Today I trekked all the way across London in search of IKEA. Luckily Neasden was on the Jubilee Line so there were no changes once I got to London Bridge and only a relatively small (though slightly wet) walk from the station when I arrived there. Inside, I browsed the showrooms (mentally planning as ever, the layout of future rooms in future homes) and the Market Place, ate meatballs, chips and gravy in the restaurant, went on a nervous rug hunt and eventually selected some objects for the buying. These were, as follows: a pink and red heart rag-rug, a back-up alarm clock, as I have limited mobile phone trust, coat hangers, cutlery, plates and a bowl, two chemistry-beaker shaped vases and from the Food Shop a packet of Snowballs, two sachets of gravy mix and some Ballerina biscuits ♥.
From IKEA I took the tube to Piccadilly Circus and walked to the bookstore mile on Charing Cross Road. I then set about using up some of my many, many book vouchers in the nearest Foyles and pacifying the fear that Waterstones, etc. will shut down or begin rejecting tokens. I bought four books in total; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Six Other Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald, To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (course book), Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy (course book) and Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes. That coming to twenty-six pound something I now have, oh, I don't know, only fifty pounds worth left?
I concluded my day with a trip to Cineworld, - IKEA goodies in tow and looking like a bag lady - where I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire. I had heard so many good things about it that I was prepared for disappointment, but it was actually worth every nice word. It had its dark moments, but all in all it was a lovely tale, with a true Bollywood happy ending. Oh, and never leave your shoes unattended at the Taj Mahal!
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Sunday 25 January 2009
Dydd Santes Dwynwen
"St Dwynwen's day is celebrated in Wales on 25 January and commemorates the patron saint of friendship and love.
Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and was, by all accounts, one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog's 24 daughters. The story goes that Dwynwen fell in love with one Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should wed another. Maelon was so outraged that he raped Dwynwen and left her. In her grief Dwynwen fled to the woods, where she begged God to make her forget Maelon. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice. God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. First she wished that Maelon be thawed; second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life." (Source)
Dydd Santes Dwynwen hapus. Cariad mawr/ Happy Saint Dwynwen's Day. Big love♥.
Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and was, by all accounts, one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog's 24 daughters. The story goes that Dwynwen fell in love with one Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should wed another. Maelon was so outraged that he raped Dwynwen and left her. In her grief Dwynwen fled to the woods, where she begged God to make her forget Maelon. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice. God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. First she wished that Maelon be thawed; second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life." (Source)
Dydd Santes Dwynwen hapus. Cariad mawr/ Happy Saint Dwynwen's Day. Big love♥.
Saturday 24 January 2009
Tourism.
My legs and feet have been well and truly deadened by today's bout of extreme tourism. I took Charlotte and her boyfriend David on a sight-by-sight tour of London, as it was David's first visit to the capital and Charlotte and I thought it only right he be initiated in the ways of Big Ben and Tower Bridge. We started the day with some fresh cinnamon rolls and a horde of blue-clad Queen's Guardsmen, before whizzing from Piccadilly Circus-Chinatown-Leicester Square-Trafalgar Square-McDonald's-Whitehall-Waterloo-London Bridge-Tower Bridge-Buckingham Palace. Charlotte and I took to our role as tourists with great gusto, but David, I think, was less than enthused. Quote of the day: "Oh, so it's a bit like YouTube, but without the you"
Afterwards we went to the Science Museum, where I bought a super-cool set of bath crayons, and Hamleys. Then we took the train back to New Cross, where we bought and consumed a sumptuously unhealthy dinner and watched an episode of Scrubs over Ben and Jerry's ice-cream♥.
Afterwards we went to the Science Museum, where I bought a super-cool set of bath crayons, and Hamleys. Then we took the train back to New Cross, where we bought and consumed a sumptuously unhealthy dinner and watched an episode of Scrubs over Ben and Jerry's ice-cream♥.
Wednesday 21 January 2009
The Reader.
Today I went on a Cineworld test-run, by way of Chinatown. It was a cold day, but sunny and bright, and red, Chinese lanterns danced gaily above me as I made my way around the Soho area. While there I browsed the shelves of the Chinese supermarkets in search of red envelopes and other New Year gifts. Unfortunately, I was drawn to and distracted by the colourful, E-number enhanced illustrations in the Japanese snack section, so my attempts at cultural celebration may come across as a bit confused.At one o'clock I took the Piccadilly and Central lines to Bank, in order to catch the DLR. There, to my great pleasure, I was able to sit in a front window seat, so the journey took on a somewhat monorail-like, roller-coaster expectant form. I watched the Reader, starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes. Based on the novel, Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink, the Reader explores the subjects passion, illiteracy and the Holocaust. Having read the Reader over the Christmas period I found the film an accurate and powerful adaptation of a simple, yet effective story. I have since heard that Kate Winslet won a Golden Globe for her performance as ex-prison guard Hanna Schmitz and rightly so.
