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?

I'm Grateful For...

Seen a couple of these posts and really like the idea behind them. So here are some of the things I have been grateful for in recent times. (In no particular order)

-A friend who lives 10,000 miles away so that she is awake at stupid o clock (my time) to tell me to shut up and go to sleep now.

Beautifully modelling a lift here.

-This lady, who is perhaps the best housemate I could ever ask for. She invited me to live in this awesome house. She gives me loo roll in times of emergency. She prints essays out for me when my printer has no cables to do so. She brings me Icecream. She texts me to make sure I am up for my lectures, and lends me her notes when I'm not. She's generally a mummy, and I would be rather worse for wear without her.

-My Nate, who has made my life so much better over the last few years. He makes me smile a lot.

-My Twinny, who never denies me a lift in her car no matter how much I deface it with my tongue. A lady who never says no to a favour, coz she's got a heart of gold. She wears stupid hats with me so I'm not alone.

This photo still makes me giggle-my Dad fails at taking photos at arms length

-The Parentals, without whom I would never have been able to afford to stay in university. And probably would never have gone in the first place. Sometimes I forget just how grateful I am for everything they do for me.

Weirdo.

-This strange one, who has known me for all of her life and not got fed up of me yet. That's some achievement there I think. She's a bit silly. (I kinda like it)

-USLES, who have filled my university times with hilarity and awesomeness. Made me their principle boy and then their president. Would be so lost without them.


Thank you all, for being a part of my life. You've all been fabulous. And sometimes, so have I.

Until next time,
Jenni

Chivalry, Is It Dead & Does Anyone Even Care Anyway?

Some things in life make me cross. Generally being around 'the public' is one of them. (I'm not really a people person). But some things make me more cross than others-today for instance (you knew that was coming didn't you?). I was sat on a train, minding my own business, when it began to slow down to pull into my station. I put my hand on the pole to indicate (so I thought) that I wanted to stand up. All of a sudden the aisle next to me filled with blokes, all pushing and shoving. One of them nearly hit me in the face with his holdall. By this time we had pulled into the station, and I actually couldn't stand up because there was someone so close to my face, and I had no wish to scrape it along some strangers bum just in order to get off the train. It's not like I had masses of stuff (one fairly small ruck sack and a carrier bag), but I just couldn't get out of my seat. And you know something? Not one of the blokes jostling me waited for me to get out before they pushed past me. In the end I just shoved my way past the next person in line, muttering angrily under my breath.
So I ask the question, is Chivalry actually dead?
Now I know my feminist friends are probably going to be reading this in horror thinking "But Jenni, you're an independent modern woman! Why should you want men to wait for you?", and don't get me wrong-I hate the way men objectify and lust over women along with the rest of you. I think far too many men have far too little respect for women as a whole, and it's something that really does need to change.  But I actually find it quite nice when men show a little bit of courtesy towards me. In fairness, I would have been just as cross if it had been women stampeding past me on the train too, so I guess all I wanted was for someone to be polite enough to offer me the chance to get out before them, rather than shoving my shoulder out of the way as if I wasn't there.
But ladies, let me put this to you, as I am genuinely interested in your answers. Say you were walking along a corridor with a man you knew, a friend, a colleague, a boyfriend etc, and he stepped ahead of you to open the door for you and allow you to go through first. Would you feel pleased that he thought of you, or would you feel patronised that he felt the need to help you out? I personally have never felt offended when this happens to me, I see it as more of a compliment really. I don't think he's saying "You are woman, woman cannot open door", but more enjoy the pleasure of having someone do something nice for me. I have never objected if my boyfriend offers to carry one of my bags for me, or when he walks on the outside next to the road so I don't get hit by a runaway carriage. It makes me feel good, coz it's like he is looking after me. I don't understand why people take so much offence to it, personally.


But let me know what you think!
Is Chivalry dead, and if it is do you miss it/think it should come back?

Jenni

My Week, The Highs and the Lows

Something different this week, because I am bored of posting more pictures than text. Here's a summary of my week, then.
Highpoint: Tuesday. Got inked. Have wanted this done for ages, and now I am falling in love with it a bit more every day. Good job really, considering it's on me for the rest of my life-eek.

Lowpoint:  Wednesday night (Technically Thursday morning.) Minor emotional breakdown at half past 5 in the morning. Very very grateful for having a friend in Australia who was awake to tell me that I was being stupid and to go to bed. Sound advice. (Thank you!)

Lowpoint: Thursday, busy busy.

Highpoint: Thursday. Sign Language class-first of the term. Hard work but very gratifying. I can now say elephant in sign language, and who doesn't want to do that? 

