http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/NewBootees?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/DartmoorWalkThree?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/Tilly?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/SamsBirthday?feat=directlink
Ok I am so so so sorry I haven't been able to blog recently, Angel hi!!!!!! Thanks for the message sorry I didn't reply I only just read it today. Vicki I have read all of your blogs sorry I didn't reply or blog, I only just realised that you sent me replies that were in my email so I read them today too.
Now that mum is home I don't have access to the internet again until I buy my laptop so I can only get on fleetingly.
It was Sams 2nd birthday 8th December he is camera shy but there are some pics. Katie had to move all of Sams toys out of the living room to make way for guests the table and people so it looks sparse, lol.
I have new Dartmoor walk pics and some new bootees I knitted pics and I have a new kitten called Tilly who is gorgeous there are pics of her too. She is my cat Jynx's sister from a different litter and I also bought Katie a sister kitten, she is called Nala, Katie is getting her for christmas so she is at my house at the moment. They were born on my birthday so are just 8 weeks old.
Uni has been hectic and hard and I had horrible exams in the last week of term, one that I overslept and missed unfortunately so I am not sure if I even have a place on the course still now so we shall see in the new year. :-(
We have a new more hectic timetable this term to include statistics which we didn't have before so I will have even less time now. Vicky has gone home for 3 weeks for christmas and many drinks and parties were had by all before she went.
I am looking forward to christmas, mum and I will be going over to Katies for the day but mum is still cooking, hooray!!
No doubt there will be pics.
Love to you all and Merry Christmas, sorry it's short, took so long to upload pics I gotta go!
xxxxxxxx
Monday 22 December 2008
Saturday 15 November 2008
Dartmoor Trip 2 Pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/DartmoorWalk2#
Ok well, the pictures from the Dartmoor trip. There are loads, some from my phone and then when I remembered ones from the digital camera, then when the batteries had gone, from the phone again, lol. Enjoy.
There is also two new folders, one of just Jynx pictures and some of some Bootees I knitted as modelled by my very own pretend Holly. :-)
Ok well, the pictures from the Dartmoor trip. There are loads, some from my phone and then when I remembered ones from the digital camera, then when the batteries had gone, from the phone again, lol. Enjoy.
There is also two new folders, one of just Jynx pictures and some of some Bootees I knitted as modelled by my very own pretend Holly. :-)
Saturday 15th November 2008
Ok I will write more later because mum is cooking tea so I have to hurry. All week I have been missing morning lectures and lab sadly because I have developed an annoying habit of not sleeping until too late, then in the morning being really sleepy and turning off my alarm, going back to sleep without knowing! Crazy I know! I don't know how it started but it is really annoying me. I have only been in afternoons this week so I am horribly behind on a few things. I have vowed to be in every class this coming week.
It's been fantastic to have mum and nan back I am very happy :-)
Monday I missed, Tuesday I went to one of the two Chemistry lectures, Wednesday I missed, Thursday I missed and Friday I missed the first lecture then was in for Lab all afternoon. Terrible :-(
Friday after lab, Lisa and I went to Voodoo for a few pints then I went to meet my uncle Andy and his friend Eve at The Clarence pub where Andy was singing. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards we all piled back to Andys and drank some more, listened to music then fell asleep. In the morning, (I just realised THIS morning, wow long time ago, lol) we all went to a nearby cafe. Andy had a breakfast before he went to pick up his kids and take them to a honey farm for the day and Eve and I had a few cups of tea before we went our seperate ways.
When I got home I got all my stuff ready for the Chaplaincy Walk, backpack, sarnies, drinks, thick socks, waterproofs, hat, scarf etc. It was a bit of a rush but I got to Uni in time to jump in the bus. We were supposed to be going to do a coastal walk around Wembury today but the weather wasn't very good, (a bit misty) so we went to Dartmoor again but a different area. It was woody with little rivers and ponies, really pretty because all the trees are very autumnal. I have posted pics. I walked with David for the whole walk which was lovely, he was sharing with me some of his wisdom and interesting facts. I talked his head off I think, lol.
Oh I almost forgot the giving up smoking thing is going very well indeed. It could be better but I'm going to focus on the good. I had a cigarette before bed last night then in the morning I woke up determined not to smoke. I didn't smoke, I didn't smoke after my cuppa, at my house, on the way to Uni, all day on Dartmoor then by 4.30pm when I got back home I was gagging. I relented and had two cigarettes in a row BUT since then I haven't smoked and now is 7.30pm even after our meal so it could be worse, 2 cigarettes in the day is unlike me, anyone who knows me, knows that!
When I got back from Dartmoor I jumped in the shower and opened my post. My 'I beat Anorexia' t-shirt arrived from Ebay, woot! so I am wearing that. Mum invited me to hers for tea so I came up here. She was shopping when I arrived though so I jumped on here and have been online since lol. I was trying to be quick and sociable but I get sidetracked and engrosed. I had a lot of pictures to upload in my defence and I had a lot of Holly Daze to read. (I haven't finished reading it up to date yet.)
Now we are going to get ready and go to see Andy singing a few streets away in Stoke Village.
More soon, hugs! xx
It's been fantastic to have mum and nan back I am very happy :-)
Monday I missed, Tuesday I went to one of the two Chemistry lectures, Wednesday I missed, Thursday I missed and Friday I missed the first lecture then was in for Lab all afternoon. Terrible :-(
Friday after lab, Lisa and I went to Voodoo for a few pints then I went to meet my uncle Andy and his friend Eve at The Clarence pub where Andy was singing. It was a lot of fun. Afterwards we all piled back to Andys and drank some more, listened to music then fell asleep. In the morning, (I just realised THIS morning, wow long time ago, lol) we all went to a nearby cafe. Andy had a breakfast before he went to pick up his kids and take them to a honey farm for the day and Eve and I had a few cups of tea before we went our seperate ways.
When I got home I got all my stuff ready for the Chaplaincy Walk, backpack, sarnies, drinks, thick socks, waterproofs, hat, scarf etc. It was a bit of a rush but I got to Uni in time to jump in the bus. We were supposed to be going to do a coastal walk around Wembury today but the weather wasn't very good, (a bit misty) so we went to Dartmoor again but a different area. It was woody with little rivers and ponies, really pretty because all the trees are very autumnal. I have posted pics. I walked with David for the whole walk which was lovely, he was sharing with me some of his wisdom and interesting facts. I talked his head off I think, lol.
Oh I almost forgot the giving up smoking thing is going very well indeed. It could be better but I'm going to focus on the good. I had a cigarette before bed last night then in the morning I woke up determined not to smoke. I didn't smoke, I didn't smoke after my cuppa, at my house, on the way to Uni, all day on Dartmoor then by 4.30pm when I got back home I was gagging. I relented and had two cigarettes in a row BUT since then I haven't smoked and now is 7.30pm even after our meal so it could be worse, 2 cigarettes in the day is unlike me, anyone who knows me, knows that!
When I got back from Dartmoor I jumped in the shower and opened my post. My 'I beat Anorexia' t-shirt arrived from Ebay, woot! so I am wearing that. Mum invited me to hers for tea so I came up here. She was shopping when I arrived though so I jumped on here and have been online since lol. I was trying to be quick and sociable but I get sidetracked and engrosed. I had a lot of pictures to upload in my defence and I had a lot of Holly Daze to read. (I haven't finished reading it up to date yet.)
Now we are going to get ready and go to see Andy singing a few streets away in Stoke Village.
More soon, hugs! xx
Saturday 8 November 2008
Saturday 8th November 2008
I am at mums this morning. I bought some more shopping for the feezer and planned to play There one last time before MUM IS BACK TOMORROW!!! incase I don't get chance for a while but it is down for it's maintenance right now. I am supposed to be being picked up in an hour by Nipu to go help him with his dissertation some more.
Thursday I was really ill. I didn't go to Uni I stayed at home and rested. I went to the doctor who gave me a stronger inhaler and some antibiotics. Oh he also gave me Champix which is the giving up smoking drug I begged for so many times and now finally have. I started taking them Thursday too. You have to pick a day, 8-14 days after starting to take it and stop smoking then. I have decided next Saturday 15th. That coincides with the next Chaplaincy walk too.
Thursday night was Christianity Explored in the Chaplaincy. This week we were looking at Marks part of the gospel covering Jesus' death and resurrection. It was very interesting and I found out a lot of new information and was quite moved. The video was insightful. For dinner it was fish pie which was beautiful as ever. Davids wifes cooking is really lovely.
I went around to see Sam and Toni afterwards before I went home - my friends who live next door but one. Their cat Tigger has just had her third litter of kittens (she is Jynx's mum and they also own Jynx's dad Bandit) so I went to give them some tuna for her. Bandit had the snip finally this monday and he was very much more quiet than normal it was nice.
Tigger had 4 tabby and white kittens and 1 grey and white. 1 died sadly but the others are all doing very well, two weeks old now and their eyes are open. I might buy the grey and white one I don't know yet and I might buy a tabby and white one for Katie because she said she wants one.
Friday morning I missed the first Biology lecture, I overslept because my cough had made my night restless. I had a major coughing fit when I woke up which cleared some of my chest before having a horrible asthma attack. When I had recovered a few hours later I managed to get to Uni. I met Nipu and Vicky for lunch. I had my favourite lunch too, Moccachino from the library cafe and seeded baguette with Marmite, breakfast mix (that's sausage, bacon and egg mayo) and salad. Mmmm.
