Monday, February 1, 2010

Where it all began


All journeys come to an end at some point and it makes me sad to be drawing a close to this project.
Walking back from a usual day at Oxford I caught this shot just after sunset. The street lights had just turned on and I got a sudden feeling which reminded me of the first time I'd arrived at Hertford for my interview. I had dad's huge brown bag and walked through catte street with him, mum and Chesca. It was dark and cold like today but the warm glow of the sodium lamps invited me into the college. Behind me, is the interview room where I met Clive and Martin. There is also the bridge under which I took photos with the Japanese and the winding path of New College Lane which I love so much. The bod is silhouetted to the right and the rad. cam. around which we ran singing in the snow last year is in the distance. These are the places I have grown to love and associate with. It is humbling, however, to still be able to feel the same as I did the first time I arrived in Oxford. Taking this photo took me back to the start, to where it all began.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Pre-birthay celebration


Woke up at around 6am and couldn't get back to sleep. I kept on worrying about the fountain pen I'd lost before term started and was determined, in my sleepy state, to go downstairs and find it. Luckily mum was awake too and convinced me to go back to sleep. I was later awoken by mum, dad, Chesca and Abu coming into my room singing "Happy Birthday" and carrying a caterpillar cake and presents! I was so delighted as last year M&S had run out of caterpillar cakes which wasn't too good... We all sat in my bed eating cake as I opened the presents and read the cards. Ok, so it's not my birthday yet, but I was so happy that we could continue the tradition while I was at home! Abu told me that she and Duado would hear mum and her sisters whispering "pretend you're asleep! They're coming!" from their rooms when they had a birthday to celebrate and she and Duado were carrying the cake down the hall. I hope to continue this tradition as it's so lovely and unique.
Afterwards, Chesca went to work and mum, dad and Abu drove me to Oxford. We quickly showed Abu the Summertown house and later Hertford before I had to rush off to a meeting at St. Aldates. This was pretty successful and I'm not considering wether I should go home on Tuesday too to see Abu again before she leaves. I'm so happy that she could come and stay for my Birthday especialy seeing as it's my 20th. I'm excited about turning 20 on the 02/02/2010. It's a new start and I can't wait!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Abu y la cena de 20 años


Went back home today on the Oxford Tube and to spend some time with my family before my birthday. I had wanted to go out an eat together somewhere with good food. After weeks of no inspiration Chesca suggested today a tiny Italian place hidden down Ealing Broadway. We'd never been there before but now consider it a hidden gem. It's down an old alley and is a lovely little restaurant that serves delicious home-cooked food including Tiramisu. We loved it and have just come back after enjoying the delicious meal. Before going out, Abu was sat with Chesca and I in Chesca's room telling us about her life as a newly-wed. She was recounting stories of when Duado and her lived in the U.S. before mum was born. Mum then came in and told Abu to tell us about the time Abu and Duado had gone out to the cinema and left mum all alone as a newly born baby! Chesca got this picture of me and Abu today. I love Abu and wish I could write down all the things she's told us over these holidays.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Pikachu Girl


Today was the big day of my pre-birthday party. The theme was "something memorable from your childhood" which, OK, is pretty broad but that's what I wanted. I hoped for people to be able to dress up in something that they remembered from when they were kids - favourite colour/animal/cartoon character/aspiration... Amelia had a brilliant The Hungry Caterpillar costume complete with 6 legs made from socks, Marja was Cruella DeVille, Alice a sailor (Mar and Amelia bought her the hat), Emily was Jess from Postman pat, Manasi Pocahontas, Talia a cat and I finally finished my Pikachu costume. Yes, I said Pikachu costume; complete with tail, ears and red cheeks! We started off in Summertown and proceeded to Hertford bar where we met other people including Jess (NYE 2010) and James S. from New College. The original plan had been to go out clubbing in Kukui but they were rubbish and didn't allow fancy dress so we went to Escape instead. I am SO wearing that costume again because, although I lost my ears by the end of the night, it was certainly a great success! The night was very, er, me and so enjoyable - a fun and relaxed way to reach my 20th.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Gold!


