31st October 2005

I know I do a lot of the whole 'one year ago...' thing, but if I have to be reminded of it all
you lot can very well go through it with me! So one year ago today, I'd stayed up all night to get my essay written, drunken 3/4 of a bottle of vodka, shed a few tears, screamed a few frustrations and with an hour to go emailed the essay, packed and jumped on the train to Russia. I had an amazing three days in Moscow and then 3 days in St Petersburg and made some great friends who I'm still in contact with today. How lucky have I been the last year :-) (It was my dad's birthday then as well!!!)

All Hallows Eve

I procrastinated in the library the other day for a good hour and a half finding out about the reasons behind all the traditions in the UK over the month of November for my international students. So may as well post them on here as well!
Halloween 31st October
Halloween has its roots in Celtic Ireland and can be seen in the ‘Jack O Lantern’. The Jack O Lantern is a traditional item for children to take trick or treating with them. It consists of a hollowed pumpkin, (originally turnips) with a face sketched in and a lit candle placed inside. It comes from the legend of a man, Jack, in Ireland who made a pact with the Devil. In the Ancient times the 31st of October was the last day of the Celtic year and it was seen as a day when the spirits of the dead would come back to life and haunt the living. In order to ward off these spirits the Celts would wear scary costumes, so as to scare off the spirits. The festival was then adapted by the Romans and Christians. The name Halloween derives from the term ‘Hallows Eve’ (the day before ‘Hallows Day’). The Christian Church used these names (the Roman Catholic Church still uses All Saints Day (1st November) and All Souls Day (2nd November) within it’s liturgical calendar) as an opportunity to remember those who had died and risen with Christ in a new life in Heaven.Nowadays the feast is seen as one for children who dress up in scary costumes and go round the streets knocking on doors for sweets. Each year we have a big halloween party in college and usually get very drunk! I wasn't drinking that night so the pictures of me are pretty dull but thought you'd appreciate a couple of pictures anyway! It's also my daddy's birthday today :-)

!

durham is cold...

...i am cold!

yay!

Just got this message from facebook: (if only this was around last year when I was writing my essay on religious education in the UK!)

SUCCESS!

The amendment to allow Local Authorities to impose quotas on the admissions to new faith schools was overhwelmingly defeated 119 votes to 37.

This marks a fantastic victory for faith schools in Britain. Watching from the galleries, there was a real sense of accomplishment amongst Parliamentarians that this retrograde measure had been defeated so convincingly; only the most ardent secularists sided with Baker. Thank you to all those who wrote in.

In the last two weeks faith schools were threatened by the Government, the Opposition, and by a minority of secularists excited at the chance of undermining faith education. Through your action and the actions of others, we have seen:

-a U-Turn in Government policy
-a change in Conservative policy
-a change in Liberal Democrat policy
-an important debate about the contribution of faith schools to British society
-a preservation of the great success story of British education

A job well-done, and a job that may need doing again.

there's no place like...home

Went home this weekend. Part of it was for a surprise birthday for my dad and part was for lunch with Jenna who I'd promised to come home and see, but to be honest, most of it was that I just wanted to go home and get away from Durham for a bit. I've only been there three weeks now but it's so intense all of the time and there's so much pressure on you. The party on Saturday was great. Dad was surprised to see everyone, particularly the Lynch's from America and me. I just felt so relaxed. Little Nathan, who's nearly one now was a happy chappy as usual all day and having taken his first steps the other day has taken to exploring and eating anything put in front of him! At nearly one I decided it was high time he took to the piano and every time he pressed a note he did a little dance with it! My dad told me I'm not allowed one though so it looks like it's back to Durham for me, back to the stress and work load, but hey, I'm a third of the way through term- can't be that long left right?!

there's no place like...Durham

was a few minutes early for my class last Thursday so filled the time by going to the Sharp Library inside the cathedral to return a couple of overdue books and pay the fine! As I entered the cathedral I felt a stab in my chest as I always do. I can't describe what it is but I always have to stop and think. And it always crosses my mind how lucky I am to study in Durham and have this amazing place to go in whenever I want, and that I wouldn't choose to be anywhere else. So after I took the books I decided to go and visit Bede. Having spent half a year at primary school in a graveyard every week as part of our history project, I've always found it weird and uncomfortable visiting graves. I can always picture the rotting bodies and bones underneath the loving wishes. But there was something comforting in visiting Bede the other day, something that just made me want to be there and nearly made me late for my lecture! However much my faith fails me these days, there has always been something about Durham Cathedral that takes my breath away and replaces it with warmth and love.

