This Is Like Jersey

Saturday, 20 September 2014

Starting University + Freshers

Friday 19th September marked the start of my time at university. It was daunting, scary... yet also a great day.

As someone who's not necessarily the best at speaking, let alone to groups of people I've never met, I was a bit apprehensive before attending the first 'Meet-up' for local students. These initial worries were soon put aside, however, as everyone seemed really friendly and ready to talk. After you start, you realise that you're all in the same boat - no-one's going to judge you if you're nervous, but at the same time you should be ready to make new friends and understand that everyone's hoping to meet new people.

A top tip for anyone, especially those thinking of staying at home / local, would be *cliche as it sounds* to get involved in conversations! Most of the time introductory sessions will be aimed at breaking the metaphorical 'ice' between all of you as new students, so the university should set up certain activities to do just that. One of the easiest to get talking would have to be 'Human Bingo' (basically walking around the room trying to find people that correspond with a certain trait on the bingo sheet - some of the most interesting we had included 'Can stand on their head' and 'Has been bungee-jumping'!), since you can naturally get to speak with nearly everyone in the room.

It's also probably pretty clear that, for the first few days at least, some of your favourite sayings will be along the lines of "Hi, I'm _____, and I'm studying _____, what about you?" and "Where are you from?". If all else fails, discussing how terrible that History A-Level paper was will always be a safe bet. While you won't necessarily talk to all of these people again, or even add them on Facebook (since these things usually end on a first-name basis, unless you're doing the same course / can somehow track them down), these introductory sessions are definitely useful to go to if you're worried about being the only one commuting. It's surprising how many different people you'll get talking to!

I'm planning to live at home for my first year, mainly out of convenience and affordability (not to mention the opportunity to keep a clean bathroom to myself!). In all honesty, there have been a few times I've had second thoughts about this decision, but I'm hoping that writing about my experiences over the next few weeks, months, or even years, can help others thinking of staying at home to recognise the opportunities that are still available if you choose to do the same.

The next week is packed with various freshers events, ranging from introductory lectures (Ahh!) to fairs - then ending with Freshers' Ball! I'm really excited to get started, especially with how fast the past few days have gone, and can't wait to meet more people on my course.

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Summer / Autumn Transition Playlist

Just thought I'd share with you a few songs for this changing summer -> Autumn weather. While it's still pretty warm, September seems well on its way in and I'm really looking forward to the leaves falling from the trees. Autumn might be my second favourite season - bar winter - because my body just can't seem to handle really warm weather (even in England!).

Read more about these choices...

09.07.2014 - 11.07.2014 -- The Graduate.

"Per Ardua Ad Alta"

We stayed at the Premier Inn, Birmingham. This was the view from my room, which gave me the best nights' sleeps I'd had in a while! This hotel's right in the centre of the city, overlooking a coffee shop and park while staying close to the busy spots - and, perhaps more importantly, pubs / bars!

The first evening, we stopped at a couple of these really beautifully decorated places - The Old Joint Stock and The Lost and Found. Both have great atmospheres, and the second especially, great drinks.

University of Birmingham = beautiful campus. Not to mention the beautiful weather. They had deckchairs!

Post-grad. Pitcher & Piano -

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Coffee's For Closers

“Well change will come, oh change will come”
- Coffee's for Closers - Fall Out Boy

Basically been a week of semi-productive finished-school nonsense.

Finally through with school circa. 19.06.14

Got to say, swapping this -

Swamped in History revision - With added Reeses Pieces!

For this -

Five Guys, Birmingham - Amazing American Experience!

Frankie & Benny's Cocktails!
Front - Mojito, Back - Cosmopolitan, Right - Margarita

Has made for a good week or so.!

It's strange how not having a schedule can make you feel both annoyingly free and clearly constricted as soon as you've made plans. Between finishing school and now, I've managed to fit in food, shopping, swimming and watching a friend's media work displayed on a cinema screen - then whenever there's a spare moment I feel strange to not have anything work-related to do. Strange, but chilled...

Finishing school has been a pretty drama-free affair so far, which you could call quite the anti-climax. On my last day, pretty much every student at my school had the day off (joys of training days) and teachers were nowhere to be seen, so instead of the busy farewells I'd envisaged, it became a lot more of a 'here's your last exam – now go' type of deal...

