Missing Friends

Missing Friends

Date Posted: 07/10/2016

As I sit on the train to spend the weekend with my Aunt and cousins, I think forwards to the next time I will get to see my friends.

It got me thinking about distance. Despite being 150 miles from home and most of my friends, our friendship is still strong.
Although we don't talk as much as we used to, I know I can still talk to any of them and it would be like it was before I moved.

I adore my new friends, but when I'm in a reflective mood, I think back to my friends at home.
If you asked me to say my favourite thing about each of my friends from home, I would be unable to answer. It would be the same if you asked me to pick one thing I miss about them.

I have a favourite memory with each of my friends. Every time I'm down, I think of that.
I'm also very certain I've experienced deja vu with them.

I know I'm especially missing my friends when I dream of them.
They're always things we would usually do, such as playing Cards Against Humanity in the college canteen, eating McDonald's, having coffee or going to concerts.

This is different from promising to stay friends with people from secondary school. That was mostly empty promises. I did stay in contact with few, but that number has shrunk since finishing college. These friends, most of them I made in college and they made college incredible. I promised myself I would stay in contact. These are the people I want in my future, the people who understand me and like me, for me.

At Christmas, I wrote little messages of what these people meant to me. Each one was unique and personal to the person receiving the card.
I'm so glad I wrote them. This year, seeing them will be more meaningful than the words.

I do want to try and write a couple of lines about each of my friends that I am truly missing.
Chloe, I am so proud of you and the person you've become in the past few months. 💕
Eleanor, every time I have Costa, I think of all our Costa Wednesdays together. I hope you're enjoying uni! 💕
Karl, Keep making music. I'm still supporting you no matter how far away I am.
Seamus, It's still crazy that we became friends because of Cards Against Humanity. Always keep working on your drawings.
Ben, It feels strange to not be teasing you. But I honestly do miss the short jokes. I hope you're enjoying uni and please don't grow any taller. 😂
Becky, Thank you for all the concert memories. Even though we're not as close as we used to be, I'm so glad we're still friends. 💕
Layla, You're incredible! Seriously, I admire how you're being yourself, even when times are tough. I miss talking 5SOS with you. 💕
Stockdale, There's truly no escaping each other. There's always a meme or a post we find to tag each other in. And I love that we keep it up. Let's never stop doing that.
Rixxy, Well we have gone through a lot in the short time we've known each other. I still remember the day we met, but by far you are the friend I can count on to cheer me up, no matter how down I get.

I'm sure I'll change this post if I think of more friends I miss.
I love and miss you all like crazy. 💕

-Emma-

Bad Day

Bad Day

Date Published: 02/10/2016

Date Happened: 02/10/2016

Lets forget about the headache for a minute. That probably isn't helping my mood, but it's not the sole cause of it today. 

Printing. Printing is part of my bad mood. I do like my housemate, but sometimes she can irritate me, especially with the amount of printing she does, it's absurd. 

I have a print limit, thanks to HP Instant Ink. We've only had it in a week. I've printed 10 pages, maximum. She's printed 45 pages! 45!

As I type this, she comes in and tells me she's bought a Printer. Well, she came in without knocking. Another pet peeve of mine. Still, it's the best news I've heard all day.

Editing. I don't mind editing someone's work. I fully believe it helps them grow as a writer, by learning how to do things themselves.

But as I edit, I always wonder; Will they actually take on board my advice?

I've edited before, on a much larger scale than an assignment, and out of those that I've helped, only one has taken on my advice. ONE! And it infuriates me. I have much better things to be doing than editing someone else's work, who really doesn't care about the work and energy it actually takes.

As I grow as an Author and learn how to give constructive feedback, I wonder is it all really worth it?

Like I said, I do like editing. I like it even more when someone listens to my advice and works with it. It makes me feel like I've done something useful with my time. 

Going back to my housemate, she'll call up the stairs but her voice will get quieter. What is the point of calling for me, if you don't yell the full sentence?

I'm not psychic.I don't have super hearing. If I don't hear, then I have to move and that takes effort. Especially when I'm in a bad mood.

There is something that has made this day bearable. I have been binge watching The Flash for the past couple of days. I've never been one for Superhero films or TV Shows. If I like one, I will watch it.

Usually, it's Superman. However, as Tom Felton is in Season Three of The Flash, Star Power convinced me to watch the first two Seasons. I have been watching on and off through Season Two, but I haven't sat through the first Season.

I have sold my soul to The Flash. Which is apparent, as I have searched up fanfiction. I have fallen victim to Barry Allen and co. And I have no regrets. 

I enjoy binge watching, although this was nowhere near the scale of binge watching Supernatural. Which, I very almost did before Season 11 was aired. 

So yes, selling my soul to yet another fandom, made this day bearable. 

I suppose there are other factors that could contribute to my bad mood. And I know these reasons are petty. 

But I needed to write.

I needed to keep calm and blog on.

-Emma-

My First Week - Lectures

My First Week - Lectures

Date Published: 24/09/2016

Date Events Happened: 19/09/2016,20/09/2016,22/09/2016.