Another busy day with lectures followed by a long cycle with Seb from AgeAid. Today we were volunteering at a centre past Summertown and the ringroad where they serve meals for the elderly every month. Seb and I helped serving, washing and cleaning up afterwards and it was quite enjoyable. In the evening I went with a small part fo the Beijing group to the Oxford Modern Art Museujm which is neatly tucked away in Pembroke street off G&D's. I had planned to just drop them off and cycle home until I found that part of the museum's exhibition was to dress up in gold space suits - amazing! I got all the Chinese teachers to do so as well and we spent more time posing in the suits than looking at the artwork (which was very..er... modern indeed!). Everyone had so much fun that we stayed until they kicked us out.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

7:15am University Parks


Alice and I joined other female rowers from Hertford for an early morning run. We saw the sun rise above the morning mist and it was very brief but breathtaking all the same. I've been blogging and realised just how long my last few posts have been - oh dear.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Careers, future, graduation... eep!


I finished of my work for the presentation today (which turned out to be quite awful in the end - very frustrating) and met one of dad's friends who dropped off some family stuff. This photo is from a collection of the things he gave me - the picture is of my grandparents(right), great aunt(left) and great grandmother who is holding dad and my aunt, Fi, is the little girl sitting in the front. The best part of the day, however, was my meeting at the careers service with Clare the scientific careers advisor. She helped me sort out my CV and we talked about all these interesting future jobs and studentships. She did ask if I had considered teaching which was funny seeing as I come from a family of teachers! I know it sounds idealistic and probably very naive but I would love to work in the FAO or something to do with crop sustainability and food production. It's such an important thing at the moment and so very interesting that I would love to find a job in that sector.Maybe I'm just doing it because Duado worked with FAO too...Either way, going there made me feel so confident about what I can achieve and suddenly my goals didn't seem so impossible to reach.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Don't stop.


Today was such a hectic day (but green tea keeps me going). It seems that I don't have any time to stop but, then again, I love being really busy if it's with interesting activities! I met up with James Scargill today and we had lunch at The Mission followed by tea in his room. It was great to catch up with him and we talked about the upcoming New College Commemoration Ball and Hertford's black tie Gala of the Gods. We've decided to each buy two tickets so we can both go to the two events - I'm so excited!
The afternoon was spent at the welcome tea for the Chinese group and then an un-successful trip to the pub. I spent the rest of the time in the library preparing for tomorrow's presentation.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

6:15am, Heathrow Airport


So today I met Alice and Kate (from the International Office) at Heathrow Airport to collect a group of High School teachers from Beijing. They took ages to arrive and we weren't back in Oxford until around lunchtime, only to find out that we were expected to give them a quick tour of the city! After some semi-made-up facts about Hertford and the University I cycled home and spent the majority of the day procrastonating - so tried! I then met up with my college children (Gaby and Steven), husband (Tom Davies), brother (Jamie) and Nabs' family for pizza at Pizza Express. This was so fun as it was a very large group and people kept on arriving to join it! This was then followed by a trip to G&D's (although most of us were pretty full) where we sat and chatted.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Ladurée


