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 21st 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!