Having your first lecture at 5pm is difficult, especially finding out the coffee shops are shut when you're craving coffee. 

Have you ever tried to fit around 50 students comfortably, in a room meant for 30, at most? We were not comfortable. Even though it was only for twenty minutes (I think), there was hardly any space to move. It was uncomfortably hot and claustrophobic. 

Seeing the guys from Verbal Discharge was great, especially as they spoke about what to do and what not to do in a semi serious discussion. I'm just waiting until Monday to hear about the Student Mentor program. 

Once the class split into two groups, I could breathe clearly again. I didn't feel as claustrophobic.

But I was bored going through the module handbook. I know we had to go through it, but there were so many words. Words, Words, Words. 

I craved a break and that was when I found out the coffee shops were shut. The only place that served coffee that was open, was Subway. So I bought a Subway coffee. Thinking I'll have to arrive early on Monday, so I can buy myself a large cappuccino in the coffee shop before the lecture starts. 

But once our break was over, that was when we got to write. It was just off of a picture, but I went straight to Gods and Goddesses. It wasn't wrong to do, it was just where my muse took me.

We even got to finish early, although the bus didn't leave until an hour after we finished, which sucked as we were all tired. 

Tuesday had nicer lecture times and there was enough space in the class, although the desks were a little small.
We went over the module handbook, then went off to do a free write and research a story. I chose the Birth of Athena, and there are different variations to compare the other to. 

After listening to Cinderella, it was the end of the lecture, where I decided I was going to wait around and do Tae Kwon Do, until I felt sick and decided to rest.

Thursday, my final lecture of the week. Never go into town and buy stuff before a lecture. I'll happily walk down the stairs, but not up to the eighth floor. With any luck, we'll get a better room. Like Monday, the room was made for 25 students and we had to cram 41 in there. Very claustrophobic, to the point Simon took a picture to prove we couldn't fit in this room. 

So our lecture was cut short after reading the module handbook and one task, so Simon could embark on the quest to find a different room for next week. 

All in all, it's been a very easy, albeit claustrophobic week of lectures. I know the work is only going to get tougher from here.

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day Five

Induction Week - Day Five

Date Published: 20/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 16/09/2016

I wish they'd told us Thursday, during the lunch we were supposed to meet at QUAD at 2, instead of the university. I hadn't checked my emails, so I didn't know about this change until two days later. 

I wasn't the only one though. It was nice to spend time with Stacey and Imogen.

After waiting around at the university for an hour, only to find out they had gone (at this point, we didn't know about the change in location), Stacey, Imogen and I walked into town. 

Stopping off at Sir Peter Hilton, Imogen decided to head back to Nunnery. This left Stacey and I to head back to town.
I didn't have to cook dinner that night. Like on the day we met, we had McDonald's, taking advantage of the offer on the back of our bus ticket. 

Nothing much really happened after that. Friday was the laziest day of Induction Week. 

I wish I could update you more on that.

The lectures will be part of a weekly post, so I'll next update Saturday.

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day Four

Induction Week - Day Four

Date Published: 19/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 15/09/2016

Thursday was the least busy day. It was very relaxed with a lunch in the North Tower (I really want to rename these towers after the Hogwarts ones, but I don't think there's enough to do it!).

I left with Sam, Marek and a few other classmates. We stopped off at the library and a few other places around the university, before Marek and I walked to town.

I could have sworn we walked exactly the same way we did on Wednesday. We didn't. We missed the shortcut. I, being a little bit stubborn, refused to admit it, thinking the shortcut was further on down the route.
Marek was right about the location of the shortcut, which I begrudgingly admitted. It was a pretty silly disagreement though and one we both got over once we were in the city centre. 

It wasn't until later that night, I was out at the MayPole. I stopped off at the newly opened Fish and Chip shop for dinner, but still ended up at the MayPole half an hour before doors opened. Even though I knew Alexander was coming, he still scared me when he arrived. 

Verbal Discharge was hilarious. I didn't even care that it overran by an hour, I had not laughed so hard in a long time.
I'll leave the link to the website, where you can listen to the edited down version of the podcast, here: http://blog.verbaldischarge.co.uk/wp/ 

It was fantastic to see live, so I think I'm definitely going to go to the Nottigham Comedy Festival to see them live again. 

It was also great to speak to them afterwards. James recognised me from Twisted Tongues, so I resisted the urge to joke; "Yep, I'm the baked bean girl." It may have caused a laugh, but I didn't need unnecessary embarrassment. 

This time I had my keys, so Nilben didn't have to let me in just after eleven o'clock. Needless to say, I was shattered, but glad Alexander and Charlie (I think that was her name) walked me back before heading to the next Freshers event.

Friday's will come tomorrow. 

-Emma- 

Induction Week - Day Three

Induction Week - Day Three

Date Posted: 18/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 14/09/2016

There's only one word to describe Wednesday... HOT. 

Not in the way the food is hot, it was worse than that.
Not in the way you look at a hot guy or girl and think; Damn they're hot. 

It was uncomfortably hot. To the point, I regretted not shaving. 
I was wearing a low cut short to mid-length black dress and a thin black cardigan to hide the fact I hadn't shaved my underarms. 