Friday afternoon we had Biology lab. I love friday lab because I have Lisa in my class as well as Vicky. We were doing testing for amount of unknown protein in substance tests. Not very exciting but fun as I was with my friends. We have to write a report on the experiment and produce a graph and table of our results. I have already done the graph, I did it in the class but I have the report to write. We also got our four pictures back from the other week at last, I have been waiting for my results for ages. I got 10/10 for each one again. Woot!
I got the results from my exams yesterday too, not as good but I think I did well even to be able to sit in an exam room full of people. I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing well and not focus on the bad, panic and leave the course like last time. I am good enough and I have not failed anything. I got 46% in Biology and I got 52% in Chemistry. 40% was a pass so I did pass even though I was dissapointed with my resluts. I have been finding Chemistry very hard so my result was ok for that but I was very upset about my Biology result.
I was supposed to be going out last night to Club C103 but I didn't go. Vicky is ill and went home straight after Biology lab and Lisa and I went to The Voodoo Lounge (the rock pub next to Uni) but decided to have an early night as we are still a bit ill too. Vicky still hasn't been to C103 but I will get her there one day. I expect we will all be going next Friday.
Nipu has still not called or picked me up and There will be back on in 10 minutes so I may actually get a little blast on my buggy or hoverboard in There after all, yippee. Love to you all xxx
Thursday I was really ill. I didn't go to Uni I stayed at home and rested. I went to the doctor who gave me a stronger inhaler and some antibiotics. Oh he also gave me Champix which is the giving up smoking drug I begged for so many times and now finally have. I started taking them Thursday too. You have to pick a day, 8-14 days after starting to take it and stop smoking then. I have decided next Saturday 15th. That coincides with the next Chaplaincy walk too.
Thursday night was Christianity Explored in the Chaplaincy. This week we were looking at Marks part of the gospel covering Jesus' death and resurrection. It was very interesting and I found out a lot of new information and was quite moved. The video was insightful. For dinner it was fish pie which was beautiful as ever. Davids wifes cooking is really lovely.
I went around to see Sam and Toni afterwards before I went home - my friends who live next door but one. Their cat Tigger has just had her third litter of kittens (she is Jynx's mum and they also own Jynx's dad Bandit) so I went to give them some tuna for her. Bandit had the snip finally this monday and he was very much more quiet than normal it was nice.
Tigger had 4 tabby and white kittens and 1 grey and white. 1 died sadly but the others are all doing very well, two weeks old now and their eyes are open. I might buy the grey and white one I don't know yet and I might buy a tabby and white one for Katie because she said she wants one.
Friday morning I missed the first Biology lecture, I overslept because my cough had made my night restless. I had a major coughing fit when I woke up which cleared some of my chest before having a horrible asthma attack. When I had recovered a few hours later I managed to get to Uni. I met Nipu and Vicky for lunch. I had my favourite lunch too, Moccachino from the library cafe and seeded baguette with Marmite, breakfast mix (that's sausage, bacon and egg mayo) and salad. Mmmm.
Friday afternoon we had Biology lab. I love friday lab because I have Lisa in my class as well as Vicky. We were doing testing for amount of unknown protein in substance tests. Not very exciting but fun as I was with my friends. We have to write a report on the experiment and produce a graph and table of our results. I have already done the graph, I did it in the class but I have the report to write. We also got our four pictures back from the other week at last, I have been waiting for my results for ages. I got 10/10 for each one again. Woot!
I got the results from my exams yesterday too, not as good but I think I did well even to be able to sit in an exam room full of people. I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing well and not focus on the bad, panic and leave the course like last time. I am good enough and I have not failed anything. I got 46% in Biology and I got 52% in Chemistry. 40% was a pass so I did pass even though I was dissapointed with my resluts. I have been finding Chemistry very hard so my result was ok for that but I was very upset about my Biology result.
I was supposed to be going out last night to Club C103 but I didn't go. Vicky is ill and went home straight after Biology lab and Lisa and I went to The Voodoo Lounge (the rock pub next to Uni) but decided to have an early night as we are still a bit ill too. Vicky still hasn't been to C103 but I will get her there one day. I expect we will all be going next Friday.
Nipu has still not called or picked me up and There will be back on in 10 minutes so I may actually get a little blast on my buggy or hoverboard in There after all, yippee. Love to you all xxx
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Fireworks Night Wednesday 5th November
Ok here we go, here are pictures from this evenings fireworks on The Hoe. Most of the pics are too dark I am afraid but at least you can see some of the fireworks and the fairground rides and you can see how many hundreds of people were there too.
I should write about the evening which was by the way brilliant but I am too tired. It is 11.47pm and I have lab at 9am so I am off to bedfordshire, night! xx
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/FireworksNight#
I should write about the evening which was by the way brilliant but I am too tired. It is 11.47pm and I have lab at 9am so I am off to bedfordshire, night! xx
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/FireworksNight#
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Tuesday 4th November 2008
Ok so I had better explain myself having been away for such a long time, lol. Marc and I made up, he was indeed not speaking to me and avoiding me but after much appologising and grovelling on my part he forgave me and now we are fine, I am just a lot more careful about what I say around him.
Ok so what have I been up to since the last time I blogged? Well, a lot actually. Mostly I have been working really hard at Uni, yesterday we had a Biology exam and today we had a Chemistry exam, I can't tell you how I did until we get the results but I think I at least passed. I did have to guess a few answers and I am a little worried but I figure if I did badly I can get extra help with things I didn't understand.
It has been so so so so cold over here the last two weeks! Absolutely freezing! I have had the most horrendous flu that quickly went to Bronchitis. I'm still ill, I have no voice at all and a horrible barking cough so all of last week when I was really ill I just basically went to Uni then crawled into bed between lectures whenever I could. I didn't come to mums place so couldn't blog.
I also got my student funding through, WOOOPPPEEE! I was rich for a little while but as usual I blew the lot on silly things. Well, silly to other people but I really enjoyed it and love my new things. I put £50 in mums bank account and filled her freezer with food to replace the stuff I have eaten. I took Vicky, Katie and Sam to Buffet City to treat them and repay Vicky. I bought a cat scratching post from Ebay to treat the cats. I took my Uncle Andy to the cinema to see Quantum of Solice and splurged loads of money on drinks and food there. I leant Katie and my friend Sam money. I bought new clothes, a warm coat, a jumper, a hoodie, trousers, walking boots, socks, thermal top and trousers and a few t-shirts. I bought loads of new baby wool, bows, ribbons, lace allsorts that I had wanted for ages which came in handy while I was ill as I have been making bootees for my pregnant neighbour Heidi.
Then I went really mad, I bought a Nintendo DS and loads of games for it, including Guitar Hero On Tour, Sims 2, SimCity, Pokemon Diamond, Sims 2 Castaway, Sims 2 Appartment Pets and more. I then bought myself an Ipod nano 4th generation which I completely adore! Since my mp3 player was stolen I have really missed my music, especially since it was one of the things that made getting better possible. I came back to mums immediately and downloaded the new Metallica album - Death Magnet and oh my god! It's the best one they have ever made! I also got Pinks new album - Funhouse, The Cures new album - 4:13 Dream some Queensryche albums and Jimi Hendrix. That was a lot of fun and the Ipod has been everywhere with me ever since!
I still had a bit of money left and so I paid my huge phone bill (£134 by then) and bought a tv licence (£140). Since I then had a tv licence I thought it might be nice if I had a tv so I went and got one. It's 26" flat, HD ready, digital and came with all the freeview channels already loaded on it, no need for a set top box, sweet. It was also in the sale, ideal. While I was there I spotted an Ipod stereo so I got one of those too. I think that's all I bought. I also went out a lot, drinking and sociallising with new friends from Uni and now I am poor again but entertained, lol. I get a little bit more money in December (good for crimbo pressies) and then another lot in January and April. Fridgefreezer and cooker are next on the list and a laptop or pc of some kind. ;-)
Oh Halloween, that was a lot of fun. I went to Katies after Uni to see Sam in his Vampire outfit I got him, he looked so cute, Katie has pics on her digital camera so next time I see her I will try and get them off her. Katie and I chilled (actually I was really ill so I slept) until Saleh came home from work then we went out clubbing in town. We went to my favourite club, C103 which is a rock club. They have four huge rooms with dancefloors and bars then two seperate smoking areas outside with patios and barbeques. New Metallica was played a lot. It was great!
All of my friends were there, Allan, Luke, Styx etc, the whole gang and it was lovely to see all of them after such a long time. Katie and I had a brilliant night, got totally drunk and finally arrived home at around 7am!
The last few days Vicky and I have been pubbing after Uni with new friends Lisa and Dave who are also on our course. The Voodoo Lounge pub is right next to Uni and just happens to be a rock pub so it's been nice to meet new like-minded people who also go to C103 and know all of my old friends. It is wierd being called Caroline and Ona in the same location, that hardly ever happens to me, lol.
As we had exams today we have the day off tomorrow so it will be nice to just chill out for a while. It won't last though as tomorrow night is bonfire night so we are all going up on The Hoe to watch the fireworks. Every year we go and it is always a huge affair, oh yeah the fair will be there too. It will probably be too dark but I will try to take pics. Friday night I am going to C103 again will all my friends, this time Vicky is coming too. That will be funny as she doesn't like the music and is worried that she has nothing 'gothic or rock' to wear. Bless her!