Unfortunately, I am yet to watch my second choice, Slumdog Millionaire. I meant to return and watch it in the evening, but there was a two hour wait between films and I felt I needed time to digest one film before diving straight into another (and I hear Slumdog has its heart-breakingly sad moments too). Perhaps I will return on Friday after my auntie's lunch visit and view it then.
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Inauguration Day.
The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea... that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness. Today is 'Obama Day' and what an amazing, heart-warming day it has been. Truly, all eyes were on America as Barack Obama was sworn in as forty-fourth President of the United States and mine were no exception. The Students' Union opened its doors to Obama-mania at four o'clock, a large screen was prepared and free brownies handed out to the gathered spectators. By half four the room was heaving, yet the projector refused to work and we were forced to make do with a small screen in the corner of the bar. It was very hot and noisy and I stood on tiptoes as every tall person present made it their duty to stand in my way. In the run-up to the ceremony the air was static with excitement and expectations. We laughed and hissed when George Bush appeared on the screen and cheered wildly whenever Barack Obama was shown or mentioned. One boy stood with the Stars and Stripes draped across his shoulders like a toga. Ah, the pantomime of American democracy. When the ceremony proper began the impact was immediate. The room, tightly packed with students though it was, fell silent as we waited and we watched and we listened. Obama's speech was some eighteen minutes long but we registered every word. When there was mention of change or peace or equality we clapped along with a million Americans thronging the lawns of National Mall in Washington DC. It was a momentous experience and a feeling pervaded that we were a part of something big, something historic. Barack Obama has a difficult road ahead of him today and he must walk it with the heavy burden of expectation. However, should trust be the means of lightening this weight, then the faith in the new President, as demonstrated today in America and around the world, will aid Obama well in his quest for change.
Monday 19 January 2009
Weekend.
The past few days have been spent in a combination of listless exhaustion, mini jobs and Jane Austen, and a sprinkling of social shindigs.
On Friday, following an interesting seminar in which Jenny, Lucy and I dissected Moulin Rouge! songs in an attempt to uncover poetic leanings, I spent the afternoon engaging with Emma Woodhouse and her wily ways and rediscovering sitcoms of the late 1990s on 4OD.
Saturday-day was spent in much the same fashion, but for the addition of evening plans. Although Jenny, Rick and I originally arranged to convene for food and drinks at Charing Cross, we ended up in the kitchen with a couple of bottles of wine, where we were joined by Aaron, Casie, Ronnie and our new flatmate Cecilia. We chatted, ate our way through Rick's last bag of McCoy's crisps and a garlic bread loaf and listened to the noises emitting from Aaron's laptop as he tried single-handedly to bring back the computer game Abe's Odyssey. Later we relocated upstairs to F4, where I made Sally proud by beating both Casie and Ronnie in a heated game of Spit.
Sunday hailed the best meal I've had since returning to London in the form of Casie and Ronnie's delicious roast dinner. I wouldn't be lying if I said that there was more food on offer than Christmas Dinner itself, as we gorged our way through a large chicken, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing balls, cauliflower and cheese and much, much more besides. Afterwards, feeling substantially fatter for the experience, we watched Serpico and So I Married an Axe Murderer on Rick's new projector and finished the evening with chocolate gateau and rosé wine. ♥.
Tonight the plan was to go to the Ministry of Sound for a rare night-out, but having just returned from my 5 o'clock seminar and with the prospect of double lectures tomorrow, I'd like nothing better than to make myself some chicken lasagna with chips and read through some Creative Writing papers, then turn up the heating, turn on the Scrubs and retire to bed for the night. And yes, duly noted, I can be such an old person when I want to be.
On Friday, following an interesting seminar in which Jenny, Lucy and I dissected Moulin Rouge! songs in an attempt to uncover poetic leanings, I spent the afternoon engaging with Emma Woodhouse and her wily ways and rediscovering sitcoms of the late 1990s on 4OD.
