A great while ago the world begun, with hey, ho, the wind and the rain.

In England, it is tradition for universities to dedicate their Wednesday afternoons to sports. However, having managed to avoid every single lesson throughout sixth form (that Russian GCSE really did come in handy), I had no intention of embarrassing myself on AU night when starting in Liverpool. Instead, I went on a trip to the midlands with the English society for something slightly more cultural than a quad-vod from Slater's.


After winding our way down the M6, we finally arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, home to more rain and as many Shakespeare-themed pubs as you can bite your thumb at. To avoid the rain (and a rumbling stomach) before the performance, Clarity, Bertie and I popped into Hobsons Patisserie for a sandwich and a cup of tea, not realising the sheer size of the meal! Fully content, and aware that we were still sitting there nearly half an hour after it'd closed, we went for a wander to Shakespeare's birthplace, where we could be princes of Norway to our hearts' content.


Yet the evening wore on, and we headed over to the instantly recognisable Globe for Twelfth Night: a comedy of mistaken identity, and yellow stockings. The World Shakespeare Festival started last month as part of the 2012 Olympics celebrations, and Stratford plays host to the Shipwreck Trilogy (the Comedy of Errors and The Tempest completing the trio). I'd really recommend going if the opportunity ever presents itself, they've got such a good reputation for a reason!


Fun Fact Fursday*: RSC stands for the Royal Shakespeare Company, but they're also my initials, guess my middle name?


xxx


*This is not going to become a regular feature, don't worry.


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I'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour

Blouse: £2, charity shop. Bow detail jeans: £5, Topshop via ebay.  Belt: came with dress, oh my love. Pumps: 50p, Russell and Bromley via ebay. Teacup and spoon necklace: £6, Accessorize. Glitter clutch: free!, Topshop.


Today's plan, initially, was to go to the library, write my dissertation proposal (gulp!) and maybe sneak in a couple of outfit photos, as I finally got my hands on these jeans that I regretted not purchasing the moment they sold out. However, it turned into an hour long walk in the rain, finally finding some cherry blossom in Liverpool, popping into the new Central Perk Liverpool that opened along Hatton Garden today, and serendipitously passing the Giant Uncle on his trip to Anfield as part of Sea Odyssey.


The latter is a three day event run by Liverpool City Council in association with a lot of other people, as seen in the fourth photo (taken by the LJMU Avril Robarts library). I can't get over the scale of it - notice how tiny the Superlambanana looks in comparison! I've seen a fair few scornful facebook statuses, but it was great watching its slow progression through the city centre, and having a chat with the people standing next to you. Liverpudlians are generally quite friendly, something I miss when I'm in London where it's a cardinal sin to make eye contact on the tube. It's continuing until Sunday, so if the route goes near you it's worth fifteen minutes in the cold.


While shivering behind the barrier (polyester blouses really aren't appropriate in this weather, even with a coat on top), I was clutching my hot drink to keep my hands toasty. Central Perk is actually my closest coffee shop now, so I dread to think how much time I'll spend in there. They have a massive TV playing episodes of Friends, loads of comfy sofas, and it's cheaper than many of the chains on the high street - win!


xxx

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It's not like I believe in everlasting love

1. New Year's Eve

2. Cambridge's deceptive sunshine

3. Tea, somewhere near Goodge Street, trumping fashion week

4. Tequila smiles and cowboys to celebrate Amy's fifth birthday

5. I own the weirdest things. Model: MJBT

6. Olympics themed social

7. Cheesecake in the grounds of the cathedral

I haven't posted any photos from my disposable cameras for a ridiculously long time, the first is all the way back to New Year's Eve (just past the stroke of midnight, clutching champagne, not aware that people intended to stay awake for another nine hours, start as you mean to go on, and all that...). The last was taken by Jazzy when we met up a week ago for sweet potato fries and unflattering photos.

Unaware of the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool's two football teams, I found myself on the most packed train ever (second only to the one I got to Sheffield to see Arctic Monkeys. Last June everyone was wearing band t-shirts, this time it was football strips), but I'm back in the North now, and have no excuses not to do my essays. Apart from writing a blog post, of course. It is lovely to be back. I had my moments last year (massive understatement) which involved me seriously considering dropping out, but, right this second, I am so glad I've stayed. Liverpool is a beautiful city, which I've grown to love in the year and a half I've lived here, and I've met some rad people in the process. Although I understand neither the football obsession nor the scouse brow, I know that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. And, for some reason, tea tastes nicer here.

xxx

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