I am really looking forward to mum coming home on Sunday I have missed her so much! It has been wierd without her. I can't wait!
Ok so what have I been up to since the last time I blogged? Well, a lot actually. Mostly I have been working really hard at Uni, yesterday we had a Biology exam and today we had a Chemistry exam, I can't tell you how I did until we get the results but I think I at least passed. I did have to guess a few answers and I am a little worried but I figure if I did badly I can get extra help with things I didn't understand.
It has been so so so so cold over here the last two weeks! Absolutely freezing! I have had the most horrendous flu that quickly went to Bronchitis. I'm still ill, I have no voice at all and a horrible barking cough so all of last week when I was really ill I just basically went to Uni then crawled into bed between lectures whenever I could. I didn't come to mums place so couldn't blog.
I also got my student funding through, WOOOPPPEEE! I was rich for a little while but as usual I blew the lot on silly things. Well, silly to other people but I really enjoyed it and love my new things. I put £50 in mums bank account and filled her freezer with food to replace the stuff I have eaten. I took Vicky, Katie and Sam to Buffet City to treat them and repay Vicky. I bought a cat scratching post from Ebay to treat the cats. I took my Uncle Andy to the cinema to see Quantum of Solice and splurged loads of money on drinks and food there. I leant Katie and my friend Sam money. I bought new clothes, a warm coat, a jumper, a hoodie, trousers, walking boots, socks, thermal top and trousers and a few t-shirts. I bought loads of new baby wool, bows, ribbons, lace allsorts that I had wanted for ages which came in handy while I was ill as I have been making bootees for my pregnant neighbour Heidi.
Then I went really mad, I bought a Nintendo DS and loads of games for it, including Guitar Hero On Tour, Sims 2, SimCity, Pokemon Diamond, Sims 2 Castaway, Sims 2 Appartment Pets and more. I then bought myself an Ipod nano 4th generation which I completely adore! Since my mp3 player was stolen I have really missed my music, especially since it was one of the things that made getting better possible. I came back to mums immediately and downloaded the new Metallica album - Death Magnet and oh my god! It's the best one they have ever made! I also got Pinks new album - Funhouse, The Cures new album - 4:13 Dream some Queensryche albums and Jimi Hendrix. That was a lot of fun and the Ipod has been everywhere with me ever since!
I still had a bit of money left and so I paid my huge phone bill (£134 by then) and bought a tv licence (£140). Since I then had a tv licence I thought it might be nice if I had a tv so I went and got one. It's 26" flat, HD ready, digital and came with all the freeview channels already loaded on it, no need for a set top box, sweet. It was also in the sale, ideal. While I was there I spotted an Ipod stereo so I got one of those too. I think that's all I bought. I also went out a lot, drinking and sociallising with new friends from Uni and now I am poor again but entertained, lol. I get a little bit more money in December (good for crimbo pressies) and then another lot in January and April. Fridgefreezer and cooker are next on the list and a laptop or pc of some kind. ;-)
Oh Halloween, that was a lot of fun. I went to Katies after Uni to see Sam in his Vampire outfit I got him, he looked so cute, Katie has pics on her digital camera so next time I see her I will try and get them off her. Katie and I chilled (actually I was really ill so I slept) until Saleh came home from work then we went out clubbing in town. We went to my favourite club, C103 which is a rock club. They have four huge rooms with dancefloors and bars then two seperate smoking areas outside with patios and barbeques. New Metallica was played a lot. It was great!
All of my friends were there, Allan, Luke, Styx etc, the whole gang and it was lovely to see all of them after such a long time. Katie and I had a brilliant night, got totally drunk and finally arrived home at around 7am!
The last few days Vicky and I have been pubbing after Uni with new friends Lisa and Dave who are also on our course. The Voodoo Lounge pub is right next to Uni and just happens to be a rock pub so it's been nice to meet new like-minded people who also go to C103 and know all of my old friends. It is wierd being called Caroline and Ona in the same location, that hardly ever happens to me, lol.
As we had exams today we have the day off tomorrow so it will be nice to just chill out for a while. It won't last though as tomorrow night is bonfire night so we are all going up on The Hoe to watch the fireworks. Every year we go and it is always a huge affair, oh yeah the fair will be there too. It will probably be too dark but I will try to take pics. Friday night I am going to C103 again will all my friends, this time Vicky is coming too. That will be funny as she doesn't like the music and is worried that she has nothing 'gothic or rock' to wear. Bless her!
I am really looking forward to mum coming home on Sunday I have missed her so much! It has been wierd without her. I can't wait!
Pics of Sam and Katie
I took Katie, Sam and Vicky to Buffet City again this time my treat and here are some pics of Katie and Sam there.
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/NewSamPicsBuffetCitySecondHelping#
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/NewSamPicsBuffetCitySecondHelping#
Cats new scratching post pics
I got the cats a new scratching post from Ebay, a total bargain at just £30, rrp is £230. I don't know who on earth would pay that much but anyway, cute pics.
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/NewCatPics#
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/NewCatPics#
Yearbooked Myself
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/YearbookedMyself#
I got this idea from Vicki's blog, it's a picture of what I might have looked like if I had graduated back in the 70's!
I got this idea from Vicki's blog, it's a picture of what I might have looked like if I had graduated back in the 70's!
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Wednesday 22nd October 2008 part 2
Surprise surprise Marc was not at Uni today, I'm not sure if that's because of me or because we had to hand our reports in today (he was away last wednesday report handing in day too) so I still feel guilty and have no closure because I couldn't say sorry. I felt bad all day. We only had one lecture today - Biology, it was about the benefits of plants and what they do for us in our lives and actually they are pretty damn cool. Vicky is staying at mine again tonight, we came to mums to cook. We had fish, chips and peas now we are off back to mine, thought I would quickly update while I got the chance. I got my report in on time even though I was totally unhappy with it at least I won't get a zero. Our average score goes over the whole year and we can discard our worst score so I'm going to stop worrying about it.
Here are a few random pics, one of me in my new glasses, view from outside mumsies frontroom window and two pics of my Antonella character from Conquer 2.0, one normal one and one of her performing Golem when she changes into a robot. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/Misc#
Here are a few random pics, one of me in my new glasses, view from outside mumsies frontroom window and two pics of my Antonella character from Conquer 2.0, one normal one and one of her performing Golem when she changes into a robot. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/Misc#
Wednesday 22nd October 2008
Monday afternoon after Uni, Vicky very kindly took me to Buffet City a really cool new Oriental American style buffet restaurant in town for my birthday treat. It was pouring with rain and we had to wait 45 minutes outside before the place opened for the evening menu at 5pm but it was so worth it. The food was stunning!
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/BuffetCity#
We ate almost our own weights in food (just kidding) until our bellies hurt and had a fantastic time. Afterwards we went back to my place so that Vicky could see the cats and I wouldn't be alone for my birthday. We watched some films, The Doors and Moonlighting which was fun and I played all of my favourite music so we had a good singalong.
Tuesday morning was the usual rush to get ready for Uni, showering, getting dressed running for the bus etc but it was also nice. I had texts from Katie, Nan, Mum, Kevin and Pat so everyone remembered me. We have two different chemistry lessons on Tuesdays, one with Dave and one with Roy. Unfortunately they were both pretty similar which was a little dull. Both talked about Atomic structures and Isotopes so I guess it is an important topic.
In the afternoon it was 'What the papers say' again in the Chaplaincy, they didn't say much and we soon moved on to doing the crossword instead which was one of those cryptic ones that Laura and I found really hard. Roger was giving us clues all the way though because he always knew the answers so it was fun learning a new skill, lol. Marc had invited Vicky and I for a drink in the SU bar and for some reason I didn't feel like it. I tried my best to put them off but Vicky was very insistant saying I must have a drink on my birthday blah blah so I gave in and went to meet Marc there with her.
I wish I had listened to myself and not gone. Marc had been drinking all afternoon and was in a pretty wierd mood right from the start. He first of all said that he had only invited Vicky what was I doing there, I brushed it off you know with a laugh and he bought me a pint. We sat down and were all just chatting. Vicky and Marc finished their drinks really quickly, I had barely drunk a quarter of my pint and Mark said 'oh well if you don't want another one that's your problem' and I said 'I can't help it if I drink slowly, you two are practically alcoholics compaired to me!' and laughed, like you do.
I didn't mean anything by it, I certainly wasn't implying that either of them were actual alcoholics, if I really thought that then it would be something I would keep to myself. Vicky laughed and Marc went quiet. He grabbed his bag and left! Wierd we thought perhaps he has gone for a cigarette but he wasn't outside so apparently he was offended and went off in a huff. I thought only pre-teen girls did that but apparently so do adult males.
Anyway this totally ruined my birthday and the rest of the evening as I felt guilty and had no way of contacting him to appologise. I also have the added worry of how he is going to be today and the fact that he is in every single one of my classes and is my lab partner. If he has fallen out with me it is going to be tense to say the least. Bloody men they are such babies!
