How It Is

How It Is is a huge dark chamber with a steel exterior exhibited by Miroslaw Balka in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern at the moment...

Balka explains it far better than I can:

" 'How shall I move forward?' you might ask yourself as you stand at the threshold, confronted by the darkness ahead. The unknown can be terrifying, especially if it is also without light. How you approach it is unique, as your first encounter with anything can only ever be as an individual. Staring into the black void may make you wonder whether to move ahead at all.

'It's fine' you reassure yourself, 'what can actually be inside?' How It Is is only complete when you, the viewer, enter. The container focuses you inwards, both physically and psychologically, deeper into the darkness. In choosing how to move ahead - to march in fearlessly, or to skirt along the walls - you create your own journey. But as you bump into others, or mistakenly grab a stranger's shoulder, your trepidation eases and collectively you navigate the void."

I began by entering the box in the center - no walls to hold on to, but I soon was exaggerating my steps and treading carefully (it feels like you are in a dream) and as I got further, was grabbing for my Dad's arm. Maybe thats it: I like to seem fearless, but in fact am not. Even a bit.

Walkies

The only item that featured on my brother's christmas list this year was a Husky puppy. Unsurprisingly, Father Christmas did not grant him his wish (he'll have to be nicer next year). He therefore refused to come on the Boxing Day walk (top 2 photographs) as it was apparently "pointless" as we didn't have the dog to walk.

That we bought him a Husky calendar and a pin badge was not taken in good favour either: "rubbing it in".

Anyway, enough of the dog loving... cats are much nicer. (3rd photograph is Phoebe, my Auntie Hilary's cat)

Christmas creations

Here are some christmas presents I made...

From the top: gingerbread stars for my Granny, aunties, cousins and the Timmins family; a IN/OUT timer for my Mum, who never knows when to take her creations out of the oven (she refuses to use the timer on the cooker); an A3 poster of the A-Z of Professions for my brother who is fairly clueless as to the direction he should take in life; a seasons chart for my lovely friend Ally, who works in fashion and yet does not understand the seasons!

Pecha-Kucha cheat

I was invited to present my work at to one of Think Public's design clinics. Last Wednesday was the day... I walked around in circles on Brushfield Street, looking for the studios. Eventually a nice boy making coffees pointed me in the right direction.

There was popcorn and beers and crisps and wine and brownies to welcome the eight nervous participants. All armed with a Pecha-Kucha presentation and a christmas gift to give to another.

The work and disciplines were wide-ranging, making for a diverse set of presentations. I had familiarised myself with the Pecha-Kucha format (20 images, with each lasting for 20 seconds, then automatically continuing to the next - there isn't much pausing for breath involved!) and so had added 8 slides to my presentation when I saw that my template only contained room for 12. Apparently everyone else had stuck to the 12 they had been given. Using my initiative made me look a bit of a cheater I think.

A discussion about the service design industry followed... I have lots to learn! But I did have a few points to make. I would really like for them to think I wasn't a cheat and give me an internship! You never know... it is christmas after all.

The snoel snowflake transfers were my present with a grey card to make my own snow scene.

'OMFG, my father totally just threw an apple into my back'

This is genius. At the tender age of 19, these two guys are very funny... and well read. A perfect birthday present from Mandi.

Here are a few points at which I snorted:

THE METAMORPHOSIS by Franz Kafka - 'OMFG, my father totally just threw an apple into my back.'

MACBETH by William Shakespeare - '@LadyMac: THERE'S NoTHING ON YOUR HANDS, YOU'VE WASHED THEM 100 TIMES ALREADY!!

Thank you nice friends and family

Today I am 23. Here are some of the lovely presents I received. I couldn't fit the beautiful chrome desk lamp and the guillotine in to the shot. Thank you nice friends and family.

Sleep in a pile. And make an igloo.

Trof breakfast, christmas markets and an afternoon trip to see 'Where The Wild Things Are'. The film was as wonderful as I had anticipated... beautifully shot, good soundtrack, amazing costumes. A joy to watch. I want to sleep in the middle of that pile of fur. And make an igloo.