So I've been bad and haven't blogged for a month. So much for a virtuous January leading into an equally virtuous February... However, if I may offer half a defence, I've been in the UK for the past two weeks (I heart half term). I've spent a week in Newcastle with the boyf, a weekend getting fed by my parents at home, and now I'm about to finish off my second week by leaving Bristol for the Big Smoke to meet my dad before hopping on the Eurostar in order to be back in time for school on Monday.
Let me fill you in on what I've been up to:
1. I had a cheeky weekend in Lyon with Michèle, Lola and Rachel back in January. This was fantastic, even though it involved a 5.30am wake up call in order to catch the 6.30am bus on a precious Saturday morning. I haven't seen Lola for ages so it was amazing to catch up with her and to have a "local" guide for the city (she's at uni there). We ate a lot, we walked a lot, and we had a good play on the hire bikes :) Highly recommended!
The thing I really loved about Lyon was that it felt like how I think Paris feels to other people. I've never really "got" Paris in the way that other people seem to fall in love instantly with the place, but I got that feeling from Lyon. It was atmospheric, busy and exciting without being so hectic and feeling as dirty as Paris. We were able to cycle along the river banks without fear of being run over by six different smart cars coming in six different directions, the buildings were beautiful and as "French" as you could hope for, the roads were narrow and led to infinitely interesting places hidden away from the crowds. And there weren't half as many tourists. It's a win win and I am desperate to get back there!
2. I had a bitch of a week at school before we broke up for half term. Rather less exciting and/or interesting, I had a horrible week at school where I was giving extra mock oral exams for the terminales at 8am each morning of my final week. This was because the kids had missed their allocated mock exams with me on (rather more reasonable) Monday afternoons, so I was the one who was punished by having to reschedule at the only time that we were all available. FML. Some of the kids didn't even turn up. Not that I blame them, but it made my job just that wee bit more sucky knowing that I'd got up for an 8am start for nothing. FML. But they'll get a 0 for that, so I guess they lose out more than I do. At least I've managed to catch up on my sleep...! But it made for a nasty week, and I will be very glad to be back to normal timetable next week!
3. It was my boyfriend's 21st birthday. I think this was the first year in our 3 and a half year relationship, believe it or not, that we were actually together on his birthday (the joys of long distance relationships), so it was really lovely to be able to celebrate with him - albeit in a dissertation-limited fashion. So here's my little bit of sop: I hope you had a lovely birthday, thank you for letting me stay, I miss you and love you lots :)
4. I had a fun fun fun reunion in Bristol with the lovely people I left behind there. Even though I've been abused and farted on all week by most people mentioned above (I think Becca is the only person exempt here), I've had a lovely week and it's been great to catch up with you, even though you've frightened me beyond belief about all the work I'm going to have to do in final year. I'm not entirely sure I want to come back...
I should probably point out here that while my bestie Sarah has been lovely to me all week and hasn't farted on me once, she has been less than courteous in the bedroom, which means that she gets lumped under the "abuser" category. I've been sharing her bed, and in 3 nights I have been shouted at, booty bumped and hit, all while Sarah's been asleep (I think hope). I'm trying not to take it personally.
I have managed to find and sign for a house for next year though, so it's a nice feeling knowing that I won't be living in a cardboard box next year. Yay!
Anyhow, I think that's us all up to date, so I will love you and leave you. I'm heading back to la France on Saturday evening, so I will try and get another cheeky blog post in before the end of the month (but as always, no promises).
Bises,
Sophia xx
