Friday, June 18, 2004

End of an Era

Last day of term. We have a week left in our house, but lots of my friends are off for the summer today and tomorrow. I'm never very good with summer holidays - too long, too many people in our too tiny house, no-one replying to my emails etc. Dad's coming to pick up all my stuff this evening when I'm out so I'll come home to an empty room. However, in order for him to be able to take all my stuff I shall have to pack it up. Woops, not quite at that point yet. Shall have to hope that God lends a hand... With Him, nothing is impossible!!!! Not even packing up 2 years' worth of rubbish!

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Ducks

There were only 10 ducklings yesterday!!!!

Last Week

Cried on Monday at the Graduate BBQ and I'm coming back next year - how deranged is that?! Saw Angie though, and that was cool.

In a funny mood on Tuesday, so I snapped at Andy, whinged at Steve and stayed out for most of the day - it was easier than going home and having to try to explain why I was miserable.

Didn't really do anything for the rest of the week. Was still grumpy on Wednesday. Thursday was better. Friday, the weather was getting me down. It's just too darn hot. Had a nice chat with Andy in the canteen. Didn't meet with Amy because she had other things to do. Went to see the ducks with Clare. There are 13 ducklings there, so sadly quite a few have disappeared. Fell asleep so didn't go to the pub with Jo in the evening. Wish I had, but hey, what can you do?!

Saturday was strange - the house all went to Bournemouth for the uni ball, but I would rather gouge my own eyes out than do that sort of thing, so I stayed home alone. Ryan, Will and Andy came round for dinner in the evening. I cooked lasagne, and it was my best one yet. Their attempt at pudding was sweet, but strange - bizarre Smarties cookies things - look like plasticine. Fortunately I had some ice creams in the freezer. They washed up, so I had to forgive them for watching the football, and for taking photos on Ryan's phone of Andy's bum, and trying to show me. I thought I'd go blind!!! And then I stupidly left the room and forgot to take my phone with me, so I came back to a terrible sight on my own mobile!!! Scarred for life.

Church was brilliant on Sunday - I will miss the worship at Vineyard next year, but God has His plans for me, and I won't argue. And then Chris' Baptism in the evening. Wonderful. I love Baptisms - they're so exciting. Afterwards was Chrissie's surprise party - I was in charge of the BBQ, what with the football causing a severe lack of men. I was pretty good at it though, even if I do say so myself. But what joy, England lost against France - it is only right - I am far from being unpatriotic, but I really hope that we lose all our games and then the stupid football would be over. I hate it - people become so antisocial. It's the same with Big Brother, except churches aren't finishing early for that. I was highly annoyed - Ewan at the Baptist Church where Chris got baptised didn't even finish his sermon!!! He didn't want people to miss the match. How rude is that? Personally, I'd have thought God was just a bit more important - I hope He understands. Not that I'm a brilliantly holy person either. Really need to get some stuff sorted with God - like old wounds that keep being opened and need healing rather than ignoring.

Had Beautiful Time with Beth on Monday. That was really lovely as I haven't seen her properly for ages. Had a good chat and talked properly. Lovely. Then went to the pub in the evening for a nice drink and a chat. Jo and Andy talked quite civilly to each other - brilliant!

5th June - Birthday Party Day!!!!

Was sooooooo stressed in the morning - cried when mum said she couldn't find my red wrap! Did the final bits of shopping with Nic and Jen, and tried to ignore how much money we were spending. I didn't really get a chance to chill out - had a half hour nap, but wasn't doing well.

The party however, was brilliant. I had a really fab time. My shoes killed me, but they looked good. Everyone looked beautiful, and I got given lots of lovely presents. We both really enjoyed ourselves - had a drink, a dance and nic, Jennie, Clare and myself sang along loudly to Never Been to Me, our song. I think everyone had a good time, and I never really realised before just how many lovely friends I have. And it was great to have my family there too.

Had a fab photo taken with all my boys. Hope it comes out well.

4th June - First Party of the Weekend

Handed in my critique, written yesterday. Impressive, even if I do say so myself. It was weird handing it in because it was my last piece of uni work ever. Felt a twinge of sadness as I filled in the cover sheet for the last time. I have really enjoyed my time here and grown so much in my faith and in who I am. Oh well.

Went to Gemma and Steve's BBQ. All the house except Nic came and we had a good time. Ate too many burgers, but took some nice photos. I think Andy's beginning to get bored of me stealing his stuff every time he leaves it lying around. But I'm not. Maybe one day I'll learn when I've gone far enough.

