IT’S CHRISTMAAAAAAAAAAAAS

As Slade would say! So. We’re finally at the Christmas break but can I rest and have a good time? Well, yes I can but I also have an assignment due on the day I come back which means that University is never far away from me! I will just have to find the time to finish off my short story while I am gallivanting across England visiting the best friend, the family, the friends and the Devon family. The Devon family is just my father’s side, who all reside in farming country!

Tiverton - Devon

That’s right. This awkward city girl is awkward because she’s not from the city! Believe me, trying to acclimatise to life in London – the big city! – when you've come from a farm background it is so far from easy. It’s been an experience and one I relish but I will be so happy to run back to my home town, you have no idea. Not to say that living here hasn't been an experience because it has. London has so much to offer and Greenwich in particular is a lovely place to spend my time. It has enough greenery – the park is huge and wonderful and let’s not forget, it is the sight of HORSES come the Olympic Games! – and the people are friendly. Plus, it has that biggest added benefit of being the place where I spend a good portion of my time.

It might be a challenge to find my place here, I’m still searching and knowing me, I’ll find it just before I leave, but it’s a challenge that I take head on. As we swing by into Christmas and in all the festivities and love that I know awaits me, there will still be that part of me that misses my University, my classes and Greenwich.

Dreadnought Library in the snow

There will always be a part of me that will be happy to come back in January. Until then, I will definitely make sure to enjoy myself and immerse myself in the Christmas Spirit and the love of family and friends, and will see you on the other side!

 Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I have my first grade back.

It’s obviously time to knuckle down and actually start doing my work instead of putting it off and working so much. It was a bit disappointing but I found last year was the same – my first grade was disappointing so I worked that much harder in making them better and actually trying to achieve something. It wasn’t terrible, but it was bad enough that I was trying not to be overly disappointed in front of classmates and friends. I’m not sure I fooled anybody but lucky enough I could run to the toilets just after and hyperventilate for about ten minutes.

As you can tell, I don’t take disappointment well at all. Now I’m actually working hard at making something of my writing – I have another assignment due in a week and I’m positive I’m actually going to make this work! It will be the most amazing short story I have ever written and it will get me a good grade. I hope.

I can’t even think about Christmas or my birthday because right now, everything is UNI, UNI, UNI. I’m determined to get my grades and get through this year with at least a 2:1. I know I can do it, I just have to work at pushing myself.

That birthday I spoke about? Seemed to pass in a blur.  I never ask for anything and always feel bad about expensive presents because I feel like I have to reciprocate in a better way – just because I feel guilty about getting nice things! My best friend once took me to Ireland to see my favourite band play at the O2 in Dublin. I won’t mention who they are because it’s a little embarrassing. To return to my point because she did that for me, I decided I had to gift her something just as amazing; and therefore, decided a trip to Rome for a week was in order. It’s now at the point where we try and outdo each other – not for competition, simply because we feel guilty about the expense.

The obvious solution would be to draw a line underneath and start again. I think we've come to some agreement that as we’re both poor, struggling students we’re just going to have to go small! This year her idea of small was to buy me tickets to the Michael McIntyre Christmas Special at the Hammersmith Apollo. I am ridiculously excited but I am under orders to make sure ALL of my assignments are complete before I do so. It’s nice that she has her priorities in order!

That means I need to actually knuckle down and get things sorted because this weekend I’m being taken out for my birthday! It’s definitely going to be a packed week for me from now!

Birthdays are awesome – but they should never come before Uni work!