FREEDOM

Hello!
I am back at University after almost six weeks at home over Christmas/New Year so I figured now my exam is over (!) I should update this blog. Last blog post I mentioned going to Oxford with Paige, which was really fun. I'll post some pictures below of the last few weeks as per usual. Oxford is really pretty, and we wandered around for ages before hoping we knew where the bus was picking us up. I also saw Catching Fire before I went back home, and it was really, really good. The best film I saw in 2013 easily.

The Wednesday before the end of semester (sorry mum, but I swear that is what everyone calls it) me, Lewis, Paige, Pete and Naya all went ice skating and to the Bath Christmas Market which was really fun. I am possibly the worst ice skater in history but I had a great time and only fell over twice (and Pete fell over before me, so I'm counting that as a victory). The Bath Christmas Market was also really nice. We ate beforehand or I'd have eaten pretty much everything they had on sale. The evening before Paige and I went home we thought it'd be a good idea to watch The Fellowship of the Ring with Lewis (it wasn't) so we had about four hours sleep. We got the same coach to London and then I had to wait in the coach station for four hours by myself to get another coach home. I got attacked by a pigeon. It wasn't fun.

And then Christmas and New Year went reallllly quickly. My family spent Christmas in Spain which was really fun but also a little weird. Luckily it rained on Christmas Day so it felt almost like England. Although this is meant to be a University blog, I also spent New Years with my best friend Susan, who came over to visit for the week. We went to London and watched Mojo (which was amazing and also quite weird) and saw the fireworks. It was insanely busy and I probably wouldn't go again, but at least I can say I've been!

And then my Uncle came home from the USA after living there for seven years which was so great. I missed him a lot and so it was really good to catch up in the few days before I came back to Bath. The Monday before I left we went on a spontaneous trip to France and it was really fun.

Then Tuesday I came back. Aside from missing my train (which I swear was not my fault!) it was a relatively quick journey and Paige and Pete met me at the campus bus stop which was nice. It was so, so good to see them again after so long (shut up, five weeks is ages) and although I'd been worrying on the train that I wouldn't settle in well literally the second I stepped through the door it was like I'd never left. Somehow I forgot about the INCREDIBLY LOUD BUILDING WORKS, which woke me up at 8am on Wednesday (also, note to the builders: stop shouting at one another, I'm four floors up, I shouldn't be able to hear you!)

Wednesday was an intense revision day because my exam was Thursday, so not much has happened at all since being back. Although my exam is OVER so this next week and a half is going to be me watching a lot of TV with Paige (most of my flat is going home for the break before second semester on the 3rd of February). Last night we decided to order a ton of pizza (there were six of us and four large pizzas and a lot of sides) so I included a picture below to try and show you just how much we ordered (and two boxes are missing from that picture). There's still a whole pizza left.

So that's it!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Paige :) x

Oxford:

 Paige FS: Duck Whisperer

HOME:

Georgia and I before we went out for her early birthday meal!

 Sister's: Reunited

The next few pictures are from France!

And as promised:

43 Days Later

It's been a while since I updated this blog, but now is a good a time as ever (because I'm meant to be writing my Sociology essay).

Hello again! :)

My last update was in October, and since then I've turned nineteen, which to my friends makes me officially old. I went home for my birthday which was really nice but also pretty weird. It's hard to explain, but after six weeks away I thought I might be a little bit outside of it for a while, but it was the exact opposite. I walked in and everything was so normal, and exactly like I'd never been away. It felt like I'd never been to University. It was really nice to see my family (and Charlotte!) again, and nice to not have to listen to loud people outside my window, but I did miss Bath a little. Or rather, my friends here. The journey was quite an experience. It wasn't so bad on the way home but when I came back I had a bigger suitcase and it was so heavy. The tube and two trains with a huge suitcase is not super fun.

