Diary of an English student

It's been a long summer, folks, and it's starting to be rather noticeable, especially around the stomach regions.

Yes, weeks of really quite minimal activity (well, compared to what I do in term-time, ie 6 days involving exercise, one day off a week) is taking its toll.

It's not just the stomach, either. It's the whole package. Bum, thighs, even calves are looking distinctly more filled-out than they were just a few short months ago. This does not please me. In fact, I'd say it does rather the opposite.

And the most annoying thing about it is that I have (somehow) injured my foot, meaning I am super-reluctant to eg go running or anything like that before I can either a)get it looked at or b) get over it.

I can only hope that my return to Oxford this time next week will precipitate a wave of healthy activity and eating habits. I reckon it will; the pressure of not having to eat when everyone else is eating does make a real difference, and having to walk/cycle EVERYWHERE will at least get me moving around. Oh, and free gym membership to a sports centre which is a mere stone's throw away. That always helps ..

I read something in some newspaper the other day which said that actually, September is a better month to make resolutions of the 'New Year' variety. And given the proximity of Jewish New Year (Rosh HaShanah), perhaps I'll take this opportunity to make some.

So. Here goes.

1) To get fit (again)
2) To work hard in order to make Mods revision easier next term
3) To actually do all the things I keep telling myself I'm going to do (eg take up coxing, go to JSoc etc)
4) To be nice to people, and not be petty/sulky/grumpy etc, whether I feel like I have good reason to be or not
5) To not make ANOTHER mistake re. men again but to embrace singledom until someone I actually *want* to be in a relationship with comes along.

I think that should be all for now. The more I make, the more I can break, after all.

I'll keep you updated as to how it all goes

Isn't it amazing the emotions that can be evoked through the medium of celluloid?

Or even, in this day and age, via Facebook?

Basically, chaps, I'm talking (as you may have guessed by the title of this little post) about photographs.

Some photos make you coo, some make you squirm, some make you want to vom. All these and more can be found via t'internet, or, if you like doing things the old fashioned way, in little paper pouches filled with excitingly glossy card.

I like a bit of both, myself, which is why next to my laptop I have two pictures of various members of Exeter College Boat Club, a professional photo of the Hills Rd summer ball (taken at the end of LVI) and a picture from the photoshoot I received as a present for my 18th birthday of myself, Sam, Nic, Rachel and Jenny. They are nice photos. I like looking at them.

I do not like looking at all photos. Like ones that remind me what I'm missing out on, or of people doing something they've told you they weren't going/couldn't do. This vexes me. They don't come round very often, but when they do.. grrr.

Anyway. That is all. I'm sure you'll hear from me again soon

Hey chappies,

It's 7th week here in Oxford.. in fact, as from Sunday, it'll be 8th week. This time next week, it'll be one day until term officially ends. How crazy is that? I can't believe I've been here this long... A year ago, I was doing my A levels. I didn't know anyone here (well, apart from Ruth and Tom, sort of). I certainly couldn't have guessed the sort of things I'd get up to (this term in particular ) and the stuff I'd do, and the friends I would make. I love it

Even as I type this, my future college child is out there somewhere, just waiting for all these crazy experiences to start, with not the least idea of what they are letting themselves in for. I kind of envy them, because this has been such a fun year, but I know also that next year is going to be awesome too and I don't want to wish it away by living in some alternate reality where I'm still a first year

Everything is looking pretty peachy at the moment, although it's been a bit of a funny week. Somehow I seem to be doing more rowing than I even was before VIIIs.. which would be fine, if I hadn't had 3 essays in four days.. which would also have been doable if I were getting any sympathy for it! But nooo, everyone else has exams so their lives are necessarily a ZILLION times worse. Which, granted, they probably are. But still. All said essays are done and dusted now so it's ok. Only one more essay this term, yeehah!

Also, a shout out to my cousin's band Orphans and Vandals.. today I put their name into spotify to see if their album was on it.. and it is.. and actually, it's really pretty good. I am WELL enjoying listening to it. I might even buy it (although obviously, I'd quite like to be given one for being related, and maybe get it signed too ). So yeah, listen! It's pretty damn good. I like Argyle Square and Christopher the best.. although all the songs are pretty cool.