We finally made it. After almost a year of dreaming and planning to go, Chesca and I bought some Ladurée macaroons at the Burlington Arcade. We'd been inspired by The Unicorn Diaries to take a trip and it was the reason behind my return home this weekend.
The arcade was small and modestly elegant with a red carpet running through it and shops selling various items of jewellery and silverware. It was not until we reached the very end that we saw Ladurée on the corner. So much smaller than I'd expected and VERY expensive but still delightful and simple. We chose to share four macaroons; rose, raspberry, praline and pistachio flavour. As there was no room to sit down (or even move!) we continued on our way and ended up in the downstairs floor of costa with steaming mugs of tea and coffee. I used my spoon to carefully cut our prized treats into equal halves and we ate them slowly savouring the fine flavours and delicate textures. We must have been there for over two hours just talking and catching up. I know I always mention this but talking to Chesca has got to be one of my favourite things to do. She's always so thoughtful and funny that It makes me proud to be her sister.
Anyway, we later took the train to Richmond where we met mum, dad and Abu who'd spent a day in Kingston. From here we drove to an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant (which was a lot nicer than it sounds!). Being with my family was so lovely and relaxing - being at Oxford has made me appreciate so much more being able to spend time with them.

Friday, January 22, 2010

When things in life are just meant to be...


After lectures today I had lunch with Ruben, a PHD student from Mexico. We ate the most delicious tapas in Little Clarendon street and spent a good two hours talking in Spanish about the wonders of Mexico. He kindly walked me back to College where I had to rush off and meet Seb to quickly discuss Ageaid stuff. From here I walked in the rain to the bus stop and met this really sweet guy from New College called Jezz. He knows James Scargill and we began chatting. The bus, however, stopped further down the street so we had to sprint to catch it. As we got on I realised that I'd dropped my flower hair clip. Jezz asked if I was OK and I said it ws fine - if I'd lost my hair clip then maybe It was not meant to be mine anymore. He got on the bus but I had to wait for the next one as my ticket wasn't valid for another 5 mins. I retraced me steps but couldn't find the clip anywhere. By now I was soaked, tried and slight sad. It didn't take long for the next bus to arrive and it is here that you find me blogging about the picture for today. And as I reached to get my netbook I saw the hair clip safe and dry inside my folder...

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Best day, Thursday


Today was so busy but very enjoyable. It started with three lectures in the morning with a one hour gap between the first and second one. I used this pretty efficiently by doing some work in the library on my shmoo. I then lost my bike keys, found them and proceeded to cycle like crazy to the careers service in time for a talk on International Internships available this year. I had to leave this a bit early as they ran over time and I still needed to cycle home for lunch and then peddle furiously to Cowley for my interview. This went pretty well and I calmed myself down by walking around the Botanical Gardens before heading back to Hertford. They were so bare and all the plants had been cut back - I could see from one side to the other! This was quite sad as I suddenly realised that it isn't as large as I thought...
However, a quick trip into the humid hot houses cheered me up as the smell reminded me of being a kid and visiting Kew. Here I found some cotton plants and thought they'd make a good picture. I sat on the floor determined to get a good shot but was rudley disturbed by some tourists who decided that they wanted to get the exact same photos! gr.
A not-so-manic cycle back to Hertford was followed by some more work in the library and a quick trip to Morton's to buy a baguette for dinner - yum! Here I saw the CUTEST guy ever who held the door open for me *sigh*. I then did some more library work and went off to my first Japanese class of term. This reminded me very much of French GCSE and was pretty laid back. I was unable to stay for drinks in the pub later but met Alice at Wadham instead for a meeting by Food Justice - an Oxhub charity organisation working to help distribute unwanted food from supermarkets to homeless shelters etc. It was so interesting to hear about the project (it's fairly new) and I wanted to do as much as possible straight away! Anyway, it was getting late so I cycled back home and now find myself content and looking forward to what tomorrow may bring...

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

It was you I was thinking of.


Just some lyrics that came into my head as I wrote this.

Its been raining all day and I've spent the majority of time finishing off an essay on Evolution and Systematics. Tomorrow I have the busiest day of the term so far and won't have a break to eat until around 2pm. I then have about three different meetings and possibly an interview with Oxhub for the position of official photographer. It has taken me almost 2 hours to sort through all my pictures ever taken on the Nikon to find ones I think would be good examples of my work. I'm excited about my day tomorrow. It is certainly going to be VERY busy but atleast I'll be doing things I enjoy!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

These are a few of my favourite things...


