House Horror Stories I

The fact that I have enough material to write a series of posts on this just shows that my housemates and I had quite a few housing nightmares during our second year... This will probably be a long post.

It did get to the point where, if something could go wrong, it did. However, I will say that I don't lay the blame on my landlord, who actually went out of his way for us quite frequently, or our lettings agent, who were pretty quick to fix things when they went wrong. I think it was just extreme bad luck, and at least we can laugh about it now!

So, let's start at the very beginning. My housemates and I signed for our house pretty early on, at around Christmas time of our first year. The house that we decided on was being renovated, so when we moved in everything would be new and extended, which was very exciting. We were also promised plenty of bathrooms with large showers, loads of kitchen space, a utility room and brand new furniture in all of the bedrooms. Plus, no rent to pay over the summer months, when the property would be empty anyway. An offer we couldn't refuse.

Bit premature luv

Fast-forward several months, to the beginning of September, and we received a phone call from our landlord. He apologetically explained to me that our house was not yet ready, and probably wouldn't be ready by the time that our tenancy agreement began, but that he would keep us updated with the situation. At this point we weren't really panicking, we didn't need to move in until a while after our tenancy began, and we were told that it should be ready before then.

The next few weeks were pretty stressful. We were getting constant updates on our house and its progress, but we could tell that it wasn't looking good. Eventually, the beginning of the tenancy came around and the house wasn't ready. The panic set in as we realised that despite our best hopes, the house would not be ready for when we wanted to start moving in. But, we did still think that it wouldn't be long before we could. 

In the meantime, our landlord sorted us out some temporary accommodation, which turned out to be another house in the area that one of his friends owned. Which eased the panic slightly, as we thought we might have to stay in a hotel in the meantime. However, the house we were given as temporary accommodation had no oven, one shower, had to have a fridge and freezer put in for us, as well as a microwave, and didn't have enough bedrooms. This meant that two of us would have to share. 

Ooooh, cosy

A few days after our original moving in date, I headed up to Birmingham with most of my stuff, to move into the temporary house, and to store some of my stuff at the still-under-construction house. I don't think I had quite prepared myself for the house that I walked into. We were under the impression that the house could be ready any day now. What I was met with was a house that didn't even have a roof or walls in parts, no floors, no plaster, still to be plumbed, no electrics, and that was no where near being close to 'finishing touches'. It was quite a shock.

Luckily, my bedroom was finished. So I was able to pop most of my stuff into my room, and see how it would look. I was thrilled with how it had turned out, with new furniture, plenty of storage and a huge window, which let in plenty of light. For the next couple of nights, I stayed on a friend's sofa, because our temporary accommodation was also not ready for all of us.

We didn't have to pay for our temporary accommodation, and our landlord didn't charge us rent throughout the time we weren't living in our house. He also compensated us for the cost of moving our stuff from house to house, which we had to do in a taxi, despite them only being roads apart. But it was still incredibly disruptive. We started the term in a house which we hadn't signed up for, which we could end up moving out of on quite short notice. We soldiered on.

This is actually one of the only pictures I have of our temporary house, lol

Nearly a month after the initial phone call, we finally received confirmation that we could move in to our house! It still wasn't totally finished, and there would still be builders in and out, but we would have our own beds. It was very welcome news. It wasn't too long until they house was basically finished. A few small touches, such as toilet roll holders and bathroom cabinets were yet to be put in, but we could cope. 

Finally, towards of October, our house was finally finished and ready for us to host a moving in party! But that's another story...

Things You Need For Fresher's Week

This September I will be entering into my third, and final, year of university, however the memories of fresher's week are still fresh in my mind, and I suspect will be for years to come. Eeek, nostalgia. If you are heading off to university this next academic year and you're not sure what to expect, look no further. I'm a veteran student who's gone through many a freshers (and refreshers) week.

Loz & I luvin' life in various different outfits during 'freshers fest'

Beside the usual essentials that you'll need for uni (which you can find here), you'll probably need a few extra bits and bobs if you are to survive your first few weeks. 

HANGOVER CURES - If you are someone that chooses to drink during freshers week, like the masses, you'll find yourself drinking many nights in a row. There's nothing worse than feeling ridiculously ill from the night before whilst getting ready for another night out. So be sure to pack whatever it is that usually makes you feel better, apparently pears can work miracles, I prefer a good old can of diet coke and binge watching netflix.

