Something out of the ordinary

When 2012 glided up to 2013, I decided that I would refrain from making New Year Resolutions as

A) They are always overly ambitious

B) Due to A) they make me consequently feel like a failure when I don’t succeed

C) I make even more ambitious resolutions the following year and B) occurs once again, and the vicious cycle repeats.

I put my foot down to anymore preposterous pledges. Such as always being on time for lectures, (which officially start at five past, so surely a few minutes after won’t hurt…) Or spending X amount of money every night out, (I’m bringing out plastic, so there goes that resolution up in flames…) I decided to adopt a more laid back approach. I allowed myself a month to settle into the New Year, an adjustment period. This would allow my bulbous Christmas stomach to deflate. Equally, after second semester giving me heart palpitations from kicking off so quickly, I felt that I needed recovery time from this. After both I felt I could think with a lucid mind.

I decided to embrace 2013 by doing all the activities which I never got round to last year; new experiences for a new year. So here I shall produce my list of aims. “Aims” sound far more relaxed than “Resolutions”, a word which seems to exude pressure. Enjoy this list and get inspired!

A walk in the Dales

Recently for a friend’s 21st, a group of us went on a 4 mile walk, up in the glorious Grassington dales. It was snowing at the time, so plodding through knee deep snow only added to the enchanting experience. The walk was extremely tranquil with fantastic views. One memorable moment was reaching the peak of a small hill, where sheep roamed around. We looked down onto a very beautiful, still looking lake laid out with stepping-stones and snow-coated trees stretched out for miles. These views I appreciated far greater than the un-awe-inspiring view from my bed, the mottled bricked wall of a narrow street; a view which I stare at fixatedly on hung-over days, when zombie-mode has taken precedent. I now advocate walks as a remedy to invigorate the mind and body, with the crisp fresh air.

To get there (a quick train, followed by bus journey), only took forty minutes. The authentic dales are something which everyone ought to experience. Having seen them caked in snow, I feel this is an excuse to come back in summer to see them bathed in a hundred different shades of green. One of the things which I love most about Leeds is the vibrant town centre; however, the sleepy town was pleasant and quaint by contrast. The pubs all had grand old-fashioned coal fire places which we warmed up our hands and feet with, feeling like wholesome country bumpkins. The independent cake, sweet and knitwear shops, all charmed us with their character. Skipton (which we travelled through before reaching Grassington) is another market town which provides many alternative scenic routes around­­ the dales. 

The Dales proved a perfect and picturesque excuse to get snappy happy

Getting cultured at Leeds City Museum

From ancient Egyptian mummies and artefacts, to unnervingly lifelike wildlife animals, to magnificent Roman mosaic displays, Leeds City Museum boasts something for every acquired taste. There are even super snazzy interactive displays, such as one which enables you to feel the skin of a python. After being just a little addicted to David Attenborough’s “Africa”, my curiosity circulating the natural kingdom has blossomed. So I aim to get myself down to the museum fairly sharpish and enhance my knowledge. You never know when it’ll come in handy for the next pub quiz… 

The infamous man-eating Tiger, one of their many sights to behold

Source: http://doctorfinkel.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/spending-review-yorkshire-top.html

Rolling out the barrels of laughter

I have been meaning to go to a comedy club for a long time and it has been a long time coming. There are many comedy nights in Leeds, so there is really no excuse, especially considering each week Hifi hosts Saturday Comedy Sessions. If watching Michael McIntyre live at the Apollo on TV tickled all your funny bones, why not go one step further and experience the humour in the flesh? Laughter is infectious, or so they say, so when a group of us eventually do go, we’ll be prepared for several severe stitches. 

And all that jazz

House, R’n’B, Dance, Hip-Hop and Techno are all blared out at the clubs, but Jazz firmly remains an underdog. However, for a different night to add a bit of that tantalising 2013 twist, why not diverge from the norm? I aim to get a group of us to a jazz bar; a splendid night of silky smooth, saxophone blues. Smokestack in Leeds offer Funk, Soul, Latin and Jazz vibes alongside what my friend describes as ‘a menu of criminally good cocktails.’ However, if rock’n’roll is more your kind of jam, MOJO bar in the city centre exudes a slicked-back hair, leather-clad 50’s rocker aura. Nights like this which are something out of the ordinary always end up being more memorable precisely for that reason.  

The time to get jazzier than Jazzy Jeff

Source: http://leeds-list.com/places/s…

Global Gatherings

2013 should be the year to get global and cultured. For a Mexican themed night think sombreros, fajitas, nachos, salsa, tequila and a giant piñata. Whilst for a Spanish theme, think Maracas, tapas, paella, sangria and flamenco. I feel, with my Jamaican grandparents, that I should organise a Jamaican themed party to finally test out their recipes. With an abundance of jerk chicken, rice and peas, dumplings, rum and Reggae blaring out, it would be a super special occasion that would turn everyone’s minds to thinking about sizzling summer. Fancy dress for all themes should be obligatory, of course.