Simple Exposures

So I haven't written on here for a while but the last few weeks something has been frustrating me more than usual. Climate change, the polar bears, they way we use plastic, and well the list could go on but you probably get the point.  Then to top this, last night I watched blue planet II on BBC, it was the final episode of the season and I have to admit I haven't watched any other episodes because well, we just don't watch much TV in my house. You have probably heard of this, especially if you live in England, with the 13 million viewers in the UK, smashing X-factor viewings over the past few weeks.  So it is obviously about the planet, mostly about our oceans. The one I watched last night was called 'Our Blue Planet' and it was the 7th and last episode of the series. David Attenborough takes us through a journey to uncover the impact our modern lives are having on our waters, home to all our friendly (or not so friendly creatures).  The message y...

There is something about travelling alone that gives me a good feeling.  Going at your own pace through security, getting a coffee and a croissant and sit down enjoying a good book while waiting for your gate to show up. Walking to the gate (because I gave myself plenty of time arriving early) and waiting it out. Sitting down next some complete strangers who you end up sharing a few words with, in whatever language you both understand (or the language of pointing to things and nodding your head). If you are lucky enough to sit by the window, enjoy the view. See how little things are when you are 10.000 metres above the ground flying at 750 km per hour looking at the melted snow on the top of the Alps, realising it was just over a month ago when they were white coated rocks. There is just something about it. Also about arriving, running, rushing to your bus or train or boat because to get around in Central Europe you may need all three.  There is just something a...

As the semester is slowly coming to an end and we are all thinking about how sad it will be to leave our new friends, I started thinking, how will the distance change us? Indeed, all us international students here in ZU are missing some friends at home and have dealt already with leaving them, maybe more than once for those who study outside their hometowns, but for some us it's a new experience, leaving friends behind you saw almost everyday. Some have probably stayed in contact with skype or facetime or a telephone call here or their. Some have been message addicts or are in a constant exchange of snaps. I, however, don't often message my friends back home. Many of them are starting to get annoyed with the fact even. Sorry guys. It has opened my eyes a lot this whole experience, it has taught me to appreciate people more, and what we have in the moment, to make the most of every memory we make with someone and to hold on to them for as long as possible. That we don...

This is a bit different to what I would usually write about but I read an article about it this morning and it got me thinking, as usual.  And I thought I would share this random information with you.  There's no doubt that listening to your favourite music can instantly put you in a good mood, or certain songs can take you directly to a place or a time with someone, also how it can put a complete downer on your day but did you know it has now been proven to help you with things such as back pain, memory loss, help you eat less or even enhance blood vessel function, now that is something!  Obviously music helps you work out better, or when listening to lyrics can help you soul search  and find what you are feeling. But has it really become a health therapy? It seems so.  Music works on the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system responsible for controlling our blood pressure, heartbeat, brain function and also the limbic syste...

I came to a very sad realisation this past weekend whilst visiting Prague. I am one of them. One of those who feel the need to post what's happening over social media. One of those who wants to put the location filter on snapchat so someone can see what city I am visiting. I think this is sad.  My phone broke on Saturday, the same day I left for Prague. I tried checking it every 10 minutes to see if the screen was improving but it was indeed just getting worse. I depended on my friends phone to let mumma know I was safe and sound, and kept up to date with my messages and friends by the computer available at the hostel. This was weird.  This feeling of dependency on a machine that does nothing but encourage antisocial behaviour gave me an idea. I wanted to try and not use social media for the month of November, this idea soon vanished when I realised I wouldn't have a phone until around the 12th of November, so instead I decided to only stick with Facebook and use ...

When you study abroad you meet people from all over the world. You exchange cultural traditions, you maybe try to learn some words in their language but you also discuss the differences about academics, about work prospects and each others plans for the future.  This is actually really depressing for someone who lives or studies in Spain. The chances of you getting a job after graduation in Spain in your field is around 60-65% depending on your university (public schools only). This of course is only applicable if you have gained some previous experience, which the majority of us haven’t or won’t. ‘You can’t get a job without experience’. How do you gain experience then if no company will give you the chance?  When you compare this to other universities around the world or not necessarily by university but by country it becomes quite scary. In Spain we do a four year course and then are facing a one year master course. Master courses are made for you to speciali...

So if you read my last post you knew this would be my next one. If you ask me to describe Oktoberfest in one word, that would obviously be BEER. Yesterday I encountered litres and litres of beer, probably more beers than people actually.  The weather tried to put a downer on the occasion but these Germans have no problem drinking in the rain, neither did us internationals I must admit. I witnessed a mass of umbrellas hanging from the  wooden bars on the outside of the tents, keeping most of us dry but obviously no one cared whether they were getting wet, they were concentrating more on singing the must-know  Oktoberfest song Ein Prosit , when the bands in the tent play it every 20 minutes or so, you are meant to grab your partner next to you, sway, cheers! and chug.  But of course Oktoberfest has a meaning, or at least it has a history. It traditionally starts the third week of September and ends the first Sunday of October, except this year it is a...