A GOOD WALLET/BAG - If you're going to be going on lots of nights out you need somewhere to put your stuff whilst you're out. I never venture out without my handy clutch bag and in fresher's I took a shoulder bag out with me every night. Something small that you can keep close to you is perfect, nothing too valuable. A cheap primark bag will do! Same goes for your wallet, make sure that the one you take out with you does the job but doesn't cost a fortune.

PARACETAMOL, COUGH SYRUP AND ORANGE JUICE - Fresher's flu is unavoidable during fresher's week I'm afraid. You just have to accept your fate, and go down like a hero. My mother sent me off to uni with 8 packs of paracetamol/ibuprofen and I used almost all of them (it wasn't just me.. I was like the pharmacy of my halls). Since there's not much you can do to avoid getting sick, you just have to make yourself not feel as bad. Pre-buying things like cough syrup mean you don't have to search for a pharmacy in your new alien city, and orange juice solves all illness problems.

My saviour

LOTS OF MINUTES ON YOUR PHONE - During my first week at university I spent lots of time in the early morning on the phone to friends from home. One night as I cowered over the toilet bowl, I cried down the phone to my friend who managed to convince me that dropping out before I'd even been to a lecture was not a good idea. I'm very thankful. Expect to phone home and phone friends more than you would regularly.

PROPS, COSTUMES, FACE PAINTS - Have a look at the themed nights that your university runs to get an idea of clothing or fancy dress that you might need. For example, if there's a neon night, make sure you pack some neon clothes and paints. Not everyone gets really into their costumes during these first few weeks, but it's fun - so why not! I found that there wasn't as much fancy dress as I thought there would be throughout the rest of the year, so I'm glad that I joined in during freshers.

MARKER PENS - You're likely to be given tons of random t-shirts for fresher's events, bar crawls, etc. all with 'witty' boxes to fill in such as 'please return me to..', and for this you'll need some pens to fill them in. Possibly not an essential, but I still have my tshirts with their original writings and they're quite hilarious to look back at.

ALL OF THE FOOD - After all that partying you're not going to want to be slaving over a cooker all day, or walking miles to the nearest supermarket (not having a car is so killer). So be sure to get your grocery shopping in when your parents drop you off, that way you might be able to get them to pay for it too! Pick up lots of quick and easy meals, especially if you're someone who's hardly cooked for them-self before.

Finally, if you want to be properly prepared for your manic week of partying, make sure you get as much sleep as possible in the weeks leading up to it! Enjoy and stay safe.

Hating Your Best Friend's Boyfriend

It's an awkward situation, one that a lot of us have been in before. After weeks of your friend going on about this guy, you meet him and you hate him. Sometimes you can't even put your finger on what it is, other-times it's blatantly obvious. Immediately you secretly write him off and pray that they won't be together forever, or you'll have to hide your hatred during their wedding day (you'll obvi be bridesmaid). You plot and plan his demise (ok, not literally) but you know you can't let on to her. 

Third wheelin'

So what do you do?

SPEND TIME WITH HIM. You might hate him now, but once you get to know him properly it could be a different story. After all, clearly there is a reason that she likes him, and hopefully after spending some time with him you might see it too. Plus, if they have stuff in common and you have stuff in common with her, surely you'll be able to find something you guys can talk about or bond over.

SPEND TIME WITH THEM TOGETHER. Seeing how they interact and how "into" one another they are could help you change your mind on him. It might help you to see that really they are suited, and that he isn't so bad after-all. Alternatively it could go completely the other way, but you've just gotta' take the risk!

DON'T LET HER KNOW. Although she'll probably be able to figure it out (depending on how well you're able to hide your emotions) telling her that you don't like him is a no-go. Her knowing that you don't like him is unlikely to change her opinion on him. Instead, she's likely to think that you're just being a judgemental cow or that you're jealous, and that's not going to get you anywhere.

BE SUPPORTIVE. There's always that temptation to say "I told you so" when things go wrong, but if they get back together or work things out, you're going to look bad. Instead, try to have her back with things. Eventually she'll probably see that she was an idiot, but she doesn't need you to tell her that to figure it out. She'll do that on her own.

THIS CHANGES NOTHING. You're still going to be friends whether she has a boyfriend that you like or not. Things aren't going to change drastically, perhaps the dynamics might alter slightly, but it's nothing you can't cope with. Just enjoy your friendship, don't let things like this get between you.