This morning I am at mums place supposed to be writing my report on last weeks chemistry lab work which has to be given in today but as usual I am procrastinating because I don't want to write it. I shouldn't leave it to the last day to hand it in but I hate writting them. I never know what to write even if I did get 90% on my last one. It didn't come easilly. This afternoon I only have one lecture, a one hour Biology lecture I think it is the last one on cells this week.
Ok ok I hear you, I am going to write it now.
http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/BuffetCity#
We ate almost our own weights in food (just kidding) until our bellies hurt and had a fantastic time. Afterwards we went back to my place so that Vicky could see the cats and I wouldn't be alone for my birthday. We watched some films, The Doors and Moonlighting which was fun and I played all of my favourite music so we had a good singalong.
Tuesday morning was the usual rush to get ready for Uni, showering, getting dressed running for the bus etc but it was also nice. I had texts from Katie, Nan, Mum, Kevin and Pat so everyone remembered me. We have two different chemistry lessons on Tuesdays, one with Dave and one with Roy. Unfortunately they were both pretty similar which was a little dull. Both talked about Atomic structures and Isotopes so I guess it is an important topic.
In the afternoon it was 'What the papers say' again in the Chaplaincy, they didn't say much and we soon moved on to doing the crossword instead which was one of those cryptic ones that Laura and I found really hard. Roger was giving us clues all the way though because he always knew the answers so it was fun learning a new skill, lol. Marc had invited Vicky and I for a drink in the SU bar and for some reason I didn't feel like it. I tried my best to put them off but Vicky was very insistant saying I must have a drink on my birthday blah blah so I gave in and went to meet Marc there with her.
I wish I had listened to myself and not gone. Marc had been drinking all afternoon and was in a pretty wierd mood right from the start. He first of all said that he had only invited Vicky what was I doing there, I brushed it off you know with a laugh and he bought me a pint. We sat down and were all just chatting. Vicky and Marc finished their drinks really quickly, I had barely drunk a quarter of my pint and Mark said 'oh well if you don't want another one that's your problem' and I said 'I can't help it if I drink slowly, you two are practically alcoholics compaired to me!' and laughed, like you do.
I didn't mean anything by it, I certainly wasn't implying that either of them were actual alcoholics, if I really thought that then it would be something I would keep to myself. Vicky laughed and Marc went quiet. He grabbed his bag and left! Wierd we thought perhaps he has gone for a cigarette but he wasn't outside so apparently he was offended and went off in a huff. I thought only pre-teen girls did that but apparently so do adult males.
Anyway this totally ruined my birthday and the rest of the evening as I felt guilty and had no way of contacting him to appologise. I also have the added worry of how he is going to be today and the fact that he is in every single one of my classes and is my lab partner. If he has fallen out with me it is going to be tense to say the least. Bloody men they are such babies!
This morning I am at mums place supposed to be writing my report on last weeks chemistry lab work which has to be given in today but as usual I am procrastinating because I don't want to write it. I shouldn't leave it to the last day to hand it in but I hate writting them. I never know what to write even if I did get 90% on my last one. It didn't come easilly. This afternoon I only have one lecture, a one hour Biology lecture I think it is the last one on cells this week.
Ok ok I hear you, I am going to write it now.
Monday 20 October 2008
Monday 20th October 2008
On Sunday Vicky had stayed over and we watched films and chilled then we met Saleh and went in town. We had coffee at Starbucks then got KFC to take home to Katie. Katie, Saleh and I went to Derriford hospital after that to take Sam to the out of hours doctors. He has a cold and Katie wanted to make sure it hadn't got to his chest. He was given the all clear so Katie felt better. I took loads of pics so that Nanny can see. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/SamAtDerriford#
This morning we had study in higher education class in which Dave talked to us about time management. It was a very good talk and I took a lot of notes which I know will be very helpful indeed. I am struggling a little to fit everything in and I haven't seen Paul and Carly for weeks so I hoping to get a free spot in my week when I can make the time to see them.
I got my chemistry report from last week back too and I got a staggering 90%! I was sooooo happy with this result as I had struggled with what to write all week and hadn't handed it in until the very last moment on Wednesday afternoon. The highest mark anyone got was 95% and only 2 people got that. Only 10 of us got 90% or above. I know I shouldn't be so competitive but I can't help it, I think it's healthy to care.
After a quick break in the chaplaincy for coffee with Vicky, Marc and Olivia (David was also there of course) we went to Maths. Today we were plotting graphs for linear formulas so we had like y=x+2 with different values of x then plotted the results on graphs. It was dull but at least I understood it this week.
At lunchtime I got a call from Specsavers that my glasses were ready to pick up so I have just been down to get them. I am now wearing them in the I.T suite at University with Vicky which just feels bizarre! I'm looking forward to not getting headaches anymore and trying not to look up to quickly because it messes up my focus as they are only for right in front of me. I know they are neccessary and I will get used to them but I'm so embarrassed, ARGH!
This afternoon we have no lessons planned but I have another Chemistry report to write which has to be in on Wednesday. I will probably do the same thing I did last week and leave it until the last minute, screaching it in late in the afternoon because we have Wednesday morning off giving me time to think about it. I should have done it this weekend but I am struggling on what to write again - sigh.
Tomorrow is my birthday - yay!
This morning we had study in higher education class in which Dave talked to us about time management. It was a very good talk and I took a lot of notes which I know will be very helpful indeed. I am struggling a little to fit everything in and I haven't seen Paul and Carly for weeks so I hoping to get a free spot in my week when I can make the time to see them.
I got my chemistry report from last week back too and I got a staggering 90%! I was sooooo happy with this result as I had struggled with what to write all week and hadn't handed it in until the very last moment on Wednesday afternoon. The highest mark anyone got was 95% and only 2 people got that. Only 10 of us got 90% or above. I know I shouldn't be so competitive but I can't help it, I think it's healthy to care.
After a quick break in the chaplaincy for coffee with Vicky, Marc and Olivia (David was also there of course) we went to Maths. Today we were plotting graphs for linear formulas so we had like y=x+2 with different values of x then plotted the results on graphs. It was dull but at least I understood it this week.
At lunchtime I got a call from Specsavers that my glasses were ready to pick up so I have just been down to get them. I am now wearing them in the I.T suite at University with Vicky which just feels bizarre! I'm looking forward to not getting headaches anymore and trying not to look up to quickly because it messes up my focus as they are only for right in front of me. I know they are neccessary and I will get used to them but I'm so embarrassed, ARGH!
This afternoon we have no lessons planned but I have another Chemistry report to write which has to be in on Wednesday. I will probably do the same thing I did last week and leave it until the last minute, screaching it in late in the afternoon because we have Wednesday morning off giving me time to think about it. I should have done it this weekend but I am struggling on what to write again - sigh.
Tomorrow is my birthday - yay!
Saturday 18 October 2008
Saturday 18th October 2008
Firstly I will start off with the usual appologies for not writing for a few days and explain that it has been hectic. Since we have lab time put on our timetables I seem to have no time to blog!
Ok I left you at Wednesday when I had a day off. I went to the doctors in the morning and got my repeat sicknote and my flu jab then had dentist in the afternoon where I got fitted for dentures! I had to pop into Uni to drop off a completed assignment too.
I took a leaf out of Vickis book and decided to get the whole body checkup thing so docs then dentist followed by optitians.
Wednesday night I just chilled at home. Thursday I had the usual Chemistry and we also did online tests. Maths and Chemistry. We had to get 70% on the maths and I got 76% so I passed, thank god. Chemistry wasn't comulsary but I took them anyways, got 100% in the first and 80% in the second. Can't be doing too badly! We had chemistry lab work, we heated up Magnesium ribbon to measure oxidation. I have to write a report on this before Wednesday. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/UniversityPics#
I had an eye test in the afternoon and I have now got glasses! So I was feeling pretty old by then, flu jab, glasses and dentures and 32 next week. Yikes! Thursday night was Christianity explored in the Chaplaincy. We ate pasta bake with cheese and nuts, cashews and peanuts I believe, cooked by Davids wife, it was yummy followed by cheesecake and chocolate gateaux. We discussed the next part of Marks gospel, watched a bit more of the video and chatted about questions that were in our book. Afterwards I went home and chilled, pretty tired.
Friday we had Biology lab and we got work back from the week before. I got 10 out of 10 for my drawing and was the only one in the class so I was rather chuffed! Friday night I met up with Nipu with Vicky and Marc. We ate chips at a cafe near Uni. I then hopped on a bus and went to see Georgia as it was her birthday to give her her card. They were all off to the pub and as I was too tired to join them I stayed with Sophie in the house for a while.
A few of her friends came around and we all played Rock Star on the WII which was so much fun. I liked her friends a lot they are lovely. I was really late getting home and crawled straight into bed and went to sleep.
This morning I got up and got showered ready for a trip out to Dartmoor with Uni chaplaincy. I met Vicky outside Uni and we went up to the chaplaincy together. The whole group was there in no time and we hopped into the minibus off to Dartmoor. We had quite a gruelling 5 mile walk around Princetown which I have posted pics from. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/DartmoorVisit#
Tonight I have Vicky staying over so I popped here to mums to update the blog knowing I won't have any chance to do it at least before Monday maybe later. No plans as such for tomorrow, resting before getting back to Uni. Monday 9am lecture - groan. It's all good fun!
