Manchester

Its been an extremely long time since i have posted but i thought a quick update would be necessary.

My heads kinda been in the clouds towards the end of summer and moving back to Manchester has been very much the same.

I volunteered towards the end of summer which proved on he whole to be very fruitful. It was an interesting experience of which i took alot from. Moving back to Manchester has on the whole been very exciting which was to be expected a few worries here and there but im not sure id be me otherwise. I have a job now as well which is helpful,the prospect of extra cash and actually being able to purchase some items of clothing for myself is quite lovely.

More explanation on all that has happened is to come for now a sneak peak.

x

Lunch and a drive...

Turned into a very long afternoon out in the countryside. I forgot how much i enjoy being a passenger in a car for a long period of time. The Yorkshire countryside was a beautiful backdrop for our trip out. Kirsty picked me up and took me for fish and chips in what from what she says'is the best chip shop in Yorkshire' It actually was pretty good. After munching on my herb and potato Pattie and watching some extremely cute ducklings drink water from a puddle,we set off on our merry ways. We literally went everywhere, i cant even remember all the places but but it was beautiful and super scenic (Kirsty did make me write down where we went but obviously i don't have the piece of paper) However i do remember one place was called Helmsley, i couldn't even believe this little place existed but 45 mins away from Beverley, it was gorgeous and oh so quaint. A million little cafes and ice cream shops! It also owned a castle but we decided not to go in but instead just go for a wander through the little town. I have an eery like for churches and there grave yards, I'm not religious at all, i just find something peaceful at graveyards, i also think they have so many stories to tell. Anyways going off track there,was meaning to lead to the fact that i made kirsty wander with me through the Helmsleys graveyard.Id like to visit it again sometime on my own. After more wandering we placed our selves on a little bench in the centre of the square in silence for a good half an hour. This is the point where i put my hat up to kirsty and myselfs relationship...to be able to comfortably sit in silence with your friend is quite bliss, especially when we share a joint love for people watching. For our last stop we visited an old abbey,which apparently used to be well known throughout England back in the day. For an abbeys ruins the site was huge and alot of it still remained. Kirsty and myself took a lot of time walking around and imagining what the different areas of the abbey would have been like in structure etc and also what it would have been like for the monks to live there. A healthy hour was spent there, it was lovely, i defiantly need to have a good read through the book we bought to get a better understanding of the place.The drive home was a sleepy one, all that fresh air sure does tire you out.

All in all a good day out. I think everyone should take a day out once in a while to the country side and shake away a few cobwebs with some fresh air!

Shell x

Beverley...

Been home for over a week now, i did forget how beautiful this area is, im very lucky to have a home here really in that respect!

x

Guitar....

Shes red and i have named her Robin.I hope that getting down and personal with her she might help me out and give me the ability to learn to strum alot quicker!

I am confident that i will learn, although it will take me forever and a day im sure!

So iv picked up my beautiful Robin with determination... its quite dull playing them over and over again... but i stuck with it... i was shown three chords of which i cant remember the names of...once mastering them.. it was time to learn the sequence..it was quite satisfying getting that down! all i need to do now is strum away at it smoothly and confidently. Give me a few days i reckon il have cracked it :D confident huh.. pah

The song is by Dallas Green -Coming home.



Well I’ve been down to Georgia
I’ve seen the streets in the west
I’ve driven down the 90, hell I’ve seen America’s best
I’ve been through the Rockies, I’ve seen Saskatoon
I’ve driven down the highway 1, I just hope that I’d see you soon

Cause I’m coming home, I’m coming home

I’ve never been to Alaska, but I can tell you this
I’ve been to Lincoln, Nebraska and hell you know it aint worth shit
I’ve been through Nova Scotia, Sydney to Halifax
I’ll never take any pictures cause I know I’ll just be right back

Cause I’m coming home, I’m coming home

I’ve seen palaces in London; I’ve seen a castle in Wales
But I’d rather wake up beside you and breathe that ol ’familiar smell
I never thought you could leave me, I figured I was the one
But I understand your sadness, so I guess I should just hold my tongue

But I’m coming home, I’m coming home

I know we’re takin’ chances, you told me life was a risk
But I have just one last question…
Will it be my heart or will it be his?

