Well, it all started when...

Well bit of a misleading title since lazed around in pyjamas half the morning. But then began the W'ton comeback tour of trying to see everyone. Went to lunch with Helen which was lovely and then her car broke down so we fixed it, then we drove to mine and fixed it again. So am not officially a mechanic...the fact that we used the wrong tools and didn't even know the name of what we were fixing is irrelevant..the car didn't work, now it does - genius.
However, it's nice being home, thus far. Unfortunately my week of uberly excessive motivation and geekiness has completely worn off leaving me with four essays, lots of research clogging up my head and no motivation. Fortunately one essay is very engaging as it involves me trying to find a flaw in Anselm's theory of atonement. Dani v's Anselm, something I never thought I'd see. Bit of a giant-killing essay attempt, which has also made me question my dissertation topic as I am presently finding this much more intriguing.
Have also been having a peep into the scary world of post uni and testing the waters with the parents about some ideas...so far so good. Right might go sit in the sunshine - sunny sunny Wolverhampton - turn up for the books!

It's spring time!!!!! (Which also means it's nearly summer and almost flip flop weather yey) There are daffodils and croci...official plural of crocus and sounds better than crocuses. It fits in better with Latin verb conjunctions...not that I know Latin. But anyway it is most definitely spring. Walking back from Handball last night it was positively mild (though I had just been running around for and hour and a half and was wearing t-shirt, hoody, coat and scarf)almost warm. I thought I could also see stars which would have topped the evening off but it was just the planes on the flight path to NEMA... needless to say that took me a good few minutes to work out.
But it is sunny and springy and I'm in a very good mood because of it. I can also cut the grass soon which means it's definitely nearly summer.
Anyway enough of reading this, go play in the sunshine.

Today was a bit memorable, not intentionally, and somewhat embarrassingly, but there's no reason others shouldn't laugh with me. Also as a result I am stuck at home bored.

Well it all started when I agreed to give blood with Hannah. I am pretty scared of needles but having had a blood test last semester and it not being too bad I agreed to do it. She's a bit of an old hand and assured me it would be fine, might hurt a little but that I'd be fine. Right (btw in no way do I blame Hannah for the events that follow) I was quite happy going along, a little apprehensive but thought it'll be fine. Preliminaries went well (was hoping somehow wouldn't be suitable but hey we'll go with it). They knew I was a first timer and were really really lovely. They did the business, hurt a little but I was doing it. Slightly strange beeping starts from my machine...eek. It's all fine just turns out I don't bleed fast enough. Easily solved...they give me something to squeeze. Eventually all done. Remove the needle, sorted. They had caught on I wasn't a huge fan of needles so were treating me well and got me to stay lying down longer than normal just to make sure I'd be fine. The guy kept checking I was alright and I really was.

Finally done, I can now stand up slowly and go get a drink. Walking was fine, although I was having a stress about having got my finger stuck in my bag and therefore looking a bit of a plank as I couldn't put it on my shoulder. Sat down, Hannah (having been done for ages) comfortingly checks I'm ok. "Yes fine thanks...ooh...ooh, I'm about to go" Clunk I pass out. The darkness had fallen and ringing commenced and I blacked out. I came round on the floor, very confused with lots of people checking I was ok (pretty embarrassing!).

(Here's the best bit) I was beginning to feel vaguely normal again except my ears were still ringing, this seemed to stop but I could still hear some ringing sound but different. I told the lady, (Hannah has filled me in on this bit) at which point both Hannah and the lady looked at each other and then realised they could also hear it. Very puzzled we (they) quickly realised I had pass out next a microwave and that was ringing. That set us all off giggling...me more and more so as I realised what had happened.

Apparently my body reacted badly (this isn't normal!) so I've also been banned for a year...I don't know, you try to help . I was also told I couldn't play handball tonight..rubbish.

They sorted me out and let me leave eventually...thus turned up to my lecture 40mins late..good effort, but apparently I had the best excuse my lecturer has heard in a while..sorted! Really do give blood though, they are so good and it's over really quickly, well from what I saw of everyone else. And who knows you may even get a funny story to tell from it. Plus they really need it to save lives.

They already had remembered my name because apparently someone who had just left their team was called Danielle Cook (you have to put your full name on these things...tsk) but I think the microwave story clinched it...famous, at least in the blood giving world!

I have been "writing my essay" for two days now...total word count----0 good work 'eh. I have surprised and frankly surpassed myself with distraction techniques. Music is the root of the problem, playing and listening. Got a new sustain pedal for my keyboard (much delayed Christmas present from the parents, which I had to order myself!) which arrived as I was leaving for lectures this morning...nightmare. Secondly I have discovered some classics on my computer which just had to be listened too. Thirdly had a good ole classical session yesterday whilst filing my lectures notes so far for this term..slight improvement on last semester.
Other distraction techniques...doing washing, tiding (very necessary), pondering Mission Week shenanigans and generally quite a lot of daydreaming...oooh tiredness.
I popped home between lectures today to pick up a book and went to sleep (needed) but when I awoke I got majorly confused about time and thus ended up at my lecture half an hour early...nightmare. However, Cat then appeared with Mini Eggs...yey. Day ended nicely with a text from my lovely brother...although there was a definite short quip in there but was nice.
Also had Pancakes..yummy. It is possible to have a whole meal of pancakes and I am just about converted the idea of savoury pancakes...but only with lemon and sugar pancakes for desert! Classics are the best. Happy Pancake Day!

