Christmas and a toast to 2012

As per usual Johnson household standards, Christmas 2012 saw another manic, hilarious and joyous celebration – with the odd meal, gift and game along the way!

Waking after a terrible night’s sleep – my inner child refuses to treat Christmas Day with any less excitement than ever! – to the customary stocking stuffed by Santa, which this year included the invaluable prize of a “virtual pet” Tamagotchi (a device which is sure to be useful in all things distraction-based as exams draw ever closer!) alongside the traditional chocolates and tangerine, I was bowled over by the sheer quantity of gifts that the saint (or, more likely, my enduring parents!) had brought with him this year round, as they spilled out all over the floor. Plenty of unwrapping to be done later in the day, then!

I always feel quite dazed by Christmas Day, largely by the generosity of others, but also out of incredulity that it’s been a full year since the last one – time really does seem to be flying ever since I started University.

The traditional Christmas stocking.

A wonderfully bright Christmas morning with snacks, Buck’s Fizz, 

presents, this year’s tree and an oblivious cat.

Following a morning of listening to carols, watching a bit of Christmas television, messaging best wishes to friends and family across the country, and hard preparation for my mother and brother, the (competent) cooks of the house, it was time for an absolutely scrumptious three-course Christmas dinner: tomato soup, turkey with all the trimmings, and a beautifully-made Christmas pudding.

Delicious! I’ve been asked to point out that Brussels sprouts 

were on offer too, I just can’t stand them!

It was great to spend quality time with the whole family present, appreciating one another’s company as well as the tremendous effort that had gone into the food – miles away from the beans on toast and takeaways that I hash together for myself on busy days!

The family, complete with appropriate headwear, tucking into a gorgeous meal!

After everyone had finished (or, in the case of most, struggled to a halt!), the games ensued with a few rounds of “cracker bingo,” although, rather suspiciously, the caller ended up winning them all! And the less said about the incident where, towards the end of a game, the number 69 token was read out to be 96 (after we’d strangely had some “duplicate numbers” previously drawn), the better! But it’s such small moments that I find stick in the memory and really make the day, and the laughter it brought reminded me just how fortunate I am to be surrounded by the happy, hilarious and joyful people that I am, up North and in Southampton.

And so, absolutely stuffed, we all retired to the lounge for a few quiet drinks, some present opening (for any technologically-minded folk, mine included a Raspberry Pi, so any suggestions for future projects would be greatly appreciated!), a viewing of the Muppets’ Treasure Island (originally due to be their Christmas Carol retelling, but we couldn’t find the DVD!), and, finally, a few rounds of the QI board game (which, of course, made us all feel academically inadequate!), when the tiredness from earlier excessive consumption began to take its toll. The day ended relatively early, but was as special as it always has been – I hope you enjoyed yours as much as we did!

So with the passing of Christmas comes the slow winding down of 2012 and, as revision begins to click into full gear (as well it needs to!) for January exams, these few days offer a period in which to reflect on what has been quite simply an incredible year.

I couldn’t have predicted the range of experiences I’ve had over the previous twelve months; from fully getting to grips with the independent lifestyle in Southampton in terms of cooking and other general responsibilities, to meeting great friends through all sorts of academic, dramatic and other avenues both North and South, receiving my first ever University-level exams and results, tackling the demands of second year, trying out activities like TV hosting, stand-up comedy, directing, dancing and singing, bidding a sad but very fond farewell to my brilliant Grandma, travelling independently for the first time in attending the glorious Olympic Games (I’ll never be able to forget that opening ceremony rehearsal!), building up funds and work experience through part-time summer work, moving in and out of accommodation and managing various installations and accounts for the house, and just having fun throughout, it’s been a learning experience from start to end, hopefully developing me as a person, certainly doing so as a student!

As I continue into the New Year trying to make the most of the gifts that life has offered me in the form of health, friends, family and opportunities, I know that 2012 will be remembered fondly – excluding the heartbreak supplied by my beloved Manchester United, that is - and I sincerely hope that you’re able to say the same. If not, then Tuesday sees a new year – so let’s make the most of it!

Here’s to health, love, and a Happy New Year for all! Bring on 2013!

Robin

For Ellie: My first Christmas without my sister

Christmas is a time for being with your family, right? Well this year it’ll be my first Christmas without my sister. Boo hoo.

I have two sisters and I love them dearly, so the knowledge that my older sister, Ellie, will be sunning herself in New Zealand is doubly horrible. I don’t get to see her in the flesh, but I do have to endure her ridiculous tan on Skype (life is not fair).

I have never had a Christmas not surrounded by my crazy family, and as I am the youngest I definitely do try to cling to the silly traditions we have. Yes, we must play board games on Christmas Eve, read The Night Before Christmas, and have an outrageous murder mystery party. However, I feel like I have been fighting a losing battle which is inevitable as people grow older. For instance, we no longer all come home and decorate the tree together simply because we are all too busy.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do like change as much as I like family traditions, and the future really does excite me, but annoyingly everyone in my family (except me) is reaching that age where Christmas starts to change. Soon they will be spending the season with their future husbands, or living in New Zealand.

The ones I love continually inspire me so I am trying (really hard) to see the benefits for my sister in staying on the other side of the world.

I mean, she gets the sun, breath-taking surroundings, no rain, no smelly dog and no fraught Christmas tempers. Plus the bravery it takes to fly across the world, completely independently, and live with people she’s only known for a few months is a gift not only to herself, but to all those who love her. Seeing her flourish is naturally rewarding.

This contentment did not come easy – I spent a considerable amount of time sending her corny Christmas songs, family photos from every year, and long soppy letters. Alas, no such luck, she is definitely staying out there and I needed to channel my thoughts into a positive perspective.

Obligatory Christmas family photo

Look how we’ve grown! This was taken last year at our annual boxing day murder mystery party

So, this will be the start of new experiences, which is wonderful!

