My Every Day Adventure: GIAG

Showing posts with label GIAG. Show all posts

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Give It A Go at the Spa

As you may know by now, I work for Give it a Go at Sheffield's Student Union. This means that I get paid to do some stuff that I have never done before, which quite often turns out to be pretty awesome.
Last weekend, I got to go to the Spa with GIAG, which was really rather exciting as it was a brand new experience for me. We went to the gorgeous SPA1877, which is a hidden gem off Sheffield's Glossop Road. It's an original Victorian spa/Turkish baths and the architecture on the inside is just gorgeous (albeit very very confusingly laid-out), and you would never guess you were standing underneath one of the busier main routes through the city!
Once we arrived, we changed into our swimming gear and our complementary towels,gowns and flipflops and then we were given a quick tour of the facilities. To begin with, we were shown into the relaxation area, which had lots of seats and magazines and refreshments to allow you to take some time out between the more intense spa areas. We then went through into the Hammam area, which was where all the other experience rooms were situated, and also had some warmed marble benches for you to sit/lie on between treatments.

At one end was the plunge pool, at a chilly 10 degrees, and the Tropical Rain shower that could douse you with a tropical downpour, a rainforest mist or an arctic blast-brr! There was a sauna (dry heat but very hot) and an aromasteam room, which is a wet steam room that was filled with a fruity smelling essential oil. I have to admit that I avoided these 2 rooms, as the sauna was waaay to hot for me and the aromasteam room was filled with so much steam that I felt somewhat claustrophobic in there.
Instead, I split my time between the Hammam area and the much larger Steam room.

When we went, this room was lit was red light and filled with Eucalyptus scented smoke, which was actually quite pleasant to breathe in. It took a while to get used to it, because you really couldn't see much further than your arms width, and it was intensely hot, but once you had acclimatised it was quite bearable for about 15 minutes at a time, and certainly helped to clear my blocked nose! The other room in the spa experience was the Ice Cave, which had a big pile of crushed ice in it-designed to rub all over your skin as both an exfoliating treatment and to help cool you down. I have to admit that this was actually really quite a nice sensation, especially if you had just come out of the hot steam room so that it melted instantly on your skin.

I was really quite surprised to notice how relaxed I felt after our 3 hours was up. Even though I had spent a fair bit of time in the Relaxation area talking about Doctor Who with a new friend, I still really enjoyed myself and felt a lot more chilled out when I came out than when I went in. I had been dubious at the beginning of the evening but ended up finding the whole experience quite luxurious-a great de-stress before exams! I would definitely recommend it if you felt like treating yourself to something wonderful, prices are all on the website.

In fact, I think I might treat myself again once my exams are over!

For now then,
-Jenni-

All pictures from the Spa1877 website

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

In Which Stratford Steals My Heart.

As some of you may know I work for Give It A Go, at my University's student union. This means I get to do cool stuff and get paid for it essentially. Last Saturday was my first proper proper day trip, to Stratford-upon-Avon. I wasn't originally looking forward to it, because I had no-one to go with, and so was planning to spend the day holed up in a coffee shop learning my lines for my upcoming shows*. However, when I got to Stratford I decided that I might as well see some of the sights before I did so, and I'm glad that I did.

First thing I found was an antiques shop that was selling all sorts of nick nacks and bits, and spent a good half an hour perusing their shelves.

I eventually treated myself to some beautiful early 20th century leather bound books, which smell amazing, and a little pottery bottle just because it was particularly pretty.

I sort of love them a bit.

After dragging myself out of there (eventually), I headed for lunch at a pub that had originally attracted me because of its cheap prices** but actually had really good food (beautifully cooked fish and chips, yum yum) and very friendly staff. It was a really enjoyable meal for me, just because I felt very looked after and the food was GOOD. Can't want for much more.

With my stomach full and my spirits light I made my way back up Henley Street to The Museum of Wizardology which is just like Harry Potter world in Orlando. Only without the rides, and confined to the top floors of an old Tudor house. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and I walked around giggling the whole time. Oh and just so you know...

I'm officially a Wizard now. So you'd better just watch out.

My next destination was Shakespeare's grave, located in the Holy Trinity Church, some 20 minutes dawdle away. It was a very pretty walk though, lined with black and white Tudor houses and trees and generally lots of beautiful buildings. The church itself is also pretty spectacular, and I say that as someone who doesn't really like churches!*** Inside and out, it's a lovely place to cast your eye over.

Unnecessarily Arty-Farty photo, I know. But you get the gist.