As for my course, we had nothing for about a month and then everything came at one. We had an essay, a lab report and two presentations. The essay was on video games and violence, and I got a 68/95, which was two marks off a first. I thought it was pretty average, but I think I was actually one of the best (at least from what I know) which is really surprising because I didn't think it was a good essay. But it was very reassuring because I was expecting a 50 or something :D. We haven't got our lab report back yet, I think that is on the 6th, but we get set our next one tomorrow. The lab report was on lie detection and we got to use fancy equipment to prove that basically EDA/lie detection isn't that great at telling if someone is lying or not. I'm not sure what our second one will be on, but I will let you know! (I will seriously not take forty three days to update next time, promise!).

And then, like I mentioned, we had two presentations. The first one was in our personal tutor groups. Everyone on the course (and other courses too, I'm sure) has a personal tutor they share with four/five other people. Every group got given a study to do a fifteen minute presentation on from a choice of about six. My group got Rossenhan, which in my opinion was the most interesting study. My group were also super organised, and we had quite a while to get our presentation together and I think we did pretty good. That was on Tuesday and although I am terrified of pubic speaking I didn't shake too badly and remembered what I had to say. The other presentation was on Monday, and we only had two weeks for that, which was stupid because a) it was the day before the other presentation and b) it was twenty minutes. But I was in a group with Rachel, Irem and Paige, so I was pretty happy. I didn't mess up that badly, missed a line or two but it wasn't so  bad and was a little less formal. What I'm pretty annoyed about though is that it was worth 50% of that unit (the essay was the other half) and we had half the time we had for the other presentation which was only worth 25%. Still, all that work is over now and I have to focus on my sociology essay (which is the hardest thing I've had to do so far and is my optional module), my upcoming Spanish tests and, from tomorrow, my second lab report!

Onto news that my dad can skip over if he's reading this: I succeeded in getting Paige and Pete together! Sort of. I can claim at least 50% of the credit. They're super cute together but it also means I'm third wheeling a little, which is okay and not really awkward. I can't remember how much I've said about Paige and Pete here, but they're two of my best friends and it was obvious they liked each other and Pete finally asked her out so hurray! Go me.

Also, I've worked out my housing for next year :D I'm sharing with Naya and Paige (which was obvious from like the second week here) and Rachel, who is on my course and super nice. Yesterday, Paige, me and Rachel had pizza and watched Brave and basically I'm really excited for next year. 

I've also been out a few times, and although I still don't like clubbing really (too many people, I don't drink enough) it was still pretty fun. Pictures below! I also went to the Roman Baths (don't drink the water they offer, it tastes of blood and money) and it was super pretty. Bath is so beautiful and I love it.

I also got paid for the two training days I did and I'm spending it on clothes when I go to Oxford with Paige on Saturday which is a trip the University have organised. I've also been cooking every Thursday with Paige. We had tacos today and we've done enchiladas (SO GOOD) twice, burgers, curry and I'm sure more things. I've also got less nervous about cooking in front of some of my flat mates and am not entirely scared of burning the kitchen down, which is always good. Pizza Sunday is still in effect and my flat are doing secret santa, as well as me, Paige, Pete, Lewis and Naya doing our own separate one. I've already bought the gifts for the second one, and I'm really excited about it!

Also: if anyone remembers me mentioning Wildpacks before, I have decided not to do that as I don't think it's exactly my kind of thing, which means I'm going to hunt for summer jobs soon for experience (and maybe money)!

Finally, the picture at the bottom was from the Superhero night, which I (as you can see) put a lot of effort in. I'm sure there's other things I can talk about but I can't remember them, so I will sign off and hopefully update much sooner!

Paige x

Wild Packs!

Vague speedy update!

Yesterday evening the University sent out an email about a summer camp programme called Wild Packs, which is basically an organisation that has connections to tons of summer camps around the States, and you can apply through them and they try and find you a placement on one of these camps! I have wanted to work at a summer camp for ages, and was thinking of applying for next summer (2015) so I'd have enough money saved, because the one I was looking at, Camp America, was pretty expensive. But Wild Packs is actually cheap - you only pay for flights, they provide food, laundry cost, internet, accommodation, and they also pay you for working there so flights will be refunded basically anyway! Plus, you don't have to pay to submit an application like you do with Camp America.

