From Protests to Paris

Today is the day I leave Northern Ireland for my one week holiday in Paris, France with my family. If I am completely honest, I didn't pack until last night, I've probably packed too many clothes and I am really not prepared for this holiday at all.

I have never been to France and have nothing against the French, but it does scare me a little bit when I go to a country where the people don't talk my language. I know that most of them do, but it's kind of weird when you are walking down the street and being Irish, you are easily noticeable, and then you see these people look at you and they turn to their neighbour and start up a conversation. I mean, you have no idea what they are saying about you, if anything. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Paris and hopefully I'll have a good time and I'll take lots of photos. But today is a day of importance to several other people I know. My friend Danielle, whom I've known forever, is studying German at Queens University Belfast and as it stands, the University are trying to get rid of the German department and let this year be the last year of student intake to the German department.

This means, that my friend will get to finish her course but that after this year, German will not be available to study at this University which is ridiculous considering German is a very widely-spoken language throughout the world. They are having a protest picnic today outside the meeting where the final decision will be made on this. Since I'll be going out of the country, I am unable to attend but I just wanted to widen people's eyes to this ridiculous affair and show my support for my friend.

I am going to post the link to the facebook page for those who oppose this decision in hope, that some of you will join and show your support: Save German at QUB!

As for me, to Paris I go!
Au revoir
Sami
xo

p.s. Updates from Paris can be found if you follow me on twitter, my username is paperdollx.

The Movie Of Our Lives.

"Someday, Someone may make a movie of your life, make sure it doesn't go straight to video."

I read this quote a few days ago and it's been playing on my mind a fair bit. You see, as of late I haven't been doing a hell of a lot. I've been sunbathing in my back garden and getting sunburnt, buying a 10ft paddling pool and blowing it up with a Balloon pump, then filling it and taking occasional dips in it. Then a friend came down for a dip and then I played some Wii Games with another friend and that really is about the height of it. All of this stuff has happened in my house and I've barely set a foot out the door unless its into the back garden.

So really, if someone was to make a movie from this moment in my life, it probably would go straight to video. And you are probably all thinking, well where are your friends? Go out and get drunk! My friends are either on holiday, or working, or just unavailable and we're all saving our money for the summer (credit crunch hits hard on students you know!). I keep going from feeling positive about summer, that I'll make it through once July hits, to thinking how am I going to cope?

I haven't been into town because if I go there, I know I'll spend money which I am saving because I am going to Paris in a few weeks and need the money for then. The truth is, I know once I've been and gone to Paris, summer will be fine because I'll be volunteering 5 days a week and there will be people around as they are back from holiday or whatnot.

I don't really know what my point is, or was, just that you'll have to bare with me over the coming weeks readers and movie-makers, this is just a slow period, one of transition from being constantly on the go to realising, it's Summer and the luxuries that I had as a first year University student are on hold until September when I become a second-year University student (things will definitely pick up then).

In the meantime, my summer plans are to go to Paris, volunteer at a summer scheme for 6 weeks (children ahoy!), and road-trip Southern Ireland in August. I'll also be moving back to University in August so we can decorate our house, so I'm sure there'll be stories of the paint-covered variety to look forward too.

So, I'm off now to attempt unpacking my suitcases that are bursting with stuff from University and find space for them in my already over-crowded room. Maybe I'll consider selling some stuff off so that I can find some more money to buy more shoes that I'll never wear.

Hey, Don't Judge, I'm still a woman afterall :P

Oh and p.s. If you have any interesting stories you want to share, leave a comment or email me at samiandthecity@gmail.com. I'm always up for hearing your adventures :)