I can't make up my mind...

I can't decide whether this is one of the most beautiful pieces of dance I've seen for a while, or just pure filth. Or both. Perhaps both. I love the bit near the end, where in silence, they both jump and leap in unison very quickly.

I can't make up my mind...

I can't decide whether this is one of the most beautiful pieces of dance I've seen for a while, or just pure filth. Or both. Perhaps both. I love the bit near the end, where in silence, they both jump and leap in unison very quickly.

Courgette fun!

If you peel one side of a courgette with a vegetable peeler, and keep peeling, you end up with lots of strips of courgette. These can then be used like noodles or pasta. Which Tom and I put to good effect in a Thai curry this evening.

Courgette fun!

If you peel one side of a courgette with a vegetable peeler, and keep peeling, you end up with lots of strips of courgette. These can then be used like noodles or pasta. Which Tom and I put to good effect in a Thai curry this evening.

Old Friends.

"We come back here, to all this.." She gestures at the rolling hills, the rippling wheat and the sky that goes on forever. The tiny people and cars and buzzing in the distance. "... and I feel so glad to be alive, I think of the people I've met, and the place I've been too. I feel so lucky. Some people here have never been as far as Bath let alone, London."

"I know. I can't believed how I've changed as a person either. I'm so aware of myself and so strong. How privileged are we to have all this? To see all this?"

The friendship was the same. I can't actually remember the last time I saw her. Mus have been two years ago. We walked and walked. We talked for four hours straight. We talked about how were were going to change the world, about love, about pasts, and futures.

Looking closely at her, nothing had changed, but she had grown. She was wiser, calmer, more confident. She said she could do anything. I believe her. It was a real delight to pick up where we had left off, chattering away.

An afternoon with an old friend is worth losing your sunglasses. Definately.

Old Friends.

"We come back here, to all this.." She gestures at the rolling hills, the rippling wheat and the sky that goes on forever. The tiny people and cars and buzzing in the distance. "... and I feel so glad to be alive, I think of the people I've met, and the place I've been too. I feel so lucky. Some people here have never been as far as Bath let alone, London."

"I know. I can't believed how I've changed as a person either. I'm so aware of myself and so strong. How privileged are we to have all this? To see all this?"

The friendship was the same. I can't actually remember the last time I saw her. Mus have been two years ago. We walked and walked. We talked for four hours straight. We talked about how were were going to change the world, about love, about pasts, and futures.

Looking closely at her, nothing had changed, but she had grown. She was wiser, calmer, more confident. She said she could do anything. I believe her. It was a real delight to pick up where we had left off, chattering away.

An afternoon with an old friend is worth losing your sunglasses. Definately.

The New House

So moving out of the old house was a chore and a half.  My room was full of crafty things and fabric for sewing and arty things and clothes. I was strict and threw out lots and gave alot to charity. Thanks to Dad being a Pickfords Man, I had plenty of lovely cardboard boxes to put everything in. Doc boxes come with  lids and handles so they were easy to carry. The landlady at the new house couldn't believe the amount of stuff I had brought with me! But unboxed, it seems hardly anything. I'm currently typing this from under the canopy of the four poster bed that graces my room. It's all so lovely I can't quite believe it.

Anyway back to moving. The four of us must have spent about 30 hours cleaning that place. Yes you read that right. The four of us. Somehow the other female housemate managed to be conveniently unable to be there at the big clean. Something about starting a new job the next day. Cecil managed to get on a train after finishing work on the Friday, and get back on the Sunday for work on Monday. He must be superman or something. She said she was going to clean the bathroom, but it took Cecil and Matt at least 2 hours to get the scum and limescale off the toilets and the plugholes. Anyway. The point is we cleaned it. And cleaned it. And burnt stuff, and threw stuff out, and had dinner out so as not to soil the kitchen, and tried not to go to the loo so as not to soil the bathrooms. The killer was waiting for someone from the agency to come and inspect it. We waited for two hours. Students of Southampton be warned, avoid AAJ's Accomodation. Shoddy houses that look ok on the surface, but come with a lack of storage space, non - English speaking builders barging into your house without so much as ringing your doorbell, and a complete lack of communication. I'll be surprised if they are organised enough to send our deposits back.

Moving to the new house was a dream, except for the washing machine that spins itself across the room, but we're working on that. I've got a bike now, and I'm loving flying across the Common. The Common is an awesome patch of common land in Southampton. It was landscaped in Victorian times, and has some foresty bits, a couple of ponds, an old cemetary, and some big wide open grass space. When you're in the middle you can't hear any noise, which is lovely in a city. I need to get a map of it though as I keep getting lost!