Second Year in Photos (Part 2)

January

As a January baby, this is one of my favourite months. As a university student, it means refreshers fest and getting back to "the grind". I spent much of January celebrating and partying with all me chums (top row & bottom left). We also had the lovely surprise of finding a rat in our house, which had made itself at home over the Christmas holidays! I've been so kind as to spare you guys the gross photos, so you can have my artistic example instead (bottom right).

February

February was equally full of fun and frolics. My chums and I attended a cocktail making event as part of the fundraising for UoB marrow soc (top left). Valentines day cards from anonymous sources a.k.a. my dad and my bessie, lol (top right). Feeling fab 'n' fresh at our regular student union night out... #theawkwardmomentwhen you have to crop one of the twins to square the photo (bottom left). My friend Joe made the long and tedious trip from Plymouth to visit (bottom right).

March

March brought with it a fair amount of birthday celebrations - they always seem to come in bunches. I trekked across to Norwich and partied with the freshers, as well as friends from back home (top left), before returning back to reunite with friends on a night out in Brum (top right). As always, all of my essay deadlines coincided with all of the nights out and culminated in me getting ill. Here I am with my lifelong pal, bunnyhops (bottom left). Finally, we discovered a thief in our midst when my housemate's chocolate was taken during pre drinks one evening. We're still looking for the culprit (bottom right).

April

Easter break meant a month spent back at home with family (top left & right), as well as out and about with friends. I visited both Whipsnade (bottom left) and Knole House (bottom right), both of which were absolutely stunning.

May

As a student of an essay-based subject, it's work all year round, which means it's actually quite quiet in the exam period. Of course, I kept myself busy, as usual. Baking with the boy was a welcome break from revision (top left) and my trip to oxford was amazing (top right). Becca and I hit the bullring (bottom left), and I popped back home for my cousins's wedding celebrations (bottom right).

June

Finally, end of exams meant even more celebrating (as if we ever needed an excuse). As a member of the bloodsoc committee I took part in a #nationalbloodweek "photoshoot" on campus (top left). If you didn't see the campaign, it's definitely something worth checking out. We enjoyed vale fest, particularly the facepaint and flower crowns (top right). I had giggles with my favourite lads and future housemates (bottom left). Then enjoyed gradball with the boy (bottom right).

Second Year in Photos (part 1)

Second year had absolutely flown by, just like first year did. It's been full of ups and downs, lots of essays, probably too much partying and tons of laughs. With the end of exams looming I decided that this was appropriate procrastination, so here it is... I'll post part 2 after my last exam, if I'm not too busy partying!

September

I didn't ever get round to posting a blog post on the disaster that was our house's delayed reconstruction but it was in a pretty dire state the day we were due to move in... Yep, that's our kitchen, and it has no roof (top left)! Cue having to move in with my friend Becca for several days (bottom right) before our temporary house was free for us to move into. Still, we had a good time (top right). Our temporary house wasn't the greatest of arrangements with Jenny & I having to share a double bed (bottom left).  

October

Jenny & I remained on speaking terms despite having to share, not only a room, but a bed for what felt like a lifetime to both of us ;] (top left), and as soon as we were in our new house she cooked up a cracking roast for us all (ok, so we did help..), as a moving in celebration (top right). My mum sent me a cute fleece to match 'olaf' from frozen, and to keep me warm when we refused to put the heating on... #studentproblems (bottom left). The fleece didn't work that well, because it wasn't long before I got a cold. Jenny kindly volunteered to drive me to sainsburys to get cough medicine, but we may have accidentally rear-ended someone on the way there (it was terrifying, but not really anyone's fault). The police drove us home! (bottom right).

November

At the beginning of November my friend Becca and I popped along to our local blood donation centre to donate blood, me for the second time and her for the first! (top left). My housemates and I, threw a halloween house party which was buckets full of fun and a really good way to christen our new house (top right, bottom left). Vale fireworks are a definite event for the calendar if you live in Birmingham, we popped along and enjoyed the cold, rain, and a beautiful firework display (bottom right).

December

End of term means lots of nights out and lots of fun. My end of term was no different. It ranged from three way spoons in bed (top left), to getting married at fab to a complete stranger (top right). Plus, lots of trips to all of the vodbull events, just can't get enough (bottom left & bottom right).

