Better

The other day I was sat on a bus coming home from Lucy's house. It was, like, a 25 minute journey and it took me all around the Cardiff sights. It made me realise how nice Cardiff is. It's so much nicer than Bristol. It's nicer looking, with more features; it's smaller and more personal; the people are nicer and there's less weirdos, the bus drivers are actually friendly; everything is cheaper, especially buses/taxis plus healthcare; yeah, it's way nicer.

Anyway, they've stopped that bus service now, so I guess that little avenue of pleasure has been closed...

I'm thinking more and more that doing this PhD was the right idea. I was so tempted to stay in my software job because it was easy, had good money (it actually wasn't that great), and I didn't want to be a PhD geek. But I think I'm way cooler now I'm doing a PhD. I'm no longer just a code monkey, I'm using my brain and being creative; I'm meeting new people everyday; I get to join university societies; I get to teach; so basically there is so much more choice & variety doing a PhD than sitting in the same office with the same people for the same hours every day. It's not all about the money, for me. It's about not being bored as hell all day.

I did some teaching last week! Well, I just walked around answering people's maths questions. It was quite fun, but harder than I expected! But I was totally ill last week so it'll be better next time.

I've joined a society this year: well, it's actually volunteering. The project's called Weekenders. They take kids out to have fun (like swimming, zoo, etc) when they usually can't have fun because their siblings are disabled. My first trip is on Halloween! We're going to make pottery then bowling! Fun!

Center Parcs Holiday

Wow, 200th post!

So, two weeks ago, I went on holiday to Center Parcs, Longleat with my family. It wasn't just my family, though! We all brought our partners: Joe, Aaron and, of course, Lucy. There were eight of us! Oh we had so much fun!! I promised I'd have fun, didn't I? Well I did! Let me tell you all!!

We were there for five days and the weather was beautiful! We were in a big chalet out in the sticks. There was so much wildlife! I saw cute bunnies that we fed, ducks that were so friendly they came into our chalet(!), squirrels, a heron, huge fish that we fed really close-up, and I saw a deer!!!

My little sister had her birthday there, and she got sooo, so many presents! Ahhh, she's off at Aberystwyth university, now. Hope she's having fun!

Did I mention that the weather was great? Lucy and I took a boat out:

And, of course, we all used the swimming pool a lot. Especially the rapids!!:

I love Center Parcs so much! It's like another world, out there. Where nothing matters and everything is always fun. We cycled everywhere (so fun); played card games together, all friendly; played badminton, archery, pool, crazy golf. And each couple took it in turns to cook a meal for everyone. Lucy and I cooked a barbecue! It was brilliant, of course! But we also had some great meals out, especially the Pancake House!!

We all had a brilliant time, we got along so well and we all totally didn't want to come home. Man, I really needed a good holiday! ... Hooray!

I start my Ph.D. tomorrowwww!!! Excited and a bit worried! But I'm feeling more and more like this was the right thing to do... I totally don't want a job yet. Speak soon!!