The New House

So moving out of the old house was a chore and a half.  My room was full of crafty things and fabric for sewing and arty things and clothes. I was strict and threw out lots and gave alot to charity. Thanks to Dad being a Pickfords Man, I had plenty of lovely cardboard boxes to put everything in. Doc boxes come with  lids and handles so they were easy to carry. The landlady at the new house couldn't believe the amount of stuff I had brought with me! But unboxed, it seems hardly anything. I'm currently typing this from under the canopy of the four poster bed that graces my room. It's all so lovely I can't quite believe it.

Anyway back to moving. The four of us must have spent about 30 hours cleaning that place. Yes you read that right. The four of us. Somehow the other female housemate managed to be conveniently unable to be there at the big clean. Something about starting a new job the next day. Cecil managed to get on a train after finishing work on the Friday, and get back on the Sunday for work on Monday. He must be superman or something. She said she was going to clean the bathroom, but it took Cecil and Matt at least 2 hours to get the scum and limescale off the toilets and the plugholes. Anyway. The point is we cleaned it. And cleaned it. And burnt stuff, and threw stuff out, and had dinner out so as not to soil the kitchen, and tried not to go to the loo so as not to soil the bathrooms. The killer was waiting for someone from the agency to come and inspect it. We waited for two hours. Students of Southampton be warned, avoid AAJ's Accomodation. Shoddy houses that look ok on the surface, but come with a lack of storage space, non - English speaking builders barging into your house without so much as ringing your doorbell, and a complete lack of communication. I'll be surprised if they are organised enough to send our deposits back.

Moving to the new house was a dream, except for the washing machine that spins itself across the room, but we're working on that. I've got a bike now, and I'm loving flying across the Common. The Common is an awesome patch of common land in Southampton. It was landscaped in Victorian times, and has some foresty bits, a couple of ponds, an old cemetary, and some big wide open grass space. When you're in the middle you can't hear any noise, which is lovely in a city. I need to get a map of it though as I keep getting lost!

Goodbyes.

"You've been a really good friend to me."

"You've been a really good friend to me too."

After that it was the desperate little rush of words you use when you are to prolong the goodbye because you don't want to accept that this is potentially the last time you might see this person. The "Take cares" and "Enjoy your selves."

Four goodbyes today, Flic, Simon, Jess and Mel. Now most of these I'll see about the place, and the latter two I will see at Jess' party later in the month. But today was the last day of hanging about in the chaplaincy. Simon came downstairs and talked with the hangabouts, and it was like the first time I remember meeting Mel. Sat about with tea made by Andy, talking rubbish, flitting from subject to subject. 

I'm rubbish at goodbyes. There's always something more I want to say. Maybe I'll write an email or a letter explaining. I just didn't want to cry too much. 

It's going to be scary moving on into this big world of work without the giant therapy sessions that were afternoons mooching about in Chaplaincy. And I'll miss them so.

Goodbyes.

"You've been a really good friend to me."

"You've been a really good friend to me too."

After that it was the desperate little rush of words you use when you are to prolong the goodbye because you don't want to accept that this is potentially the last time you might see this person. The "Take cares" and "Enjoy your selves."

Four goodbyes today, Flic, Simon, Jess and Mel. Now most of these I'll see about the place, and the latter two I will see at Jess' party later in the month. But today was the last day of hanging about in the chaplaincy. Simon came downstairs and talked with the hangabouts, and it was like the first time I remember meeting Mel. Sat about with tea made by Andy, talking rubbish, flitting from subject to subject. 

I'm rubbish at goodbyes. There's always something more I want to say. Maybe I'll write an email or a letter explaining. I just didn't want to cry too much. 

It's going to be scary moving on into this big world of work without the giant therapy sessions that were afternoons mooching about in Chaplaincy. And I'll miss them so.

Living the life of riley....

I had a lovely weekend at home with my family, plus four friends and one of their sons, in which there was much crafting, trampolining and sleeping in wendy houses.

So today, Jess and I decided to go to a Pick Your Own farm and then to the beach. We took the Andy, and boy, the strawberries were lovely. So, so, so lovely. Sweet and not watery like super market berries. If you're in the New Forest near Lymington, go to Goodalls. Highly recommended.

The beach was also great. Highcliffe at Christchurch has the perfect mix of gravel and sand. It was windy, like many british beach, but the water was warm.

What a day! Pictures from Jess, because her camera is so awesome! Jess is also very awesome. I've got to know her a lot better in the last few weeks. She is kind, funny, sharp and great fun to hang around with. Jess, I am going to miss you when you move home.

Living the life of riley....

I had a lovely weekend at home with my family, plus four friends and one of their sons, in which there was much crafting, trampolining and sleeping in wendy houses.

So today, Jess and I decided to go to a Pick Your Own farm and then to the beach. We took the Andy, and boy, the strawberries were lovely. So, so, so lovely. Sweet and not watery like super market berries. If you're in the New Forest near Lymington, go to Goodalls. Highly recommended.