Right. I hope you found that illuminating. I'm off for dinner

Dear all/any,

It's been a fair while since my last blog, and yes, I'm a terrible person for not keeping you all up to date on my life over the last couple of months and providing certain people with distractions from work. *cough*Adam*cough*. Anyway, here is a blog. At last. I should be reading an article about Plato, but sometimes you just have to let yourself be distracted..

Life at the moment is good. Really really good. In fact, I was just rereading some old blog posts (ie New Year's resolutions) and I realised how much better it is than before. Trinity term has definitely been the best so far

Some pretty crazy things have happened, good and slightly less good, but I have to say, there is nothing about this term that I regret. So far. I don't want to get too optimistic only to have it all crash down about my ears! A lot of things got cleared up at the start of this term that I really should have resolved earlier, but as it is, here I am now in this happy place for having got them sorted out, just in time for me to enjoy myself and make the most of still living in college to get to know all those people I don't as yet really have a connection with. I've turned into a bit of a gossip queen as I seem to 'know people who know people' and that sort of thing, which has its upsides (I know an awful lot about people) and its downsides (when a story about me comes along, the WHOLE of college knows, because everyone knows someone that knows me). But considering the fun I'm having this term, I wouldn't have it any other way

Anyway, I really must get some Plato done before dinner. Maybe I'll even blog again before the end of term

In this day and age, it seems it is increasingly difficult to get published. It's not the romanticised ideal movies and books make it out to be. There's such a lot of drivel out there, it does make one wonder who it actually is making these decisions, and what they were taking when they did so.

Perhaps this is why a blog is a wonderful thing.

I can tell many, many people, many of whom (or indeed, most of whom) I will never meet, about anything I choose. Me, my family and friends, my life - or I can do something a little different, from time to time. Include a short story, or a poem. I came across a notebook which I had filled with poetry not long ago - there were things in there that I didn't even remember writing, and reading them again, I was so pleased I'd found them. I'm still not quite at the stage where I'm ready to show them to the world yet - I know they need work, and one day I'll go back and sort them out. But just knowing I've got a cache of writings hidden away makes me feel a little reassured. Like if everything were to go to pot, if the worst were to happen, or whatever, I would have left something that was entirely me, my own, not influenced by anyone else.

This all seems very deep, you may be thinking. Well, I guess I'm feeling pretty deep at the moment as I just watched the BBC's adaptation of the diary of Anne Frank. I cried at the end. Who wouldn't? But the point is that she was real, she was normal, she was like me in a lot of ways. Obviously we differ on some key points. But she is such a point of identification; her diary has become so important to Western culture and to the understanding of the lives of those who were persecuted. It's a snapshot, not only of war, but of childhood and adolescence. It's a testament to the power of the written word.

Part of what makes it so remarkable is her constant self-criticism and doubt. No author could have planned more dramatic irony. It verges on the sickening in its cheery underestimation of its potential. Readers drawn into the story are always surprised at the end when it suddenly stops; when there is no obvious conclusion. Some would say that is what lends it its power. But I like to think that Anne's writing would have been special even had she survived. And I think that also makes the fact that she didn't more poignant.

If I leave half such a testament behind, I'll be happy.

You didn't really expect me to write between Christmas and New Year, did you? More fool you if you did. Honestly.

It's getting to that stage in the holiday where being at home is now dull. I know I would be working harder, being more productive, and generally moping less if I were in Oxford right now. But I am not. I am in the Other Place (as Andrew refers to it) and, while interesting things are occurring, I am desperate to return. Exercise, both mental and physical, is sorely lacking. My brain yearns for stimulating conversation over late-night cups of tea, followed by inordinate amounts of Greek, followed by the culmination of an essay crisis into a readable work on some great Classical piece of literature. I want to be on the river; I want to be eating in hall; I want to gossip and discuss matters of theology with Dan and Andrew.

I'm very needy, it seems. But I don't think I'm asking that much.. am I?

