I find my I have stretched myself too much in terms of interests. I have so much I want to do and my university modules have now started. Last year I struggled to juggle all the elements of my life. The Science module was 60 points, which is half of a normal university year. I felt freedom in the summer and almost a sigh of relief because I could do the things that I couldn’t do during the school year.

I miss reading. I don’t know how people can read for leisure alongside studying, especially with modules that require lots of reading. I guess I crave it more now that I am about to lose most of my free time.

I did a little baking over the summer. I love baking, I’d like to bake more often. The idea of making something from scratch (or almost) and knowing exactly what is it is appealing. I’m not fond of processed foods, they worry me. I tend to go for experimental or unique flavours, my parents aren’t always enthused!

Also I made some cards, it is a season renowned for lots of birthdays after all. I like posting them on here. It’s a good way to record things. I have mostly made birthday cards. I recently made my first Thank You card for my great aunty and uncle for my birthday voucher. I want to start making Thank You cards, I guess I will start with my normal designs before broaching out.

I use my hands in my work a lot more now, and I do more washing up than I used to. The consequence of this is that nail varnish comes off a lot quicker so mostly it doesn’t work out to be worth the time painting them, sadly.

In December last year, my sister and I got our nails painted with shellac polish at a nail salon. They surprisingly did last a lot longer than ordinary nail polish. However, due to the use of my hands they only lasted a couple of weeks, which is a bit early. Also when I got the polish removed in January, my nails weren’t in very good condition. They became dry and brittle. I have a chronic problem with weak and brittle nails. You know when you catch a nail and it bends back, it hurts so much! I have invested in Vaseline hand and nail cream, it says it can strengthen nails. I don’t know if it works yet. I don’t apply it regularly.

I watched Harry Potter about a month ago, I felt inspired when Harry used a quill to write. Since then I have been on a mission to start writing with a fountain pen. Whilst I was struggling with a pen I had at home, my lovely boyfriend got me a fountain pen! This is the photo below, it think it’s so cute. Pink is my trend at the moment. I am currently the only female at work, so it’s an on-going joke and banter.

I like calligraphy, but I don’t think my handwriting is neat enough. I barely write a page without making an error. I was at a museum in Oxford fairly recently, in their shop they had lovely quills. I imagined myself writing with one.

I don’t know why I have this slight melancholy. I enjoy studying, I wouldn’t continue otherwise; but I also want the freedom to do what I want when I want too. I guess you’d think studying part time would allow me to indulge in my hobbies.

Signing out for now, I have more to write about soon.

Amy x