We’ll be having another Christmas in May and that’ll be awesome. And, at the end of the day, there is no way I can deny all my life I have been outrageously lucky; now even more so, I get two Christmases! And I should be grateful for the fact that I have had so many years of memories to treasure.

So I shall look forward and next year plan a Christmas in some sunny continent myself.

Florence

Home for the holidays

I wrote a blog post a few months back about how heading home is an important part of student life; you have two homes during your degree, and there’s nothing like going back for some comforts when times get stressful.

Christmas at home is made all the more special once you get to University – home comforts are ten times better, with mince pies, puddings and heating! The importance of family is made more significant by the distance and stress of studying at University and by the sentiment of the season. Christmas at home becomes even more important thanks to the impending return to studies in January.

Our Christmas tree at home, taking pride of place in our living room

Unfortunately, Christmas as a university student is also synonymous with deadlines. Whether you have essays due in December before the holidays begin, or essays and exams in January, the festive period comes with work. Free time is not really ‘free’, and time spent enjoying what Christmas has to offer can often be followed by feelings of guilt. I tell myself that this won’t be forever – once I am employed (hopefully!) my free time really will be mine. But for now, time spent not watching films and visiting family will have to be spent researching and writing essays on War texts and Wollstonecraft. After all, that’s what I’m here for!

So what happens in my household at Christmas, aside from assignments and research? Well, there’s lots of baking – mince pies, sausage rolls, pastry whirls and gingerbread biscuits. The decorations go up just over a week before the big day, and the Christmas wrapping is done in front of It’s a Wonderful Life or Nightmare before Christmas (as we struggle to untangle our maniac of a cat from the ribbon!). Board games come out of the cupboard, festive tunes play on the CD player, and our open fire is finally put to use. Nothing makes me happier than being surrounded by friends and family, laughing at the awful cracker jokes and playing New Market with our old pennies when we’re feeling full of food!

And what food… Biscuits covered in chocolate, crisps, coated peanuts and  tins of celebrations; Christmas pudding, chocolate yule log and mince pies; and not forgetting the turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips, pigs in blankets and of course the humble brussels sprout! And sometimes, there is nothing better than a good cup of tea next to the Christmas tree.

One of Mum’s delicious Christmas puddings with plenty of brandy!

Sadly, the Christmas cheer seems to finish on Boxing Day – the sale adverts begin, bargain shoppers get up at obscene hours of the morning to save some pennies, and you won’t hear a Christmas song on the radio until November the next year. Christmas decorations start coming down, and suddenly all anyone can talk about is their plans for New Year. And so it will all be over for 2012.

So let’s make the most of it – play Christmas music to your heart’s content, make the most of all the food available, the family comforts of heating and the Christmas films and TV specials. And most of all make the most of being with your loved ones; after all, that’s what really makes Christmas special. Not everyone is so lucky – and we must spare a thought for them all.

To all you students out there: work is still important, and projects and essays must be completed. But we must still make sure that we spend the Christmas period doing what we enjoy. If things are getting stressful, make sure you have a mince pie or chocolate to keep you going with that revision; having the Christmas holidays off is one of the perks of being a student (even if you do have work) and once we enter the working world we’ll wish we still had this time off – so let’s make the most of it!

In a similar way to Robin, I’d like to quickly wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to my mum, dad and sister, as well as all my family, and my friends both at uni and at home.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Joanne

The sights, smells and significance of Christmas

There’s no mistaking it now: despite the minor disbelief that the months have passed as quickly as they seem to have done, I’m sitting in front of a log fire, a very smug cat by my side, watching the advertisements for toys and shops and TV specials roll across the telly in the middle of a cheesy film and admiring the annual appearance of our tree, wondering what on earth I’m going to do about presents, and reuniting with friends and relatives by the dozen on a daily basis.

Christmas has arrived!

After the routine cross-country train dash back up to the North-West, journeying through excessively large numbers of remote stations in Wales (the place names of most of which I swear are made up on the spot!), I’m now back at home again, enjoying the chance to see everybody after their own far-flung travels, and making the most of being in a building with proper central heating – a real luxury after the occasional boiler failure at the student house!

Our family Christmas tree from last year – with a feline cameo appearance!

It’s brilliant to be able to sit back, for a short while at least, and take some time off from fretting about assignments, bills and the seemingly ever-disappearing contents of the fridge, whilst also keeping in touch with my Southampton housemates and friends via social media. Some people might find home a restrictive environment after the complete independence that University grants, but I’m lucky enough to be able to find enjoyment in both – particularly before I start feeling the overwhelming need to crack on with revision for January’s exams!

So, with less than a week to go until the big day, I crave your indulgence yet again, as I list below what I’m most eagerly anticipating about Christmas 2012 in the North-West:

The scrumptious feast
Everybody loves Christmas food, and the season is such an excellent excuse to eat so much of it!

Personally I believe that the greater the quantity of brandy, the better the pudding tastes!

THOSE Christmas records
If there’s one thing I absolutely love about this season, it’s the atmosphere created by the music – excluding a certain Mariah Carey song and a few other modern rehashes, perhaps! Sure, we all hear the same songs incessantly for a month, and by the end of the spell they’ve driven us crazy. But I suppose it’s because they’re the same songs that I enjoy them so much; we all know the words to the classics like White Christmas, Stop the Cavalry and, of course, Last Christmas, and they bring about the festive karaoke spirit in all of us, and form a very jolly ambience indeed!

The television and films
Christmas is the season when not only does my screen-watching schedule fill up with important (and, admittedly, less so!) football fixtures, but there’s almost always a wonderful show or film to view with the family as well. Jo’s already listed some of the must-sees – I probably shouldn’t admit to this, but I’m a complete sucker for Love Actually! – and there’s also usually other splendidly nostalgic offerings like Home Alone and the slightly scarier Gremlins, alongside some brilliant television programmes, many of which selflessly raise great amounts for charities and other noble causes.

The Christmas parties
... I’m not sure I need to expand on this one, particularly!

Well, it is the season of celebration, after all!

