Just for Paula

Paula wanted to me to blog again. So here it is - the past couple of weeks in Lulu Land:

Well, technically *still* recovering from the Weekend Away...still got backache (which has today also developed into *chronic* neck ache :( , still really quite tired...never quite got the hang of early nights...so still haven't really caught up on the 20 or so hours sleep I missed over said weekend. But still, the miracles of modern make-up cover the bags under my eyes, so all is not lost!! And anyway, Lani has made me promise to be in bed before midnight every night during lent...so I've gotta enjoy my last few late nights before that begins!!!

Hum...other than that, not much has really happened. Been working *very* hard...saw my tutor and came up with a few strategies to help...like stop trying to be a perfectionist and act like you're a first year etc etc. Also been getting lots of very lovely support from everyone else, which was nice. The hideous complication has all but gone...our friendship is still there, my heart is almost intact again and things are definately on the up :)

My St John's Cru went Ice Skating on Tuesday...VERY funny...Johnny had his camera, and got a video or two (or ten) of us all at various stages between flat on the ice (Paula) and immense skating action (Tom P and Sacha and Rach). I think I fell somewhere in between (not literally, altho that did happen once), but in my defence, the time I almost fell over wasn't my fault - Paula skated into Ben, and he decided that my arm was the preferable thing to hold on to to stop himself falling over. The time I did fall over also wasn't my fault...honest!!!! lol.

The only thing of excitement that has happened since then....I'VE GOT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!! I'm now no longer homeless for next year, and its not in the ghetto!!! Woohoo!!

And that's about your lot

Until next time fellow bloggers...

x

Awwwwwwwww, I'm so rubbish!!

I do believe I managed to write a whole blog entry without mentioning my most beautiful favouritest Sarah N once!! I'm so rubbish!! The Weekend Away that she organised, and I didn't even give her a mention!!

What I should have said is that she is one of the most amazing people I've ever met, and I know I'm so blessed to have her as a friend. She gave up so much of her time over the weekend to look after me and spend time with me, talking and praying and gernerally making sure I was ok.

I love her to bits!!!!!

xx

THE most epic Weekend Away ever (Will I say that every time??)

Hum. Well, where to begin?? If I'm being honest, the excitement really began at Regenerate on Thursday night...well, that was where I began bouncing with excitement about it anyway!! Also was doing quite a lot of excited bouncing in the College Shop on Friday afternoon. I think I scared Luke...he looked slightly petrified at the prospect of spending the weekend with me!!! And then when I got back to Kingswood there was obviously the saga of packing...more of which later I believe.

Anywho. To move it along...Founders Wes' Thide (say it out loud...pref with the hand thing...), 6.45. And perhaps the funniest moment of the whole weekend (up to that point at least): Ben's face when he thought that the pile of bags belonging to about four people was all mine. Which it wasn't. Because I'd packed light :-) Really, if you don't believe that was light, ask my Dad how much stuff I took to America...ANYWAY, I didn't have *that* much...Susie had a suitcase too (Yes I know *all* her stuff was in it, but that is *such* a minor point. And Paula had two pillows, but no-one mocked her did they?? BUt it still became the joke of the weekend. Huh. After (much) complaining, all the stuff (and five people) fitted in Ben's car, even if it was a lil bit snug in the back. (Ooooooooooooh, at some point in there I became aquainted with Liz....almost missed that bit out!! ERROR!!) (Sorry Lani). Oh, an we had a bit of a pillow fight too (obviosuly before we got in the car...Ben's car might be the car of fun, but there isn't quite enough space for it to be *that* fun)

So, M25. Fun as ever. Almost blinded Ben by taking a photo when he was looking in the rear view mirror.

Debated taking a photo of Tom Page as we drove past, but decided that would be slightly dangerous and rather irresponsible, so we played some funky music instead...cheesy pop is my speciality :P Godalming proved really rather an exciting place..so exciting we drove around it three times (well, it sounds better than "we got a bit lost when we were trying to find the church" doesn't it?? no?? sarcastic?? me??) but we got there eventually. And it was MAHUSIVE. Literally, a person could get lost in that place. We were *so* spoilt...Table Tennis, Table Football, Air Hockey (Yes, AIR HOCKEY!! and not a bowling alley in sight) and a Pool Table. Turned out that the girls had an amazing room to sleep in...TWO sofas, and squillions of sofas...and the poor boys had, well, the floor?? there was lots of floor to choose from...yet they still moaned!! Can't completely remember what we did on Friday evening...we had Spag Bol for dinner, and played lots of games, including some sort of welcome game where we learnt that Tom "Quentin" Page's mum isn't allergic to potatoes and that there were a lot of sad musos on that weekend. Had some girly bonding over chocolate in the bedroom...lots of special housemate love to my girlies...

