Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I have done a lot of blogs about essays and exams and everything else about uni (because that is what they’re meant to be about after all), but I thought I would dedicate my final blog of December to sharing with you the highlights of my 2015 Christmas break which, so far, I have really enjoyed because I have actually allowed myself to have a proper break rather than stressing about my work. These are the things I have enjoyed most…

Spending time with family: I decided to stay at uni for an extra week after term finished (the intention being to get reading done for my January exam. As it turns out I didn’t get much work done, instead I did a huge clean up of the house!), so when it was finally time to go home I was very excited to see my family. My first stop was Southampton to see my Dad and grandparents and then it was on up to Norfolk to see my Mum, Step Dad, twin sister (who I hadn’t seen in 3 months) and step sister (who I hadn’t seen in 4 months). It is so lovely to be home. We haven’t done much (just lots of walking, eating and playing games), but we have had a such a laugh.  I absolutely love my uni life, but I equally love spending time with my family and I think being away for several weeks at a time really makes me appreciate being back home.

Christmas Day selfie!

And of course a selfie with Bruce.

Food: Although I do cook a lot of yummy food in Leicester there is nothing like Mums cooking. I was so pleased when we came home to the smell of roast lamb on the 23rd. And of course Christmas dinner was as perfect as always. Since then I have had my mums homemade pickled red cabbage with cold meat on boxing day, turkey curry, roast beef, homemade mince pies and lots and lots of chocolate. And tonight we’re going to our ‘local’ (7 miles away) pub for some proper pub grub. I will most definitely be going back to uni a couple of pounds heavier!

Walking: When living in the middle of a city at uni I really miss the peaceful countryside walks. I try to walk as much as I can at uni and there are some really nice places to walk (Victoria Park is perfect and Bradgate Park is just a short drive away), but its often quite noisy because everywhere you go there are busy roads. So as soon as I got to Norfolk I went straight out for a 9 mile walk. There are so many lovely walks in North Norfolk, particularly along the coast, and everywhere seems so peaceful. Its such a beautiful part of the English countryside!

This is a snap from our walk along the coast.

I guess the point of this blog is to say that it is really important to give yourself a rest and a chance to spend some well needed time with your family when you’re back for the holidays. I hope everybody has enjoyed their Christmas as much as I have and I wish everyone the best for the New Year!