Flight & Falls of February

Just over a week in and February has already seen a mixture of ups and downs. Whilst I have many reasons to be appreciative, optimistic and joyous, I've somehow found myself lurking amongst darker thoughts with depression kicking in at impromptu moments. Many are prone to low moods throughout the Winter season, however I fear mine is not so much to do with the climate as opposed to issues I've long been dealing with and are finally becoming overwhelming. I t seems to be a bit of a recurring thing with me to be honest; every time I seem to be making pretty good progress, suddenly I feel almost swamped by anxiety and my mind works overtime on simple things that shouldn't be an issue at all. It's times like these when the littlest of gestures can help raise a smile again if only for a moment. Such gestures have occurred a few times this past week and to those people I am very grateful. My byf also deserves a special mention for putting up with me throughout these difficulties - which are often unpredictable, elongated and unusual, he really is a star, in the best meaning.

 

 

Luckily I have a week off from uni next week and so hopefully things will ease slightly, and perhaps I can catch up on some rest and relaxation. Here's hoping!

 

On a more positive note, here are 5 reasons I'm thankful this week...

 

1. Conquering my initial fears and completing my D.O.E hike at the start of the month.

2. All the kind words and actions of strangers and friends alike.

3. Hot Chocolate dates and cwtches with my boy.

4. Having an article published front page and having others lined-up for publication in future.

5. The prospect of a weekend break abroad in a couple of weeks.

 

 

Peace & Love til' next time

New Term - New Plans

Hello all! I do apologise for the slight lack in posts this month, only starting back at uni has meant lots of assignments, deadlines and general busyness. However I'm going to take a little time aside to let you in on what I've been up to on my downtime.

 

Having stumbled across an Instagram post claiming that it was the last weekend to enjoy the cosy vicinity of the temporary, Apres Ski Lodge, I decided that it was a must-visit and coaxed the byf into joining me for a little tipple before dinner. It was pretty busy but we managed to catch a table beside the log-fire and contentedly sipped on our Prosecco whilst we chatted and giggled about surprise vacations, impromptu wedding talk (although we are certainly not planning on hearing bells of the sort anytime soon) and general daily nonsense, small-talk etc. Although small, the atmosphere was lovely and welcoming, banter was being had and drinks were enjoyed under roof of the wooden alpine themed chalet.

 

 

Slightly loved-up and a little high on the fizz, together we decided to treat ourselves and go all out and so went to dine in the gorgeous retro interior of The Cosy Club. With it being a weekend it was understandably busy and some waited for table whilst I was handed a little more Prosecco. The byf was being unusually frivolous and I had to question if the pair of us had gone crazy. However I wasn't going to deny it was quite wonderful even if the beverages were going ever so-slightly to my head. Dinner was wonderful, the food was completely scrumptious and the conversation was rife. All in all it was a delightful evening of spontaneity and I was ever so thankful for it!

 

Mid-week came about and the moral was running low and so after the byf had finished his exams we took swiftly into town and took shine to visiting the quaint Georgian Tearooms. Having graced through the square many times on a frequent basis, we've many times talked about going but never quite got round to actually stepping through the door. Luckily being mid-week and two weeks into term, the place was practically deserted and so we were seated to the lullaby of Celine Dion's infamous track from 'Titanic', ordered afternoon tea and took a step back into another temporary world where work should not stress one out. It proved a rather lovely afternoon treat.

 

 

Then the fortnight was topped off with a weekend road-trip into Wales, lunching out, browsing round markets, visiting friends, several trips to MacDonalds, country walks and beach-side strolls eating fish n' chips - it was a much needed break away from looming deadlines and academic stress, the weather held-out and whilst it was frosty it was sunny and I'm so grateful for so many little things.

 

 

 

Hope January is going well for you all,

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!

 

 

 

A Year In Reflection ... 2014

Last New Year's was a little quieter than the usual boisterous house of chaos and this year is shaped to be very similar if not more so again. However that has no reflection on the year itself, which has been wonderful and difficult and wonderful and difficult again but whilst 2014 has proved another year of personal hardship it's equally been a year of personal gain, of learning and experience.

 

Travel has proved a big highlight of the past year, having done quite a bit more adventuring than one would normally anticipate of experience in the average year. Stratford-upon-Avon for Valentine's, the New Forest for a extra-curricular excursion, Amsterdam on a university trip and then a compilation of Cornwall, Bristol, Glastonbury and Wells for my very special 21st birthday weekend. The Autumn brought further highlights as I got to explore several areas of Wales with my byf , as well as a brief flying visit to Oxford and a Christmas excursion to Liverpool. Then to top it all off, a trip down to Dublin proved a lovely little break when the byf came to visit me in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

As January slogged along I found myself still brightly optimistic as to the rest of the year ahead, having survived the first term of university life, however while the first couple weeks went well enough things didn't take long at spiralling downhill, my health took a turn for the worse, escalating to the point where with regret I had to finish the rest of my first year from home. By some miracle I survived the long demanding days of the Summer, (spent mostly indoors) and was admitted greatfully into my 2nd year. From here another term passes, I'm no longer in halls and am living independently in a wonderful old house with several other girls and somehow I've managed to reach Christmas with all my assignments in on time. But I wouldn't have got through it without the kindness, friendship and support of some of those closest to me. I am forever greatful for all the wonderful opportunites that have passed my way this year and can even say that I am finally employed, so whilst the year has had it's struggles for sure it's also been quite a wonderful year in retrospect and one I shan't quickly forget.

 

 

 

Love & Peace - til' next time!