WE ARE SO BUSY

We're in the process of trying to fit at least 15+ of thee activities into this summer, with very little time. Please bear with (Miranda reference), they'll suddenly be a surge of posts in the next few weeks. In the meantime, please enjoy this picture of a cat.

AH SO CUTE!

-Ama

#2 Do the Race for Life

Hello world. So you may have noticed I (Naomi) have been particularly poor at completing these challenges, however, I have an exceedingly full life. I will get round to them, before the next 6 months are through. Yes that's right, we have 6 months (yesterday) until my 21st birthday, madness.

NEVERTHELESS, we have all three of us, completed number 2, complete the Race for Life. 
I think we all did our PBs. I thought I hadn't as when I crossed the line I got 28:03, (my previous PB having been 27:59) , but then I realised that I crossed the starting line at 00:06 and hence actually ran it in 27:57. 

It was a fantastic experience and I definitely want to do it again. 

To see the people around the course cheering you on is wonderful and knowing that you're doing it for such an incredible cause made the pouring rain and wind in your face worth it. I got to a point, somewhere between 3 and 4K where my thoughts went to; "Oh, just walk, no one will know" but at that same point I thought of my friend's brother who's currently going through leukaemia treatment and I don't know, something within me kind of spurred me forward, that if he could go through that I could so run another 1.5K or even more if it might raise a bit more money and maybe help in the search for a cure. 

I don't know if that makes sense, I hope it does.

We're currently at 98% of our target and our justgiving page is: https://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/hillsongyouth-surrey

So if you'd like to sponsor us please do.
Here's a photo of us...proof.

You can see the endorphins in our faces in the bottom pictures..ha!

#14: Reconnect with a childhood friend

When we first made this challenge, I genuinely believed that this would be one of the hardest ones for me. Not that I'm a completely anti-social person but because when you drift away from people, there's usually a reason and so going back to them is not always the best/easiest thing. But then I had a brainwave: one of my best friends from the good old days was a girl called Rianna. And I'd found out a couple of weeks ago that we went to the same uni. So I dropped her a text to see if she wanted to hang out...

Back to the 90s
I met Rianna in primary school, we were one of only four girls in the whole class and since our birthdays were only 5days apart, we instantly became best friends and did all the things that four year old girls do (including being bridesmaids together at a friend's mum's wedding). Life was good until....dun dun dun...my parents decided to move me to another school at the end of year 2 and her parents decided to move to EGYPT (!) at the same time. So we were separated and since we were only 6 or 7 and it was the late 90s, social media was not an option so we didn't really hear from each other from year 3 - 6

Reunited and it feels so good...
BUT in year 7 we both found ourselves in the same secondary school and in the same class, which was such a coincidence. We totally picked up our friendship where it had left off, had a lot of fun etc. until the end of year 11, when Rianna decided to leave (sob) and go to another sixth form, while I was lazy and just stayed at our current school/sixth form.

Sixth Form
We didn't keep in contact much in Sixth Form even though our colleges were literally down the road from each other; I guess A-Levels are just a crazy time and that kind of looked like that was end of our back and forth friendship. I started uni in Southampton in September 2011 and that was it..

Or so I thought..
One random day when I was in the SU, I heard someone call my name and since my name is crazily popular I ignored as per, assuming they were referring to one of the other billion 'Jess's' around. But then someone comes up to me and lo and behold, its Rianna - she's doing an Engineering degree at Southampton uni. We had a quick chat but both had to be on our way.Once we decided to do the 21 challenge, I realised this would be an awesome opportunity to reconnect with her - I know its a bit of a cheat because we did see each other sporadically since primary school but it works for me.

So a couple of days ago, we met up for lunch (it turns out we've lived about 30seconds away from each other for the past year - crazy, huh) in this cute little cafe called 'Kate's' and talked for about 3 or 4 hours; it was so nice!! I didn't take a picture of us because it was in the middle of revision/exam times so we were both looking grim (I'm talking the perpetual top knot, smudged eyeliner, jogging bottoms - the full works) but I've attached a pic of us circa 1997 at a school disco - totally retro. (I circled us in red - i'm so proud that I was able to do that, since I repel technology)

Jess xx

P.S. Fun little fact about Rianna, she has heterochromia iridum - she has two different coloured eyes!! One is blue and the other is green. I'm such a bad friend, I didn't notice until we were both 18, even though I've known her for years!!

xoxo

#6. Attend Somerset House film festival and have a picnic

THE DATE IS ALL SET. TICKETS ARE BOOKED. WE'RE GOING TO THE SOMERSET HOSUE FILM FESTIVAL. I won't reveal the film we'll be seeing as it'll take away the surprise, but oh is it a good'un. We hope. :) Exciteeeddddd


-Ama

#13. Go to each others lectures

Ama- Law Lecutre

I would like to dedicate this post to all those studying Law at university.

So today I took the bold step and completed no. 13 on the list to attend a law lecture. It was a revision lecture which covered various topics. I felt confident going into it- I was with my friend Rhoda. The lecturer went through a practice paper in preparation for thee law exam in a few weeks time. BOY. Law is tough, man. I tried my best to understand what was going on and some it was interesting, but I'd rather stick to greek symbols for now. Law is so wordy!! How can one person remember cases, specific laws, reports, principles etc and be able to use them all to answer ONE question.

