Last Night in Plymouth, 2016

Just a quick round-up post before the weekend - when I head home for the holidays. It's been a bust week, as expected but I have received:
- Help for my essay questions which has allowed me to form a better idea of what I'll be writing about in the next few weeks.
- Copious presents from housemates and a few from classmates (candles and chocolate featured heavily in the former group)
- Xmas dinner and copious amounts of mulled alcohol on Wednesday (courtesy of my lovely housemate Tamsyn)
- Help in bettering my script (today) which cost me a lot personally because I was slaving over that script since Tuesday and I thought it was decent, but it appeared to have more holes than a colander (not literally, but there was alot of room for improvement)
And now it's down to the final night in my room of 2016. I have drank the last 1/3 of a bottle of reasonably strong red wine, the last half of a bar of caramel chocolate with mini marshmallows and fudge pieces (also courtesy of Tamsyn), and am watching the Game Grumps soldier through the last of their run of Undertale (a game I need to purchase on Steam when I get the chance).
I'll say goodnight for now, though I won't be sleeping for at least another hour. See you back in Kent. I hope I survive the journey home, because I will be carrying a lot of stuff (especially books).
Oh and yes, I gave out my festive headwear to the committee of UPAD on Tuesday and was promptly swallowed by all 10 members in a group hug. I felt like a little Santa. But sad news on losing our Vice Chair Alastair who was my director for the showcase. I wish him all the best in his studies and hope his health improves so he can come back and be his wonderful self again in the family who loves him.

Showcase Day

So it's been a week since my last entry but here I am, having conquered Showcase Day. It was an early start, a nervous day overall, sneaking up and down stone stairs to get backstage but damn, I never could have  asked to have been in a better society. It was slow going in the 'green room', especially when I felt I was doing terribly with every run through. Only after psyching myself up and getting tired and pissed off could I channel my inner bitch. So after some McDonald's and further waiting, I was onstage and giving it my all like never before. My only problem was when I panicked because I thought my chair which I was supposed to be taking off stage was missing. Fellow actor and director Alastair had to come calm me down and hug me backstage. Was such an emotional moment.
But everyone else in my cast did so well.
After it was all over, he ordered a group hug which I can never get enough of. While waiting for the call to come onstage for our bow, a few of the people in my play who had feathers were pulling them out and letting them float down the stairwell backstage. Never seen anyone so excited to catch a feather in complete silence! But once bows were out of the way, it was on to the afterparty which I got pretty drunk at because I hadn't eaten since 4....
Oh well, im home and ready for sleep now.
Until next time

Tech Day Awesomeness

Somehow I'm still alive after a solid 12 hours of tech rehearsal for the UPAD Winter Showcase next Sunday, but what am emotional/exciting/crazy 12 hours it's been. Dancing, homosexual kissing, inappropriate laughter, missed light and sound cues, living dead bodies, an excess of parrot coloured feathers, to name a few. I haven't eaten a proper dinner (an M&S chicken pesto flatbread and a flapjack was all I had). It was so great to see all the other plays though, see who got cast in the parts I auditioned for all those weeks ago (I think my parts were filled pretty well and admittedly, I don't know if I could've memorised alot of lines so it's just as well). So performances were so emotional! I know none of UPAD will see this but I love them all; they've grown on me so fast! Cannot wait for Showcase Day now.
But that's a week away. First I have classes to worry about, starting 9am tomorrow so to sleep with me. I'll be back!

Christmas Approacheth

So the last time I posted, it was November. Well hello, December. The countdown to Christmas has begun, and thus we are but 23 days away from the day of festive overindulgence, present-giving, and tinsel. I love it though.
Anyway, I am writing this entry slightly drunk courtesy of the free food and booze (wine) provided by the English department at uni for a Flash Fiction Open Mic night (three things I cannot say no to). As to the last 5 or so days....well it's been a rollercoaster of emotions, I have admitted defeat on my library crowdfunding - having failed to 1. arrange a successful poetry evening at the library and thus 2. failed to meet even half of my desired goal. This has, however, not discouraged me from attempting this endeavour again come the new year because this a potential three years on the library's clock before panic sets in, I have time on my side to help them out (somewhat). 
My own deadlines are looming the other side of the holidays (of which I shall be embarking on and returning home for in just a few hours shy of a fortnight from now - which makes me equal parts nervous and excited).
But anyways, I think that's me suitably explained for the time being. Tomorrow will be quite a busy day as I brainstorm for my essays, wrap presents, write cards, and do laundry. Wish me luck. I'm relaxing for the rest of this evening.

I think I need a holiday

Hmm, it appears I have left it a good while (over a week to be exact) since I last wrote here. In that time, I have wrote a pretty cool monologue for last Friday's Dramatic Writing class, done a bit more rehearsing for the Winter Showcase, done my expensive Christmas shopping (both online and in town), helped decorate the house's Christmas tree, worried about trying to find a new house for next year, struggled my way through Persuasion (yet to finish it and I'm still about 40 pages from the end), ignored multiple evening events in order to get said reading done, tried to organise a poetry event at the library in aid of my Crowdfunding, and now I'm definitely sure I won't make my goal. 
Plus it's just under three weeks until I get to go home which is equal parts exciting and frightening because while I get to go home, celebrate Christmas, and see my friends and family, I will have to take home a lot of books and write my coursework. For now, though, I need to get ready for bed because I have a 9am lecture (definitely do not miss them). See you later.

A Rift Called Friendship

So it's been almost a week since my birthday - and last post - and it's genuinely been a rollercoaster. Classes have been alright, but outside of the classroom, it's been a whole other story. I may or may not have mentioned the group project we were set a fortnight back which involved adapting a short story called 'What You Pawn I Will Redeem' by Sherman Alexie, into a screenplay or stage play. I had so many great ideas once I got stuck into this, but come Wednesday just gone, some simmering tension which I had felt these last weeks between two friends who were in my group came to the surface. I can't pretend I understand what exactly is going on between them; misunderstandings, childish behaviour on the part of one girl, and hardly any retaliation despite her usual dark humour and sarcasm from the other. The other girl in my group and I were simply stuck in the middle unsure how to act. I love both of these girls, but the actions of the former are starting to make me drift away from her, and side with the latter even more. I don't want to dwell on this given how awesome I was that day. I had never shown such leadership and ideas before, sitting there mapping out the scenes, working through potential ways to re-write a scene with those in the group, then allocating roles to be worked on yesterday. It was thrilling - drama aside. What made the day better, however, was going to have a meal out with my good friend Mark (hadn't seen him in over a week). Went to Rockfish, a fancy fish and chip place beside Plymouth Aquarium - mmmm.
Today, of course, was the presentation, which went ok, albeit for the fact that I did most of the talking and, while the PowerPoint (made by the former girl) was pretty professional, there wasn't much consideration for the adaptation process itself. Suffice to say, I am tired out after today's stresses (and most likely the after-effects of Wednesday's too!)
I was supposed to be going to a gig tonight (Family Values - Korn Again, Stiff Bizkit and Nightwished) but I was too whacked out....
Tomorrow is Proofreading at the library, and later, Cross Country Writers Night. Mix in some more reading and it should be a great day! See you then.

