To whom it may concern- The brains of the Union.
You do not know me and I do not know you but I just wanted to e-mail you and wish you all the best for your strikes this week. May I also send you my hearty congratulations on your timing. Truly commendable. I mean, what better time to put students out than the last couple of weeks before the end of term when they will be seeking final advice and study sessions before the epic revision of the Easter holiday ensues! Sheer Genius. I also love just how hell-bent you are on causing havoc. Such determination! Not only is it enough to strike and refuse to teach but also, in case you are the type of conscientious lecturer who feels bad for abandoning students, you are not allowed to rearrange those sessions. Classy- this way, you can be absolutely sure that students aren't getting the time they pay tuition fees for. As I type I am giving you a standing ovation for your innovation in my head. We were even told (3 days before Coursework deadlines) that we could e-mail our lecturers but should not expect a response that day. Of course. I forgot how important it was to man a picket line. I like that you are resting completely from your duties and showing absolute dedication to your cause! I mean, you shouldn't have to put in maximum effort at the end of term like your students will be doing, should you! That would be lunacy! I have only one question to pitch against your genius....How, in the name of all things good, is this rubbing the people that actually control your pension up the wrong way? I'm sure, in your heads, it will be massively effective so, good for you!
So, in conclusion, dear friend, all I can say is that I sincerely hope you got what you wanted out of your pension scheme because another strike like this weeks and the e-mails you receive from students might actually be sarcastic! =)
All the best for a successful week. I hope the sun stays out for you as it would be awfully dreadful if it rained on your...picket line. Your fluorescent jackets look great on you all by the way- I saw them when I came into University this morning. Very fetching. We all like to sport the luminous look every now and again.
All the best wishes,
Rachel Carruthers (2nd year History Major).
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Sunday 20 March 2011
"...in whatsoever land they may be in..."
So, it has taken me a while to record the following on this blog because I'm only just able to comprehend it. As you will be aware, in the afternoon of Thursday 10th March (Japan Standard Time) a 9.0 magnitude earthquake 80 miles off the Tohoku coast line in Northeast Japan sent the whole country and pacific basin into pandemonium. It didn't do much for my heart either. I woke up that morning with a text from Mummy which said "Try not to worry, Bundle. We've just been checking out the geography of it and the reports said that buildings shook in Tokyo but that it was the northern coastal towns which were mostly affected." WHAT?? I had no idea what she was talking about so I leaped out of bed and went onto the internet. "Massive earthquake and Tsunami hit eastern Japan".
The entire Eastern coast of Tokyo as well as the pacific basin were under major tsunami warnings.
Whoa...although I have this day recorded in my journal, the details are hazy. I can't really remember in too much detail the events that followed. I remember texting Mummy back and then I called Jess T. Whilst the tears were streaming as I stumbled through the low down of the disaster with Jess, she turned the news on and I heard in the background "people stood and watched as a giant wall of water came towards them." She turned the news off. =) The rest of the day seemed like one continuous prayer and a haze of emotion and headaches. We eventually heard that all missionaries in the Tokyo mission were safe and accounted for and that was a relief. I wasn't feeling completely at ease, however. Missionaries in the Sendai mission were still out there. Not all were accounted for and I could relate to how their families were feeling. When I was able to tear myself away from the computer screen, I got ready to head into university. You know the headache and the nausea you get when you've been crying? I felt dreadful. I forced a slice of toast down me, then headed into university. WHAT WAS I THINKING?? As if I'd be able to focus! I spent my time watching the news and responding to the kind messages and texts I received from people. It may sound strange but, although I was so distressed and restless, I really did feel the prayers of those around me. I went to find my friend Tania (see "Ode to friends" post). If anyone could cheer me at this point, It was Tani. She had been revising all morning and hadn't heard about the earthquake yet so I filled her in. She said to me "Knowing Ieuan, he will probably think this is a great adventure and if he's anything like you, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else- he'll want to be there so he can help people." Now, Tani doesn't know Ieuan (only from what I've told her) but she made feel at ease because she was right. Ieuan was in Japan to help people! What better opportunity to serve than this?? After a Tania hug, I returned to my pitiful activity of watching the news. Jake soon came over to give me a hug. He persuaded me that I was doing nothing to help myself and today clearly wasn't the day to get work done. He dragged me out of the library and we went on a walk around the woodland areas on campus. We talked about the difference between Diesel and Petrol engines, the importance of high Break Horse Power and how lovely it is to hear the roar of a V8. =) Jake is great because he probably has no interest in that kind of thing but he knew it would distract me significantly. Upon my return to the desk, my friend Liz came to find me to give me chocolate. She said that Chocolate always helps her when she's upset. HOW SWEET! I have the best friends ever. I stayed with Jake the rest of the day, occasionally checking the news updates. When I went home that evening, I was exhausted and still stressed. I went to sleep with BBC news 24 in the background. Over the days that followed, I really felt like I was being looked after and sheltered by the love and the prayers of those around me. Every time I opened my scriptures, I read a verse that settled my fears and the seemed to speak right to my heart.