So, I applied this morning, and you put down things you're interested in or have experience with, so I put down theatre (though obviously I'm not an expert but I've been in quite a few pantomimes which was great fun!), videography and archery (which if my mum is reading this, she'll laugh but I have tried quite a few times and it is fun!).

I actually got a call a few hours later about my application and the lady I spoke to, Kate, was super nice! She talked about what positions that were available and set me some 'homework'. Because the traditional 'camp counsellor' role is really heavily applied for, she suggested maybe going for a teaching thing. Now, she mentioned teaching archery and one of my 'homework assignments' was to do some more archery so I'd feel competent teaching children, and she had a point when she said they wouldn't exactly be experienced and said most of them would only want to try it out because of The Hunger Games. However I'd rather not teach archery because a) I'm not great and b) Being responsible for  kids with bows and arrows is not a happy prospect for  me.

But she mentioned maybe helping in the media department (my homework if I want to do this is submit a video, but although I can do that, I'm not an expert and my editing skills would not be amazing compared to others), or finally I could write about wanting to do a pantomime with the kids at camp because it's not a huge thing in America. This is my favourite option because panto is great for everyone - I'm definitely not a good singer or actor but with panto it doesn't matter! I'd love to be a part of helping kids put on a pantomime, especially if they have no idea what exactly a pantomine is!

Or, alternatively, I could help out at a camp for children with autism, which I would really love to do. I've had quite a lot of experience in this area and it wouldn't involve me being heavily responsible for teaching kids something I'm not amazing at myself!

Either way, I have to complete one of these homework assignments and edit my application, and this is going really fast but I'm super excited! I might not get the placement but the great thing is that you don't have to pay anything until they accept you onto the programme, so it's free to apply!

Hope you're all well and will keep you updated!

Paige :)

Life Update!

HELLO!
I have done a few things since the last post! Have another bullet point list:

• Visited Bath Abbey for a twilight tour (which is BEAUTIFUL) and climbed to the top.
• Went to Nandos!
• We have officially established Pizza Sunday (which is today!)
• Saw Let's Buy Happiness at Moles
• Saw Kitten and Bear, F.U.R.S and San Cisco last night at Theklai in Bristol - which is a BOAT
• Watched two Leonardo DiCaprio movies with Naya, Lewis, Paige and Pete, and had my mind blown by Shutter Island
• Had my first experience of Bubble Tea, which is actually pretty good
• Attended two Amnesty sessions
• Cooked burgers and wedgies with Paige and didn't burn the kitchen down
• Did laundry multiple times with nothing bad happening (yet!!)
• Organised to do an online shop with Naya at some point in the next day (saves money and time! Horray!)

And most importantly:
I had a group interview on Friday (I didn't get the job for the Bath kids club back, by the way, so that transportation money is lost) and I was super nervous about it but I found out four hours later that I got the job!!! :) 300 people applied, 150 were asked for interviews and only 60/70 got offered the job! YAY!

So that's a life update, sorry it isn't detailed or anything - I have a lot of work to do and should probably get back to it!

Hope you are all good!

Paige :) xx

Week One

Hello!

This blog post is probably going to be a bit all over the place, but I'll try and make it coherent!

My timetable is quite empty at the moment, I only have two/three hours a day (except Wednesday where I'm completely free) while most people in my flat have like four or five. Next week I start Spanish so that's something extra but I think Psychology has a lot of hours outside class, as does Sociology which I chose as my optional module. I also joined the University's Amnesty society which I'm really excited about. My lectures are great but a lot of work. I think after so long not doing anything it's a bit of a shock having to do work again that isn't revision, especially because it's quite different at University because it's so much more independent, with reading outside of class and prep before hand. My first sociology lecture was today and it was a lot of information, pretty overwhelming, but really great, and I met a student who is here from Italy who seems really lovely, as well as a few people on my course who also picked Sociology.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, on Monday Pete and Paige and I watched Django Unchained and on Tuesday the Psychology society showed Fight Club. Both were obviously great and I'm glad that clubbing isn't going to be a thing for a while because although Freshers was fun I still don't completely adore it. My flat is actually having a board game night tonight and it sounds so sad but I'm so excited because board games are really fun! I spend most of today on public transport because I had an interview (!!) for a Bath Saturday club for disabled children, but the interview was in their Bristol offices. This meant I had to get:

