The Attack of the Cold!

So, the week so far has been unusual to say the least.

Saturday night I went to the pub with Matt to watch a jive band, with the plan to stay over one night and go home the next day…

But overnight, I was struck down by one of the worst colds known to mankind! I was sleepy, foggy, bunged up and sluggish. I was hot and bothered, and felt absolutely rotten. The last cold I had on that level of bad was back in December when I lost my voice and had to still perform in the Idle Playthings Nativity. I didn’t lose my voice this time, but I spent three days on the sofa, playing with Mabel the cat, and drinking a lot of tea.

The best part, though, was the fact that I got to spend a lot more time with Matt. Even though I was feeling really bad, I could still play endless Rayman Origins, eat many slices of cake, go for pub lunches and seek out alpaca fields. He even showed me the Book Exchange that lives in an old red phone box!

So, I’ve not really done very much in the way of writing or studying, as I’ve been missing study sessions and focusing on trying to get well enough to produce my best writing. I was dropped off back to university this afternoon, so as of tomorrow I’m back onto the writing desk, and starting more intense work on my Independent Project challenge!

In the mean-time, shout out to Lara, from Postcrossing, who sent me a lovely postcard after receiving one from me! I’ll write back in due course, now I’m back at my desk!

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Books, Books, Books…

They are a major part of my life. I’m not even kidding! When most women buy wine and shoes, I purchase books and tea, maybe some cosy jumpers too…

I saw an article about books affecting relationships, and about these two women’s reactions to books changing their relationships in various ways. I thought I’d respond.

I’ve even gotten into fights with partners over my reading habit. My ex told me I should stick to the TV, he did so happily, so why was that an issue? That sucked. I’d buy him books for Christmas, and he’d pretend to read a chapter before sending it on to a charity shop a week later. Another partner disputed my choice of reading material (“do you read anything post classics era? You know, published recently?”). And one moaned when I started reading Chris Ryan novels so I’d fit in with his literary discussions on the playground.

But I fell in love as a result of reading. When Matt was staying over one time, in my old halls, I had to leave him for an hour as I had an appointment with my mentor. When I got back, he was curled up with a book. He wasn’t even disturbed by my entrance, as I kicked off my heels and shimmied out of a little dress to climb back into bed. A man who reads is a man I shall attempt to be with forever!

And, we talk about books all the time! We go through the set novels on my lists for university, as well as general books we loved as children, teenagers, young adults. Even books we read for pleasure get discussed and reviewed verbally, exploring themes and ideas of the writers, coming up with our own theories.

I’m just hoping I get books for Christmas!

Carpri Diem!

It’s been quite some time since I wrote that last post, and I’m so sorry about not keeping this blog as updated as I ought to. A lot has happened in a little while, and I just haven’t given myself the time to write!

Anyway, summer has well and truly kicked off! All of my friends have moved off campus now, and I’ve been given the keys to my new studio flat! I’m sat in it at the moment, writing this. I started moving some bits and pieces over yesterday evening, and slept here for the first time last night. I have my own kitchen, bathroom, dining room, my bed is in the corner of the kitchen, along with my wardrobe, and my desk is in a lovely little conservatory section, which I love when it’s sunnier (the rain has kicked off today, sadly).

Update on the guy, we’re actually now together, as a proper couple! I even met his father the other week, and I’ve been given the thumbs up, apparently! Next week we’ll have been together for two months, scary how the time flies! I’ve never met someone so supportive and understanding about me and my issues, and I often have him behind me every step of the way when I embark on new projects, go off to places and generally follow my dreams. It’s lovely, I feel beautiful when I’m with him, and it’s wonderful.

All my coursework is finally complete! All I have to do now is print the last bits off, which I’ll do today, and hand them into the registrar’s office, then I can sit back, and wait for my grades, which I’ll get in September before the new academic year starts. Yikes! As long as I pass, then it’ll be ok, I’ll be aiming higher next year!

Speaking of university, my job as Careleaver Liberation Rep starts properly as of now! Clearing is happening, and young people across the country are finding out if they got into their university of choice. Careleavers are doing this too, and I remember opening my results letter telling me I got into my university, and wondering ‘how is this going to work out?’. So I’ll be on Twitter today, with the hashtag #careleaverlibrep to answer any questions about leaving care and starting up at university as a careleaver. Exciting time to be had by all!

So, on top of everything else, I’ve helped out with the development of an app for careleavers to assist with pathway plans, education/work/training and identity. It’ll be promoted during Careleaver Week, in October half term, so I’ll be promoting it to my students, as well as you guys. Just because you grew up in care, it doesn’t mean that you’re society’s offcast. You still have so much to offer! I promise!

I’ve also started work on a WWI novel for young people, so am hoping to have the first draft completed by the end of the year. In the meantime, I should really start moving some more stuff over…

Life’s a Bitch…

I’m sorry I haven’t done much in the way of blogging the past few days.

I’ve just had a lot happen to me in such a short space of time, and I’ve been fighting to keep my head above the sea of emotions, as I’ve nearly drowned enough times even in one night.

After a two year relationship, I’ve broken up with Josh. Things just weren’t working out anymore, my priorities in life no longer reflected the relationship and neither of us were investing what we ought to have done in the relationship. I just felt trapped in a loveless relationship that would of become a loveless marriage, and I would of resented him for that, and he is a good friend to me, regardless of the situation. Things were already difficult, then I was an idiot to start having feelings for a guy in my friendship circle at uni, and they clouded my judgement of the whole situation. We both did things wrong, and it just made sense for the relationship to end, as neither of us were happy any more.

On top of that, I’ve had to come to terms with revising for an exam, dealing with my living arrangements for the summer break and generally surviving. I’m not saying that I have an easy road ahead of me, quite the opposite.

But now I have freedom, to say what I want, do what I want, be who I want to be. I just have to figure out how I’m going to make the most of it.

In the meantime, I’m going out with the girls tonight for a well earned cocktail! I don’t really do girly nights out, so I am actually looking forward to it. And I have a date tomorrow evening (I joined a dating website, get me getting down with the kids!), so I have that to prepare for… Then MCM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, travelling back to Bath on Monday.

Hopefully that should take my mind off of him, but who knows with me?

Life’s a bitch, eh?