You may be interested in how I spent my New Year. I shall say merely that it was the most fun I have ever had at New Year, with the most people my own age and the most freedom to do what we liked, when we wanted to. It was pretty damn awesome, in short.

Some New Years resolutions:

1) to get over thinking about what I can't have
2) to not begrudge others the right to relationships, just because I am so rubbish at them

and one that I think I'll actually achieve, so that when I look back on this blog I won't think 2009 will have been a total failure:
3) to get better at rowing

Happy New Year, all

Dear all,

It's been a while since I last posted and I'm sure you're all wondering just what I've been doing. Sadly, I can't actually remember when I last posted, so I have no clue where to start. You'll just have to take as read that some cool stuff happened, some lame stuff happened, and some ambivalent stuff happened. Sorry.

More recently, however, many good times have occurred, including DINNER WITH MICHAEL PARKINSON (I kid you not) at the Union, a joyous season of marriage proposals (I'm engaged to my dearest darling Andrew - good times) and some other stuff, a selection of which is laid out below for your delectation and delight:

1) Christchurch Regatta was not lost by us! (We didn't win either.. but we got to the Saturday. So that's not bad. Woop!)

2) Boat club dinner, and festive drunkenness, occurred. Good times.

3) Secret Santa ( + one lovingly decorated pot plant named Nigel) occurred. Very good times.

4) Carol concert, Christmas dinner, and end-of-term bop occurred. Good times.

5) The end of term. Sad times. Lift home with Tom; good times.

6) Major lurgy. Still recovering from its effects 2 weeks later. Bad times.

7) Festive meet -up of the awesome trio that is myself, Nic and Jen. Boozy times

8) The V&A, Oxford Street, and man-hunting with Andrew and Eddy. Fahbulous times

9) A trip to Norwich and my lovely Kate. Joyous times.

10) A visit from Lou, and a surprise visit from Tom. Mince-pie-filled times.

11) Festive gathering chez Victoria for Strictly final. Social times.

12) Night out at the Regal. EVERYONE was there. Fantabulous times, when I wasn't looking after coats.

It's now the eve of Christmas Eve; festivities for most of the country are pretty well underway. Hanukah has already started - I got a camera, courtesy of Jenny's Kodak discount. I was gearing myself up to be disappointed present-wise this year; all the indications so far have been that it's going to be a frugal Christmas. It still will be, but more people have come out and said they'll give me money etc, so I feel a bit bad now for being such a gloomy cynic :S

And then, of course, there's all this work I've got to do. And the feeling that I'm not doing anything, and that all the mince pies and home cooking are building up, does not fill me with joy.

A curious mix.

Next time I update, I'll probably be able to tell you how New Year's Eve went. I hope I can look back on this and smile and agree when I predict it's going to be a good one

I'm supposed to be writing an essay on women in the Iliad right now, but I'm feeling in need of a little distracting, and doing this means
a) I'm not eating random things (my favourite method of procrastination)
b) I haven't actually left my computer, ergo I could start working again at ANY point. Which means it isn't really procrastinating at all, just a mild distraction ...

Ahem. So. Here we all are then. Working hard, at Oxford, and all that. This is my last essay for this term, yesss! That may sound a little outrageous as term doesn't finish until the 6th December, but to be honest, it's not like I won't have any other work to do. I am constantly made to feel guilty about how little work I have in comparison to other people, but hey. I heard from someone (who I'm sure was a reliable source..) that Classics is the hardest degree to actually do well in at Oxford. So there. Besides, no matter how hard or not I work this year, I will be absolutely swamped in work next year in preparation for Mods. So stop abusing me, people!

Ok, that's my little rant over. I can talk about something else now. I would talk about rowing, but I'm afraid that I'll be accused of only ever talking about it.. which may or may not be an unfounded accusation. I'll just briefly state that
a) the women's novice As should TOTALLY have beaten Balliol if the boat hadn't broken and
b) the men's novice As are AWESOME.

