Why am I always ill?!

Once again I am ill. And I have been since at elast a week ago, I swear colds last so much longer for me than anyone else!!
Last night I went for an impromptu afternoon out with some OT girls, I had my first burrito, and I liked it! And with it a Corona, which in turn spurred us on for another drink, and another, and finally in an Irish bar, we had pudding! So 1 Burrito, 3 drinks and a pudding later, I was a very happy girl!
Thought we deserved it as uni is getting more challenging, and we hadn't had a trip out with all of us there! Definitely need to so it again, and I was pleasantly surprised with my Burrito!

Friday was dissapointing to me, as we had our seminar in the groups that we have to write an essay based on the information we collate as a group, adn the third part of which, is written on out experience of team working. I was thoroughly disappointed to be placed in a group of 5 nurses, not because they were nurses but because it was hardly multidisciplinary, considering there was osteos, physios and social workers we could have been mixed with too, and in a group of 6, it was hardly fair.
Additionally I wasn't placed with the most pro-active, enthusiastic group, infact I probably was placed with the laziest. A group of, mostly, older students, that believed due to having other important factors in their lives, such as child care etc, that they were exempt from having to contribute or put in as much effort as the 'young' students. (Also they completely disregarded me and the profession I was training to go into, not even having an idea what OT was - shameful considering they train in the same school, the same hospitals and for the same nhs!).
Being told they wouldn't attend lectures because they lived too far away, or meet up to discuss the project outside seminar time because they were 'too busy' was frankly shocking. Why would you sign up for a course if you can't or won't fulfil all the requirements?  I will pay lip service to their already wrong direction, and do the work they ask of me, additionally I will post the information I actually use on the VLE (Virtual learning environment) message boards, and then they have the opportunity to read and use it as well (that is, of course, that they actually use the vle, as I got told I would be 'lucky if [she] even looked at it until Christmas'). /Rant over.

I have lots planned for the next few months, which is nice to have something to look forward to, it gives motivation! Got two seth gigs planned, a night watching the snooker being filmed, lots of christmas activities with the OT girlies, and in that time halloween and then christmas!
So far I'm on top of my uni work, got myself organized and sorted into folders with sections, lots of printing, pre and post reading, and my very handy academic year planner - along with my many lists of things I need to complete. Talking of things to complete, I have my basic life support stuff to complete for tomorrow... must get on with that.

Sooo... I have a lot to write, but I can't really be bothered.

Because I'm ill and sleepy, but here goes.
So I finished all first full week - well 3/7 haha. Took me 3.5 hours from my campus to Ben's house; would have been quicker if I got taxi/buses instead of walking, but oh well. So I spent friday night in the pub, and got dinner there, by my self I may add as Ben had already eaten. Before heading back to open my presents from him. Got me 2 cds, a Grand designs dvd and a voucher for 2 people to spend the day at a Bannatyne spa, lovely!!! As well as Cards and pressies from the rest of the Jackson clan!

Saturday was lovely, cos I spent all day on the beach, the weather was perfect, absolutely amazing considering it was October!! Collected my parcels from home, And filled col's boot up with my boxes. Didn't manage to see any family, but I didn't want to spend all weekend getting buses, so hopefully will be down again next weekend.
Went out with the girls, and met Ben and Dave out in newport, was a great evening :) Sunday was spent going to the lifeboat for lunch, had a yummy roast, and then heading to the seafront for Ben's nephew's party. I had to leave early however to go meet Kel, Freya and Dan, in Southampton for dinner, which was lovely!!!
I had a great extended birthday hehe.

This week Uni has really felt like I was learning the proper OT stuff, like the fundamentals, not just the theory but how to exercise professional thinking, and use of clinical reasoning, and things like that. But my gosh is it in depth, hard work, and intense, but it's great, and I'm loving it!!! As I have two days off a week it really enables me to get stuck in to the work, and do the extra reading.

Tuesday night I went with Katie to an information session on volunteering for Keen, which looks a great experience! As well as gaining an opportunity to help out in an area that I am familiar with, find interesting and enjoy, it gives me more 'contact time' with people, to enable me to hone my people skills more than I would be able to in the 1000 hours placement time.
Wednesday I went for dinner/drinks with the OT lot at The White Horse, in headington. Had a great night chatting with the girls! And got totally drenched walking home.

So I must go and finish my notes from this week, I'm starting to get into a routine now, which is good.

xx

First night out in Oxford- and it was a quiet one!

I did a bit of shopping yesterday, so got up early to try and avoid the crowds that the city centre always attracts on a Saturday morning! It was busier than usual due to students enrolling? and graduating from Oxford uni, the same weekend as last year when Ben was up with me.
Paid my first 3 months rent, and will pay the rest of when my loan comes in, that way I know any money I have after that can be used, and I won't have to worry about finding the money for the rent - So glad I worked and was able to save a lot towards my rent this year!

So I met Katie at the Sainsburys (a convenient meeting place as its literally a 30 second walk from where I am), as she lives about a 10 minute walk away. We walked into town and went to The Grand Cafe, I love it there, it's so pretty, and a great place for people watching! Had a Cosmopolitan in there, which is Katie's favourite I think. As much as I like them, I don't think I could have more than one as they taste too dry for my liking, probably due to the cranberry juice. Then we heading further into the town, but as it was a Saturday night it was very busy out, not full of students, but of every other person that lives in Oxford, weekends aren't student nights, as they aren't cheap! So we struggled to find anywhere to go as it was so busy, so pondering the idea of going to Freud's we headed towards Jerico. Instead we stopped at a place called The Eagle and Child, apparently J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and fellow writers met here. It was pleasant, and had a proper 'pub' feel to it, I liked it save the strange man who asked to sit at the other side of the table, we soon left after he decided to grace us with his odd, and rather drunk presence (you know when you're drunk, and despite how hard you try, you still sorta slam your glass down on the table? He was that kinda drunk!).
And finally we headed back along Cowley rd (which I had never really walked along last year as I had no need, but I have found all sorts of fun looking places to try out already haha), and we popped into Cafe CoCo, home of the £4 cocktails from 9pm onwards! I had Peach Bellinis, which are probably my favourite - I like the bubbles, and the sweetness of them! And Katie had a 'limonada moya' I believe, which was also rather tasty. Looked at the menu and it sounded great, nothing too complicated, and the prices weren't at all expensive; there were pizzas, pastas and salads, all the things I like! Additionally there was nice sounding breakfasts, and the desserts sounded equally yummy!

So I had a fab night and found some lovely places to go, places I'd be happy to take friends or family, rather than your usual student dives!

I have had the most amazing summer ever!!

(I will have to write a more detailed summary and thank you, in a week or so...).

1. Finished my exams and went on holiday to Turkey with Jac.
2. IoW festival 2011 with a wonderful bunch of people.
3. London & Kings of Leon @ Hyde park with the Jacksons et al.
4. Nights out: with the girls; impromtu, etc.
5. Walks on the beach, enjoying the few 'summer' days on the lovely island.
6. The many lunches/dinners out.
7. Cowes week.
8. And my holiday on monday...I can't wait!!!

Just had a chat with one of my uni girlies, and one of my OT girlies, and can't wait to go back!! Good old gossip in the canteen at uni, and drinks and nights out with my ladies. And it's my 20th, exciting month. Woop!

[Another mention for Jas, haha - I am looking forwar to tea and biscuits soon <3]

xx