Andros - Summer 2017

What better time than the next year to write about my summer? 
I had an action-packed seven weeks and then went head first into my busiest semester of university - now I finally have time to write for pleasure.

In July I set off for my first ever excavation on the sunny island of Andros in the Cyclades, Greece. We were excavating a neolithic site (about 5000 years old) which involved a lot of animal bones and broken pottery. The site was on a promontory of the island which meant most of the time it was very windy, which meant it wasn't unbearably hot, but it also made it hard to work sometimes. I'm not allowed to show pictures of the site itself so instead here is the incredible view we had each day.

Weekdays were spent waking at 5am and getting to site for 7am, which meant on most days a nap was required when we got back to the accommodation at around 3pm. Luckily Andros is small and Greeks eat dinner late into the evening. Many late afternoons and evenings were spent wandering through tiny streets of blue and white houses and petting a seemingly infinite number of cats. I developed a love of fresh bread dipped in olive oil washed down with a few glasses of the local wine. 

On weekends we explored more of the island including a monastery perched high in the hills and an ancient city at the bottom of a ravine. Some highlights of the three weeks included getting thanked by the mayor on stage and then doing traditional Greek dancing in front of a huge crowd, finding a tiny bead amongst a lot of dirt, and making new friends wherever I went.

Everyday Emily

It's been a while since I've done an Everyday Emily but that's because anything exciting that I've done has warranted it's own post. However, these past few weeks have been exciting.

University
I am currently revising for my second year exams which means I am half way through my degree! I have chosen my modules for third year and I get to study things from an archaeological perspective which I am really looking forward to! In the space of a month I have gone from having no idea about what to focus on to having a topic for my dissertation that is a year away and looking at post-grad courses in Cambridge! 

I am also now on the committee of the student archaeology society which will give me some experience for planning events and finding opportunities. I also participated in IJM's Stand4Freedom. I couldn't do the whole 24 hours but I managed 10 hours and it was a great experience! My legs definitely hurt and I was very cold but getting to spend time with big-hearted people raising money and awareness for a great cause was 100% worth it!

Music
During my spring break a group of friends and I travelled to Glasgow to go to a Bethel Worship Nights, and it was an amazing night! I got to sing some of my favourite songs with so many passionate and spiritual people. 
I am also seeing Sigur Rós with my dad in August. He has never seen them before and their whole performance is incredible, the combination of lights and sound just blows me away!

Summer
My lease ends in August which means I have the joy of staying in St Andrews over summer. Luckily the Open is in Troon this year so there won't be as many golfers. I am working in a hotel this summer which wont be very exciting but that's because my exciting summer plans are happening next year!
However I am excited to spend my time off at the beach and taking in the beautiful town that is St Andrews! Plus a few of my friends are also staying over the summer so I wont be completely alone.

2016 \\ Reflections

This time last year I wrote a post about the changes I wanted to make in 2015. I like looking back at the things I've achieved over the year and also I have loads to look forward to in the upcoming year.

In 2015 I became myself, I'm still not 100% there but I am closer. I started to understand my place in the world and the way that I can impact the world in a positive way. I am just one person but that is not something that will hold me back. I have met so many passionate people this year, people who want to change the world and not for selfish reasons. I have grown deeper and more mature in my faith. I have friends that support and push me to grow closer to God and to be the person He says I am. My ideas for my future are changing and I am not sure what I definitely want to do but that's not important. I am studying things I am interested in and I love the town I study in. I travelled to new places and really went out of my comfort zone. I was stubborn and this negative trait helped me do incredible things. It was also a really hard year at times. My mental health was the worst it has been since I hit the bottom a few years ago. I am naive and worried about admitting I have mental health problems. But I know they aren't my fault and that so many people face the same battles that I do. It got so bad that I jeopardised my studies but I got around it whilst nearly driving myself into the ground. I analysed my relationships and realised that some people are toxic and that I have no responsibility to be there for them. Even if they are your mother.

In 2016 I turn twenty-one. I also start my third year of university and my grades will count towards my degree. 2016 is the year it all gets serious and I am scared but excited. Later this month I am going to Calais to help in a refugee camp. I understand that donating money may be more helpful but I want to go there to show them that they are loved and respected. I am visiting Rome with my best friend and getting to see all the important monuments I have studied over the past year. I move into a new house with someone who loves the same things as I do. I am going to write more, both here and poetry. I will sing more and not care if I am not in tune. I will continue to build on my relationship with God and let it shape me into a better woman. I am going to put effort into my relationships because I really do have amazing friends. I might finally become organised and stop procrastinating. I am going to focus on my mental health and recognise when it's bad again. I am going to admit I am not perfect and enjoy my imperfect life.

