The Lake

I already mentioned I have moved out of Dalton and into Aston Brook Green. What I have missed was the whole moving process. When I left my room for the last time I finally understood I a going to miss living on campus so much. I have been longing for living in a house outside campus since January and now that I finally do I miss the whole student atmosphere on campus. One of the most influential places for me has always been the Lake.

For me the Lake is not just an artificial pond of water but an Oasis in the desert of constant studying, exams and work, a place to relax after work or read in the sun for your exams, a place to have a pint or a barbeque dinner with your mates. Yes, in the summer the Lake is the heart of social activities on campus. Everyone goes there and everything happens right there.

But for me the Lake is not only a place to drink and eat, when I move to Uni in September last year I used to sit and stare at the lake on my evening walks. Well, it did not make me feel more at home but it did make me relax and forget about all the cr**.

There are so many more stuff that I will miss but there are four that have made the biggest impact on me: The Main Building, The Lake, The Library and DALTON!

The Library

The Library had become my home during the exam session and now that I finally moved out I am starting to miss it. I mean I don't miss the studying or anything, but the atmosphere itself. Basically, during exam sesh the library was always buzzing with people and never died out. Some people will finish studying in 4 in the morning, other will just start.

The funniest thing, though, is how no one is actually studying. Most of the people are on Facebook. Facebook, the plague that has spread over world youth. Even the people that are not on Facbook while studying will have it minimised on their Taskbar. Well, don't get me wrong some people are never on Facebook in the library, they're on Youtube.

Anyway, in the end of the day, most of us students spend loads of time studying in the library and I have to say were it not for the library I would have failed the exams.

The Main Building

Today I have been making final arrangements for the house I am moving in on Saturday. All the packing and electricity and gas arranging made me think, think about living on campus. So, I decided to make a series of posts about all the stuff I am going to miss.

When I was giving my application for the accommodation I new I wanted to live in the expensive Lake Side flats. Yet, I got the cheap high-rise. I am going to be absolutely honest with you, at first I thought that I am going to live in a s*** hole. After I arrived to Dalton I started seeing things from a different prospective. Now I see my Flat as the most convenient location to live. The best thing about me living in the Dalton Tower is that it is right in front of the Main Building. I can basically go there in my slippers (and some people actually do).

The main building has been my refuge in so many situations. If there is a fire alarm in the middle of the night because someone decided to bake sausages at 4 in the morning and started a small fire, I can just run in my slippers to the main building and find a convenient location to wait the alarm out. If it was the middle of the night and I needed Internet fast (KeySurf not working of course), I could just run to the main building sit in the lounge on ground floor and use the free wireless. If I wanted to go out for Coffee with my mates and we were feeling lazy, the main building's different cafeterias were my location of choice.

I can still vividly recall one midnight adventure. I was back from work. It was around 1 and I had already stopped my contract with KeySurf. I had just remembered that this was the same day as the deadline for paying tuition and I had been too late. So I just took my laptop and credit card and ran to the main building to access the net and pay online. I was running like some phsyco. I hope security don't remember me :)

I remember having my little snacks in Lafe Lago. There I fell in love with the Costa Late and brownies. The thing that always sucked about Cafe Lago, though, was that the good food was always taken for seconds and I always got the 'leftovers'. TIP 8 for prospective students: Do not eat at Cafe Lago after the rush hours, go there before that!

I do not know why, but I have always loved having little walks in the Main Building when I can't sleep, just looking around. That is when you actually see the small details and even hear the walls talk. Oh, the Main Building is amazing in the night. TIP 9 for prospective students: If you get the chance just have a walk in the Main Building during the night, you will be amazed at the people you are going to see and the atmosphere itself.

Now that I think about it all these thing may seem absolutely small and insignificant to everyone else but for me they meant the world at the time.

The Fannie Story /continued/

I am sitting in our Dalton Tower Common Room. Probably this time may be my last. I am moving to my new house on Saturday. My short trip to Bulgaria made me forget some part of my daily routines here, like the annoying Nigerian girl that constantly plays music on her laptop in the common room. I mean, I like R&B but it is kind of hard to concentrate when she is rapping next to me. And, seriously, she needs to download some new music. Anyway, I will try to concentrate and continue with my story because I am going to Gosta to see the Poland Sweden game.