Coming home , I’m coming home

Wish me luck :) x

Luke Wright...

At the begining of this year i expressed to my friend Rory how i wished to know and read/listen to poetry, in the hope that he would be able to steer me in the right direction! This he did, he introduced me to a bloke called Luke Wright, who speaks his poetry rather than have it in the written form! I have been completely obbsessed with this mans work. Spotify even holds the full album of his latest work 'The rise and fall of Luke Wright. Esq' I have tryed to delve into some poetry online, but find my self struggling to get through alot of the websites to find something i might be interested in. So i just went back to Luke Wright, this afternoon i attempted again to find some more poetry in the same style as this handsome man, finally i have found something to please my interests... Francesca Beard, she was hidden away on Mr Wrights website the whole time, along with other poets that excite Mr Wright.

Anways after that babble, all i really wanted to say was Francesca Beard is a pretty sweet poet! I will be spending more time with her over the next week or so.

http://specimin.co.uk/beard/site/poems/national_accident_helpline.mp3

http://specimin.co.uk/beard/site/poems/the_poem_that_was_really_a_list.mp3

:) x

Running....

I wish sometimes the ideas i start briefly i actually carry on.. for example running! I always suggest brilliant ideas try it for a brief time then give it up! Now yes i ran for a couple of times in one weeks, a good week or so later i haven't done an ounce! After frequent looks in the mirror running and exercising in generally must begin, and begin quickly, first step get my ass absolutely running, as-long as i do a couple of times a week, i think that would be a start!

Secondly i am currently trying to give up smoking again, my last smoke was the one before bed on Monday night, i have not yet had another! This pleases me. Its a very irritating process though, i would say every half an hour or so i think about smoking, for about 5 mins i feel really annoyed and agitated! I have consumed so much food today without realising, which is just pure greed, the damn smoking will not continue to make me eat more than i need darn it!

So tomorrow run, again no smokes, eat healthy! Summer holidays- carry on routine and hope for the best! This could as always be a fleeting thought... watch this space:)

Volunteering...

Good news, iv had a phone call to let me know im more than welcome to go to Norwich to get involved in some volunteering at a school. I will be staying for two weeks, which is an amazing opportunity, im lucky and extremely grateful for such! The school teachers children with mental and physical disabilities, a massive area of interest for me,oooo weee i cant wait. I have started a notebook for extra reading i have been doing on disabilities, i have a feeling the theory knowledge i have been absorbing will come in handy! The experience will be an eye opener im sure, its all well and good knowing a ton of information but practising will be a different story, i cant wait to see how i do, im quietly confident il make an all right volunteer and hopefully give the school as much as i can offer while im there!

I will be staying at my friends (tom) humble abode for the full two weeks, with a four day break in between while the gang head to latitude, i dont have a ticket so i wont be going. Although i think it will be good fun to have a few days to myself, get myself into the city centre to have a one man adventure :) Get myself to some gallery's and coffee shops, also gives me a chance to get stuck into my book.

smidgen of an update x

Radio station..

XFM a radio station in London, is now saved in my favourites, iv had a enjoyable afternoon bobbing along to the tunes.. its not about mainstream crappy RnB and the like! The xx is playing as i type so its a sweet deal of a station.

http://www.xfm.co.uk/

Not much to report on other than im enjoying having the flat to myself again, in a generally tidy state. I am however as always feeling nervous at night times, when im on my own, always think someone is gonna grab me in my sleep. Ha as a child before it got dark i used to have to shut all the curtains with the fear that someone was gonna jump out and get me..
Had drinks in my flat the other night, left the front door open as one of my friends mates had stayed on the futon in the living room. Urgh, wake up the next day to find some one in this block has walked into my flat and dropped off a broken chair into my living room. This is quite unsettling, while i was sleeping someone walked into my flat that i didnt know and i wasnt aware!!The door will absolutely be locked from now on. It gives me the heebies!

