...and it's August already!

Graduation was awesome. All the family behaved themselves, (well, I'm not counting the mass cheering when I got up on stage) and everyone met Dai's family, although it was a little brief for some. We had a lovely meal at Spice in Swansea, and Nanny made me a fantastic cake.

The graduation ball was held in the Liberty Stadium, and that was fantastic as well. Dai and I stayed in a hotel, which was a real treat, and we had a great time. I worked in Surrey for Redhill Park music festival, which was unfortunately a little quiet, and was laughed at by an editor of a magazine when I asked about work experience becasue I have a degree in International Relations (not media), and last weekend we went to the Global Gathering. On the way there, things seemed oddly familiar...when we passed Eastnor Castle I realised why! This time last year I was there, working at the Big Chill. It's happening this weekend, but my company doesn't have the contract this year. Next work is at V. I'm hoping to be able to persuade my bosses that I can commute to Cardiff Calling/South West Four, as hopefully, I'll be installed in Cardiff then. I'm going househunting with my new flatmate on Monday. Fingers crossed we'll find a good place.

The Gathering was awesome, we had great time, apart from when it rained. Faithless were really good, and we were at the front, which was really cool, and I got to see Basement Jaxx, who I love anyway, and that was amazing. There was so much going on!

When we got back Dai was feeling ill: no suprise there, he works really hard, but it meant he was home for two days, so I've delayed going down to Plymouth for a day to spend time with him, which was, as always, lovely. Even if he was ill. So once I've got my stuff together I'm heading down to Devon for a few days, although I'll be back for the weekend, when Dai's at home. The next plan is to go to Paris for a few days at the beginning of September. I am so excited!

July is flying by

Well, T in the Park has been and gone. Fflam was cancelled, which is how I come to be sitting here typing this, rather than currently passing pre-poured pints over a bar. I should really say it was postponed. But I have doubts as to how good it'll be, seeing as they will have to re-book all the acts, and I can't imagine they'll get them all.

It was supposedly cancelled because of poor weather in the run-up to the event, which explains why it's suddenly so hot on the weekend it was due to be happening.

I'm working again next weekend. In the meantime, I'm going to try to set up some work experience on a magazine in Cardiff, and there's something else in the pipeline which should help me in my career. I'll tell what it is once it's sorted.

But what's really exciting is that I graduate on Monday! I've had my hair cut, and I bought a black shirt in Cardiff to wear, and a restaurant is booked for my family and Dai's, and Bethan, who's coming along too! I'm so excited. Above our bed at Dai's is all the cards and stuff I've been sent by my family and friends to congratulate me. And Nanny's making me a cake. I'm very spolit, as you can tell.

Mum and Nanny have been texting me with what they're wearing. I don't know what it's going to look like, but we'll see when they get there. The plan has been worked out to minute detail, and there's not much room for leeway - I'm making this a family occasion, and for more reasons than one - not only has it been a while since there was an academic do to go to in my family, but it's going to help unite my family, and no-one has met Dai's family, and it's at the point now where I'd like that to happen. Fortunately they feel the same way - both our parents have been making threats to go visit the others!

We've been preparing for the ball too - all we need now are masks! Dai tried on his suit again last night, with a borrowed shirt and bowite. Dad's bringing up some hand-tied ones. I've never been out with someone in a clip-on bowtie, and if I can help it, I'm not going to start now. What a snob! But I blame it on my Dad. He was in the RAF, and wouldn't be seen dead in a clip-on.

Anyway. I'm really excited about the whole thing, and am going to enjoy it as much as possible. After all, this is my first graduation. It's not going to happen again.

Degree results...

The results were posted. I called my father and asked if I'd had any post from Swansea. He says it came in a brown envelope, so he didn't believe it was my results, but there it was, telling me I had gained a degree of a 2:1 classification - better than I had hoped.

Also included were my graduation tickets. All the ones I requested have been granted! Which means all the people who wanted to come can, hooray!

Suffice to say I am one chuffty bunny!

Divorce, St. David's Day and dissertation

The dissertation draft is due in soon. As is the Researching Politics (Child Soldiers) group report. So I'm snowed under. Again. Plus I have another application form, or actually a few. Some are for funding, but I'm also applying to the Telegraph. They're offering apprenticeships, basically. The application is ten pages long. The funding letters are more vauge 'set out personal circumstances'. Don't ask for my life history, because you will surely get it.
The list has gone up for graduations ceremonies. Not until July. But that makes no difference. The fact is that the two people who brought me up hate each other to the extent that they cannot be left in the same room together and their silly divorce is going through court as we speak. It's completely unecessary, but there it is. Currently, I'm disgusted with both of them. The word is we only get two tickets for graduation. I thought about it and got quite stressed. This is going to be an important day. I thought about the options, and combinations, and decided I couldn't invite anyone. I was at Dai's parents house. I could invite them, I joked. Better than no one to be happy for me.
But I've thought about it some more. I think I might invite both my parents. Maybe I'll tell them the other's going, maybe I won't until they ask. I will however make it as difficult as possible for them to say no. That'll force them to get their act together, and if they don't, then they don't love me. I shall also reserve the right to completely ignore them if they act up and refuse to referee.
Childish? Maybe. but sometimes it does people good to have a taste of their own medicine.