Ok I left you at Wednesday when I had a day off. I went to the doctors in the morning and got my repeat sicknote and my flu jab then had dentist in the afternoon where I got fitted for dentures! I had to pop into Uni to drop off a completed assignment too.
I took a leaf out of Vickis book and decided to get the whole body checkup thing so docs then dentist followed by optitians.
Wednesday night I just chilled at home. Thursday I had the usual Chemistry and we also did online tests. Maths and Chemistry. We had to get 70% on the maths and I got 76% so I passed, thank god. Chemistry wasn't comulsary but I took them anyways, got 100% in the first and 80% in the second. Can't be doing too badly! We had chemistry lab work, we heated up Magnesium ribbon to measure oxidation. I have to write a report on this before Wednesday. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/UniversityPics#
I had an eye test in the afternoon and I have now got glasses! So I was feeling pretty old by then, flu jab, glasses and dentures and 32 next week. Yikes! Thursday night was Christianity explored in the Chaplaincy. We ate pasta bake with cheese and nuts, cashews and peanuts I believe, cooked by Davids wife, it was yummy followed by cheesecake and chocolate gateaux. We discussed the next part of Marks gospel, watched a bit more of the video and chatted about questions that were in our book. Afterwards I went home and chilled, pretty tired.
Friday we had Biology lab and we got work back from the week before. I got 10 out of 10 for my drawing and was the only one in the class so I was rather chuffed! Friday night I met up with Nipu with Vicky and Marc. We ate chips at a cafe near Uni. I then hopped on a bus and went to see Georgia as it was her birthday to give her her card. They were all off to the pub and as I was too tired to join them I stayed with Sophie in the house for a while.
A few of her friends came around and we all played Rock Star on the WII which was so much fun. I liked her friends a lot they are lovely. I was really late getting home and crawled straight into bed and went to sleep.
This morning I got up and got showered ready for a trip out to Dartmoor with Uni chaplaincy. I met Vicky outside Uni and we went up to the chaplaincy together. The whole group was there in no time and we hopped into the minibus off to Dartmoor. We had quite a gruelling 5 mile walk around Princetown which I have posted pics from. http://picasaweb.google.com/CarolineMarieThomas/DartmoorVisit#
Tonight I have Vicky staying over so I popped here to mums to update the blog knowing I won't have any chance to do it at least before Monday maybe later. No plans as such for tomorrow, resting before getting back to Uni. Monday 9am lecture - groan. It's all good fun!
Tuesday 14 October 2008
Tuesday 14th October 2008
Sorry I haven't blogged recently but it's all been a bit hectic and busy! I spent the weekend helping my friend Nipu correct his english on his dissertation for his Phd. We are by no means done yet but I have looked through about 20,000 words. Just putting in things like 'it' 'the' 'of' seems easy but actually it's such a complicated subject he is writing on and the language is so very very complex that it really taxes the brain and I get a headache if I don't take regular breaks.
Luckily for me he is a fabulous chef and has been cooking the most wonderfully hot curries every time I have been over there to make it slightly less of a chore.
Monday we had lectures all day it was awful, no break from 9am straight through to 4pm as you can imagine I was pooped. Vicky came back to my place and we watched CSI Miami season 1 dvd's all evening (I hired them from the library for the week, we've watched 2 of the 4 dvd's so far) then went to bed.
Today was 2 chemistry lectures, one from each of our two chemistry lecturers. Both pretty dull actually and nothing much to write about. This afternoon I did online tests. Maths we had to get more than 70% to pass which would normally be a First pass % (in the top %) but our teacher is apparently a slave-driver. After a few attempts I got 76% - yay!
I saw whilst on this site that two chemistry tests have been put on our portal too so I gave them a go. The first one I got 100% and the second 4 out of 5 which was 80%. Since I wasn't supposed to take them yet I was highly impressed and I will relax a little about chemistry as it is a constant worry. Nice to know something is actually sinking into the gray matter after all! Lol.
Church has been fun, yesterday was Greek but I will be giving this up, I have enough on my plate I think without learning another language, especially one so hard and so dull, lol.
Today in the church was 'What the papers say' once again we didn't talk much about what the papers say because for the third week in a row all the papers say is that the world economy is coming to an end, budget, finance, banks suck etc - boring. Since Roger is actually an ex-maths teacher he went through some maths that Vicky and I have been having problems with instead - invaluable right before we took our tests.
Mumsie has posted on her blog I was happy to see and she is having a great time, today in Dubai, sounds fantastic. Katie and Saleh went to London this week but they are back now and Sam is fine. It is Georgia's 11th birthday this friday, makes me feel so old lol.
Oh I forgot to mention, over the weekend I was online at mums and I started playing this fantastic RPG game online. It's called Conquer 2.0 and I've really got into it. If only I had more time - sigh. Anyways, I managed to get my character (a Trojan on the Light server - incase anyone wants to join me, avatar - Antonella) all the way up to level 40 in 2 days which is quite good. I can now self-heal and carry and use two weapons at once so my character now kicks butt. Basically you kill monsters, gain experience, kick more monster butt, gain more experience etc. It is addictive, buying better weapons, better armour, meeting and chatting with people from all over the world etc. Just thought I would share. There are sad people on there also though, people who have been playing for years, never get off it, take it very seriously so I will be careful not to get too hooked. Since mums place is the only place I can play it I should be ok.
Tomorrow I am having the day off, I can't wait to recoup. I have one lecture from 1pm - 2pm but I can't make it as I have dentist at 1.30pm. The lecturer doesn't mind me having the time off and if I don't turn up to the appointment I get taken off the NHS list or reschedule would be for 4 weeks time so I am going. I am supposed to be being fitted for the replacement tooth so I will let you all know how that goes.
Luckily for me he is a fabulous chef and has been cooking the most wonderfully hot curries every time I have been over there to make it slightly less of a chore.
Monday we had lectures all day it was awful, no break from 9am straight through to 4pm as you can imagine I was pooped. Vicky came back to my place and we watched CSI Miami season 1 dvd's all evening (I hired them from the library for the week, we've watched 2 of the 4 dvd's so far) then went to bed.
Today was 2 chemistry lectures, one from each of our two chemistry lecturers. Both pretty dull actually and nothing much to write about. This afternoon I did online tests. Maths we had to get more than 70% to pass which would normally be a First pass % (in the top %) but our teacher is apparently a slave-driver. After a few attempts I got 76% - yay!
I saw whilst on this site that two chemistry tests have been put on our portal too so I gave them a go. The first one I got 100% and the second 4 out of 5 which was 80%. Since I wasn't supposed to take them yet I was highly impressed and I will relax a little about chemistry as it is a constant worry. Nice to know something is actually sinking into the gray matter after all! Lol.
Church has been fun, yesterday was Greek but I will be giving this up, I have enough on my plate I think without learning another language, especially one so hard and so dull, lol.
Today in the church was 'What the papers say' once again we didn't talk much about what the papers say because for the third week in a row all the papers say is that the world economy is coming to an end, budget, finance, banks suck etc - boring. Since Roger is actually an ex-maths teacher he went through some maths that Vicky and I have been having problems with instead - invaluable right before we took our tests.
Mumsie has posted on her blog I was happy to see and she is having a great time, today in Dubai, sounds fantastic. Katie and Saleh went to London this week but they are back now and Sam is fine. It is Georgia's 11th birthday this friday, makes me feel so old lol.
Oh I forgot to mention, over the weekend I was online at mums and I started playing this fantastic RPG game online. It's called Conquer 2.0 and I've really got into it. If only I had more time - sigh. Anyways, I managed to get my character (a Trojan on the Light server - incase anyone wants to join me, avatar - Antonella) all the way up to level 40 in 2 days which is quite good. I can now self-heal and carry and use two weapons at once so my character now kicks butt. Basically you kill monsters, gain experience, kick more monster butt, gain more experience etc. It is addictive, buying better weapons, better armour, meeting and chatting with people from all over the world etc. Just thought I would share. There are sad people on there also though, people who have been playing for years, never get off it, take it very seriously so I will be careful not to get too hooked. Since mums place is the only place I can play it I should be ok.
Tomorrow I am having the day off, I can't wait to recoup. I have one lecture from 1pm - 2pm but I can't make it as I have dentist at 1.30pm. The lecturer doesn't mind me having the time off and if I don't turn up to the appointment I get taken off the NHS list or reschedule would be for 4 weeks time so I am going. I am supposed to be being fitted for the replacement tooth so I will let you all know how that goes.
Wednesday 8 October 2008
Wednesday 8th October 2008
I appologise for not updating this blog this week, I've been so unbelievably busy that I haven't had chance to get to the library to blog. Wednesday mornings is just about the only time I don't have lectures. This morning I am at mumsies because she is going away tomorrow. I stayed here last night.
Today would have been my dad's birthday so that has been on my mind too staying here with mumsie was nice. I'm really going to miss her. I have set her up her own blog though - Lyndy Lou's Blog on here, so at least if she can figure out how to do it without me lol, she can write about what she is up to in Abu Dhabi so that won't be so bad.
Yesterday at Uni I bought my lab coat! Sexy it is - NOT! It is soooooo white. I can't wait to get some scientific stains or marks or something on it then I might actually look like a scientist, lol. Our practicals start this week, tomorrow I have Chemistry then Biology on Friday. White is so not my colour. Just ask my mum! I was thinking of asking if I could dye it black and maybe put some patches on it, you know like Metallica or something a bit more 'me'. Seems unlikely though. The whole class is in the same boat.
