Happy New Year 2016

So drinks and music with the best of company. I never thought my 2015 would end or indeed go this way. I came into it single, with aspirations for starting education again, and I'm leaving it blissfully taken with love, and a little more secure in my future. I have the sweetest new friends and well, need I say more?
Here's to the greatest turn around of any year of my life and may 2016 be just as chaotically awesome!

Jonathan Deep

It's been a slow few days so things haven't been prompting me to blog as much as I'd expect. Needless to say, that has changed somewhat with the inevitable family visit to my eccentric uncle and his partner, and with a family like this, Christmas always overruns so there were more gifts for us there too. Money (to assist with uni life), warm and fluffy socks, a designer make up bag, and unexpectedly, a pair of lace-up, mid-calf soft black leather boots. They need a bit of reinforcement and breaking in, but I just know they'll look great in an outfit soon enough (apologies for no pictures by the way).
My sister, possessing a similar foot size, is able to wear them too, and looks great in them despite protestations to the contrary [given her height]. 
Our dad received his second and third bottles of red wine this Christmas (it may be becoming predictable!) in return for a bottle of Dior's Sauvage (as advertised by 'Jonathan Deep' as my uncle called him).
I did, however, keep up my note-taking as we drove down to my uncle's place in Sussex, so I have a few more first-hand descriptions which may come in handy. I've just got to hunt down my motivation to get that story draft finished now, so I can move on [reluctantly] to my essay plan....  You can tell I'm not looking forward to this. Oh well. 2 more days left of 2015. Let's see what I can do with them.

20 years of Stockholm Syndrome OR We welcome Turds in America

So...someone got stabbed in a town near to mine. Always fun to know......
Thought I'd get that out of the way.
Otherwise, I managed to get myself out of bed at 6am today to get on a bus and see my wonderful boyfriend Jackson (who had my new laptop gift-wrapped on his bed when I arrived!) Ended up accidentally starving ourselves before heading home to my house where I constructed a chicken, leek, and mushroom pie (and learnt of the aforementioned stabbing...) Once the wine and beer was flowing over dinner, however, it feels like it didn't stop - started on a game of Cards against Humanity (1st and 6th expansion packs) also with drink and that was just all sorts of hilarious, wrong, and dark! I ended up wining with 14 cards so another day of winning it was. Though Jackson and I seem to share that twisted humour.
Until new year's eve though, I'll have to wait to see him again. 
So tired...

Christmas Day = Drunk Monopoly

I must apologise for my absence, however, as the two days leading up to Christmas weren't excessively interesting they may be omitted in favour of today; the day we all have this holiday for! A day for many hours of laborious cooking (10 - 1.30 for us), eating (always too much), cracker-pulling (almost always with pointless presents and corny jokes - though 'What did babycorn say to mamacorn? Where's popcorn?' was certainly an original one), drinking (sherry, rum n coke, white and red wine for me), and presents (colouring postcards and a bean that says 'smile' which apparently still says it as it grows). Topped off with movies - our pick was The Wizard of Oz - and a drunk game of Monopoly with cheese, crackers, and wine (of which I won to the tune of £4381 (Inc. Properties).
Yet again, my sister has proved to be stupidly fun company, so I thank her for that.
Tomorrow though, begins early for me, as I need to be at my boyfriend's by 9am. 
Merry Christmas everyone! Xx xX 

Sarah (my sister) presenting the family Christmas meal with her usual flair

One White Wall

I'm not sure what I woke up expecting today but it's been okay. Chores are always enjoyable - depending on what they are and only so long as there's no one to distract you from them - wrapping presents, however, can get messy....tape refusing to stick in the right place, not cutting the paper big enough, etc etc. Was kind of glad when my sister returned home so I could help paint her bedroom wall (it looks good in white, stop worrying). I made sure I was looking after her, she's my little sister after all. One episode of vampire diaries together later and it was time to start a lateish dinner - a family concoction of chicken, veg and pasta topped with potato slices, and cheese and ham sauce. The evening always winds down pretty fast after that. So I haven't got much else to say. But being silly with my sister is truly the best thing about being home.

