He's Off Gallivanting Again!

Hi everyone.

 

I just thought I’d post a message before bedtime to say that I’m going away for three days.  I’m travelling to Bala, in North Wales with the Disabled Young People’s Network of Wales.  I must say I am very excited because I have never been to Bala before.  I'll admit I hadn't heard of such a place until two weeks ago!  I’m armed with a camera, so expect photographs!

 

Click the red words above for more information.

 

Take care,

 

Leigh

 

 

The above picture shows Bala Lake Foreshore on a lovely spring day.

Catching Up

Here I am again!  Rumours that I have disappeared off the face of the Earth were grossly exaggerated, haha… All’s good in J-Land, I hope.

 

The English Literature AS examination on the 16th May went okay, in my opinion.  I had two essay-style questions to answer.  One was about Shakespeare’s portrayal of King Lear and his daughter, Goneril.  The other asked how Lear’s actions as a father had lead to the tragic end.  I don’t remember what I wrote exactly.  It all seems a blur of waffle and repetition.  But, I think I did okay. 

 

Keep your fingers crossed for the other two exams I have to sit.  One is on June 3rd (“The Nun’s Priest’s Tale” by Chaucer) and the other is on June 19th (“Doctor Faustus” by Marlowe – great book!)  It seems I have got into a habit of re-telling the story in an exam.  So I must remember not to do that as much and focus on the question.

 

I went to the Griffin Mill Outdoor Activity Day earlier this month.  The aim of the day was to meet the other nominees of the “Outstanding Student Award”, and to see how we all got along.  I was very excited that day, because I had to travel on a bus on my own, which is something I had never done before in my life!  I felt great to have been given a little independence.

 

When we got to the venue: a big golf course and spa, we were put into groups of four.  Then, we were given various photographs and clues.  The task was to find where the photograph was taken.  I had difficulty joining in this task, because each team was allocated a Land Rover each.  My team had the highest one, with no steps, so it was quite a challenge getting in and out of the vehicle.

 

The next task was like one of the reality show “I’m a Celebrity!”  All of the team had a go of archery, which was fun.  Then, the person with the highest score had to shoot at a balloon, which was filled with water.  The aim of the game was to get the water from the balloon to the bucket, using pipes.

 

After that task, the whole group congregated for lunch.  It was decided we would have a barbecue.  We had a choice of hot dogs, burgers or kebabs.  It was nice.  Some of the people were a bit snooty and were purely nominated because of the academic skills.  “Oh I had 3 A*’s, 5 A’s, 4 B’s at GCSE.  What grades did you have?”  “1 A, 8 C’s and 1 D” said I, “Oh…” said he. 

 

Some people were really nice to and understanding of my condition.  One boy came up to me after lunch –

Person A – What’s wrong with you?

Me – I’ve got Cerebral Palsy.  I was born with it.

Person A –  Right.  You ain’t normal like the rest of us.

Me – Pardon, what didyou just say?  What exactly is ‘Normal’?  Can you define the word?  I may be physically disabled, but I’m like any other person in society. I eat, sleep, breathe, hurt and I have feelings.  Just because I am physically disabled, it doesn’t mean I’m mental as well.

Person A – Sorry, I sincerely apologise.  I didn’t mean to cause offence.

 

I felt great after I’d stood up for myself.  I was utterly speechless when he said I wasn’t normal.  I don’t usually lose my cool, but I just let rip, couldn’t stop myself.  How dare he?  It just goes to show there is still prejudice in the world.

 

We completed the last task of the day after lunch.  We were split into groups of five.  One of us became the shepherd, the rest were sheep.  The aim was to guide each of the individuals to a pen, using animal noises.  I was in fits of giggles, as you can imagine.  LMAO!!

 

So that’s what I have been up to recently.  Until next time…

 

Sunny Days Are Here Again!

Hello again.  It has been a while.  How are we all doing?

 

What lovely weather we have been having in Wales this month.  I have been making the most of the sunny weather by sitting out in the garden while revising, instead of inside.  My mum has been sunbathing out in the garden in the afternoons.  Why not? LOL!

 

My parents and I had a lovely time in Tenby earlier this month.  We stayed at a caravan site called Kiln Park.  For the last five years, Mum has always tried to book a holiday there, but the park had no vacancies.  So you can imagine how excited she was when we got there.

 

The weather was warm and sunny.  We only had light showers of rain on the Sunday afternoon, so we were very lucky.  The warm weather meant we could go for strolls into the town and nearby haunts.  The food was really nice as well, LOL!  Uncle Robert and his girlfriend came down and gate-crashed our caravan for a night.  Not that we minded, of course.  It was nice playing host. 

 

Where there, I visited a bookstore and bought the new novel in the “Alex Rider” series by Anthony Horowitz.  I shall enjoy reading that while on holiday!  I also bought “About a Boy” by Nick Hornby.  I thought that was a very good read.  I remember seeing the movie adaptation years ago, starring Hugh Grant.  It was so different to the novel!  The director cut a lot of scenes from the book. Don’t ya just hate it when that happens?

 

Last Sunday, it was my father’s birthday.  The night before, we had a barbeque to celebrate out the garden.  It was a great night.  We had burgers, hot dogs, kebabs and salad to eat.  Later on the sky turned red.  You know what they say:  “Red sky tonight, a shepherd’s delight”!

 

I have an exam on Friday.  I’m re-sitting the AS William Shakespeare module that I did last year.  I’m so nervous.  I have been revising like crazy over the last few weeks and I’m terrified that I don’t know anything!  No Leigh, you must think positive. 

 

I’ve bought myself some ‘Just Drops’ from a local herbal shop.  All you do is squeeze four drops onto your tongue or into a glass of water.  Then, the drops with help through stressful situations like an interview, an exam or a driving test.  Let’s hope they do the trick on Friday morning.  Keep your fingers crossed please, J-Land!

 

 

First of May (What's Left of It)

Hi everyone.

 

Today is the 1st May, and the day of local elections in Wales.  I was so excited when I woke up this morning when I realised I could vote for the first time!  Woo hoo!  I would say who I voted for because that’s private (in my opinion).  But, I felt really empowered, like my voice is finally being heard.  Did you remember to vote?

 

It seems my laptop has broken again.  It’s the same problem as before.  I knocked it off on Monday night and wanted to do some work on it last night.  But it wouldn’t come on.  Dad and his friend Simon are scouring the net for a new charger.  If I wanted one the same make as my laptop, which is Packard Bell, it would cost £99.  That’s a ridiculous price if you ask me!

 

Other news, I had a C-grade in my English Literature coursework this year.  18 out of 25,   I was a little surprised I must say.  Even though it is a pass, I was hoping for a B grade at least.  Oh well, we can’t have it all, can we?  We humans always appear to want what we can’t have!

 

This Bank Holiday weekend my parents and I are going to a seaside resort called Tenby in West Wales.  I’m looking forward to the break before examinations begin on the 16th.  I’ve been to Tenby a few times, but not over recent years.  I’ve got my camera all packed, I promise to take lots of pictures if I can.

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Leigh