The painstaking shopping
Personally, I’m a terrible shopper, and the annual nightmare of finding everybody a gift which is fun enough to be enjoyed, whilst sufficiently practical that it might be used, consumes hours of time towards the end of the year. But at the same time, it’s always actually quite enjoyable, and very humbling to receive others’ well-wishes and benevolence on the day.

The family
Because, at the end of the day, that’s really what this all comes down to: a season of united celebration with the most important people in the world.

Despite the considerable academic requirements placed on the Christmas break revision-wise, it’s certainly the toughest spell to be doing work in given the sheer quantity of distractions!

Finally, I’d just like to wish a joyous Christmas to all my friends (with special mentions for Dimple, Hannah, Caitlin, Tim, Mo, Chris and Glynnis for their recent help!), to all my family and to all of the Life at Southampton blog readers. Thanks for all of your support throughout 2012, and I hope you have very happy and peaceful days next week.

Merry Christmas!

Robin

Anyone for tea?

I love anything international – I adore travelling and exotic food and cannot wait to live abroad. However, there will always, always, be a special place in my heart for a classic cup of English tea.
Unanimously, nothing can beat it.

This weekend I met up with some of my family (the best thing about Christmas) and we went to Billesley Manor, just outside Stratford upon Avon, for high tea. I felt extremely spoilt.

So, now is the time where my inner middle-aged woman shines through; yes I love cups of tea over pints of beer and yes, I have National Trust membership. I am not ashamed (okay, maybe just a little); but I am just old way before my time. Naturally therefore you can understand why I was over the moon with this day; it combined two of my favourite past times.

Billesley Manor is set in the heart of Shakespeare country and as we drove up the lawn I felt instinctively at home. Rumour has it that William Shakespeare used the library in the Manor and the All Saints’ Church, which is set in the ground and dates back to the 11th century, is said to be where Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Things like this, however sad it may be, excite me greatly.

So not only did I get to wear a fancy dress and don some pearls, I also got to snoop around a lavish house and pretend to be a wealthy lady of the manor, but, on top of all that I got to drink tea by the bucket load and indulge in scones, sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and a mountain of pastries. Simply divine.

A cup of tea goes surprisingly well with champagne. I am advocating that this becomes a new tradition.

It all felt wonderfully British, and now, whilst being conked out on the sofa watching Sports Personality of the Year it feels very good to embrace my inner English-ness. I think I often forget, when my mind is fixated on living in Paris, New York or India, how important it is remember where you are from. As reflected in the greatest sporting events, the British determination, spirit, talent and energy makes me swell with pride. I am sure I am not the only one who welled up listening to Martine Wright, who won the Helen Rollason award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. For being strong, for being thankful for the opportunity to participate, and for being a Paralympic award winning athlete after the 7/7 bombings; she succeeds in putting everything into perspective. So, because of her, and because of Mo Farrah, Jess Ennis, Nicola Adams, and everyone else I am extremely proud to be British, to drink my cup of tea and to enjoy my national heritage.

I’ll raise a glass, or mug of earl grey, to them.

This post, unintentionally, went off on a bit of a tangent; what I wanted to say was – go out for afternoon tea, it is scrummy and you feel civilised. There is always an excuse to have a treat with the family. Drink tea, whatever the problem is, drink tea drink tea drink tea. Then drink some more tea. And lastly, enjoy and embrace our country’s traditions, be proud of your inheritance – be it the National Trust, Shakespeare or Sir Chris Hoy.

Florence

What December means to me!

The month of December always brings forward a mixed bag of feelings in my mind! On one hand I feel the beginning of an end – the year gone by – and find myself reflecting on my past… how the year has been… did I do something fruitful… what did I gain or lose… was I able to achieve my goals or even come close… was I able to fulfil my aspirations… did I carry out my responsibilities well… how was my social life… my family, friends, near and dear ones… were they around or was I too engrossed in the mundane chores of life… Am I taking care of my health or ignoring it largely on account of my busy and hectic lifestyle… so on and so forth. It is a time to take stock of things and gear up for the future, the new year, with added vigour and increased aspirations.

However, on the other hand, the month of December heralds love, happiness, companionship and merry making! Yes, it is the harbinger of the Christmas fever and a forerunner to the countdown for the New Year… and above all… for the last four years… it is the month when my lovely wife and I celebrate our anniversary!

The Christmas fever has gripped the whole University with mega festivities; the awesome Christmas lighting ceremony, the Christmas markets and fairs in town, mince pies and mulled wine; it is all there. I do remember Christmas last year as if it were just yesterday. We had a Christmas lighting ceremony… but yes, it was on a much much larger scale this year with the whole University students and staff present… and guess what I missed it all!

Christmas is celebrated with much fanfare in India with midnight masses in the churches and lots of cakes and not to forget our dear Santa (for the children!). But my appreciation of Christmas did change a lot last year when I was at the University, all thanks to the team of Friends International for regularly conducting events and talks about British culture, and also the Christian societies at the University… be it the Student Christian Movement, the Catholic Society, or the Christian Union. My concept of God and Jesus did undergo a paradigm shift as I got an opportunity to attend the talks arranged by the CathSoc at the University. I am religious by nature, a pious Hindu, but I realise and understand the importance of multifaith divinity. Therefore, the whole series of events – the talks and group meetings of Friends International, the Christmas supper at the Methodist Church on Burgess Road, the visits to the University chaplaincy – led to me moving towards a new diaspora, and added a different dimension to my already existing multivariate personality. Once again, it is the true global spirit that exists at university which can give you such an exposure. And I was not alone… there were so many of us from the Asian community who were experiencing a different Christmas for the first time in our lives last year.

Whilst it was an exhilarating feeling of witnessing and being a part of a different Christmas at the University, I missed my wife a lot as she was not around last year on our anniversary which also falls in the month of December. Our anniversary was celebrated at my flat in the company of my friends. We played a few games and had a delicious spread of Indian food. There was no exchange of gifts with my wife last year but a silent promise to be together for years to come.