Moving on, iv started running again in the hope to get into some state of fitness, id love to tone up all the wobbly bits. I haven't done as much as i have planned but iv started so thats better than nothing ey. I do get quite annoyed how society gets so obsessed with image, as much as id like to say i dont get dragged into this, im afraid i am to an extent. On that note, im glad i have chosen a module for next year titled 'fear and fascination : the body in the social context' I reckon it would give me a huge insight as to where these ideas started and how it effects all sort of different people. Maybe it will even give me a better perspective on how i view myself.:)

One last thing to update on, i am currently waiting for email back in reply to my inquiry to do some volunteering at a school my friend (Tom) mum works at. The school teachers children with mental and physical disabilities. It will be a great opportunity if i can go visit and give a helping hand! fingers crossed for me.

The weekends here once again, cider of course needs to be bought and my new hair do needs to hit the streets of Manchester.

Bye for now! x

red skin...

but highly enjoyable times! Iv had a epic weekend, the sun defiantly brings everyone out. Our heads where put together and adventures where made. So it started Friday day when after a million and one calls to uni to get into my elective form on-line, i was told a trip the campus was needed. I once again got on the wrong bus, which resulted in a walk the rest of the way. A quick pop into town to meet my friends Ben and Dan resulted in me staying out for a while, to melt in the heat and drink cider. All of which was very enjoyable. The night continued when we got back, outside was the way forward. The heat in my uni halls flat, is ridic, might as well sit in a green house.. unpleasant to say the least. So kart wheels where thrown out and giggles where had.

Roll into Saturday with a hangover and lack of sleep but alas the beach was on the agenda!The boys took one car with the girls in the other. The journey was long winded, but as travelling about in groups goes, us girls had a hoot in the car. Id like to make a shout out to Elly's epic humour on the way there. Bringing along a stuffed tiger cuddly toy was a treat to her added humour.The beach was lovely, soft sand, BBQ and watching the boys gallivant around the beach made up most of the day. I have to say though the sea was a bit disgusting, foamy and brown.. also the lack of toilets (not about that). All in all the day was sweet,i was defiantly a sleepy one on the way home.The night was quite gentle on my part, i think everyone else was on a good run : )

Thats kind of a rough sum up of the weekend, iv spent the last few days at the park and am now massively feeling the burn of the sun.. my pale skin isn't designed for this weather. Ah well!

After such a nice 4 days im feeling the sadness of leaving Manchester, im not sure im gonna enjoy being away from everyone for a good chunk of months, however it does need to be done sooo what can i do ey. Its safe to say i have made some amazing friends and cant wait to carry on the journey next year.

A little bit soppy now so leave i shall!

x

Fun times...

OK so carrying on from my last post, i have indeed handed in all of my assignments, all that is left is a group work piece to be handed in this Friday coming. Its all rather exciting. I have actually finished my first year of uni, im quietly confident that i have also passed.. so onwards and upwards. The next task is to pick my modules for next year, of which after a quick flick through my course hand book, they look rather interesting!

So, I had a moan on my last post about my lack of productivity! I have finally been to Whitworth art gallery to have a look at the wallpaper exhibit. I handed in my last written piece after lack of sleep I was in much need of a head clear out. In comes the art gallery,with Rilo Kiley on my ipod and a spring in my step I made my way to the gallery. It was quite an interesting exhibit, with a lot of interesting social concepts seeping through the some times garish and upfront pieces. I began looking at the typical Marilyn Monroe wallpaper pieces, that then moved onto Barbie and various childhood 'icons. I began to think that I would not be on to a winner with this exhibit, but after an hour of walking around and seeing everything I was extremely pleased with my little trip. My favourite pieces where a contemporary take on the French Toile de joue, which originally depicted people in landscape in social setting of the time. The base colour usually being white, the print would either be in red or blue. For example....



The contemporary pieces depict the 21st century, bringing into it issues such as street crime and hot social topics as you will see in the second image below.





The images are quite small, so if your interested in seeing better images, the artist who had pieces at the exhibit, goes by the name of Francesco Simeti. All in all It was a lovely hour of my day.