On Saturday, at Seth and Kirsty's, I was able to chill out a little more with family- I had a wonderful time with them. Seth gave me a blessing and I felt much better. (I feel so lucky that I have such an amazing family). Kirst and I then read that all missionaries in Japan were safe and accounted for. That meant the Sendai missionaries too. I cannot tell you how miraculous that is. God protects his missionaries- that cannot be doubted. The following wednesday, The nuclear disaster at Fukushima had reached a level of global concern to the extent that the missionaries in the Sendai and Tokyo missions were evacuated. As Assistant in the Tokyo mission, I believe Ieuan was kept very busy with that re-organisation. The Sendia mission was absorbed by the Sapporo mission in the North and the Tokyo mission was absorbed by the Fukuoka, Nagoya and Kobe missions in the West and South. Elder Guy was sent to Kobe. The President of the Kobe mission keeps a blog on which he documented the plans involving the arrival of the Tokyo mission. It was wonderful to see and be kept so up to date.
During these 5 or 6 days, my auntie Laura was fantastic. She kept me so up to date with everything. She was on the end of the phone whenever I needed her and she was constantly reassuring. What a blessing to have such wonderful family around during such a time. More than this, though, what a blessing to know, as Ammon says in Alma 26 in the Book of Mormon, that "we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth."
The entire Eastern coast of Tokyo as well as the pacific basin were under major tsunami warnings.
Whoa...although I have this day recorded in my journal, the details are hazy. I can't really remember in too much detail the events that followed. I remember texting Mummy back and then I called Jess T. Whilst the tears were streaming as I stumbled through the low down of the disaster with Jess, she turned the news on and I heard in the background "people stood and watched as a giant wall of water came towards them." She turned the news off. =) The rest of the day seemed like one continuous prayer and a haze of emotion and headaches. We eventually heard that all missionaries in the Tokyo mission were safe and accounted for and that was a relief. I wasn't feeling completely at ease, however. Missionaries in the Sendai mission were still out there. Not all were accounted for and I could relate to how their families were feeling. When I was able to tear myself away from the computer screen, I got ready to head into university. You know the headache and the nausea you get when you've been crying? I felt dreadful. I forced a slice of toast down me, then headed into university. WHAT WAS I THINKING?? As if I'd be able to focus! I spent my time watching the news and responding to the kind messages and texts I received from people. It may sound strange but, although I was so distressed and restless, I really did feel the prayers of those around me. I went to find my friend Tania (see "Ode to friends" post). If anyone could cheer me at this point, It was Tani. She had been revising all morning and hadn't heard about the earthquake yet so I filled her in. She said to me "Knowing Ieuan, he will probably think this is a great adventure and if he's anything like you, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else- he'll want to be there so he can help people." Now, Tani doesn't know Ieuan (only from what I've told her) but she made feel at ease because she was right. Ieuan was in Japan to help people! What better opportunity to serve than this?? After a Tania hug, I returned to my pitiful activity of watching the news. Jake soon came over to give me a hug. He persuaded me that I was doing nothing to help myself and today clearly wasn't the day to get work done. He dragged me out of the library and we went on a walk around the woodland areas on campus. We talked about the difference between Diesel and Petrol engines, the importance of high Break Horse Power and how lovely it is to hear the roar of a V8. =) Jake is great because he probably has no interest in that kind of thing but he knew it would distract me significantly. Upon my return to the desk, my friend Liz came to find me to give me chocolate. She said that Chocolate always helps her when she's upset. HOW SWEET! I have the best friends ever. I stayed with Jake the rest of the day, occasionally checking the news updates. When I went home that evening, I was exhausted and still stressed. I went to sleep with BBC news 24 in the background. Over the days that followed, I really felt like I was being looked after and sheltered by the love and the prayers of those around me. Every time I opened my scriptures, I read a verse that settled my fears and the seemed to speak right to my heart.