I think we went to bed at about 12.30 / 1ish...and went to sleep about 2.30ish. Lani sang (croaked) some German lullabys, but they didn't really work...but we did get a number of classic quotes in that time... "I need to go to sleep or I'll fail my degree" (Paula), "Chris has five letters" (long story, but thanks for that one Liz) and just general girly chit chat about boys and stuff...and I think we should stop there for Friday night (well, technically Saturday morning) :-)

So, later on Saturday morning...I managed to completely spoil Lani's fun by being awake and therefore not needing a nice early morning rendition of "Rise and Shine and give God the glory glory". Breakfast was pretty uneventful really...dunno why I a) only have breakfast on the Weekend Away or b) why I only ever have chocolate spread on toast on said Weekend... Hum *ponders* Anyway...had the first meeting...on a more serious note here, Vicky was AMAZING...everyone got so much out of the weekend, I know I certainly did.

Lunch followed...and who could've guessed that cookies go so well with a ham salad sandwich...well, Em assured us they did...no one else really wanted to try it!! Crisps in a sandwich, yes. Biscuits, no. There is a time and place for biscuits, and in a sandwich is not it. Lots of various sports (of the table based variety) were going on all day...turns out I'm pants at Air Hockey, pretty pants at Table Football and royally pants at Table Tennis...I maintain its because I'm too nice to want to beat everyone else...but I think the truth is I'm pants!!!! Second meeting...had a ministry time and laid hands on and prayed over Lani (which worked!! YIPPEE!!) then had some free time to explore historic Godalming. Which was EPIC. Actually, it was ever so slightly wierd, just like it was driving down roads that were so familiar to me...we were only 20 mins from my house, yet I was surrounded by uni people...VERY surreal, but soooooo tempting to go home for a hot bath!!!

Someone had the inspired idea of putting on some music when we were cooking dinner, and the memory of Tom CH 'shaking it' like a polaroid picture will (unfortunately) remain ingrained on my mind for many days to come. Was really good fun hanging out in the kitchen though, and I like to think we cooked a good meal!! (Actually, on a short diversion, ALL the food was good for the whole weekend...so simple, but really proper food!! I ate 3 proper meals each day!! Pudding and all!!). Then there was the big ol Saturday night meeting, which had such a good atmosphere. Vicky was a really inspiring talker, and it was really cool to do something so different (Don't worry James...Alan...we were all friends there...nasty smelly boys!!). Jokes aside, the fellowship *was* really good, simply because we were all such good friends.

No Weekend Away would be complete without the Saturday night games... *nods proudly* I KNEW learning the lyrics for "U Can't Touch This" would come in useful one day!! It was *such* a laugh...typical Page-esque scoring...still can't believe Ben took a point off us for "cheating" when he told us exactly what we'd worked out seconds after docking us our point!! Rudeness I call it!!! Still, Team Jamesey came second :-) so all was not lost. One of *the* most epic moments of the weekend though had to be the wheelchairs...

Me an Jo B stayed up for a bit to play table tennis with Chris and Ben...I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO rubbish...sorry Chris!! And he was so nice about me being so rubbish!! What a gent.

Bedtime was a *lot* quieter that night...people went a lot earlier, but there still managed to be quite a lot of hilarity anyway...Paula fell over at least four times before she got settled...Liz an Em texting...Lani threatening to confisscate their phones (which she did in her sleep apparently!! EPIC!!) and the snoring!!! Turns out that Paula actually tried to record it, but her's and Liz's descriptions in the morning meant that we didn't really need a recording...lol.

Waking up on Sunday morning was, admittedly quite a chore, but we all finally emerged. Had a *slight* problem getting my sleeping bag away which I struggled with for almost 10 mins and which took Ben at the most 2 mins to sort out :-( I'm such a girl sometimes!!! We went to the service, which was funny...some *classic* old skool hymns, and Lani's newest favourite song in the world...then a quick lunch and pack and we were gone.

I know I've missed so many classic moments out of that...all the time round the piano with Lani and Liz, all the classic quotes that were so funny at the time but that I can't recall now, Dodgeball with an inflatable globe, Hacky-Sacky...just know it was the BEST time I've had in a very long time!!

Thanks guys!!

xx

How to tell when I've got an essay due...the blogthings appear...

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have high neuroticism. It's easy for you to feel shaken, worried, or depressed. You often worry, and your worries prevent you from living life fully. You tend to be emotionally reactive and moody. Your either flying very high or feeling very low. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

You Are 62% Addicted to Love

Might as well face it, you're very addicted to love. But you're not really getting the deep love you seek. Short lived, dramatic relationships are more your style. Let go of needing someone, and you may find someone you actually want.

Are You Addicted to Love?

Counting my blessings...

Wow, this is really rather nice. When I saw it, I felt so loved!! And slightly embarrassed - I'm nothing special, I'm just me!!

http://glitzy-dreams.blogspot.com/2005/12/ode-to-robins.html

Reading that just makes me realise how lucky I am to have such amazing people around me!! Actually slightly at a loss for words to describe what I'm trying to say, you guys *know* how much I love you all...you're all so different it would take me the rest of the day to say it all anyway, but you know who you are and why you're so special to me!!

xx

Found this...amazing procrastination!!

