The most wonderful time of the year

Nigella's taking cocaine, Ryan Giggs has turned 40 (insert love or hatred for him here), Christmas trees are going up, lights are being turned on, Christmas songs are being played in stores, Movember is nearly, NEARLY over (cannot come quick enough!), my Christmas jumper has made its first appearance and yes, I have downloaded my Christmas album onto my iPod - however, I haven't yet listened to them (much). In my house the Christmas decorations go up around the 16th December, after my birthday, of course and we usually just have a modest tree and a nativity scene, however at Uni, as we are only here for two weeks of December, decorations have been up for nearly a week. Essays are due in, there are nights out to be had, naked calendar launches to be squinted at, birthdays to celebrate, secret Santa's, one too many glasses of mulled wine and an unhealthy amount of mince pies to be consumed. As well as about four traditional Christmas meals to be had before actual Christmas day. My mother rang me the other day to say she had ordered our turkey from a colleague who's husband owns a farm, she has called it Ethel and Ethel shall be £40. Forty pounds?! We'll have three... 

It is essentially time to start buying presents. I have already bought my flat mates' presents, they are hiding under my desk, away from prying eyes, awaiting to be wrapped. Talking of wrapping paper, B&M has the best deal: 12 metres for £1 - incredible, however, if you want a variety of wrapping paper, Card Factory are doing 3x3metre rolls for £1 - take your pick! B&M also do a box of four wrapping paper rolls with lots of bows and ribbons for £4.99 - I've done my research. I'm so sad. Its procrastination at its best. Boots also has Maximuscle Progain on offer HALF PRICE (£25) - so tempting. 

Two weeks now till it is the end of term (and my birthday woop) and although I went home last weekend there is always something nice about home (and the fresh air, free from ill Stockton-ers, someone in the shopping centre today just sneezed and didn't cover his mouth as I walked past. What is this country). There is always Ben and Jerry's in my favourite flavour - Blondie Brownie and food is on tap with a quick text to Dad asking him to pick up goats cheese, pâte and a small amount of caviar (only joking! we don't eat pâte that much). I have the house to myself in the day and it is so quiet. No one having far too much fun in the room above mine, no locals getting arrested outside, a clean kitchen and bathroom and not having to worry about how much electricity is being used. Bliss. 

I almost can't believe how fast this year has gone (yawnnn), yesterday I was at work for NYE, then I was in an exam hall, then I was in Marbella and now I am writing Christmas cards and finding the best wrapping paper deals - I'm actually an old lady, after all, my name is Ruth (expectation: Ruth sits quietly by the fire and knits, reality: Ruth sits by the fire (at home, obvs) and reads E.M.Forster... completely different people). 

The gym will also be packed after Christmas and the "post-Christmas lunch" workouts will go up with challenges including "run for four hours just to burn off one mince pie" - basically meaning I feel claustrophobic in the gym. Just don't eat too much! Last year was hilarious when I got a training schedule from Athletics for over the Christmas holidays which said "a steady 30 minute run on Christmas day is essential" - Sorry, what? Do we think Jesus would approve of missing his birthday for a training session, definitely not, I'll miss the jelly and ice cream. ha. 

I'm not saying M**** C********* before the 1st December, therefore, 

Much Love! 

RHS x 

My two most recent dreams

I have the weirdest dreams, Sarah and Natalie love hearing about them the next morning and saying "Are you ok?" - they sound like really deep, meaning full dreams but I just have an active mind, they don't mean anything! Or do they... I'll write this and have to go and freak out about the "meaning of dreams" - cue Freud. 

Dream One.

My most recent dream was two nights ago, when I decided I was going back to Sixth Form, but not to my actually Sixth Form, to my Secondary School (the confessions of an all Girls' Private School... yeah that one). I left there because I needed a fresh start, but apparently I wanted to go back there for Sixth Form. I'd dropped out of Uni, paid to be let back into Sixth Form, four years after I started and I was determined to get better grades than I did at my actual Sixth Form and I was also determined that I was going to Warwick. If no one is "Geeked-up" on Universities Warwick is THE place to go for Business (They require A*AA and at least a B at AS level) so I needed to up my game if I was going to get into Warwick. It was the strangest thing going back to that crazy mad house. I was in Sixth Form with all the people that were in year 9 when I left and there were boys in year 7, very strange. There were school bells and we had to stand when the head teacher came in - a new one, it was a man. Well odd. 

