Family walk in the woods

Yesterday I managed to persuade Carlos that it was a good idea to go for a family walk in the woods.  Carlos hates walking.  Also mud.  Also cold.  Also enforced family socialisation.

It's never easy to talk him into anything that involves all of the above but I managed it by promising a warm pub and a few games at the mid-point.  He did waver slightly when he discovered we weren't going by the most direct possible route ("the whole point is that it's supposed to be scenic, DARLING") but we got there in the end ;-)

There was some complaining (mostly about the mud) although I managed to quiet him when I suggested that if he couldn't keep to his half of the deal (being nice) then I couldn't keep to mine (beer & games)....

Anyway, it was just stunningly beautiful:

Autumn is not my most favourite season (I absolutely love winter and spring is probably second) but the woods were at their very best on Sunday.  It was a beautiful day and I was on top of my workload and everything was right with the world.

By the time we got home, darkness had fallen and everyone was in a very cheerful mood indeed.  The only slight sad point was that Dogbreath couldn't join us as her arthritis is still bad.  She's having X-rays at the vet on Wednesday so hopefully rambles in the countryside will be back in her future.

As for me... I'm starting thermodynamics in Chemistry tomorrow.  I am doing something called enthalpy...  I've seen the diagrams and it's not going to be pretty.  But somehow I will prevail!

Ah, poor neglected blog

Hello, sorry for not posting (again)!   I've been busy.

My course is going well.  Yesterday I found out I scored 95% in the assessed practical, the highest mark in the class!!  I couldn't believe it and at first thought it must be a mistake.   So that was pretty amazing.  I've also got a distinction in my Chemistry lab report and in my first Chemistry assignment. Last Friday I did a timed biology essay and I am fairly confident I got a distinction there too.

So far, so good.  I am on track.  In fact I'm about a tenth of the way to success already!

I also have got a volunteer job at a hospital in the Dietetics department.  I know that it's vital to get some vocational experience as it really helps convince universities that you know what you're letting yourself in for.  I had terrible trouble getting a place but with a bit of luck and a lot of persistence, I start next Thursday.  I am the first volunteer the department has ever had!  I hope to be a useful member of the team and can hardly wait to get started.  These opportunities are like gold dust.

Unfortunately all this going on has left me with little time for blogging.  I need to focus and get on with the task in hand.  Today was an inset day so I have been busy with Amber and her friend all day (repaying the favour of her mother having Amber after school every week!)

So now, I must work.  I have another lab report, my UCAS personal statement to rewrite, some notes from yesterday to write up, some photos to print from yesterday's dissection and some reading to do for biology.  And if I have any spare time, I could do with getting some revision together.  It never ends!

Never give up... never surrender!

The last full day I was at college was 24th October.  Half term is only a week, but the way it has fallen I've had twelve clear days.    I've worked on my studies on every day bar one, I think.  I have done hours upon hours of studying including researching and writing an essay, writing up two lab reports, doing a titration and several microscope drawings, practicing my calculations for an assessed practical this week, memorising notecards for a timed essay, rehearsing the timed essay and re-filing and categorising all my notes so far.  And rewriting my UCAS personal statement, and having an interview for my voluntary job at the hospital, and reading ahead for the next topic.  Phew!

I am finally, FINALLY finished, at almost 10pm the night before I go back.  And to think this is meant to be a holiday... I dread to think what Christmas will be like as I have exams looming in January.

And yet, I feel quite positive and upbeat.  I've had some time to relax, I've seen friends and family, I've started reading with Amber again and I've been running every other day.  I feel strong.

I finally faced up to my fears this weekend.

I said the words out loud: What if I fail?  What if I don't get the grades?

I realised I could always re-sit the whole year; it would show perseverance and determination, and next year would be so much easier.  I'd be more confident, I wouldn't have to spend so much time on the basic stuff, I could focus on mastering the bits I've found difficult.  There's no reason why I can't do that, if I have to.  It'd involve swallowing some pride, but surely that's better than going back to a dead end job.  And anyway, the Course Team leader has already told me he thinks I'll get the grades.  I can't do any more than I am already doing.  If it's not enough, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

And what if I don't get past the interview?  What if the admissions tutors don't like me?  Then what?

Then I get another year of volunteering and reading research papers and preparing.  I approach more hospitals for experience, visit more universities, travel further afield.  I learn more about dietetics.  I rewrite my personal statement a few more hundred times and submit it at the first possible opportunity.  And if that doesn't work?  I go abroad and study at a foreign university.  Nothing is impossible.

And relax...

There's something indescribably comforting about being in bed at my mum's house, snuggled under blankets she made herself, listening to the faint sounds of her looking after my offspring and knowing that I have nothing specific expected of me today.

Happiness is...

... a brand new shiny pair of wellies!