Lovebirds - all smiles for the camera

However, this year we were together for our anniversary and did celebrate it with style and in the company of family and friends in Delhi. The city of Delhi is gearing up for the Christmas vacations and festivities… although I am badly missing the University and friends back there for all the good times and fun we have had. At the end of the day, you win some and you lose some… that’s how life goes and can I shout at the top of my voice… Guys I am coming back soooooooooooooooon!

Rohit

My nine films of Christmas

The Life at Southampton blog is currently awash with seasonal posts about mince pies, friends and family, and the magic of Christmas – and quite rightly so. Christmas is everywhere, whether you like it or not. And like Florence, I too am a self-confessed super-fan of Christmas. It is my favourite time of year. There is no denying that!

Amongst everything I love about Christmas – the shopping, the food, the friends and the beautiful lights – there is sometimes nothing better than snuggling down in a blanket, with a cup of tea, some Christmas treats and your family or friends to watch a good old Christmas film. Christmas TV is often the heart of the home at Christmas – I know many whose plans at this time of year are nearly always worked around films, series ‘specials’ and live broadcasts.

So now, compared to my previous posts, for something completely different. Here are my Nine Films of Christmas.

These are the films that I just cannot imagine going through Christmas without. Christmas is incomplete in the Fisher household without these, and I thoroughly recommend you watch them too!

1. My first Christmas must-see has to be the wonderful Elf. Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, it tells the story of his journey to New York city. I can guarantee you will be chuckling away and quoting the film from now until Christmas 2013.

2. The Polar Express is a favourite with all of my family – this animated adventure is always watched on Christmas Eve at home despite it technically being a children’s film. Tom Hanks pretty much voices everyone, and the music is wonderful. This story was a favourite for me when read out at every Christmas Assembly at school, and the film is just as good.

3. You can’t call it Christmas at my house without watching Raymond Briggs’ fantastic The Snowman made in 1982. It is an absolute classic and never fails to get me in the Christmas spirit – this is normally viewed after The Polar Express and before Father Christmas on Christmas Eve with some mulled wine and a mince pie. There’s a new sequel being aired on the 24th as well, which I will be keen (if a little dubious) to see!

4. Father Christmas is another wonderful animated Christmas film, showing us what Saint Nick gets up to for the other 364 days of the year. It’s funny, and another firm favourite.

5. It’s A Wonderful Life – a favourite of my Mum’s. I’ve only ever watched it once but am determined to see it again this Christmas – be prepared with tissues though, as it’s a weepy one!

6. Another one of my Mum’s essential films at Christmas is White Christmas which is famous for the song of the same name. It’s a classic; a good one to watch if you’re looking for some vintage Christmas cheer.

7. If you’re a fan of cheese then Miracle on 34th Street would be a good one to pick – it stars the girl from Matilda and Richard Attenborough and will either make you feel ill from its sickening happiness or will make you feel very Christmassy. Either way, if you like seeing children’s dreams come true, this one’s for you!

8. Love Actually – This is hugely popular amongst the girls but has many male fans too – if you like films like About a Boy and Notting Hill then start with this one – it never fails to make me feel merry! It tends to be a little more risqué than most other Christmas movies, so maybe not one for family viewing.

9. Yes, it’s another cheesy one – but when have Christmas films ever not been cheesy? Jack Frost tells the story of a man who comes back as a snow man. His name Is Jack Frost. That’s all I need to say, really!

I didn’t have enough films to make it to ‘Twelve Films of Christmas’ – I regret to inform you that I have never seen Home Alone (to the horror of many of my friends!) Maybe I will see it this year. Now you know a little more about my Christmas traditions – hopefully you’ll make a few of your own!

Joanne

Wrapping things up

And so the end of another hugely memorable term at University looms nigh.

I’d struggle to list the sheer variety of things that have occurred over the preceding three months as the higher education adventure has rolled on, but I know that every moment – well, excluding a couple of the late coursework nights perhaps! – has been savoured and appreciated.

Somehow during the course of my lengthiest spell yet in Southampton, I’ve managed to take part in Great Expectations as my favourite character yet, the blacksmith Joe Gargery; begin to learn how to sing and dance – although the prospect of the latter still gives me butterflies, and I often make a fool of myself to my reflection! – in the forthcoming production of Parade (showing in the Nuffield Theatre in March); practise some early stand-up comedy (hopefully with a view to a debut gig next semester); write my first ever article for student press; continue getting engaged with the Students’ Union through SUSUtv (the Union’s television station) and other avenues, and get to know many more vivacious and exciting people alongside those I was lucky to meet last year, juggling all this – by hook or by crook at times! – with a (fingers crossed!) successful term course-wise, which has been challenging but instructive.

Thus, as I find myself tying up loose course strands, getting prepared for the long hours of revision ahead, packing up and preparing to return to the North-West, I’m quite looking forward to taking a bit of a breather before pressing ahead into the New Year – preferably in front of a fireplace, given the recent weather!

As Jo wrote recently, returning home can often feel like the resumption of a second life. All of a sudden, different friends, different places, different paces of life (and the presence of parents, cats and a dishwasher at home!) make the transition between being a student at home and one at University a fairly disorientating experience, particularly when you realise that everybody else at home seems to be getting up at “normal” times – midday wake-ups somehow feel less socially acceptable when nobody else is following suit!

But although it’s initially quite confusing, after a couple of days I always find that I’m back into the swing of things as if I’d never been away, and I’m excited to see everybody again with new tales to tell and be told.

The final week of any term is always one of celebration as, with the majority of assignments over the hill, you can relax a little, and this time round has been no different. SUSU Theatre Group is currently in the process of casting its two larger shows for the second semester, and on this occasion I’m fortunate enough to be making an Assistant Directorial debut for the summer show “Keeping Down with the Joneses,”an 80s comedy set in a nuclear bunk shelter, alongside two hilarious friends. It’s already been an exciting and enlightening experience so far just pitching the idea and being on the other side of the audition table! We’ve seen a truly tremendous standard of auditions, testament to the strength of performance skills rife throughout the student body here, and we’ve a tough task ahead in the coming days selecting who we think best fit the parts.

