Thoughts on..moving to Southampton

So, after much build up, many lists, lots of goodbyes, and a few tears, the day came for me to move to Southampton University. For the past week I haven't been able to go a day without feeling either sick with worry, or just unbelievably sad at the thought of leaving my friends, family and boyfriend. I think the whole thing felt ten times worse because I have lived in the same house for the last 18 years- and the thought of moving to a new place with new people seemed pretty terrifying. The goodbyes were horrible, one in particular, but I really am having the best time now that I'm here!

The thing I was most excited about was getting to decorate my room, and so, whilst my mum and step dad went about unloading the practical stuff, I made better use of my time by pinning little girly things to my noticeboard and making the whole place a bit prettier- which was ace. I can't wait to collect more things over my time here and fill my notice board even more!

 

I think I've been extremely lucky with the people in my flat, which has also helped me to settle in so quickly. So far we all seem to be getting along really well, and despite not ending up at the foam party last night (which admittedly I'm pretty glad about) and then boycotting the infamous Jesters queue, I had a great first night- and I didn't wake up hungover which is always a bonus! Tonight we plan to make up for that though...so tomorrow morning might not be so sweet. I'm glad I'm no longer feeling so worried about the social side of university, next to tackle the academic worries!

Night 1!

Gately flat 14! (Note: do not customise clothing whilst drunk)

I hope anyone else who has moved into university is having a great time too. I'm sure there will be more university related posts to follow! A 'Gallivanting...' one will come soonish.

Quote of the Day

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard"

-A.A.Milne, Winnie the Pooh 

Book Review: La Bête Humaine

I bought this novel on the basis of a recommendation from a friend whilst trawling through David's bookshop, and I'm so glad I did. Despite their literary credit, often novels that are regarded as classics can be a little slow moving- a bit like trying to get through very thick mud in order to reach the exciting parts. La Bête Humaine is quite the opposite- and for this reason it is easily the best novel I have read recently.

Set mostly on the railway lines around Paris, La Bête Humaine originally two separate novels- with one focusing on railway life and the other dealing with the hereditary nature of murder, but Zola makes it so that the two seem to go hand in hand, forming an extremely compelling and dark narrative. The most interesting part of the novel was its focus on human nature and the part it plays in the act of murder, with one of the central characters, Jacques, comparing murder to the survival of the fittest instinct among beasts- perhaps as a mitigation for his actions, though not a very reasonable one. Whilst reading I found myself able to compare themes and characters to those of Shakespeare's Macbeth, because, essentially, both texts focus on the same thing- what it takes to murder, and the extent to which human nature can be pushed. 

I think my enjoyment of the novel, particularly the ending which is predominately set on the railway line, was further aided by reading in the garden with the sounds of trains passing on the nearby railway- I found myself able to get totally lost within the text. I'm actually quite tempted to re-read La Bête Humaine despite only having finished it last night, and I hope that I get a chance to study it at some point because it is totally full of interesting material and themes! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a bit of murder and pessimism...because this is a truly amazing novel. Next up: Virgina Woolf's To the Lighthouse.

Quote of the Day

"No need to sparkle. No need to be anyone but oneself."

 -Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

Gallivanting...in Norfolk with Granny

On Monday I jetted off- well, more hopped on a train -to my Granny's in Snettisham, Norfolk, for a few days- and it was so lovely to get away from Hertfordshire. I had the loveliest time and have been totally spoilt rotten- and have now decided that once retired, or even before, I'd like to move to the seaside, and get a dog, so that I can begin everyday with a lovely dog walk on the beach- I think then I would be very happy. Although Baldock is hardly a bustling town, you really do notice the quietness and serenity of Norfolk in comparison- especially when walking through woods with the dogs and not bumping into a single person.

Awaiting the train at Baldock with my Mary Poppins bag

Dog walk no.1 in some lovely woods

Reading in the evening sun- this book is very, VERY good

The room I stayed in is the B&B room, so naturally, it is absolutely lovely (as I'm sure it would be even if it were not a guest room). I slept in what is quite possibly the most comfortable bed in all of England- and, despite the size, found myself waking up curled up on the left hand side as though I were sleeping in my little single bed. I will miss this bed almost as much as I will miss Granny, Gutty and the dogs.

Flowers from the garden picked by Granny

"I can see the sea so give me 5p!"

Dog walk no.2: Yes, I did swing on the swing.

On Tuesday Granny and I went on a trawl around some lovely shops- meandering around Wells, Docking, and Heacham- and generally having a lovely time! One of my favourite shops was one called Big Blue Sky, in which Granny bought me a lovely print to have in my university room. We stopped for lunch in a lovely little tea room in Wells called Catesby's, which served a very scrummy blueberry and lemon drizzle cake, as well as yummy peppermint tea! We also treated ourselves to ice cream AND crispy crackle cakes...just because we could.

Ace print from Big Blue Sky

Bunting in the streets of Wells

A spot of peppermint tea in pretty mugs!

Would definitely love to paint the reflection of the clouds in the sea- it looked so lovely.

Make mine a mint-choc-chip, always!

I think Bertie wanted to walk himself this morning 

Abandoned shoes for wading (ahem, paddling) through some water

The dogs enjoying the beach

I only got home about an hour ago and I already want to return to Granny's- which is sad, because I won't be able to stay there again for at least another three months! Nonetheless, it has definitely done me good to get away for a few days- as I was in danger of slipping into a routine of doing nothing other than sleeping and eating. Next up I need to start reading my course books for university, finish reading La Bete Humaine, and get writing my first article for Soton Tab!