Everyday Emily

You might be familiar with Bees H is for Happy lists on her great blog, Everyday Emily is similar to this, but also pretty different. I want this to be a place I can write about all the great, mediocre and shit things that happen to me. 

Bears Den @ Queens Hall, Edinburgh
If you've not heard of Bears Den I would recommend you immediately start listening to them, they're going to be big. This was my second time seeing them and once again they were amazing. The lead vocals, harmonies and instruments, especially the banjos, combine to create an incredible live performance. Enhanced by acoustic sets, including one where they perform in the audience! A few of my favourite songs are Don't Let The Sun Steal You Away and Stubborn Beast. 


VSCOcam 
Any budding iPhone photographer or anyone who is on instagram will recognise VSCOcam. I have too many photos on my phone and a good number of them have been edited using the VSCOcam app.The base app is free and the additions are cheap. Follow me here!

Second Year
I have been back at university for a month now, and I am officially an ancient history and archaeology student. Changing my degree was a huge step that my mum wasn't too happy about as I am no longer getting a language degree. However I could not be happier and cannot wait to spend countless weekends in trenches looking for old things. 
This year I've been way more involved in student life and societies, as I have the time to do them now. Excitingly I am part of a new student society called Just Love, which involves looking at human rights injustices from a Christian perspective. Our first event is the Walk for Freedom, which is for a really good cause and hopefully we raise more awareness for it. My workload and general busy-ness this year has increased but it's all good because it's all for a good reason.

Music
I know that I already mentioned music when I wrote about seeing Bears Den but they merited their own section. As part of Coffee House Sessions Luke Sital-Singh came to perform a short set at my universities student union. He was really good and the cafe was packed, although he didn't sing Benediction which is my favourite. I've also loved The Weeknds album Beauty Behind the Madness and Darwin Deez' album Double Down.

Feminism and Me

I am a feminist. 

Feminism is not a dirty word.

The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. Gloria Steinem

I'm not perfect, no one is but I am making conscious efforts to unlearn all the horrible habits I have. For me the hardest thing to unlearn was the constant judgement of other women that I did everyday. It's hard not to judge other women, when we are constantly bombarded with the ideals we should achieve and told that anyone who doesn't adhere to these should be judged. The problem is that no one can achieve these ideals, perpetuating the cycle of self hatred. How am I expected to not judge other women for the way they act, or look, if I do the same to myself. People idolise powerful women yet tear them down as soon as possible. 

I am my own worst critic and this is detrimental to my health, both mental and physical. How can I expect anyone to love me if I don't love myself. I am shown everywhere that I should look a certain way but this changes every season, I can't be curvy one second and then skeletal the next. Should I aspire to be a career woman or a mother? Should I take every opportunity to rise to the top only to earn less and never reach my true potential. Should I pursue a career where my research is less likely to receive funding.

A feminist is any woman who tells the truth about her life. Virginia Woolf

I am not a perfect feminist and I don't claim to be. I am privileged. I am white, straight, educated, middle class and raised in a western country. I will never know what it means to be anything other than what I am. Although the situation is relatively good for me, it's not that way for millions of others. Feminism doesn't end when my situation is the best it can be, it carries on until everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Recognising that my struggles are different is the first step, 

It is so important for me to challenge these stereotypes and taught behaviours. It is hard, to unlearn all the bad habits I've been shown all my life but it's worth it in the end. To praise and admire strong women who have done amazing things, who have overcome the unimaginable. 

2015 \\ Reflections

I've decided that this year I'm not going to set myself resolutions; I last a month at most and then feel like a failure for the rest of the year. This year I am being selfish and focusing on myself.
These aren't resolutions per se, I see them more as goals for the future and becoming the best version of myself I can be. It's a change of habits, attitude and persona.

You are not a match. You are a goddamn wildfire. (Amanda Oaks, full poem)

This year I'm going to do things that make me happy and help me remember how lucky I am. I am studying something I love, I live right beside the sea and my friends are amazing; what isn't there to love? This year I turn twenty and I think I've finally realised that if someone doesn't like you then it doesn't matter, I'm not here to impress anyone. I'm going to embrace my terrible dance skills and my loud laugh. Why should I be ashamed about things that are natural and make me who I am. I'm going to be enthusiastic about Alexander the Great and Herodotus and no one can stop me.

I think it's intoxicating when someone is so unapologetically who they are. (Don Cheadle)

I'm going to stop relying on people and things for my happiness. It is so easy to depend on certain people to pull you through the dark times and difficulties but I need to learn how to do it myself. I may be young but I've done a lot in my short life. I volunteered for two months, travelled to Peru on my own, I have consistently worked for the past three years and I got into a top class university. I am proud of myself. When did having pride in yourself become a bad thing, I work hard and I deserve good things. I am capable of great things and this year I intend to become the best version of myself.