Happy Barito Birthday to Me

So I'm 24 now - wow....
It has been a very good one, rivalling my 21st for how awesome/sweet/relaxed/fun it was. My dearest sister Sarah came down from Bristol to see me, deliver me a beautiful Princess Mononoke kodama bracelet, enjoy some burritos and chocolate smothered waffles with me, and generally be her crazy self. 
But overall, today has been so much fun - despite the continuation of a leaking kitchen ceiling.....spent £9 on mixed cans of alcohol and used my birthday to justify it haha, so many people have spoiled me with love and messages on Facebook, including a highlight on the UPAD Grim Facebook page <3 I love these guys - and ALL my friends!
Anyway, I must be off. I have a 9am lecture and I've been working on little sleep these last few days so to bed I must go.

I'm Getting Old!

Well it was a real struggle but I've finally completed my Romanticism essay today. Haven't fully checked it over but that's for tomorrow - even if it is my birthday. How quickly it comes around! Should be getting my phone contract renewed as well as meeting up with my sister who has come down to Plymouth for a visit. So it should be a good day IF I can keep on top of my reading. 
I've also become rather obsessed with a short sex-related indie game called Cute Demon Crashers. If you're into that sort of thing, I'd suggest checking it out. 
For now, I wish you all a goodnight, and I will see you when I'm 24 (jeez haha I'm almost a quarter of a century old!) 

So Little Time - but So Much LOVE

Yes, it's been over a week since I last posted, but in that time I have been super busy getting my first of two essays out of the way. The deadline for the first (Apocalypse) is tomorrow, and while writing it was a pain in the behind, I got it completed with time to let it sit before reading over and submitting it today. My second essay (Romanticism) is proving to be a toughie as well, but I believe I will crack it before the week is out (which would be great given the deadline is Monday!)
In other news, I am struggling by with life in general. Still need to address my library fundraising, and other commitments....
But mercifully, Jackson stayed over at the weekend and made my life so much calmer. Saw the fireworks Saturday Night, made pumpkin soup, pasta, and curry together (such awesome chefs in the kitchen we are!), watched endless episodes of the Game Grumps on YouTube....but now I miss him again because he is back home....
I want Christmas more than ever now - even if it is being celebrated far too early in the year, the novelty will never wear off for me.
See you when my deadline is passed most likely.

House Party of Hilarity

So, I've had quite the night, as the lateness of the hour of this post proves. Halloween House party was a sure success, I've made some new friends, hung out with drunk current friends, and even kissed a girl out of curiosity (at last - and yes, I liked it).
The cupcakes weren't such a success but oh well, more for us haha.
Had to do late night clean up duty or rather, I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing the kitchen was in a severe state, so I voluntarily cleaned up. Now it's going to be a late night and lateish morning, but there's still alot to do.
Essay, food shopping, etc. Wish me luck!

In the Business of Scaring

I've learnt something today. I never much liked kids before, but it's a whole other ball game when you're stumbling around in bushes in a black morph suit at night trying to scare the little buggers and they refuse to play along. This was Boo at the Zoo's Fright Night at Dartmoor Zoo. I was originally supposed to be dressed as a clown but that didn't go according to plan so I was made a 'Shadow' instead, lurking in the darkness of the trees and walking into sight. A few problems came with that which I should've predicted. 
1. Couldn't see a whole lot and so I kept tripping on branches, walking into prickly bushes, and couldn't tell how dark my chosen hiding spot was because the fabric over my eyes made it so much darker. 
2. As mentioned, some of the kids (boys especially) refused to play along and just laughed, pointed, joked, etc. and ruined it for everyone else. 
3. A guy actually tried to sit on me when I was posing on a bench, knowing full well I was there. 
But problems aside, it can be alot of fun scaring people, and I'm not much bothered by the quantity of scratches on my shins (or the bruises which are soon to develop as a result) because it was crazy wandering and laughing maniacally for 2 1/2 hours.
I have today's poem to churn out in a moment, but other than that, I think it'll be time for bed.
I managed to pull together my essay plan for next week so that's progress, but will need to do the same for my second essay tomorrow, along with reading for Romanticism, and some cleaning of the house. So busy!

Borky Nape: The Grimmest Fairy Tale

It's late, but I'm here anyway to tell you that I've had a pretty alright day. Reading material for Dramatic Writing tomorrow afternoon, attending a talk on the life and works of Beatrix Potter at the Proprietary Library, being surprised by a special mention at said talk on my poetry and endeavours to help the library, having free food (who doesn't love free food), attending a later event at the Athenaeum on folklore tales, the darker side of fairy tales, and some hilarious poetry on the subject. The last was courtesy of Plymouth Poet Laureate Thom Boulton a.k.a. Blaidh Nemorlith, accompanied by musician and fellow poet Daniel Morgan a.k.a. Dorian Sounde. Such a fun night. AND I bumped into the wonderful Telford again, who wanted to get my poetry into the Plymouth Herald (such a star I'm becoming! haha)
Anyway, see you later. I have things to do - like sleep....

UPAD Pirate Night

Yes, I am aware of the lateness of the hour, but it's been a fun night and i feel it needs the proper attention. This was namingly, the UPAD Pirate Night. Dancing, drink, and happiness was had, along with hugs and a welcome intonation great family.
All my love to the guys and girls of the society.
Got to get my sleep though

'Can I See the Manager?'

I suppose it's just been one of those days. The kind where you expect too much out of it.
Wanted to get my essay plans sorted - hasn't completely happened.
In trying to get the necessary books at the library, the fire alarm goes off.
My Apocalypse seminar wasn't particularly helpful in aiding me with supporting said essay plan.
For all the excitement of UPAD casting night, I get assigned a silly role.
And my poetry has kept me up til stupid o'clock....
Suffice to say, I'm done with today, and to be honest, if my pirate outfit doesn't work out, tomorrow doesn't look any better....

The Nights are getting Longer

I have returned - but I must make this quick as I have a 9am lecture in the morning and must be up by half 6, which will be a task given I haven't had more than 5-6 hours a night in the last few days.
That aside, I have managed to complete (though not compile and submit) my first assignment for dramatic writing (due Wednesday). I'm hoping sleeping on it will help resolve any issues. That is if I have the time to look it over for long as I'm going to be very busy this next week, getting plans together for my next two essays, sorting a costume for the UPAD Pirate Night on Wednesday, auditioning for the Winter Showcase, Boo at the Zoo in just over 5 days. I'm equal parts excited and nervous.
Ok, I think that's me done.

Apparently I'm [still] a good actor

Hmm I appear to have gone quiet since my fateful return to Plymouth. Must resolve that. Hello again! Things have been going alright - thus far - especially with regard to UPAD (University of Plymouth Amateur Dramatics - have I spelled this out already?) Last night was Monologue Night and, given the amount of busy I was being that day, I had no time to think seriously about what I wanted my piece to be, so I simply Googled 'dramatic monologue' and searched through what I found. I ended up choosing a piece spoken by Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte) and....it went down surprisingly well. Not so much my choice as the way I spoke it - and, after taking into consideration the critique I received after my first performance, the way I acted it too. Which astounded me given that I was reading it rather than acting it, to an extent. I was almost in tears (the other emotional performances aside - of which there were a few).
Today, I attended the Health and Safety talk for the Boo at the Zoo at Dartmoor event on the last October weekend. I now know that on the night I will be dressed as a creepy clown, standing, swaying, maybe laughing or whispering to myself. Given the spate of clown attacks happening recently, this could've been a bad idea, but if I'm not chasing them or wielding a machete, I'll be fine.
Now, though, I must return to my reading for the night.
Tomorrow begins another day dedicated solely to writing for Friday's Dramatic Writing class. 

