For Andy

something of note

Money again

I've created a spreadsheet detailing all my expenditure since I started at uni, I can't believe how much I spent, mostly without realising. In addition, I have made a budget sheet, for the remaining 8 weeks of the term, and I will use it to see how well I am keeping to the budget. I'm aiming to save some money at the end of the term to put towards a holiday at Easter, more on that later. Thanks to my new found addiction to jam sandwiches/jam on toast, I now have a suitable repository for all my change.

Currently only holds 47p

Another week gone

I would have put another update before this, but I've been pretty busy.
My girlfriend came to stay for the weekend, which was very nice. We went shopping in Chester, had lunch by the river etc.

After my lecture on Tuesday, I headed home as it was her birthday. I timed it so I got to her place just before she got back from the bible study, then appeared from out of the shadows clutching a bunch of roses. She was pretty surprised to see me, and very pleased.
Last night we went out to Zizzi's to celebrate with a few others, was good to see people again.
We have a habit of pulling faces etc. when people try to get a photo of us together, this one was no exception.

I've now come back to uni in time for my Thursday afternoon lecture, it was tempting to stay at home for the weekend, but I'd left some work I needed to do behind.

Got back today from a short visit to see my aunt in North Wales, my parents had rented a cottage which had spare rooms, so I went over on Tuesday night, having no lectures on Wednesday. Was nice to see her, it's been about 5 years. Didn't see much of the rest of the family who live round there, only my cousin's daughter and her baby. The picture was taken by my dad in a restaurant in Llandudno.

The joys of a hall of residence

Had a fire alarm at 1am today. This siren sounded, stopped, sounded again, stopped again, then silence.

Then it started and didn't stop. Alex and I went to investigate, it was going off all around the building, despite the fire safety talk which said each flat was on it's own enclosed circuit.

They also promised us no late night fire drills. In fact they said the alarm would never sound throughout the building

We got to the bottom of the stairs in our block, discovered everyone was evacuating, so I followed suit and Alex went back to get dressed. After 2 mins outside, 2 things were discovered...

It were flippin cold...

....and the other 2 flatmates who were in at the time were still in bed. Asleep.

You see the alarm sounder is outside the main flat front door and unless you're awake you're unlikely to hear it. Great designing.

I went back for a fleece, despite being told never to re-enter a building, and hammered on their doors.

after 15 mins outside in the cold, surrounded by people in dressing gowns and mini skirts, the nice fireman let us all back in.

I feel sorry for those who had to be up early for teaching practice

Money Galore

Just realised it's been more than a week since I updated this.

Had my first week of lectures, went well, nothing too taxing so far.
My grant came through the other day, so I'm on less of a budget now, just have to try not to spend it all in one go.
Haven't had my loan yet as...
well I forgot to tick the box saying I wanted it. This has now been rectified, so I should be even richer soon.

Off to North Wales next week for a couple of days - my family is spending the week visiting an aunt and cousins, so I'm going to pop along between lectures.

Not much else interesting to add.