Reading Festival

2015 was the year that I went crazy with gigs.  My taste in music varies depending on who I am with and what year we are talking about.  In Uni, I listen to ska/reggae and alternative, indie/indie pop and some main stream hip hop and soul in High School.  Sometimes I listen to Jazz and Bossa too.  Let's just say that I am very open and enjoy variety of music.

I lived in Reading when I first moved in the UK.  So naturally, this is not my first Reading Festival.  I went in 2009 when Kings of Leon was hot.  I wanted to go again in 2015 because I want to see Bastille.  I am glad that I went now as, fast forward to the future (May 2016), I am currently 8 months pregnant.

There are loads of things to consider when attending Reading Fest:

1.  What to wear.  This is not Coachella.  People genuinely go to this festival because they enjoy music.  Americans vs British Music Festival is very much the opposite.  People dress up but they don't dress up to look cute.  Usually, it is sensibility  that reigns - rain boots (as the British weather is so unpredictable), light jackets, onesie.  It can vary.

2.  Arrive early.  If you are camping out, I can't help you as I only go for the day.  I am not the camping type as you can see on my blog.  I love the luxury of hot water and hotel.  If you are going for the day, I suggest going early especially if you are watching acts.  We had to queue up for an hour to get in.   Don't try anything stupid like bringing illegal stuff as you will be searched.  To be fair, we have seen people with drugs but I don't do drugs so I will not know how to smuggle them.

3.  Bring some cash.  Most concessions are cash only.  You can collect used pints in exchange of money.  I have seen some kids collect them.  

4.  Bring some wipes.  This is a festival and hygiene is always a question.  This is the reason why we sell Dry Shampoo and Dry Soap in Primark.  Yes, I work for the team that buys them.  :P

5.   Don't do anything stupid like queue jump.  We saw a guy, on the first day of the festival try to queue jump and was stopped by the marshals.  He embarrassed himself.

6.  If your favourite act is popular, try to push in front or get a good view before the actual act starts performing.  Bastille was so popular that everyone was stayed to watch it.  I say, more than Mumford and Sons.

7.  Download the app.  I think this is quite helpful so you can plan what you want to watch.  On that day, we saw Palma Violets, Panic! at the disco, Bastille, Alt J, Mumford and Sons, Limp Bizkit, just to name a few.

I learn a few things on this festival.  One, you should be with the company that will enjoy the same music as you are and two, my husband hates going to festival.  I don't want to say that he is old because I have seen older people in the crowd but he genuinely hates being grazed but kids who are drunk and or taking drugs.  At one point, he told the kid to get away from us.  :-P   

Day trip to the Sea Side - Worthing

I struggled getting into the job that I wanted when I moved in the UK.  First, I didn't have the right degree although I have the right training.  I did Business Management in Uni but it was in a Philippine University.  I have retail management/ merchandising and manufacturing experience back home.  I wanted to go to Retail Buying Office in the UK but I ended up working in shops at first then I luckily did some buying for Thames Water until finally, I landed a job in Primark.  I had to sacrifice loads of time and weekends just to get to the job I am in today.  For few years, I am an absentee wife whilst I try to build my career and get into what I wanted but my husband looked after us.  This is why Luke and I would do anything when we get our weekends off together.  His is guaranteed as he works in the office whilst mine was not.  Summer is especially peak in retail.  

England is a great place if you can drive.  There are so much things to see or do depending on what you fancy.  You can be shopping in London, eating Fish and Chips in Brighton and visiting Windsor Castle.  I guess that would be the perk living in the South.  If you can't drive, the trains are well connected too but you have to plan your trip to include delays. 

Whenever Luke and I get the chance and the weather is good, we tend to go driving.  We liked to explore areas which we haven't been before.  This is why we have random day trips everywhere.  Luke genuinely loves to drive when the weather is good.  We chose Worthing because we haven't been and it's good to go to the seaside during summer.  Very very British.  :)