At the university, there was a group of us arriving before we departed at two. If I'm correct, I can now name the other seven classmates that were in this group. Ro, Mary, Alexander, Samuel, Marek, Imogen and Jenny. 

I am so glad I bought a 750ml bottle of water before departing the university. 

The walk was okay. I spoke with Marek, Samuel and Ro, whilst drinking copious amounts from my bottle of water every couple of minutes.
We hit the school rush, so went down a shortcut (which there is a story about tomorrow), and I was so glad for a few minutes of shade. The sweat was pouring off me in bucketloads. I can't comment on whether my friends were feeling the same. 

When we arrived at QUAD, I was so relieved to head inside. I had finished my bottle of water so I needed to get it filled.
But we still had half an hour to wait once we had our tickets.
Sam, Ro, Marek and I sat outside, finding a table in the shade. It was only for twenty minutes and for most of it, we were on our phones. 

Inside the cinema, it was somewhat cool. I definitely find chairs in arthouse cinemas a lot nicer and comfier than chairs in multiplex cinemas.
The Seventh Seal was different. I tried looking at it from the perspective of a film student, rather than just a spectator. Turns out I'm wasn't very engaged with the film at all, as I couldn't identify the climax/turning point of the film. 

The air was still uncomfortably hot after we left QUAD. After a quick trip to Tesco with Marek, where I picked up some more Pot Noodle and Baked Beans, as well as milk and bread because I had neglected to do so up until that moment. 

Then it was back home, where I tried to make myself as cool as possible. 

That's Day Three pretty much covered. 
Until tomorrow!

-Emma-

Induction Week - Day Two

Induction Week - Day Two

Date Posted: 17/09/2016

Date Event Happened: 13/09/2016

After enrollment, you don't have to attend anything else on Induction Week. I wanted to attend though, to spend time with my coursemates and try to make new friends. 

I succeeded in doing both. 

I looked at the UniBus App (which sucks) and ended up waiting half an hour for the bus, because I went with the app. I haven't used it since. 

Since I was early, I went to the coffee shop. Not the Starbucks, but one of the university coffee ones. A small cappuccino was exactly what I needed. It was only £1.50, Fairtrade and actually tasted pretty good. 

On the bus, it was then Stacey and I realised we probably should have put some sunscreen on. Luckily, Imogen was on hand to lend us some.
Which led to conversations about characters and NanoWriMo. 

The coach ride to Keddleston Hall led us down country roads, which was entertaining when we had to reverse twice. The first for the tractor, the second for the other coach leaving the Hall. 

Keddleston Hall was beautiful. The history of the estate, not so nice, but on a sunny day, with the trees and acres of land at the back of the hall, it was incredible. Nonetheless, I was glad when we went indoors, as it was a little airier. The history indoors was exciting to me, especially when I saw the statue of Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of Marriage, Fertility, Motherhood, Magic and Medicine. I did also enjoy the picture of Bacchus (God of Wine) abducting Ariadne, by the great Neapolitan Baroque painter Luca Giordano. 

Classical Mythology formed a large part of Lord Scarsdale's picture collection.
If I could take anything from the Hall, it would be either one of these. 

After our indoor tour, everyone met up for the long walk. I started out the walk with the girls (there were six of us in total, four girls and two boys), but about a quarter of the way round, walked with the boys. 

Sam, Marek and I had conversations about Pokemon, Films, messed around on felled logs that formed a path and I spoke about hating squelchy mud. Those were just a few of our conversations. By the end of the walk though, we were all tired and sweaty. But I feel like we bonded over that.

Back at the university, I decided to walk home, via Nunnery Court and Princess Alice Court. The latter was to find the pub I would be going out to that night, for Twisted Tongues. 

This is where I almost missed out. I lost to a tin of baked beans and cut my finger. I will spare the details, but we did do a quick dash up to A&E - I am alive. They only plastered it. 

So I jumped on a bus and got off as close to the May Pole as possible. I arrived just in time. Imogen was excited to see me. I think Sam and Marek were as well. 

Twisted Tongues was interesting, but easily one of the funniest nights I've had. At first, it seemed like Mary was going to be the only Fresher going up and performing a poem. In the end, there were four of us; Mary, Rory, Sam and myself. 

Some of the poems were serious, but most were funny. I performed one about the car accident almost four years ago and the one about losing to a tin of baked beans.

Me on stage at the May Pole. The lights were bright.

It Won

It Won.

I was bested by the thing I should defeat,

The stream I see, is the shame I feel,

The disappointment that is real.

I know I'm not the first

And I'm definitely won't be the last,

But for today, 

This blue plaster on my middle finger, 

(I promise I'm not flipping you off)

Is a constant reminder,

That the tin of baked beans won.

That was the jokey, baked bean poem I performed. I needed something jokey to end up. 

I arrived home at 11, safe and sound. 

I'll leave you with this joke, that I found highly entertaining at the Twisted Tongues event. 

Men are pigs. So are women. Women are pigs with vaginas. 

-Emma-