I have also begun reading a new book, titled 'The history of insects', im am yet to really know what the book is about, but according to the blurb it is from the view point of an 8 year old girl of the adults around her, apparently there's a secret involved of which the girls diary holds if found it could cause some trouble. We shall see ey, il keep you posted!

This weekend i have been in bright old Middlesbrough for a wedding. Eddie a friend from my halls was let down at the last minute so I gladly stepped in to be his date. Our journey there was long and tiring, the no sleeps didnt add to the whole experience, arrived early to find that we had a busy day a head of us. Heavy eyed with hazy brains we did the last of the bits Eddie had to do. i.e a fitting for his suit as he was the usher then picking up some last minute bits and bobs. After an epic nap in the afternoon we naturally made our way to the hotel bar, by the end of the evening we found our selves in town dancing like no-body was watching. All i have to say about that evening is Middlesbrough is an interesting little place. Our evening involved a couple of natives taking us on a magical mystery tour, walking down a dark alley eventually realising we where wasting our time. We made a quick dash to Tesco express to indulge in cocktail sausages and prawn crackers. Was quite a night, fun mind.
The wedding its self the day after was lovely with a very traditional service. Eddie did a superb job leading the vicar and co down the isle. The only downside to the service, was the young flower girls were extremely disturbing all the way through, running up and down making noise. It was up to the parents to control the situation, but nothing was done, it made it rather difficult to hear the words 'i do' In my eyes disrespectful. It was despite that a nice little service.
The evening reception was good, food was pretty sweet and the dance moves epic.
All in all a good weekend. Im not sure i have laughed so much,hungover and drunk humour is too good. I spent the weekend both drunk and hungover,so laughing was the main agenda!

Im a sleepy tired Ann as usual, the land of nod awaits.

keep enjoying the art.

loves and stuff x

I should probably be in bed ...

but right now I have an over whelming urge to write. I have just been sat in my room for over 12 hours completing an assignment, this however does not annoy me that much despite a few stresses out (i quite like getting angry at objects situated in my room) The annoyance is i have realised the last two weeks i have done nothing of use. This is not too say i haven't had a good time im all for 'enjoying life dont ruin it' buuuuuuuuuuut damn it i could have been reading. But no il procrastinate to the point that i don't do anything at all i could have at least avoided work by reading or getting more involved in poetry. phew this is abit of a rant, Ranty - Ann doing what she does best ha. So anyway yeh, iv been harping on about going to the Whitworth gallery across the road to catch the wallpaper exhibit for ever and a day, why have i not used my time pretending to do my work in my room doing that instead, at least i could have said i had some sort of fun activity completed. So i have another hectic day of writing tomorrow of which is my own fault so im quite relaxed about it, once i have completed this i am gonna have a time out for a few days and sit in my room and think about what i will do next!!!

I shall expand on this tomorrow maybe but my eyes are sleepy tired, the two hours im having need to be cherished.

love and that x

Oh dear long time no speak...

It has been a while since i have blogged, oh how much happens in a short space of time.

But good news, finally finished the group work that was paining me so much, i think i boshed the questions asked of me and feeling quietly confident that i have with my group at least scrapped a pass. Marks are coming in strong still, i sometimes suprise my ability with my uni work. maybe i should pick up my confidence on the academic writing...

Any hoot, iv had an epic day of productivness obviously ended in cider the bain of my life. But i have voted for the first time, which i might add felt pretty god damn good to finally have but more importantly WANT to have an interest in politics. :)

Shiv and eddie IRISH dancing is quite epic!!!

i will make sure i show some more attention to my blog in the next few days x x

Clearly not dressed for the weather...

Waking up in the morning, rolling out of bed with a corker of a headache clearly isnt the best situation to consider Manchesters rainy weather. Flip flops, cardy and no brolly resulted in a wet dog look for myself. Nevertheless i had quite a productive day, group meeting and swift drink with a friend from back home,who i found out just recently is also studying at Didsbury campus. Sweet, i did alot of people watching on the bus there and back. Breaking up with your boyfriend near the traffic lights at a bus stop is quite inconsiderate to the poor boy, who ever this girl is she should feel like a meany ha. EVERYBODY had a right good look as he walked away crying bless. In her defense there isnt always a perfect place or time to break up with the other half. Smelly old man sat next to me on the bus too, there is no excuse to smell id like to throw that out there, huffing and puffing in my ear isnt entertaining either.You do get some characters on the bus though ey,apart from sat outside a coffee shop i think its a perfect place to view snipits of peoples lives.