I have now been thoroughly initiated into the world of shopping for a wedding...Oh how little I knew. It was somewhat weird at times but really great fun.
It turns out that if you mention you are shopping for a wedding in a normal shop you get your own personal shopper (with obligatory compliments ) who shows you round...so that's what being engaged is all about.
We then tried on several dresses, some really nice, some fairly unflattering. It turns out that green is the current wedding colour...green is not Lucy's theme, and thus some difficulty.
Having owned precisely 1 dress in the past who knows how many years it was good fun dressing up. Also am liking muchly the fact that sizes are larger than the marked sizes...instant weight loss!
By the end of the trip we had one particular contender but we are far from done. We're going again in 2 weeks and we have to have appointments this time...scary...no hiding in the changing room until you're sure it's right.
But yeah wedding shopping...lots of fun but hard work. I'm sure it'll all be great on the day though!

I have decided that one of my favouritist things of all has to be proper letters. I received one this morning from a very good friend of mine and it is one of best starts to the day. I like emails, texts and phone calls but letters definitely top the list. They're more personal, more honest and you can see the little mistakes and quirks made along the way. You end up sharing things that just wouldn't come up in conversation and can take time to think how to say it and how to reply. I also love the way that with some friends you know who it is just by the handwriting on the envelope and that makes me smile.

I have a new favourite word ( I am fickle with words so this is subject to change without prior notice or much time having elapsed) Tympanic - means to act like a drum head..what and adjective. Anyway this was found whilst looking for another word in the dictionary. I quite like dictionaries, it tends to take me four times as long as the average person (extensive studies have be done) because I get distracted by other weird sounding words. My revision has provided me with a plethora of these- not that I remember too many of them.

I found a quote a while ago that went something like "theology should lead to doxology" well it said something about how studying theology should lead to worship, and I concur. Now that's all very well and good when you're having a nice read of apologetics or a good ole Bible study but I've often found it rather hard in regards to my degree. The fact we frequently get a huge heap of heresy to digest doesn't help. But in the last few days I think I might of cracked it - I say I but what I really mean is God has worked. Whilst walking to my exam the other day and being in a thoroughly bad mood that I had a 9am exam on the first Monday of exams we (me and Han) bumped into Mark Aldham who became quite excited about the prospect of writing about Kingship in the Old testament (part of what I had to do) and who told us to "enjoy the exam". (This reminded that at Cornerstone the night before the guy had briefly touched on some of my exam material and I remembered feeling ooo maybe some of this could be even more useful than I thought.) Me, thinking this impossible, although I prefer exams to coursework, decided I would enjoy myself, and I did! Really (ok so I am now a geek and will be ostracised in theology lectures). Granted nice questions came up but really it made sense, the things I was writing are important, even the bits I thoroughly disagreed with (some strange ideas about kingship and wisdom) because they just emphasised actually that God's way is amazing and especially the Kingship bit which shows so amazingly God's grace and the way His ways are higher than our ways.

I also have an exam tomorrow (should sleep soon) on the "Theology of Paul" and revision (besides being slightly time restricted) has been great and there really is now way you can study it and understand it properly without being moved to praise. Even this has it's quirky 'interpretations' but it is amazing just how the truth shines through so strongly. One of the topics is Salvation and Righteousness...I got so excited in the lectures as often it really was the gospel being explained and shown to be logically and reasonable (and true), although it was also a bit of a bring back to the ground seeing some people just so apathetic towards it, as if it was just an explanation of why 1+1 =2. And then revising it leaves me just stunned sometimes, a couple of times whilst reading at home (I even did the extra reading it was that good) I just had to stop and praise God. Good stuff - just got to learn a few Bible quotes now for the exam...oh the chore!

Have also decided my dissertation topic - Hannah's not impressed that I have already decided and for once am organised. It's going to be on the role of women in leadership in the church (preferably in terms of what the Bible says about it rather than a look at the historical actualities). Very excited as means that the reading I'm doing anyway will as a bonus be useful for my dissertation, on top of for personal opinion/decision making. Oh got the vicar question again on the train the other day: May I take this moment to point out that not all theology students become vicars. Yes some do, other work in secular society, and also you don't have to be a vicar to work in a church. There it's said. Right definate bed time now before a day of revision and exam. 4.30pm on a Saturday!...oh yes enjoy it.

Final thing, I made Rice Krispie cakes today, I forgot how much like a kid they make you feel. Although I did hit a new all time low by burning water... turns out it's possible....and it smells a lot.