1. A bus from campus to Bath station
2. A train to the main Bristol station
3. Another train from that station to a smaller station
4. A taxi to the offices
5. A bus back to the station after the interview
6. A direct (thank god) train back to Bath station
7. A bus back to Campus

But this actually went really well. I am now an expert on public transport! I think the interview went really well as well, but it was my first job interview so for all I know it could have been awful. I hope not, and the people were really nice so now I just have to wait for them to get back to me in a week or two. Even if I don't get it the experience was good, though I could have done without so much public transport!

Like I said, tonight  my flat are having a board game night which I am unashamedly excited about, and on Monday the film society is planning a cinema trip which I'm going to with Naya, Pete, Paige and the other people in the society. Not sure what film it is, but if it's How I Live Now then I might cry with happiness because the film society get cheap tickets and I realllly want to see it! Then on Tuesday is a pub quiz (basically I am super excited that clubbing isn't on the horizon any time soon and I am fully aware how sad that makes me sound) with Lucy, Laura, Naya, Pete, Paige and whoever else wants to come with. I was planning on relaxing this weekend but I have a lot of Psychology reading to do so that might not work out as well as I hope...

Enjoy the rest of your week! :) 

Paige x

Fresher's Week 2013: Pictures

If you wanted to see some pictures from Fresher's (though most you will have seen them on Facebook because I'm fairly sure only people I know are reading this!), here you are  (in no order at all):

Fresher's Week 2013

Can we pretend I updated regularly throughout Fresher's Week? 

To everyone reading this (basically Georgia and my mum), I'm sorry I didn't update! But I'm doing it now! Hello!

Basically I am lazy and can't be bothered to type up the entirety of what I did this week because it was really super busy and it would take ages, so you can go here to check out all the videos the media page posted of Fresher's! 

So, here is a bullet point list of things of stuff that's happened that I want to mention/let you guys know about and so tips for upcoming Freshers, should they ever need them!:

• It really is easy to make friends. Before I came to University I was terrified that everyone would think I was weird or nobody would talk to me or I wouldn't like who I moved in with, and although it's part luck that everyone in my halls is lovely, it's also just normal. Everyone is in the same position, everyone wants friends, so just say hi and talk to people and it's easy! So if you're going to University soon (if for some reason you're reading this in 2014), then try not to!
• Washing is super simple! I have used the washing machines on campus twice and the dryer once, and I was scared something would go wrong and it went perfectly all three times, yay! I'm becoming independent!
• On Tuesday there was a Ben and Jerry's van with FREE ICE CREAM!!! I got peanut butter cup which is one of my favourite flavours :)
• Again, if this is 2014 and you somehow found your way here: Make friends with people on your course! I was really lucky about this one, because Naya is in my halls and doing Psych, but I also have friends on my courses like another Paige who is really nice, and I can walk to lectures with them and talk to them about it so if I want to ask someone something, I can without emailing lecturers!
• There were two test fire alarms, though the second wasn't a planned on, I think someone accidentally set it off cooking. Both times I was in PJs, and pretty much everyone else too. So that was fun.
• Yesterday night my flat ordered pizza and it was awesome! That's all I have to say for this one.
• On Friday the Psychology department ordered 35 pizza for all the first years and there were probably around 50 of us that turned up, so we had a lot of pizza to eat!
• I have joined the film society, BAPS (the Psychology society), the volunteering society and the equality society! Tonight there's a showing of Django I'm going to with Pete in my halls and Paige.
• I had my first lecture today and it was really fun! I obviously love Psychology and this was an introduction to the Mind and Behaviour module and it was great! I have a seminar later on today which I think is a smaller group of us, maybe around seven, but I'm not entirely sure what we're doing in that!

And that's all I can think of right now! I doubt I'll be as busy as I was during Freshers, so I'll probably update again with much less stuff to say, but for now I hope everyone is well and that you didn't find this post super boring.

Lots of love!

Paige :)