On Saturday, at Seth and Kirsty's, I was able to chill out a little more with family- I had a wonderful time with them. Seth gave me a blessing and I felt much better. (I feel so lucky that I have such an amazing family). Kirst and I then read that all missionaries in Japan were safe and accounted for. That meant the Sendai missionaries too. I cannot tell you how miraculous that is. God protects his missionaries- that cannot be doubted. The following wednesday, The nuclear disaster at Fukushima had reached a level of global concern to the extent that the missionaries in the Sendai and Tokyo missions were evacuated. As Assistant in the Tokyo mission, I believe Ieuan was kept very busy with that re-organisation. The Sendia mission was absorbed by the Sapporo mission in the North and the Tokyo mission was absorbed by the Fukuoka, Nagoya and Kobe missions in the West and South. Elder Guy was sent to Kobe. The President of the Kobe mission keeps a blog on which he documented the plans involving the arrival of the Tokyo mission. It was wonderful to see and be kept so up to date.
During these 5 or 6 days, my auntie Laura was fantastic. She kept me so up to date with everything. She was on the end of the phone whenever I needed her and she was constantly reassuring. What a blessing to have such wonderful family around during such a time. More than this, though, what a blessing to know, as Ammon says in Alma 26 in the Book of Mormon, that "we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth."
Friday 4 March 2011
An Ode to friends...
Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Tall ones, short ones, etc etc. I have been reflecting recently on the friends that I have and how blessed I am to have them. I, happily, have many friends- too many to give individual mentions to on this blog but I love them ALL! I thought that I would make a few mentions though, as an ode to the friend!
So...Firstly, there has to be the AMAZING, Jessica. She has the added benefit of being my sister so she has insights that no one else has. She has seen me at my best and at my worst. She has seen me at my most hideous...(there is video footage of such sightings), at my happiest, at my saddest, at my most elated, my most excited, my most incensed....She is always there. Always. We are there for each other no matter what. She's like my other half- i couldn't live without her! We do everything together. We are polar opposites but we share a similar sense of humour and there is much laughter to be had. We can both appreciate beautiful things, in every sense of the word. ;) We dance around in public places together, sing together, wrestle, laugh, chat, laugh some more, talk, laugh... She's the sort of friend you wish you could have with you all the time. There are things I see and hear EVERY DAY that I wish she could see and hear too. We have our own code language. We communicate telepathically most of the time, much to the disturbance of others. It's the type of code-language where nothing needs to be said. We're sisters so we don't always see eye to eye...but it never lasts for long. In fact, I remember being amidst a heated discussion with her in our room. We were getting changed at the time and she was angry at me. As she was telling me, in a most animated fashion, about her grievance as she was putting her top on. The hanger tie at the back of the top caught on her nose and made her look like a little piggy. We both immediately collapsed laughing. Situ diffused! I LOVE my sister SOOOOO much! I love how she would get my bed ready for me so when I came in from a dance I could just climb right on in, I love how she would stay up so when I came home from a date, she could get the low down. I love how fiercely she protects me. I love how she loves the people I love. I love the look she gave me when she realised I'd bought us tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls! EEEEK!! I love dancing with her on skype. Yes, Skype. I love catching the bus with her...who knew bus journeys could be so fun?? I love washing up with her with our washing up playlist blaring out on youtube...before Daddy comes and turns it off. I love it when she says "I'm not going to sing that song with you right now" Even though she knows full well she will concede eventually. I loved watching the DVD I made her of the two of us and seeing her cry at the end when our favourite 'sisters' song came on. I loved that she would follow me and Ieuan around tirelessly just so I could have a whole myriad of photographs to look back on when he left. I have grown up with her, played the most amazing games with her, dressed up with her, covered for her, made adverts with her, modelled with her, cried with her, died laughing with her...we wrestle with Daddy sometimes,that's fun. We quote the Gilmore Girls (we pretty much are the Gilmore Girls)...She is the ultimate of ultimates. Love you, Jebs!