When I decided I wanted introduce some people that have made and huge impact on me in the last year for the blog readers I was anxious I may make it boring. Yet I'll try, feel free to stop me :D

One of the funniest thing Fannie has ever told me was her descriptions of the school board meeting. That is the meeting of all the teachers in my high school. I happened usually once a month/at least I think so/. I found it interesting because we students never know what is happening with our teachers outside the classroom and how they communicate between themselves. So, I am going to tell you one of Fannie's school meeting stories.

She has always found bureaucracy very boring and as she says, she hardly stayed awake during the school meetings. She would tell my math teacher to wake her up if something important was going on. Basically every teacher was complaining about his/her own problems with students and teaching and the meetings were like a buzzing orchestra of complaints. Every now and then the principle would desperately demand silence in her high-pitched voice. To conclude, evidently teachers are just normal, air-breathing humans.


No that I think about it /although it is hard to think when listening to 'turn me on, turn me on girl...' from the annoying girl's computer/ the best feature of Fannie's character was her absolute nonchalance. I don't know how she makes it, but she never seems too worried, and I know she has tons of stuff going on and tons of problems. I had always been most jealous of that part of her character. She can, probably, pool a smile off in a worst moment.

I am trying to think of all the thing I want to tell about Fannie right now but nothings seems enough /and the annoying girl is trying to get on my last nerve/. You will be hearing a lot more about her, anyway.

Now, I have to go meet Ania and Cara and go to Gosta. Oh, god bless all the people still standing my shitty character. Here at Uni I had found out that I have to be a little bit tolerant towards other people because one needs time to be able to make an accurate approximation of their character and qualities. I have made too many bad first impressions and thought bad of amazing people. So here is TIP 7 for prospective students: Do not make rash judgement of people!

The Fannie Story

Recently I felt as if I did not have the inspiration to write. That is why I haven't had a post in more than a week. I sign into blogspot and I cannot write a single word. Maybe that was influenced by the alcoholic/euphoric/melancholic dream I had fallen into. As much as I have been having fun in the past week, I felt absolutely empty, desperately needing some inspiration to think. I finally found it back home, in Sofia.

My friends here are very, very different from my friends in Birmingham, interested in different stuff, having different problems, leaving different lives. Anyway, they have inspired me and now I can continue writing...

As I was walking along the dark alley around midnight yesterday I was finally feeling calm. I was on my way back from Fannie's, quite tipsy, with an amazing headache and a frightened expression on my face. I had forgotten how dark some streets in Sofia were. In this state I was recapping the event from the evening. I have always loved going to Fannie's... but wait you don't know anything about her yet.

Fannie was my closest teacher, and by closest I mean that I could actually share with her. After I graduated last year we have kept in touch and every visit in Bulgaria goes hand in hand with a visit to her house. Fannie lives in a huuuuge house. The best thing about it is the attic where her cabinet is. It is a small room with low ceiling, wooden floor, walls and ceiling. Half of the room is a gigantic book shelf with old books of her father's. Two wooden desks sit in the middle of the room and a bunch of other smaller furniture is spread around the centered tables.

Fannie was considered by most of my friends magical for her amazing orator abilities. She is capable of transferring you into the action of a story and I remember how in school we used to gaze enchanted once she opened her mouth and started narating. Anyway, now Fannie has become one of my closest people and getting drunk in the attic is a tradition now.

The best thing about my little visits is that they always go in the same exact way. Sometimes I think that even our conversations are the same. I usually take a bunch of old classmates with and we chat for hours. We always start with fresh gossip about absent people, then some stuff about the current situation in the old school, each informs us of any changes in plans and life, and then we start discussing world hunger/politics topics and start arguing. The best thing is that the political topics that we discuss are so controversial that we know we would never find a solution, yet we do it every time.

I am going to continue 'The Fannie Story' tomorrow since this post is getting a little too bulky. Of course I have to give - TIP No 6 for prospective students: Life abroad can get hard so find an inspiration, a person that can calm you down when you are stressed and help you look ahead!

Recap Time

I am in my room and last two days I have reading a book that has been far too sad and cheerful, depressing and hilarious for me – The Rabbi’s Daughter by Reva Mann. See, before I came to the UK I had never experienced different cultures closely. The short trips abroad and the awkward meeting with strangers have never given me even a hint of the people different from me. That is probably why I was so stricken by the diversity of London and Birmingham when I came. Now, that I am more aware of the differences between me and my friends I want to know more about the different cultures. Probably the confessions of a Jewish woman will make me see the world as she saw it. Yet, my Jewish flat mate seems reluctant discuss the experiences he has had in Israel with me. Or, probably, I seem more stupidity and ridicule in my questions. I hope I have not been, as now I try to respect the different cultures more.

