The Birth of NOVELLA

*Inserts drum role please* 

After weeks of drawn out planning and slaving away, ladies and gentlemen we finally did it!!

I ultimately and officially have a new blog which I am so so proud and excited for what is yet to come. 

Novella (meaning a short novel or a long story) is a place where I intend to share a corner of my life on the internet. 

From quirky cafes, thrift shop bargains or the impulsive and occasionally unnecessary Sephora trip’s; I wish to share this with you all. 

A massive massive shout out to my dear friend Daina for this beautiful drawing! How talented is she?!?! 

(I am going to try this thing where I tell you guys I will be posting once a week, maybe more depending on my schedule and I hope to swear by this and actually stick to it.) 

Stay with me guys, I’m just getting the hang of this blogging universe. 


Claire Louise xxx

2016!

2015 you have been an unbelievable roller coaster ride and I want to thank you for the amazing accomplishments that I have mastered this year, however I gladly open my arms to 2016 looking forward to what the future holds.

2016 begun successfully spending the night with my closest friends celebrating the greatness and challenges we together shared throughout 2015, and I could not have asked for a better night. 

Promising yourself a 'New Years Resolution' is something that I do not quite believe in, however, I do believe in a clean slate. I believe that since entering a new year, opens the door to new opportunities and unfortunately challenges which need to be overcome. It is the chance to change whatever you were not entirely content within the previous year and is the chance to focus on all of the positives which you experienced throughout your journey. Those who you wish to eliminate out of your life, 2016 is a clean slate, they do not need to enter the new year beside you, however, can stay with the memories that you shared with them. 

After the welcoming a new member to my family, completing my schooling career, meeting and taking in an exchange student for 12 weeks, experiencing the thrill of becoming a 'Beliber' losing someone who I never thought I would have to say goodbye to, and making new friends however rekindling the older friendships 2015 was a year that I thoroughly enjoyed and will never forget.

I wish everyone the best of luck for 2016, may we only focus on the positive and uplifting events throughout the year and grow from the negatives that come our way.  

Claire Louise xxx

End of an Era

Today marks the conclusion of a 13 year exciting, drawn out journey of my schooling career. After a few days of reflection the final day has come and gone WAAAY too quickly.

Beginning my school journey as a shy and awkward little teenager and ending it as worldly and (somewhat) mature adult in a matter of years has given not only myself but each and every one of us an opportunity to become the person whom we are today.
The realisation of not coming to school every day, greeting the same people each morning, eating the same lunch and sitting in the same places each day is a surreal feeling, which will be something I will miss I think.
It has only been in the recent months that I have realised just how much I value and appreciate the friendships which I have made throughout my time at school.

It has been an amazing journey and I am so grateful that I was able to spend it with the people that I did.

Being selected to represent the college throughout the year as a college captain has not only shaped me as a person, but created so many memories and friendships that I hope I will cherish for a long time.

As for the future, I have not a single clue what that holds. (Cries)

Claire Louise xxx

I AM LEGAL WOO

This week has been such an enjoyable and overwhelming experience for me. I am officially an adult!!

Woohoo!!!

On Thursday I turned 18 years old and had my VCE theatre studies performance during the day, and again during the evening. It was such a beautiful day filled with not only nerves, but so many laughs and cheers. Our class performed the Greek Tragedy 'Medea' with such confidence and sass, every single person in my class performed to the best of their abilities, it was outstanding to be apart of. The amount of cake I received that day could have possibly fed my entire street. 

Last night along with my sister who celebrated her 21st birthday, I celebrated my 18th birthday with all of my closest family and friends. It was not until last night that I realised just how lucky I am to be surrounded by the most beautiful people in this world. I had such a beautiful night with my friends and family reminiscing about what has been a crazy 18 years.

I received so many beautiful gifts, I don't think I could ever express my gratitude I am feeling at this moment.  I am a legal adult who can legally drink, drive and vote, and cannot express my excitement throughout these past few days. 

Thank you so much to every single person who has helped me celebrate my 18th birthday, I would not have been the person who I am today without the help of the people I am surrounded by. 

