As Fi Bows to Peer Pressure

It’s funny to think that despite a distinct lack of posts all term, some 40 people apparently visit my blog each day. I wish I was better at keeping it up . . . sorry darling NZ friends. I *really* am thinking of you often and despite the lack of emails, blog posts and general talking, I can reassure you that I do exist and miss you all so very very much. I have amazing friends at home who are so good to me.

As some know, Dave and I broke up early this term. I realised I was being an awful girlfriend by not finding enough time to talk and the strain of being so far apart finally too its toll. Thanks to all for the texts and calls to check I was ok. Although it has been another term filled with bouts of homesickness, I’ve made it through to the end of it and I think I’ve done ok . . . I hope I’ve done well. I’m very lucky to have people on both sides of the world to keep an eye on me/look after me when things get a bit tougher. I greatly appreciate your/their love.

Lent Term ended today and my friends are all in the process of leaving Passfield/London for a 5 week break. Some will come back in a couple of weeks time to write essays, projects and prepare for exams, while others I don’t get to see for 5 weeks. Sad but that’s life! I have exciting plans for the first week of my Easter break but first I will tell you the long list of things I must complete over break:

1) Two development essays - One for “poverty” and one for “african development”

2) Consultancy project - Part work for the Overseas Development Institute and part coursework

3) Social Research Methods take-home exam

4) Dissertation outline (2000 words or so) - since I only finalised my topic on Thursday, I think this will be a particularly fun thing to write.

5) Exam study because I’m already behind and the first couple of weeks of term are dedicated to dissertation workshops so I want a running start when my exams start.

For those that don’t know, which is probably most, teaching/lectures only happen in the Michelmas and Lent Terms in the UK, then the Summer Term  is totally focused on studying for exams and then sitting said exams. It makes exams seem a lot more important when they have a whole term dedicated to them.

Anyway, to get a break away before I start in on the work I am running off to Europe for a week on Sunday. I’m flying to Venice, spending three days there and then heading over the alps on the train to Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Another 3 days there, where I plan to spend a fair amount of time looking at a lake and bears. Next Saturday I leave Bern early in the morning and take a quick train across Switzerland and France to Paris. I spend the afternoon perusing the streets of Paris, before flying back to London late that night. Three countries in one day. Bring it.

I have really enjoyed this term for many reasons though, I saw my first inner-city snow . . . I even saw it actually snowing!!! Sooooo exciting! Then the daffodils have begun to come out in the last couple of weeks and my room is returning to it’s oven-like status so I think spring has sprung. The parks and gardens are looking gorgeous and the ays are warm enough to contemplate picnics and ice-cream. Mmmmm . . . Haagen Dasz ice-cream has been one of my discoveries this term, excellent excellent stuff! I have also been to see Hot Fuzz, a brilliantly funny so-wonderfully-English movie, and been to Scala. It’s been fun!

However I shall keep more stories for later and  tell you all about my European escapades at the end of next week. Thanks again to all for everything . . . particularly for being patient about updates.