I stopped looking for the light. Decided to become it instead. (@heyfranhey) 

I'm going to write more, sing more, draw more and dance more. I'm going to wholeheartedly embrace my wonderful life and conquer anything in my way. In the simplest terms possible I'm going to punch 2015 in the face and kick its ass. 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

source

Everyone is heading home for a cosy christmas with family and a relaxing month long break from university. Except me. I'll be spending the majority of the winter break staying in my university town to work, here are my plans so I don't turn into a recluse.

- Go outside -
I'm lucky that I live in a beautiful town beside the sea, and I need to take advantage of that. Whether it's a long walk or popping to the shops, I aim to go outside every day. 

- Read -
I finally have to read non-reading list books which means I'm going to tackle the huge pile of books that I've been meaning to read. Coincidently the majority of them are to do with my degree in some way!

- Exercise -
Last summer I was going on runs every week and loving it but university threw everything out of balance. I want to start running again and this break is the perfect time for that. 

- Keep in touch - 
I love writing letters and cards and want to send them to my friends, especially those in far flung places. There is nothing nicer than getting a handwritten card in the post!

- Prepare for next semester -
I want to be prepared by doing all the required reading in advance, luckily I enjoy the background reading! I also need to keep on top with my Spanish, ¡aquí voy! 

All of this will be partnered with my retail job, which should be fun in the sales.

Grandpa's Hobby

My Grandfather was a keen photographer, a hobby I share with him. Although I never met my Grandpa I've learnt a lot about him through his photographs; whether they're of the Austrian Alps, his family or India. I love seeing photos of my mum and her brothers as children and my grandparents as young adults enjoying themselves after the war. I love these photos because they give me a glimpse into my families life and what it was like back then.

My Grandpa worked for GlaxoSmithKline and spent a lot of his career contributing photographs to the company magazines and newsletters. He was lucky enough to travel to India to see the new factory in an era when foreign travel, especially that far, was rare and very expensive. He was also very fond of Austria and Switzerland, I found hundreds of photos of mountains and lakes. Alongside the far-flung landscapes he often took photos of his family and friends. There is something both professional and amateur about these photographs and I love it. Nothing leaves memories better than photographs.

My Nana died on Christmas Day aged ninety-two years old and she lived a good life. She is remembered by her four children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Although I am devastated I know she is in a better place and finally reunited with my Grandpa, her husband, after more than twenty years apart. We can't prevent our loved ones dying but we can deal with it and remember them whilst simultaneously pulling ourselves together and living our lives.

Realistic Resolutions

Like everyone else in the world I make resolutions for the new year with the well intended hope of sticking to them and magically transforming into a super fit goddess who can speak Spanish fluently and cook up a storm. However, like the majority of people, I last for a few weeks (days) and then give up and go back to my old ways. This year, however, shall be different. I'm making realistic resolutions this year, starting off with small doable things that will make a difference. 

Eat healthier | This doesn't necessarily equate to 'lose weight', my diet is terrible and no doubt adds to my weight and bad skin. I enjoying cooking and plan to use this as a motivation for making healthy meals. This year I will eat better and finally sort out my horrendous diet.

Read more | I used to read a lot, I would read a book every week but in the last year I have only read whilst on holiday. I have mountains of unread books just screaming out to be loved so this year I'm going to read more and blog about them. 

Switch off | This appears to be quite a common resolution this year, it seems that many people are attached to their gadgets, I know I'm certainly attached to my phone! I could be doing so many productive and creative things with my time yet I can spend hours on tumblr or just generally faffing about on my phone. This year I am aiming to spend half an hour without gadgets each day. 

Keep learning | I finished school last year and I am currently on a gap year before going to university in September. I'm going to be doing modern languages and really need to keep my skills up. Although my Spanish is pretty good because I spent all summer speaking it, my German is schlecht! Alongside my two languages I want to learn French and some basic Icelandic, so I've got my work cut out for me! This year I'm going to continue learning my chosen languages and learn some new ones.

So there you have it, realistic and not intimidating resolutions that I will try my hardest to stick to. What are your resolutions?

Starting Anew

I started this blog way back in 2007 when I was a tender young teen impressed by the success of beauty and fashion bloggers. Nowadays, although still impressed by that success, my attraction to blogging has changed. I want to write about whatever interests and affects me, be that travelling, reading, cooking or even searching for ghosts. Whether people want to read about that is still to be discovered. 

Here's to a new blogging beginning!