Katie and Sam were over here last night too, we all had mums homemade Cottage Pie. Lovely jubely. Sam is just soooo cute. I wish I knew how to put pictures on here, I've got so many pictures and videos on my phone. I also have a You Tube account that I opened for that purpose but I don't know how to convert the videos on my phone.
Since this blog is supposed to be about Uni I'd better write about my week although nothing much happened. Mondays I have study in higher education, this week the lecture was how to write effective notes in lectures which I found funny, writing notes in a lecture about how to write notes in a lecture, lol. Then Monday afternoons it's maths - yuk. I hate maths. This week it was Integers, Rational numbers, Prime numbers etc. I actually learnt stuff and followed the lesson without any problems, that's a first.
Tuesdays I have Chemistry in the morning with Dr David Harwood, my main tutor. He is brilliantly boring. His voice is a bit dull that's all and I don't really understand Chemistry so I struggle in his lectures. We are still covering Matter, solids, liquids and gasses. In the afternoons we have another Chemistry lecture, this one by Dr Roy Lowry and it couldn't be more different. He spends a lot of time teaching primary children and his lectures are so much fun. Full of fun and jokes and the information really sinks in. For example when telling us to keep to scale he told us a story of a guy who baked cakes. The guy used 4lb flour and 4lb sugar to make this cake then he went to Outer Mongolia he wanted to make the same cake but on a bigger scale and their measuring units were Mega Mongolian Ferrets (we all laughed a lot at this) so he still needed 4 of each, demonstrating the ratio was the same regardless of units. On the screen it said 4Mmf sugar + 4Mmf flour = Loadsacake.
Wednesdays (today) is Biology. Only one 1 hour lecture. We have been looking at the basics, cells and their makeup. Thursdays we have Chemistry practical in the lab which we haven't done yet and then in the afternoon it's maths review where we go over what we have covered on a Monday so that's what we did last Thursday and Fridays are Biology practicals which we haven't done yet and another Biology lecture, we did cells last Friday.
At the weekend I went to see Paul and Carly. Carly was just out of hospital having gallstones removed so she was sore and weak bless her. I din't stay there long as I was quite bored. Their friend Phil was there playing the playstation which is fun to play not to watch. Carly wasn't herself so I had to make my own coffee and Paul was really quiet and untalkative, so I went home. I was really tired when I got home, perhaps the week caught up with me anyway I fell asleep by 4pm and slept until nearly 6am!
Sunday I was at mumsies, we just chilled and ate dinner. Mumsie babysat Sam in the evening and I chilled at home watching Bruce Willis films.
Today would have been my dad's birthday so that has been on my mind too staying here with mumsie was nice. I'm really going to miss her. I have set her up her own blog though - Lyndy Lou's Blog on here, so at least if she can figure out how to do it without me lol, she can write about what she is up to in Abu Dhabi so that won't be so bad.
Yesterday at Uni I bought my lab coat! Sexy it is - NOT! It is soooooo white. I can't wait to get some scientific stains or marks or something on it then I might actually look like a scientist, lol. Our practicals start this week, tomorrow I have Chemistry then Biology on Friday. White is so not my colour. Just ask my mum! I was thinking of asking if I could dye it black and maybe put some patches on it, you know like Metallica or something a bit more 'me'. Seems unlikely though. The whole class is in the same boat.
Katie and Sam were over here last night too, we all had mums homemade Cottage Pie. Lovely jubely. Sam is just soooo cute. I wish I knew how to put pictures on here, I've got so many pictures and videos on my phone. I also have a You Tube account that I opened for that purpose but I don't know how to convert the videos on my phone.
Since this blog is supposed to be about Uni I'd better write about my week although nothing much happened. Mondays I have study in higher education, this week the lecture was how to write effective notes in lectures which I found funny, writing notes in a lecture about how to write notes in a lecture, lol. Then Monday afternoons it's maths - yuk. I hate maths. This week it was Integers, Rational numbers, Prime numbers etc. I actually learnt stuff and followed the lesson without any problems, that's a first.
Tuesdays I have Chemistry in the morning with Dr David Harwood, my main tutor. He is brilliantly boring. His voice is a bit dull that's all and I don't really understand Chemistry so I struggle in his lectures. We are still covering Matter, solids, liquids and gasses. In the afternoons we have another Chemistry lecture, this one by Dr Roy Lowry and it couldn't be more different. He spends a lot of time teaching primary children and his lectures are so much fun. Full of fun and jokes and the information really sinks in. For example when telling us to keep to scale he told us a story of a guy who baked cakes. The guy used 4lb flour and 4lb sugar to make this cake then he went to Outer Mongolia he wanted to make the same cake but on a bigger scale and their measuring units were Mega Mongolian Ferrets (we all laughed a lot at this) so he still needed 4 of each, demonstrating the ratio was the same regardless of units. On the screen it said 4Mmf sugar + 4Mmf flour = Loadsacake.
Wednesdays (today) is Biology. Only one 1 hour lecture. We have been looking at the basics, cells and their makeup. Thursdays we have Chemistry practical in the lab which we haven't done yet and then in the afternoon it's maths review where we go over what we have covered on a Monday so that's what we did last Thursday and Fridays are Biology practicals which we haven't done yet and another Biology lecture, we did cells last Friday.
At the weekend I went to see Paul and Carly. Carly was just out of hospital having gallstones removed so she was sore and weak bless her. I din't stay there long as I was quite bored. Their friend Phil was there playing the playstation which is fun to play not to watch. Carly wasn't herself so I had to make my own coffee and Paul was really quiet and untalkative, so I went home. I was really tired when I got home, perhaps the week caught up with me anyway I fell asleep by 4pm and slept until nearly 6am!
Sunday I was at mumsies, we just chilled and ate dinner. Mumsie babysat Sam in the evening and I chilled at home watching Bruce Willis films.
Wednesday 1 October 2008
Wednesday 1st October 2008
This morning I woke up with a shock when I remembered where I was, at Katies. I tiptoed around for a bit until Marc and Vicki woke up. We all got dressed, had coffee, showers etc and got the bus back to Uni.
This morning we had our first Biology lecture. Not much to report there, Janet our tutor was ok, nothing like Roy unfortunately but I don't think many lecturers are. We went over the topics we will cover in the following term, populations, ecosystems, plants, ecology, organisms, microscopy, cells, bioscience etc.
After the lecture Marc went home and Vicki and I came to the Babbage building in the Open Access computer area, where I am right now and I updated this blog, I wrote Wednesday 24th up to now!
As soon as I have done more this will be updated. :-)
This morning we had our first Biology lecture. Not much to report there, Janet our tutor was ok, nothing like Roy unfortunately but I don't think many lecturers are. We went over the topics we will cover in the following term, populations, ecosystems, plants, ecology, organisms, microscopy, cells, bioscience etc.
After the lecture Marc went home and Vicki and I came to the Babbage building in the Open Access computer area, where I am right now and I updated this blog, I wrote Wednesday 24th up to now!
As soon as I have done more this will be updated. :-)
Tuesday 30th September 2008
This morning I came into Uni really early, after venting to mum all night I decided to sort out the things which were upsetting me. The first thing was the computer areas being so crowded and being unable to get to my emails. I was brave and went to the library early. Because I was the first one in there I was able to happily take a seat and I checked my emails and got the course information and lecture notes I had been missing.
I also set up this blog after reading through all the Holly Daze posts I had missed. Good to be up to date! She is soooooooooooooo cute. If you get chance take a look through the blogs I'm watching and check her out. My best friend Vicki's blog on her daughter.
After the computer session I went for a cuppa at the church before going to my Chemistry lecture in the Sherwell Centre. This was a really good lecture, I mean we actually did some Chemistry and Dave was animated and fun to listen to. I came to the conclusion that he must find it as dull as I did lecturing us on the handbook and timetable. Since Chemistry is his subject he speaks with much more interest on it.
The main things we covered were atoms, structure, matter, scientific experiment, serendipity, natural law, solids, liquids, gasses, elements, molecules etc all just a basic overview of topics we will cover in greater detail later on. I sat next to a guy called Nick and struck up a conversation finally! It was really nice to have someone to banter with. He was already friends with a couple of other people who he introduced me to which was really nice.
After Chemistry finished at 12 noon there was nothing scheduled until 5pm, another Chemistry lecture, this time with Roy Lowry. I spent the afternoon in the church. First of all I attended a Learn Greek class there which was really taxing on the brain. I didn't enjoy it much although it was somewhat interesting it was just so over my head. I got handouts with the alphabet and a few pronunciation exercises to practice for next week if I decide to continue.
After the Greek there was a debate group on 'What the papers say' also in the church which I joined in with. This was extrememely good fun. Hosted by Roger Williams who is a Vicar in a nearby church and is a Chaplain in our campus church, we chatted about the recession and members of the church gone bad, Gordon Brown, Football and other articles we found in the papers. Once we had exhausted anything interesting we moved onto what brought us to where we are in life.