Which was pretty much more my scene anyway – but still kind of disappointing when you realise the past 15 years of work, emotions and childish dreams have all surmounted to this quiet, unimposing lull.

Despite this, I am really looking forward to my 'graduation' from sixth form this Friday. Expecting cheesy awards, cheesy music and hopefully not too cheesy food. At the minute I'm somewhere between feeling nostalgic at all the times spent at this place with people I might now only stay in touch with through social media from time to time, and a bit disappointed with myself for still not knowing everyone's names.

Till next time...

Sunday, 20 April 2014

Happy Easter!

20.04.14 - Easter Sunday

Hi! Here's a little OOTD / nails / present catch up from Easter! Had a really chilled day with the family, watching films and eating way too much chocolate!

OOTD -

I bought this dress around a year ago during a trip to New York, from a store called Century 21. Despite loving it at the time, I always seem to find it a bit too flowery / bright to wear as an everyday look - hence it's becoming my go-to 'Easter Look'!

Dress - Century 21

Brooch - Vintage Fair

As the dress is a bit low, I decided to add this 'vintage' brooch I picked up sometime last year at a fair near the Custard Factory. It's a really individual piece, and I love the design of it - no idea whether it's a mass-produced piece but I've always thought it was pretty unique and perfect to change up an outfit.

Nails - 'Easter Manicure'

'Manicure' with a twist

Blending in

Hadn't planned to do anything with my nails, but seeing this yellow in my sister's room completely changed my mind! It's a really bright, OTT colour, so I decided to play it down a little by creating this variation of a French manicure - Easter-style! Despite it not being the tidiest finish, I'm pretty pleased with this look and it fit really well with the dress.

Presents!

Wrapped and ready!

Once opened...

Saturday, 12 April 2014

11.04.14 - We Like To Party

Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/party.html#4idrVTCK0iFmFr7s.99

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" - Robin Williams

Spring is definitely here - pollen, flowers coming into bloom and nights getting so bright you can walk outside at 8PM and still see your reflection loud and clear off any shiny surface...

Not to mention the bombardment of friends' birthdays that always seem to fall during Spring...

Yesterday i managed two parties in one night. Either one of the best or worst ideas....

'Mmmm Custard...' - 29.03.14

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_art.html#Q6iLK2APCgUEjlxA.99

Took a trip to the Custard Factory in Digbeth to check out the newly installed DVDBANG, part of this month's Flat Pack Film Festival, on its penultimate day in Birmingham, then back to Brum for some shopping and frozen yoghurt!

This just might be one of my favourite parts of the city, the area has become an arts-district, as part of the 'creative quarter'. Its amalgam of street art, independent / vintage shops and pop-up events draw me in every time. It's such an inspiring place, I'm sure to be an ever more regular visitor in the years to come.

Here are some of my favourite pieces currently scattered around the 'Factory -

Art by Sepr

Add caption

I visited DVDBANG - a pop-up, private film theater where you get to chose from a variety of Asian movies - with my sister. Though these rooms, available for booking alone or in groups, are commonplace in Korea, this opportunity to experience a DVDbang in England doesn't come around too often. You pick a film, choose your drink/snacks and spend a few hours chilling out in an intimate cinema all to yourself! Add in comfortable sofas, slippers, a variety of warm blankets and these places are like a film-goer's heaven!

As we've both loved the film Antique Bakery for a couple of years, it was awesome to see it as one of DVD's available and projected onto an 8ft screen in full HD. The private viewing experience was amazing, and I fell in love with the double-sofa in the blacked-out room!

Everyone behind the DVDBANG experience was really welcoming, and we were given free beer / Korean snacks to enjoy during the film as part of the experience. Our first taste of kimchi certainly did not disappoint! We just wish this could be a permanent fixture!

The simple, no-frills mix of beer and ramyun - always a winner! Now, if only the food at our usual cinemas was this good...

Plus we finally managed to pick up some frozen yoghurt and bubble tea at the newly opened TWIST. A colourful, comfortable atmosphere with a good selection of flavours and some fitting artwork on the wall, ready for Mothers Day!

What we ordered -

First time trying Matcha Green Tea, chose to have it cold with tapioca bubbles... it was so good! Really smooth and fresh tasting, will definitely be returning soon!