Friday, July 31, 2009

Tatiana's


Left for Lancaster on the way to the Scottish borders today. We stopped off at the Wolff's for lunch and then continued to dad's counsin, Tatiana's, house where we stayed the night. She has a beautiful garden on the top of the hill facing the castle, filled with flowers and loads of fruit and vegetable plants.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Wave


Watched "The Wave" with Chesca late at night. We were both left sitting at the edge of the sofa with tension - it was a brilliant movie. Afterwards, we spent ages doing late night packing for the holiday the next day whilst talking about the plot and going over the film. I took this quick pic using my newly found fluorescent setting - very pink and girly indeed.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The day the sky darkened really fast



Watched the last episode of Gilmore Girls *sigh* and then went with mum to the charity shop to drop off some stuff. We had to eat lunch really quickly in the garden as mum noticed the dark clouds looming in the distance - quite scary indeed.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tea again


It certainly has been a very traditional English holiday. We seem to have had tea at various different places and today was no exception. Chesca and I had to go to Chancery land to the podiatrist (or paediatritian as Chesca called it) with mum. Steffi came along too and we stopped off to have a look at Beyond Retro near Oxford Street. After the appointment we all met up with dad at the Primrose Bakery in Covent Garden. This has to be my favourite part of London as it comprises cute tea shops with feminine boutiques and Soho theatres. Here we all ate tea and cake while Cheffi (Chesca and Steffi) planned out their ideal tea shop (they've settled on calling it The Cherry tree and have even decided on the decor of the place!). Cheffi mum and I then had a quick look around the shops (including my favourite; Appletree Boutique) and Neal's Yard.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Beaconscot tea


We were supposed to go raspberry picking at the PYO (pick your own) farm near the house. However it was closed today (apparently it ONLY closes on mondays!) so Chesca, mum, Steffi and I went to the tea rooms at Beaconscot instead. We all enjoyed a cream tea each sitting in a sunny spot next to the window of the old Post Office - very English indeed!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ham House and Harry Potter




Went to visit Ham House with the family. Nothing really special - it seemed a bit run down. However, a traditional National Trust tea at the Cafe cheered everyone up. Weather wasn't too good either (its been raining so much recently that it doesn't feel like summer at all!). Later, went to watch the new Harry Potter film with Marianne at the Richmond cinema - it was brilliant!

NB: blogspot is being stupid and refuses to upload this photo the right way up... Chesca took it using the canon film SLR

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Ada


Went to see Ada's house today and meet her husband.They're looking after their niece's rabbit for the week and have called it "meerkat". Beforehand, I took a few shots of Tiny sunbathing by the pond in the garden.

Friday, July 24, 2009

The Proms


Went to watch the Proms with Marianne and some of her friends from Music College. We got arena standing seats and had a fantastic view from the very top of the Albert Hall down to the orchestra below. As it wasn't very packed we just sat listening to the music or leant over the balcony to watch the orchestra. Some people had brought pic-nics and were eating whilst watching. Another guy was casually reading a magazine, casually sat against the wall at the back. I lay down for a while and looked up at the ceiling while the orchestra played "La Mer" by Debussy. It was really relaxing - I'd love to return and just sit down with my sketchbook and draw whilst listening to the music below.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

The day I started Harry Potter


Started the day with a short jog to Llamas and in the late afternoon went with mum and Chesca back to Cafe Berteaux where we were supposed to meet dad. On the way there I started to read the first Harry Potter book (I'm thinking about trying to get through the whole series before the end of the holidays/year/my life - I'd love to tell my kids that I actually read all of the books..not just up to the 5th one). We waited for ages but it turned out that he'd thohught we were at another cafe. So, we met him at the Oratory in South Kensington at an art exhibition. One of mum's aquaintances was displaying some work there so we decided to have a look around. I was immediatly drawn in by a painting of some lillies on a dark blue vase. The background and frame of the piece was very dark but the flowers, a brilliant white, did not give the painting a negative feel. The lines were carefully drawn; sharp and bold. I spent ages looking at it.
Later a man started talking to dad and I. It turned out that he was the artist of the piece - we spent ages talking about it. It was so interesting to see how he had created the painting and I loved hearing about his different works. He later told me about a book he'd used as his guide when learning how to draw and paint - I'm hoping to look it up.
It was now VERY late evening so we went back on the tube to the Schofield's house as they'd invited us for dinner. Dad was so tired that he fell asleep on the sofa with Millie, their cute little kitten, next to him.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

So long sodium street lights...