The beach was also great. Highcliffe at Christchurch has the perfect mix of gravel and sand. It was windy, like many british beach, but the water was warm.

What a day! Pictures from Jess, because her camera is so awesome! Jess is also very awesome. I've got to know her a lot better in the last few weeks. She is kind, funny, sharp and great fun to hang around with. Jess, I am going to miss you when you move home.

Guess what!?!?!?

I GOT A FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

Well actually that is not all.

On results day, I woke up feeling fearfully sick.It was an overcast day. I had not slept, and my remaining housemates and I trembled round the house working out our averages as we tried to eat breakfast. I was glad for the company as we walked to Avenue Campus together. We were early, which didn't help. We waited and then queued. I apologise to the chap who I cut up in the queue in my haste to get the fateful envelope. I did not hide behind a bush, like I did when I opened my GCSE and A - Level results. I ripped it open whilst walking out to meet the other history students. Upon first reading I saw only that I had passed. I had to look again to find the result. There it was. Recommended to the University Senate that I be awarded a B.A. (Hons) First Class.

Thanks to my friends, family and lecturers for supporting me through this. I've never been so proud.

Guess what!?!?!?

I GOT A FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

Well actually that is not all.

On results day, I woke up feeling fearfully sick.It was an overcast day. I had not slept, and my remaining housemates and I trembled round the house working out our averages as we tried to eat breakfast. I was glad for the company as we walked to Avenue Campus together. We were early, which didn't help. We waited and then queued. I apologise to the chap who I cut up in the queue in my haste to get the fateful envelope. I did not hide behind a bush, like I did when I opened my GCSE and A - Level results. I ripped it open whilst walking out to meet the other history students. Upon first reading I saw only that I had passed. I had to look again to find the result. There it was. Recommended to the University Senate that I be awarded a B.A. (Hons) First Class.

Thanks to my friends, family and lecturers for supporting me through this. I've never been so proud.

done done done!

Well now,

I got an 80 on my dissertation. I am incredibly proud. All the hard work payed off. Now I am waiting for Friday, as that is when I will get my overall mark back. I hope hope hope I have done enough to pass and pass well!

Having free time is a novel thing. Unfortunately I cannot use the library as finalist have to have nothing owing on their account in order to graduate. So I am crafting and tidying and getting ready to move. No knitting as I am far too warm. Instead I am embroidering a sampler for my friend's wedding. I have pixelated a photograph of the church and I am rendering that in counted cross stitch, then I will free hand embroider the other details. Their colours are cream and blue and gold, and I'm having a lovely time finding patterns for the border.

I have also been busy going to interviews, and as of the 14th July, I have a job! I will be doing customer support for a web design company that provides simple and easy to use websites for small businesses. It is in the city centre so I will be able to cycle or get the bus to work from my new house in Shirley.

The grad ball was excellent. Whilst I felt hideous in my dress having not lost enough weight, the whole day was so good that by the end I just didn't care. The girls and I went to get our nails done, then met up with the boys for a chinese buffet lunch, and the afternoon was devoted to rescuing my housemate's hair disaster and getting ready. I can't wait to share the photographs of my hairdressing triumphs, as in the evening we all got ready together and my skills were required.  The ball was circus themed, and there were mimes and firestaffers to entertain us whilst we queued to get in. There were also gymnasts and an Aerial Silks  performer. Kash Nash was apparently ill and so the main act was Chesney Hawks, which was so much better! He performed his only hit, 'I Am the One and Only" and lots of excellent covers. After much dancing and merriment we went back to the HYC to get our belongings and ate cheese on toast and drank tea very merrily. 

Today I have mainly been being familial with the family, attending my godmother's 50th birthday meal. Which was nice, but by gosh do I like being independent. Sat in the car being beaten up inadvertantly by sisters is something I do not miss!

edit: pics from jess

done done done!

Well now,

I got an 80 on my dissertation. I am incredibly proud. All the hard work payed off. Now I am waiting for Friday, as that is when I will get my overall mark back. I hope hope hope I have done enough to pass and pass well!

Having free time is a novel thing. Unfortunately I cannot use the library as finalist have to have nothing owing on their account in order to graduate. So I am crafting and tidying and getting ready to move. No knitting as I am far too warm. Instead I am embroidering a sampler for my friend's wedding. I have pixelated a photograph of the church and I am rendering that in counted cross stitch, then I will free hand embroider the other details. Their colours are cream and blue and gold, and I'm having a lovely time finding patterns for the border.

I have also been busy going to interviews, and as of the 14th July, I have a job! I will be doing customer support for a web design company that provides simple and easy to use websites for small businesses. It is in the city centre so I will be able to cycle or get the bus to work from my new house in Shirley.