Taking this picture today reminded me of all the things I really like in life. Perfect white porcelain being an example. I don't know why but I just love how flawless it looks...
Today I was pretty effcient and managed to get quite few things sort. You know, the little things that just slowly accumulate and you forget to do although they're quite important...
I met up with Seb from AgeAid to start working on a project between the University and Community centre here in Summertown. The ladies we spoke to we incredibly friendly and had tonnes of great ideas. I then had another meeting with everyone going to Japan and we discussed places to visit. After dinner in hall Alice and I got some work done in the library which was pretty good too. It seems that this term is going to be busy in the best possible sense of the word. I can't wait to get started on all the various projects I have lined up!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Toga! Toga! Toga!



Today is the Hertford Ball launch and there's going to be a toga party at Po Na Na (random tiny club near George Street). I had my first lectures of term today which weren't too thrilling even thought they were to do with plant sciences. I guess it could be because they were actually on fungi and thats certainly nothing exciting. The lecturer, however, (who is a lovely old lady who speaks the Queen's English and says things like "awf" as in "awful" when she means "off")seems to think otherwise.

Anyway, while riffling through my inbox I found an e-mail sent by mum quite a while ago. I kept it because it is so beautiful, true and as close as to how I believe life should be led as possible. I want to share it with you and have also included it is this post so as a reminder for myself that "life is beautiful" is one of the truest sayings.
* * * * *

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me."

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.Your friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is
all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never
blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is
up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an
answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25 No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this
matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or
didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd
grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

resolution


Oh dear. The very thought of wine or vodka makes me want to throw up. Last night ws Tom's Birthday house party and tons of Hertford people came to celebrate. I hadn't really planned on dirnking much but Marja and I began by sharing a bottle of white wine. I was then pennied mercilessly on various occasions and began to feel a bit tipsy. Later, Manasi and I decided that it'd be a good idea to have some vodka too in my room. I don't really remember much of what happened after the drinking games but I woke up this morning with the bin next to my bed and loads of half-empty cans lying around (not mine, I don't drink beer!).
Anyway, I felt surprisingly good and encouraged Manasi to come with for a run to Hertford and back. We later continued our healthy day by buying loads of fruit and vegetables at CO-OP and making this delicious green pesto, tomato and water cress pasta. I love having healthy days after a particularily unhealthy binge and really want to keep this up. I do not, however, want to ever drink as much in such a short space of time as last night. I do not want to be the person making a fool of themselves and waking up the next day with a splitting headache and no recollection whatsoever of the night before. That is not me and I refuse to be that person.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Bloggin'



I've spent the majority of today sorting out this blog and making sure that all the right pictures are up. Quite a few posts are missing which is really annoying as I've had to match up the photos to the day and post. However, while riffling through all my pics I've found some hidden treasures that I'd completely forgotten about. I've decided to pic 20 of my favourite ones and include them in the blog once a year is up. However, here is a little teaser. Finding this took me back to the warm spring day when I was sat under the cherry blossom orchard in the Botanic Gardens, reading The Origin of Species. It was so sunny and the sky was bright blue. I recal finding the book very tedious and boring - taking pictures was so much better! This was taken on the day of Exeter Ball and how I wish it were spring now!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Collections


So, finally all my work should have paid off (well, partly) as I had my collections this morning. The other Biologists and I wore out gowns over our normal clothes as we scribbled away four essays in three hours. Luckily I found that I had a lot to say so was very wary of the time - this is usually a good thing as I hate not knowing what to write! I think the exam went OK but I don't want to make any predictions which may later be wrong.
I later took my beloved laptop to the IT people and went for a 25 min urging session with Sarah at 3pm. Getting to the boathouse was exercise enough as the whole tow-path was iced over. I therefore couldn't cycle so had to drag my bike through the slush while I walked my way there. In the late evening Felicity, Sarah and Chandni came over and we cooked stir-fry together. This was then followed by a chocolate fondue with Alice, Manasi, Amelia and Tom. We chatted for ages like old times and planned ways in which to make Alice come out to Kukui with us...