When it all goes wrong

Well today could have gone very differently indeed but this is definitely the worst thing that has ever happened to me while trying to get back to Plymouth. 
First thing: Charing Cross station (my usual first stop into London) isn't open today so I am required to take a train to Victoria instead. Ok, no problem. It's closer to Paddington, even if it does require an extra tube ride to get to Paddington from there. 
Second thing: a vehicle has been reported to have hit a bridge over the track in Lewisham causing us a delay. By the time I reach Victoria, I have only 20 minutes to get to my final train. I run, I swerve between people, I manage to carry my suitcase with ease down escalators. But still I'm not fast enough. I trip up the escalator in Paddington and unwittingly gash my knee through my trousers. It's only after resigning myself to the fact that I've missed my train that I realise I've got blood on my fingers and there's a dark patch on my [fortunately] dark red trousers. After having a breakdown in front of rail staff and commuters, and getting some rudimentary first aid (bandage wound round my leg over the trousers), I am taken to reception and scheduled onto the next train an hour later (3.33pm). I even get taken on one of those luggage buggies to my train. Fast forward 4 hours and I'm finally back in my room, peeling off my trousers to assess the damage. It is a small dent about the size of a pea. I know the bruising will be monstrous though!
But putting my spectacular setback aside, I needed this weekend to see my family and Jackson, all of whom I have missed immensely. We went for a shopping trip round Bromley on Saturday, ending it off with a cheeky Nandos
I can't wait to see him again though.
Tomorrow is my 9am lecture (the reason for my earlier than desired return) and I have my last attempt at getting the library's message out to the English students of the university. Also got some more Pen Arts volunteering in the evening. 
Haha I'm going to be such a cripple!

The Magical Hope of 25%

Good evening gentlefolk, another day is coming to its end and I think I'm alright, but until I get my Dramatic Writing intro fixed for Friday, I will still be walking on thin ice. Today itself has been reasonable enough what with managing to flesh out my 12th poem this morning before a Romanticism seminar at 11, then printing off poetry for the Soapbox event tonight. After that it was just reading dramatic writing texts until I needed food, going to a book launch event for the English department and then pulling my stuff together. 
The Soapbox event itself wasn't as popular as first anticipated and so the organiser decided to make it a more informal experience and treat it as a reading group. My trusty friend Mark was here this time, so I wasn't all on my lonesome again. The only crux of tonight was whether or not to go to the Rock Society's White Tee Social (of which I had attended 2 during Freshers for other societies/reasons). I decided against it because 1. my shoes were hurting 2. I didn't feel like anymore drinking and 3. I was a little tired.
So yes, as you can see by the time, I am not still out, and I think I'll feel better for it. 
Tomorrow is getting my intro sorted, another few hours of library work, and finishing up my week's reading/viewing.
On a high note, I am now at 25% of my crowdfunder target!! Thank you so much people!

Making Acquaintances and Disturbing Movie Dates

There just never seems to be enough hours in the day, does there? Even on a relatively free day such as this, I'm still fighting to keep on top of all my reading and work and notes and poetry. Plus side of today was that the partner work at the UPAD (University of Plymouth Amateur Dramatics) Workshop tonight wasn't as bad or challenging as I'd thought it would be. Performing a short dialogue between two youngish children was fun, even with someone I'd never met before. 
Other good news: I'm over the 20% mark for my Crowdfunder (thanks to my wonderfully supportive boyfriend) and the poem itself, despite being late, came a little easier to me this time than in previous days. 
But tomorrow is looking set to be a marathon what with a 2hr morning seminar, a book event, a poetry night, AND a white tee social for the Rock Society. Where on earth am I going to find the time to eat and read in all of that??? Wish me luck - as always.
Oh and by the way, if ever you get the chance to watch a film called Under the Skin (stars Scarlet Johansson), prepare your mind as best you can. I went to see it last night and I felt unnerved, confused, entranced, so many things for a film with very little lengthy dialogue and scenes of disturbing avant garde sex. 

On the Buses

So I somehow survived today. Didn't end up as bad as I'd imagined it might (worst case scenario being my dayrider ticket was only available one way and I got stuck an hour's walk from home). Luckily neither of those things happened but on the hand, I forgot that libraries don't stay open as long on a Saturday. I was in luck with the City Centre Library but when I arrived at North Prospect, they were already closing up. I tried to get to a different bus stop to take myself down to Devonport and ended up facing a billion dead ends on a still-under-construction housing estate. Suffice to say, it took me way too long to get there so I stayed for a good while, writing poetry and reading Blake. I couldn't be asked to cook (for once) so bought a pasty instead for dinner, before heading home to type up my poems, have some ice cream, and relax. Tomorrow is laundry day and looking over War of the Worlds - plus maybe starting to consider my story introduction for Dramatic Writing.

What are Friends For?

It's no fun trying to focus on reading and critiquing someone's work when your mind just refuses to connect with what it's seeing. That was me at around 4pm today. Before that, I'd ploughed through several pages of one of my dramatic writing books, and even made valid points in class, but try as I might, there was no one home when I had to make an actual physical effort. 
So it was a genuine relief to remember I had a night of Chinese food, Blade Runner, and poptarts with a friend to look forward to.
But now that's over, I should get some rest for tomorrow which is my day to explore the local libraries. I will make up for today's missing poem then as well.

I will be the death of me

I haven't written in a day or two because I've been equal parts busy, stressed, and moody. Today hasn't been any better, what with trying to get my first Dramatic Writing story outlines together, as well as my sixth PPL poem (this challenge may well be the death of me and I only have myself to blame!)
But I made it to the library itself today (albeit a little late because of unfortunate circumstances) and helped out my friend Fiona who is now volunteering alongside me :)
The rest of my day was given over to the activities listed above, and said activities stopped me from enjoying my evening which was supposed to involve going out. I did, however, go out, but only to be disappointed again when I couldn't get involved in a poetry reading event.
I shan't ramble any longer and can only hope tomorrow's prospects improve.
I have my Dramatic Writing class in the afternoon (of which I have reading still to do), and then in the evening, take-out and movies with my friend Mark (at least there's a silver lining somewhere).

I'm Done....

I am decidedly not a happy bunny tonight having pushed my way through an in depth reading of The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe (pronounced Gerter, I learned). I know I've read it before in the holidays but now my lack of any detailed examination during that time is coming back to haunt me. 
To add to my misery, my conjunctivitis seems to be making a comeback, and I'm homesick again. 
Also even if I wasn't dead tired, my plan to go out to the university's Detention Alt Night is impossible as I can't get my ticket from a friend....
BUT all that aside, I've had a decent day in my first Apocalypse Seminar, all my hard reading of Revelation appearing to have paid off. 
Now I just need to hope my efforts today (and briefly in the morning if I can manage it) pay off tomorrow.
It's my first Romanticism seminar and then the Jobs Fair (probably should've had some CVs handy....oops). Got to get my dramatic writing plans together and do some more required reading for that too. So busy!
Oh and today's poem came out pretty good too. I wonder what tomorrow's library will be?

Local Celebrity

Well let me see how today has gone.
Wrote poem #3 - short and sweet 
Going to get my face and poetry in the local paper again for the library
Went to dull careers talk held in place of a romanticism lecture
Made shepherd's pie
Finally finished reading Revelations (religion is also exceedingly dull, even when dealing with the 'end of days'. 
I've been out with half of the female population of my house to have a little drink abbess listen to some music. 
Now it's off to bed in preparation for Detention tomorrow night! Also got Apocalypse seminar and amateur dramatic class 

A Poem Was Born

Ok, not 100% sure why yesterday got forgotten, but it went alright. Library work til half 1, then 3 hours of Dramatic Writing workshop from 2 til 5. Whew! And there was the day gone! But I came up with some pretty decent plots from my newspaper stories to work on over the next week.
Today has been a bit more chilled: food shopping and trudging through Revelations....urgh religion, even when it's dealing with the end of the world, can be so dull! I'm not even half way through it and I have a seminar on it on Tuesday... Oh well, my poetry for day one of the Poem-a-Day Fundraiser went well - only took me about 90 minutes to get it right and then another 30 to upload and share etc. Hopefully I can get that time down because I know I won't have alot of time to spare soon and I'm going to have to keep this up all month (yikes! what have I let myself in for?) All I can hope is that I can get the word spread enough to get more sizable donations in or this will be a flop.
Tomorrow is more of the same stuff - and some rounders if I have the time. That may be another lost cause.....