Gave mum a hand today at school, trying to tidy up the classroom ready for next year. In the late evening we went to pick Chesca up from a party and on the way back I realised that this would be the last day that the old street lamps would be working on our road. They're now replacing them to fit EU standard and they're not going to be yellow/orange anymore. So, at 12pm I went out to the street to take some pictures while mum and Chesca went for a walk. They got a bit impatient as I would stop every so often to kneel in the middle of the deserted road to take a photo of the lights on either side. It was too dark and the pictures kept on blurring so in the end I sat there with a tripod. Funnily enough, the best picture was not of the road but our street. Changing the lights is only a small difference but I guess it has a lot of significance as I'll always remember the horrible orange glow.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Inspired


Today was a day of realisation. Looked at a few blogs Chesca loves and later spoke with Amelia on facebook. I feel as if we're on the same page. This whole year I've felt that I am becoming this person I do not like. I couldn't put my finger on what was bothering me so much about this person but now I see it. I was not working for the right reasons. I've been stuck into this mindset of working solely to get good grades and rewards. However, I've seen that I should be doing what I do because it makes me feel happy and fulfilled.
After reading my grades online I wanted to quit Oxford. I though of dropping out and re-taking this year. The old haunting idea that I "should've done Geography" crept back for a while. I'm so glad I didn't. I'm so glad I won't. Looking back though this blog has helped me to put everything into perspective. I could never leave the brilliant friends I have made here. Taking a picture each day has made me appreaciate every moment, every breath. The invaluable lessons I have learnt this year cannot be tested or proven by any exam. I have seen the consequences of hiding the person I feared, pretending that wasn't me at all. By doing so I have become someone I am not. Worst of all, I was scared of shining and by doing this I have repressed an amazing person.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Here is my inspiration.


I love the Unicorn Diaries anad Niotilfemme!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

so tired..


Woke up on the sofa at Alex's with his two cats looking up at me from the floor and purring. It was about 10am (ish) and everyone was just about waking up. Went downstairs and sat while people smoked and ate breakfast (yum >_<). We then went outside and poked his tortoises for a while. Made eggy bread for people and we also ate John Nevitt's cheese pizza. At around 2pm we started to make a move and got a lift in Keith's car to South Ealing. Leilia went in the boot as there was not much room..
Once home I rushed to have a shower and change into clean clothes. I hate that ng
night-after-the-party feeling. Sat with Chesca and mum watching Lord of the Rings (1 & most of 2) to stay awake. They wanted to get through all three but we were all to tired...Anyway, I'd done it last year with Becky(all three extended editions back to back in one full day. We only stopped to go to the toilet and eat pizza. I have NEVER been so lazy in all my life!). Looking at Fudge sleeping so happily makes me feel less bad about being so lethargic...