Saturday-day was spent in much the same fashion, but for the addition of evening plans. Although Jenny, Rick and I originally arranged to convene for food and drinks at Charing Cross, we ended up in the kitchen with a couple of bottles of wine, where we were joined by Aaron, Casie, Ronnie and our new flatmate Cecilia. We chatted, ate our way through Rick's last bag of McCoy's crisps and a garlic bread loaf and listened to the noises emitting from Aaron's laptop as he tried single-handedly to bring back the computer game Abe's Odyssey. Later we relocated upstairs to F4, where I made Sally proud by beating both Casie and Ronnie in a heated game of Spit.
Sunday hailed the best meal I've had since returning to London in the form of Casie and Ronnie's delicious roast dinner. I wouldn't be lying if I said that there was more food on offer than Christmas Dinner itself, as we gorged our way through a large chicken, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing balls, cauliflower and cheese and much, much more besides. Afterwards, feeling substantially fatter for the experience, we watched Serpico and So I Married an Axe Murderer on Rick's new projector and finished the evening with chocolate gateau and rosé wine. ♥.
Tonight the plan was to go to the Ministry of Sound for a rare night-out, but having just returned from my 5 o'clock seminar and with the prospect of double lectures tomorrow, I'd like nothing better than to make myself some chicken lasagna with chips and read through some Creative Writing papers, then turn up the heating, turn on the Scrubs and retire to bed for the night. And yes, duly noted, I can be such an old person when I want to be.
Saturday 17 January 2009
Christmas Time.
PART TWO.
Boxing Day was Boxing Day. Relaxing, exploring one's Christmas presents, more festive television and physical activity, if possible. We went to Llanfairfechan after lunch and walked with Cleo along the sea-front. It was truly beautiful and I commented that this was the kind of all-encompassing natural beauty that you just don't find in a big city like London. In the evening there was Scrabble before my auntie left, twiglets and Christmas cake, old films and Wallace and Gromit and coloured stickers in our new 1001 books.
After Christmas we went to County Durham for a few days. For the first time in years, to the disappointment of Josh and I, we did not go to the sales at the Metro Centre (my dad took offense that there would no longer be a Woolworths Sale), but instead we spent an hour or so in the Tescos Extra in Durham. Not quite the same experience, but they did have some cheap books and DVDs and the cheesy crisps Gran had been searching the country for! The following day we drove to see family in North Yorkshire, where there was a blazing fire, mince pies and a further exchange of presents. Did I mention I love Christmas?
We left for home the next day, which was sad as it meant both goodbyes and the sensation that the holidays were drawing to a close. Once home I did the following and much more besides (can you tell that I'm condensing now?): Hannah's house for Doritos and Batman, a cozy New Years Eve at Charlotte's house (Singstar, CTR, Mars Bar mousse, champagne, wish fireworks and Family Fortunes), Pub Quiz on New Year's Day (we were fourth! Out of four teams *ahem*), the waxings and wanings of a Murder Mystery party, Pizza Hut and Enchanted on my dad's last night, Kramer vs. Kramer and Terry's Chocolate Orange (♥), a long-awaited haircut, pasta and Benjamin Button at Hannah's house, Chester and Australia, Liverpool and Pub Quiz, a last CTR-night with Vicente, Harry and Charlotte, Family Fun Day and card-making at Venue Cymru and a less than successful 'last night out'.
It was a hectically happy four weeks, a long time in the coming, but over in a minute when it finally arrived. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends again, profusely and all I can say now is: Roll on Easter!
Boxing Day was Boxing Day. Relaxing, exploring one's Christmas presents, more festive television and physical activity, if possible. We went to Llanfairfechan after lunch and walked with Cleo along the sea-front. It was truly beautiful and I commented that this was the kind of all-encompassing natural beauty that you just don't find in a big city like London. In the evening there was Scrabble before my auntie left, twiglets and Christmas cake, old films and Wallace and Gromit and coloured stickers in our new 1001 books.
After Christmas we went to County Durham for a few days. For the first time in years, to the disappointment of Josh and I, we did not go to the sales at the Metro Centre (my dad took offense that there would no longer be a Woolworths Sale), but instead we spent an hour or so in the Tescos Extra in Durham. Not quite the same experience, but they did have some cheap books and DVDs and the cheesy crisps Gran had been searching the country for! The following day we drove to see family in North Yorkshire, where there was a blazing fire, mince pies and a further exchange of presents. Did I mention I love Christmas?