The society also had its annual Christmas Meal at the classy Banana Wharf in Ocean Village, consisting of three sumptuous courses of soup, turkey and traditional Christmas pudding – probably the first proper food many of us have had all term! It was fantastic to give a term of Theatre Group success a great send off with sweets, suits and splendid company, and I look forward to the challenges it presents ahead – thanks to Aoife Thomas and all the organisers for a super time!

So all that’s left for the final few days is to do some present-purchasing in the wide range of shops at West Quay, tidy up around the house, spend some time with my housemates and then hop on a train back to the other world. It seems strange that such a long time period has passed so quickly, but when life is truly as engaging as it has been for me personally this year, I know I’d rather not have it any other way.

Robin

The big fat Indian wedding

It is the much sought after wedding season in India and it has become sort of a regular feature these days for me to spend my evenings with friends or relatives at their happy celebrations while they embark on life's new journey. For the uninformed, let me make it clear from the beginning that marriages in India happen on auspicious dates as specified by the priests or pundits, as we call them. The marriage preparations begin well in advance of the actual day, starting from the day the parents decide that their son/daughter needs to tie the knot. Then starts the process of looking for the would-be partner, with the help of the long chain of cousins, uncles and aunts who give references of all the eligible people of marriageable age in the community.

During my stay at the University, whenever I used to introduce my wife to my friends, they would get amused at the prospect of having an arranged marriage. “Do people actually get married this way in India?” was always the question put to me and every time my answer would be “Yes, it still does happen like that in India”.

Indians have big joint families and it is quite common to find a suitable match through your aunts, sisters and cousins. In fact once you cross the threshold (or in a more dignified manner when you are on the other side of twenty five), you are tracked. You find people eyeing you during public functions and trying to observe your manners and habits. The very emotional and melodramatic mothers would even start imagining you as their son/daughter in law and start preparing the list of invitations for the betrothal ceremony.

The more modern ones nowadays have taken the e-route. They register with a wedding website, specify their height, weight, colour of eyes and even specify the preferred height, weight and eye colour of their partners and wow… the phones do not stop ringing after that. The offers start pouring in by the minute. After all, we have a 1.2 billion strong population in India and the large chunk of this comprises of young people – and these young turks have to get married…. at least the elders think so. Therefore, if you have a female companion and you want your companionship to be certified… get married! If you want to have children… the only way it is possible is… by getting married! If you do not want the neighbours and relatives to doubt your sexuality… get married! Therefore, you want this licence of marriage for anything and everything here. Now, please do not get me wrong! I personally am a strong believer in the institution of marriage. But, I despise that those who do not believe so are forced into believing this and this leads to a large number of divorces nowadays. I also love this concept of arranged marriage. There is nothing wrong with this. Two people meet and find soul mates in each other. Love grows and they become inseparable. How very romantic! But wait, this sounds good if two people want to choose this way of getting married and should never be forced just because they seem to be crossing the age limit defined by the so called uncles and aunts.

To avoid the risk of digressing from the topic and this post turning out to be a moral lecture, let me continue with the big, fat Indian wedding. So, once the groom / bride is decided, the families sit together and decide the auspicious wedding date. Indian weddings are a very lavish affair and are generally considered as a once in a lifetime celebration. So the families do not leave any stone unturned in the preparations and end up spending a fortune… all their savings on this one big day. Invitation cards are printed in bulk and sent to the long lists of friends and relatives. The venue is decided and booked well in advance otherwise you would not get any at a later date if it is the wedding season. A lavish menu is decided, more importantly the mithaiwalla – ie the person who prepares the sweets for the wedding. A wedding without sweets is unthinkable; all sorts of traditional fare is made and packed into boxes to be given to the guests. The bride gets to spend a fortune on her trousseau, which has to include a Benarasi Silk sari along with several other specialities from the different Indian states. The wedding itself includes several functions like the "sangeet", wherein the guests dance the night away. Then there is the "haldi" ceremony where both the bride and groom are smeared in turmeric to make their skin glow on their D day. The wedding lasts well into the night and the ceremonies continue till the wee hours of the morning. In India, a wedding in one’s family is a huge affair which is tiring as well as enjoyable at the same time!! The guests get to enjoy the gorgeous spread of food and choicest scotch but only at the expense of the bride and the groom, who are dead tired till all the ceremonies are over and desperately look forward to their honeymoon… if not for anything else… to get some rest!

Rohit

What Christmas means to me

Christmas is crazy. It is absolutely mental and without a doubt well and truly upon us; deck the halls to the high heavens and all that.

This weekend I went to Bath, a wonderful corner of preserved England, and met up with several of my old school friends for a weekend of Christmas merriment. Whilst on the train back I decided to put down in words and properly think about what the season really meant to me – apart from an abundance of good food and lazy afternoons.

Now, I am a fan of Christmas, a self-confessed obsessed fan – if it was socially acceptable to start decorating a tree and listening to Christmas tunes in July, I would seriously consider it. Naturally therefore I revelled in going to see my friend, who studies at Bath University, sing in her church choir service on Saturday evening. O Little Town of Bethlehem really does warm the heart. As does the abundance of mince pies and mulled wine.

However, as much as I enjoy Christmas, I also sort of really loathe it; I seriously think it makes me hate people – not in a horrible irredeemable way - but in a ‘why has everyone on the planet decided to do their Christmas shopping on the same day as me?’ way. Coursework hand-ins and January exams are stressful, granted, but there is nothing worse than the constant demanding thud of that one impossible present that you still have to buy for that one impossible person. I swear my body reverts to panic mode; I will pick up anything (and I mean anything) and consider how it will somehow, no matter how wildly, relate to the person I am shopping for.