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion 70% Stability 10% Orderliness 76% Accommodation 56% Interdependence 83% Intellectual 50% Mystical 10% Artistic 70% Religious 90% Hedonism 16% Materialism 43% Narcissism 36% Adventurousness 30% Work ethic 70% Self absorbed 63% Conflict seeking 50% Need to dominate 63% Romantic 83% Avoidant 16% Anti-authority 36% Wealth 50% Dependency 63% Change averse 83% Cautiousness 83% Individuality 30% Sexuality 10% Peter pan complex 63% Physical security 90% Physical Fitness 37% Histrionic 43% Paranoia 63% Vanity 63% Hypersensitivity 90% Female cliche 90%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Hum...

You wouldn't believe how hard it really is to start a blog entry. No really, I started this three time before actually managing to type more than a sentance!! Madness.

Anywho...was just perusing some of my back catalog (as it were) and was surprised to see how like me my blogging was...it's really quite scary seeing yourself in words on a computer screen!! And speaking of scary things I've written...I think the reality of uni is finally hitting home...the work is out of control. I've got a 1500-2000 word essay due EVERY SINGLE WEEK this term...I'm already going slightly mad!! I got so stressed about it last week that it took the combined efforts of Lani, Sarah N, Jane and John to sort me out and get me back on track...you guys know how much I love you...but thanks anyway, you rock my (tiny little) world.

Procrastination still proves perhaps the biggest challenge I've faced at uni so far...so easy to succomb, so hard to avoid. Actually, that could be some sort of scientific thesis...how to avoid avoiding something...hmm, special. And not in a good way. I think it's catching though...and I think that by the end of three years I'll be rivalling Lani for Procrastination Queen aswell as Heffer in Chief (I'm only a Heffer in training atm...) Having a tuck box and a sweetie jar can be something of a curse as well as a blessing in those moments of trial.

Trying not to get too deep and philosophical, as I really don't have time to stop and think that much!! Trying to write (i.e. avoid) this weeks essay (Shakespeare) then as soon as that is handed in, I've got to do a Critical Practice one for Tuesday, then write a Poetry essay during next week so I can go on the weekend away without feeling guilty about having to do it when we get back. Looking forward to the Weekend Away soooooooooooooooooo much...tis gonna be WICKED (Sorry, I sounded about 8 years old when I said that!!) *ahem* moving swiftly along...

What's left to update the world on?? My hideous complication is still, well, complicated, but getting to the stage where I can walk away and not be *too* upset...still trying to work out time management so I can see all my St Johns Cru and Kingswood Cru without neglecting either...still trying to stop stressing out so easily/so much...still trying to have as much fun as I can with all the amazing people around me...

xx

Long Time No See!!

No guys, this isn't a hugely deep emotional post about how much I love you all and how much I've missed you all over Christmas... It's just to say MY BLOGTHINGS ARE BACK!!!!

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who have a split personality - cold as ice on the outside but hot as fire in the heart. In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored. You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Me & my hideous complications... *ahem* moving swiftly on...

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you. But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft. You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily. You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

See, now that is just spooky!! Someone told me the other day that I'm quite unapproachable sometimes, but that they were glad they'd made the effort to get to know me...I guess I do have a tendancy to send out "Don't Touch Me" vibes, but what I'm really saying is I'm really fragile & could really do with a cuddle!! But pouting about the doughnut being sold out?? Never was a truer word spoken!!

There seems to be a theme developing here...Can you tell what it is yet??

You Are Fossil Fuel Ice Cream

What does liking "fudge dinosaurs" say about someone?

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

Aaaaaaaaaaaaah...Ben & Jerry's...and on that note *wanders off to find food*

Much Love

L

x

Classic Emails I wanted to share with the world...

The first set of randomness is from Becca:

YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN IN UNIVERSITY TOO LONG WHEN...
You actually like doing laundry at home where the washing machines work.
Two miles is not too far to walk for a party.
You'd rather clean than study especially if an essay is due.
"How did it get so late!" comes out of your mouth at least once a night.
Parents' cooking becomes something you desire, not avoid.
You schedule your classes around sleep habits and soap operas, especially Neighbours and Hollyoaks.
You know the pizza boy by name and don't even need to read the menu.
You go to sleep when it's light and get up when it's dark.
You live for getting mail.
Looking out the window is a form of entertainment.
Prank phone calls become funny again.
You start thinking and sounding like your friends and your accent becomes a hybrid of West Country, Surrey and general Northern.
Highlighters are the coolest things on earth.
Rearranging your room is your favourite pastime.
Rubbish cheap £1 shops are so cool.
The weekend lasts from Thursday to Monday.