My parents are my friends too.... I have always been able to talk to them frankly and openly about anything and they have been able to do the same with me. I love spending time with them. As a family, we love to play games and watch movies and take walks to the famous Catton Park where we climb on felled trees.
There is nothing more exciting than a bit of exclusive time with Daddy, even if it's just nipping to Asda or B&Q. I love talking to him on car journeys and cuddling him on the sofa and talking with him about life. I love making my dad proud of me. When I'm with my Mum, I love to talk to her about girly things (like boys...or boy), eat lunch together whilst watching something that only she and I enjoy, sing with her, laugh with her, read with her and cuddle with her....did I mention that already? When I talk to my parents, everything in the world gets better and when I'm on my Daddy's lap (yes, even at 20 years old)there is nothing scary, stressful or painful. It all just goes away for a little while.
Ieuan, or Elder Guy as he is commonly known as at the moment, Is what we call, Favourite and Best. I have a few best friends at varying degress of bestness and he's WAY up there, holding a rather exclusive position. He and I are similar in many ways. He is the one I can talk to about aircraft and his eyes don't glaze over. He loves big engines as much as I do and, as such, we have collaborated our specialties and have conceptualised a motorised zimmer frame that puts out at least 600 bhp. That way, when I am old and grey, I can still have the use of a powerful engine! We have planned to build castles, cathedrals, we have made plans to maraud small islands so we can fund our own private metro service...He always seeks to remind me of my good points and helps me to improve my short-comings. We both enjoy exercise, copious laughter, studying the scriptures, teaching and, most of all, talking/writing. Sometimes, we can be a little bit silly...like donut escapades, ice-cream fights and flour wars in the kitchen, but that's all part of the fun. I have so many fond memories. He would actually RESEARCH my homework assignments when I got them so that if, by chance, I needed his help, he would already have answers. He was patient with me when I couldn't direct him around my own city! He treated driving with me in the car as an adventure because...heck, who knew where we'd end up! I certainly had no clue! Even though he's away right now, Ieu still makes me laugh constantly and always impresses me with his example. He makes me want to be better than I am and I am grateful for the way he serves so tirelessly. I've always seen him as superman, really! He's amazing at EVERYTHING!! He's the sort that induces a pretty mammoth smile. An Everestian smile, no less.
His brother Robin is another close friend of mine (the whole family are wonderful)- he never fails to make me laugh with his outlook on life. Rob's the sort of friend you want around you when everything seems to be caving in because if anyone's humour can get you out, it's Rob's. Heaven help the one who causes me grief...the phrase "I'll have him" has been heard SO many times. =)
Emily and Richard are SOOOO lovely. I spent some of my summer holiday in 2009 with Emily- we were both in Utah. She was right there at a pretty tricky time for me (Getting rejected from Uni and having no clue what to do with my life). Richard is like a brother to me and the three of us have some really good fun together! We went camping...the three of us and Robin, last November. It was chilly but such good fun!
Jess Thompson- Is the Primo friend that I wish I'd had sooner but feel so blessed to have now. Jess and I spend most days together studying, most sundays together teaching (in church) and our free time together having fun. Jess and I are pretty different in some ways. She's the cool one. It's been said by many and I am more than willing to give her that. She's pretty cool. She and I like to go to far off places like... Kendal. We're always up for a bit of an adventure! If life was longer and university wasn't so busy, we'd probably be putting many of our grand plans into action! I think both our parents are so glad that when we're away from home we have each other. Somehow, it always happens that if I am in an awkward situation, she is in it with me...the sign of a good friend. She may put you in it but she'll be right there with you! (Manchester and golf is all I have to say, Hagbo). We rather enjoy quiet girly nights in watching films...Pearl Harbour is a fav. Aircraft, Hawaii...pilots. Yeah. GREAT film. Jess and I seem to find a lot of things amusing. I have been known to have to leave a lecture due to excessive laughter. Jess has the most contagious laugh in the world and boy do we laugh. A lot.
Tania is another Best Friend. She was like a big sister/mother at times in our first year. She is always around when I need her, we shared ham and cheese in first year as we both loved toasties and it just made sense! I have given her hugs in the middle of the night when she's been in tears and unable to sleep due to a rugby injury, she's has given me hugs when I've been sad, we have cooked together mucho times, laughed together often and have just had some wonderful, wonderful times together. Love you ,Tani!
