Bethany In The Big City : July 2014

30.7.14

Congradulations!

Exams passed, bags packed, alcohol finished, library fines paid and student card expired because I am now officially a graduate! Don't get me wrong, I loved my time as a graduand, and as a student in fact, but I am really, really enjoying being a fully fledged graduate....and I have the letters to prove it, MISS BETHANY T B.A.Hons!

I don't miss being a student and I am eager to leap head first into the world of work and start earning my own money. However, I do miss university, I miss the people, I miss my long leisurely days and organising my own time, I miss the campus and I miss the daily fun that just seems to manifest at university.

That said, I was mega excited to be back on campus one final time and, not to get too sentimental or anything, but there was something amazingly perfect about parking in the same place that we parked five years ago when I turned up on an open day to first visit my potential new home.

The day was so wonderful, the sun was shining, nobody fell on stage and the only tears that flowed were happy tears, filled with pride, friendship and joy.

I used to think that graduation was an expensive day put on by the university to squeeze a few more precious pounds out of our pockets in order that parents could celebrate what an incredible job they had done in creating such intelligent, bright young things. But, I couldn't have been more wrong! Having a final day to celebrate the success of my friends, peers and professors in getting through four turbulent and eventful years was a uniquely special experience.

Four years is a long time to spend achieving one thing: a degree, and throwing our hats in the air on the count of three was a wonderfully significant and simple way to sum up our efforts in a final burst of excitement!

Thank you to all of those who were part of my university experience, good or bad, trivial or significant, every person was critical in forming the last four years of my life and I am forever grateful for it. You will not be forgotten!

Mood - ready for the next chapter!

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21.7.14

Color Run

As part of my birthday list of 23 things to do while I am 23 I wanted to run 5k. I am aware that for most people 5k is something easily achieved and possibly even a laughable aim, however for me running, whatever the distance, is no mean feat! It is not that I am unfit, I actually love exercising and do lots of dance, but running is largely a mental challenge for me as I am unable to motivate my body to want to run. So, 5k it is, neither too long that I would never achieve it, not too short that it would be easily completed. That said, I wanted to make sure that it would be as pain free an experience as possible, so I recruited a couple of eager friends and signed up for the Color Run in London.

A few weeks ago we donned our fetching white T.shirts and sweat bands and headed to the city reading to be turned into little running rainbows. We soon found ourself in a crowd of fellow runners heading towards the Wembley park, which I was very excited to see for the first time!

After warming ourselves up with a little pre-run zumba (despite it being a really, really hot day) we headed to the start line ready to run. Suspense was building as we waited and waited for runners to be sent off in bursts and then the music became louder, the crowd was pulsing and the loud speaker counted us down as we crossed the start line.

We didn't run fast but rather took the time to enjoy the experience, high-fiving other runners and singing along to the blasting music. At each of the colour points we stopped for a photo having been blasted with coloured powder!

First up was pink:

Then blue:

Followed by yellow:

and finally orange, where jumping photos became obligatory:

We crossed the finish line together, hands flung in the air in celebration as we were handed a packet of purple powder just to make sure we had been coloured from head to toe. The party was already jumping by the stage as the arena park became a multi-coloured dance floor amidst a puffy coloured haze.

We jumped and danced until our feet hurt before heading to the tube and home to a shower.....needless to say we attracted a few strange looks!

My first 5k was an incredible experience and definitely was the happiest 5k on the planet! I think I may even be temped to do another one!

Thanks JJ, NO, ST and MW for joining in on another one of my crazy, messy plans! And extra love to MW and NO for letting me steal your photos :)

Mood - colourful!

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7.7.14

Henley Regatta

Papa T and Mama T are back in town! This could only mean one thing....Henley regatta time! Watching the regatta has become a family tradition, started by my grandparents who took us along as children to watch the rowers and to enjoy a lovely picnic on the bank of the Thames.

We donned our fancy dresses, chose our hats and headed out to Phyllis Court club to see the rowing. The mood was not dampened by the drizzle and we were treated to a beautiful day on the river, watching boats filled with revellers drifting slowly by.

Granny T had packed a wonderful picnic to rival any good dinner party, with multiple courses, a ginormous cheese board, a vast array of desserts and plenty of champagne to avoid dehydration.

Henley is about so much more than the rowing and it is quite a spectacle to just sit with a glass of Pimms and watch passers-by in their candy-pop chinos and beautiful dresses.