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Cabin fever


Spent most of the day revising on the last length before my collections. I started to get a bit of cabin fever so cycled into Hertford to collect a book. I'm feeling quite confident this term and started to make revision notes on the key case studies. However, after making myself the best mug of Mexican-style hot chocolte (melted chocolate+cinmnamon+hot milk) I spilt some water on my laptop. It seemed to be ok but the sound later refused to work. I tried to restart it but it froze. I'm now VERY VERY worried that it's gone for good. I really hope it isn't. gah. Damn cabin fever.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Emerald Splendour


This was the scene I saw as I opened my curtains this morning - stunning, right?

Ok, so today I did some hard-core revision by spending almost an entire day at the RSL. It was pretty intense but I was determined to make it an enjoyable experience. What better way to make revision enjoyable than wearing something nice? So, I wore the BEAUTIFUL emerald skirt I bought in H&M that time I saw Amelia in Kingston. This is not juts any skirt. It is EMERALD. Well and truly dark green with a shimmer of gold. Who could love a skirt more than I love this one? I had been looking for it since Summer and had found the last one in my size on that day - it was meant to be!
Anyway, I spent a very productive and enjoyable time furiously writing notes in the library. I was, however, slightly concerned when on leaving I saw a small sign next to the wooden panelling to my side saying "DANGER: ASPESTOS". eep!
I had dinner with Felicity, Marja and Sarah and we met Alice, Tom (Davies) and Nabs at The Turf for a drink. This was then followed by a trip down the bar and later the JCR where we ate Hassan's and chocolate. Socialising is certainly another way to make revision far more enjoyable!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The day I felt as if I had been here all along...


I've only been here one day and my room is already a mess. There are clothes strewn across the floor chair and my bed is just a bundle of duvet left from when I crawled out of bed this morning. To say that I currently feel slightly lethargic would be very true. I honestly feel like it's about 7th week and I'm starting to run out of steam - I haven't even begun term yet!
I'm hoping to get a large amount of work done and then look around the charity shops here for some suitable toga material for the Hertford Ball Launch party this monday.

Monday, January 11, 2010

ok. revision.


Ok, I admit it, not a picture I took today but rather one taken while I was at home taking photos in Llamas park. I had left me wellies in Oxford and walkign in the snow with only thin canvas shoes made me really appreciate them!

Went into town with Tom to do some shopping i.e. food. The freezer downstairs decided, half way through the holidays, to stop working so most of the food I stored away so carefully is now quite disgusting.
The snow is starting to melt but I don't think I would like to risk cycling just yet. Tom's lost his bike key so we walked into Oxford and back. This wasn't too bad as I had my wellies and we munched cinder toffee on the way back to Summertown.
I got a tiny bit of revision done before Talia arrived for dinner and, later, Manasi. I really want to make more of an effort to see people in south Oxford this term but it's be nice if they came to visit us too...

Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Red Lion


Went in the morning to Ealing Broadway with mum and Abu to do some errands. Later had a haircut and started to pack for Oxford. In the later evening Marianne and her boyfriend Ben came round and we went off for a drink at the Red Lion in South Ealing. David later joined us and it was, in all, a really fun time as we joked a lot (especially about the one time we got "really drunk" on a walking holiday...). Marianne has been offered a place at Cambridge, Ben at the Royal College of Music and David at Durham. I'm so excited for them and would like to re-do the Uni experience all over again! I can't believe I'm almost half way.
We walked/skated back in the early morning which was definitely very entertaining! I was tempted to jump the fence into Llamas and run in the snow but I don't think everyone was up for it....

Friday, January 8, 2010

The day I ....