We left for home the next day, which was sad as it meant both goodbyes and the sensation that the holidays were drawing to a close. Once home I did the following and much more besides (can you tell that I'm condensing now?): Hannah's house for Doritos and Batman, a cozy New Years Eve at Charlotte's house (Singstar, CTR, Mars Bar mousse, champagne, wish fireworks and Family Fortunes), Pub Quiz on New Year's Day (we were fourth! Out of four teams *ahem*), the waxings and wanings of a Murder Mystery party, Pizza Hut and Enchanted on my dad's last night, Kramer vs. Kramer and Terry's Chocolate Orange (♥), a long-awaited haircut, pasta and Benjamin Button at Hannah's house, Chester and Australia, Liverpool and Pub Quiz, a last CTR-night with Vicente, Harry and Charlotte, Family Fun Day and card-making at Venue Cymru and a less than successful 'last night out'.
It was a hectically happy four weeks, a long time in the coming, but over in a minute when it finally arrived. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends again, profusely and all I can say now is: Roll on Easter!
Christmas Holidays.
PART ONE.
It seems I neglected this blog somewhat over the Christmas period, so while the festivities remain fresh in my mind I thought it best to record them. WARNING: a wordy post if ever there was one:
I arrived home on December 12 by way of Oxford, my auntie and the Les Miserables soundtrack. At first it was very surreal and peculiar. I hadn't been home in twelve long weeks and while nothing had changed in my absence, the house seemed warmer, brighter and more homely than ever. I spent much of the first night wandering from room to room, enjoying the freedom and noting that each activity had its place within the house, rather than within one confined space. I spent the first few days in a similar adjusting state. I enjoyed the comforts of my own bed, I took a long hot bath, I watched TV and I made the most of any home-cooking on offer. With over a week until schools dispersed for the Christmas holidays, I 'made the most' of my free time and for a while I did little but lounge.
Soon however, there was plenty to do. One night I caught up with Charlotte, Harry and my friend Vicente who is taking a gap year before starting University. We chatted, watched a particularly amusing addition of University Challenge (Sociology face guy!) and, as usual, played Crash Team Racing.
On the Thursday I went to a Christmas tea party at Vicki's house. We ate tiny ham sandwiches with the crusts cut off, mince pies, star-shaped hula-hoops and Vicki's homemade snowman cakes. In the evening I went to a Mediterranean restaurant in Llandudno with my former lit class (Elite♥). It was a gradual collection of people, but eventually everyone arrived, bar Suzi and Kim who were still at University. The biggest shock of the evening was Will's stick-thin appearance. It looked as if he hadn't eaten in months and we were speechless when we saw him. Soon however we reverted to our usual merry selves, recounting stories from the past three months and partaking in a bit of local driving, with some hilarious consequences.
I went to the European Market in Manchester on the Friday, where my mum and I wandered about the little wooden stalls, sampling fudge, woolly hats, German teacakes, gluhwein, cheese and crepes. When the market shut at 9 o'clock we drove to the Trafford Centre for an hour or so, where we continued our food-tasting with Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Selfridges. Then we returned to the city centre to collect Josh and friend from their Biffy Clyro concert.
Late night and tiring drive home regardless, we were forced to set out again early the following morning and return to Manchester, where we collected my dad from the airport. It was another happy reunion and we enjoyed a day of catch-up and shopping in nearby Chester.
The following week signalled the true lead-up to Christmas day and as ever it was an action-packed few days. On Monday evening I went for a Chinese meal at Jasmine House in Llandudno, where we succeeded in squeezing seventeen people around a table set for twelve. Afterwards Hannah, Vicki and I drove to the West End where we set about collecting a sleeping Gaz. Once acquired we took to the sights and supermarkets of North Wales with a camera, a car and a small, plastic Wall-E! The next day and the next were dedicated to last-minute shopping, inflatable Christmas presents, wrapping paper, my Gran and profiterole sundaes in BHS. Oh and of course there was the mandatory Santa and sing-along in Conwy on Christmas Eve. Charlotte and I will never change.
Christmas Day shone bright and early, as usual, with impatient family members shooing me from my bed! It was a lovely day with all the regular occurrences and then some. We opened presents, ate twiglets for breakfast (that one was just me :D), dressed in warm, Christmassy garb (reindeer socks, robin pants!), ate a delicious Christmas dinner (turkey! duck! sausages! roast potatoes!), played festive tunes with the whistles and songbook from our crackers, opened more presents, watched some Christmas television (Doctor Who and Wallace and Gromit♥) and eventually, as Boxing Day approached, we went to bed. Some of my favourite presents included: IT Crowd boxset, a book of 1001 Days that Changed the World, fleecy lady-bird socks, egg-shell egg cup, Sparrowkids make-your-own bag kit, writing paper, a box of handmade thank-you cards, David and Goliath t-shirts from Harry, Disney Singstar from Charlotte, framed Monty Python drawings from Hannah, Santa hat hair clip from Vicki (!), crocodile clip clock. Okay, I liked them all♥.
