How did I ever 'survive' these marathon student holidays??

Even though it seems an obvious fact of life that, as a student, I would be able to enjoy long summer holidays again, I'm finding myself almost overwhelmed at the endlessness of this one.. and it's only just started! Of course I'm NOT complaining, and it certainly won't be endless. Semester A will inevitably creep up on me before long! This time though, I'm determined to be better prepared and, like a good swot, I've already got a bunch of the textbooks out of the library have even started reading them. My current literary poison of choice at present is "An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students", which will hopefully help dull the pain in the back of my head when I tackle molecular biology and biochemistry next term!

The full list of modules for next semester is as follows:

1. Clinical Practice 1 and The Therapeutic Relationship (in which Mel gets to don a white coat and start concocting evil-tasting brews for unsuspecting patients at the University Clinic)
2. Phytochemistry & Applied Biochemistry
3. Systemic Anatomy, Physiology and Clinical Embryology

It's going to be challenging to say the least, but I am particularly looking forward to the clinical training component, as it will help take some of the more torturous science out of the dry context of the textbook into real life.. and make the brain-ache worth-while! :)

It's not going to be all work and no play though.. I have LOTS of travel planned. Starting tomorrow (aherm) with a totally frivolous (but thanks to budget airlines not overly expensive!) 'haute couture' trip to Mum's tailor in Switzerland to pick up a divine dress and jacket she has been creating for me from some lovely material I brought back from a trip to Delhi several years ago and never did anything with.

Then hot on the heels of that little flourish of extravagance, I am off to the East coast of Sicily with a girlfriend of mine on Friday for a week of R&R on an organic farm to recover from all the fashion excitement ;) I'll be flying back in time to perform in our summer concert (details to follow) on 30th June at All Saints Church (nr. All Saints DLR, London), ready to launch myself into another month of student hedonism.. More on the big summer trip to North America soon. I think I've probably sickened you all enough for one posting!

I'll leave you with the result of a fit of creativity that came over me earlier this week. A pressed flower and washi (Japanese paper) collage.. Have a good week. M xx