My First Year of University

I go to a University notorious for 'breaking down boundaries' and 'challenging the norms'. To begin with, I felt as though my university was not as wild and out there as it was made out to be. My freshers week was a slight let down as the student union were what I feel is best described as lazy and hardly made an effort to make the first years feel super welcome. To follow, going to university in London is not like going to university in Manchester, (a university I had considered applying to). It was only until I found myself at City University, London, helping a friend out with her exam - not cheating, I was her patient in her optometry exam! - that I saw how different Goldsmiths was to the rest of them. I could walk the halls and be absolutely anyone I wanted to be. Today I could wear a beret and tomorrow I could have pink eyebrows and a shaved head, no one would bat an eyelid. I haven't come from the wealthiest of families and it is important to note that institutions such as Goldsmiths, focus on nurturing the creative minds that haven't been accepted by classic English society and I am proud to be a part of the furniture. 

Looking back, the weekend before I begin my second year, despite all of the above, I hardly turned up for class. I wish I attended every lecture and every seminar I was too lazy to roll out of bed for.  I wouldn't go in for a week and then find myself sat in a lecture about the 'Idea of Africa' or Edward Said's Orientalism, followed by an equally stimulating seminar.

I did however find it quite hard making friends during my first year, and although I became close with my flatmates, I didn't make half the effort I should have to get to know other people around campus. If I would give anyone any advice it would be to put yourself out there! I know it is easier said than done but having friends to hang with, study with or even meet up with during the break makes a world of difference. A good place to start is joining societies and unfortunately I did not in my first year but lucky for me, I have a second shot... I'm stuck between Yoga and Muay Thai, or both haha. 

One aspect of academia that I do have a large problem with and I find many BAME students also point out, is the fact that pretty much all of the important academics we study are white middle class men that apparently made some incredible discovery about life that most probably already existed in one of the many great minds from all over the world. However true this is, it just seems to get old every time a picture of a new theorist pops up on a powerpoint with a grey beard and grey skin to match. 

I almost didn't come back to second year, as I had been considering deferring for a very long time. I always seem to lack motivation when it comes to actually doing any work and on top of that studying is expensive, especially while you're trying to travel the world. I had applied for the Erasmus + scheme last minute and through the Sociology department and turns out they liked my application enough to nominate for a position at the University of Vienna. I felt very lucky and realised that if I don't give this opportunity a shot, I would most likely regret it for a long time. I should find out if I get the place within the next two weeks, however there is a chance I'm not accepted, mostly because of my attendance last year. Fingers crossed they are willing to give me a second chance. 

Anyway... here I come second year. The workload is gonna be quadruple and I am probably going to feel more lost than before.

Peace&Love
Willow

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THE SKYDIVE

I must begin by thanking the wonderful people that helped me raise £411 for the Willow Foundation- family, friends and co-workers. I appreciate it, the Willow Foundation appreciates it and I'm sure somewhere in the UK so does a person or a family going through a hell of a lot and you've helped make their special day possible.

Giving back for me, was a way of saying thank you to the foundation that once was able to organise and part fund a weekend trip to Center Parcs with my aunts, sister and terminally ill mother. The trip is most definitely up with some of my happiest lifetime memories, especially due to the fact that my sister and I were so young when my mother passed and don't remember much of her, we therefore have special moments like the trip to reflect upon.

The Skydive experience was a cauldron of emotions, whirling round my brain, and yes my stomach!

The day begins bright and early as you must arrive (in the middle of nowhere) at 8am to ensure you catch the best of the British weather. Bearing in mind the centre was called the North London Skydiving Centre- it is definitely not in North London. Try maybe a litter further north in the region of Cambridgeshire! My dad, little sister and I left at around 6:30am, arriving just before 8am, and already there was a queue of three of four others. Once the centre opened I checked in and began the short training session. Once finished and kitted up, the nerve-racking waiting game began. 
Thankfully I was a part of the second group to be sent up in the air for my tandem jump, so unlike those in the ninth group, my nerves weren't given much of a chance to freak me out- too much anyway. Before I knew it I was apprehensively waving good bye to my Dad and dear little sister Alana (who was 3 years old at the time- thinking about it, I'm not sure how I would have felt watching my sister jump out of a plane at age 3...hmm). 

What's that? A hat? Crazy, funky, junkie hat? 

