Held Against My Will

So I've just been studying. Its been awesome attempting to catch up with all the work I was supposed to be doing all semester instead of scampering about Europe, but I guess I did it to myself. On Sunday I was supposed to finally enjoy a nice traditional Sunday roast with some friends who I would sadly being saying goodbye to, but I got sick. I went to bed feeling miserable, woke up feeling miserable, and instead of going out and enjoying a lovely plate of meat, vegs and potatoes, I sat home, ate hardly anything, and studied. It was lame.
Today at 9 am began the 36 hours from hell. I have five tests in this small time frame. My first today was Sustainable Engineering Design Solutions, which actually didn't go too bad. It was simply answering a few essay questions about topics I'm really interested in. I wound up really liking that class. I learned a lto that directly applied to my major. I learned how I can have a positive effect on the planet by doing something I love. Basically, with a little work, I can make a difference everyday in my work. Back to the final - I had to take the exam early that morning instead of at 2 pm, like the rest of the class. On my envelope for the exam, there was a note saying I was to be held in the sub-office until 2. Disregarding this confusing statement, I started my exam. The invisalignor (aka exam proctor) came by my desk and asked me if I understood what that meant. I learned I was to go to a room after I finished my exam, where I was to stay until 2 pm so I wouldn't share my answers with the rest of my class (because I would totally do that). Problem: I was supposed to meet my friend is leaving tomorrow for lunch for a goodbye pasty at 12. Once I finished the exam, I was shuffled off to the room, where I was instructed I was not allowed to use any form of communication, including my phone or computer. This meant I couldn't tell my friend I would not be able to make it. On top of that, I would literally be trapped in a room for 4 hours with only my notes to keep me company. They are so crazy about the no cheating thing they had someone literally escort me to go buy lunch. Weirdest educational experience ever.
2 came around and I bolted out of that room as fast as my feet could carry me. It was off to my computer MCQ (multiple choice question) test for physics at 3. I reviewed a bit before going in. Then we sat there, and sat there, and sat there. The test wasn't working. An hour and 20 minutes later, we left the room, MCQ untaken. We are now taking it at some later point, most likely tomorrow right before our exam for the class. So instead of three tests today, I have three tomorrow. Awesome.
It was then off to my final exam for Introduction to Sustainability. I got into the exam and started. It was an hour exam, and at Leeds, no matter the length of the exam, you must stay for the first 60 minutes of the final. Thirty minutes into the exam, I was done. None of the questions really required thinking, just answering multiple choice questions that you either had or did not have memorized, which is pretty how much the rest of the class worked.
So now I'm sitting in the library doing the opposite of studying, writing a blog post and watching last night's Glee finale waiting to go to FINALLY meet my friend at Old Bar, grab some din, maybe have a cider, and say goodbye (this is getting depressing, the whole leaving thing). After, I'll go back and get my study on.

Uni of Leeds Prisoner for Four Hours,
Jessica

From Fab to Sad

Its been a while. And for a very good reason. My life went from crazy, exciting adventures to lame, sad studying and writing essays in a matter of hours. The first few days I was home, I think I was just mentally drained. I attempted working, I did (no, seriously), but I failed. I wasn't physically tired. I was actually waking up way earlier than I normally do (probably because of the one hour difference) and felt good for most of the day. But my mind just seemed exhausted. I really had trouble doing work. Last Thursday I met Quinn and Santiago at a cool restaurant/bar where we exchanged pictures. Some of Santiago's friends from the Photography Society were there too. We enjoyed a nice, cheap 3 course meal. It was delicious (and did I mention cheap?). Friday I was reunited with the girls I've made good friends with here. We were going to watch Atonement, eat cookies, and gab about our adventures, but it turns out that the UK have different DVDs here and they couldn't read my copy. It was sad. But we still talked for a good, long while. It was nice just to catch up and hear about everything they did over the break. Saturday I kind of started my essay for philosophy, but Sunday was the real day for hard working, as I learned that going to the library actually makes me do work. I've never been that library goer, but for some reason, it actually motivated me this time. Yesterday, I finished my essay, with tons of extra readings and references that we weren't assigned to do, so I think I did pretty good. I also have been studying and what not. Last night, I took a break and went out for some drinks (I have missed cider way too much!) with some friends and just hung out. It was nice to take a breather from the work. I'm not looking forward to the next few weeks. Monday my paper is due. Wednesday I have my first final in statics. The following Wednesday I have 2 finals, one in Sustainable Engineering Design Solutions and the other in Introduction to Sustainability, and one MCQ test in Physics. The following day I have two more finals, one in Construction Economics and the other in Physics. Those 48 hours are not going to be fun. Luckily, that Friday night I hop on a bus for a lovely weekend in Paris! I'm so excited. Its basically what is motivating me to keep pushing through, especially since almost all my friends at home are basically done with school. Its going to be a rough next two weeks, but I'll make it through somehow.

To lighten the mood, here are some group pictures that I got from Quinn and Santiago from the trip:

 Walking the streets of Rome

 At the Irish Bar in Rome

With the David 

 Overlooking Florence at Sunset

 On the Bus to Nice

 In Nice

 Sunset in Nice

Overlooking Monaco 

 Jumping off a Boat in Valencia

 On the Beach in Valencia

 In Valencia

In Barcelona at Park Guell

The Studying Master,

Jessica