Thoughts, 2 years down the line.

Travelling is supposed to widen the soul, open the eyes and tire your feet; however, after a year of travelling around two continents (South-East Asia and Europe) I felt I was still lacking the knowledge of myself. Most people travel to find themselves as in the mix of the madness of general life it seems an impossible feat. For example,  Henry David Thoreau stated that “it is not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves”.

However, it was not until I returned home did I really begin to understand my self fully. What triggered this epiphany however, was something that I did not expect. I traveled to Worlds End, taught in Sri Lankan schools, I found solace in Buddhist temples, I city hopped throughout Europe and visited the haunted site of Auschwitz; but yet it was another person who helped me explore the person I really am and he doesn’t even know it.

I’ll pull the story back to the beginning of the year, I’ve just finished University and the idea of a ‘real job’ seemed too a) scary and b) out of my reach with no experience. I started working in a bar to fund my big adventure and seemed to loose sight of my intelligence – who I really am; choosing alcohol over books, swearing over politeness and morals that are less than to be desired. However, in my first 3 month trip I learnt a lot about those less fortunate than ourselves and how the simple life seems to make them ten times happier than we are in the Western world. It truly opened my eyes not to myself but to those around me.

I returned to the bar, another 3 months passed and in this time more than 80 people have passed through employment. I’ve met a lot of people, some that have made a lasting impression and others that have not at all. But one thing is common between them, most have little job aspirations. They live in the moment rather than for the future. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with that, but without a career goal or travelling dreams what is the point in living in the moment. I say live for the moment and aim towards the future. After all it’s all about the journey not necessarily the goal.

In these three months I met somebody who has become crucial in my search for myself. I couldn’t give him more credit if I tried – but I will. He is a gentleman, polite, has an amazing personality, a good sense of humor and has very strong morals as to what is right and wrong. He is training to become a marine, going through the process of signing up (hard as you may think) he has strong focus and an even stronger will. It was only once I returned did I realize how much he resembles a personality of mine and has qualities that I can only dream of having.

I know what you’re thinking, this is some kind of romance short story but truly it isn’t. I have no romantic feelings towards the guy whatsoever. It is so hard to explain without sounding selfish, but one day I will tell him how much of a influence he’s had on my life I don’t think he will ever truly know.

Involving myself in conversation with him has meant that I remember how it feels to talk about the meaning of life and to discuss world events. He has reminded me often of my pig-headedness as he reminds me that gossiping is pointless and bitchy. He has helped me remember how much respect I have for the armed forces (despite the fact he hates all else apart from the marines) and has encouraged me to follow my dreams, rather than those that other people tell me I should do.

In fact last night his quote to me was one by Will Smith:

“You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right?” – Will Smith

To me it just seems a little ironic. I have caught the wanderlust bug that’s for sure and all my travels have not been wasted in any respects. It’s just such a simple thing, that finding myself was not in a national park in Sri Lanka or on a beach in tranquil Thailand. It was at home, with a friend, somebody whose morals equal mine – I just slipped off the path I was headed in the way for a bar and University lifestyle.

So I’d like to thank you friend and remind all those readers out there that you do not need to travel or to “get out” of your lifestyle, sometimes you just need to open your eyes and ears to those who are standing right beside you.

Freshers Summarized

Freshers Summarized

So freshers week was, well eventful. I really wish I’d have updated every day but I was just too busy / hungover! I managed to go out 5 out of 6 nights, with the other night working at the pub. I went to a house party and the other nights to clubs.

I genuinely forgot how good house parties are! I turned up to the house late, practically not knowing anybody but I ended up chatting to random people about stuff that probably wouldn’t take place in everyday conversations! The place was packed and the police even appeared at one point (it was on a terrasse road so the noise carried easily), generally everybody is way too drunk and trying to use kitchen appliances (in this case, trying to cook garlic bread). If anybody else is holding house parties – please! Let me know and I will be there haha!

The rest of freshers was just messy. One night we ended in the local 90s bar called Babylon, the prices are stupidly cheap so everybody was wrecked including one of my friends who ended up being carried out by the bouncers and put into a taxi. The student union opened its club doors for one night only which was good as it was mostly second and third years and if you’ve ever been privileged enough to hear of Sam and the Womp and their song (it’s really bad, I’ve linked it) well I have had the privilege of seeing them live and in true freshers style they weren’t worth it.