Just another day in the life

Another day almost over and I'd say it's been a productive enough day. Worked hard showing a new member around the library and searching out existing books in local history. Went for a quick look round one of the arty places I missed on Friday (Studio 102 - a crowded art space with upstairs cubicles for rent to local artists - something for the Plymouth Arts students to consider), and ended my afternoon/evening reading the week's set portion of the Dramatic Writing module reader. Now I have a good hour or two to kill how I please. 
Tomorrow, my first 3-hr dramatic writing workshop....wish me luck!

The Art of Hedge-Trimming for UPSU Student Led Volunteering

A friendly visitor

Our busy volunteers

Our busy volunteers

Today has been an exhausting day of volunteering for me, that's for sure, however, that has not deterred me from wanting to make being involved in the UPSU Student Led Volunteering a more regular thing. Upon meeting the rest of the volunteers and project leader Mark, I was understandably a little uncertain - meeting new people has always been a bit daunting for me - but once we arrived at the owl sanctuary, re-fueled on tea and chocolate biscuits (of which I ate too many!), and were shown around the owl enclosures, I felt I could relax a little more. But then, of course, the manual labour - the primary reason for this trip - began! 

The end result

Thanks to my dad, I already had some experience with sharp garden tools; however, what we were faced with was no simple pruning of a rose bush. These were vast hedges entwined and tangled with brambles, blackthorn, and rosehips, all viciously spiky plants. The tough gloves we were supplied with helped protect our hands, yet some of us were brazen enough to delve in with bare arms, while I regretted my tights (a magnet for those sticky burrs), my raincoat (the arms of which were soaked with sweat by lunch time), and my wellies (which weren't the comfiest footwear

It's bigger than it looks

I could've worn). Gradually, though, as we hacked, lopped, and sawed our way through from both sides, and endured scratches, spikes, and broken saw blades, the hedge grew thinner, stripped of its overhanging mass, while the pile of vegetation on the hill just grew and grew.

Such a beautiful view

As a reward for our 5 or so hours of effort, we were treated to an up-close encounter with Bailey, one of the resident barn owls (of which I have no decent photos, unfortunately, so you will have to use your imagination). As a fairly avid fan of raptors (birds of prey), it was truly an experience to have this bird glide silently over my head, creating a small gust from the downdraft of his wings, and to look into his beautiful little moon face. Around 4, the minivan returned and it was time to bid the owls and the hills goodbye and return to Plymouth.
It was truly a miracle that the weather stayed so mild and sunny for the duration of our stay, allowing us to enjoy the scenery - as well as our work. I'd like to congratulate everyone involved today on a job well done, and hopefully see you next time!

Fundraising Begins Again - Plymouth Proprietary Library

So it begins. I've set up my Crowdfunding page for the Plymouth Proprietary Library with a reasonably achievable goal of £500 by Christmas 2016. Saturday 1st October will signal the start of my Poem-a-Day Challenge, the plan being to pick a random word from the dictionary (1st word on the page for the 1st day and so on) to inspire said poem. Fingers crossed I can keep it up for 31 days!
Check it out if you can and even better, support me for at least this next month.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lauraslibrarypplplymouth

Seems only yesterday...

It would appear I have survived the first day of second year, despite having a 9am introductory lecture to my Apocalypse module. I got through and feel pretty excited to get started next week. Though it doesn't feel that long ago that I was chatting to one of the department staff on an open day, and hearing about the infamous Apocalypse module. Now I'm here about to embark on it. I wasted half an hour chatting with my friend Jenna who will be in every one of my seminars (lucky girl) before heading up to the library for some [irritating] cataloging. The attitude some people adopt when doing the cataloging is a real pain in the backside. But I was saved by the need for lunch and a return to uni for my second introductory lecture, this one for Romanticism. It is a real shame I won't be having the same seminar tutor as I did last year - dear Bonnie, how I love her - but it is going to prove to be an interesting module all the same. Following that, it was back home for some reading, food, and chilling white watching the unfaithful Netflix knock-off of The Mortal Instruments called Shadowhunters. With that all done, it's probably time to get some sleep for my third and final introductory lecture, this for Dramatic Writing. See you later!
Ps. I realise I didn't get to write about yesterday except for the parts about the Arts Weekender, but then again, that's pretty much all my day I involved so you can fill the gap by checking that out instead.

Plymouth Arts Weekender Day 2: Walking in the Whale's Footsteps

I knew this good weather couldn't last forever. As I speak the very heavens above are pouring from the sky and turning roads to rivers! And this all only started about 5 hours ago. 
This morning was a breezy though sunny day. Work at the library wasn't exactly ideal because, though searching for books can be irritating, cataloging them is another thing entirely and it can get tedious. The company wasn't exactly grand either but I'm not allowed to complain so I shall move on.
Met up with Mark (whose mother had supplied us with lunch) before embarking on day two of the Arts Weekender, this time with company. I provide a link of the afternoon's run down here.
Following that, I hurried home at about 4pm to get my review written up before hastily making dinner. It was around this time - so 6.20pm - that the rain began to fall and I don't think it has stopped since. I walked in it to get to the Leviathan show at The House, and I had to return through it, greatly increased in quantity as if Moby Dick himself were up there (that being the inspiration for the show). My every step felt heavy and wet, my tights and shoes were sodden from the knees down....but as I had a rain coat and umbrella, I loved it! I don't suppose the freshers would have though given today was supposed to be Freshtival haha. But I had the smell of baking to come home to as one of my housemates was making cake. I'll write up a short review of the show in the morning and post it to my above linked blog. But for now, I need to get my sleep. Got laundry and the final day of the Weekender to get through in the morning.

Plymouth Arts Weekender Day 1: My Missing Pasties

So today went almost entirely according to plan.
My first port of call was the library where I was set to work locating local history books - which wasn't exactly a walk in the park when the book codes weren't necessarily in numerical order.... Following that, I grabbed myself some lunch in the form of a salad-loaded turkey flatbread from Subway which I enjoyed in the Drake Memorial Park overlooking the reservoir fountains. Then it was down to the first stop on my Plymouth Arts Weekender schedule. I would detail exactly how the next 2 1/2 hours from 1.30-4pm went but as I've already written about it all in great [enough] detail on my other blog, I shall instead direct you there - so follow this link. Good. Now once I'd finished all of that, I had one of two options: either head over to the uni campus and grab myself a pasty just as the Cider and Pasty Festival gets heated up OR grab some groceries and go home to write up my review THEN go to the festival. Turned out that the former option may have been the better one as by the time I'd cranked out a decent review and got down to campus, the cider was the only thing still flowing. I did, however, hear a chorus of people calling my name and find myself in the company of my former flatmates Panksy and Charlotte once again - made up for the lack of pasty alright. I contented myself with a Ginster's Cornish pasty from the SU Shop before returning home to heat it up, pop open a bottle of Old Mout Kiwi and Lime cider (decent substitutes) and post my review in various places.
Tomorrow will see me scouting out the exhibitions at both Plymouth University and the Plymouth College of Arts, as well as going to a show called Leviathan, and maybe (if I have the time), another ghost tour, all as part of the big Plymouth Arts Weekender!!
See you then!