There was a girl who used to be a nun but left the order because of bullying which I found really shocking, she is back home in Plymouth to look after her sick grandma and is studying Adult Nursing, there was a guy called Chris which I didn't catch what he was studying but I think he is a member of the Christian Union, he was telling us about his background being brought up around the church and about the church he attends. Then there was a girl who struggles with her relationship with God she said, mainly because she has a bad relationship with her father from what I could gather, therefore a bad self-image due to being put down a lot.
Then there was Maureen the volunteer Chaplain, she told us all about how she had become a Chaplain. Then there was Sophie who works with Roger in his church. I think she is some kind of youth worker but wasn't sure. She said something about being a new Christian just in the last few years and about how Roger asked her to help with the youngsters after she did the course herself last year. Then there was Roger himself, his story wasvery interesting, about how he went to Cambridge and studyied Maths and Philosophy before becoming involved in the Church. This sparked a very interesting discussion on Philosophy and how it is a strange combination with Maths. We chatted all afternoon until it nearly time for my evening lecture.
The Chemistry lecture was fabulous. Roy Lowry was hilarious, animated, interesting and inspiring. Much of the same topics from the morning were discussed with a little more emphasis on Chemical Formulae. We started looking at Chemical Equations and had a few questions set for homework. Roy had the whole class laughing out loud most of the lecture. This is the kind of lecture I really enjoy and learn a lot from.
After the lecture something even better happened, the friends I had said hello to earlier in the day that knew Nick walked out of the lecture theatre with me and invited me to go to the Student Union Bar with them for a drink! I accepted straight away and we all got on very well. Marc bought me and Vicki loads of drinks and we generally had a great time. Katie had been bored and texting me for ages and Marc suggested we all go over her place, so we did!
The 3 of us hopped on a bus, went to buy loads more alcohol and piled into Katies for the night. We watched lot's of Monty Python, drunk lot's of Fosters and had a great time. Katie fed us, Sam entertained us and a good time was had by all. Saleh came home from work about 2am to find us all still chatting and opened a bottle of wine and joined us. We all chatted and had a laugh until about 4.30am when Katie and Saleh made Marc, Vicki and I a huge bed on the living room floor. Marc and Vicki had been flirting with eachother all eveing and after much prompting had a little smooch. This was my cue to fall asleep, I was exhausted.
I also set up this blog after reading through all the Holly Daze posts I had missed. Good to be up to date! She is soooooooooooooo cute. If you get chance take a look through the blogs I'm watching and check her out. My best friend Vicki's blog on her daughter.
After the computer session I went for a cuppa at the church before going to my Chemistry lecture in the Sherwell Centre. This was a really good lecture, I mean we actually did some Chemistry and Dave was animated and fun to listen to. I came to the conclusion that he must find it as dull as I did lecturing us on the handbook and timetable. Since Chemistry is his subject he speaks with much more interest on it.
The main things we covered were atoms, structure, matter, scientific experiment, serendipity, natural law, solids, liquids, gasses, elements, molecules etc all just a basic overview of topics we will cover in greater detail later on. I sat next to a guy called Nick and struck up a conversation finally! It was really nice to have someone to banter with. He was already friends with a couple of other people who he introduced me to which was really nice.
After Chemistry finished at 12 noon there was nothing scheduled until 5pm, another Chemistry lecture, this time with Roy Lowry. I spent the afternoon in the church. First of all I attended a Learn Greek class there which was really taxing on the brain. I didn't enjoy it much although it was somewhat interesting it was just so over my head. I got handouts with the alphabet and a few pronunciation exercises to practice for next week if I decide to continue.
After the Greek there was a debate group on 'What the papers say' also in the church which I joined in with. This was extrememely good fun. Hosted by Roger Williams who is a Vicar in a nearby church and is a Chaplain in our campus church, we chatted about the recession and members of the church gone bad, Gordon Brown, Football and other articles we found in the papers. Once we had exhausted anything interesting we moved onto what brought us to where we are in life.
There was a girl who used to be a nun but left the order because of bullying which I found really shocking, she is back home in Plymouth to look after her sick grandma and is studying Adult Nursing, there was a guy called Chris which I didn't catch what he was studying but I think he is a member of the Christian Union, he was telling us about his background being brought up around the church and about the church he attends. Then there was a girl who struggles with her relationship with God she said, mainly because she has a bad relationship with her father from what I could gather, therefore a bad self-image due to being put down a lot.
Then there was Maureen the volunteer Chaplain, she told us all about how she had become a Chaplain. Then there was Sophie who works with Roger in his church. I think she is some kind of youth worker but wasn't sure. She said something about being a new Christian just in the last few years and about how Roger asked her to help with the youngsters after she did the course herself last year. Then there was Roger himself, his story wasvery interesting, about how he went to Cambridge and studyied Maths and Philosophy before becoming involved in the Church. This sparked a very interesting discussion on Philosophy and how it is a strange combination with Maths. We chatted all afternoon until it nearly time for my evening lecture.
The Chemistry lecture was fabulous. Roy Lowry was hilarious, animated, interesting and inspiring. Much of the same topics from the morning were discussed with a little more emphasis on Chemical Formulae. We started looking at Chemical Equations and had a few questions set for homework. Roy had the whole class laughing out loud most of the lecture. This is the kind of lecture I really enjoy and learn a lot from.
After the lecture something even better happened, the friends I had said hello to earlier in the day that knew Nick walked out of the lecture theatre with me and invited me to go to the Student Union Bar with them for a drink! I accepted straight away and we all got on very well. Marc bought me and Vicki loads of drinks and we generally had a great time. Katie had been bored and texting me for ages and Marc suggested we all go over her place, so we did!
The 3 of us hopped on a bus, went to buy loads more alcohol and piled into Katies for the night. We watched lot's of Monty Python, drunk lot's of Fosters and had a great time. Katie fed us, Sam entertained us and a good time was had by all. Saleh came home from work about 2am to find us all still chatting and opened a bottle of wine and joined us. We all chatted and had a laugh until about 4.30am when Katie and Saleh made Marc, Vicki and I a huge bed on the living room floor. Marc and Vicki had been flirting with eachother all eveing and after much prompting had a little smooch. This was my cue to fall asleep, I was exhausted.
Monday 29th September 2008
I was in early this morning, 9am lecture in the Sherwell Centre which is part of the church that has been converted into lecture theatres. It's such a cool building. This lecture was our Higher Education lecture with David. It was basically about good report writing and we had to identify our strengths and weaknesses, for example I'm weak in public speaking but strong in independent study.
We were also divided into our 4 lab groups for our practicals. I'm in group 3 for Biology and group 4 for Chemistry. All that means is that I am in on a Wednesday morning for Biology and a Friday afternoon for Chemistry. All good.
I hung out in the church drinking tea and chatting until my next lecture which was Maths. I was supposed to have picked up a lecture notes booklet before this lecture and didn't know that because I hadn't made it into any of the computer access areas yet as they are always so busy so I struggled a bit in this lecture.
We were working on Percentages, Ratios and Fractions. Maths is my weakest subject and to not be prepared was very bad. I didn't enjoy or understand a lot of the lecture. As soon as it was over I left and made my way to mums for diner and to vent.
We were also divided into our 4 lab groups for our practicals. I'm in group 3 for Biology and group 4 for Chemistry. All that means is that I am in on a Wednesday morning for Biology and a Friday afternoon for Chemistry. All good.
I hung out in the church drinking tea and chatting until my next lecture which was Maths. I was supposed to have picked up a lecture notes booklet before this lecture and didn't know that because I hadn't made it into any of the computer access areas yet as they are always so busy so I struggled a bit in this lecture.
We were working on Percentages, Ratios and Fractions. Maths is my weakest subject and to not be prepared was very bad. I didn't enjoy or understand a lot of the lecture. As soon as it was over I left and made my way to mums for diner and to vent.
Thursday 25th September 2008
I didn't have anything scheduled for today at Uni so I bimbled around campus checking emails, chatting with people in the church and generally getting used to being around the place and getting to know my way around.
In the evening the church were giving the free meals again so I queued up with over 300 people again for this time mushroom stroganoff, garlic bread and salad. Once again it was too crowded for me and not having an actual friend to hang out with I left.
I went to my friends Paul and Carlys house for the evening then went home later.
In the evening the church were giving the free meals again so I queued up with over 300 people again for this time mushroom stroganoff, garlic bread and salad. Once again it was too crowded for me and not having an actual friend to hang out with I left.
I went to my friends Paul and Carlys house for the evening then went home later.
Wednesday 24th September 2008
Today we had a meet the tutors buffet in Portland Squares Atrium C. Mumsie was in town to lend me money for tobacco so she joined me on campus. Noone payed much attention and I showed her around. She got to eat some of the buffet, (pasties, cake, fruit, tea, coffee, salad etc) and to see my tutors which I think she enjoyed. After this lunch we were free for the rest of the day so I went along to the Freshers Fair in the Roland Levinsky Building.
I signed up for giving blood, got loads of vouchers for cheap internet, free pizzas etc and got a Students Union diary. After this I went and met back up with mumsie in town. We didn't have anything to do in town so we just sat and chatted.
The church were giving away free meals in the hall later that evening so I queued up for that along with 300 other students. We had vegetable korma with rice, bread and salad. It was very crowded and I quickly escaped home.
I'm not back at Uni now until Monday and I am looking forward to getting on with some actual work.
I signed up for giving blood, got loads of vouchers for cheap internet, free pizzas etc and got a Students Union diary. After this I went and met back up with mumsie in town. We didn't have anything to do in town so we just sat and chatted.