It seems I neglected this blog somewhat over the Christmas period, so while the festivities remain fresh in my mind I thought it best to record them. WARNING: a wordy post if ever there was one:
I arrived home on December 12 by way of Oxford, my auntie and the Les Miserables soundtrack. At first it was very surreal and peculiar. I hadn't been home in twelve long weeks and while nothing had changed in my absence, the house seemed warmer, brighter and more homely than ever. I spent much of the first night wandering from room to room, enjoying the freedom and noting that each activity had its place within the house, rather than within one confined space. I spent the first few days in a similar adjusting state. I enjoyed the comforts of my own bed, I took a long hot bath, I watched TV and I made the most of any home-cooking on offer. With over a week until schools dispersed for the Christmas holidays, I 'made the most' of my free time and for a while I did little but lounge.
Soon however, there was plenty to do. One night I caught up with Charlotte, Harry and my friend Vicente who is taking a gap year before starting University. We chatted, watched a particularly amusing addition of University Challenge (Sociology face guy!) and, as usual, played Crash Team Racing.
On the Thursday I went to a Christmas tea party at Vicki's house. We ate tiny ham sandwiches with the crusts cut off, mince pies, star-shaped hula-hoops and Vicki's homemade snowman cakes. In the evening I went to a Mediterranean restaurant in Llandudno with my former lit class (Elite♥). It was a gradual collection of people, but eventually everyone arrived, bar Suzi and Kim who were still at University. The biggest shock of the evening was Will's stick-thin appearance. It looked as if he hadn't eaten in months and we were speechless when we saw him. Soon however we reverted to our usual merry selves, recounting stories from the past three months and partaking in a bit of local driving, with some hilarious consequences.
I went to the European Market in Manchester on the Friday, where my mum and I wandered about the little wooden stalls, sampling fudge, woolly hats, German teacakes, gluhwein, cheese and crepes. When the market shut at 9 o'clock we drove to the Trafford Centre for an hour or so, where we continued our food-tasting with Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Selfridges. Then we returned to the city centre to collect Josh and friend from their Biffy Clyro concert.
Late night and tiring drive home regardless, we were forced to set out again early the following morning and return to Manchester, where we collected my dad from the airport. It was another happy reunion and we enjoyed a day of catch-up and shopping in nearby Chester.
The following week signalled the true lead-up to Christmas day and as ever it was an action-packed few days. On Monday evening I went for a Chinese meal at Jasmine House in Llandudno, where we succeeded in squeezing seventeen people around a table set for twelve. Afterwards Hannah, Vicki and I drove to the West End where we set about collecting a sleeping Gaz. Once acquired we took to the sights and supermarkets of North Wales with a camera, a car and a small, plastic Wall-E! The next day and the next were dedicated to last-minute shopping, inflatable Christmas presents, wrapping paper, my Gran and profiterole sundaes in BHS. Oh and of course there was the mandatory Santa and sing-along in Conwy on Christmas Eve. Charlotte and I will never change.
Christmas Day shone bright and early, as usual, with impatient family members shooing me from my bed! It was a lovely day with all the regular occurrences and then some. We opened presents, ate twiglets for breakfast (that one was just me :D), dressed in warm, Christmassy garb (reindeer socks, robin pants!), ate a delicious Christmas dinner (turkey! duck! sausages! roast potatoes!), played festive tunes with the whistles and songbook from our crackers, opened more presents, watched some Christmas television (Doctor Who and Wallace and Gromit♥) and eventually, as Boxing Day approached, we went to bed. Some of my favourite presents included: IT Crowd boxset, a book of 1001 Days that Changed the World, fleecy lady-bird socks, egg-shell egg cup, Sparrowkids make-your-own bag kit, writing paper, a box of handmade thank-you cards, David and Goliath t-shirts from Harry, Disney Singstar from Charlotte, framed Monty Python drawings from Hannah, Santa hat hair clip from Vicki (!), crocodile clip clock. Okay, I liked them all♥.
Thursday 15 January 2009
Cineworld & Cinnabon.