I was never a fresher at heart, but hey, free stuff

So Freshers Week is almost over - already! In that time, I've gotten myself interested in several volunteering schemes, worked out a few ideas for my future fundraising for the Proprietary Library, perhaps taken on more prospective societies than I will have time for, and taken advantage of all the free stuff I can get as a student at the Freshers Fair. 
I did spend a short bit of today guarding the front desk and valuing books at the library while a talk was going on upstairs, and guess what? More free food! 
Fortunately, the Wi-Fi has been fixed (Monday) so everything feels a little more laid back now. Also finished all my books for this term too, so that's another temporary sigh of relief.
Now I am heading into the next big multiple day event: the Plymouth Arts Weekender. Provided I have the time, I plan to cover a fair few areas of Plymouth which are hosting art exhibitions and review them fairly briefly. Then, hopefully, take advantage of the Cider and Pasty Festival on campus for dinner. 
I have, however, found the time to catch up with a few friends, which is always nice. But there remains a few I am still missing.
Until next time!

Nothing makes me cry / Like shitty Wi-Fi

How much busier have I been these last few days, I hear you ask? Not insanely. Thursday saw me making chili, continuing to read The Day of the Triffids, and crying over the close-to-home reality of Vampire Diaries Season 6 (I won't give any spoilers as to the who, but someone gets cancer and as you may or may not know, that's a very personal issue to me so you can understand why the tears). Friday, I did my stint at the library, cataloging books to assist the library's new president before rushing home (getting some extra supplies from the local SPAR on the way) to make stir-fry, reading, and eventually more Vampire Diaries - and tears. Saturday, reading pretty much all day to finish The Day of the Triffids, get a few pages of the history of Romanticism down, fill up my academic calendar for the year, and then wail over Vampire Diaries once more - worsened by the appalling Wi-Fi which kept cutting out and freezing my video every few minutes (not helpful during the emotional scenes).
Today I woke up later than usual and spent the morning reading War of the Worlds before heading out to meet my new friend Mark and talk about writing techniques, share poetry, and generally get to know one another. Stayed out way longer than I thought we would but discovered a new favourite cafe (Rumpus Cosy) in the process. Made a mixed up stir-fry when I got back consisting of Super Noodles (chicken and herb flavour), Southern Fried chicken strips, and mushroom stir-fry vegetables. Student Life ftw!!!
I have arranged a few more meet-ups with other friends now so maybe that will help my readjustment to life away from home/back in Plymouth easier. Fingers crossed. Also need to start writing more poetry for future events.

Busy Bees Got Nothing on Me

Good evening once again. It has been a busy and heavy day for me. 
After making breakfast and forgetting the beans I'd left in the microwave, then forcing myself to have a cold shower for a short while before figuring out the controls, and finally waiting around for some people to finish cleaning our oven (during which time I cleaned the bathroom a tiny bit), I was able to head to town. Carrying some heavy-ass bags of kitchen stuff for charity, I might add. Then I was a case of buying various things for the house, returning said things to the house, and setting off once again for Aldi to finally end my starvation. I got to make my favourite Quorn chicken curry as a result. To top it all off, I added more to my passage on the Unconscious which I proceeded to read at the Soapbox Open Mic at the Bread and Roses - and which you can read on my other blog laurareinbach.blogspot.co.uk. Even got asked to do another reading at a few future events!
Now, after a full day, it's almost time for bed.

A Literary Adventure

Day 2 back in Plymouth and I've enjoyed myself more than I imagined I would. After testing one of the house's two showers (and finding it a little cramped but efficient), I went to do some work at the Proprietary Library; I ended up there for about 6 1/2 hours, listing books, carrying books, checking lists against the library's existing catalogue. By 5pm I was done and starving. so I headed into town intending to get myself a burrito but soon learnt the place I wanted to go to (Bar Burrito) was closed today (passed it later on and it wasn't.....) so I settled for a cheeky Nandos. And what a Nandos it was. Supergrain Salad with chicken and chips, and some little custard tarts called Natas for dessert (yum). By this point, however (approx 6pm) it was too late to head back home as I had a poetry competition to attend at half 7, so I stayed out and wandered down to Sutton Harbour. Gradually made my way to the venue, meeting two friendly faces at the door, and one or two more inside, but finding a free enough table was tough. A lady by the name of Bev signalled me over to her table and I'm glad she did because she and a guy named Jak who completed the table's occupants were very interesting company.
We received our prompt which was a statue beneath the waves at an underwater museum in Lanzarote. I had a good idea to start but found my flow petering out halfway through so that 14 lines in 30 minutes suddenly seemed like such a challenge. But I made it just in time and despite being second to last to read, I didn't feel nervous. Didn't win however but it gave me ideas for new poetry. I appear to have gained a fan so that's a bonus too.
I think I'll have to say goodnight now though. That was my Monday.

Back in Plymouth

OK so it's the morning after my first day back in Plymouth and I'm still pretty....nervous, homesick (already), uncertain. But I guess things will get better as the days go by. 
We had to get up SO early (2am!) and leave just before 4, car packed, nerves already fluttering. It was a smooth enough journey with a few rest stops and breakfast only 3/4 hr outside of Plymouth. Not the best breakfast, mind, but that's motorway services for you.
Once we reached my new house, it wasn't quite the happy welcome as neither of the people I knew were home that day, so I just had to unload the car, check my room, and slowly unpack, before bidding my dad goodbye. He's such a trooper, driving all the way here and back in one day.
All that was left then was to get my unpacking finished, buy some extra items and food, and try to relax. Got to speak to the three new housemates I didn't know, only briefly however but they seemed nice enough. Time will tell how things go.
I spent the rest of my evening [trying] to read before getting a call from my dad to say he'd just got home at 5pm. Made me wish I was back home even more. Whether it was my nerves or real hunger, I don't know, but I eventually heated up a can of Carrot and Coriander soup and ate it while watching Vampire Diaries. This carried on until I started getting tired, the kind where you can barely keep your eyes open. Then I knew it was time to get ready for bed. 
Now here I am on the new morning with a library to go visit and potentially a writing competition to attend tonight. See you later for more developments 

On Top of the World

Outside the Tate Modern - world's biggest Rubix Cube!

There is only one full day separating me from my return to Plymouth and student life, and I don't think I could've spent it in a better way or with a better person. Starting our walk at Charing Cross, I had my faithful London guru boyfriend Jackson with me. We wandered north and...well to be honest, I wasn't 100% sure where we ended up, but we were soon on Oxford Street, amazed by the Shakespeare-esque window displays of Selfridges - which we decided to check out, and oh man, I have never felt so cheap before, surrounded by so many floors of expensive

All the people look like ants!

clothing and perfume. It only got posher as we wandered through Mayfair, every street sporting pillar-fronted houses and a Bentley, Tesla, or Rolls Royce parked outside. But as hunger called, we returned to the Covent Garden area for a YO! Sushi....or would've, if the place we headed for was still there (which it wasn't), so we wandered over to Chinatown, picked out the place with the tastiest value for money, and went in. We were not disappointed with Gerrards (that's what they were called, as un-Chinese as it sounds), and my choice of bean-curd wrapped prawns was a definite winner. It had been our plan for most of the day to go see the view from the Shard, and after a minor setback which almost saw us returning home early, we did just that. After an hour of walking from Charing Cross to London Bridge - taking in several bridges and beautiful bits of scenery along the way - we made it. This was the icing on the cake for the day. Taken 68 floors up in the lift to the viewing platform, we were treated to a 360 degree view of the city of London. As it started to get a little darker, we went up to the Sky Garden, astro-turf, potted plants, and an open roof. I'm sure we

weren't meant to stay longer than half hour, but it was 7pm and we were

Evening sunrays over the city

sipping slightly expensive plastic flutes of Malbec when we realised this. Needless to say, we didn't make much haste in leaving, staying another half hour to watch the city light up a little more before descending again to street level and finding our respective trains home. As this was the last time I'd see Jackson - or London - again for few weeks, I was understandably reluctant to leave. But I do have alot to look forward to when I go back though, so I guess it weighs up nicely. I probably won't get around to writing again until I'm in Plymouth now, so see you then!