The church were giving away free meals in the hall later that evening so I queued up for that along with 300 other students. We had vegetable korma with rice, bread and salad. It was very crowded and I quickly escaped home.
I'm not back at Uni now until Monday and I am looking forward to getting on with some actual work.
Tuesday 30 September 2008
First Day - Tuesday 23rd September 2008
The first day at Uni wasn't exactly my first time there but it was the first time I had met my actual tutor and the other students on my course. I should explain that I am doing Extended Science. This is a 4 year degree, 1 year of intensive Science catch-up followed by the normal 3 year degree. I have chosen Environmental Biology to progress onto after Extended Science.
We all piled into the lecture theatre, (170 of us) and Dr David Harwood our main tutor for the year and a chemistry tutor came in and talked forever!
He discussed all the boring stuff we needed to know, timetables, student handbook, blah blah much of the same things I had been told at the Mature Students Day but most of the other students had not heard.
I began to get very concerned that his voice was a little dull and the scheduled lectures are very long. The lecture seemed to go on forever and ever. It was in reality only 2 hours but with no break it was a bit of a shock to the system!
After this lecture we were dismissed. I fled the building as I was very overwhelmed. Outside, after smoking a calming cigarette I noticed a sign that said 'Free Tea and Coffee' with an arrow pointing to the church so off I went. Inside I climbed the stone steps and was greeted by a really lovely friendly guy called David. He is the church Chaplain and he made me a cup of tea.
It was really nice to actually talk to someone. I had had this strange feeling beforehand in the lecture of being lonely and claustrophobic. Strange when with so many people to feel lonely, I know but it can be very isolating when you know noone. I had forgotten what it was like to actually talk.
I stayed in the church until I felt better and then had my meeting with Dissability Assist. I had to fill in forms for extra funding and discuss how Uni was going so far. I was congratulated for not fleeing home and staying on campus at the church which cheered me up and made me feel like less of a failure. I realised I had infact stayed for the entire lecture and only freaked out after it and not gone home. This is progress! I felt better after this meeting.
At lunch time, Katie came in to visit and to see if she could sign up for a course in primary education teaching. Unfortunately since she had left it a bit late in the year to join, there were no places left on the course of her choice but she is on a list of people to enrol for next year and will be called in for meetings in the year.
Since she was on campus we decided to make the most of it. The church was hosting a talk with free lunch so we went along to the hall to join in. We had a great buffet lunch, pasties, sausage rolls, chicken drumsticks, crisps etc followed by a not so great talk. Many people left after the lunch and many more left as Jesus was mentioned. Katie had to leave after the talk to get back to Sam as Saleh would be leaving for work.
I walked with Katie into town then we went to her place for the evening. All in all a good day!
We all piled into the lecture theatre, (170 of us) and Dr David Harwood our main tutor for the year and a chemistry tutor came in and talked forever!
He discussed all the boring stuff we needed to know, timetables, student handbook, blah blah much of the same things I had been told at the Mature Students Day but most of the other students had not heard.
I began to get very concerned that his voice was a little dull and the scheduled lectures are very long. The lecture seemed to go on forever and ever. It was in reality only 2 hours but with no break it was a bit of a shock to the system!
After this lecture we were dismissed. I fled the building as I was very overwhelmed. Outside, after smoking a calming cigarette I noticed a sign that said 'Free Tea and Coffee' with an arrow pointing to the church so off I went. Inside I climbed the stone steps and was greeted by a really lovely friendly guy called David. He is the church Chaplain and he made me a cup of tea.
It was really nice to actually talk to someone. I had had this strange feeling beforehand in the lecture of being lonely and claustrophobic. Strange when with so many people to feel lonely, I know but it can be very isolating when you know noone. I had forgotten what it was like to actually talk.
I stayed in the church until I felt better and then had my meeting with Dissability Assist. I had to fill in forms for extra funding and discuss how Uni was going so far. I was congratulated for not fleeing home and staying on campus at the church which cheered me up and made me feel like less of a failure. I realised I had infact stayed for the entire lecture and only freaked out after it and not gone home. This is progress! I felt better after this meeting.
At lunch time, Katie came in to visit and to see if she could sign up for a course in primary education teaching. Unfortunately since she had left it a bit late in the year to join, there were no places left on the course of her choice but she is on a list of people to enrol for next year and will be called in for meetings in the year.
Since she was on campus we decided to make the most of it. The church was hosting a talk with free lunch so we went along to the hall to join in. We had a great buffet lunch, pasties, sausage rolls, chicken drumsticks, crisps etc followed by a not so great talk. Many people left after the lunch and many more left as Jesus was mentioned. Katie had to leave after the talk to get back to Sam as Saleh would be leaving for work.
I walked with Katie into town then we went to her place for the evening. All in all a good day!
Mature Students Welcome Day - Friday 19th September 2008
Welcome to my new blog! I thought I would create a place to share my experiences with the people I love and to have an archive to look back on in the future.
First of all in the morning on my first day I had a meeting in a small room which was arranged by Dissability Assist. I was incredibly nervous on the bus, walking through town and arriving, the campus is so huge and there are so many thousands of students. I was determined not to let that stop me.
This meeting was arranged to discuss with me any special needs I may have and anything that would help me to not feel so nervous. All of my tutors from each subject were there which was so helpful and reasurring. I explained about my agoraphobia and anxiety and they were all very sympathetic and understanding.
As I have these health issues it was agreed that I would get some extra help, I also have a meeting with Nicola Dyer, an advisor from Dissability Assist next week. Roy Lowry a chemistry tutor, offered to take me on a tour of the campus and show me all of my classrooms to help my anxiousness in new places. We agreed that it would be an easier transition if I only had to worry about the new people and not the places aswell.
I was attending a 'Mature Students Induction Day' after the meeting which included meeting my other tutors and a buffet lunch. Everyone else looked as nervous as I was and that made me feel better. Roy Lowry took me into my classroom which was really helpful. I'm not sure I could have walked in late on my own. It was a beautiful classroom which is in the new Roland Levinsky Building on floor 6 overlooking the city centre.
We all had to write our fears, expectations and hopes seperately on little 'Post-it' notes which were then put onto a board at the front of the classroom. It was surprising how many people had written the same things. We then all discussed the results. There were things like 'I hope to pass' and 'I hope to fit in'.
A photographer came in then to take pics for next years perspective, which was a little scarey. Then it was lunch time, we all tramped down to The Portland Square Building, to Atrium A where a fabulous buffet lunch was displayed. We had wraps filled with shrimp and crab meat, salads, fruit, crisps, dips and loads more that I can't remember.
After lunch we had various tutors and lecturers from all different faculties in to talk on their subjects. Things like the guy from Dissability Assist told us where to find information and apply for grants, loans etc, the Student Union President was there to tell us what's on offer at the SU, tutors from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Extended Science and the Nursing school were all there.
At the end of the talks I got my personal tour of all of my classrooms for the coming year with Roy Lowry. I got on very well with him and by the end of the tour wasn't feeling nervous about being in the university at all even though it is so big and daunting. I am looking forward to next week.
First of all in the morning on my first day I had a meeting in a small room which was arranged by Dissability Assist. I was incredibly nervous on the bus, walking through town and arriving, the campus is so huge and there are so many thousands of students. I was determined not to let that stop me.
This meeting was arranged to discuss with me any special needs I may have and anything that would help me to not feel so nervous. All of my tutors from each subject were there which was so helpful and reasurring. I explained about my agoraphobia and anxiety and they were all very sympathetic and understanding.
As I have these health issues it was agreed that I would get some extra help, I also have a meeting with Nicola Dyer, an advisor from Dissability Assist next week. Roy Lowry a chemistry tutor, offered to take me on a tour of the campus and show me all of my classrooms to help my anxiousness in new places. We agreed that it would be an easier transition if I only had to worry about the new people and not the places aswell.
I was attending a 'Mature Students Induction Day' after the meeting which included meeting my other tutors and a buffet lunch. Everyone else looked as nervous as I was and that made me feel better. Roy Lowry took me into my classroom which was really helpful. I'm not sure I could have walked in late on my own. It was a beautiful classroom which is in the new Roland Levinsky Building on floor 6 overlooking the city centre.
We all had to write our fears, expectations and hopes seperately on little 'Post-it' notes which were then put onto a board at the front of the classroom. It was surprising how many people had written the same things. We then all discussed the results. There were things like 'I hope to pass' and 'I hope to fit in'.
A photographer came in then to take pics for next years perspective, which was a little scarey. Then it was lunch time, we all tramped down to The Portland Square Building, to Atrium A where a fabulous buffet lunch was displayed. We had wraps filled with shrimp and crab meat, salads, fruit, crisps, dips and loads more that I can't remember.
After lunch we had various tutors and lecturers from all different faculties in to talk on their subjects. Things like the guy from Dissability Assist told us where to find information and apply for grants, loans etc, the Student Union President was there to tell us what's on offer at the SU, tutors from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Extended Science and the Nursing school were all there.
At the end of the talks I got my personal tour of all of my classrooms for the coming year with Roy Lowry. I got on very well with him and by the end of the tour wasn't feeling nervous about being in the university at all even though it is so big and daunting. I am looking forward to next week.
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