Yes, my mother has always yearned for stationery before you ask.

To add to this is the task which I always seem to miscalculate; shopping for boys, something which always reduces me to the verge of tears. I start to loathe them too (along with everyone else in town). I would like to think I am not the only woman who finds buying for men excruciating, so come on girls; let’s unite together and make them like scented candles and vases – surely together we can make them see sense?! You see, I have a terrible habit of buying presents I would happily keep for myself, which makes shopping for men a right old mare.

Despite having to contend with all humanity in one tiny market I still had a wonderful time, I promise, regardless of how narcissistic I sounded above. Because that is Christmas isn’t it – you have the highs; the mince pies, the woolly jumpers and The Pogues, but you also have the lows; the bitter cold, suddenly losing every roll of sellotape in the house when you desperately need to do your wrapping, and of course, the hordes of people also frantically doing their own shopping.

Every year it is the same, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Elbows out to get all the free tasters at the Christmas market

This got me thinking, what is it about Christmas that I enjoy so much (I assure you it isn’t the shopping), and I realised (as everyone does at Christmas), that it is the people. I could have been anywhere with these people and still written a blog about how much I love Christmas and love them. Nothing else really matters, call me sentimental, but the people always make the season.

So, before I say anything more I want to say thank you to my wonderful home friends; they are nicer than I ever deserve and better me constantly. (I also want to apologise for being so soppy and properly disgusting them all – it’s just what this time of year does to me…)

Really, there is nothing greater than seeing the people you have known all your life for mulled wine, carols and board games. Christmas is a child’s game, and these people relight my inner youth.

I think it is so important for me to remember, being this time of year and all, how incredibly lucky I am – I have my health, my education, and most essentially I have friends and family I cherish.

I know it sounds cheesy (and it is), but I feel so rich when I am around them; I have a wealth of kind people that I love and I am lucky enough to be able to spend time with them. Jeez, I mean how could I not feel blessed, despite everyone being insanely busy I still get to hear how their lives are. No matter where I am and what life I lead, these are the people that have made me who I am and I know that I will always, always, have time for them. So, seeing as it’s Christmas and all that – and the best thing about Christmas is boozy meals with loved ones – I encourage everyone to think of their friends and family, and even if you can’t be with them, thank them for all the happiness they bring to your life.

Florence

Holidays are coming

The lights are up, mulled cider is flowing and festive songs are springing up all over Surge, the student radio station. It must be Christmas time on campus.

I am a staunch believer that nothing Christmassy should be experienced before 1 December. On that day, the advent calendars can come out, decorations can be hung and ‘Fairytale of New York’ can be sung wildly in the shower as often as desired. 

Christmas came early(ish) to the University of Southampton when the lights were turned on last week complete with snow, mince pies and a market. Since then, the University has been in a festive mood, and with only two more weeks of term-time left it’s only right that we embrace all things merry. The fact that you leave University to go home in the second week of December means that you need to make the most of being surrounded by your friends as much as possible, which means starting your celebrations at the first opportunity. Which is why, on 1 December, my flatmate Rachel and I could be found decorating our flat to the sounds of Chris de Burgh and Slade.

Campus Christmas lights looking magical at night

My flat is now adorned with foil decorations that look like they’ve come straight out of a bad 1970s sitcom, and I have already indulged in my first mince pie of the season. Rekorderlig winter cider (served hot, of course) is my new favourite drink of choice, and my Christmas playlist is on repeat on my iPod in a  bid to get me in the Christmas spirit – with everything from the Jackson 5 to the Philharmonic orchestra.

In my first year my flatmates and I indulged in a homemade Christmas dinner on a budget – the first of many!

University at Christmas time becomes such a hub of seasonal activity that there is something for everyone in the run up to the Christmas period. I have plenty of exciting events planned over the next week and a half before heading back to Kent. Despite having mountains of work to do in the form of preparing January deadlines (and I will no doubt be spending most of my time in the library), Christmas wouldn’t be the same if this wasn’t twinned with festive treats to keep me going!

On Tuesday 4 December I attended the Humanities and Social Sciences Christmas Ball – this was my fourth Christmas ball and it was a fantastic event (so a huge thank you to those who organised the whole thing!) It was a great night, as we enjoyed live music, mulled wine and candy floss – not to mention the opportunity to dress in our finest!

Provenance nightclub in the city centre was decked out in all its splendour for the Ball

The Wessex Scene held a Relaunch Party in the Bridge on Friday 30 November which was also a success and gave us the opportunity to showcase our new designs and to celebrate with readers and contributors. We also had some live entertainment in the form of Dan Tovey, Triassic (performing  their acoustic set) and #Tags – all of whom attend or have attended the University. There’s nothing quite like home grown talent!

The Wessex Scene Relaunch Party made use of the Bridge Bar and went down well with everyone who attended!

As for future events, I’m planning on watching It’s a Wonderful Life at Union Films on Tuesday 11^th, ice skating at the Winchester market later in the week and heading out for a Christmas meal with my flatmate on the Friday before taking the rest of the day off to go to the German market in West Quay. I think that’s enough festive cheer to counteract the work that my master’s degree has presented me with!

Christmas at University is a different kind of occasion to the somewhat sophisticated and well-organised event that you may be used to at home, under the careful preparation of your parents. It is now that you realise the Christmas period is, really, about spending time with the people that you love, and your friends and flatmates become your family. Christmas dinners are planned weeks in advance using as many discount vouchers as possible, and Secret Santa provides everyone with the ability to give without being out of pocket. All in all, it’s an experience worth savouring – so my advice would be to cram as much in to the next few weeks as possible.

Joanne

A student’s Christmas list

With the back of November, there’s only one thing the inner child in me is screaming: “IT’S CHRISTMAS!”