Rowing news over. Lets discuss something else. Quick, quick or I'll have to start writing my essay again.. er... the weather! Why oh why does it always snow wherever I am not? Cambridge had snow at the weekend. Did Oxford? No! It was bloody cold, but there was no snow. How is that fair? It isn't, is the answer you are looking for. So that's rather infuriating. I bet when I go home for christmas, it snows in Oxford. That would just be typical. On the subject of snow, and Christmas, there is a definite festive spirit beginning to make itself known round college. Kate has a christmas tree in her room. It's rather awesome. I also have 2 secret santas - a uni one and a home one. I would tell you who they are, and you could suggest gifts, but I can't incase they read it. Suffice to say I have some ideas for one and none whatsoever for the other. Hmmm.

Anyway, I really must stop procrastinating now. I hope you enjoyed this little interlude, but now, I'm afraid, the joys of Helen and Andromache call.

A bientot, mes petits xxx

Have you ever considered the amazing effect of hugs?

I'm not just talking about immediate consequences, you understand. I'm talking about the fact that one good hug, at the right time, can set you up for the next week or so.

I had a hug like that yesterday

As a result, I went to bed happy, I woke up happy and I've been happy all morning, even through an explanation of the aorist passive and a lecture on philosophy in Virgil's Aeneid.

Some might say this is not entirely attributable to one hug. I might agree. But the point is, that life is pretty groovy at the moment.

Lots of exciting and groovy things are going on over the course of the next week. I'll give you a rundown:

today - rehearsal. Floreat Exon! Also today - no training - YES!
tomorrow - Friday. Need I say more?
Saturday - My sister's birthday. Race on the Isis. Rather exciting stuff.
Sunday - mum, brother and sister paying me a birthday visit, bringing lots of edible goodies and other such delights. Don't have to go to Wallingford. Win!
Monday - tech rehearsal. Eep! Also, ballroom dancing. Good stuff.
Tuesday - subject family dinner. Posh tea with all my favourite classicists (and some English students too, but they don't count )
Wednesday - first ever Crew Date! Woop! at Magdalen. Maybe it'll be deer on the menu ..
Thursday - What a combination. We get our hoodies for rowing - YAY - and we also have our ACTUAL PERFORMANCE of Brief Brief Encounter. It's going to be amazing. Promise.

Basically, things are pretty awesome at the moment. Or so they seem.

I wonder how long this burst of optimism will last?

I take up my pen (as it were) once again at the exhortations of a fellow-student who misses reading my blog. I feel so loved

As it's a little while since I last wrote, I can't remember where I left off.. so apologies if there are huge gaps/numerous repeats in events as I narrate them.

Jenny came to stay over the weekend - which was UBER groovy to the max. Even though it rained, and I had to go rowing at Wallingford. But hey ho, you can't have everything and all that jazz, it was still pretty damn awesome. I very nearly bought a quite ridiculously priced (but mega funky) hat. It had earphone attachments. It cost £25. I was so tempted. But I couldn't *quite* justify it to myself so I didn't, which is probably for the best. But if anyone feels like buying it for me, well, I wouldn't say no, ok?

Monday was a stressful day as I tried desperately to write the essay due in for Tuesday that I had thus far neglected. In the end, I left it til Tuesday morning to sort out. A risky strategy, you might think; and yet actually, by the time it came for me to read my essay out in the tute at 5, it was much better than I had left it on Monday. So there, all you people who think essays cannot be written last minute! (of which, I have to admit, I am usually one!)

Of course, now that's out of the way, it's time to celebrate just a little bit, because I don't have an essay in for 5th week! YESSSS! And I have decided to be a a little bit crazy and take my essay off in 6th week. So now I have 2 weeks sans essay! How awesome is that? Very awesome, that's how.

I haven't been slacking, mind. I stayed up to watch some of the American presidential elections; I've been rowing and erging and all sorts, I've still had Greek and Latin to do (yippee..) and I've been to G and Ds - twice! So you see, I've been very busy. I'm also trying to direct a play - come and see it! Thursday 20th November, some time in the early afternoon. It's going to be good, guys - and you better believe it!

Right. That's all for now as lunch calls - but I promise to write again soon. Honest!