The grad ball was excellent. Whilst I felt hideous in my dress having not lost enough weight, the whole day was so good that by the end I just didn't care. The girls and I went to get our nails done, then met up with the boys for a chinese buffet lunch, and the afternoon was devoted to rescuing my housemate's hair disaster and getting ready. I can't wait to share the photographs of my hairdressing triumphs, as in the evening we all got ready together and my skills were required.  The ball was circus themed, and there were mimes and firestaffers to entertain us whilst we queued to get in. There were also gymnasts and an Aerial Silks  performer. Kash Nash was apparently ill and so the main act was Chesney Hawks, which was so much better! He performed his only hit, 'I Am the One and Only" and lots of excellent covers. After much dancing and merriment we went back to the HYC to get our belongings and ate cheese on toast and drank tea very merrily. 

Today I have mainly been being familial with the family, attending my godmother's 50th birthday meal. Which was nice, but by gosh do I like being independent. Sat in the car being beaten up inadvertantly by sisters is something I do not miss!

edit: pics from jess

Home Home Home

It's funny how when you get older, you appreciateh ome more. Having just been back to Westbury for a weekend, I am slightly misty eyed over home. That is my parent's house, not the small minded town I had the fortune/misfortun to grow up in. I love the way everything smells freshly washed at home, that the fridge always has things you'd want to eat in it, and that I can sit still and relax there.

These are of course all developments since I left home. I like having grown up conversations with my mum, and being allowed to stay up until I am tired, rather than being chivvied off to bed. It comes with being grownup I suppose. All the best bits and the freedom to come and go.

Mum and Dad took us all out to the quaint old school chinese restaurant in Westbury called the Champion. Why do restaurants have silly names? It was to celebrate the lovely high first mark i got in my dissertation, and it was fun to slip into old routines. Us girls spent time teasing my dad and trying to make sure mum got some prawn crackers. 

Today I have been to church, sung everso loudly and did the actions to the kids songs, and then started an embroidery for a friends wedding present. I have also revised lots. I better go and do some more of that actually.

Home Home Home

It's funny how when you get older, you appreciateh ome more. Having just been back to Westbury for a weekend, I am slightly misty eyed over home. That is my parent's house, not the small minded town I had the fortune/misfortun to grow up in. I love the way everything smells freshly washed at home, that the fridge always has things you'd want to eat in it, and that I can sit still and relax there.

These are of course all developments since I left home. I like having grown up conversations with my mum, and being allowed to stay up until I am tired, rather than being chivvied off to bed. It comes with being grownup I suppose. All the best bits and the freedom to come and go.

Mum and Dad took us all out to the quaint old school chinese restaurant in Westbury called the Champion. Why do restaurants have silly names? It was to celebrate the lovely high first mark i got in my dissertation, and it was fun to slip into old routines. Us girls spent time teasing my dad and trying to make sure mum got some prawn crackers. 

Today I have been to church, sung everso loudly and did the actions to the kids songs, and then started an embroidery for a friends wedding present. I have also revised lots. I better go and do some more of that actually.

In a bid to have more posts on here…

…First of all, something sappy. Tom is currently making me steak. I love him!

 

Today I have been writing, writing and writing. I have 2000 words left to write tonight, with the dissertation being due in tomorrow at 4pm. What with broken arm extensions, and ovary extensions, this thing feels cursed, it feels absolutely cursed. This chapter to come is the risky chapter, the one with the historiography and the philosophy and the critical eye on feminism and the orthodox and why the bible matter and why people write about it. Sound heavy , no?

Yesterday, sick of my screen I dressed up in one of Tom's xkcd t shirts, met some other geeks in a field outside Winchester, and trekked to a point in a field that had been randomly generated by an algorithm that uses the stock market as a random number generator. For more info see http://wiki.xkcd.com/geohashing/Main_Page, and search for Southampton. We had a really good time meeting new people, and walking through beautiful country side.

 

Well back to writing.

In a bid to have more posts on here…

…First of all, something sappy. Tom is currently making me steak. I love him!

 

Today I have been writing, writing and writing. I have 2000 words left to write tonight, with the dissertation being due in tomorrow at 4pm. What with broken arm extensions, and ovary extensions, this thing feels cursed, it feels absolutely cursed. This chapter to come is the risky chapter, the one with the historiography and the philosophy and the critical eye on feminism and the orthodox and why the bible matter and why people write about it. Sound heavy , no?

Yesterday, sick of my screen I dressed up in one of Tom's xkcd t shirts, met some other geeks in a field outside Winchester, and trekked to a point in a field that had been randomly generated by an algorithm that uses the stock market as a random number generator. For more info see http://wiki.xkcd.com/geohashing/Main_Page, and search for Southampton. We had a really good time meeting new people, and walking through beautiful country side.

 

Well back to writing.