Yes, ignoring the couple of weeks’ worth of coursework to be completed, lectures to be attended and revision to be planned - luckily I now seem to be on the home straight in terms of workload! – I can now sense the tingle in the air that signifies a time of well-wishing, corny television advertisements, excessive amounts of food and general merriment abound. It’s been a hectic and at times demanding introduction to second year, but one which I honestly feel I can say I’ve squeezed the most out of, and I’m excited to soon be returning up North for many a rest and reunion.

But before then there’s the small matter of celebrating the season to be jolly down in Southampton, as the plans for house meals and parties are laid, Secret Santa raffles kick into gear (though, judging from my receipt of a pair of pink boxers last time around, these aren’t always fruitful!) and, despite rapidly plummeting temperatures, members of the community congregate to share in the atmosphere of the time of year, such as at the event held this Wednesday to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights at the University.

Nothing says Christmas like some good old fashioned carols!

It was a fantastic occasion with young and old in attendance, each receiving some free mulled wine and a mince pie, enjoying the heart-warming melodies of the carol singers under the (artificial, unfortunately!) snow and witnessing the moment the beautiful lights illuminated Highfield campus for the first time. It was great to see so many people united under the University of Southampton banner and, personally, was the occasion that the season’s arrival really hit home!

Just some of the lights on Highfield Campus.

The inevitable question “What do you want for Christmas?” has been asked of me and, as per routine, I’ve shrugged and usefully answered “I don’t know!” So if, like me, you’re short on ideas, I’ve listed a few general suggestions below for things to possibly request over the festive period:

Money
A fairly standard suggestion for any student! But if you’d rather make sure it’s used constructively...

Gift vouchers
Just to ensure that you do actually buy food/clothing during the January examination period, rather than (in my case at least) the new Call of Duty game!

A good meal
Speaking of which, a good, wholesome and carefully-prepared meal is a rare thing in the average student kitchen – or at least my house’s, anyhow! Make the most of your Christmas Dinner (and the fallout of turkey sandwiches) before it’s back to the takeaways!

A reminder of home
Things aren’t always easy as a full-time student, so I’ve personally found it great to have a small piece of home in my room to boost morale when needed. Anything which holds value to you can suffice, no matter how big or small – I’ve stuck photos of my cats above my bed!

DVDs/games
For those flat nights in when leaving the front door can seem just too much effort, there’s nothing better than snuggling on the sofa and watching a film or playing a game with your flatmates – it’s always good to refresh your collection!

Textbooks
Unfortunately textbooks can be fairly pricey, but nothing truly replaces them for individual study, so you might want to get hold of some of these before the new semester.

Pens/paper/stationery
Unfortunately, January exams are on the way, so the holiday is a great time to stock up on the necessary essentials for revision. Fortunately, these also include...

Sweets and sugary goodness
January exams are on the way, after all! I recommend sherbet lemons... well, unless you’re a dentist.

An event ticket to look forward to
And having something afterwards to eagerly anticipate is brilliant for helping to look to the future, so get yourself a ticket to a concert, match or festival with some friends. The promise of an Easter trip to Derren Brown saw me happily through last year’s period, and it was well worth the wait!

And there’s your list! I wish you the best of tidings for December: let’s see out 2012 in style!

Robin

Yes Woman – the art of trying something new

Something that I have learnt since starting my Masters is that it really is never too late to start anything at University. I may be in my fourth (and most probably final) year, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do things here that I’ve never done before.

In one of my first posts back in the summer, I mentioned that I regret not trying things out in my first year. Had I been bolder, I would have gone along to Theatre Group meetings, tried my hand at yoga, and maybe gone to Artsoc (the student art society) regularly. Alas, I didn’t truly get involved in extra-curricular activities until at the end of my second year, when I was elected as Lifestyle Editor for the Wessex Scene.  Soon after that I realised this was a step that should have been taken at least a year beforehand.

Now, in my postgraduate panic, I realise that the ‘real world’ does not offer such opportunities so easily. I need not remind myself that I shall be entering this real world of work soon (hopefully!). So I have somewhat taken it upon myself to try and say YES to more things this year. YES to socials, YES to obscure gigs, YES to coffee with acquaintances in order to form new friendships… and YES to gaining new skills. If any of you have seen Yes Man starring Jim Carrey and the lovely Zooey Deschanel, it’s the same idea… just toned down. And not 24/7.

One example of this new endeavour is my recent appearance on Surge Radio, the University of Southampton’s student radio station. I have a few friends who work at Surge whom I have met through media projects, meetings and social gatherings, and a few of my friends present shows on a weekly basis. When one asked if I would like to be a guest on his show one Saturday night, how could I resist!?

My Surge experience got the thumbs up!

My first impression of the Surge studio was how small and quiet it was (pretty basic observations, for a soundproofed studio in SUSU’s basement!) and once we sat down we launched straight into the show. My friend Sam has been trained in using the equipment, so I just popped my headphones on, let him get on with it, and the show started! We filled the hour with conversations about films and television series, whilst playing tracks from our favourite film scores. This was a film-based show on Surge after all - Sam’s show Screentime usually airs on Saturdays from 7pm which he presents with his friends Jack and Tom. After a few requests from my sister Katie and my old housemate Lou, we had finished our slot and the show was over. It was a whirlwind hour, but I had a great time, and came out of the studio wanting to do it all over again.

Although I was nervous, and I have a tendency to avoid all things spontaneous, I had a great evening, and plan on getting back on air in the near future. I’ve also set myself the challenge of helping out with SUSUtv (the student TV station here at Southampton) before the end of my university career.

So, although I never graced the stage or tried a new sport during my time here, it certainly hasn’t been uneventful, and I know I’ll be able to leave next year with the knowledge that I will have made the most of what being at University has to offer.

Joanne

Delhi… the love continues

It has been almost fifteen years since I left Delhi in 1997 after my Class XII examinations (equivalent to A level in UK) to pave my way for the future. I have gone places since then… Goa, Kochi, Mauritius, Pune, Vizag, Mumbai, Southampton and finally back to Delhi to explore my future prospects… I tend to get very nostalgic when I come back. It feels as if life has gone full circle.

