Gervase Phinn

Hey Nic - 19th May (Tuesday) at the De Montfort Hall at 7.30pm. tickets are 15.50 + 1.50 booking fee. Looks like its selling well so need to get in there quick if we fancy going. Also any 2nd years, do you fancy joining us?

'culture'

After doing the obligatory weekend tidy up, I walked into my dining room to be met by a scene that was, well, surreal to say the least. For some reason something that Lin had said to us on Friday popped into my mind - how would a snapshot of our home depict our culture (as in family culture), well, I'll describe;

The dog, dressed in a green stripy tee-shirt was barking frantically at the cat, who not to be outdone was sporting a rather striking pink scrunchy on his tail. The reason for the barking was that the cat was perched upon the guinea pig cage, who was in turn squeaking heartily as his food bowl was empty. The guinea pig, who's haircut is far overdue, was attempting to retreat into his house but was being stopped by doing so by a huge raffia carrot. Meanwhile, my son and husband, oblivious to all the commotion were deep in discussion about whether a salivating , sonar detecting alien dog would be better at trapping a ten foot mutated frog than a bright red, four armed, four eyed strong man.
Slowly I placed my cuppa down and began to retreat from this parallel universe I had unwittingly stumbled into only to be halted by my son who looked at me quizzically and said "Are you alright mummy, you look a bit weird"!

it'll all come out in the wash

Was going to start with 'this is just a quickie', but all my blogs tend to run along that vein. There is a truth in the statement though, as time is a valuable commodity at the moment. What with several pieces of work on the go..............
Anyhow, I'm not talking about that tonight, just thought I'd reflect a little on the two speakers we've had in from Warwick this week. It was good to hear the perspective of a student from the 2+2 degree (I'm sure i did the access course with her), but I did feel some of the comments were a little 'flippant' and could have been a more objective - but it was her opinion after all. (I hope that doesn't sound mean - it's not meant too). The visit from Dr Sarah Dahl today I found very interesting. I felt it was a very 'true to life' insight into how things 'work' at Warwick, and I liked her honesty regarding what will be expected of us. I'm very much the type of person that as long as I know what lies ahead for me - no matter how daunting - I feel more comfortable than everything being 'sugar coated'.
It is going to be difficult at times, what with juggling childcare, work, study schedules, lecture times etc.... but the end result will be worth it. Although I am saying this, I am also very glad that I have another year before I have to contemplate making further changes to home life and increasing my workload two-fold, but hey, as my Nan keeps telling me "It'll all come out in the wash"!

Phew!

At last, I can breath a sigh of relief...phew...I finally feel as though I am on top of my college work at last. Since loosing my mum in October, for obvious reasons I have had the concentration span of a gnat. If I'm going to be completely honest, if it wasn't for my fab hubby Matt and my gorgeous son Matthew, I think I would have pretty much cracked up by now. Not only did her passing knock me flat on my back, it bought back all the memories of when Dad died too. I did debate as to whether I could continue on with the course as I had no motivation, no drive and no passion left. It was a struggle to get out of bed each morning, to eat, drink, even to breathe. I don't know how, or why, but this past week has seen the haze that has surrounded me for the past 4 months begin to lift. I'm so glad I didn't decide to leave the course, as I know my parents wouldn't have wanted me to do that. Somehow, through the stress of completing my last essay, something 'clicked' again. I'm getting that passion and drive back. I'm more determined than ever to succeed, to pass this degree with Honours, to wear that gown and mortar-board - for me, for Matt, for Matthew, but most of all, for my fantastic parents!

Study Skills - just a quickie

Gosh...study skills.....it seems an age away. I've just been going through my folder for this topic and am finding it quite strange reading some of the analytic comments I'd made about the first few lessons. It's as though I'm reading someone else's work. Also, looking at the time chart that we had to fill in has also given me a bit of a 'giggle'. I think it worked out I was doing about 3 hours housework a day and (during that week) about 1 hours study...ha ha...how times have changed. I dont think I'd like to admit how much, or little housework is done by me now, and as for the study - it's certainly more than 1 hour!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOZ0qz7c7o

follow this link to see John Smid speak about Love In Action. Have found a lot of stuff on you tube just by putting in his name orLove In Action. Have a look - does his justification winning you over?

fish can't fly

This video has thrown me into a bit of a quandary as how to approach the essay for Lin. I think our discussion afterwards raised numerous valid points that could be incorporated into the body of the essay - I'm just not sure how to tackle it yet, mmmm....need a bit of a think.

The film itself was extremely emotive and I can't understand how these organisations could justify what they were doing to these terribly vulnerable people. I've made no bones about my views on religion, and although I respect others choices in religious matters, it baffles me how if God (whoever she or he may be), is the creator of us all, and is such a wondrous person, his / her followers can inflict such pain and suffering in His or Her name? Maybe it is just my ignorance on the subject showing through, but I just can't get my head around it.