Party tomorrow. Beginning to panic...

3rd June

Spent the morning with Grandma and Granddad, showing them around Winchester and taking them to the Church I'm working in next year. Grandma was very impressed with Christchurch. Who knows what Granddad was thinking?! They could both see what I love about Winchester and why I want to stay here. I'm so glad that God has plans to keep me here, and I get the feeling it's not going to be short term...

Gemma's birthday today - went out for lunch with her and her housemates. Need to stop spending money. Had a lovely time, and felt very honoured that I was invited specially.

Grandma and Granddad took me out for dinner. Went to Pizza Express. Delicious. Haven't eaten at home for ages.

2nd June - Clare's Birthday Day of Fun!!!

What a fabulous day!!! We took Clare out for her surprise. Intech Science Museum just up the road. Hands on exhibitions - we really enjoyed ourselves. It was so lovely to watch Tom and Dave playing together, and Dave made a little friend with a kid that was on something he wanted a go with. We had a lovely picnic lunch and Clare smiled all morning.

Then it was a quick bus ride back and a fast walk to the cinema to watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Yet another good film. Much darker than the first two - it had many Tim Burton-esque qualities, reminding me a little of Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands, aswell as some of the Batman films. I have to admit there were a few moments that scared me, but overall it was brilliant. It's getting funnier too, although, despite it being a while since I read the book, I'm sure there were some big differences. Wasn't quite sure how to deal with David Thewlis as Professor Lupin, as the last film I saw him in was Dragonheart and he was horribly sleazy and cruel. But he was good in HP, well done. Emma Thompson made me laugh, with her enormous googly eyes behind her specs!

After the film Nic and I popped in to town to grab the last of Clare's presents, and then we had cake and prezzie time in the kitchen. She was well chuffed with what we got her - it's so nice to see.

Nic and I spent the afternoon finishing off our party CD burning, and then we all went out to Dilse for an Indian. Man, we ate so much, but we forced ourselves through the pain barrier, and it was good. Got a free bottle of wine because it was Clare's birthday and had a really lovely time just chatiing after the meal. Lovely.

1st June - Assessment Frenzy

Had our Drama and Theatre as Representations of Social Change in Contemporary Britain performances today. Ours went down suprisingly well, considering my slight panic about it. I rarely panic, so I panicked more because I had found something to panic about, which meant it must be serious. Does that make sense? I looked great in my lab coat and nurse's hat, but poor Tim - he just did not want those jelly beans - muhahahahaha!!! Pip and I made sure he got plenty. People laughed, which was good. Now we have to write our critiques by Friday. I'll do that Thursday then.

31st May 2004 - Troy

Yes, that's right, I went to the cinema again, two days later. And then I wonder where my money goes!!! Film and books.

Troy was pretty good. I've been looking forward to this film for months! And when it got here I wasn't (too) disappointed. Homer's Illiad is one of my favourite stories. I studied it and The Odyssey at school, and translated parts of the Roman version, The Aneid by Virgil, in Latin for GCSE, so I like to think I know the story of the Trojan war pretty well. So, as you can tell, I was a tad miffed at the fact they cut out 10 years!!! Ten!!! That's a pretty long time. They could have just showed it with a subtitle or something, like they did with other stuff. Andy told me I shouldn't whinge (that's rich! Especially seeing as I've heard tales of his moaning through Lord of the Rings because they didn't stick to the book.) but I think I had the right to. Plus he said, well maybe they implied it. No, no, no! The baby stayed the same age. But, I won't get going on that again.

However, I was very impressed with the visuals - pretty impressive. And even though I knew the outcome of the story I was still excited and on the edge of my seat at times. I put up with the hamster features of Brad Pitt in order to swoon over Eric Bana's brooding, rugged, handsomeness; Orlando Bloom's cheek bones and boyish good looks; and the wonder that is Sean Bean. And wow! They gave Sean a part which meant he was still alive at the end of the film. I'm pretty amazed, considering the number of films I have seen him in where he doesn't even last until the middle. And I love him.

Peter O'Toole has blatantly had surgery, and he looks silly for it, but each to his own. I did enjoy the film. Thought some of the fight scenes could have been a bit more exciting, but they sufficed. Music was James Horner on his usual top form. Yeah, I'd watch it again on video.

Then we all went to Jo's to eat the food her housemate left behind when she left. That was good fun. Although I did panic a little at the thought of the possible food poisoning the boys were trying to create...

And then the pub - good fun, but Will flicked Guinness at me :( I forgave him, just.