I can understand the appeal though. It was so cool when the lecturer referenced "subsection 32 of the Law of Property Act, 1925" but I mean, if I was taking this degree I'd find it very tempting to just make up certain laws and cases and be like "it's a very obscure case, I had to visit the British Library in order to even find it...it exists, I promise". No. Whilst sitting there watching all the future solicitors, lawyers, judges and barristers furiously scribble down notes I couldn't help but thank the God almighty my degree is much more straight forward. The only I have to remember are a few equations (easy), graphs and be able to explain which Economist may have said what. And if that fails I always end with the phrase "of course, this is all hypothetical- in practise, this is unlikely to happen" and it's all fine and dandy. But noooo in law you have to be precise. What date was this act passed? Who said what in this case? Why did someone act like that?

I have a new understanding for Law degrees. Good luck to all those studying/thinking of studying/just finishing Law. We respect you. May the force be with you. God bless you. You'll need all the help you can get mate.

*These are my notes from the lecture. If they help anyone understand the law of Wills or property, I would have done something right. ;) Enjoy.

No. 8: Volunteer with the homeless

Ama
Recently, I had the privilege to volunteer at my local Big Kitchen near my university. Luckily, it's run by the church I already attend, so I knew some of the others who were helping out. I was really nervous for some reason- I've never done anything like that before, but I knew it would definitely be worth it in the end.
I arrived around 11 and was introduced to everyone. I then started to help prepare the snacks of fresh fruit. Those in the kitchen heated food of baked beans, hot dogs, toast, tea, coffee, juice and snacks and cupcakes to serve. I wrapped knives and forks and tried to remain calm.

The doors opened at 11.30 and a few of the men walked in with the tickets they received at the door. My job was to welcome them in, get chatting to them and generally wander round smiling and offering cups of tea. At first I was a bit apprehensive- everyone else who had done it before knew people's names and got chatting immediately. I decided to man up and asked to sit with a guy who'd already got his food. I introduced myself and asked him about his week. He then told me it'd been awful, that he'd been admitted to hospital for alcohol abuse and was told if he didn't eat, he'd die within a few weeks. I was astounded! I then got chatting to a man who had braces on his feet. I asked  him how his week was and introduced myself. He told me that he'd had an 'ok' week but had been admitted to hospital for his feet last week. I couldn't chat to him for long because he needed to speak to one of the other team members, but I got him some more food and cups of tea and wished him well.

I was beginning to feel more confident now and so approached a guy who was sat by himself. At the same time one of the other team members also approached him, so we sat down with him and began to chat. He asked me how I came to be at the kitchen and then suggested "Was it to meet guys?". I knew immediately this was going to be a very interesting conversation. I agreed that yes, it was to meet men. He chuckled and pointed at the other team member and asked "Him?" I laughed and said unfortunately he's not my type. He's too tall! We all chuckled (I've always wanted to use that word) and we asked how his week had been and he told us it'd been great. He asked me suddenly if I believed in God. I said yes, that I was a Christian. We then started talking about if there was a God, if there was, would they be male or female, what does the Bible say and so on and so forth. It was a really interesting conversation and I listened to all he had to say. I found it intriguing to listen to his opinions as I'd never heard anything like it! He asked if I would be there next week to carry on the conversation and I said I would be. He then left and I started to wander round, tidying up where I could.

I saw a couple in the corner and asked to sit with them. They unfortunately could not speak English, but I still tried to make conversation. I asked them where they were from, how long they'd been in the UK, whether they liked it and they asked if I was a student, if I liked the university and what I was studying. I helped clear their table and sat down with another couple. The lady was telling me how she was made redundant from several jobs but that she became a Christian and although her situation is still quite bad, she was hopeful for the future! I thought that was incredible! What an inspiration. She introduced me to her partner who was fro South Africa. He was also a Christian and he asked me about my testimony. I shared it with him and he seemed so interested in what I had to say and then told me his testimony and about he's still waiting to hear from God what the rest of the plan is. I won't go into it now, but it really is incredible. We even shared some scripture together which was just amazing!! I wished them well and hoped to see them soon, although deep down, I hoped they never would. I want their situation to get better so they don't have to come back. Although if they did, I'd love to sit and chat with them again.

It was time to clear up, so we packed down and made our ways home. It was such an incredible experience and I could honestly go on about it for ages! I was made to feel really comfortable and I hoped I did the same for those who came. This is such a cliché  but it put my life into perspective. These weren't "hobos" these were people who had to deal with and face terrible situations on a day to day basis with little support from anyone. I hope to help out again in future- in fact, I've given the days I'm free to the people who organise the Big Kitchen so hopefully, I'll be back to help out once again. 

Challenge of challenge #14

Reconnect with someone from our childhood.

So this sounds like it would be easy, maybe. However, I'm struggling to even start. I have two people as options in my mind, one from nursery school, however I have not spoken to her since I moved from my first to second school, when I was 5. 15 years ago. Long.
The other option is a girl who I've known since before birth...Yep.
Our parents shared ante-natal classes. I think it'd be fun to get back in touch, but yet again its tricky because I live in Surrey now kinda, whereas she is still in the Midlands and we don't go to university anywhere near each other.

Also, how do you even start a conversation as such?
'Oh hey, I'm doing a blog project and want to reconnect with an old friend and I've not seen you since before we were teenagers, lets be friends again?'

Not really my style. So we'll see.

Suggestions appreciated.