Diary of an English student

That was my essay topic for this week, guys.. the beginning and ending of the Iliad. It was a toughie. Not so much researching it, you understand - just getting the words written down. Fitting in everything that needs to be said. Making some sort of sense. Not sounding like a pretentious twat. All these issues needed to be circumnavigated, and it was a tough job doing so.

So tough, in fact, that this weekend, I seriously struggled. In fact, it's Monday now, and I only finished my essay this afternoon. 'Well', you may say, 'that's still 24 hours before the deadline tomorrow!' 'Indeed', I shall reply, 'but that's not the point'. Having an essay hanging over you is such a horrible feeling, and it's been making me moody all weekend. Even the joys of going rowing twice (and I mean that in the most ironic fashion possible) could not lift me from the depths of my gloom. Happily, though, the rest of this week looks set to be good. My dad is coming to visit tomorrow, bringing with him lots of lovely stuff that I foolishly did not anticipate needing. Jenny is coming this weekend - YAY!- and there's a bop on Friday too, and no rowing session, so it's going to be pretty chilled. It's James' birthday on Wednesday, so we can get him drunk and mock him for his Englishness, and, even though I do have an essay to write, I DON'T have one in 5th week! How awesome is that?! Beyond awesome, that's how. Dan is not impressed. But hey ho. I maintain that I still do loads of work; the week I am essay-less I shall be revising all my Greek to a slightly better standard than it is at present. I won't just be bumming around!

Finally, I'd just like to end on the note that Sam Hitchings = awesome. What a college dad. I couldn't have hoped to be given a more lovely parent. Thanks Sam!

Dear all,
This has been a pretty amazing 24 hours. The only bad thing I can think of that has happened is my getting honey on my keyboard - but that's only just occurred, and it's all gone now. Just about. So that's fine.

About this time yesterday I finished my essay which is not due in until Tuesday - that's right, 2 whole days early. How cool is that? Pretty damn, that's how cool.

THEN we went to go have dinner and it looked so unappetising we decided to go to the noodlebar instead! We had a proper meal in the noodle bar and it was good fun Then we came back and went to the bar, then to someone's room where drunken Guitar Hero was in evidence, and then we extricated ourselves from there to go and watch a movie in Dan's room - although we were waylaid by the lure of the chapel piano on the way past, so we had to have a go. Dan is amazing. I could have cried it sounded so pretty.

Anyhoos, then we watched shrek 3 all snuggled up on Dan's bed, which was good fun, and then Krisztina and Katherine headed off to bed and Dan and I just talked for ages and it was so lovely

This morning I had a really lazy start and then went to Sainsbury's with Dan, and then got free coffee with Dan and Andrew before heading down to the boathouse (with the boys still in tow) for our first rowing session on the water! We didn't start off too brilliantly but things were definitely picking up. Walked back merrily and now I'm just soaking up the vibes of an Oxford weekend. It's good, guys, it's good

Anyway. More from me later.

I just wrote you guys a MASSIVE long post that was really cool and meaningful and deep and then I hit the wrong button and ITS ALL DISAPPEARED D:

I hate technology.

But I do love noodlebars. This is what a large part of my blog was about, you see. How futile is the life of a noodle. No, that's not what I wrote. I wrote about the groovy noodlebar off George Street, and about the immense workout that circuit training for rowing is, and how the two of these combined meant I spent yesterday evening in the MCR eating noodles out of a box. But now you can't read any of what I wrote, beautiful flowing prose that it was, because there are TOO MANY DAMN BUTTONS on computers! RAAArgh!

I also wrote about the amazingly productive and busy day I've had today. About the Greek lesson at 10, the Homer lecture at 11, and the Art and Archaeology lecture at 12 on the other side of town. You were going to hear/read about all these things and INSTEAD you just have to imagine them, because computers are stupid. *sigh*.

Tonight, I'm going out for ice cream, I reckon. Tomorrow is matriculation, so that will be an experience. The biggest experience, however, will be Matriculash - the massive drinking session after we have become members of the university and they can't chuck us out so easily. So there's something to look forward to. And on that note, I shall bid you (not thee- that's just for addressing one person you know ) good night.

I urge you to try it - it's not disappointing!
simply add hot water to lime squash, and about half a teaspoon of honey. Stir until dissolved. Then drink! Miraculous cold remedy. Seriously. I had a sore throat this morning and now it's gone. Amazing.

In other news... don't let anyone ever tell you that all an Oxford student does is bum around and write the occasional essay. THIS IS A LIE. Work is intense and it's not going to get any easier. I have an essay a week, for which MUCH background reading is required, and Greek lessons every morning, for which I get set MUCH homework, and Latin lessons once a week. And 2 lectures a week which are mandatory and many more that aren't.
And that's even before I start having a life. On top of this, I'm also rowing potentially 3 or maybe 4 times a week (although this is rather exciting, so I'm not too upset about that). Then I have to make sure I talk to people, so all the friends I made in freshers' week don't forget who I am. And I also have to find time for eating and sleeping.

It is not an easy life. It may only come in 8 week bursts, but I don't think I could sustain it for much longer in any case.

So - now you know how I'm set up for the next couple of months - sounds like fun, huh?

Dear all,
It's been many a moon since I last wrote anything on this blog, which I know you've all been anxiously checking and cursing me for my inactivity. Well, now I'm back. How often I'll be able to keep this up is debatable, but you'll just have to live with that I'm afraid.

So. It really was a long time ago that I last posted. In fact, I believe it was before I even took any exams... all those months ago! Many things have occurred since then, like Greek Camp (don't laugh), results day, a two week holiday in Italy, and my arrival here in the city of dreaming spires, Oxford itself.

This doesn't really need that much expansion upon. Rest assured, dear readers, that there have been ups and downs, fun bits and less than fun bits, and that Greek Camp was bloody amazing.

Now, as I sit here desperately avoiding the commencement of an essay on Homer's Iliad (sub - topic 'The Gods') I can't help but reflect how smoothly things seem to have gone.

Surely there will be retribution for this at some point?

Surely there can be too much of a good thing?

Surely, if I continue to be optimistic in my belief that all will go smoothly, I am displaying hubris?

Surely or unsurely, all this research about gods and justice is going to my brain. Perhaps Zeus won't strike me down with a thunderbolt after all.