The rest of that dream continued with me bumping into a friend from Uni (a friend that I'm currently at Uni with, who will remain unnamed, I am yet to tell her this though haha). She told me that to pay for her weekly food shops she was (as she put it) "selling her body for money like the women in Stockton do" - yes. Really, that is what I was told, I highly doubt it's true, intact I know its not because she'd charge a FORTUNE. Funny though, dreams are so amazing. 

Dream Two - it gets better. 

I was getting married. End of NIGHTMARE. No really, I, Me, Ruth Hannah Smith the First was getting married (pause for a moment of confusion). I seemed very excited although it was the oddest experience ever. Firstly, we weren't in a Church - big no no. Secondly, my Dad was some kind of giant (he's only about 5'11'') and he was dragging me down this room to the room I was getting married in. The doors opened in this chateau-type place and I saw loads of people sat on chairs with an isle down the middle, but Dad walked me round the edge to meet my "husband-to-be" - well, I, never. He was about 55, 55 stone, grey haired, just no, basically. I was not impressed. I had basically had my marriage arranged for me. So I was forced into the middle with him and I started mouthing to mum "get me out of here" and she kept shaking her head. So I ran. To the toilets. Standard girl. Mum ran after me and said "you need to be careful of where you run out of" - to which I said I'm not getting married to him. Then I woke up in cold sweats.

Weirdest dream OF MY LIFE. I had to text my mother it was that awful. 

Ok, maybe that one sounded a bit distressing but still quite funny, but not as funny an ending as the first. 

Nevertheless, I may start posting my dreams more, they amuse me somewhat.

Sweet dreams 

RHS x 

zzzzzzz

Kalinka

I don't know why I'm writing this post. I think I might get rather told off if I don't write it (it isn't very much in my favour). This post is about last night, for the first time I went to Kalinka in Middlesbrough on a Saturday - the usual time to go is every 4th Thursday with uni, but I didn't go then either - My first impression was quite good - I learnt that anyone who lives south of Leeds is classed as "posh" - As my wrist was strangled with the wrist band he was putting on - but when I said I was from "Derbyshire" he imitated me in a very Chelsea-esque way and said anything with "shire" on the end is posh - there we go. Learn something new everyday. 

But I'm skipping about two hours here. None of my flat went out (Sarah was ill and snuggled up on the sofa watching X Factor with M&S chocolate rolls - I had one when I got back, thanks Sarah. Natalie was somewhere up North (further up North) watching someone at the Sage... Kodaline? - I felt like I was there after receiving about two minutes of their concert) so it was just myself, Rachel, Andy, Mark, Hazel (where did she go?) and Tom. I got to Rachel's to find I had forgotten my watch (I basically could have been naked - it was weird) but I wasn't harassed crossing the high street - maybe for the fact that there were Police everywhere - but still, quite a good crossing there. I had bought a bottle of wine (only half due to Tuesday's antics) and arrived to find Rachel FaceTiming (is this an official verb?) several people and already fairly squiffy, I needed to catch up. So much to say that I did and ended up taking several too many snapchats of Rachel dancing to her "commercial house" music and Tom trying to get his JD into his Coke can - this requires an immense amount of concentration. 

Moving on... We arrived at Kalinka and had the already stated "posh-banter" (panter? maybe not...) with the bouncers and headed to the bar - so it was £2.50 for a double vodka and mixer but £3.05 if you wanted it with cranberry juice! - what a rip off... It was a cocktail for £3 so I swiftly moved onto those for the rest of the night - I believe I was having a Strawberry Woo Woo, of which my second came in a glass tankard. Lad. The music was amazing, if you've been to Bijoux in Newcastle on a Tuesday night it was like that with songs mashed together, changing after a minute or so, that keeps the night going. Of course it was time for a Miley tune in which I had "TWERK"shouted at me... now, I know it is in my distant heritage to be able to but I really really cannot (sorry to disappoint) so I just said that I'd perform a "gym-esque" squat - which was accepted then I was accused of my squat being "more than a squat" - I was just performing my gym exercises - so embarrassing. I then initiated a tete-a-tete with my Kit Kat Chit Chat partners (I had to swap sessions so basically I am a traitor to Charlie and Tom was claiming he's a better KKCC partner - I didn't and will not disclose my opinion but it was funny to watch them) 

The night began to draw to a close when the boys decided they wanted a takeaway - we walked outside - I hobbled at this point, I haven't worn heels like those since the summer so my feet were broken and completely abused. I was on the verge of tears - far too much dancing is a great reason for your feet to hurt - so I did the unthinkable and the unforgettable and the unforgivable and took my shoes off - I thought this would be easier then it turned out to be, but it felt amazing to take them off. There is one thing that was worse than me taking my shoes off outside - Mark being sick in Middlesbrough Train Station - classy... especially when Tom screamed "did you hear that! haha he's just been sick!" it wasn't a pleasant sound. 

