Return to Lancaster
Back in Lancaster. It's raining, which isn't surprising - I left Lancaster in rain, and I return to it in rain. Still, I'm quite pleased to see some. I was beginning to think that 'April showers' were becoming a thing of the past.
Grrrr, pesky climate change. >_>
I imagine that the rest of the country is similarly wet, and will be a lot this week, but it doesn't stop me from imagining that Lancaster is the proverbial fingerprint mark on the map of the country - instantly recognisable for being under a heavy cloud of gloom most of the year round.
Don't get me wrong, I do like it here - but it was nice to be somewhere sunny over Easter.
Talking of Easter - I felt quite weird in a not-good way for a lot of it, and some of that weirdness has, inevitably, accompanied me back up here, as it's linked with Lancaster goings-on. But I spent a long time this afternoon talking to Marianna, who has had similar experiences of weirdness to me, and it really helped to chat things through a bit. And there's nothing like catching up after the holidays, and finding empathy from a friend.
We also found out that our housemate Wokko recently started dating a girl called Grace. ^_^ Wokko has so far been girlfriend-less during uni, although he did seem to have a lot of girls coming back to our house during the last year, for mostly platonic reasons apparently. Still, it's nice to see him happy - and on getting here I found the house completely spotless, because apparently he wanted to impress Grace on their first date. Bless!! ^__^ Wokko's a cheerful soul most of the time anyway, but it's nice to see him happy with a girlfriend for once.
On a random note, a book on British birdlife that I bought from a charity shop last term has won me over because of its descriptions of some of the birds:
"Raven
Due to its constant vigilance, which was thought to indicate true sagacity, the Raven has for long been accorded an honoured place in folklore. It is true that the Raven in surviving in its harsh mountain habitats more deserves our admiration than our mistrust."
"Common Rosefinch
The gorgeously coloured male is a real dandy, the female more sombre. An occasional visitor to Britain."
I'm not going to turn into a bird geek - I just really love descriptions in factual books that have a bit of spirit to them. I was also won over by the lovely paintings of all the birds. And it is genuinely nice to be able to identify birds and appreciate that part of nature. Especially since we get a lot of them in our garden back home, and have several nests around our house most years. ^_^
Ooh err, felt a little bit like Dr Alan Statham, noted ornithologist and bird-imitator, during the writing of that paragraph! XD
I think I'm going to go and watch Spirited Away or another Studio Ghibli film before getting an early-ish night. I'm going to start some creative writing work tomorrow, but for now I feel too tired and zoned out from the journey to do any tonight.
Generally, it's good to be back in Lancaster for my final term. It's funny to think that it's all going to be over a month from now, even if I decide to stick around a little while after exams, and even if I go to Grad Ball. Aside from some issues which I still have to sort out up here, it should be a good - if busy - few weeks.
edit: watched The Princess Bride in the end, since I hadn't seen it in ages. Definitely one of my favourite films, endlessly joyful and funny to watch, and very quotable. I may procrastinate a bit tomorrow and make some icons. ^_^ In the meantime, I'm going to bed since I'm barely staying awake here and I'm yawning my head off. Night all!
Grrrr, pesky climate change. >_>
I imagine that the rest of the country is similarly wet, and will be a lot this week, but it doesn't stop me from imagining that Lancaster is the proverbial fingerprint mark on the map of the country - instantly recognisable for being under a heavy cloud of gloom most of the year round.
Don't get me wrong, I do like it here - but it was nice to be somewhere sunny over Easter.
Talking of Easter - I felt quite weird in a not-good way for a lot of it, and some of that weirdness has, inevitably, accompanied me back up here, as it's linked with Lancaster goings-on. But I spent a long time this afternoon talking to Marianna, who has had similar experiences of weirdness to me, and it really helped to chat things through a bit. And there's nothing like catching up after the holidays, and finding empathy from a friend.
We also found out that our housemate Wokko recently started dating a girl called Grace. ^_^ Wokko has so far been girlfriend-less during uni, although he did seem to have a lot of girls coming back to our house during the last year, for mostly platonic reasons apparently. Still, it's nice to see him happy - and on getting here I found the house completely spotless, because apparently he wanted to impress Grace on their first date. Bless!! ^__^ Wokko's a cheerful soul most of the time anyway, but it's nice to see him happy with a girlfriend for once.
On a random note, a book on British birdlife that I bought from a charity shop last term has won me over because of its descriptions of some of the birds:
"Raven
Due to its constant vigilance, which was thought to indicate true sagacity, the Raven has for long been accorded an honoured place in folklore. It is true that the Raven in surviving in its harsh mountain habitats more deserves our admiration than our mistrust."
"Common Rosefinch
The gorgeously coloured male is a real dandy, the female more sombre. An occasional visitor to Britain."
I'm not going to turn into a bird geek - I just really love descriptions in factual books that have a bit of spirit to them. I was also won over by the lovely paintings of all the birds. And it is genuinely nice to be able to identify birds and appreciate that part of nature. Especially since we get a lot of them in our garden back home, and have several nests around our house most years. ^_^
Ooh err, felt a little bit like Dr Alan Statham, noted ornithologist and bird-imitator, during the writing of that paragraph! XD
I think I'm going to go and watch Spirited Away or another Studio Ghibli film before getting an early-ish night. I'm going to start some creative writing work tomorrow, but for now I feel too tired and zoned out from the journey to do any tonight.
Generally, it's good to be back in Lancaster for my final term. It's funny to think that it's all going to be over a month from now, even if I decide to stick around a little while after exams, and even if I go to Grad Ball. Aside from some issues which I still have to sort out up here, it should be a good - if busy - few weeks.
edit: watched The Princess Bride in the end, since I hadn't seen it in ages. Definitely one of my favourite films, endlessly joyful and funny to watch, and very quotable. I may procrastinate a bit tomorrow and make some icons. ^_^ In the meantime, I'm going to bed since I'm barely staying awake here and I'm yawning my head off. Night all!