The [Unorthodox] Battle of the Week

Well it certainly is a sticky evening - my laptop is sticking to my legs as I write - but the one thing even more oppressive is the weight of packing for my return to university in under 4 days. Tuesday was a suitably productive day in terms of packing away kitchen, bedroom, and study items, as well as a few cosmetics. Today was the turn of the clothes, after dropping into my local high street for a few extra items (kitchen timer, plastic cups, food tray, etc). Packing clothes was never my strong point - even getting dressed on an average day can be a struggle - so today has been slow and full of me procrastinating like hell. I think I have a comfortable amount packed now, so that just leaves odds and ends and the other 20% to go nearer the time. 
After rushing through preparing dinner and dessert in the space of 90 minutes, I was able to relax with some tea and Robot Wars before fixing a large batch of chicken chasseur and another of chili con carne to freeze up for my dad while I'm away. I hoped the day might end easily, but not this time. Due to the arrival of September, the crane flies are about and so when I went into my garage to fetch tomorrow's dinner, what decides to loom towards the overhead strip lighting but a freaking huge crane fly! My weapon of choice? A bag of frozen salmon. I wielded that thing like I was fending off a creature far stronger and more formidable than a flimsy insect, but when that insect looked like a flying spider....well, I suppose my actions were justified. I bolted indoors - because said bag of salmon needed opening (with scissors, no less) - but then I was faced with the problem of returning the bag to the still open freezer outside. Fortunately, Mr Flying Legs was nowhere in sight.
And there ends another day in the life of me. I'm usually good with a fair few bugs, but crane flies are a different story altogether.

Wake me up when September ends

And suddenly, it's September. Time to start hitting the panic button as Moving-In Day draws ever closer. I've been given a few concerns already in the shape of news that my home-to-be is kind of filthy and spider-infested (never encouraging) but that a cleaner is going to be brought in next week, so fingers crossed for a clean house by the time the 11th rolls around.
But I shan't dwell too heavily on that right now. Today was pretty fun, spent in London for a few hours with my lovely sister - who is returning to her uni life a week earlier. Arriving at Buckingham Palace, little did we know it was the perfect

time to witness the daily parade of Royal Guards during the Changing of the Guards. We heard the distant sound of drums and trumpets but didn't think much of it until it started to get louder, and then the first few red-coated guards wielding brass instruments appeared. We stayed for about half hour before crossing St James' Park and finding our way down to Parliament Gardens in the shadow of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. After taking some time to let my sister do some more sketches - and take in the audible atmosphere around me and distill it into poetry - we answered our stomachs by seeking out a Costa on the first floor of Trafalgar Square's Waterstones and ate our lunch on the steps overlooking the fountains. By this time, it was getting a little cold and bleak, so we took a train from Charing Cross home.
Now it is the end of another day, and I have finally completed Lessing's Memoirs of a Survivor (such a confusing ending) and will move on to Walter Scott's The Highland Widow tomorrow. For now, it's a little relaxation and then to sleep. I'm shopping tomorrow.

Greenwich Picnic Hilarity and Success

Good evening. What a day it has been, filled with ups and downs of various kinds - but I like to think the ups outweigh the downs.
Today was the long awaited meeting between my old school best friend and my boyfriend for a picnic in Greenwich Park. Despite being the only one providing food (which meant leaving the house earlier than planned to pick up a few extra items), we were not lacking and had enough to keep us going from when we arrived at a suitable spot in dappled shade at almost 12, until we packed up 5 hours later. 
Chicken poppers, Quorn mini eggs, grapes, sandwiches, pizza, apples, cake, crisps and gummie sweets (the latter two being eaten in combination to somewhat satisfying results). All was gradually consumed while we chatted about music, games, work experiences and funny events, danced round our shade-giving tree, and, for me and my friend, ran across the park to investigate the potential for a lake - which there was not. It was such a laid back afternoon, made sweeter by the coolness of the day (in the shade) and the music from a mini speaker Jackson brought with him. 
We decided to check out one of our favourite spots in East London - 'The Lookout' aka The Point. Such a stunning panoramic view of London from the Eye and further West, all the way over to the Docklands. The backstreets just below reminded me a lot of being back in Plymouth - so much so, I almost felt homesick. But coming home - after having had to bid farewell to Jackson - we were faced with being unable to get a train home, uncertainty over where to catch a bus from, diverted buses, and then having to change said bus. But we made it back to our home town - and eventually homes - in one piece and not terribly late. 
Bring on the next outing!

My Harley Quinn crush

Hello again! Wow, not only has it been over a week since I last posted, but it's almost the end of another month - which means second year is just around the corner now! *scared face* BUT, until then, I have been trying to enjoy my remaining time. Tuesday saw me and Jackson going to see Suicide Squad in my town's new Odeon cinema. Not only was the cinema impressive in size - even their smaller screens were still pretty spacious - but we bought some tasty lattice fries with guacamole dip *drools* while the film itself was better than I expected. Each villain character had their own story and a reason to fight. The sexual magnetism between Harley Quinn (I got a little excited over her myself) and the Joker (I have another reason to fantasise over Jared Leto now) was thrilling entertainment enough for me. Overall, I'm no big fan of DC, but this film has made me more interested than I was.
But the day didn't end there. We picked up some ingredients for a curry and made enough for five people as my sister and her boyfriend were there too. A lot of alcohol was consumed at that dinner table - by me! - before heading out into the garden for a round of Cards Against Humanity with ice cream and MORE drink! We played outside for a good few hours, bringing out lanterns when it started to get dark and eventually ordered some Dominos pizza. 
I'm usually pretty good at the game as I have a naturally dark sense of humour, however that didn't save me this time and I only scored 6 black cards, while my sister somehow scooped 12. But a fair few of mine were gained through mine and Jackson's mutual love of dark humour. It was an unforgettable night!
Next up, Greenwich Park picnic with (hopefully) both my best friend Eloise, and boyfriend Jackson - and maybe my sister if she's not preoccupied.
In other news, I am now trying to soldier my way to the end of another course book, Doris Lessing's Memoirs of a Survivor. It's an appealing apocalyptic story with moments of perversion and stereotypical apocalyptic survival techniques and scenarios. 
And the first new series of Robot Wars has come to its spectacular final. For anyone who hasn't been watching, you've been missing out.

Belated Amsterdam Tales, Days 4-6

So I'm back to continue the story of my travels in Amsterdam. 