Tonight I feel like thinking about the distance between me and my parents. I feel like the thing I have dreaded the most has happened and now I am a distant part of their daily routine, a phone call in the evening and nothing more. As much as 'they keep loving me', I feel abandoned. The visits to Bulgaria every two months just remind me of the life I have left behind. The stories of my Bulgarian friends just make me feel jealous for they have different routines, problems and joys.

Every phone call with my father starts with a short silence and is always distant. As much as we have never had any emotional connection I have always, well, hoped that he would open up and accept me as a equal human being one day, capable of decisions, thoughts, emotions… My mother on the other hand has always being my friend, as much as people think of it impossible. And, now deven though I speak to her for hours on the phone, the awkward moment of silence always comes. If it does not, then she becomes distracted with something in the house and is not paying any attention to our conversation. Believe me the worst thing is to hear your mother talking to your little sister about something while you are trying to have your personal half an hour conversation with her, the distance between you being thousands of miles.

Yet I cannot, like my friends here, call my parents once a week and just explain briefly my current situation like a soldier to his commander. And explain is the exact terming, for they do not ask for a permission or advice. As much as I am independent now, I like to think that there is someone there judging me. Maybe it is this lack of judgement in the awkward silence that threatens me and makes me feel grown up and alone.

Anyway, in, as short as, an hour I will be at a Lakeside Party and these troubles will be just a flashing memory behind me. TIP 5 for prospective students: try to avoid the short moments of self pity and loneliness, for there would always be something happening at Uni and do not waste your time being sorry for yourself! Go with the flow!

The First Classes

Today is one of the windiest days in Birmingham since September. My prayers for sun and heat are evidently unanswered. So, I can go back to my memories from the beginning of term.

I was late for my very first, introduction, lecture (a big party the previous day). Me and my flatmates ran to the lecture, arrived almost last, and had to sit on the floor. Helen Higson gave probably the most memorable speech, at least I thought so but I was, generally, too busy looking a the crowd of future students to listen carefully. The Great Hall was overflowing with people. A see of heads all looking as overwhelmed as me.

The day was long and full of enrollment duties. Of course, I messed it all up, got lost, and ended up not enrolling. I thought 'that was it'. I was running around the Main Building like a psycho searching for help and it seemed deserted (of course it wasn't , I was too panicked to notice the people around me).

TIP 3 for prospective students: Every problem is fixable and the Aston staff are quite helpful, so do not panic! I should say that the Undergraduate Office is the most useful place to ask for help.

I had the opportunity to meet Helen myself in the Undergraduate Office and I was just amazed how one of the most important people at uni was dealing with my childish problem. So, everything got fixed and I enrolled.

The first lectures started in the beginning of next week and the roller coaster starter going. Nothing has changed in the lectures and tutorials till now. They are still hard and still we are all struggling. Why? Because students always leave everything till the last minute. TIP 4 for prospective students: Try not to repeat our mistakes, do not leave everything till the last minute!

The 9th Step

When I decided to start the blog I thought of all the different stories I want to tell and all the different people I want to introduce to the world. The odds are, when you move to a different place, you meet tons of new people. And, yes, it is just a few that will become a part of your life.

Opposite to your expectation I want to tell the story of a person that, well, is not a new acquaintance - Jane. You probably have met those annoying couples that are just perfect together. Well, I was a part of one of those couples.

It all started as a fling in May 2006. Being as self-obsessed as I am, I never believed I could fall in love, and I was absolutely OK with that. Anyway, nothing ever goes as planned, does it? So by next May I was crazy in love.

There is only one problem that I had not considered: 'School Ends!' In September Jane got on the plane and left for Milan and I, well, came here. We started talking as often as possible BUT we did not see each other for three months. In the beginning of December I went to Milan to visit. By Christmas holiday I was alone.

That is exactly how fast it goes. You don't have time to think about it, one day you are secure and on the next you are all alone (and yes it is security that is the most important - knowing that whatever happens you have someone). So how would you cope with it? I, actually, did delete her from my life. The phone numbers, the pictures, the everything. Not a single sign of Jane in my life.