That's right it's spring time! Although you wouldn't think it looking at the weather...boo for rain. Although semi-considering donning wellies and going rain dancing...beats revision - (Yes, it's also that time.) Am meant to be trailing off up to the library to return Old Testament books and acquire some books of Paul, but it rains so I blog instead. Was also meant to be playing tennis today but looks like that's off. It was an attempt to regain some dignity after losing 3-0 at badminton to Hannah...re-match...competitive..ME?! But I have seen some bulbs growing in our garden and some squirrels about so I'm consoling myself that it is now Spring not winter and that it'll soon be summer...yay. Not that I'm wishing the year away...just wish it could be summer all year.

Committed the ultimate Facebook crime yesterday..at least Han gave me a hard time about it. I had a 9am exam so got up about 6.30am to get ready and have a last minute read of notes and quotes. However, I forgot when setting my alarms (3-just to be safe)that my clock is 15-20 mins fast so got up even earlier than I meant to. By the way my clock is digital so if anyone can explain how it gains time I'd be very interested...well maybe not very but yeh. So with my extra half hour I read all my notes, lulled myself into that pre-viewing-of-questions I know what I need to know state and had half an hour to kill so I checked Facebook. Apparently this is and issue...I think not.

Am exam free till Saturday now but am going home tomorrow and Thurs for my brother's 18th (My little brother is 18!! WHAT?!) so probably should return to the Theology of Paul. I actually really enjoy this module so don't mind revising it. Also get to revisit some Greek so that should be fun. Oh look it's lunchtime...maybe will start after lunch...hmm self-discipline.

I guess as it has turned midnight that this is about yesterday really, and thus henceforth replace today with yesterday every time I erroneously type today instead...saves me the hassle. (Could get confusing if I talk about tomorrow).
As the result of a far too late cup of coffee I am awake...there are other contributing factors, which I won't bore you with.
Well yes, in reference to the title, I have today spoken to exactly one person! I don't know his name, but I do know where he lives...basically it was a neighbour dropping some post round for me. So basically conversation was Him: "Hi! Is this you?" (wielding two book shaped passages addressed to me)
Me: "Err yes"
Him: "Oh good, they were delivered to mine number(x), I don't know why"
Me: "Oh, me neither, but thanks"
Him:"No problem, here you are, bye then"
Me: "Thanks, bye"
So as you can tell it was riveting. The lack of personage and impending exams left me with one thing to do...revise. So for once I did, and also I read a a book off the reading list, well the relevant parts anyhow.

The other highlights of my day being watching Tamworth and Liverpool loose in the FA Cup...boo. I don't particularly support either of these teams but I'm always up for a bit of giant killing (re.Tamworth..plus it's relatively near my home town) and I don't like Arsenal (re Liverpool).

The day was redeemed with a fine viewing of 'Sense and Sensibility'. Have never seen it before and wasn't in the mood for a completely soppy predictable chick flick so went for a bit of Austen class. I wish I lived in Austen times - although I think I'd be pretty lame and get bored pretty quickly - but the politeness and charm and balls and other 'diversions' are all quite nice. Clothes...not so sure on the practicality of the ladies dresses but did bring back memories of 'Pride and Prejudice' in Sixth Form. 4 nights in one week of period costumes was probably quite enough - although it was quite fun. The blokes clothes though, top half very nice, approving of the shirts and coats, but the trousers are very strange and what's with the socks? Hugh Grant as Edward Ferrars epitomises my point very well. Was actually surprised that I could take him seriously in character after the many chick flick eligible bachelor roles, but he pulls it off quite well, although not nearly as well as Colin Firth as Mr Darcy...and that is honestly and truly just a comment on their ACTING.

It is a lovely story, although I'm not entirely content with the ending. I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't seen it (invite me round when you do watch it, please) but only one of the relationships sits entirely comfortably with me...two at a push...three if I'm in a really good mood. The third being if I really believe she loves him, which I'm not entirely sure, I think she is meant to. I also feel bad for Willoughby, he definitely made many mistakes but the parting shot of him makes me feel somewhat bad for him. There are also some incredibly funny characters in it, Hugh Lawrie (the guy who plays 'Dr. House') is particularly good and it had a chuckle at sundry other moments...so blokes it's not all romance...mostly though, and there is a sword fight. Anyway you are going to have to watch it now to understand what I am blithering on about. Happy viewing.

(except Qi which was rather funny last night)
Well this morning I was happily driving home from church (I wasn't happy because I had left church but was just happy) and I pulled up on the main road ready to turn right across a dual carriageway and another car came the other way to turn left (into the same road) and I heard an alarm going off. I then realised it was coming from the car turning left. That was fairly amusing but then I also noticed that the left indicator was flashing (fair enough she was turning left), followed by the right indicator, followed by both indicators...twice. (At this point I stalled from laughing...rather embarrassing...twice.)and repeat.
The little old lady then preceded to drive down the road blissfully unaware until she got to my road where she stopped opposite the turning and merrily stepped out and into her house leaving the car flashing and beeping away.
Well there you go then.
Happy New Year for tomorrow...May God bless you x