Taking Stock

The last time I blogged was a month ago. I'm awful at making promises I know. I'm off from university for a week so I finally have time to sit down and write for you. My good friend Alliyah from Risk To Write has done a post where you take stock of the things in your life. Considering I've been away for so long I felt a life update was due so here goes:

Reading: Midnight's Children, A Simple Story, The Romance of the Forest. I'm still halfway through the first book even though I studied it a few weeks back at university (I know, I'm that bad of a procrastinator). The other two books I'm studying in my Women's Writing module and it's so interesting to see how female writers were presenting the differences between educated women and those trapped in the domestic sphere.

Watching: My weekly TV schedule these days consist of The Apprentice, Downton Abbey and of course TEEN WOLF. I started watching the latter six weeks ago and I'm currently on season 5, episode 4. I love how every episode is always thrilling, hilarious and epic. To this date I don't think I've been satisfied with watching one episode before I fell asleep; that's how good the cliffhangers are! And Downton Abbey. Oh dear. I was shocked after discovering that last Sunday aired the penultimate episode and there's going to be a hiatus before the Christmas special because I was thinking "Was that it?" It seemed the whole season was burdened with a row over the village hospital and tiny squabbles. There were no important character developments besides Daisy and Mr Mosely passing their exams. Having said that the last half of the penultimate episode was really enjoyable especially when Lady Mary broke down and confessed why she couldn't marry Henry.

Buying: My friends still ridicule me for spending near £110 on two midi dresses and trousers at Inayah. I honestly didn't know that you could find more modest dresses and trousers in Western stores like ASOS, Forever 21 and even Primark so I am hitting my head against the wall. However, I can't wait to go shopping soon because I am in need of warmer winter clothes.

Listening: Some inspirational, thought-provoking lectures on the impact of colonialization held at my university.

Feeling: Urm not too great to be honest. I have so many things riding on this year and the pressure is real.

Planning: My next blog on the lack of 'people of colour' in Young Adult literature and my feelings on being an Asian Muslim and writing for a career, (look out for it in two weeks time!)

Wishing: I had a novel idea because while I do post prose poetry on Instagram I can't help feeling I'm wasting time and just want to be working on long story in my free time.

Enjoying: Reading texts for 'Women Writing', 'Postcolonial and Global Literatures' and 'Victorian Fictions', stimulating seminar discussions, my amazing, intelligent and sometimes crazy friends, and the support of my family.

Eating: As healthy as possible whilst being Asian and living with a mother who believes in eating at least one meal of rice and curry every day.

Hoping: To pass my theory and driving test by the end of this year (started learning two years ago!). To get an overall First in second year of university. To be selected for a writing internship.

Thinking: Of how I'm going to finish reading four books for next week, catch up on six unfinished novels and revise my theory test all in one week.

Lacking: The motivation to exercise, the ability to procrastinate and the determination to pursue my dreams when people around me think I'm not being practical.

Trying: To make everyone around me happy.

Drinking: Green tea, lemon-infused water and tea. My doctor has reprimanded me for lowering my vitamin D and Iron levels again which I admit I had stopped taking my supplements out of pure laziness but apparently I don't drink enough water which I think is a load of BS. They obviously haven't seen the number of visits I make to the 'ladies' in a day!

Wanting: To be gaining experience at a writing internship placement to show my family that getting a PGC and teaching is not the only employment for Literature graduates.

Cooking: Thankfully since my mum has been back from Bangladesh I've not had to cook as intensely as I did during last summer. However when my siblings are bored of Asian food, she forces me to whip up a pasta dish.

Deciding: To get off my butt and immersing myself in university this year in terms by attending more extra curricular lectures and activities. Second year has come too quickly.

Wearing: My comfortable (and ridiculously expensive) midi dresses or ethnic tunics paired with simple trousers or leggings. Colder weather has made me bury myself in layers and layers which may lead me to look like an Inuit but at least I'm warm!

Needing: To finish this blog as soon as possible and get back to reading. I have three assignments due next week and if I don't start now, it's not going to look pretty.

What have you guys been up to? Do you relate to any of the above things?

Please let me know I'm not the only procrastinating sorry mess of a university student.