that I started reading Wuthering Heights two days ago and I took the book with me to work. Unlike how it is on Sunday mornings it was so quiet that now and then I could read a couple of pages.

Heathcliff surrounded by pastries. Sounds lovely, no?

Of course when I texted my bestie Julie about the book she immediately thought of Noel Fielding and his BRILLIANT interpretive dance for Comic Relief. After watching it for so many times it is still beyond hilarious.

Oh Garfunkel and Oates. How I love your candid, sometimes too honest and too frank lyrics.

This is the very first song of them I heard thanks to my friend Ellie. Still one of my favourites (together with Present Face - extra points if you can spot two Gilmore Girls actors and one from Big Bang Theory…).

There is something about girl groups. Actually most of the following were introduced to me by my best friend Julie who’s an avid vinyl collector.

Perfect soundtrack for a sleepover. This needs to be accomplished asap.

Actually I have a vinyl of the Shirelles in my possesion right now which should make its way into the hands of Julie. Or I could start collecting myself… Dangerous.

I came across this awesome illustration from New York Times illustrator Wendy MacNaughton on the Modcloth blog a month or so ago.

Time to get inspired for snacks during your creative endeavors. My personal favourite is Emily Dickinson. I love me some home-baked bread. I have to admit thought that Joyce Maynard’s lime popsicles are a very close second.

What’s your favourite?

Also please read this post at The Oatmeal about spelling. The universe will be grateful (and you’ll get a good laugh out of it).