BEFORE I CAME TO UNIVERSITY, I WISH I HAD KNOWN...
That it didn't matter how late my first lecture was, I'd still sleep through it.
That I could change so much and barely realize it.
That you can love a lot of people in a lot of different ways.
No matter how 'cool' you were in school, no one here cares.
That if you wear polyester everyone will ask why you are so dressed up.
That every clock on campus shows a different time.
That if you got good A-levels, so what? It doesn't matter here.
That I would go to a party the night before an exam or essay due-date.
That you can know everything and fail a test.
That you can know nothing and ace a test.
That I could get used to almost anything found out about my friends.
That most of my education would be obtained outside of lectures.
That friendship is more than getting drunk together but that's still funny.
That Sunday is a figment of the world's imagination.
That Psychology is really Biology, that Biology is really Chemistry, that Chemistry is really Physics and that Physics is really Maths.
That my parents would become so much smarter in the last few years.

TOP 10 REASONS THAT UNIVERSITY IS LIKE PRIMARY SCHOOL.....
1. You cry for your mother.
2. You cross the street without looking for cars.
3. Snack time is a necessity.
4. You bundle up for the outdoors without caring what you look like (because everyone else looks as stupid as you do).
5. You stay at home and play games with your friends.
6. You wear your backpack on both shoulders.
7. You wear big mittens.
8. Playing in the snow is a legitimate activity.
9. You take naps.
10. You look forward to cheese toasties.

And the other classic is from my Joey:

Children of the Nineties How you know you experienced the 90's:
1) 10p Mr Frosty Ice Pops on long summer days!
2) Gordon the Gofer!
3) You could do or tried to do the Prodigy step. 'You're no good for me....'
4) You owned or longed for an Adidas three stripe tracksuit
5) You owned a compilation tape with TOP TUNES such as "Mr Vain", "What is love" and "Rhythm is a dancer" and 'How Bizarre, How Bizarre"
6) Girls thought Blue Mascara was cool!
7) Girls actually fancied Garry Barlow more than Robbie Williams
8) The Racoons!
9) You owned a pair of Nike Air Max, and wore them to death
10) Mr Motivator (Whatever happened to him?)
11) Running on the spot dancing!
12) You wore leggings/cycling shorts with long t-shirts
13) You owned a Benetton, NafNaf, sweater shop jumper or waistcoat
14) Girls owned scrunchies in an array of colours and tacky headbands with their names written on in thick glitter
16) You bought Smash Hits for the song lyrics and the immense amount of stickers that you would stick everywhere!
17) You had a pen pal
18) You could only watch the Simpson's on Sky
19) On a Saturday afternoon you watched Catchphrase, Gladiators, Generation Game, Noel's House Party and then Casualty
20) You taped the Pepsi Chat show on radio one and tired in vain to pause the tape before the annoying guy talked and ruined the whole thing.
21) Cans of Coke were 25p
22) 10p Space Raiders Crisps
23) A grey Fruit of the Loom jumper was a must have
24) Sharkie & George were the crime busters of the sea
25) Puffa jackets
26) You used the line "it's a free country" every day
27) The Sky Sports Blimp!
28) Impulse body spray for girls
29) Hooch Alcoholic Lemonade (where's it gone?!)
30) 'Don't forget your toothbrush', 'TFI' and Big Breakfast with Chris Evans
31) You had at least one troll
32) You know the dance to Macarena and Saturday Night. You also tried to scat like Scatman John! Bi bat ba ba da bo...
33) You watched Baywatch and longed for the day that Eddie & Sharni got together!
34) You watched Byker Grove ha ha ha ha ha ha hah (the theme song ending), and saw PJ get shot in the eye with a paintball!
35) PJ and Duncan not Ant and Dec! Dodgy Pop Not Dodgy Presenting!
36) Shell suits & bumbags!
37) You longed to live in Beverley Hills 90210
38) Home and Away was a prime time ITV programme watched by millions
39) You owned a Spice Girls album
40) Fruit salads and black jacks!
41) Strike it lucky on a Sunday night with Michael Barrymore when he was straight & married 42) Chain letters
43) You had fake ID
44) You remember Todd Landers in Neighbours
45) You religiously watched Saved by the Bell on a Saturday morning!
46) You more than likely lost/nearly lost a wobbly tooth on a wham bar!!
47) CK one
48) Going Live, then Live and Kicking was the place to be on a Saturday Morning - you know you remember the number 01818118181
49) You knew every word to the theme tune from Fresh Prince of Bell Air
50) You collected Premier League Stickers and did swoops at playtime

And there we have it...from childhood to student!!!

Enjoy
x

Thought this was the sweetest thing ever...

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed ever let you down probably will..
You will have your heart broken, probably more than once, and it's harder every time...
You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken...
You'll fight with your best friend..You'll blame a new love for things an old one did..You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love...
So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back...
Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stay awake just to watch you sleep...
Wait for the guy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends...
Wait for the one who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you..
Wait for the one who turns to his friends and says, "..that's her.."

Me got tagged...

Okies, here goes...

5 years ago... Jan 2001...actually can't remember. Guess that would have been the third year...so probably just gone back to school after the hols...not doing much would be my guess. Ooooh, but the third year was the year of Ben Long *ahem*. What a well kept secret that was. lol. But to move swiftly on...

