off travelling the world...

…or at least France and Russia.

I’ve recently found out where I shall be spending a year of my life as of September. I gave my preferences, but really I could have ended up bloody anywhere. Instead, the British Council decided they liked me enough to give me my first area choice - Grenoble! I was too excited when I opened the email that bore the letters GRE, mainly because I was terrified I’d be given a place in France that I’d never even heard of before. Lucky me. However, I then held mixed reactions to the news that I would be teaching in a secondary school. Bratty, bitchy, cocky, loud teenagers - at least that’s what i’m assuming they’ll be like, based on my behaviour in secondary school. I’d like to think i’ve grown up since coming to uni, and become.. well, maybe just a little less bratty. Got to work on that. I’ve never even visited Grenoble, all I know is that it’s in the Southeast of France, “at the foot of the Alpes" - all i’m thinking is skiing every weekend, screw the kids! It looks beautiful from pictures, and I was recommended the region by final years who were extremely envious of their “lucky friends in Grenoble" - winner.

The idea of my year abroad now excites me, not terrifies the hell outta me. Except maybe when I visit Russia next summer - then, I will most definitely be terrified. Completely disregarding the idea of travelling alone to Russia (i’m not suicidal), me and a friend have ditched the idea of spending 4 months in Petrozavodsk (exactly - where?!) seeing as it’s in the middle of nowhere and clearly no one has heard of it for a reason. Instead, we’re returning to St. Petersburg to continue our rendez-vus in the numerous parks playing Yaniv, and taking pictures of every single building that looks remotely ‘pretty’. I’ll be leaving the bratty french kids behind (and with it my teaching career), to pick up some decent Russian education in some half-decent Russian school.

Nevertheless, I still have 4 exams (YES half way!), my 20th birthday and a summer plentiful of amazing experiences ahead of me, before i’m jetting off around the world. I love life :)

Below   -   top: Grenoble     bottom: St Petersburg 2011

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"

- actually kate, as much as I love you, I really enjoy the taste of food.

In my head, this is me after I finish my degree. Living wild and free in Paris. Perhaps with a pixie crop like One Day’s Emma.. but then again I think I’d look like a lesbian.

Shoot for the moon. even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars

- Les Brown

A quote I think of when feeling negative; that reminds me of my best friends and home. oh, and that Pitbull song.

never lie in oral exams - your mum will probably hate you.

2 down, 6 more to go. Started on the 8th May, finish on the 8th June. And yes this is a competition. I clearly win.. and lose, seeing as i’m the unlucky twat who has been given the pleasure of having to sit 8 exams. Second year is slowly but surely killing me! On top of that, i’m the biggest drama queen going, so things will be expressed ten times worst than reality. I’ve resorted to venting my anger on here, leaving the pack of chocolate digestives far away from my reach - not that this makes a difference now, seeing as I’ve already eaten the whole of its contents.

Oral exams are over, which are undoubtedly the most stressful part of a language students exam period. French went pretty well, considering I blagged the whole thing. Being given the hugely feminine topic of sport, I spoke about how i’m an avid Arsenal supporter, go to near on every match played at the Emirates, and how I just love football when it unites us all.. What a loada bollocks. I feel obliged to support Arsenal because my mum and brother wouldn’t like me much if I didn’t. When the examiner asked if supporting Arsenal brought disputes to the family, I did something to my mother that was deemed even worst than simply not being a fan of the club.. I told the examiner that “yes, football does cause disputes in our family.. because my mum is a Tottenham supporter". This clearly brought in a wave of conversation, seeing as the lovely french lady had no idea why this would cause disputes.. She had much to learn.

When my mum asked what we spoke about in the exam, I said “oh, you know, about how sport is an instrument of social cohesion, supporting Arsenal.. the usual.. and erm, something about you and Tottenham, but that doesn’t matter, so how’s work?" There was silence, until my mum finally took in what I’d just said.. “you did.. WHAT?!" She then went on to say how it was totally unfair that I’d said she was the Tottenham fan; “why didn’t you say your father was? And are you sure you’re allowed to lie in your exam?" Yes mother, I can say whatever I like. Because believe it or not, the french lady does not have a folder containing the ins and outs of my life, which she can whip out when I say something believed to be a lie, and say: “oh sorry, i’m going to have to stop you there, because you’re actually lying. It says here, your mother is in fact an Arsenal supporter". Thanks for the laughs mum.

Russian oral was not as interesting, actually more like a disaster, so I think we’ll leave that one. Now to stop procrastinating, and get on with revision for the 6 exams looming over my strangely large head.

YOLO

In April, Drake brought his brilliant Canadian self to Nottingham - an opportunity I could in no way miss. My extreme love for the YMCMB star predominantly stemmed from his most recent album, Take Care - 19 tracks of pure excellence. The majority of the crowd was either high, pissed, or terrifying. The boyf and I looked a bit out of place, surrounded by either annoying sixteen year old girls, or completely ripped boys with huge arms and tiny legs. It was hilarious. We got high off of everyone else’s smoke, and bounced along to the one and a half hour set. The Motto was crying out to be the finale, and we all bloody loved it. The whole tour crew came on stage, and i’m pretty sure the crowd were singing along louder than Drake himself. The song choices were bang on, the set was incredible, and the love for his UK fans is undeniable.

I would recommend anyone who is into this genre of music, and who doesn’t spend their time slagging off Drake for being too ‘mainstream’ (seriously, the fact that you are so intent on being alternative is laughable. Live a little, and like whoever the hell you want!), to pay a somewhat silly price for his next tour. Believe me, it’s worth it.

Oh, and one more thing: YOLO, welcome to club paradise.