Catch-Up Time!

So I haven’t updated for three weeks.  In my defence, it’s possibly been one of the busiest three week periods I’ve ever had, but it means that I have to post a long update.  But it’s fun, too!

Where to start?  The beginning I suppose. 

On May 21^st I finished my final exam of my degree.  This was perhaps the best part as it brought a lot of joy.  I was incredibly happy.  It’s like a gigantic weight – one that’s been around for a very long time – was lifted.  Now I can talk in French and Spanish when I want and how I want.  Now when I learn it’ll be for pleasure and not for an exam.  It’s so wonderful a feeling.

The following week included some great barbecues with course friends and other friends, as well as a trip to Aston Hall (a giant stately home near Villa Park Football Stadium) with my friend Virginie (who’s French) and saying a sad farewell, with the help of strawberry pancakes in the Selly Sausage, to my Spanish buddy, Anaïs, who returned to Valencia.  I also got back into the spirit of writing, and went on driver training for the Olympics.

Then I went to Salisbury for a week with my friend Emma.  We’ve just completed four-year degrees, with a year abroad, so we decided to give ourselves a relaxing few days.  We walked a lot, found the awe-inspiring Stonehenge, and saw the famous Cathedral, and Magna Carta, feasting on sausage sandwiches and potato bread (among other things), and trying to get into shape after the laziness exams induce.  However, we also spent hours writing under a very old cedar tree in front of the Youth Hostel.  This was a great way to get back into my passion, and it also gave us a chance to meet some great people from all over the world (mostly New Zealand and Canada, though). 

From Salisbury, I went straight home to Hastings, where the road I live on had organised a street party for Her Majesty the Queen’s sixtieth Jubilee.  I’ve always wanted a street party (I remember during A Level I announced (in French) that the world would be a better place if we had more street parties (and everyone laughed at me!)), and this one didn’t disappoint at all.  The weather was damp, with some rain (although not for the whole day), but it didn’t ruin the fun at all, with gazebo’s protecting us from the weather, music coming from one of the houses, and kids playing party games throughout the afternoon.   I really wished I was a kid again!   It was a great opportunity to get to know my neighbours (after eight years of living in the close ha ha ha) and helping the Queen celebrate her holiday.  I’m sure I owe her a gigantic thank you (and congratulations) for living so long!  We also watched the concert, which was OK (except I didn’t like seeing how old my favourites, Sir Cliff, Sir Elton, Sir Paul and Sir Tom, were getting.  It should be illegal for them to get old!).  There was an enchanting documentary, narrated by Prince Charles, about the private cinefilms taken by the Royal Family on holidays and during personal time.  It was so endearing to watch such a happy family.  And to see Prince Philip rolling down hills and things.  Just loved it!

My return to Birmingham was on Tuesday, as Thursday was the day of my Gradball.  This was an amazing day, preluded in the Radisson Blu (the giant blue hotel in Birmingham City Centre) with some friends.  The evening itself was very wet and rainy, but nevertheless I had a wonderful time on the fairground rides and in the silent disco, which I’ve always wanted to go, and was so glad Gradball gave me the opportunity to do it.  I enjoyed spending such a special night with some great friends, and enjoyed the compliments directed towards my eBay ballgown!  My only regret is that I didn’t see all the people I wanted to see, because it was so busy and rainy but as long as they had a great time then it’s OK. 

Finally, today Virginie and I made another daytrip, this time to Worcester.  I’ve been meaning to visit the city for the entirety of my degree, but I really can’t believe it took me so long.  The city, although more modernised than I would have liked, was really beautiful.  The cathedral was one of my favourites beyond a doubt, with a beautiful giant stained glass window, and the tombs of King John (which matches nicely with the Magna Carta in Salisbury Cathedral) and Prince Arthur (Henry VIII’s elder brother).  We also got to see the River Severn, which provided some amazing pictures of the Cathedral and water’s edge, and the swan reserve nearby.  There were also some wonderful Tudor-style houses, which were beautiful to see.  I just wish more of the older city had been preserved.

I’m so happy my exams are over, and I’m having the chance to enjoy life on a daily basis now.  I know work one day will dampen that a little, but I don’t mind.  I’m free to make my own choices in life, I have three languages that could potentially take me round the world, and I’m so optimistic for the future.  Let it stay this way!