Book of The Day!

I love to read. A lot.

So generally I do not have one favourite book, but rather lots of favourite books for different reasons.

Books that make me laugh to books that make me cry, books that send shivers down my spine to books that act as a comfort and give me strength.

The last one might sound a little strange, but depending on what events are going on in my world or the type of mood I’m in, I can always rely on a book to escape to – to take my mind away when the going gets tough or to inspire me.

One such book is Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

Admittedly, I’ve only read it a few times and never actually chose to read it at first. It was given as a set text as part of my English degree and I only first picked it up around a year ago.

To be honest, I thought it was complete rubbish at first but as you read on, you really get into Tess’s story.

Tess is from a poor family but is forced to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune.

Unfortunately, it is upon meeting her ‘cousin’ that Tess’s downfall ensues.

Without spoiling the book, Tess is the epitome of a wronged woman – marginalized and made to be a scapegoat by the masculine world in which she lives.

Despite being written in the 19th century, the experiences of Tess and the themes in the novel are universal – something that people everywhere will have experienced at some point in their own lives.

Something that you can relate to.

Tess constantly seems to hit rock bottom, yet amazingly carries on. Why? Because it’s all she can do. She doesn’t give up, but gets on with life’s trials and toils.

In a weird way, this is a comfort because no matter how bad I think life might be, it’s nowhere near as terrible as the life of Tess.

Potty Problems?

As with every day, Mother Nature tends to call now and again.

Recently, I ‘paid a visit’ in the ladies on the second floor of our beloved J block at the University of Westminster’s Harrow Campus.

I sat down and was quietly doing my ‘business’ when I noticed a sign on the back of the door which read:



I could just be a trifle pedantic and petty, but could someone please tell me the best way to ‘minimise use’?!

As far as I am concerned, if I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go. Should I really risk my life and hold it all in for five hours every day?!

Seizing The Day

I spent last week in my glorious hometown of Newcastle – partly to celebrate one of my best friend’s birthday and see all my other mates, and partly so that I could get a copious amount of hugs from the infamous Mrs. H.

Returning to London was much the same as it was after Christmas – I didn’t want to come back.

Recently, I just haven’t felt comfortable in London. Not because I don’t enjoy living here or like the people I’ve met here, but because I always feel an overwhelming need to run home and get a hug. That’s obviously the seven-year old girl inside me!

So partly to satisfy my childish need for my mum to look after me, and partly to ‘seize the day’, I made a rash but executive decision to book yet more tickets home next week.

Not good at all for my ever-dwindling bank balance, but definitely good for the soul!

I’ve learnt a lot these past few months and I’m still learning.

I’m not talking about media law or feature writing, but weird life lessons – the kind you only learn when some major event happens and you realize how precious certain things and people are to you.

Certain people - my family and my friends.

In particular, friends that I haven’t seen in such a long time because its true that you don’t know what you’ve got until its gone and it hurts to have these kind of regrets in life. Regretting that you should have called someone or seen someone, even just text someone a lot more than you did.

So I’m going back to Newcastle for a University reunion – for my old housemate’s birthday and to see all my friends who I haven’t seen since last summer. To make an effort and seize the day.

And to get a hug from Mrs. H of course!