Yesterday I took to the Whittards of London (five in total) in search of some brightly coloured plates for my mum. (I found them straight away, but shh, don't tell, it's her birthday in February). Among other things I bought Son of Rambow for £5 and found some cute little shops on Carnaby Street that could do with further exploring.
Commencing my usual routine of all-day Travelcard at New Cross Gate, £5.60, train to London Bridge, tube into Central London, shops and then back to New Cross via. Sainsbury's was most unusual. Both habitual and novel at the same time and at times I felt as new to it all as I did at the beginning of the autumn term (but with a better knowledge of the London Underground and its various lines and stations). I suppose it all comes down to the process of re-adjusting. For example, I've noticed already that I rely on the Internet here a lot more than I did at home and my eating and sleeping habits have already returned to gastronomical/ nocturnal sludge.
Today my plans consist of the following: take the DLR to West India Quay and find a Cineworld. Inquire about Unlimited Cards and purchase one if possible. Perhaps watch a film, Slumdog Millionaire or the Reader? Take the tube into Central London and find a birthday present for Gemma. Buy some cinnamon rolls from the Cinnabon at Piccadilly Circus? Write some letters. Write Gemma's birthday card and wrap her presents. Cook some food. Read some Jane Austen. Get back into a normal sleeping pattern.
Alternatively, I'll find upon arriving in West India Quay that the only way to apply is online and that it takes several days to process, etc. and that will be the end of my well-intended Cineworld schemings for the time being.
Commencing my usual routine of all-day Travelcard at New Cross Gate, £5.60, train to London Bridge, tube into Central London, shops and then back to New Cross via. Sainsbury's was most unusual. Both habitual and novel at the same time and at times I felt as new to it all as I did at the beginning of the autumn term (but with a better knowledge of the London Underground and its various lines and stations). I suppose it all comes down to the process of re-adjusting. For example, I've noticed already that I rely on the Internet here a lot more than I did at home and my eating and sleeping habits have already returned to gastronomical/ nocturnal sludge.
Today my plans consist of the following: take the DLR to West India Quay and find a Cineworld. Inquire about Unlimited Cards and purchase one if possible. Perhaps watch a film, Slumdog Millionaire or the Reader? Take the tube into Central London and find a birthday present for Gemma. Buy some cinnamon rolls from the Cinnabon at Piccadilly Circus? Write some letters. Write Gemma's birthday card and wrap her presents. Cook some food. Read some Jane Austen. Get back into a normal sleeping pattern.
Alternatively, I'll find upon arriving in West India Quay that the only way to apply is online and that it takes several days to process, etc. and that will be the end of my well-intended Cineworld schemings for the time being.
Tuesday 13 January 2009
2009.
Happy Oh-Nine.
Following an arm-breaking journey across country from Chester, I am back in London and today marks the second day of the Spring Term. It seems appropriate to begin the semester as I mean to go on, so here are a few of my New Year's resolutions, some academic, some general and some overall and lifetime-y.
- Read all of my set texts on time, read for enjoyment, read poetry, join the library
- Write more, make notes in my writing journal, people-watch
- Be friendly and sociable
- Always see the good in things, be happy
- Draw more
- Paint
- Write letters, stay in touch
- Work on craft projects without goal or purpose
- Make things to sell
- Buy more fruit, eat healthily
- Go to Japan
- Learn Russian
- Travel around Europe by train
- Stop procrastinating
♥
(Oh, and speaking of good starts and the like, I got one of my last-minute essays back yesterday and miraculously I got a FIRST. Sadly, however, it was the only essay that doesn't actually count towards my final grade. Ah, so is life.)
Following an arm-breaking journey across country from Chester, I am back in London and today marks the second day of the Spring Term. It seems appropriate to begin the semester as I mean to go on, so here are a few of my New Year's resolutions, some academic, some general and some overall and lifetime-y.
- Read all of my set texts on time, read for enjoyment, read poetry, join the library
- Write more, make notes in my writing journal, people-watch
- Be friendly and sociable
- Always see the good in things, be happy
- Draw more
- Paint
- Write letters, stay in touch
- Work on craft projects without goal or purpose
- Make things to sell
- Buy more fruit, eat healthily
- Go to Japan
- Learn Russian
- Travel around Europe by train
- Stop procrastinating
♥
(Oh, and speaking of good starts and the like, I got one of my last-minute essays back yesterday and miraculously I got a FIRST. Sadly, however, it was the only essay that doesn't actually count towards my final grade. Ah, so is life.)
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