Sisterly Stupidity

I somehow survived today and am happy to report that Christmas is officially here. The Christmas tree is decorated,

all the presents have been bought, and Wednesday is Mince Pie/Sausage Roll-Making Day! But seriously like they say on days when the weather is bad, don't go out to your high street in the week leading up to Christmas....It's a jungle out there. If you have to though, please try to be considerate of your store staff, they can only put up with your shit for so long. 
On a brighter note, inducted my sister into the world of sushi today so that's two down now! Got a shirt from SuperDry with my student discount (hell yeh!) and got to enjoy the cheesecake I mentioned yesterday - which was almost too decadent haha 
Also remembered how much fun it is to trash talk with your siblings. I love my sister so much XD 
Movies tomorrow hopefully, as well as present wrapping, dusting, and maybe some reading, colouring...It's a mystery really 

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Hey, another day another entry. It's been a good one today. Food shopping, pub meal out (The Bullfinch, Dunton Green - superb quality), helped the dearest sister Sarah make a rather decadent chocolate cheesecake *drool* watched Inside Out for the second time (still makes me cry - and fall in love all over again with the Lava Short movie), also watched smatterings of old Batmans and Home Alone, did some household laundry, put up the Xmas tree, posted cards to the neighbours - an all-round classic Christmas.
Tomorrow has YO sushi with mah sister and some last minute shopping, plus another chance to see my gorgeous Jackson.
It's still strange being home but I know by the time Christmas Day arrives, I may have just forgotten I was ever away!

I think I'm just happy

So I've spent my first full day at home and it's been interesting. Decorated the house for Christmas with some nostalgically old tinsel and ceiling decorations (the smell of them just brings back memories). Saw my hardworking Jackson at last after 5 weeks! Noticed several changes to my home town (Police Station is now rubble o.O) and the cinema is nearing completion (hello Odeon - hello getting with the times). Had a rather incompetent new employee stare at me in Waterstones when I asked where the adult colouring books were.....
And got drunk on half a bottle of 14.5% Malbec over a home-cooked Quorn Shepherd's Pie for two (with Dad) before some quality comedy from Dylan Moran (Black Books). 
Food shopping for the family and Xmas tomorrow, and a meal out in what seems like forever. But I have come to realise that in the short time I've been studying, I've changed and I've adapted, and I'm actually doing better than I imagined I would so I'm genuinely happy!

Home for Christmas

Greetings, for the first time from home....which doesn't quite feel like home at the moment. It's taking a little adjusting, to my softer bed, more food choice (and the prospect of cooking for more than one person), carpeted stairs, etc. But I'm finally here again and it's so much quieter. No slamming doors, loud music, shouting from all parts of the block...just a dog barking intermittently. 
The journey back was agreeable enough. 3 1/2 hours from Plymouth to London Paddington, spent colouring my glorious book (with more legroom as the reserved seat next to me never got filled *fistpump* The London Underground was always going to be a nightmare but I managed to keep my bag out of people's way, getting into a conversation with a woman from Land's End come to visit her ill daughter as a result one time. But finally train from Charing Cross was right there and despite having to stand for half hour, I made it! Thought of all the lovely people I was leaving behind for the next three weeks, and how it'd felt very different from the last time I came home a month ago. I have more people who love me now and it feels so good! I'm also a much more critical person now as a result of creative writing workshops, like a vampire whose primary trait has been magnified after transition (sorry, too much Vampire Diaries XD) The workshop itself was pretty fun today, helping me to hone my abilities a bit more. Also ended up eating the last of my advent calendar in class because I couldn't take it home with me *ambivalent face* and I officially hate the uni library printers (made me late for class by printing a ton of other people's work before mine.....)
But it's time this home girl got her some sleep - it'll be a busy day tomorrow and I finally - FINALLY - get to see my gorgeous Jackson again! ❤ I'll let u know how things go

