Final semester? Bring it!

How is it that I end up here when I'm desperately trying to think of things to do other than the report I have to submit in 13 hours? Ah well, I'm overdue an update.

I've been back at uni for 2 weeks now, have my expectations been met?

We have done a lot of rehearsing. 6 of the days were full from 10am till 6pm of dancing, singing, blocking and acting. Most of the time it was a combination of 2 or 3 of those things. My throat is sore, my feet are tired and my back aches but it has been so rewarding watching the show develop. We've been able to practise all the songs, choreograph then for even the most challenged of dancers (yep that's me), block all the scenes and run through both acts putting most of the components together. It's good to know that with the show in 15 days, we're on track.

The rehearsal days have given me huge bouts of human interaction however they were spaced at the beginning and the end of the 2 weeks and in between them, I can count the number of people I saw and know on 2 hands. Well, 1 hand and 1 finger. I'm a social butterfly me!

What else did I expect? Oh yes the weather! Well we are technically in a drought right now but at this moment, water if flooding down the path outside my room, there has been 2.2 inches of rainfall in my area and precipitation is up 166% from normal April weather. Some drought.

My Northern accent hasn't been called into question at all- a very pleasant surprise. The kitchen was not a pleasant surprise however. 2 tables covered full of dirty washing up. Some of it had been there since before the holiday by the looks of the furry mould growing inside a couple of mugs and bowls.

As for evening plans... the first week was quiet. There were post-rehearsal events but we were always so worn that going was a drag. We forced ourselves out for a flat meal at Pizza Express which, despite some very odd conversation topics, was a lovely evening. The thirty strong cast ran up a spine chilling bill and filled the restaurant with chatter. So much so that when it became time to leave, I was shocked to discover the place was empty bar our party. We were the life and soul of that place! But I'm not sure the waiters felt that way having to navigate our incredibly long-winded payment system.

On the final night the director and musical director, who conveniently live next door to each other, hosted a BBQ. As women, Emily and myself were banned from assisting with putting up the gazebo or lighting the BBQ so we settle for standing just in the way, watching and giving direction. Fastest person to put up at tent on D of E practise, just going to say. Watching the 'men' struggle was far more fun though and, just as the sun went down, it was declared that we had smouldering coals and could begin cooking. By this point I'd devoured all my food that didn't need cooking and was just huddling around the BBQ for heat and good conversation, not to forget the game of giant jenga.

The rubbish fresher that I am, by 10pm I was shattered and Emily and I headed home. A few hours later I was joined by my friend... shivering, as I initially thought from cold and alcohol. It transpired not long after that the violent shaking was a result of his feverish condition. My flu ridden friend was going nowhere in his state so he stayed and had the very best treatment (don't mind if I do) until I deemed him well enough to walk home 2 days later.

The next week was rather quiet, the occasional meetings with friends and refusing to hit the gym with my flatmate. We took our friend one night to a cocktail bar where they have live music for a casual drink one evening and then 2 days later planned to go out again. After 2 weeks of no alcohol, my body was not prepared for the half bottle of wine and multiple shots I ingested at pre-drinks. I went to bed earlier than my sober friends that night!

So all in all, only a few nights out but all of them eventful and enjoyable. Now bring on working until the crack of dawn until June 12th, my last exam. See you there!

Coffee with a Friend

My friend went home. One of my closest friends who I've known for over 7 years being around at uni, being in my room when I came home from lectures, chatting to my friends and learning all about my new life made it so much more prevalent when she left quite how different my here relationships with friends are.

We managed to talk all day for one of the days, there was never a gap as we filled each other in on our lives but the next day, we were happy just to sit in silence. We traded a few words but we didn't need to talk, just being around someone you know so well is such a filling feeling. It reminds you that you're not alone, these people will always be there for you.

And one of the things that is so different between us compared to the people I currently live with, platitudes. I can make my friends here a cup of tea but it comes laden with so many thank yous and return offers that its value as a gift is diminished. It feels like a transaction. My friend was happy to wake up one morning with a bad headache, roll over and ask me to fetch her a sock filled with peas. She was happy to ask for my help and to let me coddle her without trying to out-do me in the competition of favours. I love that comfort, that level of closeness that doesn't need to verbally acknowledge every favour, it knows it's freely given and understands that repayment needn't be immediate or equal in a materialistic value but that it is coming, even though it is entirely not needed.

