Thoughts

Thoughts

Tonight, as I sit and watch X Factor, I think back to this time last year. 

I had conditional offers from four universities - Greenwich, Liverpool John Moores, DeMont Fort and Edge Hill. I had decided on Greenwich and started to befriend people who would be in the same accommodation as I had chosen. 

I had also finished my practical Drama performance. Although I knew I was sharing classes with my peers for the rest of the year, I was scared doing theory work wouldn't be the same atmosphere as it was with practical - I am pleased to say this was not the case. 

In 2015, if you had told me I was going to be at Derby University studying Creative and Professional Writing, I would have been skeptical; but would not have blown off the idea. 

However, if you had added I would have made friends with really incredible, funny, creative people, that's where I would not have believed.
Though I was dead set on Greenwich, I am so glad Clearing resulted in me attending Derby University. 

The friends I've made and the improvement in writing I've seen, has really made me believe I made the right choice.
The first semester ends in a couple of weeks. I would not have been able to get through it without laughing with my friends. 

I write this because at present I have an idea for a story (which my friends will know all about the characters) and it covers some themes I haven't really explored within my stories before.
I put this idea down to being around like minded people and being friends with the people I am friends with. 

I'm going to leave this vague and unedited because when I look back on this post, I want to be able to fill in the blanks and see if they are still the same.

-Emma-

Giddy Mood

Giddy Mood

All week I've been in a giddy mood. It's the sort of giddy that you're aware of, but can't explain. 

On Monday night, I took cold and flu medicine. I think that's what started this giddy mood. I should have taken the paracetamol and codeine for my back then and cold and flu in the morning. So much caffeine!  

The caffeine meant I was up until about midnight. So much for an early night.

On Tuesday, my giddy mood started about seven o'clock. I had taken paracetamol and ibroprufen which kicked in during my lecture. It wasn't until after the lecture the giddiness started. 

I don't know what caused it, but it stayed for about four hours. 

On Wednesday, despite being indoors all day, I was still giddy. 

I never expected coursework to make me giddy like that. Yet it started about seven o'clock again. And lasted for four hours, again!

On Thursday, my giddy mood started a lot earlier. I think it might have started in the lecture.
This time, I think I was watching YouTube videos, but I was still laughing and giddy and in a completely different headspace.

On Friday, my giddy mood was there from about two o'clock. And it stayed the enitre day.

The same with Saturday.

Even today, by one o'clock, I'm back in this giddy mood!

I am not drunk or on illegal drugs. 

If I was drunk, I would be emotional. 

I'm hoping this isn't the Christmas Spirit entering me because it's still somewhat too early for Christmas. 

At least I'm not sad during my days. 

-Emma-

Friends and Family

Friends and Family

It's been difficult to find the right words to explain how I felt going home to see my friends and family.

I loathe train journeys. They're filled with germs and I always end up in the tightest space. I still prefer them over coach journeys.
At least I can read my book on the train and not feel like I'm going to throw up.

The train journey wasn't too bad.
The coffee I bought wasn't that great, but caffeine was required, so I didn't have much of a choice.

The changeover at Reading gave me twenty minutes to rest. Having been from Reading Station to Basingstoke numerous times over the past seven years, I know which platform I need to be on to catch the right train.

Stepping out of Basingstoke Train Station, I took in a deep breath and sighed.
I never thought there would be anyone who smiled upon arriving in Basingstoke. I was wrong. I was that person.
I missed the Pokestops...the things I used to see and take for granted; the colours and the smells coming from the vendors selling food.

Even walking around Festival Place, I missed the familiarity of the town.
I only noted one different shop from previous years; the Halloween shop.
I smiled walking past the Christmas shop. I have fond memories of Costa Wednesdays at Christmas; walking around the shop and singing along to Buble.
We'll have to do that again next time we spend time together.

I even got to spend half an hour in the library. Usually, I'd be writing a page or two of my latest story. This time, I just continued to read my book.

I first saw Mum. I waited for her to finish work before going off to meet my friends at McDonald's - better luck with that when I next go home.

It was incredible to hug Mum. I missed her hugs so much!
Managing to download the past month and a half into twenty five minutes was an incredible feat in itself.
I even managed to give my brother a little hug!

Off to see friends. Despite the planning, only three friends turned up. We'll try again next month.
It was nice to just let go.
My humour really shone through and I was around people I was truly comfortable with. I love my uni friends, but having a lot of inside jokes with my friends back home, I was truly happy to go back to them.

Seeing Dad was brilliant!
I missed the hugs and missed the verbal download. It isn't the same talking down the phone as it is talking face to face.

CHICKEN FRIDAY!
I missed it so much!
I was fed properly (again)!

Saturday morning, I was more than happy to wake up early and head into town.
Surprisingly, I still remembered the bus times.

I have to be early for everything.
I hate being late, I hate the stress that comes with being late.

I definitely missed Rixxy.
Do you have that friend, who you just bounce off of? It doesn't matter if it's jokes or ideas, you just know that to other people you sound crazy.
Rixxy is that friend.
Cue laughter, food and planning ahead.

Then, with Rixxy, I got to see Chloe and her boyfriend.
Best two hours of my life.
It just felt like a group of friends hanging out.
Two hours of non stop laughter.

I still had energy in the tank to see Grandad.
He looked happy to see me. One of the cats had forgotten who I was; the other curled up and fell asleep on me for twenty minutes.
At least I was only writing on my phone and not a notebook.

Sunday was packed.
I made an effort to dress formally for my brothers Tae Kwon Do grading.

Seeing people I've known for years was awesome.
I missed all of them so much; despite most of my friends having gone off to do their own thing since we trained together.
I was so proud of Kieran for passing his midterm; but more proud of the person who I class as my closest friend at the academy. Well done on getting your Kickboxing black belt!

It was wonderful to see Grandma and Grandad!

I realise this entire post is me using different synonyms of incredible to describe seeing friends and family.

Of course, I can't forget spending the week with my family up in Derby, and seeing my Aunt and cousins.
It's always a pleasure to see them. I adore spending the weekend with my Aunt.

I don't feel I've adequately put into words what it was like seeing my friends and family, but it's the best I can express right now.

-Emma-