The Majestic Thunder Storm

Just a short post before I go into school.
Thunder storms, to me these are a thing of greatness. They light up the sky and your life. They are majestic and beautiful in a dangerous way. We are always told as children in schools and at home that electricity and water DO NOT MIX well try saying that to a thunder storm! Raining and lighting.

Why is he going on about storms then? Well last night we had one here in Northampton and it was GREAT!! I could not see the fork of the lighting but wherever it was striking it kept lighting up the whole sky! It was amazing. Even though I enjoy thunder storms (Must be genetic as my Dad loves watching them too) I lost all my signal bars on my mobile and it kept cutting out. Hahaha kind of weird not having the use of my mobile! It was nice to hear the rain too, nothing is a better relaxer than hearing rain full on a window! Anyway I was get to school, I have a folder of work to complete before I meet my tutor tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a nice day

5 Days and counting.

Yes its that time of year when the UCN students start to think about moving back home. The first of three Uni years in now coming to a close. To think that I came to this Uni some 9/10 months ago and it seems to have flashed by in places and in other moved at a snail pace.

But, what was my aims before I came to Uni? And have they been fulfilled? Most that know me know that University to me was a chance to learn some thing new. For I love to learn new interesting things all the time. But, not all the learning I wanted was academic. I wanted to have a better social life and to become more confident. I have struggled with the academic work and managed to scrape through most of it, but I have managed to become more confident and I have a better social life now. True I have not progressed as much as I wanted to but I have two more years yet before I am thrown back into the reality of life outside education. But, let me think about what’s been positive this year:

• I’ve made new friends.
• I’ve been to a night club.
• In fact I’ve been to a few.
• I’ve been out all night going to different clubs and pubs.
• I’ve managed to increase my book collection at an alarming rate.
• And hopefully I’ve made it into year two!

Both these were taken on Sarah and Greg's Birthday!

With five days left, before my official year is up I have a lot of work to do. I have to complete my work experience folder and meet my tutor to talk about my exam results (He tell me what they are when I get there) and then I find out if year two is possible for me. What ever happens I’ve grown this year and its been a benefit to me. So to any University friends that are sad enough and have the time enough to read this blog, I hope you have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you in September 2005!

Pav Fest

Now a few weeks ago (like about three!) we had an event at UCN called Pav fest. This is where the Pavilion field is closed off and there is live music and drink and rides all day and into the night. Now I was not going to go as I had the Wales Trip on the Monday and Pav fest was on the Saturday. But even though I was travelling home on the Saturday night I stilled paid the £10 entrance and enjoyed the festivities. I had my drink early on in the day and stopped around 4pm so I was safe to drive home at 9pm.

Sam and the fellow flat mates started drinking in our flat and Greg soon joined us. We arrived at the festival around 5ish and proceeded to try all the rides there, which did not take long as there was only three! To be honest there was not a lot there and not worth the £10 fee, I thought! Mind you, I did not stay as late as the others as it went on till late and must have got better. Anyway, here is one of the best photo’s (group photo’s) from that night!

The lake in the mountain.

Well as some of you might know I went on a residential trip to Wales with the year 5 and 6 students from Milton Primary School. This is because I was there doing placement for my teacher training course and this was my class. I looked forward to this trip with relish ever since I found out about it. Wales is one of those places you have to visit when in the UK. All those mountains and hills have so much history (Course nothing compared to Ireland (The oldest of all lands)), you just have to look at them and walk on them to feel the weight of history impressed onto you.

We were staying in a Outdoor discovery centre call The Ranch. It deals with students of all ages and offers a wide range of training and activities for the students. We had archery, orienteering, woodland survival and circus skills. With a great bunch of people running the place you had no choice but to have fun and learn. Also as well as these things to look forward too, we also had visits to the local beach, river studies and to Harlech Castle.

On one trip to the Beach I asked Owen our guide about any local legends and he told me about this man building a castle and every night the what they built of the castle disappeared so they would have to rebuild everyday. This continued until the man ask Wizards and mages to help and they could not solve the problem so he went to a young man and he told him to travel deep inside the mountain (where he was building the castle) and there he would find his castle. So he travels into the mountain and found two dragons fighting, one red (Wales) and the other white (I think it was white (England)) and they would fight forever! This man was none other than Merlin. A legend I hear you shout. Well Owen also told me that last year a bunch of agrological students went into the mountain in question and what do you think they found? Yes that’s right the lake in the mountain! Just showing all legends are based on fact!

And what I thought of the trip … well I offered to stay another week!

Coming up in the next couple of days (I hope!)

Coming Soon:

• Articles about my recent trip to Wales with Milton Primary school.
• Interesting articles from resent issues of new scientist, and
• A final article about the ending of my first year at Uni.

Delays in updating this website have been due to a increased work load. Now that work load is beginning to decrease I can move ahead and continue this never ending crusade to tell people about things I do and articles I find interesting.

Little cricket if you read my website I will be popping back to yours soon!! Promise.

Oh and a hello to Sam’s dad. I know she told you my web address god knows why this site is rubbish but a hello anyway and if I get chance I might just post a few photos of Sam up for you.

UCN becoming a university?

When I first came to UCN (University College Northampton) I never realised that there was a difference between UCN and other Uni’s. The fact is its not a full university, which means nothing to me. The campus has lots of trees and open ground, the staff a friendly and the Uni is small. But word around campus is that at the end of this year UCN will become a full university! We never thought they would make it. Now if there are any UCN staff reading this blog here’s a few things you could do to improve the site,

• Build a gym for students! Charge a small term fee say £15 and you will find that most students would join!!
• While your at it build a pool! A lot of people would enjoy a early swim to exercise! I mean for good sake you teach some sort of sport stuff here would not that department benefit with these extra faculties?
• Bring out the housing list BEFORE Christmas!! Even the housing agencies agree with this one!

I’m sure there are a lot more things you can to improve this uni! Anyway if the rumours are true congratulations to UCN and the staff that have put in time and effort into getting this status!

Dylan 2005 - We will miss you.

Tragedy comes in all shapes and sizes and comes at unexpected times. My time came on Friday 27th May. Early that morning my little cat was hit by a lorry and killed instantly. My family wanted to tell me face to face so I did not find out until I had driven home.

Dylan was a gift from my auntie and uncle, he came with his sister Seran from a cat sanctuary in Wales. They were both so small they could fit in the palm if my hand.

My cousin took great delight in playing with them both until they left. Over the space of 1-2 years both have gown in body and character. Dylan was well known for his talking, following the dog, hunting and eating dog treats and to my mum’s frustration malting everywhere. He has killed many a bird and was often found ready to strike a passer by, by hiding in a bush.

So my little friend this blog is for you.
Dylan 2002-2005

My special thanks to my family.
Special thanks to my sister, who pretended to dislike Dylan at times but loved him always.
To my mother who feed and cared for him in my absence and my father who broke the news to me.