It was going to take something pretty big to get me blogging again. Leaving home for the first time and moving into uni? Yeah, that should do. I know the point of this blog was once to blog about writing, but from now on I need somewhere I can write about university and how mad this all is, so that's what's happening here from now on! Besides, I'm here to study English Literature with Creative Writing, so the writing stuff will still be here! And I'm still working on a million writing projects, so maybe I will get back to writing about writing as well.
Anyway. It's now Day Two. I was going to write this post yesterday, but everything so far has been pretty hectic and yesterday was filled with setting up everything in my room and meeting new people. There were a few very strange moments, where this all suddenly became very real. The first one I remember was actually back home in Milton Keynes, when we were on the road and we finally left the smaller roads behind for the big main roads. (Not quite motorways, but you know the ones I mean - the roads you're only going to end up on if you're going out of town. You can tell I don't drive.) There was a moment where I realised we were leaving behind the narrower and cosier roads, surrounded by familiar buildings, and heading out into the world. And I wouldn't be coming back that night. To make the moment even more poignant, as soon as we did get onto the open road, 'The Final Countdown' started to play on my MP3 player (yeah, not iPod - suck it, Apple!). You couldn't plan this stuff better!
I suppose then, the other moment I realised "Oh my gosh, this is actually really happening to me" was when my family left. That was peculiar. I stood outside my new accommodation block and watched them drive away, quite literally, into the sunset. It was strange. It was so strange to see them leaving and not be going with them. To know I was now in this strange new land and I was on my own. Emotionally, that was my lowest point. I went back to my room, tried to pull myself together, went on Facebook and did what I always do when I need strength - I spoke to my friends. And that helped. That genuinely, properly helped, because my friends are the most amazing friends anyone could ever wish for. So I'm missing them a hell of a lot, but I am keeping in contact and I am grateful to have them nearby - even if that's only nearby in internet form!
After talking with them, the time finally came to bite the bullet - I had to meet new people. That was daunting. As I had said to some of my friends before coming to university, I didn't remember how to make friends anymore! I had been in the same amazing friendship group for so long, I only ever met new people through them. I hadn't had to introduce myself to total strangers since before I can remember. So, I took the necessary action in times of crisis - I went to make a cup of tea. And my cunning plan worked - other people were sat around in the kitchen, so I started talking to them. Then more people joined us and soon we were all planning to go down to the icebreaker freshers' event that was on that night. A ridiculously long time later, after we had wasted enough time waiting for other people, we got there and found tickets had sold out. Ah. So we headed to bar, where we had a few (very strong) drinks and played some table football. It was a good night and, as I kept saying, I was just so glad to have actually met people I could get on with. I do miss my friends. In fact, throughout the night, there were moments when I thought "This is going to be what everyday life is like for me now - how am I meant to keep doing this without any of my friends here?". But I managed to stop myself dwelling on that and, as I said, had a genuinely good time.
This morning, then, was a strange one. Waking up in a place that's not my home. In fact, going to sleep in that bed last night felt strange enough! This morning I have been trying to come to terms with the fact I am still here, I am staying here, and this is going to be the norm from now on. Oh, and trying to drag myself out of bed before nine o'clock without throwing up was fun too! Though I'm a bit annoyed the cleaners didn't actually come at nine, as I was told they would. I could have had a lie-in!
Well, once more unto the breach, I suppose. I'd better have something to eat, maybe drink some tea, and then I have to head off to registration.
Goodbye for now, all! Speak soon.
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