It’s been a good few weeks since my last post, owing to my dissertation, general stress, and lack of ability to think beyond university work, but now I can finally say that (what I hope has been) the most stressful part of the year is over. On Wednesday I submitted my dissertation and on Friday the term ended, signing the start of a three-week-long Easter break. Of course, I still have work to do, but significantly less pressure lies on my outstanding assignments than lied on the previous!
The term has gone by in a whirlwind of missed lectures, supervisor meetings and dissertation writing. It feels like my social life was pretty much non-existent, save for a few events here and there in the last few months.
I celebrated Chinese New Year back in February for the first time with a group of Asian friends who showed me how they do it their way. I had a lot of fun and ate a lot of delicious food, and I really appreciate all those people showing me a good time and making me feel welcome in their most important celebration of the year!
I went to a really cool event at Waterstones Birmingham themed around Harry Potter. There were all sorts of activities going on, including a book reading and a great big quiz, but my favourite was the collection of birds of prey, reptiles and insects that had turned up. I got to hold a crested gecko, a blue-tongued skink and a great big snake. So cool! Anyone want to buy me a crested gecko for my birthday?
I learnt the practice of tasseomancy, also known as tea-leaf-reading, a form of divination, or future-telling, thanks to Aston Tea Society and Rob. It was pretty interesting, if a little messy! But my Moroccan mint tea leaves, courtesy of Boston Tea Party, told me of travel and love, passion and a mysterious person “C” somewhere in my future. Interesting!
In the midst of all of my dissertation writing, I celebrated my 22nd birthday! I shared a lovely dinner with friends at The Botanist and went for some amazing cocktails afterwards at The Cosy Club (I tried my first ever espresso martini – oh my word, so delicious!), and then later on in the week I went for some great South American food (and more cocktails) at Bodega.
And now I’m sat at home revelling in the peace and quiet and calm after the storm that was Term 2! I have three weeks until I go back to Birmingham for my final term of education ever, or at least for a significant amount of time, and I am looking forward to seeing friends and family while I am home.
I hope you’ve all been well in my absence! What have you been up to in the last couple of months?
Let me know in a comment below, a tweet at @hlou14 or a post on my Facebook Page!