Last Day at 'Home'

OK just another quick one. Got to be getting my sleep for my last night in Plymouth for 3 weeks. This time tomorrow I'll be back in my decidedly cosier bed back home in good old Orpington (that's sarcasm wen I say 'good' by the way).
So library work (skim reading some Ian Rankin to prove it indeed has inappropriate language and themes o.O), afternoon with friend Tamsyn, meet up with Alicia (both to give presents) before spending the rest of my afternoon and evening writing, eating dinner, and packing. Mug of tea and brownie poptarts later, I'm relaxed with vampire diaries. Only about an hour ago did I remember the can of Taurus cider I promised myself so now that's gone too and my fridge is very empty (as was the plan). So yes, tomorrow I'll be blogging from home....Though this lil dorm room has been my home these last three months so if anything this holiday will be like a trip away from 'home'. See you there!

English Literature gives my tutor cause to swear

Today I consider my post almost superfluous to the events it contained, in that there was nothing remarkable about it. Class, reading, writing, pasta, and some vampire diaries to finish the evening off with class....and blood. 
Tomorrow however, while devoid of classes, is full of jobs to do before I leave for the holidays on Friday so I guess I'll see you then 
I will say, though, that I proved to be rather ruthlessly minded where slavery is concerned....Nothing to worry about - honest. And my tutor seems to relish the excuse to swear because it was part of a Stuart era poem

The Xmas Weight Gain

I am so on several levels at the moment. I've almost gone to sleep without blogging for two nights in a row, and I've eaten so much these last two evenings. 
Xmas party at the library yesterday night with lots of food courtesy of some lovely ladies. I was put in charge of the raffle haha and what a good raffler I was (is that a word...raffler?) Anyway, had a fair bit of wine but didn't get drunk. Had a much needed phone conversation with my wonderful boyfriend (missing him so much) before getting to bed.
Today has been an interesting but rather unproductive one as I tried to sort an essay plan and failed, and didn't do any writing. BUT did get a super xmas meal pulled together with my flatmates 

This was during the cooking process. 

All the potatoes went somehow....despite how many there were. But yes, I ate too much again and I'm starting to think uni life is going to make me fat! 

And a night owl...

I should really go to sleep. It's getting closer to my final day this year! Just two and a half to go 

A Sugar-Fueled Jaunt in Wonderland

Haha as the title suggests, today has been one of excess. I managed to get some planning and writing in between breakfast and the Rock Society Xmas Meal (and Jamie Pohl is the result of that - I'm feeling pretty strongly about her), but after that, things got crazy. RockSoc meal was tasty - ended up eating part of friend Sarah's food (cabbage mostly - and a lot more chocolate fudge cake than I had anticipated) followed by Lindt chocolate, mince pie, and candy. The antics that ensued as a result of the cracker prizes were modern art in one sense and straight-up ridiculousness in the other. Here is our installation:

And the vaguely worrying attempt a few of us made to make 'shivs' out of our candy canes - lethal thing is a piece of well-honed boiled sugar. 
Continued my efforts to write when I got back, yielding a few decent lines in about 1 1/2 hours, before painting my nails black and gold for the RAG Winter Ball at the Student Union. Fast forward - I have my dress, boots, candy striped tights, jacket, and clip-on hat on, make-up done. I'm out to the uni, try (and fail first time) to get money out (one machine hates me evidently), find my friends, and we're in. Treated to free mulled wine (which all ended up going in me xD) along with (through the course of the night) 5 cupcakes, a Mad Hatter's Special Brew cocktail, Old Moot Kiwi and Lime cider, and a Capt Morgan and Cola. Inside we were entertained by various Wonderland-themed burlesque acts (Alice really playing up the whole madness thing, dowsing herself in fake blood....O.o) - outside, it was quite an experience to try summer berry shisha (also keeping with the Alice in Wonderland theme). 