Exactly 5 months have passed since then and it may not seem long, but 5 months are a f*** long time. So I had time to think things over, and slowly I heal. I had not had a normal conversation with Jane till this morning and well as much as it is weird, I also, finally, feel good.

TIP 3 for prospective students: Before you leave you home always think things through! I already saw several long relationships die because of the distance. Just leave as friends and on good terms, and avoid the pain! Start a new life as you leave!

What happened while me dealing with the end of my relationship, though, was a series of unforgettable days and nights...

The Beginning

I had a little fight with my flatmates yesterday. We sorted it all out, but it got me thinking... Several months ago life was peaceful, calm and, most importantly, FUN. How did it change? When you live with someone you get to know him so well that even smallest things are noticeable, like the annoying habbit of leaving a wet plate on a shelf, or a handbag on a kitchen table.

In the end though, when you, like me, realise that in two short weeks it will be all over, you will remember, mostly, the amazing times you had together. And when did it all start? Fresher's!


Once I came into my flat, on 22 Septmber 2007, I entered in the world of 'no worries'. See, I had never lived away from my parents for more than a month before and my heaven had just opened its doors to me. What happened with us during freshers was an unending party and every day had the same routine.

Wake up at noon, have a huge breakfast and fight hangover with your last remaining strength. By three you are already drinking again and having your lunch. Then go out, buy more boose and come back home. Have a little nap, get dressed and the guests are already arriving at seven, so dinner has to go fast. That was always a problem with us - dinner.

Evidently, we were all ready to cook and show off our skills in little 'competitions'. Every night someone cooked for the flat and although no one very said anything, we all knew what was going on. Some of my flatmates still won't admit that it was a competition. But our little feasts were amazing and I have to say the peak was this Roast we had and ,God bless Graham, I can still taste the gravy in my mouth.

Surely, there were a lot of activities aranged for us freshers but after the long nights all we wanted to do is sleep.

And so Fresher's Week ended in a glimps of an eye just like a summer holiday. Just as you got used to it all, you have to go back to reality. The only difference with me was that I was not going back to reality, I was entering a whole new world.

This is my first post and, although I want to, probably I won't make it as special as I want it to be. So, ... no need of any awkward introduction. All you need to know is that my name is Vladimir, I am 19 years old, studying Economics and Management at Aston University and it is now the end of my first year. The first thing I want to share with you is my journey to the UK.

Anyone who has ever travelled on their own can probably understand me and it is most important that you avoid my mistakes!

It all started at the airport. It was 5 in the morning and I had just said Goodbye to my parents. I was sitting with my friends waiting for the 'all passengers for London, ...' What would a normal person do, hug, kiss, shed a tear... me, I was crying my eyes out and looking at it now, it must have been amazingly entertaining for the surrounding population. This continued at the security check, the pasport check, the boaring and the plane. Probably most of the people thought I had just found out I was dying tomorrow. At some point I said to myself, just deal with it, and that is when London came.

The huge wave of wondering population hit me like a metal bat. Of course, I managed to get lost in the Airport, on my way to the Train and then in the massive Victoria Station. So, after getting ripped off (I bought a £70 open, first class ticket, by accident of course) I was sitting on my little round table in my comfortable first class seat, enjoying the free treats I was offered.

By the time I reached Birmingham I would have been calmer, had I not discovered free coffee. And here is TIP No 1 For future students: When you go out of the Train Station and ask a policewoman where Aston University is and she says 'I have never heard of it', do not panic.

TIP No2: Do not get in a black cab, it will rip you wallet off and then ask for your credit card After I got ripped off by a very rude taxi driver I had almost reached my final destination - 'Dalton Tower' Well, there was no such, I found only an 'ALTON' Tower (later I was informed that the 'D' is missing from the sign)

'The Bee Hive' as I shall now call it was a small utopia of unending activities. People going an and off the lift, people getting to know each other and having an annoying chatt in the middle of the hall, getting the keys for their rooms, carrying huge boxes of pans and dishes and of course the gigantic suitcases. I was walking through the corridor slowly in a perplexed and childlike manner (probably pissing everyone else off, who actually knew what they were doing) Everything else happened in a split of a second, I got my key, had a fast chat about London with the staff, got into the lift, and before you know it met my flatmates. But more on them later, because what was about to happen is the most beloved moment of university for all students - Fresher's Week!