Saturday, July 18, 2009

The day I bought the book


The book! Finally!
Went in the morning to meet Amelia, Talia and Alice in Finnesbury park for a bit of shopping in Fonthill road. It was as tacky as last time but this time I managed to get a cute natutical-themed dress. We also delighted in going to the shiny chavy shop which is always surprisingly busy. There was the usual pair of shiny, rainbow, leopard-print, wet-look leggings (ew.) as well as an entire gold swimsuit that only covered about 1/5 of the person's body. It was too much to handle.
I went to Leicester Square with Amelia and Talia for lunch. We passed Cass Art on the way and I went in to buy the sketch book for my POTD. Finally! I walked along for the rest of the day with the book proudly tucked under my arm. On the way to Covent Garden, we passed a shop with my dress for almost 3x the price (hahaha!). After sitting and eating on the pavement at Covent Garden, while watching the street performers, we made our way to Trafalgar Square to see the Plinth. The artist Anthony Gormley is having people volunteer to stand on the fourth Plinth for an hour from july-october this year. The guy there today was really boring and just stood there taking pictures. So, we went into the National Portrait Gallery and had a browse while we waited for the next person to be put up. This was a lady who started building a carboard house - cute! If I was there I'd do the same but maybe have a tea party as well...
Talia and Amelia went to meet Sam but I stayed and sat in Trafalgar Square writing in my diary, trying to organise how many pictures would fit into the sketchbook. I then went back on the tube home to get ready to meet Alex.
I saw him outside Turnham Green tube station and we ate at a restaurant in Chiswick. The food was lovely and he ordered champagne which was also very nice. This was then followed by us walking back to his house before people arrived for the party. We got apple juice and vodka but people brought other things too. In the end there was about 15 of us incuding Keith R, Lee, Sam, Cecily, John, James, Leilia..Later Anna P and Ele turned up which was even more fun. We made brownies which tasted AMAZING and crashed on the sofa and slept.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Tea and Cakes



Woke up and finished reading "Small Steps" while Anna went to have a shower. I've been reading small snippets of this book every time I sleep over at her house but have always refused to borrow it. After the usual yummy breakfast of brioch with chocolate spread I walked home. Chesca wanted to meet us at a cute cafe near Leicester Square as it was the last day of her work experience. So, dad went ahead and I walked to Mum's school to bring her along. As it was her last day too it was hard to drag her away but I finally managed it!
We took the train to Leicester square and found our way to Maison Berteaux, a cute tea house with French-inspired cakes and pastries in the windows. Here we all had traditional tea and cakes whilst talking and observing the various people sitting in the slightly squashed conditions of the cafe. I wanted so badly to take a picture of them similar to the pictures you find of old French Cafes in the 30's.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Angela and George


In the morning Ele B came round to the house and we went for a run to Ealing Common. It was a great day for exercise and I managed to get pretty far - woot! We sped along Ealign Common and then did some core exercises in Llamas park (ele found a green feather on the way back and gave it to me as a "medal" for doing so well).

In the evening Anna P and I went on the 65 to Kingston where we met up with Angela for Tapas at La Tasca. It was brilliant to see her and I really enjoyed catching up with everything that had happened at school since we'd left. We then went back to her flat to meet George, her adorable British Blue kitten. He was a tiny little ball of energy and we watched him scamper around the house for ages while drinking tea. I loved Angela's house - its exactly the type of place I'd like to be in a few years time. Each room was carefully thought out with matching curtains and even a wardrobe with butterflies painted on the doorknobs! It was cosy but tidy and also had, my favourite, a thick cream carpet. Talking to Angela made me realise about the goals I have for the future and it gave me something to aim for.
On the way back it poured with rain but Anna and I were very content talking about how cute George was. I had to go back home as I realised that I had Chesca's oyster card (she'd been using my bag the day before). However, we had to run as it was pouring and there was lightning too! By the time we got to mine we were soaked through but luckily mum agreed to give us a life to Anna's where I stayed over.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Apple Crumble


I miss Laura. We were really close, especially during the last few years at Twyford, and now hardly ever talk. So, today I decided to call her and see how she was. I was happy to see that I still remembered her phone number off by heart (all those times calling and panicking about work..). Luckily she picked up and we talked for ages, catching up with everything that had happened at uni since last time we spoke. We then decided to meet up and do some cooking as was our tradition (past foods included flapjacks, brownies and pasta bakes - mmmmmm). So, Laura came round and brought some eggs and apples for our crumble. We used LOADS of cinnamon and bakes it in the oven while watching a bit of Calendar girls. For lunch we made some egg fried rice with cucumber (the cucumber had been recomended to me by Alice and wasn't too bad). The crumble was AMAZING and even better piping hot from the oven.
In the evening I went with Anna P, Jay P and Ele B to watch Bruno at Park Royal (Laura was busy so couldn't stay). It was hilarious and far worse that Borat..My stomach hurt from laughing so much afterwards. For most of the film Ele and I were screaming "NO! NO! NO!" "OMG!". Afterwards we went to KFC and the the arcade for slush puppies. On the way back, Jay P bought us all some Whispa bars to munch in the car. In all, a great day for food :)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The day it rained