I was virtually carried to the takeaway (due to my feet hurting, not intoxication) where I put my shoes back on - I am a trooper - and sat whilst everyone else ate their takeaway - I was laughed at when I said I was going home to have porridge as my end of night "treat" - don't judge.

We got into the taxi and I realised that I had been tweeted saying that I hadn't ever been seen so tipsy or "drunk" as Tom put it and Andy saying that I had "twerked the life" out of myself - which I didn't, I was just giving my quads a good work out, which, last time I checked, isn't twerking. If you want Twerking, you need Tom Perkins - he puts Miley to shame. I explained my workout routine if I were to have a takeaway - It would last about 4 days and comprise of a 20km run - yes, really. Tom informed me that he ran home to begin to burn off his burger and said that I was an inspiration - I'm flattered that I reach so many people (just Tom) with my fitness beliefs. 

It was a great night. And no, I wasn't drunk or anything like that but in second year I haven't gone out very much so when I do I always make sure its a good night. Which it so was!

I am surprisingly awake, alive and un harmed considering the alcohol consumption #winning 

Time to finish that seminar work... 

RHS x 

Warm Fuzzy

Definitely time for another Warm Fuzzy (and not Ben May's version - thanks Ben.) 

I love this song, it a) reminds me of my dad singing it in the way Louis does and b) it was played at my Great-grandma's funeral in July, and whenever I hear it, it reminds me of them both. 

I found this version where Louis talks about what he means by "What A Wonderful World" and it's so cute. 

My favourite part of his speech is "Love, baby, love - that's the secret"

Enjoy 

RHS x

I am a woman and...

And for my 60th post - the most controversial yet.

(Excuse the tiredness exposed here, I've been bulking)

#IAMAWOMANAND I eat protein bars, I go into the weights gym, yes I do lift (bro), I will text you first, I want a six pack too, I am incredible at DIY (thanks MUM), I watch football and yes I do understand the offside rule, I love rugby, I can rap the words to "Make Me Proud" by Drake, I will wear what I want, and no, I don't want children.

As per, ELLE magazine comes up with an incredible collection of articles on what it means to be a feminist. They launched a campaign where women send in photos of what it means to them to be a woman. 

I really don't know if I'm a feminist, I did think it was for man-haters and was slightly let down when I found out it actually wasn't - I'd be so good at that. I'm not sure I know what it really is, let alone have time to act upon it. 

My favourite part of the article was from Jinan Younis (the founder of FemSoc - I should start this at Uni). She said that feminism is not accepting the stereotypes or the groups that we are put in, not just by men. For example we should be allowed to walk down the street without being wolf-whilsted at, or being degraded in some way. We're not an "apple" or a "pear" - although some people do have wider hips then others, and "pear" shaped is a nicer way then saying "look at that derrière!" HOWEVER, that's not the point, were not the "career woman" or "the one who doesn't want to get married" or the "slag". We're women and as Miley Cyrus says "only God can judge you" - preach it Miley. 

I've recently noticed since being at Uni that there are "lad" things to do and there are things the girls don't do. I have for the first time began using the weights gym at Uni - a very normal occurrence at home, however the boys in this gym are completely beside themselves when a girl walks in, they do not know what to do. They get awkward, they can't ask you to move so they can get some dumbbells, they breathe a sigh of relief when you leave and they certainly look at you like you're a martian. Personally I just think they wish they could put the size weights through their quads like I can. 

I was in the gym yesterday for example and there was a large group of six girls in the weights gym I was thinking "excellent! - the girls taking over the weights", only to walk in to find them gossiping about the boys and then proceeding to look at me like I'd joined the Bonkers Raving Looney party when I begin my circuit. They then left after not even picking up one weight. I was disappointed. However, I'm taking one for the team and going to continue using the weights gym. I get the weirdest looks when I say I use the weights room. Looks of surprise, sheer terror and questions such as "you lift bro?" - just to clarify, I have weakling arms, stronger then the average Eve, but thats why I'm a runner - hence the quads. So, bro, nah, I don't lift, much anyway... 