I walked back towards the centre of town along the riverside, which was very peaceful and relaxing. The path takes you past two of the town's theatres (and who doesn't love a good theatre?) and ends up at the Swan Statue, where I found a man playing the violin to the afternoon gatherings. I sat here for a while and read my book, just because it was really relaxing. When it got a bit chilly to sit outside, I found a little cafe in a Tudor building and treated myself to a hot chocolate with marshmallows, because sometimes it just has to be done.

Despite my earlier misgivings, I actually had a fantastic day out. It was nice to just be able to decide what I wanted to do and do it, without having to consult or convince anyone else, and it was a good thing to spend some quality time with myself-something I don't do much of any more. Most of all though, I fell a little bit in love with Stratford itself. It is so calm and serene and didn't feel like a big town at all. It's also beautiful-everywhere you go is some new sight to enjoy and appreciate. I made a resolution to myself-one day I am going to live there in a higgledy piggledy little Tudor cottage full of old nick nacks from that antique shop. I might even go as far as saying it's my favourite ever place. More even than Sheffield, and that's saying something. I can't wait to go back again, who wants to come?

So, from me, and from Shakespeare, Goodbye for now.

And what a goodbye sight this is.

*Have a quick plug-come and see our Xmas Panto! It's all for charity and it's fabulously funny!

**What I didn't realise at the time was that they were only Monday-Friday cheap prices, and so it cost me a little more than I thought it would. Ah well.

***I have an inability to speak in the required hushed tones, and generally feel a bit awkward in them. I have never understood that anyway-why can't churches be loud places?

Monday, 26 September 2011

My Week In Photos the 3rd

19/9/11-25/9/11

Welcome to Intro Week

Well I just survived Intro Week (Fresher's Week for all you alcoholics) at my University, which was busy busy but very fun.

Monday

Unpacking shot number 1: I think I need a pen holder

Tuesday

Unpacking shot 2: I had SO much fun making my earrings look this pretty.

Wednesday

Cream Tea in the Leopold Hotel following a city centre tour. Yum.

Thursday

That would be me sorting out David's boobs for him.
In other words, a perfectly normal USLES activities fair.

Friday

Little bit gutted I didn't get to have a go on this..but I was in charge of the Top Gear-style score board!!

Saturday

I watched two of my favourite people get married today. It was AWESOME.
Wedding of the Year, no doubt about it.

Sunday

No photo, but first Little Show costume rehearsal. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!

Until next time then,

Have a marvellous week!
Jenni x

Friday, 23 September 2011

Intro Week 2011

You know, I had forgotten just how much fun you can have in an Intro Week. Sure, they're busybusy times, but I am rather enjoying myself despite this. And although some people will find it hard to believe, I am enjoying it without having had a drop of alcohol, or going out once!

This is Felicity. Isn't she lovely?

I'm enjoying being around people again-I am in a house of brand new housemates, so it feels a bit like Fresher's week all over again as I am still getting to know them all. Not to mention there is 7 of them, so it's a busy house, but a nice one.

As I mentioned in my coming home post, I enjoy the moving in to a new house experience. I still haven't got everything completely unpacked, mainly due to No More Nails related mishaps, (It doesn't do what it says on the tin.) but my room definitely has my own personal stamp on it and it makes me smile so much to spend time amongst the wonderful things people have given me. When it's completely done, I will take some photos to show it off.

I started my university job this week, working for Give It A Go. So far, it's been pretty good-especially the tour around Sheffield which took me to some places I didn't even know about, and ended with a scrumptious Cream Tea in the Leopold Hotel. Tomorrow I am supervising people racing a simulation of an F1 car, and I am really hoping I get to have a go myself, coz it sounds like it's going to be pretty fun!!

I bought two pairs of jeans for £20 (did I mention I LOVE Student Discount?), and some other bits and pieces and spent a nice afternoon retail therapying without really buying much. I did get a penguin T-Shirt that says Chill Out though, because it makes me jolly.

Today was the Activities Fair, and I was there with my society USLES trying to recruit new members for the coming term. I would say we did fairly well, as at the end of the day there were over a hundred new names on our sign up list. It was massively busy but I had lots of amazing helpers there with me, and I really enjoyed myself, as I always do when in USLES-company.

This evening was an odd one-an Ann Summers party with the housemates I have barely begun to live with. It could have been very awkward, but ended up being quite fun and silly overall. However, I don't think the day will come where it won't still feel awkward to be encouraged to rub goo on your nipples in front of people, however close friends you may be.

And so tomorrow rolls around, and I shall be heading straight home after work for a busy busy weekend, that promises to be just as fun as the rest of this week.

For now then,
Goodnight x x

Oh, about the duck. If you look very closely, you will see it says 'Intro Week 2011' on its front. My Union was giving these away for free today. That's how awesome it is. Sheffield SU FTW. And now to bed.