Chesca and I decided to take a walk to Ealing Common aftfer she returned from her work experience. I luckily brought my camera although the sky was gradually beginning to darken. We walked the old route we used to take to school and talked about all these different things - I love talking to Chesca because she makes me feel so grounded. Once at the common the skies darkened and made a beautiful contrast as a backdrop to the golden dry grass. We ran around and skipped and danced as the rain began to fall in huge fat drops on our hair and streamed down our faces. I got this picture of Chesca just as she was dancing around in the rain. It was really somethign magical and didn't feel at all asif we were in the middle of a suburban area in London. Afetrwards, we explored around the hidden streets which surround the common and Chesca pointed out the "beautiful house" which she'd fallen in love with. It really is very girly and pretty - I see why she likes it.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Old Times


Mum and dad are at work. Chesca is on work experience. I tidied my room and got rid of all my old past papers. Found this one and made a resolution.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Strawberries, Jazz, Tea, Anna P


Watched episode upon episode of Desperate Housewives on E4 and was inspired to wear my 50's- esque yellow dress from H&M. Today I went with mum and dad to the annual Jazz and Strawberries tea and the vicarage. This is by far my favourite event in the Church Calendar.
Tea and cakes? Just my style.
Saw Anna P and Helen P so I ran to hug her - I haven't seen Poweel in ages so it was great to finally do so! Trying hard not to sink into the lawn in my heels, Poweel and I went upstairs to her room where we tried to fix my bra strap that had broken due to my over-enthusiastic hug (not as dodgy as it sounds!). We then met one of her brother's friends (who said that he liked my dress) and went downstairs to get some straberries and ice-cream. We sat in our usual spot next to the mullberry tree and caught up with everything that had happened. I love talking to Anna because it always feels asif we are reading from the same page. Sitting there reminded me of all the other times we had done so, each year, talking about boys, GCSE's, AS levels, A-levels, Uni...It felt strange but satisfying to be there both of us knowing about uni and a little clearer about the future.
Later on James P and his girlfriend Ele arrived so we sat with Ele and ate more cake (yum..). After everyone had left we sat in the kitchen and then the dinning room eating the leftover cupcakes. We then mucked about with my camera and took loads of pictures which I'm hoping to upload to Facebook as a movie as soon as I know how..

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Home again


Had my last breakfast with Gatsby people before packing and getting on the coach towards York. Sat next to Jeremy, Tasha and other Gatsby people on the way back. Luckily the tube was pretty normal (although crowded). It felt brilliant to be back home with my crazy family making a failure meringue with Chesca <3

Friday, July 10, 2009

Gatsby: Day 5


Last day at Gatsby. In the morning we did a brief ecology practical and measured different leaf temperatures depending on colour on varigated hostas and holly. This was done using a super-cool laser gun! I was in a group with Liz, Jeremy and Victoria (who was also in my tutor group and had decided on becoming my best friend). We wrote up the results but didn't get them printed off in time to present them to the other people on the course. So, we just waited in the library along with the Cambridge people (who'd done the same) and sneakily put back the laser-temperature-gun-thingies when no-one was looking. Lunch was followed by a really intersting lecture on GM crops and food securing in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was then proceeded by a group photo and closing words. I then went with Tasha and Liz to the gym where we did a 1 1/2 hour session on all the fancy state-of-the-art equipment (Liz also taught me how to use the urg machines ready for rowing next term - woot!). We then all went to get ready for the evening meal.
This was really beautiful with three courses, wine and tables decorated with flowers and sprinkled with glitter. Afterwards, people went to the bar for drinks and danced on the dance floor. Yes, it was your typical cheesy school disco DJ playing S-club 7 but it was brilliant! I made friends with Ian who was an AMAZING dancer and taught me all the moves to 5,6,7,8 by Steps - epic!
Finally we had loads of slightly-drunken group hugs and promises to add people on facebook. It was a great end to a really enjoyable week.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Gatsby: Day 4