Loveshack...baby loveshack...

I feel the need to make a comment about the new club in Durham, 'Loveshack'. Now Durham is crap for clubs, it doesn't pretend not to be. What with Klute, the worst voted club in Europe, and a total of 4 other clubs or something the city leaves a lot to be desired. So you can imagine our interest at a new club appearing on what is going to be a whole new complex in Durham! I've ended up in there three nights in a row this week-hence the need to talk about it. Now you all know me- getting me to go out sometimes can be like pulling teeth, so how did I end up there three nights running? By complete and utter chance actually!
Sunday night: supposed to get the boat on an exec/freps social but the boat driver was too pissed so it wasn't running!!
Monday night: supposed to go to the cinema with Zoe for my birthday. Ended up losing track of time, missing films so going with Zoe and Theo for a night out.
Tuesday night: went to the bar (drinking lemonade!) on a house social I didn't want to be at. Was introduced to a fresher's mum, who fell in love with me and dragged me out herself! How?!
hmmm...Have to say though, the shoe shaped chairs, comfy booths, Loveshack camper van and seventies memorabilia, along with the great music means that you can be there sober and still have a really good night out. But thankfully tonight, I get to stay in and rest cos those nights out, although I've not drunk much, have not helped my sore throat which is still very sore get better :-(. As for Loveshack- welcome to Durham and bring on Old Boys in a few weeks!

Flappers and Gangsters formal

Thursday was the first formal of term (fresher's formal doesn't count) and it was a 1920's themed formal, so rather than be a flapper, having submitted with a table of boys I joined them as a gangster. At the fresher's formal I have to admit that I wasn't sure if it was the fresher's being lame or if I'd just turned into a hardcore scandinavian drinker, and formals had become very tame. But no fear, this formal was carnage as usual, and although I probably wasn't that drunk (haven't been properly drunk in ages- turned into a very boring fourth year!) everyone else was and so the night was very successful and amusing. The main problem I seem to have at the moment is that I can't resist posing for pictures. I never used to but I think a year of being round Mis' camera as he snapped away consistently has made me be stupid whenever I get in front of the lens now! As you can see though, some people had no choice but to look stupid as they had their face decorated with purple lipstick! Poor Tom...he had purple eybrows for a couple of days afterwards because it just wouldn't come off....ahhh, welcome back Maria!

Oct06-Birmingham

I'm a bit behind in these posts, had a hectic few days and they're only going to get more hectic so thought I'd use this opportunity now to update. Last weekend we went to Birmingham for Oct06. The conference was actually really good despite the fact I was dying with fresher's flu and it was nice, if not a bit weird, to see so many people that we knew from so many different parts of our lives, confirming that the Catholic world is very much tiny! The only main problem we had was that we discovered Birmingham is actually nowhere near Durham! Leaving college at 5.30am last Saturday we had a 5hour journey to Birmingham ready for the conference starting almost immediately. Then on Sunday we had to wait for the 9pm train back, and after an hour and a half delay at York because the bus broke down, we arrived back at college at 3.30am. Needless to say last Monday I pretty much slept all day! This picture of Zoe pretty much shows how we felt for most of the weekend....!

Old habits die hard

I went for a walk this evening. Just needed to clear my head, get the coggs going that have been so stifled all week. It was lovely to be able to head out in just jeans and a hoody! It's been a long time since I walked the streets of Durham. I had an ice cream for my dry, sore throat and my ipod playing. One of the songs I'd downloaded today came on (that's what happens when you play the recently played list!) The song is one I first sang at Camilla's wedding a month ago, but also one I sang in Birmingham this weekend. Typical p&w song really. But there was something about it...I dunno maybe it's with the context of this weekend, it got me thinking. I found my feet walking me towards church, even though I'd originally dismissed walking in this area of the city as it would be too busy with too many people around and I wanted space. My attendance in church this year has been abysmal, i know. But this song fired something up inside me and I found myself looking at Mass times (cos it's been that long I've forgotten them all!). Then I walked back up past the prison and finally back to college. It has been weird being back in Durham. So much of my old life and the person I used to be wrapped up in the places I go to. Maybe I needed some familiarity tonight, I don't know, but there was definitely something comforting in, just for a few moments, feeling right again near these places.

Why not to do a BA in arts...