Another thing since I have been at Uni is the whole idea that it is not acceptable for girls to get with boys. Now, last time I checked we're all adults and no one can judge us so what we do in our own time is our own choices. Plus when a boy gets with lots of girls thats just normsville but a girl is instantly called a "slag" - and it is the girls that call the girls "slags" - I very very rarely hear a boy say it. So we're basically shooting ourselves in the foot with that one. 

Back to Feminism - can boys be a feminist? I guess so. Its about equality and respect. We have come along way (we no longer have to starve ourselves, or throw ourselves in front of a horse or burn our Victoria Secrets' to be heard) but there is still a ridiculously long way to go, apparently we're looking at 2057 before men and women in the same jobs are paid the exact same. Men are still paid nearly 15% more than women in some jobs, which is slightly sickening. I'd also be appalled if I was asked if I had any "baby plans" over the next five years, as a person who doesn't want children I'd say "no, but I'll happy take "maternity leave" to go on a cruise"

Food for thought.

I hope I've stirred some thought, or just made you scratch your head in utter confusion. But if any of that made even a teeny bit of sense, my work here is done. 

Here is the ELLE article containing pictures of ELLE employee's with their "I am a woman and..." posters. 

Happy Feminism!

RHS x

The Durham Colleges Bar Crawl

Outside Trevs - our first bar

 If you weren't aware that Durham University had colleges, think again. We're just like Oxford and Cambridge, only 10 degrees colder and less up ourselves (well, most people). 

There are 16 college in Durham University, I won't name them all, but I am in George Stephenson college to give it its correct full title or "Stevo" to the local inmates. 

So it was time for a Rep social - the right picture shows the cool kids that actually turned up. Admitted there was every sports' social under the sun taking place on Saturday evening, for example the Football initiation had to dress up as a female singer and sing one of their songs - there was a Miley Cyrus, with a grey fitness ball, I thought that was a good effort. Regardless of whatever socials were on, the rep team consists of nearly 50 people, there were 6 of us. Not the best turn out, but at least its over 10%!

The full social actually started at 1pm in Stevo bar, the idea being to go round all other 13 bars (minus John Snow because, well, its John Snow and their igloo is tiny and seriously lacking in polar bears and Grey's was closed due to the fireworks...) by 11:30pm when they all closed - this involved a one hour bus journey and stopping to eat... anyway... 

With our cocktails in Trev's

It was 18:30 and we (myself and Natalie Brown - thats Brown like the colour) went to catch the X1- now the X1 to non Durham-ers is a bus, not a very good bus as it is never on time, always full, always too hot and the driver is like some boy (or girl - equality) racer. So we got on after several locals with 15 children and endured screaming and shouting for 26 miles to Durham. 

We were hoping to see Grey College's fireworks, as they are supposed to be really really sparkly. Now, as we live in Stockton, who blow half of their yearly budget on their firework display to draw in the charvs from the local area to spend their moulah we had very, very, high expectations. 

We thought we'd missed them (thats the fireworks at Grey by the way). We got off the X1 at 19:25 and began hearing bangs and fizzes. Thankfully, we managed to have a great view of the fireworks which always get me emotional, Guy Fawkes was such a brave guy. There was clearly no safety precautions as we were rained on several times by glittering after-spray (is that the right word... ashes or light bits) - "Make it make it rain make it make it make it rain"- sing this and pretend you're throwing money everywhere, you got it. We made a wish whilst we were being rained on, so cute. 

Anyway, boring emotional part over it was time to go to our first bar to meet "everyone" - this was Trevelyan college "Trevs" where we got lost in all the anarchy of the masses leaving Greys and had to look at the map to find out where Trevs was thinking it was miles away. We got there eventually, after looking like right Stevo tourists (even more so asking posh Durham-ers to take photos of us outside every college sign) to see four others of the rep team (rep team most represented = welfare. Of course, I'm not saying were the best but the President was one of us, so that kind of does make us the best). 

We were greeted with "do not get the Trevs college drink - it tastes like e-numbers" - now to a girl who gets high on smarties this was great news, but it actually tasted like those Panda pops you got at your year 5 disco, or like R.Whites lemonade which had seriously gone out of date. Not nice, so we got a cocktail, we were going to get two Long Island Ice Tea's but then I was sure they didn't have coke in them (no caffeine allowed and all that) so I had a sex on the beach - in a pint glass, lad. 