So once in the plane you are made to sit in two lines, in front of one another, with your instructor behind you. The plane flies up high, reaching approximately 13,000 ft in the air and then the real fun begins. (Not so) conveniently I was first. Your instructor clips you into the harness and then the two of you shuffle forward with your legs hanging out the door. Your instructor pulls you up onto his lap, moves a bit more forward and then proceeds by sticking your frail, tense and extremely nervous body out the door while he sits on the edge. This lasted for what felt like an hour but in reality was less than a minute. Oh, and yes when I say sticks you out the door I do mean the only thing stopping you from falling thousands of feet to (death?) the ground is the harness attaching the two of you together. I feel like that was the moment for me- the turning point in my relationship with humanity. How often do we put so much trust in complete strangers? Well I had only known this man for all of 10 minutes. We met on the airfield, shook hands and strolled to the plane. We sat close for the duration of the journey up, and finally whilst every inch of my body is hanging out of that airplane door he shouts, 'READY?' and that was it. We jumped. The adrenaline rushed to my head and next thing I knew I was free falling through the atmosphere...nothing could stop me, I was as free as a bird. 
Soon enough the instructor opened the parachute and we were caught within our fall. I then realised placing my trust in this 'stranger' was a very intelligent and well thought out move as he was actually my ONLY chance of survival. You see I sure as hell DID NOT KNOW how to open the damn parachute and therefore would have most definitely free fell to certain death. Thank you instructor stranger...
Some sickly skydive spirals later, along with the chance to soak up the sublime English countryside and our feet touched the ground.
Here's a quick video (that cost an arm and a leg- thank you student loan, haha!) to show you the best bit, although I must admit that my description goes into much more detail hehe.

I have to say it  is an experience that I would recommend to anyone! I would do it again in a heartbeat but it is a costly activity and I think if I keep doing Sky Dive fundraisers people will catch on to the fact that I'm no longer in it for the (money) charitable donations, hehehe. 

Peace&Love,
Willow

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DOVER & CALAIS DAY 1/2

Now, I L-O-V-E a good deal. Who doesn't?

To find the top travel deals (which also seem to miraculously cheer me up) I often look to deal sites such as Travelzoo and WOWCHER. On this occasion, I had hit the jackpot on Wowcher. An over night stay at the 4* Ramada Hotel Dover, including a three course dinner and buffet breakfast, plus inclusive return ferry tickets to Calais for two at just £89. Say whaaaaat?! No no no, not per person, for two!
Booked.

DAY 1/2

We were off again, this time for a petite weekend break. We left on Friday 4th March as after doing some research, I found that Calais was best to visit on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, this being many of the shops and restaurants would be closed. I, as usual, missed my bus ( I promise I try to be on time, the damn buses are always running early when I need to be somewhere important!!!). I ended up pulling over a local taxi that charged me the standard (overpriced) rate to the underground station. 
We made our way to Victoria, the station where our mainline train would depart to Dover Priory. The journey from Stratford through to Dover totalled to around 2 hours 45 mins, this was due to the fact that we had got tickets for the slow train. Unlike the quick zippy London underground rides I'm used to, the mainline services that take a couple hours really show England off for what it is all about... beauty!

We arrived in Dover at 2pm. The station was located around 5 minutes walk to the town centre, so we decided to have a wander. I had contemplated going back to the hotel to check in and drop off our bags, but as it was located a while away it seemed logical to build up our appetite while enjoying the outdoors and then retire to the hotel later on.

Once in town, there were plenty of signs directing us to Dover Castle and The White Cliffs. I was hoping to see them at some point, and tomorrow we would be in Calais, so why not! We continued on. First we walked up one hill, then another and then along a tiny roadside path that we mistook to being the final leg. We turned a corner to then see an enormous roadside hill that lead directly to the castle. The problem was, it was SO steep. The two of us had been walking around 25 minutes and already we were feeling it. There was no way I was allowing us to stop because there was actually nowhere safe to stop.
After about 10 minutes of steep incline, we had made it... and the castle was closed. It was a Friday afternoon and the castle was closed to the public. Humph... we sat, surrounded by sheep, catching our breath. At least The White Cliffs will be open. I opened google maps and typed in 'White Cliffs'... walking time: 1 hour. You've got to be kidding me. That was the last straw, we were calling a taxi!

From the Castle to The White Cliffs the taxi cost £5 and took around 5 minutes to reach. As we hopped out it was fair to say we were blown away (quite literally) with the incredible views before us. It was very windy, but being 350 feet above sea level during early March, it was to be expected.
We took a stroll along the cliff edge, taking in the views before us. The English Channel seemed so serine... rocking back and fourth, and every so often colliding with the rocks that lay below. In the near distance we could see the ferry port, unfortunately, this vital trading hub for the UK somewhat disturbed the serenity.
When you're on a cliff edge the extraordinary realisation that you, ultimately are in control tends to home in. Cynical it may be, but it is the truth. One brave (?) move and you could be done for... finito. You could become one with the sea...How many times a day do you face death... and walk away?