Christmas & New Year

There's nothing quite like going home for Christmas. Spending time catching up with family and friends is always well needed after a long term at uni, and good home-cooked food is always welcome in a student's diet. I slugged with my sister (top left), had good grub with school friends (top right), and ate my weight in roast potatoes on Christmas Day (bottom left). Then, when I was missing uni the most, I had a wonderful catch up with my bestest for New Years (bottom right).

Oxford Comma

This week I was invited by my lovely friend Matt to visit him in Oxford for his college's guest ball. With the offer of (extremely fancy) food, drink, a catch up with friends, and dressing up, I decided I'd be stupid to refuse. Oxford is a pretty easy commute from Birmingham so I hopped on a train with my new tiny suitcase (I'm famous for over packing) ready for whatever Oxford wanted to throw at me.

As expected, Matt's college was gorgeous and he gave me a behind-the-scenes tour of the campus, whilst I took hundreds of photographs and lived like a tourist. The college costs £14 (!!!) to look around, but is absolutely gorgeous so I would recommend it if you ever find yourself in Oxford with nothing to do!

 

I don't think it's possible to take a bad photo of that place, it's spectacular.

The dinner was black tie and boasted four courses as well as a champagne reception beforehand, so once Matt and I were done with wandering around the college's many beautiful corridors we suited up and headed to the hall where the dinner was being hosted.

Any hardcore Harry Potter fan recognise the stairs? Yep, I went two of the greatest education centres in Britain in one day, Hogwarts (well, the stairs) & Oxford. 

The meal was lovely and the company was even better. We thoroughly enjoyed giggling at how inept we were when it came to the copious amounts of cutlery and glasses we had been provided - apparently it's outside in for cutlery and the biggest glass is for water, who knew!

I also spotted Constantine Louloudis at the meal, which thoroughly excited me. Please say that at least one of my readers knows who is, because only one other person did.

After lots of giggles and all the food we could handle we strolled back through the perfectly manicured courtyard to Matt's room where we all socialised in the best way possible... With drinking games. A couple of glasses later and we were on our way to Wahoo. I would describe Wahoo as the hottest club in town, but that's mostly because I had to take a break from dancing step outside several times for fresh air.

Writing a Blog

This is probably the thing I get asked about the most. If you have a lot to say then a blog is the perfect way to say it. Yes, it takes work and a small amount of skill, but it can be super rewarding and if you're passionate about writing then blogging might be for you!

Bloglovin' is great for catching up on missed posts and your favourite blogs

YOUR PLATFORM: There are quite a few ways for you to get your words out there. Your blogging platform is the website you use to publish your blogs on. For example, the current platform I use is blogger, which is Google's blogging platform. However, there are quite a few different platforms out there, such as wordpress or tumblr. I've found that wordpress and blogger seem to be the 'big ones', but it just depends on your preferences as to what you want to use.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?: Naming your blog is one of the hardest things about setting a blog up. You could make it relevant to what you'll be writing about, or make it personal to yourself. Try not to expose too much personal data about yourself though - you might not want to make it you full name for example. If you want your blog to be anonymous then that's cool too, just rack your brain and pick a random name. Hopefully something people will remember!

YOUR DOMAIN: I have a purchased domain, which I got from godaddy.com. If you're just starting off with your blog, it's probably best to leave this for a while, because you could end up spending a fair amount of money on a website which you don't ever use! However, if you do choose to have your own domain you will have to, firstly, purchase a domain, and then install this on your platform. There are plenty of tutorials on the net to help you figure out how to do this.

This is my (quite boring) header, which was made on paint

YOUR LAYOUT: Most blogging platforms make it quite simple for you to change your layout up to personalise it to your tastes. You can usually add a header image, which will add character to your blog. Header images can easily be made on image editing software such as photoshop, or if you're not that fancy you could even have a go on microsoft paint!

WHAT TO WRITE?: There are plenty of beauty, fashion or lifestyles blogs on the net. If you want to write an eye-catching blog you'll have to search for innovative ways to attract readers. Try to think of original ideas and write about what you're passionate about. Think about your target audience - what would they want to read? What would they be interested in?

HOW TO GET READERS: In order to get people to read your blog you have to publicise that it's there. That might mean sharing it on social media such as facebook and twitter, or commenting on posts from similar blogs so that they can then click back to your blog. Another great website is bloglovin.com which will notify people when you post to your blog. Try not to spam people with your blog, it will most likely put them off and usually isn't appreciated. A much better way is to write things people are interested in and then will share to their friends.