Really long day. Letures, tutorials and a boring talk about risk assessments (apparently someone did a PhD on them...). In the evening I relaxed the Liz, Jeremy, Tasha as well as some of the Cambridge students on the lawn while people around us played golf. It was so English, lying on the perfectly cut grass in the soft golden evening sun.. Later I spoke with mum, Chesca and Dad and told them all about how the course was going as well as my inspiration from the day before.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Gatsby: Day 3


After breakfast we all got onto the coaches for a Plant Identification Practical. Luckily I brought my wellington boots as the study was carried out in a really boggy area - not everyone was as clever. Each tutorial group went to a different tutor at each base around the field. Ours was, of course, in the middle of the bog so people had to skip and jump over huge ponds of muddy water. Once here, we used our wild flower keys to identify different types of heather and other heathland flora. We then went on to identify wild orchids, brich and oak trees as well as thistle species and flowers from the rosaceae family. I love ordering and classifying species - classification is the best!
In the afternoon we had a careers session when I got talk to the organisers of the course. This was extremely useful as I learnt about the different studentships and scholarships available. There are so many possibilities during and after university that I just want to grasp them all! I left feeling so inspired and energised - a complete contrast to last week.
In the evening we split into groups and did a trasure hunt to try and win one of the coveteed Gatsby mugs... we didn't win but it was fun all the same.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Gatsby: Day 2



Similar layout to yesterday. Lecture and tutorial in the morning about chloroplasts. The practical was on cell biology and we used GFP to track vesicles within cells as well as different confocal microscopes to form a 3Dish picture of cell organelles. During the short amount of free time I went out to tak pictures of the fields around. Didn't feel particularly inspired. Before dinner Jeremy and I watched TV and then went towards the lcture theatre. On the way, we met Ddr. Robert Scotland from Oxford who was giving the next talk on the corolla of daffodils. After dinner was a lecture about the BBSRC and involving the public in the scientific world. This was then followed by live music by the duo "Turning Knots into Bows".

Monday, July 6, 2009

Gatsby: Day 1


Woke up nice and early in the double bed of my super-amazing room. This place is BRILLIANT! Theres an ensuite bathroom (with underfloor heating), TV, coffe and tea and a state-of-the-art gym downstairs!
Breakfast was followed by a lecture on, "What determines the form of plants", by professor Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz from Canada. This was then followed by our tutorial groups planning and asking questions about the lecture. Lunch was amazing as it was three courses including the best desserts in the world. I sat with some people from Cambridge who were very friendly. This was followed by a practical session on plant pathology which involved collecting diseased samples of rhododendrum bushes - fun! During the free time I decided to go for a run in the woods. I honestly don't think I'm very good at running. However, I did manage to surprise myself. I didn't come across many other people in the woods but there was a creepy abandoned shed/house (I spinted on passing this). It was really relaxing to speed through the woods but then slow down and listen to the wind brushing lightly through the canopy above my head.
Dinner was followed by another elcture on plants being used as weapons of mass destruction. However, I'm not sure that the lecture really was what it said on the tin. Went to sleep pretty early after a long day.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The most stressful train journey so far..