Monday 8th August: We set this day aside for buying souvenirs for our friends and family back home. After a little wander, which turned up a crochet sheep and a notebook with a heat-activated colour change cover for my sister, we got hungry for The Original California Burrito which we enjoyed - though nowhere near as much as we did a burrito from Benito's Hat - along a new stretch of canal in the west of Amsterdam. We somehow found our way back to the Red Light District again (as always) and sat watching the world go by from our favourite spot opposite a strip club called the Moulin Rouge. Was fun to watch how people in small vans and cars traversed the busy canal-side roads and bridges so packed with pedestrians and cyclists. 

Snapshot of the room

Pretty much every day we bought food for later that night or the next morning from the local Albert Heijn Mart, which we did before our return to our room. I forget if we actually ordered the chips from room service that night instead of the Sunday. It was over a week ago now! (wow)

Tuesday 9th August: We were woken by a storm at 5am, the rain of which persisted for most of the morning so we stayed in our room until later that afternoon before going on another trek into town for gifts. We had no plans for dinner that day so we just bought snack foods (sandwich, pizza, noodles), wandered into various shops, and eventually returned early to the hotel to watch TV on the lovely screen you see here, and snack until bed for the last time in our gorgeous white room.

Curtained corridor

Wednesday 10th August: Leaving Day. We slowly packed up and got ourselves ready for an 11.30 departure, returning our room cards, getting our room service tab back, and bidding farewell to the beautiful Hotel Arena before hauling our luggage back through the city.

Like magnets, we were drawn back to the Red Light District one last time for a quiet drink by the canal, then into the retail centre of the city for souvenir t-shirts and sweaters, then finally to the station and onto a train for the airport. We'd hoped for a decent break with some lunch before boarding but due to the long walk from security to our gate, there was no time. We were on-board before we knew it - but at least I had food! Then the ground - and Amsterdam - were receding below us and we were over the ocean bound for Britain once again. Despite some minor turbulence, we arrived ahead of schedule and were back in rush hour traffic in the taxi by half 5pm. Some things never change.

Hello again, England

Since my return home, I have yet to see Jackson again due to being kept busy at home, and with my return to university fast approaching, I am hoping I can get more time. As to my university business, I am onto a new book - The Sorrows of Young Werther - a little novella of the Romantic era and very sad it is too. If I can just soldier through these last few, I might stand a chance after all!

For now, I think that covers it.

Belated Amsterdam Tales, Days 1-3

I have been neglecting this blog, haven't I? I go away to Amsterdam and don't even feel the need to tell the world about it. Well I may be over a week late, but I'll try my best to provide a quick overview with pictures.
Friday 5th August: Picked up in Jackson's dad's taxi to be taken to the airport. Sounds simple until you realise this is a Friday afternoon and we are travelling clockwise on the M25 towards one of the busiest airports in the southeast of England; consequently we are crawling through traffic for about 90 minutes, me internally panicking that we'll miss our flight. This is all in vain when we arrive and learn our flight was 'overbooked', meaning we won't be flying at our intended time anyway. Cue my frustrated tears. After much waiting and some magic talk from Jackson (I still don't know his secret), we get booked onto the next flight at 3.55pm AND compensated £105 each for the inconvenience. We even got boarded first - after some delays due to the plane experiencing turbulence on the way in - because Jackson volunteered to have his bag put in hold luggage. Only when we were successfully seated and moving was I truly happy; it meant our holiday had begun. Due to delays, we didn't reach

Hotel Arena Reception

Amsterdam until around half 6pm, and even then we had to trek about 40 minutes across the city to the southeast to find our hotel. After a few wrong turns, we came across a bizarre wooden tunnel flanked by a wheelbarrow with some potted plants in it, and just beyond, the facade of a grand building. This was the Hotel Arena, undergoing renovation, and our new home for the next five days. Inside certainly lived up to my expectations, all wooden banistered staircases, curtains, and dim yet cosy lighting. The room was the polar opposite, though no less impressive: airy, white, and open, with a huge bed, swivel television, room service, and a black glass walled bathroom. We took advantage of room service that night, though I was made to regret the choice of a tuna burger which came with seaweed and wasabi....at least the chips made up for it.

Stoner Kitty

Next day, Saturday 6th, we were ready to explore the city once more. Gay Pride was going on that weekend so it was pretty busy. Met up with Anthony, one of Jackson's workmates, who happened to be staying in Amsterdam at the same time and we chatted in a coffeeshop (one of the many in Amsterdam - anyone familiar with the place will know what I mean) which had a resident cat. He was high as a kite! The four of us (including Ant's girlfriend, not the stoner cat) went to the Amsterdam Dungeons around half 4. It was significantly more interesting (and just the teeniest bit scarier) than the London Dungeons, partly because it was history I didn't know. We parted from them afterward with the intention of meeting up again but Jackson's phone died so we lost communication, got stuck in a huge crowd of Pride partygoers, and eventually left for Pasta Pasta, a unique little pasta shop in the centre of the city. We didn't get back to the hotel until about half 10 that night, but it allowed for some spectacular views of the Red Light District all lit up - the 'ladies of the night' in white lingerie, glowing under UV lighting - and the Walter Suskind Bridge with its lights on (which I mistook for the iconic Magere Brug.

Walter Suskind Bridge

Sunday 7th was a much more lazy day as we stayed in watching MTV and Comedy Central all morning and afternoon until around 3pm when we finally tore ourselves away from another episode of Catfish to get some Chinese food for dinner at Wagamama. Chicken katsu curry and gyoza were our choice, and then later we hunted down one of the many sweet treats shops selling heavily glazed waffles, donuts, crepes, macaroons and ice cream. I had a donut which was genuinely the best I'd ever had! As we hadn't made any other plans for the day, I suggested we wander down towards the southwest corner, but in doing so I managed to twist my ankle doing what I always do on holiday: not watching my step. Suffice to say, after a rest in the hopes that it isn't too bad - which it kind of was - we head back to the hotel for an early evening, taking advantage of room service again and ordering some chips to see us through.

Amsterdam Awaits

So this is it. Last night at home for a few days because tomorrow afternoon, I am off to Amsterdam - a surprisingly popular place with many people I know recently, including one person who is even jetting off the same day as me!
Today itself has been a pretty easy one, made even more enjoyable by spending a small part of it with Jackson, who I will now be in constant company of for the next six days. I finished the majority of my packing tonight so now it's time to just get excited! There are a few differences this time: later flight, closer hotel to the city centre and station, earlier in the month than last year, and a different airline. I hope British Airways lives up to their reputation. 
Oh yes, I forgot to mention, me being the foodie and all, I made the most successful trifle I have ever made yesterday. The key I have found is use a little less water in the jelly and a little less milk in the custard.....or I just got lucky this time!
Anyway there are Dutch delights and a swanky hotel awaiting me so I best sign off for now. I'll be in Amsterdam this time tomorrow!

Stroking my Inner Neatfreak

So today I decided to organise my dad's entire CD collection. Judging by the word 'entire' you can probably guess it's pretty extensive, and also a mess. It absorbed me so much that I forgot I was hungry! But our shelves are much the better for it, and the inner neat freak thanked me for it.
In other news, Jackson's dear cat Splash has gone to the kitty box in the sky after one too many games with the cars *cries a little* 
Good news is it's only four more nights until the day the two of us jet off to Amsterdam. I'm sincerely hoping that my foot protection tactics work and I'm not forced to limit our city wanderings because of it. I am genuinely excited for this!
Also finished The Year of the Flood last night so now it's on to Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle. Not sure what to expect but I always liked Margaret Atwood so that was a treat despite how long it was. 
And that is all from me for now.
Tomorrow, an early start and a trip to the tip. Nice.