1 year ago... Jan 2005... AS retakes and A2 January modules. Was absolutely petrified before my AS physics retake...Mr Hoe is a legend - got me an A in the end. A2 Chemy paper...less said about that the better I think. Apart from exams??? What do you mean apart from exams?? I didn't have a life during my A-levels!!

5 songs I know all the words to... erm, the soundtrack of Les Mis (I know that is more like 30 songs, but for this exercise it counts as one ok), Bette Midler's The Rose, Cole Porter's Begin the Beguine, Angel from the City of Angels soundtrack and..................aargh...I know so many songs lyrics - I was in a choir for 7 years!! erm, last one...probs Splendour Of The King.

5 snacks I enjoy... Salt & Vinegar Hula Hoops...Cadbury's Caramel...Cheddars (both normal & mini)...Jaffa Cakes...oooh, and those bags you can get of peanuts, raisins & chocolate chips. Nice.

5 things I'd do with a million pounds... got to New York with Skatho, Hannah & John tomorrow ( I couldn't afford to go when they asked me...Enjoy yourselves guys!!), erm, selflessly pay off the mortgage so my Dad didn't have to work anymore...buy him whatever car he wanted and get my mum a Vauxhall Tigra and get me a car and learn to drive it...go back to America again and again and again (This is something I think about a lot...not that I'm ever going to have a million pounds...lol)

5 places I would run away to...erm, in this order...home...Beccy's house...Lani's house...Sarah's house...but more likely to be Tim's office coz he talks sense.

5 things I would never wear...erm, shellsuits...one of those puffball skirts...over the knee boots...anything yellow or anything that clashed with something else I was wearing...

5 favourite TV shows...The West Wing, The West Wing and The West Wing. (I love it and am addicted. Seriously, listen to the theme tune if nothing else) Neighbours. Holby CIty (although it's never been the same since Art Malik left...aaah many a free period did me & Jane spend dreaming of Zubin...lol). Ooooh, Pingu (gotta love it) and CSI (all the variations, but NY is best - gratuitous shots of New York...but maybe Miami...Horatio is quite cute....) Ooooh, and House and Poirot and Without A Trace. Is that more than 5?? Ooops...naughty me!!

5 greatest joys...Seeing my friends, being with my friends, talking to my friends, actually just talking. No, seriously, music gets me everytime - so many memories in my head are attached to music...but being with my speical people can't be beaten by anything.

5 favourite toys...erm...Charlie, Dog-Ears (Its a dog with big floppy ears named by my dad), Elmo and more recently my new chocolate moose (his nose smells of chocolate...someone get one for Lani!!!) and my Johnny Bear.

A random number of people I shall be tagging...well everyone beat me to it, so I don't think there's anyone left....

Apologies (again)

No, its ok. I haven't died from MSN withdrawal...I've been spending quality time with my familials...lol.


First, I need to apologise to my surrogate big sister Jo B...I missed you off my big ol' "I Love Everyone" blog that I did the night before I left the Royal Land of Holloway (btw, was it Susie or Paula or Sarah N who started calling it that?? It's catchy), so sorry honey, I do indeed love you heaps...


And another apology to the wonderful Miss Sarah Leaford. I've neglected you horribly this holiday, I will make it up to you when we get back...


And to my Beccybex in Rusky...when we agreed to at least email every day...I failed you. But there we go. See you back in sleepy ol' Petersfield soon (before you jet away to New York...)


Anywho. Christmas. Well, as I said before, I haven't been doing much. Eating and sleeping. And watching lots of tv with my new set-top box that Santa brought me (Thanks Dad). And just generally doing lazy non-uni stuff.


Oooh, I've done lots of clothes shopping aswell...went to Soton with Menny - I navigated, she drove and we got to the West Quay Car Park in one piece *nods proudly* then yesterday we went to Guildford but she knew where she was going so I just played with the radio. I love my Menny-girl and can't believe I 'm not going to see you again until April!! How do I cope?? lol. I'm seeing James on Monday (more shopping at Gunwharf Quays) and then I'm working my backside off to try and get all my uni work done...NOT gonna happen!!!


So thats about it. Except I'm going to do another million posts today with all the random stuff I've been meaning to shove on here but haven't.


Laters y'all

xx

Erm...oops

Ok, when I said keep an eye on the blog...I meant to blog...but didn't get round to it. I was too busy eating and sleeping. Which is pretty much all I've done since I got home. And shopping obviously. And missing you all :(


Gotta keep it short & sweet to keep the parentals happy...


I'll do a better one soon!!

LOVE YOU ALL HEAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so it ends...

If I'm honest, I'm not actually sure where my first term has gone!!! Twelve weeks have just dissapeared... If someone had told me twleve weeks ago that I would be sitting here (avoiding) packing to leave for Christmas and getting really sad about how much I'm going to miss everyone, I wouldn't have believed them in any way!!