Did some work at home, chatted with Abu and took a quick walk round Llamas and South Ealing.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

What is left behind



It's still freezing and everything remains covered in snow but today was especialy clear and sunny. I went out around lunchtime in dad's boots (a couple of sizes too big so I wore two layers of socks, which didn't do much apart from keep my feet a degree or so warmer) to take pictures of Llamas park. The field was so bright as the sun reflected off the snow. It resembled a white meteorite field with the remenants of snowmen and snowballs strewn across the landscape followed by their dark green paths were the grass was visible.
I gradually made my way up to Ealing Common, taking cautious steps on the thick ice that coated the pavement. In all reality I had hoped to find a breathtaking scene but was only met by another post-snowball fight battlefield (no doubt from yesterday). The greater part of the common was pretty stunning though and I managed to get a few good shots of early winter blossom.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

El Dia de Reyes


Today is King's day in Mexico where people celebrate the three Kings visiting baby Jesus. We traditionaly eat a Rosca de Reyes with hot chocolate at Abu and Duado's. Inside the cake would be a number of tiny plastic dolls which you had to find and , if you did, you were supposed to throw a party on the 2nd Feb (which suits me just fine!). This happened in the evenings and we'd usually invite some neighbours round too. However, that morning, we would enter the living room to collect our shoes. The tradition goes that children leave their shoes by the Christmas tree so the three Kings put presents inside them. These are usually small things like make-up and sweets but it's a tradition that's merged with Christmas so Mexican and Spanish children basically have three celebrations to look forward to (include New Year's)!

Chesca and I left our shoes out last night and got a few cute presents like earrings and make-up. It's been snowing all day but it doesn't seem to settle. I really hope that we get a blizzard like the rest of the country so school is cancelled. That way Chesca and I can go out and take pictures together. This one was taken as I walked down the avenue of trees in Llamas park. I love how different and icy they look under the layer of snow.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Starbucks


Today Abu and I stayed at home wrapped in layers with the central heating on full-blast. I guess it's pretty good that we're both "friolentas" as they say in Spanish and therefore strong cold weather haters.
In the early evening I met up with Temi, Christina and Laura at the new starbucks in Ealing Broadway. We talked until the shop shut and it was as if none of us had ever left sixth form. I heard about Chrissie's glamorous uni life at the London School of Fashion (her lectures are on bond street!), Temi's first year at Warwick and Laura's second year at Nottingham where buses don't even run on a Sunday...
I was so happy to be able to catch up with everything they've been doing. Laura explained how shocked she'd been to meet people that actually didn't want to live here (beforehand she thought everyone wanted to but wasn't able due to the lack of space. Therefore, everyone living outside London was just a wannabe Londoner..). We also compared shocking out-of-London stories like there only being ONE Topshop in Oxford, having to wait 26 mins for a bus in Warwick (and that apparently being good) or living on a campus where you'd be more likely to get chased by a cow than mugged.

I love living here (currently part-time) but also have so many other places to visit! Being with my old school friends today just made me appreciate where I come from. More importantly, I saw that it doesn't matter how many people you know; rather the number of good true friends you have.
We got the lady in starbucks to take this picture before they kicked us out but it's slightly blurry - I think she wanted to go home!

Monday, January 4, 2010

The way it was.