From a reckless lad in 1997 when I left the safe haven of school to face the big, bad world, never did I expect that my pursuit for education would continue for years to come and would take me all the way to Southampton. And now that I have come back to Delhi, I have two Master’s degrees, six years’ work experience as a marine engineer and exposure and education from a world-renowned University – University of Southampton. I am no more an ambivalent eighteen year old – indecisive and uncertain about my future, but a confident engineer who can command attention during a conversation. I am no more a self-obsessed youngster but a husband and a father.

While I address the BIG CHANGE that has occurred in my life in the last fifteen years since I left this city, one thing that has not changed is the city itself. It remains the same old Delhi – capital of the largest democracy in the world and the seat of power, brimming with politicians, diplomats and bureaucrats. The grand look of India Gate – an iconic monument to honour the war heroes – still stands tall and proud and does not fail to inspire you. The old heritage buildings of the city still remind you of the British Raj in the pre-independence era. The energy that the city infuses in you still remains the same. The smell of the Mughlai food and the roadside eateries – the typical Delhi cuisine – still lingers on for hours. You still enjoy the extremes of weather here – summers hot and dusty – and winters extremely cold and chilly. You still look forward to those evening get-togethers in the winters on the stately lawns with kebabs and scotch – where the topics of discussion range from issues as serious as the US elections and the Eurozone crisis to as mundane and bizarre as the hairdo of an actress in the next Bollywood flick. You still find lots and lots of European tourists swarming around the places of interest. Even the people who live here have not changed. Delhi is called the city with a large heart and the people here are rugged – very moody and erratic, their vocabulary full of obscenities – and that has not changed. But all things said and done, the city has a character – a distinct and unique character – and that has not changed over the years.

So, when I arrived in the city last week as the new me, I fell in love with it once again. The look of the city has changed and it looks good with the latest infrastructural developments – a world class airport, massive urbanisation drive, a very efficient Metro train network and much improved lifestyle. I happened to come across a newspaper ad for a UK education fair at the British Council. I was really tempted to go and had it not been for a personal commitment, I would definitely have gone and stood by the University of Southampton stall in the fair. It gives you a sense of immense pride as the association with the University and the country is everlasting and immeasurable. 

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, visited Delhi last week and met the Chief Minister here and offered her a few tips on the city’s expertise in higher education, public transport and other infrastructural areas for India’s capital. During a discussion with my family members over dinner about his visit to Delhi, I felt a sense of belonging as I told them about the flamboyance and enterprising acumen of the Mayor and his meticulous approach and planning that resulted in the most successful Olympics to date. No doubt, I am a proud Indian and love everything about India but at the same time I have been a proud UK resident and a student of the University of Southampton – that not only has imparted quality education but has taught me a way of life. It has been two months away from Southampton and I look forward to wrapping things up here and returning soon. Till then, I shall bask in the warmth of Delhi.

Rohit

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Okay, before you all cry out in dismay, I have not lost my marbles, I do know that it is only November and you know what; I don’t care!

I am in the Christmas spirit and nothing is going to stop me.

The SUSU shop is selling advent calendars, I have started seeing mince pies everywhere and forget about the Coca Cola TV ad, there is another incredibly heart-warming John Lewis advert to feast your eyes on! I kid you not, my housemate and I spent a good twenty minutes watching John Lewis’s festive creations throughout the ages and I started to feel that tingling feeling of happiness that comes with watching Love Actually and the smell of pine trees.

Most of us students will only be in Southampton for another four weeks before we all depart to the warmth of our family homes for the holidays, and I wanted to give all the other Christmassy-inclined folk a heads up on the things to do in the Southampton area at this time of year. If this is your first Christmas at the University you don’t want to miss a single thing!

This weekend my housemates and I are going to Winchester, primarily so I can fall over a lot on the ice-skating rink, which is behind the beautiful backdrop of the cathedral. Can you imagine anything more magical? Except perhaps a large glass of mulled wine and some early shopping at their markets, both of which are provided! Tickets for students are a reasonable £6 off-peak and £7.50 peak. Winchester is a charming little town which cannot help but feel very English and very Christmassy, so if you haven’t been yet check it out, have a little potter around and go into one of their many cafés.

I think I will be clinging to the rail a lot.

However, if you’d like something a little closer to home, how about Southampton’s very own city centre market, which will be returning for its ninth successful year and never fails to bring a touch of the continental to Christmas. So, whilst you may be doing your Christmas shopping in West Quay I recommend you pop outside and replenish your energy supplies with their incredible variety of scrummy treats – including German beers, hot chocolate and Gluhwein.

If you are not feeling festive yet, just wait until 28 November, when our very own University campus will be doused with sparkles for the turn on of the Christmas lights! I know that it is cold, and often raining, and perhaps standing outside in the evening isn’t your idea of heaven but this event is the culmination of the University’s 60^th anniversary celebrations and they will have no doubt pulled out all the stops. Plus there will be food (mince pies galore), drink (nothing like mulled wine after a lecture), and to top it off, a Christmas market! It starts at 5.15pm on the red-brick area outside the Students’ Union and will include Vice-Chancellor Don Nutbeam’s end-of-year speech. Now, whilst I admit that Southampton doesn’t have Rihanna on hand to turn on our lights, we do have someone even better; Pavlos Kontides! Our very own Olympian will be there along with our torchbearers Mostafa Soleimani and Kangjing He, what could be better.

(Here is a link to the facebook event page, just in case you forget the details - http://www.facebook.com/events/239170616211579/)

So perhaps before reading this article you weren’t really in the mood for all this turkey talk, perhaps you were focusing on the absence of our summer rather than the forthcoming holiday, perhaps you were being a scrooge, ignoring all the evidence that Christmas surrounds us already. Well, to all of you lot I say embrace this wonderful time of the year, tie your scarf a little tighter, gather the ones you love close, sing some carols and make the most of it.

So, yes I know it is November but like I said, I don’t care. I’m going to embrace Christmas.

Florence