My 'Swood Cru...I love you guys, you are awesome. The way you all looked after me on the first night...Emma & Jo for looking after me on the first proper day of being away from home...T'KT & Emma for being the funnest next-door neighbours...Mary for always keeping us "entertained" when things get a bit quiet...Jojojo & Sarah for all those mass TV watching sessions, shopping sessions, random chatting sessions...My Name-Twin - I love you heaps, all those English lecs were just about bearable! My Scissor Sisters Mary & Laura - together we rock!! Rob - the first person to give me a hug on the first night - cheers mate! Skatho & Claire (honorary 'Swoodian) ahh...Critical Practice...gotta love it. My Uni Mum Becca who looked after me all week during Fresher's week (one day, I'll give you a Viola lesson my love) and my Johnny Boy...what can I say?? You know how much I'm going to miss you!!

My St Johns cru also rock and get a whole new paragraph to themselves...Lani first (better to keep her happy) - I really do love you heaps, you've been fantastic to me this term...couldn't have done it without you. Same goes for my lovely Sarah...always there with the hugs, even if its just for hugs sake (which is sometimes the best ones anyway!!). My Em, who technically is part of my 'Swood Cru but hey, you also rock...thanks for being there too! Chris, Ben & Tom P - one thing guys...HAMMERTIME! Thanks for making me laugh so much!! Can never be asd when you guys are around. Nao - one of the best friends a girl could have!! Cell rocks with us in it!! Chris & Johnny - Alpha was SO good...even if I didn't manage to say so at any point!! Mark & Nicki - Student Group was the way I met all these people, so thankyou for doing it every week!! Susie...what can I say?? you rock girl. Not enough time to mention everyone (I'm supposed to be packing...) but Aimee, Tom, Lucy, Sacha (still can't believe its really you!!), Katie, Hannah, Alice, Rhian, Helen, Sarah C, Paula...love you all heaps.

I guess the point of all this is to say the HUGEST thankyou to everyone who has been there for me at any point this term...you are all so special to me...

Have the most fantastic Christmas and New Year...let me know how yous all are doing!!

LOADS of love

Laura

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So Much To Say, So Little Time (Seems to be the story of my life)

Wow. OK, where to begin??? Last weekend was, once again, one of the best ones yet. Me, Jo, Ben and Chris were ushering at the College Carol Services, which was really fun...gave me an excuse to dress up a bit. It was so odd being at a Carol Service and not being in the choir. I was tlaking to my mum the other day, saying how I didn't feel Christmassy yet, because Christmas for me means Carol Concerts at St Peters, and more recently decorating Ramshill. I know now that there are going to be many new Christmas traditions, and that school is now firmly behind me, but the services made me strangely nostalgic for last year. I've also realised recently how much I miss music. When we were ushering for the Kings Chamber Orchestra concert back at the beginning of December, I realised how long it had been since I had been rehearsing for and playing in a concert, and just how much I missed it. Going from Wind Band, Orchestra, Jazz Group & Choir to nothing was quite a change, which I thought I'd welcome, but turns out I don't.

Anywho...I'm not in a deep'n'meaningful mood today (too tired (more to follow as to why) so moving swiftly on...Saturday evening was the Kingswood Christmas Formal which was SOOOO much fun

All the girls got ready up here, and it was so nice just to all chill out together and do hair and make up and just be really girly. They all looked beautiful, and it was just a top night. Particularly funny to see KT and Laura a little merry, because I hadn't seen that so far this term, so it made me laugh. Classic disco afterwards, doing the old Macarena and Saturday Night...love it.

Sunday was your usual chilled day...church then pub for lunch then back to 'Swood for a bit, then the Carol Service. All good fun. But fairly nondescript as far as Blogging it goes.

Monday night was the St John Student Group Christmas Party, complete with Secret Santa. SO good...was really nice just to chill out with everyone and eat someone else junk food for a change. The highlight of the evening was probably watching Chris and Ben trying to do the clapping rhymes that we did when we were about 8 in the playground...they were concentrating so hard!! Bless.

And so to Tuesday night. Well, what more can I say?? The CT Christmas Social...LEGENDARY!! I took soooooo many photos, and so did Lani and Aimee and everybody else...there's gonna be some Bebo nickage going on soon I think.

It was such a top night...everyone looked amazing, and it was so nice to spend time with the people I haven't seen for AAAAAAAGES...

And the disco...well...I don't think its describable really. Ben...Tom...Owen...you legends. All together now "Stop...HAMMERTIME"

I love all you guys heaps!!

Until we meet again...

xx

No money was exchanged...

I blame Ben. I really do. Although to be fair, it was Chris idea to play, it was Ben who brought out my competitive streak...lol. Once again, had the best weekend - went to Reading with Jane on Saturday and did lots of Christmas shopping :) then had a chilled evening watching TV and DVDs with my 'swood cru. I know I don't spend a lot of time with you guys, and it was really nice just to chill with you all (Can't wait until Saturday and the Christmas blow-out...you've gotta look after me tho...)