It feels strange to be leaving home after just having arrived but I am really looking forward to the Gatsby Plant Summer School. Left early this morning to get the 12:00am train from King's Cross. However, the piccadilly line was down so mum had to give me a lift to Ealing Broadway with my green wheelie suitcase. I took the fast train to Paddington and rushed to find the circle line (later realised that it would've been better to take the Hammersmith and City..). It was only a few stops to King's cross and I was running just on time. At the stop before King's the driver announced that the station had been closed due to someone jumping on the tracks so everyone would have to get off at Euston! I rushed off the train and, using all my strength, ran up the stairs out of the station to find King's Cross station. I had no idea where I was. After asking a couple of people, someone pointed me in the direction of the station. I SPRINTED, dragging my suitcase behind me. I heard something fall while I ran but didn't pay any attention to it. A man later came up to me and handed me my book, "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and told me that my rucksack was wide open. Shocked, I checked and luckily it still had my camera, wallet and passport inside. phew.
After another sprint I got to a HUGE crowd of people blocking the pavement and road to the station in the distance. An air ambulance had landed in the middle of the road to collect the person who'd jumped on the tracks. Getting past all the tourists was a nightmare but I did manage to have time to whip out my camera and take a quick shot of the moment.
Sprinted into the station and couldn't find the right platform. After going to the Info point I had 2mins before the train left. Of course I had the cheapest ticket which was in the second to last carriage. Got on the train seconds before the doors closed. very lucky indeed.
Once at Gatsby I told Jeremy and Liz my AWFUL story (and may have exaggerated a little too..). It felt so good to finaly arrive and swap my suitcase for a super-cool badge and bag filled with plant related stuff!
We had an ice-breaker tutorial where we were all split into groups and had to do a presentation on a plant we think should be prioritised when it comes to storing the seeds in seed banks. My group chose to do a play on Jack and the Hashstalk. It was awful. At dinner I got to meet other people from different universities; they all seemed a bit taken aback when I told them I was from Oxford. Honestly, its not like it makes me a super-genius! Fpr pudding I had oht chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce. It was DIVINE! Later on in the evening we had a Pub Quiz which was also entertaining. Went to sleep very exhausted.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Sky Blue


Today was the day that I went with mum and dad to the Bristol Cancer Help Center. We drove up the motorway at top speed (running late as always). Before arriving to the outskirts of Bristol I noticed a small plane doing flips in the sky above the motoway. The pilot would fly verticaly above our heads before spiralling downwards so close to the ground that you'd think he was going to crash. Just watching him against the backdrop of the bright blue sky gave me the sensation of soaring higher and higher with him.

Friday, July 3, 2009

There really is no place just like this


Finally home. Sleeping in my bed felt wonderful. Started to unpack.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Last day


The second open day was more relaxed as there was less people to show around. By the end we were all exhausted and the Pimm's given out by the IT staff was thoroughly appreciated! Nabs, Christina and I sat talking to Gabrielle (History tutor) talking about the summer and how lovely Oxford is in the sunshine. I then went back to my room to pack as mum and dad were on the way. Managed to do this surprisingly and rushed to the library to return the books I'd been hoarding throughout the year. Saw Alex Whithead on the way who tried to encourage me to look up me exam results online as they were already out. I only looked at the results once back in my room whilst talking to Jeremy on the phone. They were awful. My heart felt like it was screwing itself up in my chest. I needed to go for a walk. Sat on the bridge in the soft evening sunlight.
Mum and dad came later to pick my stuff up with Chesca. We went to eat at Wagamama's and I have never felt to happy to be going home.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Hertford Open Day


Yay! The weather was amazingly hot today so Chandni and I put on loads of sunscreen. We spent the day showing people around the college, handing out bags and leaflets, talking to prospective students and lazing about in the sunshine. After lunch (which was free, of course)I took a few students to meet the biology tutor, Martin. Sitting there with them listening to him talk reminded me of when I'd been in the exact same room two years ago with mum and dad. We'd chosen to look at Hertford completely by accident as non of the other collges would let us in as we "hadn't booked beforehand". However, by chance, we came across Hertford after walking up New College lane and they were so friendly that I immediatly fell in love with the college. I hope that the students who came today will feel the same.
After a hard days work we all went to the park where I met Nabs who was staying in another college on a summer course. We ate dried mango in the Uni Parks and I took this shot while Chris and Oli played frisbee.