But like all fun nights, this one had to end, so after keeping Jenna from being 'attacked' on the cold streets of Plymouth in her quest for a taxi, I strolled back to my room, picking up a friend along the way - check it out! I knew I'd find my obligatory traffic cone before long
Now, scrubbed clean, it's time to get a decent few hours sleep before another party tomorrow night, of a somewhat more modest level.

Who knew slavery could be so popular?

Good evening ^^ already thinking about Christmas and the fact that I'll be home again in less than one week! 
Contrary to my previous fears, today wasn't as tough as I imagined it would be. PPL volunteering was a short but mixed bag of reshelving books, moving chairs, learning to make ground coffee, and hunting out slavery books (which aren't always where you expect them to be O.o). I thought I'd be heading back around 12 to do laundry, but oh no - the need for change to do said laundry took me to the change machine in the campus library and from there to the ground-floor shelves of african american history. As so many people, in my class alone, seem intent on doing the slavery question for their essay, the supply of books on the topic was sadly depleted so I ended up spending 3 hours analysing what I could until I remembered I was starving myself ahaha oh dear. 
One bowl of Thai Green Curry and noodles later, I was ready with Norton Anthology, notebook, colouring book and pencils in hand to occupy myself while two machines of my laundry went round and round. The drier decided to leave my laundry only half-tumbled, so I had to improvise with three radiator racks, but then what is student life without a little improv from time to time?
To wrap my evening up, I remembered I needed to start on my packing list for next Friday (Going-Home Day!), before tea, chocolate HobNobs, and Vampire Diaries. 
Quite the day it's been, and tomorrow looks to be just as interesting, what with the Rock Society Xmas Meal at the Fortescue AND the RAG Winter Ball (Alice in Wonderland theme) which I am so psyched for. Look at my costume! (well part of it)
I'm off to do a little more colouring before bed

The Joys of Adult Colouring

Well looks like this is going to be another two day entry. Yesterday was a day for climbing ladders in the Proprietary Library hunting out poetry books (alot more fun than I imagined, especially for someone as in her element when organising as I am), typing up notes made in classes - which have been clogging up my notebook and folder for awhile now - and then spending an age waiting to use the printer in the library to print out aforementioned notes. But my evening after that was pretty fun, drinking cider and playing card games with flatmates Panksy and Charlotte (and others), and indulging in some advanced colouring (I highly recommend those colouring-in books for grown-ups for when you have some spare time on your hands; they're so relaxing - if you have a decent set of pencils and the right amount of creativity - this is the one I have: 

https://www.waterstones.com/book/animorphia/kerby-rosanes/9781910552070).

Today has been slower, with my usual three-hour creative writing workshop (my dear friends Hannah and Alicia both absent this time *sadface*) but still got some helpful and positive feedback on my honestly rather morbid short story - and a flapjack from the Writing Cafe *yum*. The rest of my day was consumed with breaking down the all-important essay question and finding relevant passages in my books (which takes FOR-EVER!) Needless to say, I needed a break between texts for food - so made an attempt at a Thai Green Curry which was yum and left me two more meals for the future.

After finishing up my efforts to examine my second text, Oroonoko by Aphra Behn (and the last three Stollen Bites xD) I am now done for tonight!

Tomorrow: Library session, laundry, and looking into getting some historical texts to supplement my research (which I am not that good at...oh boy)

Stollen Kisses

Another day closer to coming home for Christmas! But today has been pretty slow to be honest. Class, reading, shepherd's pie, typing up notes, but it all comes down to this: 

The condensed indulgent festivity of Stollen Bites haha and a few episodes of Archer. Hopefully though I'll have something more interesting to relate on the morrow