Chrissie is my childhood friend. The sort of best friend you have throughout your life even though you don't see each other often. Chrissie is my benchmark. I want to be as good and amazing as Chrissie is! We have had so many amazing times together- great memories and I miss her loads!
Jaz is another of those best friends- I hardly see her but I know I could pick up the phone immediately and tell her anything. She and I are very similar in character. We are very smiley, happy and excitable people. Our story is pretty unique...we can count on ten fingers the amount of times we have seen each other...we are just that close- we got on immediately!! Jaz and I chat about everything and anything, we share each others joys and heartaches completely. She's an amazing person and a wonderful friend. I love you, Jaz!
Then there's the beautiful Alice Faye Wise- Another bestie in a distant land. Love you girl!
Anisha, Harriet, Hannah and James are my best friends outside of church. I love them soooo dearly. We were at sixth form together. They always encouraged me to be my best self and never to lower my standards for anything. They invited me to parties but knew that I wouldn't feel at ease there so, instead, I would write letters to them to be read out at said gatherings... I was there in spirit. They were around when my boyfriend and I first started seeing each other- they remember the excitement from the beginning. Miss Cooper used to let the 3 of us girls sit and chat about it during lessons because she knew we'd get the work done anyway. We love Miss Cooper too. I remember a time when I was feeling a little down. They were waiting for me when I walked into school with chocolates and tissues. They are always there to listen. They are amazing and I love them loads.
Miss Cooper...
Phil is my best guy mate. I can talk to phil about pretty much anything. Sometimes, when a group of us girls are talking, we forget Phil is a guy (in the best possible way)...he just joins on in! I went to watch him play rugby the other day which was pretty cool. He made this epic catch..(he's single, by the way girls!) I love driving around with Phil with the music up loud, windows down, singing "Ride forever" from Due South at the top of our lungs! Good times, Phil, good times. (There is currently no picture of mine and Phil's crazy car times... but here's a great one of Phil!)
Jake is a great friend too- he always tries to make me smile if my energies are waning. He's just so lovely. He and Jess surprised me by plastering post it notes all over me after a church meeting on wednesday. It was probably the loveliest things anyone has ever done.
Then, of course, there's the Lancaster crowd! Love them all! Al goes running with me and is my Ward Council buddy, Dan Lisgo is my cinema buddy and brought me a Big Mac when I had swine flu. Sam is a great friend too but he's on his mission right now... And I miss our Denise loads too...studying just IS NOT the same!
Danielle is another good friend. We have done some pretty crazy stuff together...I miss her craziness! =)
Hyrum and Joe are wonderful- both out on missions for the church at the moment but they mean a great deal to me too. We've had some good times together.
So, when I think about my closest friends, I think of a scripture..."And I will be on your right hand and on your left...and mine angels round about you to bear you up."
So...Firstly, there has to be the AMAZING, Jessica. She has the added benefit of being my sister so she has insights that no one else has. She has seen me at my best and at my worst. She has seen me at my most hideous...(there is video footage of such sightings), at my happiest, at my saddest, at my most elated, my most excited, my most incensed....She is always there. Always. We are there for each other no matter what. She's like my other half- i couldn't live without her! We do everything together. We are polar opposites but we share a similar sense of humour and there is much laughter to be had. We can both appreciate beautiful things, in every sense of the word. ;) We dance around in public places together, sing together, wrestle, laugh, chat, laugh some more, talk, laugh... She's the sort of friend you wish you could have with you all the time. There are things I see and hear EVERY DAY that I wish she could see and hear too. We have our own code language. We communicate telepathically most of the time, much to the disturbance of others. It's the type of code-language where nothing needs to be said. We're sisters so we don't always see eye to eye...but it never lasts for long. In fact, I remember being amidst a heated discussion with her in our room. We were getting changed at the time and she was angry at me. As she was telling me, in a most animated fashion, about her grievance as she was putting her top on. The hanger tie at the back of the top caught on her nose and made her look like a little piggy. We both immediately collapsed laughing. Situ diffused! I LOVE my sister SOOOOO much! I love how she would get my bed ready for me so when I came in from a dance I could just climb right on in, I love how she would stay up so when I came home from a date, she could get the low down. I love how fiercely she protects me. I love how she loves the people I love. I love the look she gave me when she realised I'd bought us tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls! EEEEK!! I love dancing with her on skype. Yes, Skype. I love catching the bus with her...who knew bus journeys could be so fun?? I love washing up with her with our washing up playlist blaring out on youtube...before Daddy comes and turns it off. I love it when she says "I'm not going to sing that song with you right now" Even though she knows full well she will concede eventually. I loved watching the DVD I made her of the two of us and seeing her cry at the end when our favourite 'sisters' song came on. I loved that she would follow me and Ieuan around tirelessly just so I could have a whole myriad of photographs to look back on when he left. I have grown up with her, played the most amazing games with her, dressed up with her, covered for her, made adverts with her, modelled with her, cried with her, died laughing with her...we wrestle with Daddy sometimes,that's fun. We quote the Gilmore Girls (we pretty much are the Gilmore Girls)...She is the ultimate of ultimates. Love you, Jebs!
