Things I Have Been Enjoying Of Late

1. Despicable Me 2: Given how perfect the first Despicable Me film is, I went into the cinema with some doubts, worried that the sequel couldn't possibly live up to my extremely high expectations. I was proved wrong. It's brilliant, and although I think the plotline of the first is hard to beat, I really, really enjoyed the film. Plus, if possible, the minions are even better than the first time round (perhaps down to their increased screen time). Their Barbara Ann teaser trailer will probably never stop making me laugh:

 

2. The Tree That Sat Down by Beverley Nichols: My mother has been telling me to read this book for a very long time, and I finally got around to it. First published in 1945, it is the story of the Shop Under the Tree in a wood inhabited by animals, and what happens when a rival shop is opened by Evil Sam. At first I thought it was a little preachy, for example a discussion of The Street of Wicked Newspaper shops and a recommendation that young children avoid such a street, but I think this preachiness was both of the time, and rather tongue-in-cheek. Despite a few tears when the lovely Mrs Rabbit gets ripped off and has trembly paws, this is a very sweet book and I'm going to try and hunt down the sequels. Apparently there are abridged versions that aren't as good because they miss out the little poems and spells and things that pepper the books, so will be looking for the unabridged editions.

3. Andy Murray winning Wimbledon: Obviously. 

4. The arranging of Latitude Festival transport: 8 DAYS! I'm volunteering in the Literary arena at Latitude this year and am hugely excited for it.

and last, but very much not least,

See?

5. Graduation Week! That's right, little Blog, I got myself a degree and am now MoominPoll MA (hons). I had a lovely day in Aberdeen with my parents and some grandparents, and the weather although dismal on the way into the hall turned into a completely beautiful afternoon. After the ceremony I drank something appropriately fizzy and took the obligatory mortarboard-tossing photographs, before a delightful lunch at The Coffee House on Gaelic Lane and beautiful dinner at Cafe 52 on the Green which is my favourite restaurant in the city. The next day I moved out of my flat, and here a hat tip must be made to the parental unit and their incredible packing skills, squeezing all my possessions, including a bike, the three of us and my grandparents into their Mazda estate. Quite remarkable! Leaving Aberdeen was strange; I did feel quite sad but I'm very excited for whatever comes next.