Big Chill is absolutly happening this summer it has been confirmed this pleases me. i cant stop thinking about summer and the activities i shall be indulging in, a) because tickets are ordered b) because year one at uni has almost ended.

Now i need to find a new job ooooorrrrr il have to go back to the pub, it would be easier to go back to the Kingshead but i think iv had enough of the place that and il be getting paid less then i did when i worked there full time. which in my opinion is absolutly rubbish!!!! alittle 9 til 5 type affair would be amazing, agency work is looking to be an option if i vote out of working at the pub... i will ponder on this further.

Im also making Kirk teach me the guitar, i like singing but have no intrument to sing to, i think it would be a right treat to be able to bash out a tune now and again at like parties and such. I was also talking to the parentals about how much i dont really see my brother a great deal or have much in common with him, its therefor quite forced when we hang out. Mum suggested i get him to teach me the guitar also, as music is our only common interest.... i think my mother maybe on to something?

White Bueno,Sherbet fountain and cherry fisherman's friend (interesting shout)... send Mike out to get you a treat and this is what Shelley-ann recieves. :)

x

Student.....

I have pretty much completed my list of things to do today, i didnt reach my 500 word target due to distraction and phone calls.

I had a told you so moment today, its painful to hear my friend explain her heart ache down the phone, theres not much i can do to help her being so far away, i need to go back very very soon but its just not possible untill all of my work is done. She wont be told and she wont listen to me, i need to go back so i can just be there for her, comfort her and take her mind off things. I will always pick up the pieces but until then i have to watch on, it hurts alot to do so. I know she will be fine im just worried shes gonna get worse with her illness because of stress.Men ey.

One of the hardest things to deal with being so far away from your loved ones is being away from the people that know you best and only being able to communicate merely through the telephone. I missing out on so much, their lives are changing of which im not part of. Little Hannah is three now, im told her speech is coming on leaps and bounds because of her young age she almost forgets who i am when i go back, i have to start all over again with the ground work. From being part of her life on a weekly basis. This summer i will take her out and get to know her new three year old little self, thats the best i can do for now untill shes able to talk to me properly on the phone.

Anyways enough of the whinge... Skype absofunkinglutly brilliant invention. Im not sure i need to add much more to that, if you use skype you just know!

Also loverly evening summed up consists of two films, knocked up and Family Guy. Homemade burgers.Sheesh.Pillows and the gang. All of which managed to happen while i did work. Fun and academic :p

Shelley-Ann x

Afternoon...

Good afternoon.Id firstly like to say last minute nights out can sometimes be the best nights. Last night was testiment to this and so is my current headache.The story of my life is a constant headache. Anyways, so revolver was pretty good, not so sure about the shoeless man in the corner dancing like he was summoning the spirits like. Im also not so sure about Eddies sexual predator friend burning my hand, creating a blister while trying to convince me im missing out by being straight! Its also not about walking home from town while the sun comes up, two steps forward one back. Im not really playing this night up but it was good!

Right im sure how im gonnna use this blog except for just ramble on and update the life of moi. Interesting much we shall see.

List of things to do today...
-Eat
-Tidy room (tidy space, tidy mind)
-Crack out 500 words on social policy assigment.
-Reseach wellbeing in regard to students and drug abuse.

Wellbeing is quite an interesting topic, however i do find it quite difficult to understand how they can make such a subject worth 70% of my module. Health and social care is such a big subject with alot of interesting factors and they choose wellbeing, surely we should be learning more about social services etc I will not be par-taking in that module next year, i just havernt leanrt enough or feeling like im getting much out of it.

Right enough procrastination... on with work :)

Shelley-Ann x