Results Are In!

Finally, the results from the 2 assignments I have submitted so far are in.  I got 54 (2:2 equiv') for Counselling Skills and Process 1 and I got 58 (2:2 equiv') for my Humanistics Theories and Principles essay and 72 (some kind of first) for the presentation part of this assignment.

Athough the results are pretty good for a first year attempt, I am still conscious of the fact that I couldn't hit level 4 at Northern College.  I have set my goal for university at a 2:1, that is the lowest degree I want to leave with.  If I keep getting marks like that, I will not make my goal target.

I am still suffering with the social aspect of my uni' life, and do miss my friends and family very much.  When I was at home, I didn't visit them very much but being away from home has made me realise just how much I appreciate and love them.  Fiona came to York on Monday (14th February) with Cameron and Shakila.  That was really special for me, to be able to spend the day with them.  We looked around town, came back to uni' for lunch and then went back in to town.  If it had been a nicer day, we could have done a lot more..............but there's always the good weather after Easter to come.  York is usually a heat trap and some really good days out can be had.

I have decided, in an attempt to lose weight and support a worthy cause, to give up all forms of takeaway for lent this year.  The takeaways will not be happy but The Salvation Army in Doncaster will be :).  I have decided that all donations, and the money I save from not eating takeaways, will go to support DREAM (a project of Doncaster Salvation Army).  More information about DREAM can be found by clicking on the 'donate' button below.  This will take to my JustGiving page.

Semester Two Slip-Ups

Semester Two is due to start on Monday (1st February) but I still do not know my full timetable.............how shit is that?  What makes it even more shittier is the fact that additonal support services are now under pressure to arrange a support worker when the timetable is finally completed.

The original elective module I selected has been cancelled, but I discovered it second hand from another student.............I wasn't on the email list!  Now!  The second module I have chosen is running at the same time as a core module, can you believe it?

Registry and Faculty keep telling me to talk to each department, so they both don't know what is going on.  So I have sent an email to the head of department informing them that I will transfer to another university unless I am given a module that I would like to do...................after all, I'm paying for it!

Better Late Than Never

Wow!  I haven't been on here for a while have I?  What have I been up to?  Well!  I spent a new years eve with one of my very few best mates, he had a wee party at his house.  It was ace!  He laid on a wee buffet, I took a joint of ham along (which went down quite well) and we listened to music, played on the wii, had a laugh and got slightly merry.  We brought the new year in hand in hand to Auld Lang Syne...........then drunk some more-haha!

I completed my Counselling Skills essay the best I could.  I didn't really understand what the criteria was aksing of me, so I just did it my way making sure I covered what I thought it was telling me to-hahaha!  I came back to uni' on the 10th January (Sunday) as I had to print off and hand my essay in by the Tuesday.  I just have to wait for the outcome now, fingers crossed!

Before coming back, I booked tickets to Inverness for the end of February.  I am going to see a new celtic rock band play at Hoots'.  Coast are a Southern based band who recently released their deut album entitled 'Coast'.  What a fantastically inspirational album it is too, I really can't wait to meet the lads and share a beer with them.  The lead singer of the band is Paul Eastham who is an amazing pianist.  You can find out more about Coast by visiting their website at www.coastrock.co.uk.  You can also check out the various videos on Youtube and Facebook (I will add some to my video section too).

12th January (Tuesday) was my first day volunteering for The Wilberforce Trust in York.  As part of my 'Helping in the Community' module, we have to do a certain number of hours.  I am a befriending volunteer and sit and talk to a service user in their home for an hour each week.  There is the opportunity for me to do more hours by undertaking training abd getting involved with events and group activities.

After my first volunteering session, I disappeard home again as I had a PS3 coming that week.  I got home to find my keyboard wasn't working, so had to fork out for another.  I did bring the old one back here to test, but it still doesn't work..........I'm making good use of the wireless mouse here though-hehe!

Today (Wednesday 20th January), I went to see the Physio again.  I'm having trouble with my left thigh area, I get a pins and needles sensation in it on a frequent basis.  She prodded and poked me (which was quite enjoyable really, even if it did hurt) and came to the conclusion that I must have trapped nerves.......maybe something to do with my back pain.  I've to continue with the exercises that she gave me, with the addition of another, and go back in a few weeks.

I have just listened to Coast and am now listening to The GiveWay, which is making me feel tired-haha!  The GiveWay are a four piece celtic band from Scotland.  The girls have been influenced by music from an early age and have been involved with their current project since 1998.  In 2008, Brian Hurran (of Runrig) produced a cover single for the girls entitled 'The Water Is Wide'.  This can be heard at www.myspace.com/givewaymusic.

Boxing Day - The real one

After discovering that Boxing Day is really the first weekday after Christmas day, I would like to say happy Boxing day-haha!  As usual, I have been sleeping too much and haven't started my essay yet.  The flat needs tidying, my bed needs changing and I need to get dressed...............but I can't be bothered to do any of it!!!!

I have booked my return ticket from Inverness to York, so am all set to go see Coast (http://www.coastrock.co.uk/) at Hootananny's in Inverness on 27th February-yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!  Try the debut album from Coast, it's fantastic.  The band have come a very long way in a short space of time and I can see great happenings for them.