Anyway, so first day of lectures tomorrow. I’ve recently realised that this year is actually going to be horrendous (work wise) so I’m stressing out already!

First night of Freshers!

I’m afraid this will be a quick post. It’s the first night in Freshers, we have our tickets and so now it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty of drinking! We have a list as long as your arm of drinking games to play (international rules of course) and enough alcohol to make a small army tipsy let alone 5 girls absolutely wrecked!

Technically I started drinking at 3 o’clock because I had a cocktail after work but trust me, we have customers coming in at ridiculously early for their morning pint!

We’re off to Tiger tonight, hopefully will see lots of people we’ve been missing over the holidays! I hope you have a good night in whatever you’re up to – I know I will!

Countdown to freshers!

So it’s 2 days until Freshers starts officially. I know it’s my third year and I should be more focused on my work but this is the last chance I will get until I finish, if not later for me to truly let go and not have too much to worry about so I plan to enjoy it!

Like any other student I have my litre vodka bottle at the ready, 5 packets of paracetamol (not just for freshers but it’ll be needed) and a 12 pack of bacon to get me through the hangovers. Seeing as this is my last freshers, I’ll be one of the oldies and I’m pretty sure I’ll get into the clubs and find that I’m one of those oldest there but hey!

My first freshers week was pretty wild and will be one of the most memorable (and forgotten due to the alcohol)  times of my University life and the second year even more so. Broken feet, meeting strangers, walking through Uni and random people coming up to you who recognise you from the night before and the majority of the time you have no idea who they are; are all parts of becoming a student which will occur to every person by the end of the term! Don’t be surprised if, by the end of Freshers week you are known in the kebab shop next to your halls even if you only ever order cheesy chips!

In the run up to Freshers, while the students start returning people start to go out. Now I don’t work in a student pub but some students came in last night. I lost a bet with one of the lads who everybody else backed up as the ‘worst’ at pool; if he won he got my number, if he lost he would get me a drink. Didn’t seem like the worst bet in the world, after all I am ready for something new in my life. So after a very, very long game of pool I lost, he won and got my number. Unfortunately it turns out this guy is very clingy, I’ve met him maybe twice in my life and now he is obsessively calling and texting me. All I can say is that I’m so glad that he can’t see my reactions to what I’ve read! I really hope this isn’t a sign for things to come in freshers…

Making Champagne

There’s a word I’m looking for: Alive.

It’s a word somebody said to me once, maybe two. Two syllables, just two meaningless exhalations of breath. Two notes of this language that can be played minor and major, but never intentionally—it seems to break little differently upon the ears of each person.

“Alive”—say it to yourself now, whisper it, feel it on your lips, your tongue, taste what you hear it to be. Alive. Mouth it if prying ears are seated too close, this is for you.

Alive.

Alive means breathing. Alive means thinking. Alive means excitement. Alive means wasteless, Alive means untapped discovery. Alive means pain, that pit that gathers in your gut when you have to choose. Alive means a world, you know, the one you sense, at least sometimes. Alive means something beyond you, something you can see, feel, touch, love.

This is everyone’s “Alive”

But what do…

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Redefining “Alive”

Redefining “Alive”.

We ARE young

Well the majority of us students are! So let us make our own choices, free from judgement and ready to create our own downfalls; because we can!

First post

So it’s my final year doing an undergraduate degree in Psychology. I’ve decided that writing a blog would be the best way to document my year from freshers to graduation, from the highs of drunken antics without the parents eagle eyes to the lows of actually having to do work (which will probably mean all nighters in the library because it’s my last year, sorry guys).

 

A little bit about me: my name is Gemma, I go to the University of Portsmouth and live in Southsea, I have a job working in a pub in Southsea so spend the majority of my holidays around the Portsmouth area although I originally come from Kent.

Anyway it’s freshers next week, exciting stuff! The students are starting to return and lectures start in 2 weeks. I have a grand total of 8 hours a week, I can tell this is going to be a strenuous year. So my posts will get properly started then, hang on because it’s going to be a bumpy ride! 🙂

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