Goldfish Eating Bass, Circus Tricks (and a bit of Spenser for good measure)

Today was a busy day indeed with positive thinking and yessing galore. Okay, I might be exaggerating a little bit, but not entirely. Today was the first day of my volunteering experience in a local primary school. I had a few doubts about going as I was getting into a bit of a stressed out state over the amount of uni work I have to do. And I didn't really think it was such a good idea to be around young children when in a bit of a mood. But, I knew this would be a different and, most likely, a worthwhile experience (working with younger people usually is, even if it's tough going). Conscience urged me to go. Next thing, there I was in the volunteer office (standing beneath a bloody hot heater!) with a newspaper in hand (no relevance, I'd just bought The Independent on my way down there) and a volunteer t-shirt. The t-shirt would subsequently be put on with some amount of pride.

So, we journeyed over to the primary school, did the usual 'wow, I'd forgotten what it's like to be in school', and made our way to the classroom. We were soon greeted by a class of small, lively, smilely children. Us volunteers probably looked more nervous than they did. In fact, they looked like they were raring to go. It was so exhilarating being surrounded by enthusiastic, bright and lively youngsters. I admit I momentarily put aside all the study work and absorbed myself (okay, I didn't completely loose myself in the moment, I still acted like a responsible adult) in the imaginative mini-universe of young people delved into art (in its broadest sense) and play. It just confirms for me one of the possible career paths I would like to pursue: working in a theatre education department. The idea of school children being able to benefit in a fun and exciting way from theatre - both doing it themselves and seeing it live - is brilliant to me, and I would love to be a part of that experience. One of the pupils came out with a line which completely cracked me up - in a very good way - about goldfish eating bass. It was all at once so random but so imaginative. It's something only children can do. It brought a smile to my face for hours afterwards. I'm still smiling at it now.

If I hadn't already exhausted myself for the day (actually, I felt rather refreshed after my volunteering) I decided I would say 'yes' to a departmental seminar about Edmund Spenser - that abandonned contemporary of Shakespeare. That's all I knew about him before I went. That, and his having given name to the Spensarian sonnet form, his having written The Fairie Queene and... some other things. I really do know very little about him. I came out enlightened. It was a thought provoking, interesting, really nicely delivered seminar - some great questions asked too. It made me want to delve into the world of letter writing - from the Renaissance right through to more recent writers. There's something about letters which I find absolutely fascinating, and often beautiful and exquisite (read some of Charlotte Bronte's letters and Keats's letters and you'll see what I mean). It's an area to look into once my first degree is finished, along with Shakespeare, Batman and Spooks. - I really do have a bizarre range of tastes where literature/culture is concerned. Afterwards a group of us went to one of the campus bars for a drink and a chat. Another 'yes' in my book (and well worth it too).

I refer to the circus tricks in the title because I forgot to write about my friend's 21st birthday night out. Tut tut to myself. 'Tricks' is perhaps a bit far fetched. There weren't any involved. But we were dressed circus-style, amongst us: a clown, an acrobat, a ring master, and various other brightly clothed figures. It was great fun. Although, I occasionally had to question the D.J.'s music choice. It was well worth saying 'yes' to that, even if I did have yet another tiredness hangover the next day, or days. I say 'tiredness hangover' in absolute honesty. I had very little alcoholic drinks that night.

Hmmmmmm. I've wound down my rather exciting but tiring day with another episode of Spooks. Wonderful programme that it is.

For now, goodnight to all. Much love,
xxx

'Papers, Donations, and Volunteering

For the first time in a while I actually went out and bought a newspaper yesterday. Not that I don't keep up with news, I just tend to pick it up in bits and pieces. It was a bit of a positive thinking moment, a bit of let's-try-something-different moment. I should buy 'papers more often really; I like the feeling of turning the pages. There's something I find so satisfying in actually seeing words printed on paper as opposed to on-screen. Not that I don't like reading stuff on the computer, I wouldn't be a blogger if that was the case.

Several pages of the paper were given over to the situation in Haiti. When such events occur it really makes you stop and think about things, all the different things which go on out there in the wider world. I admit that I find news scary sometimes - especially when there are articles about war and natural disasters spread across the front page, or the first headline on television (which often seems to be the case sadly). As I flicked through the paper, I stumbled across an advert for donations. I didn't hesitate. I gave a small amount of money which I hope will contribute in some way.

Later in the day I signed up for (or, in my own phraseology, said 'yes' to) two volunteer dates for a project I'm part of. I have no idea how it will turn out. It consists of taking creative activities into primary schools to get children active and using their creativity and imagination, as well as (hopefully) learning something. It seems a really fun opportunity and I hope I'll gain something from it. And I hope the children do too! There's nothing like seeing them laughing and having big smiles on their faces. I love it!

Much love for now
xxx