A Tone-deaf Tannenbaum

Apologies for the lateness of this post, but as a writer, your craft can sometimes be the itch you just have to scratch, this one being a particularly dark itch (helped by the likes of The Acid Ballet and some pretty creepy YouTube music). As far as today has gone, though...well Tuesdays are always pretty busy. Guest Speaker Imogen Robertson was another perspective on the craft of the Short Story. She provided some insight into the necessity for entering writing competitions, and the novelty of creating your story in the fashion of those paper fold up games (name escapes me, though). I ended up with a 22 yr old engineer in a supermarket with an umbrella in case I lose that sheet at some point.
Spent the two hours until next class in a cafe writing on my laptop (and not making much headway). Classes themselves were a lil slow....I never find much interest in detailing them so I'll skip to my last German class of the year, filled with Glühwein (Mulled Wine), Stollen, Spekulatius (Spiced Biscuits), Christmas Carols (such as O Tannenbaum and Silent Night, neither of which I can sing in tune apparently), and a monumental imaginary café bill during a memory game. 
Last thing was my writing - drafting a short story for Friday - and that is finished.
So now I should be sleeping. Haha, bye!

I am Mary Poppins....

So I almost went to bed without blogging again! And it's been a good day too, so definitely don't want to forget. I thought it'd just be some simple library cataloging, but this library session took on new life. After sorting through some kids' books which were to be taken to the local food bank as gifts for the children of those less well off people (phew) and nicknamed Mary Poppins as a result, I was taken along to said food bank to help deliver them with Chloe (one of the lovely people who runs the Plymouth Proprietary Library). I was then treated to a veggie pizza from Lidl (and Spekulatius biscuits as a present - perfect for Christmas). Saw the old Palace Theatre on Union Street (I can only imagine the kind of photography someone might take inside such a derelict building), enjoyed a coffee at the Theatre Royal, and perused the local market before returning to my room. Had to summon the spirit then to get some writing done before hunger struck around 6pm....and guess what? More pizza! (it'll be curry tomorrow though) Finished up the day with some Vampire Diaries, and catching up on my boyfriend's YouTube antics (I'd link his channel but don't know how so just search The 'Tater Men).
Oh and here's my pizzas:
Work again tomorrow though...

A Weekend Off

Think I got distracted last night because I forgot to blog. Condensed version of yesterday: Xmas shopping in strong winds. Made mini pizzas. Reading.
Today, however, it's been reading (and finishing of) Oroonoko by Aphra Behn - pretty twisted by the end (I won't ruin it though for anyone who has yet to read it). 
Also had YO! Sushi once again, this time - for another 'exotic' (to use her word) experiment in eating out - with Alicia. We can both agree the squid is good - but I don't believe I'll be getting another follower of the Avocado Army. Next time: Wagamama (Group Outing) OR Greek (must hunt out a good Greek restaurant here in Plymouth). 
Watched The Land Before Time for the first time in yonks - since I was a wee child, I believe. So much darker than I remember - as is the case with every Disney film - but still just as adorable. Ducky and Petrie are the best inter-species couple ever <3 
Next time: Oliver and Company, I think (Netflix is woefully understocked in the Disney department)
Unfortunately, I haven't got any lovely photos of my food today and there isn't any song that has put itself on repeat in my head, so that's all for now.
P.s. Don't be afraid to put butter AND cheese in a sandwich - it's so worth it for the taste!

Calm After The Storm

So just a quick one tonight. It's been an infinitely better day today than yesterday. Started the seed of an idea for my short story (which has taken my mind to a decidedly dark place), have been doing more reading (so much of it!) and remembered the picture of my stuffed mushrooms this time.

Decided it was also time to catch up on some Vampire Diaries (because I just love Joseph Morgan <3)

Tomorrow however, being perhaps the only free day I'll have for awhile, marks the beginning of my Christmas celebrations as I buy presents...with what little money I can spare haha 
Although I will make a note that on Facebook today I saw some images of Syria which disturbed me, which woke me up to the reality of what is happening over there. There's been no reaction in the way there has been for Paris or Gay Rights, etc, so use the Instagram Toast filter and crank up the red, use #LOVE, and show your support 

Why Am I Here Again?

