Really, the only reason I am writing this is so that it prevents my page from saying 'no journal entries' every time I look at it; this is why it may seem as if I do not have much to say.

So, I have spent the past few days living in the glorious town of Shrewsbury where I will be on placement for the next 2 months. I have developed a love for it here already - but I feel it may be a little fickle as it has been lovely and sunny every day so far which always lifts ones spirits lol! Today I had a lovely afternoon. I went for a walk around the back of where my house is (see the 'greengates lake' picture). It was very tranquil until I stumbled across 2 fishermen. When did fishing become so high tech?! They had piles of equipment. I always imagine fishing to be a hardy, manly thing of patience but they had all of these electric gadgets and trolleys with their kit in. I couldn't help but think this probably changes the activity entirely. 2 people could like fishing but what they class as 'fishing' could be very different.

Then I went into town and walked around the lovely park by the river. It's funny how all of a sudden, when it is sunny, no body had to be in work or at school (I had legitimately been given the afternoon off before you ask....). It was so nice just to wander around without any purpose. We are often so busy and striving to achieve so much, we forget the joy that can be found in the pointless things in life (my light up mac keyboard for example ). I sat down on a bench by the river where the local private boys school were having rowing lessons and read the end of 'a thousand splendid suns' - the most heart breaking book I have ever read. I sat on a bench next to a guy as it was the only spot free. I sat at the opposite end of the bench, as far as possible from him. Then I thought how ridiculous we are. We were created for community yet we avoid strangers so avidly. We sit on our own on the bus rather than next to someone. Sometimes people would rather stand than sit next to someone. We walk around with our headphones in, cutting out the world. We communicate with eachother via technology that means we don't have to actually be in each others company. A few days ago I re-discovered the joy of conversation. Being able to sit and talk to someone for hours about their life, their hopes and dreams, their feelings, their circumstances...... it really is a beautiful thing. I would love to tell you that I am going to endeavor to become someone who will sit next to someone on the bus and make conversation or not worry about talking to a guy on a bench in the park just because we are both there..... but I can't do that. Society has shaped me so much that I am not quite at the stage right now. Maybe I'll take small steps.... but then I worry what people will think. When did it become a world where you are weird if you talk to strangers or don't sit as far away as possible from them???

Hmmmmm
xxx