Today's coffee with a friend has been one of those coffees where I phone you in the morning and say, hey, lets get coffee today because we haven't been out in ages, but really I have an ulterior motive and want to talk my thoughts through with you and coffee seemed the best way to get at you.

So, sorry for offloading on you, but aren't you glad I chose you?

Coffee with a Friend

My friend from home is coming to stay with me for a few days next week! The original plan was for her to stay this week but a torn hamstring on her end and the snow on my end meant we delayed it for a week but no matter, she's coming soon!

So, as we'll be having an epic catch up session over a few days and nights I thought I'd post another few things about myself.

 

1. Today I went to Body Balance, a class my gym offers. It is a combination of tai chi, yoga and pilates with an abdominals track in the middle that affords the only real exercise in the class, the rest is just stretching which I love. I have to admit I get a real kick out of being able to do all the advanced poses. Then again, over half the class is middle aged men and women, they probably curse the flexible, uni students who fill up the rest of the spaces.
2. Soft furnishings are my vice. If I'm out shopping and see pillows or accessories that would match my room, I'll have them. My room is an extension of one of the aspects of me; it represents the calm, focused me who is quietly in control and not raging against all the confusion and uncertainty I feel. The bed  has copious pillows, there are a chain of paper cranes hanging along the wall, the shelf is edged in felt flowers, three sets of fairy lights cast a warm glow and a butterfly mural covers one wall.



This is the butterfly mural in my room at home, it's now on a murky purple wall

3. The last one leads nicely into this: there are a few different 'versions' of me. Facets is probably a better word as I don't mean it in a schizophrenic or multiple personality disorder way, I just mean that at different times, I am different. Aren't we all. Around certain friends we act one way, around others we are slightly different, to our colleagues we present an other aspect and to our love interest, well that's a dilema. You can't change too much because they'll soon see something contrary but do you really want them to see you? I'm actually a big believer that all of the people you present should be very close to the truth and I thats how I try to act. Do I succeed? I know that I rarely lie and to me that's what matters.

So, maybe you learnt something new, certainly you now have a picture of my room. Don't try to over analyse the way I behave, I'm fairly straight forward. At least I try to be.

Coffee with a friend

 

Today, for the first time in far too long, I had a skype call with my best friend. 

Oweing to the fact she lives over 100 miles away, we can't just arrange to meet up for a coffee, or go shopping, or pop round for dinner at very short notice, everything we do is planned well in advance. Not to mention that both of our schedules are wont to change at the last minute means that our chats are few and far between. It also means they're rather long as we have so much to catch up on and we absolutely treasure out time talking.

So I was thinking, if I were to go to coffee with someone for the first time, what would I tell them about me?

1. I'm studying psychology at uni. I have no idea what I want to do with my future, all I know right now is that I really enjoy the biology side, good as that exam is on Thursday, and I can't stand writing essays. I'm not too fussed about the future right now, I guess I'll just see where I end up. But talk to me this time next year and I'll be out of my mind with stress trying to get a placement.
2. My biggest fear is of wasps, I absolutely loath the skinny, noisy, sly creatures. They look so vengeful to me, my heart can't help but race when they're nearby.
3. I love having matching sets of underwear. You know that no matter what happens to you, the day will be excallent so long as your knickers match your bra. Its a little luxury that makes a huge difference. It was my love of nice underwear that made me ok with my next piece.
4. In the last drama production I did, I had to sing my song wearing only my underwear. I walked onstage wearing a robe, during the intro took it off and then sang, I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but on the second night it dawned on me- it wasn't only the audience who were seeing me like that! The audience were a sea of unfamiliar faces who I would never have contact with again. It was the cast, watching from the balcony who I would continue to see, week in, week out at rehearsals and socials and had all now seen me, lumps, bumps and all, under the illuminating spotlights.

Intriguing huh?
On a related note, I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop this week and my aprehension was much lower. Smells like success!