What song do you think everyone should listen to once in their life ?
“L-O-V-E” – Gregory Porter on his ‘Nat “King’ Cole & Me’ album.
This CD was always loaded in our car when I passed my driving test. When I was first driving by myself, this was what kept me company.
What book is a must read ?
"Factfulness" – Hans Rosling.
I read this book a few years ago but think it’s probably worth a re-read given the past year. It talks about the value of and strategies to develop a fact-based worldview.
What film is a must see ?
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”.
I've actually only seen this movie once, about a month ago (this answer is definitely influenced by recency bias!). I like the escapism that films provide, and this one really drew me in.
What are you most grateful for ?
I’m hugely grateful for my flatmates. They have been instrumental in making what could have been an incredibly challenging and lonely year into one that I have enjoyed immensely. I've also had some new experiences and challenges to work through this year, and they've been the best to talk to and help me out or laugh at/with me when I'm being ridiculous!
No one's had a standard year, but if it were possible to have a 'normal' pandemic, I don't think I would fall into that category. The announcement of the first national lockdown came only 5 hours after me finding out I had made it onto the TV show, 'The Great British Bake Off'. That day was filled with quite conflicting and confusing emotions!
For the next three months, I went back home and filled the hole of cancelled uni exams, sports, and social events with writing recipes for a TV show I thought may not even be able to run. There was a great deal of uncertainty around the process, location and safety protocols. But, after three months of waiting, I got the confirmation that, in four days, I would be leaving to isolate before filming in a covid secure bubble for up to 8 weeks. The weeks of filming the show were quite amazing, partly because I got to fulfil a major childhood dream, but also because I could interact with many new friends in a nearly normal way after months of masks, distancing and isolation.
My first semester of third year included a little bit of covid risk assessed badminton, a fair amount of online studying and lots of Bake-Off chat with friends. It became a highlight of the week to watch the episodes as they were released with the flatmates and be kindly mocked for my odd sayings and cringy moments! It helped pass the weeks with a good rhythm.
My life has changed a great deal in the past year. But in the same breath, I still live in the same flat with the same pals, play badminton with the same team and club, study the same course, and take the same exams. Maybe I’ll still become an accountant after uni (something I would enjoy), or perhaps this whole baking thing sticks and I can change a passion and hobby into a creative career.
That's a brief description of my past year. I knew it at the time, and I know it now, looking back, just how lucky and blessed I have been. I was given a chance to experience new things and meet new people in a time when this was incredibly challenging. The main lesson I've learned from this year, where I have experienced close to overwhelming new experiences and connections and periods of pandemic induced isolation, is my need to connect with people. As I said, my career path looks like it could be a little different now, but I have much more clarity in what my professional goals are. Whatever I do, I want it to bring me the opportunity to meet and talk to interesting people so that I can share ideas and learn from others. I think that's what will lead to exciting experiences and help me find fulfilment.