I just found this website about an Australian theatre production with the opening quote:
what lies behind us
and what lies before us
are tiny matters when compared
with what lies within us (Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet and philosopher)
My initial thought was, I love it! Can be saved along with Maria's 60,000 other quotes stored in various places of her life.
THEN I started thinking about the presentation I gave today on the Jesus of History vs the Christ of Faith and whether the two could actually be separated or indeed joined together. We pretty much came to the conclusion that when in a relationship with anyone you learn about them through their history as well as their present and so to just live with the Christ of Faith is impossible without some of the Jesus of History, but to just learn about the historical person of Jesus makes him another person in history and not alive through the resurrection, in our lives today. So re-reading over that quote means that what lies within us IS what lies behind us. and will make what lies before us. So basically it's a load of rubbish. Thank you degree for making me the most cynical person in the world...think I was happier when my quotes used to excite me!

Start of term...

So the posts kind of stopped half way through fresher's week- I have no excuses other than that I was absolutely knackered. After Prehistoric night we had toga night with corridor drinking games, 70's night on the Pince Bishop boat, a Celidh and kareoke for Futuristic night. All the nights were actually great fun. On the Wednesday morning we also attended matriculation at the University which was a very cute little service and makes me proud to be at a traditional university like Durham. Amidst all these crazy nights I was trying to register (which 6 months down the line was still causing me a lot of grief) and starting lectures. I've now had a lecture in each of my modules and a dissertation meeting and so am ready to fight the year. The work has been good so far but I'm already feeling a bit swamped by the level of academia here. Maybe it's because I haven't done much theology since the end of April but there's a part of me that just feels inferior to all the other third years here- I'm sure it will just take some work, and I've been spending a lot of time in the library already. I have my first presentation tomorrow afternoon which should be fine (hopefully!) but am not happy that fresher's flu, which has been lingering and threatening me for a week finally hit in last night. I've spent all day today in bed shivering and shaking with a pain in my head that I think would have been less painful if a gun had been put to it and shot. But finally now, at about midnight my heads clear enough (though still very painful- as is my back, and my throat is still burning) to do a bit of work. The joys of being a student!

Fresher's Week: Prehistoric Night

Tuesday night: Prehistoric Night! I've been knackered all day but somehow found the energy to get into the spirit of tonight. As a sabor-tooth tiger my teeth that Clare made for me caused a stir amongst everyone (and the fact that Becky couldn't look at me without laughing all night!) I also grew very fond of my furry tail and am thinking of making it a permanent fixture! It also meant that I got to wear my gorgeous chocolate brown jeans and boots which I missed so much when I was in Finland. All in all a good night. We did some fun games with the fresher's and the bbq seemed to go well. The fresher's all excelled themselves in costumes and although I've opted for a quiet night in as I'm up at 6.30am tomorrow for uni matriculation I should imagine it will turn into a good night out for everyone who's gone!

Summer no longer

Had to nip into town this afternoon to register (which I couldn't do so have to go down tomorrow for the third day in a row- it's a very sore point!) As I was running late (I blame Mis- I was never late until I met him!;-)) I decided to go prebends bridge way (see picture). Such a hardship to have to take shortcuts through beautiful areas of the city! As I hurried over the bridge and up towards the cathedral I was delighted to see that the road was spilled with conkers! It was so picturesque and I smiled to myself and thought Autumn is here! As a child I loved Autumn because it was my birthday. Now I'm not fussed about the birthday bit, but there's something about the crisp air and crunchy leaves that makes me want to wrap up warm and walk for hours :-)

Fresher's week: Ice Age formal.

Everything at Aidan's is nothing but manic at the moment! I got back here last Saturday and we've been preparing all week for the fresher's to arrive. From last Wednesday my international students started arriving and then all the English fresher's showed up on Sunday. Sunday was a long day. Many of us were up from 7.30am and didn't get to bed till 1am (due to an unplanned house party we started after the bar had closed) working the whole day. By yesterday afternoon after another very early start and matriculation the whole exec and freshers reps looked knackered- and we were. I managed to get a forty minute sleep in which I was very pleased about! But as you can see from this picture above we managed to find the energy to give the fresher's a proper Aidan's formal. The theme of the week is 'Aidan's through the Ages' and last night was the 'Ice Age' formal. It was great fun and gave me an opportunity to meet lots more freshers. After the meal and the bop in the jcr some of us headed into town and partied late into the night at loft. Good job we've got a day off today (well I have to register in town) until Prehistoric night tonight.

the three girls I was sat at the formal with, Sabrina, Harrie and Emma.
My daughter Louise who I met last night for the first time.