Sunday was hectic, but so much fun!! Church then Hungry Horse for lunch. Trust me, the "Light Bite" Fish & Chips...ain't nothing light about that!! :) I nicked a lot of Paul's onion rings aswell :) :) Maybe next week I'll order my own as a side... *ponders whilst dreaming of said onion rings* Anywho...went to Susie's for a meeting about Brazil, which does sound like a really good thing, but as usual, me being me is getting in the way of any kind of logical and reasoned decision. Get back to me on that one. (I'm sorry Suz, I just realised I'm talking about our mission in the same paragraph as onion rings...not trying to lessen the impact or seriousness of the mission...honest!!) (or the onion rings) (JOKE). Obviously Sunday wouldn't be Sunday without Frisbee, except this week it was dark. Still, nil desperandum (*proud nod* check me with the Latin-ness). It would have seemed wasteful not to make use of Chris's "Light Up FLying Disc" which is has red LED-thingies (sorry Dad, having an artisitic moment) and looks like a mini-flying saucer :) was SOOOOOOOO much fun. Then after a mad dash back to the 'swood to round up a select group for the carol service, it was the Regenerate Carol Service, which was fun too. Me and Jo got horrendous giggles again though. It must be something to do with me & her & christmas carols...

But to get to my point. Eventually. After said carol service, we were going to go to Crosslands...but it was closed. So we went back to Chris and Ben's (and Paula's) and ended up watching Top Gear :) and then playing Smackdown (a topic for another time, but it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!) and then we decided to play Poker. Now, you've got to understand, we do not condone gambling in any way. It was merely a game of cards where we exchanged chips with each other. No real money was involved (which, lets face it, is a REALLY good thing, otherwise I'd be a bit poor right now!!) It was just really funny watching me trying to learn (and understand) the rules. I'd just got the hang of it when 3 kings were down, and I was holding a pair of eights, and I kept raising Ben because I thought he was bluffing about having the other Kigng. But he wasn't. Ah well. I'll get him next time. One thing I do need to work on is my poker face. Rather than "ooh, check me" when I get dealt a half-decent hand...

Neighbours time. More of the same drivel later

Enjoy

xx

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

(For those of you who know him - just imagine Mr Sutton saying that...Alan Rickman eat your heart out)

Anywho...eonugh randomness (procrastination is a curse...I'm sure it says that in the Bible somewhere...maybe I paraphrase slightly...maybe I imagine it...FOCUS!!!!!) OK. To explain the title: no I'm not coming over all literary and philosophical, it just completely sums up my day. I had one of the funnest days I've had for a very long time, but also had one of the saddest.

Let's start with the good - which, once again, involves my St John's Cru. Overslept (again) (but this time it was John's fault coz he kept me talking on MSN until...*ahem* quite late) so Lani had to come pick me up, except Leah was visiting, so she was actually driving, and them being them meant they were listening to classical music, so the first thing I heard this morning was Jupiter from The Planets, which was nice (Yes, this is gonna be a blog of firsts - many public declarations of things about me EXCEPT THE ONE WHICH MATTERS THE MOST) (more of which to follow) But to return to the good part of the day...the usual loving being at St Johns-ness aside, it was just nice to be out with my friends after being grounded by my lovely Lani-girl for the good of my health on Thursday. Hungry Horse for lunch (had steak...Mmmm!!) and then Tom Page and Chris decided that it might be fun to play Frisbee...so we did. For two hours outside Founders, and it was so much fun. *Ahem* I mean, it was fun to watch them playing whilst I sat warmly wrapped up not running around so as not to make my asthma even worse than it is at the moment...yeah right, whatever. The only thing that stopped me going all out was the fact that I was wearing my black gypsy skirt, which kinda got in the way...lol. Then I had to go and prepare and serve the Mulled Wine and Mince Pies at the Kings Chamber Orchestra concert at St Johns...which was soooooooo much fun. Except that (in another wierd paradox) it made me all nostalgic for home and the school Carol Concerts at St Peters, but made me sad that I won't be at St Johns for Christmas with all my uni people :( Strange how my mind works sometimes...

And to get to the bad bit. I was going to have THE best Christmas present for my parents EVER (you'd have to either know them or at least understand what they believe to get this next bit), which I've been thinking about for a very long time. On Friday, I FINALLY got round to talking (for that read emailing) Tim and Mark about wanting to get baptised. And when I spoke to Mark this morning, he was really keen, wanting to do it before he leaves, and was really excited about it...until he asked me whether I'd been christened. That's when it all went horribly wrong. Apparently because I have been christened, I can't be baptised by immersion (or actually in any way at all) because it's against the laws of the Anglican church. Great upset amongst many ensued (gotta laugh bout it or I'll start crying again) - Lani flipped out, and Leah wasn't far behind her which was sweet, coz she barely knows me, and Sarah and Jo seemed almost as upset as me...Mark was pretty gutted too, but those are the rules. I just really wanted him and Tim to do it coz they are the ones that have really changed everything for me...and I know Paul will do it like a shot at home in the summer, and obviously everyone can come, but it still won't be the same. Not all of my St Johns friends will be able to come...Lani could, and Sarah, and Jo, and probably Chris and Ben, and maybe the two Toms, and obviously Suz and Sacha, but still...my cell girls won't be able to be there...none of my non-church mates would make the trek to see it at home...it was just one of the worst pieces of news I've been given in a long time...I managed not to cry in front of Mark *smiles proudly* but only just...was crying by the time I got halfway up the aisle to Lani. I didn't realise just how much to me it meant until I found out it can't happen.