My parents are my friends too.... I have always been able to talk to them frankly and openly about anything and they have been able to do the same with me. I love spending time with them. As a family, we love to play games and watch movies and take walks to the famous Catton Park where we climb on felled trees.
There is nothing more exciting than a bit of exclusive time with Daddy, even if it's just nipping to Asda or B&Q. I love talking to him on car journeys and cuddling him on the sofa and talking with him about life. I love making my dad proud of me. When I'm with my Mum, I love to talk to her about girly things (like boys...or boy), eat lunch together whilst watching something that only she and I enjoy, sing with her, laugh with her, read with her and cuddle with her....did I mention that already? When I talk to my parents, everything in the world gets better and when I'm on my Daddy's lap (yes, even at 20 years old)there is nothing scary, stressful or painful. It all just goes away for a little while.
Ieuan, or Elder Guy as he is commonly known as at the moment, Is what we call, Favourite and Best. I have a few best friends at varying degress of bestness and he's WAY up there, holding a rather exclusive position. He and I are similar in many ways. He is the one I can talk to about aircraft and his eyes don't glaze over. He loves big engines as much as I do and, as such, we have collaborated our specialties and have conceptualised a motorised zimmer frame that puts out at least 600 bhp. That way, when I am old and grey, I can still have the use of a powerful engine! We have planned to build castles, cathedrals, we have made plans to maraud small islands so we can fund our own private metro service...He always seeks to remind me of my good points and helps me to improve my short-comings. We both enjoy exercise, copious laughter, studying the scriptures, teaching and, most of all, talking/writing. Sometimes, we can be a little bit silly...like donut escapades, ice-cream fights and flour wars in the kitchen, but that's all part of the fun. I have so many fond memories. He would actually RESEARCH my homework assignments when I got them so that if, by chance, I needed his help, he would already have answers. He was patient with me when I couldn't direct him around my own city! He treated driving with me in the car as an adventure because...heck, who knew where we'd end up! I certainly had no clue! Even though he's away right now, Ieu still makes me laugh constantly and always impresses me with his example. He makes me want to be better than I am and I am grateful for the way he serves so tirelessly. I've always seen him as superman, really! He's amazing at EVERYTHING!! He's the sort that induces a pretty mammoth smile. An Everestian smile, no less.
His brother Robin is another close friend of mine (the whole family are wonderful)- he never fails to make me laugh with his outlook on life. Rob's the sort of friend you want around you when everything seems to be caving in because if anyone's humour can get you out, it's Rob's. Heaven help the one who causes me grief...the phrase "I'll have him" has been heard SO many times. =)
Emily and Richard are SOOOO lovely. I spent some of my summer holiday in 2009 with Emily- we were both in Utah. She was right there at a pretty tricky time for me (Getting rejected from Uni and having no clue what to do with my life). Richard is like a brother to me and the three of us have some really good fun together! We went camping...the three of us and Robin, last November. It was chilly but such good fun!