Mary's had a Toastie bar! - mind = blown. 

We had to down those to keep up with the others - who had already been to about 5 other bars earlier that day, so were a lot of tipsy then ourselves. Next, after an awkward pose outside the entrance it was time for Mary's - the cutest college, ever. Like a Kiera Knightly film I was in love with the grounds. This college used to be an all girls' college. Which I think is lovely, its now President-ed by a boy - how lovely. We don't judge single sex schools. 

Mary's was slightly on the small side, nevertheless they had a good house shot called "the witch" which we were told was lovely, they meant to tell us it was horrible (Thanks Chelcie and Tom), but it was actually delightful - Archers mixed with Bacardi - mm. There we met El Presidente of the whole university, our very own Daniel Slavin (now pronounced Daniel SlaRvin - because he's not ultra posh), he used to be Stevo's president and now runs the whole uni and is loving it I hear!

So he joined us in our continued mission of the college bars - next it was Castle - in a Castle, yes, yawn, you have to hand in your campus card when you get in - after you have broken your back getting through that ridiculously low door, inside is like some wine cellar, with the proper aches are brick walls. Next it was Hatfield - whose college drink I have to say was incredible - I'm keeping the recipe for my own pleasure and refuse to share it with anyone - sorry! - go to Hatfield! We were entertained there with a few pub golfers after realising time was ticking we needed to get round the rest of the bars.

Me and Thee outside the Cath. 

Next was Chad's - like some weird greenhouse upstairs and then a home from home Durham tube-mapped-esque wall of all the "important" places in Durham - quite cool. There we only had time for a shot - Sambuca obviously - go hard or go home (we did shortly go home, we were slightly tipsy. And you know when Natalie is tipsy as she runs and with those knees she doesn't run when sober, so there we go) We legged it to John's college, to find that is was closed, sad face, then the last one was St. Cuth's, which, when we got there was more like an old mans social club, but hey, the drinks were £1.50, so who's complaining?

That concluded our college bar crawl, admittedly myself and Natalie didn't go to all of them, but the state of us after just six was plenty for one night. We then proceeded to head back into the centre of the city in search of some alcohol-soaking food. We all had noodles as Wok-Sup, mm, lavely - although the next day had that food smell on it. Oh my I cannot stand food smells, I have a change of clothes that I cook in to avoid smelling of food. Vile. 

It was then time for we six reps to go home, at about 1am - we were probably going to leave at 10pm, thats how good a night it was -reps you so missed out! The X1 took 20 minutes to get to the bus station, where I proceeded to shout at a fresher that I saw him in the gym earlier, he just looked at me blank as if I was some kind of freak - just because I was in the weights section! - boys are so mean. We also saw second year football boys in superhero outfits and Danielle Britton in a onesie running after the bus. Note to everyone - sitting on the road so the bus can't drive is NEVER a good option, ever. 

I have eaten half a Terry's chocolate orange whilst writing this and it's nearly time for MIC, so thanks for reading because that was a long one! If you didn't get this far, thanks for the view! 

Go to Durham Uni

Love
RHS x 

p.s. Don't choose John Snow 

The John Lewis Christmas advert is here!

The John Lewis Christmas 2013 ad is here - "The Bear and The Hare" shows a beautiful journey between two friends leading up to Christmas and the joys of giving. 

The cover of Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” by Lily Allen give the video an extra touch of sparkle and serenity. 

enjoy... and Merry Christmas?

RHS x

The late night post

This is the icon. 

Its 23:30 and after two hours of the famous Kit Kat Chit Chat, a 25 minute run (which, just as a sidetrack I am not happy about because I went for a long, slow run and set RunKeeper on start and  I was hopping along singing merrily away to Lorde when I forget to press stop when I had finished - only to find out 2 hours later when it apparently takes me over two and a half hours to run nearly 3 miles - I said I was running slow but not turtle speed - this is another thing, can you say "turtle speed" because aside from a dodgy-sounding drug, turtles don't real "speed" anywhere do they? - we'll stick with pace. So basically the reason for that rant was to remind people to stop their RunKeeper or forever be seen as a turtle-paced runner. end.) and a lecture on what IS (information systems) actually is, its much clearer now, just, and a lecture about sampling with Santa Claus I am about to catch up on the daily news - on Vine. I've had Vine now for sometime (like 5 months?) and have posted potentially 2 videos? And have found Instagram to be much better for videos. But I have recently stumbled across some very comical videos. Now I have got to this point in the post and have only just realised that Vine don't have a website - of course they don't! so er, I can't link you to my profile or funny videos because the Vine-ers are still clearly working on their website issues. But if you don't have Vine and you are in the 21st century with an iPhone or an Android then get the app and watch some hilarious videos from these people (I can't describe the videos, you have to watch them to understand): Brandon Calvillo, MAX JR, Klarity, DeStorm, Jerry Purpdrank and then add me "Ruth Smith" - very imaginative - then you won't have to add everyone else because I always revine - thats like retweeting - or just follow me on Twitter where I usually share the Vines to. 