I must have asked myself that question several times today. Previous levels of stress and lack of control had nothing on today. Managed to get out of bed earlier than I ever have this past week, because I knew I needed to get my annotated bibliography for the English half of my course written. The moment I brought those articles up on the screen though....I just knew it wasn't going to be easy, and made worse by the fact that I had commitments to 1. Getting feedback from a previous tutor on my last assessment (which involved a friendly chat over coffee and a mince pie so mini-win) and 2. First INK meeting (which incidentally people need to know about, so they can get submitting for January....though as no one reads this blog it's kind of pointless). 

Needless to say, the weather wasn't on my side today either as it decided to rain just before I reached the meeting and I had neither raincoat nor umbrella to hand - just an expensive leather jacket (always my luck). 

And the time between getting back at 2.50pm and now has been a real mixed bag of nails and broken glass and tears. Struggle with my work aside, I had to face HMRC hounding me for unpaid tax (from a job I had 2 years ago!!) which as a student is the last thing you need to think about. Plus I am missing my wonderful boyfriend something chronic - and it's still just over 2 weeks before I get to go home for Christmas :( 

Buuuuuut I did finally finish my work....and eventually decide to submit it tonight just to get it out of my hair. Rewarded myself with some gingerbread cookies (proceeds went to charity), Taurus Dark Fruit Cider, and Archer. I also realise I made stuffed mushrooms for dinner and forgot to take a picture again so tomorrow maybe...I can remember.

Ok whine over for tonight. Let's pray for better days ahead

Slave to the Books...and my laptop...and biscuits

Finished analysing these damned articles *le sigh* Onto Stage 3 [tomorrow]: Writing the annotated bibliography *double sigh* 

On the up-side, I managed to get half of my laundry done, had the rest of my delicious stir-fry - which there is no way in hell I'm not making again - and am about to have a much-needed Skype conversation with my lovely guy, Jackson ^^ with the added bonus of tea and biscuits haha #sortaunilife (if I did hashtags that is) 

Snail Days

Evening lovelies. I'd like to start you off with some music (which hopefully I'll make a regular thing). Have some Rammstein! I don't know any more than that it translates to 'I Hurt You' (standard words from the likes of these dirty Deutsch Männer) but it's a lot lighter than their usual stuff.
So anyway, I've been absent yesterday, probably because it was such a dull day. Apart from some free tea and cake at an event for the Plymouth Food Bank at the Proprietary Library (and more cataloging), I had nothing but reading to do - which has helped me develop a new technique of analysis though. As I'm reading short stories, the action and events are going to come a lot faster, so I'm questioning certain lines. Not sure if it's a technique to be proud of.... Curry in the fridge provided dinner, more Archer was the evening's entertainment (along with Whatsapp messaging my wonderful boyfriend <3 ) but that was where my night ended. 
Today had more in the way of content, but still slow. Visiting Speaker #5: Tom Vowler, on the Short Story. No writing exercise though, and bordering on painfully slow in delivery (if you get the chance though: Issue 3 of Plymouth's Short Fiction journal - The Tree....that stuff is twisted. Just saying...)

Got a few groceries at Aldi (that place is a godsend for cheap food), then spent the afternoon gathering resources for my annotated bibliography (and eventually essay) before getting hungry hahaha! Time for....STIR FRY!! I do wonder sometimes why I don't just buy a bigger frying pan when making stuff like this; the amount I make barely fits...then again I usually manage to eat half the pan (yes, plus the noodles underneath, that's half a pan's worth) so I also wonder how it fits in me!
Come 6pm, it's time for German class Zahl Sieben (or Number Seven, for those who don't know German). Got to order imaginary *cries* cake and coffee, but was rewarded with the promise of mulled wine and spiced biscuits - to get into the Christmas spirit for the last lesson of the year - next week. 
Now? Well there's a music event (Detention Alternative Night) at the Student Union starting in 15 mins (not that anyone turns up on time) but I don't feel like going anyway...so where does that leave me? With a can of Taurus Dark Fruit Cider and bored. 
Roll on tomorrow!!