I went in to town yesterday and met up with Mummybear, McFifi, Camerooniepoo and Shakilabum.  I think Mummybear must have put her knickers on twisted, 'cause she was moaning about the kids and I making noise and people looking at us.  They are 4 and 8, they are allowed to do silly things.  I can get away with it because I am playing with them and I don't really give a shit anyway :D.  McFifi pointed out that I had a forrest growing from my noise, so I had to buy a trimmer......but I bought tweezers too, just 'cause it feels nice plucking the hairs (I know, I'm mad.......but hey).

I'm going to town again in a bit to get some pop.  I'm out and Pwincess Laura wouldn't bring me any of hers (the tight bitch-haha).

Santa's Been - Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!

Santa's been *spud claps hands and cheers*.  I awoke at 6:20am after a few hours sleep, I was excited :D.  After texting my Sister to tell her to slap the kids awake, I got up to open my own presents.  I must have been and extremely good boy this year as I had quite a bit to open.

I got 2 jumpers and a thick hoodie, boxers, socks, lots of nice smellies, shortbread, t-shirts, jack daniels, sweeties and £110 in total........not bad for a poor student eh?

I made a decision to stop at home this year because I can't afford to return presents and would have felt more guilty and uncomfortable sitting there opening presents from the family when I haven't got anything from them.  I know it seems silly (and I'm fed up of people telling me I am silly) but it is my way of dealing with it (or avoiding it, whichever way you want to look at it).  It is something for me to analyse and explore................not just yet though, I'm too lazy to think-haha!

I have food in the fridge and cupboard, the freezer is always full because I'm too lazy to cook for myself and I have bought some mini turkey breasts to cook for dinner and sandwiches.  I have my computer to hand and my remote control beside me (watching Top Gear at the moment).  I am happy with the decision I have made.  Whether it be right or wrong is something for my organismic valuing process to determine.  The fact that I am talking about it could be my ideal self trying to validate the decision though......hmmmm!

I'm having a good day so far.  I have just put the turkey in to cook and am off to peel the spuds etc in a minute.  I've had a good blether with my Mum, Sister, Ken, Dad, Gran and the wee yins......although Cameron was more interested in his Xbox than talking to Uncle Bill-haha!

.............TBC

Dinner turned out to be okay, even thought I cooked too much (as usual).  I only ate enough to make me feel contently full instead of binge eating until my belly hurts.  I wonder if you can guess what I did after dinner?  Yep, I fell asleep-haha!

Christmas day in my little cave was relaxing, nice and quiet and I enjoyed every minute of it..............Except the TV.  Has anyone else noticed that Christmas TV has been rather under cooked this year?

Home for Christmas - Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

I managed to get that essay finished and in on time :).  I didn't doubt that I would as I was determined I was going to do it; I was a little stressed about not having the motivation sooner.  Maybe the deadline looming was the motivation I needed to finish it, maybe it's the new lighting in my room or maybe it's the increased medication......I don't raelly know to be honest, but I'm glad it's done.

Back in my own cave now, and boy does it feel good.  The cave needs a tidy mind, but it is just good to be able to sleep in my own bed or take a nap on the sofa.  I love my home more, since going to Northern College really, and I enjoy spending time here now.  It has become a place of relaxation, entertainment and happiness.  Maybe I enjoy it too much as I don't seem to go anywhere-haha!.

I met my Dad, Gran and Uncle Joe in town on Friday for a short time.  I then met my Mum and Fifi and wandered around with them for a bit.  It was nice to see them, it seems like it has been ages.  I was a little annoyed to discover that my Mum is getting harrassed at work though.  Annoyed at seeing how upsetting it is for her.  They are cowards though;  They must be to pick on a woman who has health issue.  20 years ago my Mum would have taken them outside and cleared the snow with them.

After my Mum caught the bus to work, Fifi and I went to Mr Tesco.  I had had a problem with wind all day and one sneaked out down one of the aisles.  I there had not been an old guy behind me, Fifi would probably not have been so embarrassed-haha!  After getting my shopping I tried phoning for a taxi.  The earliest I could get one was an hour or so later so we just caught the bus.

On Saturday (19th December) I went to visit my Aunty, Uncle and Cousin in Carcroft.  Carcroft was like an ice rink, I was sliding all over.  It was good to see them, especially my Uncle has he has not been too well lately.

On Sunday (20th December) I braved the ice and went to moring service at Church.  It was really good to see everyone as I haven't seen them since I left for Uni I don't think.  It was the carol service that evening but it had snowed again in the afternoon and covered the ice so I didn't want to risk it.

977 Down, About 1500 To Go

I'm starting to feel a little better now, but I still can't stop thinking of John-Paul and those he has left behind.  It is so sad.  What is even sadder is reading the vile comments that people have left on the pages of the likes of Facebook, Newspapers etc.  Uno was like a teddy bear and had been around the kids since he was a puppy.  Any dog breed is unpredicatable and can shock at any time.  I remembe rmy Mum's dog, Sammy; he was soft as shit with us but he used to try and bit anyone he wasn't sure of......even if he knew them.

I have managed to motivate myself quite a bit this week (well, I think the tablets have helped) and I have written 977 words.  It is still brief, but I have tried to keep it organised as I have gone along in order to make sense of it and hope for further enlightenment as I read.  I think the news of John-Paul has contributed a little, as I have been looking for things to do to keep my mind occupied otherwise I would melt away in to a world of sorrow.

I am still confident, all though slightly pressured, that I will have it completed by Monday 14th deadline but I have kept all my tutors updated on how I am feeling at the moment. The other 2 essays I have left to do I can do so over Christmas.