Oh and after typing into our good brother "Google" I manage to find MAX JR's profile - MAX JR Vine Profile

He's funny. 

Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite 

RHS x 

p.s. I know I'm great at typos - please tell me, I usually wear reading glasses but for some reason don't when I write a blog post so I apologise for the spelling mistakes!x

Warm Fuzzy

Its Monday evening, I think half of the University are having their picture taken for the Marrow calendar - involves partial nudity (hence why I'm here, not there) and I'm currently organising Birthday plans - gonna be a good one! Just be in Derby City on my bday and you'll find us somewhere! 

So I've had 5 hours of lectures and seminars today and there is no better way to chill out then to listen to a bit of the Queen of pop - Bey. The lyrics are beautiful and the remixes are perfect for the gym. But for now enjoy the original from 10 years ago this month (yes really, yes we are all very old, but Beyonce looks younger...) - head bouncing and booty shaking are acceptable (if you can do it slow!) 

"All the ladies if you feel me help me sing it out..."

Be your own best friend!
RHS x 

The Week #3

I really do not know where the weeks are going. This week sees my 5th lectures, my 2nd seminars and my 1st session back at Athletics (wish me luck). But back to this week, it was a chilled one with Rachel's birthday on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off, a night out on Wednesday and the arrival of my mother and grandma on Friday for the weekend in Durham. Ok its been quite a busy one. 

RACHEL SINCLAIR'S birthday meal  Here we are in 'Spoons after a yummy Chinese all you can eat (table service - a new way to do it) in Stockton, before a couple too many glasses of vino and missing MIC but so so worth it! Happy 20th hun!x 

Monday morning 5k run - I sometimes consider my sanity when I run this far (Especially as I'm still not 100% recovered) on a treadmill and in the time I did (happy girl). I did this run before 4 hours of lectures and Rachel's meal so I hit the bed hard that night (waking up to a day of on Tuesday made the tiredness worth it)

Durham Cathedral is ridiculously beautiful - It makes me want to become a nun and live there forever. This picture was taken in the Cloisters on Saturday - where parts of Harry Potter were filmed (I know you're impressed, myself and Daniel Radcliffe have shared the same paving - slight palpitations) 

GADDS TOWN HOUSE - DURHAM This is a five star hotel in Durham city where we ate on Saturday night, the food was incredible - shown by the roast cod with mussels, samphire and potato purée in the middle picture - delicious. We go to this restaurant every time I go to Durham with my parents and it never fails to impress. The interior is dark and purple (as you can tell by the photo) and there is about 10 tables in the restaurant, the service is great and the food is flawless. I highly recommend it. 

Me and mummy  at the Marriott Royal County Hotel - in our own private corridor (haha) - no really, it was about 3 times the length of this. We spent about half an hour taking photos in this corridor - some FAR too embarrassing to upload. 

This is me about to get fat - biscuits and sweets and chocolate are always good to have, especially when you are given them as a gift (thanks GMa). They are useful for many reasons, for example when you have to start your John Lewis internship application again because you missed the deadline for completing the tests (its happened to us all hun, hope your kitkat is nice x).

I look like a right jersey royal potato in this photo it was Hallowe'en eve, Durham, Loveshack (meh) and the night to dress up like you'd died and came back to life and unfortunately ran through a pool full of blood in the meantime and slapped yourself in your eyes with a Winnie the Pooh bear - who also went through hell and back, OR a dead cowboy, whatever. It was an average night, fuelled by a pitcher from Lloys and a 45 minute taxi ride home and what night would not be complete without an early lecture the next morning? - so far no nights out organised for this week... we'll see how long that lasts. 

Have a creative week! 

RHS x

p.s. Sope Peters (A Durham University student) has gone missing and hasn't been seen since Tuesday night - please keep your eyes open for any information - see here for more info and a picture. Ta x