This is how we bowl

So, it's been awhile since I last wrote but then again I've been spending my evenings reading more than writing. 
My updates aren't exactly great though. The balls of my feet (particularly the left) are rebelling against me and potentially dooming any exploration of Amsterdam which is only a week away now. I've bought gel insoles though I can't say they're helping.....
Today has been fun with Jackson, despite everything. Played two games of bowling (both of which I won by luck and machine malfunctions giving me extra strikes) and a game of pool which I came closer to winning than I imagined I would. Bought some tasty ice cream from the gelato bar before heading home. Watched Zootopia later on and had Quorn burgers (yum), so yeh, I've enjoyed my day despite the foot pain. I hope it's somewhat improved in a week. This time next week we'll be there, relaxing in our hotel room.
I may well not write again until then so see you next month!

Recovery

So the hot weather we've been experiencing this last week might be over in a few days - it's already cooled a few degrees since yesterday. But my health is still being a bother. Got a painful sore throat Tuesday evening and it's still here (albeit a little less sore) now. Despite all of this, I'm finally getting down to sorting out packing lists and hotel/flight info and Euro exchange rates for my trip with Jackson to Amsterdam in just under 2 weeks! I am very excited to be going abroad once again and in the company of my wonderful boyfriend. Thanks to a cheap little guidebook I picked up from WHSmiths, we'll now have so much more to explore!
My sister has had HER boyfriend down from Stourbridge and he's been staying these few days. We had a ridiculous laugh playing Little Big Planet on the PS3, covering our pad and each other in stickers! 
Oh and the Pokemon GO craze really is sweeping the nation (and the world) as, while walking with Jackson in his neighbourhood yesterday, it was impossible to miss the many people on their phones, chatting about the many wonderful creatures they'd found. I, however, have not caved for the craze, probably because I never had much interest in Pokemon to begin with.
Anyway that's all for now. I'm hoping to organise a picnic with Jackson and Eloise in Greenwich next week (Monday possibly, I'm not sure yet). 
Until then, Bye!

The 'Heat' Goes On

Well I am currently still melting in the midst of an overly hot summer even which may make sleep a lot harder than usual. But I have a victory in the shape of no sunburn having wandered the streets of Hastings for a few hours in the heat of the day. 
Tomorrow sees the arrival of my giraffe-height sister's equally towering boyfriend who will be staying until the weekend. There is a good half a foot's difference between us!
Also I've now officially started The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood and it's my kind of story to be sure (as Atwood always was).

In the Summer Heat

Oh my, it has been - and continues to be - a sweltering two days, with the mercury hitting nearly 40 Celsius/100 Fahrenheit. I've been in and out of the sun all this time helping my dad to organise our shed, hanging out laundry and such, but the heat is constant no matter where you go. Lying in my room right now, i may as well be in a bread oven, the stifling evening coaxing me to rise like dough. Unfortunately the only thing rising is my core body temperature and the sweat to my skin. I've polished off Austen's Persuasion and next up is Atwood's The Day of the Flood, another thick volume, this time for the apocalypse module. 
My culinary prowess has also been put to the test when I pulled off a perfect tiramisu, and then a turkey lasagne today (using leftover roast turkey from Sunday). 
Tomorrow sees me and the family going back to Hastings for a little shopping, a moderate amount of sea, and a high volume of sunshine. Better pack the sun lotion and shades, it's gonna be a scorcher!
Oh I may have forgot to mention the meal out to Pizza Express with my sister and a few of her old friends. That was an enjoyable affair as I knew them all well enough and we all had a laugh over pizza, calamari and dough balls - and then milkshakes, waffles and crepes in nearby ice cream parlour Creams (one of three in our town thanks to the recent cinema opening).

I travel far for love

I have returned after a long day exploring and exploiting the wonders of Uxbridge. Had to get up at ridiculous o'clock - being 6am - in order to catch a bus at half 8. But by 10, having taken one train and two tubes (that being the London Underground to those unfamiliar with the name), I arrived in fashionable (is it?) Uxbridge. Once I'd addressed the call of nature - a universal problem faced by all on long journeys - I found the shop Jackson was working in (the one he had been relocated to during the Bromley branch refit) and he was obviously surprised to see me. This was lessened only by my ineptitude at springing surprises as I had alluded to such a thing only an hour or so before my arrival. Needless to say, my presence throughout the day was immensely appreciated as I disappeared off to shop from 10.30 til 1.30 but came back now and then. 
I found the nearby Pavillions Shopping Centre to be akin to the smaller centre nearby to Westfield Stratford (if anyone has been to either, they will know what I mean) - smaller and less equipped with bigger chain stores.
However I wished so much that I'd stayed out all day because returning home didn't allow the happy feeling to continue - and I fear tomorrow may prove likewise. 
For now, goodnight.

A Love for the Rugged Beauty

It has been a lazy day today, such as an invalid like myself is bound to take. Finished watching the other three parts to Jane Eyre (most beautiful til the very end). There is no argument that the two main actors were perfectly chosen. I felt like dredging up my old Harry Potter fan fiction after that but didn't get far. The day dulled from there onward.
Tomorrow evening, my sister has arranged a meal out with some friends so I'll be joining them but the main concern is organising a trip to Thorpe Park next week (praying my health improves in time).
Sorry for such a short and nondescript entry. I will admit of feeling the desire to write again though when and what is another matter.

Another Weak[ling] Down

Okay apologies, it's been just over a week since I last wrote but that's only because not a lot has happened, or rather I haven't had the time to get whatever has happened committed to the page (which, in hindsight, are two completely different things). Regardless, with a little free time this evening I can highlight a few things.
I am ill at the moment, a mild chest infection most likely which seems to be making its rounds through the general populace. 
Jackson is better after his initial illness (which I may or may not have mentioned in my last entry). He will be working in the Uxbridge branch of Menkind for at least the next four days. May still drop in on him if I get the chance. 
I have finished course book #2 Cormac MacCarthy's The Road. Very simple yet unique and sad. Onto #3 Austen's Persuasion (already 20+ pages in).
My sister comes back from a short stay with her boyfriend tomorrow. 
I have hardly a clue what I'm up to for the foreseeable future until Amsterdam. Which is about 3 weeks away now. Will need to draw up my packing list and get my Euros soon. So exciting!
Just got to get through as much of my reading as possible now, shake this cough, and enjoy my holiday more.
Tomorrow....Lord knows.
Maybe catch up on another part of the BBC series of Jane Eyre (by far the better rendition than the new movie).

Plenty of SLC (Surprise Love and Care)

I usually start by saying 'I apologise' for the break between entries but to be honest I don't need to. Not much of interest has happened OR I have been unable to find the time to make an entry. Regardless, I am here now.

Saturday was an engaging day, however, at least the evening was when I got dressed up for the birthday meal of my boyfriend's brother. Said boyfriend had sadly [and comically] lost his voice so it was really husky and deep (not the sexy kind though). The restaurant we went to was one of about 4 or 5 new food places opened in Queens Park, Bromley, called Project Pie, a build-your-own pizza joint that knows how to make pizza right. Thin, crispy, and with just the right amount of toppings - dependent on how much you ask for.

Today was an unexpected outing in that Jackson got worse and had to take a day off work. Me being me, and fond of surprises, I decided to drop in and make him feel better. This was achieved after a combined length of 1 1/2 hrs walking and bus riding, but always worth it in the end. I bought him some bananas, a huge bottle of Lucozade, and some cough sweets to aid his recovery.

How the rest of my week will pan out is a bit of a mystery. I'm going shopping with my sister tomorrow, however, so that's a start.