Chesca woke me up early this morning to walk with her to school (it's her first day back). Everything was frozen solid with tiny crystals of ice glittering in the crisp morning light. I love walking as it reminds me of when I was at Twyford and we'd take the same route every day. I find it is one of the best ways to meditate when you have lots on my mind or nothing at all. It's a calming way to reflect after a long day or week and you just keep going, observing small wonders on the way. I took that route before my GCSEs in the summer, when the alleyway going past the allotments was in filled with vines, flowers, birds and pieces of rare urban beauty. The air was fresh and clear, the way it is in summer before the start of a hot day. I would walk that path in sixth form with Chesca and we'd have time to talk before reaching Ealing Common and realising we were late. Then there were the times before then, when I took that route with Chris for the first time. We went past the large houses near the common when the pavement was a thick path of cherry blossom petals which drifted like snow from the heavily burdened trees lining the street.
I have taken that route so many times in my life, occasionally It may alter to suit my mood but it will always be "the route" to school. The one I took when I was filled with the butterflies you get as a teenager when there's someone you can't wait to see (almost every single time a guy). Or the times I would take precise pensive strides after a particularly trying day. The best time however, were the dreamy days when the sun was soft and warm as I took the same route home. I would amble along the streets admiring the houses and picking my favourite ones (they HAD to have good gardens to fill this criteria!) sometime humming a tune to myself. Time would have no meaning - it didn't even exist - and my route would be as long or as short as I felt necessary. There were no pressures or burdens above my head on these days. This is why I still take walks while at Oxford; they're the only things that can settle me if everything feels too much. By doing this I am once again turning that corner into my street, feeling the sunshine on my face and humming the same tune as I take the final steps home.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Julie's House


Today Alice and I went to visit Julie, a friend from Church who used to live with her family in Japan. She offered to give us advice on places to visit etc so we were delighted to be able to visit her house and get some ideas for the trip. From the outside it was an ordinary English house but as soon as we stepped through the door and left our shoes at the entrance we were taken into a strange Japan meets UK interior. There were various items of furniture such as sliding bookshelves and dark wooden drawers made into the shape of stairs, souvenirs from the various places they'd visited, paintings mostly from Asia and books wrapped in origami paper. We sat down with some green tea and Japanese snacks after having a brief tour of the house. Julie showed us all the various bits and bobs we might come across on our travels and then brought out some useful maps and photographs. We spent the afternoon and early evening organising and hearing about places to visit. She seemed just as excited and enthusiastic as us about the trip (maybe even more so)! Afterwards, she told me that I just HAD to try their toilet (imported from Japan, obviously) which was an "interesting" experience to say the least. There were so many confusing buttons and worrying diagrams that I spent almost 15 mins looking for the "flush" only to find that it was behind the seat; totally normal and western-looking.
Alice and I laughed about the toilet and chatted about the trip on the way home. We ate pasta bake with my family and I showed Alice (I even introduced her to Toffee and Fudge). We've planned to get our JR passes tomorrow in London - I can't believe how fast everything has gone since I initially bought the ticket. It's so thrilling and I just can't wait for everything to fall into place. God, I hope it does.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

wrapped in my duvet


Was supposed to go to Tom's house today with Alice and Amelia but we're all feeling a bit under the weather. I stayed in my bed today as mum read out our horoscopes from her yahoo e-mail account. They're suprisingly accurate! I think today will be a lazy relaxed day, perfect for my to get some work done. Chesca took this picture of Fudge over a year ago but he just looks so cute in it!

Friday, January 1, 2010

i Haci para que nuestro año empieze hermoso !


Everyone cheered as the fireworks went off in London. We had music going again and everyone was hugging, kissing each other (mostly on cheeks...) and pulling party poppers. A chocolate cake with sparklers was brought out for Jess and we all started singing "Happy Birthday" at the tops of our voices. We danced for the rest of the night to everything imaginable and then helped clear up at the end. Alice the German girls and I slept in Jess’ room and didn’t wake up until after 10 this morning. We ate the rest of the cake for breakfast and I headed towards the tube station with Alice. It was freezing and I wasn’t overjoyed about travelling from one end of London to the other but I dozed for most of the journey. Coming back home wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. I’ve managed to get a tiny bit of work done (which is better than nothing) but am feeling slightly “fragile” after last night. I wish I’d been able to take a picture of the bright sky and warm sunshine I saw as I came out of Northfields tube. It was the perfect weather for the first day of a New Year and new decade; soft, crisp, pleasant and fresh.