After a living on the edge for a while and now freeeezing cold, we decided to make our way to the warmth of the hotel. On arrival at the Ramada the staff were very friendly and made check in quick and easy. We booked a table in the Olive Tree restaurant for 8:00pm and went to relax!
8pm came around quickly and we went to feast on our 3 course meal. The food was great, all three courses. As I approached the final mouthfuls of the Creme Brulee I ordered for dessert I realised I couldn't go on. It is very rare that I go to a restaurant, have 3 courses and fail to finish the dessert. 
We left the restaurant looking 4 months pregnant, and ready to K.O.

Peace&Love
Willow 

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BERLIN - DAY 3/3

Our final day in Berlin...

DAY 3

We checked out of the hotel at 11am and began to make our way to the airport, located south east of Berlin. As we arrived in Alexanderplatz I realised that we had forgot to check in online! Scheisse! With no internet connection the both of us some how stayed calm and after a moments thought, walked over to our trusty Carambar from last night- Why? To use their WiFi of course. Thank you Carambar. With the euros we had left, we bought some food (another Halloumi Kebab for me, with lots of garlic sauce and all the salad!) to eat on the train. On the way in, the journey had seemed fairly simple, so rather than planning our route ahead we hoped for the best and went for it! BIG MISTAKE.
All I remember for the next couple hours were spanish tourists, wrong train, half an hour waiting times and a lot of panic. 

When another train pulled in around 10 minutes later, and we had confirmed it was going to take us in the direction of the airport. We tried our hardest to hop on, but in the way stood a large group of Spaniards and their suitcases. They were obviously going in the same direction as us and started saying 'No airport, no airport' as we tried our best to hop on, before the doors began to close. This obviously caused doubts and so we got off again, flustered and confused, and beginning to run out of time. We originally had 3 hours to get to the airport, which on our way in, took around 1. Now checking the time, we had about 2. We asked a lady working in the café on the same platform, what train to look out for and she told us the very one we had hopped off of was going in our direction. Scheisse! So we waited for the next one. 

Possibly another 20-30 minutes later, the next train pulled in. We all got on this one which then terminated at the next stop. We were sure it was the right train... what was going on? With a little help from a ticket inspector she guided us to the U-Bahn station we needed, in order to get the correct underground train to the airport. 
After a lot more confusion and trying our best to ditch the Spaniards whom we were worried would end up in front of us on arrival and then going through security (holding us up even more), we made it, may I add... AS OUR GATE WAS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE. Scheisse! Run!
Around maybe 10 minutes later (at most) we arrived at our gate. To our surprise, the gate was still indeed open for business. Phew! We could relax...

Peace&Love
Willow 

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The First Steps...

Hello Hello Hi,

I'm glad you've stumbled upon my blog. As you can see it's fresh, it's new and it's taking the first steps into the exciting world of the INTERNET. Scarryyy right? Hell no! I am EX- CITED. 

Well I should start with introducing myself, I'm Willow. Born in one of the greatest cities in the world... London! Bread in a county north east of London called Essex (basically the suburbs). I attended secondary school in Hertfordshire, a neighboring county to Essex, and now 18 years old, tend to spend most of my free time in north, east and central London.

I like to think of myself as an adventure seeker, travelling through the space and time continuum, not knowing where I'll be spat out... but lets face it, unfortunately that is not reality!
I study, like most young people around the world- A level; English Literature, Sociology and Theatre Studies to be exact as well as dance, act, commercial model (on the rare occasion), read, eat (lots), cook, paint, jog, stretch, eat (again) and pretty much be ME. Although I'm still trying to figure out exactly what that means...

I've created Willow's Wanderlust to document my ultimate passion. The place we call home; Mother Earth. How ridiculously beautiful it is here. We are faced with the sublime every single day and (usually) fail to recognise it. 

Quick Challenge: Tonight, if you get the chance, take a look up at the sky. Try and catch the sunset if you can, if not just gaze up into the night... beautiful right? What colours do you see? How many shades of one colour can you spot? Aren't they blended oh so well together? 

I love the world we live in, that's a fact and the people that fill it with feeling and emotion are too, just as special. Here, I hope to use this space as a creative, expressive mechanism of inflicting pain among the masses.....hahaha I joke. I am not a Capitalist. (Sorry, it was too tempting.)
I am just oh so grateful to have the opportunity to share my experiences with you, and hopefully inspire others to explore. In turn, I will be overjoyed to receive feedback, questions and comments to help get the ball rolling!

In the near future, I will be posting about my recent trips and asking about your experiences in the same locations, not to mention any must see destinations! As time goes on I hope to include the odd VLOG too, so keep posted. :P

This for me is the beginning of my whimsical adventure. Join me in my wanderlust... as I venture round the world!


Peace&Love
Willow 

"Travelling- It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller" - Ibn Battuta

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