Anywho, trying to be philosophical about it all...that is the way of the good old Anglican church...and thats the way it has to be. Rachael and Sarah and James are trying to find any way around it, but I don't want to disrespect Mark - after all, without him, I probably wouldn't be making the decision anyway. I'm so glad I didn't tell Mum & Dad before, coz then I'd have to go throught the telling them it won't be happening...but I was so looking forward to just phoning them up and going "come to my baptism on XX day".

Wow. That was pretty intense *ponders* Have I beaten Sarah's IMMENSE blog from the other day?? I doubt it. Have I shocked a lot of my old friends by writing about what I believe so publicly?? I'd imagine so. Are my St John's Cru SO proud of me for doing all this and for what I at least tried to do?? SO much so it's unbelievable. And are Mum and Dad all emotional after reading this?? Well, lets just say if they were here now, I'd be getting a pat on the shoulder with a "Come on Fred, we'll sort it out" (which, for those of you who know my Dad is the surest fire way to make me cry - he only ever calls me Fred (which, before you ask, is a generic term of endearment and encouragement chez Robins) when I need some cheering up).

I'm not too sad, just dissapointed, but properly comforted by the love of my St Johns Cru and by the FANTASTIC day I had with you all. I love you guys so much.

I'm going to bed now before I get carried away *ponders* Is it slightly too late for that??

Laura

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Some Warm Fuzzies For You All...

1. At least 5 people in this world, love you so much they would die foryou.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you, in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you, is because they want to bejust like you.

4. A smile from you, can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't likeyou.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6.You mean the world to someone.

7. Without you, someone may not be living.

8. You are special and unique, in your own way.

9. Someone that you don't know even exists, loves you.

10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

11. When you think the world has turned it's back on you, take a look, you most likely turned your back on the world.

12. When you think you have no chance at getting what you want, youprobably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, you probably sooneror later will get it.

13. Always remember complements you received, forget about the rude remarks.

14. Always tell someone how you feel, then they'll know.

15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they're great.

Really Interesting Facts You'll Never Need To Know...

Don't skip through them, read them in order!

1) Butterflies taste with their feet.
2) A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
3) In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all of the world's nuclear weapons combined.
4) On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.
5) On average people fear spiders more than they do death.
6) Ninety percent of New York City cabbies are recently arrived immigrants.
7) Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.
8) Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
9) Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.
10) It's possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.
11) Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
12) It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow.
13) The Main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch every year because when it built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building. 14) A snail can sleep for three years.
15) No word in the English language rhymes with "MONTH."
16) Average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches.
17) Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. - SCARY!!!
18) The electric chair was invented by a dentist.
19) All polar bears are left handed.
20) In ancient Egypt, priests plucked EVERY hair from their bodies, including their eyebrows and eyelashes.
21) An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.
22) TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.
23) "Go," is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.
24) If Barbie were life-size, her measurements would be 39-23-33. She would stand seven feet, two inches tall.
25) A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
26) The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.
27) Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.
28) Almost everyone who reads this email will try to lick their elbow

And did you??

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The Past Week In Lulu Land

Well, it's been a very quiet week, seeing as how I didn't have a voice for much of it, and I had just got it back when I got a bit carried away at Alpha and talked almost non-stop in the discussion...how did we get from Evil an Temptation to Predestination?? Probably a topic for another time...

Then when I got back from Alpha I was supposed to be going to Sarah's to watch the video of Holby from Tuesday, but when I got there, Ed was there watching Lost, so I came back here and MSN'd with Lani for AGES...tried to sort some stuff out, but it doesn't really feel like I got that far. I promised her I'd go and talk to Tim today, but at this precise moment in time, I'm feeling too ropey to leave my room (chest infection + an Asthmatic = fun fun fun). As I concisely explained it to John last night - can't stop coughing so take Ventolin, Ventolin makes me drowsy, try to sleep, but can't stop coughing. Oh the joy of it all.

I'm supposed to be doing Welcome at Cell tonight, with the inevitable trip to Medicine afterwards...I do want to go, but if I don't wake up and start feeling better during the day, the diea of staying in and curling up in bed to watch a DVD is sooooooo tempting....apparently we have "cell parents"...but I've never met ours...should probably try and do that soon...will do it on Sunday (aswell as talking to Mark...)

Hmmm, should probably cease this procrastinating and go and do some work - got half a novel and a whole Shakespeare play to read before tomorrow...clearly not going to happen, but might as well try my best!!

Laters

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