Jess Thompson- Is the Primo friend that I wish I'd had sooner but feel so blessed to have now. Jess and I spend most days together studying, most sundays together teaching (in church) and our free time together having fun. Jess and I are pretty different in some ways. She's the cool one. It's been said by many and I am more than willing to give her that. She's pretty cool. She and I like to go to far off places like... Kendal. We're always up for a bit of an adventure! If life was longer and university wasn't so busy, we'd probably be putting many of our grand plans into action! I think both our parents are so glad that when we're away from home we have each other. Somehow, it always happens that if I am in an awkward situation, she is in it with me...the sign of a good friend. She may put you in it but she'll be right there with you! (Manchester and golf is all I have to say, Hagbo). We rather enjoy quiet girly nights in watching films...Pearl Harbour is a fav. Aircraft, Hawaii...pilots. Yeah. GREAT film. Jess and I seem to find a lot of things amusing. I have been known to have to leave a lecture due to excessive laughter. Jess has the most contagious laugh in the world and boy do we laugh. A lot.
Tania is another Best Friend. She was like a big sister/mother at times in our first year. She is always around when I need her, we shared ham and cheese in first year as we both loved toasties and it just made sense! I have given her hugs in the middle of the night when she's been in tears and unable to sleep due to a rugby injury, she's has given me hugs when I've been sad, we have cooked together mucho times, laughed together often and have just had some wonderful, wonderful times together. Love you ,Tani!
Chrissie is my childhood friend. The sort of best friend you have throughout your life even though you don't see each other often. Chrissie is my benchmark. I want to be as good and amazing as Chrissie is! We have had so many amazing times together- great memories and I miss her loads!
Jaz is another of those best friends- I hardly see her but I know I could pick up the phone immediately and tell her anything. She and I are very similar in character. We are very smiley, happy and excitable people. Our story is pretty unique...we can count on ten fingers the amount of times we have seen each other...we are just that close- we got on immediately!! Jaz and I chat about everything and anything, we share each others joys and heartaches completely. She's an amazing person and a wonderful friend. I love you, Jaz!
Then there's the beautiful Alice Faye Wise- Another bestie in a distant land. Love you girl!
Anisha, Harriet, Hannah and James are my best friends outside of church. I love them soooo dearly. We were at sixth form together. They always encouraged me to be my best self and never to lower my standards for anything. They invited me to parties but knew that I wouldn't feel at ease there so, instead, I would write letters to them to be read out at said gatherings... I was there in spirit. They were around when my boyfriend and I first started seeing each other- they remember the excitement from the beginning. Miss Cooper used to let the 3 of us girls sit and chat about it during lessons because she knew we'd get the work done anyway. We love Miss Cooper too. I remember a time when I was feeling a little down. They were waiting for me when I walked into school with chocolates and tissues. They are always there to listen. They are amazing and I love them loads.
Miss Cooper...
Phil is my best guy mate. I can talk to phil about pretty much anything. Sometimes, when a group of us girls are talking, we forget Phil is a guy (in the best possible way)...he just joins on in! I went to watch him play rugby the other day which was pretty cool. He made this epic catch..(he's single, by the way girls!) I love driving around with Phil with the music up loud, windows down, singing "Ride forever" from Due South at the top of our lungs! Good times, Phil, good times. (There is currently no picture of mine and Phil's crazy car times... but here's a great one of Phil!)
Jake is a great friend too- he always tries to make me smile if my energies are waning. He's just so lovely. He and Jess surprised me by plastering post it notes all over me after a church meeting on wednesday. It was probably the loveliest things anyone has ever done.
Then, of course, there's the Lancaster crowd! Love them all! Al goes running with me and is my Ward Council buddy, Dan Lisgo is my cinema buddy and brought me a Big Mac when I had swine flu. Sam is a great friend too but he's on his mission right now... And I miss our Denise loads too...studying just IS NOT the same!
Danielle is another good friend. We have done some pretty crazy stuff together...I miss her craziness! =)
Hyrum and Joe are wonderful- both out on missions for the church at the moment but they mean a great deal to me too. We've had some good times together.
So, when I think about my closest friends, I think of a scripture..."And I will be on your right hand and on your left...and mine angels round about you to bear you up."
Tuesday 1 March 2011
28 days later.
Me. Today. Crippled with agony. Nauseus. Had to leave University early. Had to buy Paracetamol from one shop and Ibuprofen from another (illegal for an establishment to sell them to one person together). Super Tired. Really bad back. Achey legs. Mucho Paino. All because? Eve wanted her 5 a day.
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