Claire Louise xxx

Year 12 Nerves

Tomorrow morning embarks a new chapter in my life. 

Tomorrow morning at 8:35am I will begin my final year of high school. I will completing units 3&4 of my Victorian Certificate of Education, and to say I am nervous is a flat out understatement. 

High school in a nut shell is all just preparation for year 12, your final year at school. At the end of the year, all of the Exams and tests you do throughout the year all calculate together and create an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, (ATAR).  

This is a number that will benchmark what university and course you pursue on with if you please.

This is going to be a big year, but also an eventful one. A year filled with many many laughs, yet many tears (no doubt). 

I am turning 18 this year, meaning in Australia, I am a legal adult. I become a legal driver, and drinker. However with all of these exciting and new things popping up, keeping level headed with school will most definitely have to be my NUMBER ONE focus. 

Chin up for everyone who is beginning their first day tomorrow. As a wise man once said, 'We are all in this together.' - Troy Bolton (High School Musical.) 

Love you all, good luck! 

Claire Louise xxx

Fundraising

Throughout the year, my family have been contributing in many fundraising events in order to raise money for bowel cancer. 

Bowel Cancer is an illness which has been floating around in my family for man years now, and has hit close to home on too many occasions. A staggering 13,000 new cases of bowel cancer every year is noticed in Australia. If one family can raise money to create a difference, the term 'bowel cancer' will never have to be talked about again.

Today was our final event for the year, the walkathon. This was a 5 hour event which consisted of walking around an oval. There was a delicious gold coin donation BBQ for lunch and cheeky lolly snacks to grab along the way. 

The weather was at it's peak during the walk but all in all was a success day with many smiling faces and sore feet leaving the oval. Spending the afternoon with all who matter was indeed a fantastic day.

To donate to an amazing cause, I have posted the link below, every cent counts, so please spare your change.

https://doyourownthing.everydayhero.com/au/fastuca-family-fundraising

Claire Louise xxx

20 Facts About Myself

1. My Name is Claire Louise.
2. I am an Australian student aspiring to fit into societies expectation
3. My birthday is May 28th
4. I have an unhealthy obsession with change.
5. I cannot wait to finish school to be able to travel the world, sit at unique little café's beside rivers and bridges and drink sweet juices whilst reading a book.
6. I have an intolerance to Gluten, which I don’t completely understand to what extent as it at this moment.
7. My greatest talent is the art of procrastination. Possibly one of the only things I will master in this lifetime.
8. I was lucky enough to travel to Italy earlier this year with my school. I can honestly say it was the greatest experience of my life. The sights I was fortunate enough to see, and the group of friends I have made I believe will stay with me forever.
9. I met one of my best friends at the young age of 4. She is one of the greatest souls I have ever met and although we don’t see each other as we would like to, whenever we do, it’s like we were never apart.
10. Earlier this year I completed my debutante ball. It was such a fun experience dressing up feeling beautiful for a night.  
11. I have a dream dictionary placed next to my bed so I can quickly research my dreams when I wake. I believe that your dreams play a strong part in setting out your life. They are a sneaky way in telling the future. 
12. Acoustic artiest with heartfelt lyrics are the greatest.
13. I love dancing. I wish I had pursued It and continued classes, it was something which brought me full contentment and joy, despite the fact I was not very good at it.
14. I have double jointed elbows. I guess that’s a cool party trick to pull out.
15. I have a sister whom is three years older than me. - She's like my personal taxi so I cannot really complain about her.
16. Being on stage fills me with a thrill, I love the idea of performing to an audience although it freaks the hell out of me. I like the idea that you have full control of your audience. 
17. There have been multiple occasions where I will stay up till all hours of the night to finish a book I have fallen in love with. Even if that means paying the consequences the next morning.
18. I love the feeling of making someone smile or laugh. Not only does it make yourself smile inside, but is a pain release in many ways than not.
19. I am a strong believer towards the saying that goes 'everything happens for a reason'. I live by the idea that there is no such thing as a coincident, everything that happens is just a chapter in your life.
20. I love Chinese foods. Satay Chicken could be declared the greatest food in the entire world I think.