Highpoint: Thursday evening. Skype with Amycakes. Who spent a large portion of the conversation with a rubber duck (named Felicity) on her head. 

What can I say? My friends are weirdos. I also made her fall off her chair laughing 2 and a half times, because I am awesome. 

Lowpoint: Friday afternoon. A very stressful train journey for a girl who doesn't deal well with being surrounded by lots of people...

Highpoint: I got my cuddle. And then I went and spent a lot of time in Asda with Nate and Zoe and Jason. I bought nice clothes, and it was actually rather a lot of fun. Yep, we are that cool. 

Highpoint: Saturday/Sunday. LITTLE SHOW. Fabulousness. Dancing like a drunken old lady, being one half of the cutest Tweedles around, performing one of my favourite songs with 8 other wonderful voices, getting on stage without any costume catastrophies and actually feeling sexy in my corset. Never having to sing Katy Perry's Firework again, going wrong within the first 30 seconds of stepping on stage, and making everyone else in the cast giggle. Awesome people. It was, quite frankly, brilliant. 

Lowpoint: The end of Little Show. The end of me constantly being busy on a Sunday. All my friends doing North Notts and me being on the periphery watching, and hearing about it. Sigh. I know it's for the best and all, but I am gonna miss those guys/being busy. But I guess you can't have it all.

So for now, that's me.

Jenni x

My Week In Photos Parts IV & V

"Jenni! We did not get a 'Week In Photos' post last week!", I hear you cry.
I know, I know, and I am very sorry about this. I have just not taken many photos recently.
To make up for it...I am going to give you a special, limited time only offer of TWO WEEKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. Which is nothing but your time, so it's not much of a bargain, I am afraid, but here goes.

26/9/11-2/10/11
Monday
First day back at uni after summer, first lecture, first 9am start, first day of being perpetually exhausted.
I got through it, just, but it was a close call.
Tuesday
Second day of lectures, second 9am start, 2nd can of Relentless in 2 days...
Oh and this-

Give It A Go Chocolate Tasting. Best job in the world??

Wednesday

Wednesday was a looooong day working at the Fresher's Fair. 

By the end of it I was aching all over and all I wanted to do was sit in a hot bath until I was entirely wrinkly and then have a massage. 

It broke me!

After the Fresher's Fair was finally over, I limped my way to the USLES casting session, and was very pleasantly surprised by the vast numbers of people there to audition for us. So many in fact that we have ended up with two entirely separate casts for the Uni and the Kids cast shows. As President, I am VERY excited about this!  I am playing "Clean Dick", which also makes me jolly.

Thursday

I went to my Nate's house after uni, and pretty much slept through to the next day, for I was a very tired girly!  I just can't cope with 4 9am lectures in a row-I am only a student after all!

Friday

I can't recall I did much of note, apart from went home (Nottingham home rather than Sheffield home) to prepare for dress rehearsal weekend. 

Saturday/Sunday

Dress rehearsals for The Little Show at the two venues. Hard work but good fun.
ONLY ONE REHEARSAL LEFT!!

3/10/11-9/10/11

Monday

Presidential training-I am now qualified to say "We're not insured for that".

First USLES Committee meeting of the year.

First USLES rehearsal of the year-awesome times. Looking forward to our show very much!!

Tuesday

No lectures, which was odd and left me feeling a bit displaced in the world. 

Met up with Roz for a brief flying visit, which was a lovely catch up.
Saw The Wombats at the O2 Arena in Sheffield-which was pretty damn awesome.
Went Geocaching with Elita and actually found one!

Such a feeling of accomplishment! 

Wednesday

Rode the Paternoster with Elita and admired the gorgeous view from the top.

USLES's second rehearsal-get to know your characters!
Thursday
BusyBusy-lots of lectures all crammed in on a Thursday for no good reason.
Friday
Bit more of a chill out day this one, spent a lot of time preening myself coz I am a peacock.
(Also coz my Nate was coming around and I am, somewhere underneath, a girl)
Saturday
GIAG Yorkshire Wildlife Park trip. If it hadn't have been raining all day, it would have been a fab day out!

This is Casper, the only lemur brave enough to play in the rain.  A bit cheeky too!

Also went to Goose Fair with Nate and Zoe and Jason! Fun times.

No photos though, due to the rain and the chavs likely to nick the camera!

Sunday
Final Little Show rehearsal, eek! Looking good though!

And on to the next week!
I realise this is very delayed-what can I say? Rubbish!

Until next time,
Jennibear x x