So today I wanted to try something different. I have a full day of stuff today, so many different activites and topics and I of course want to make a blog post about it. However, this time I’m going to do a live post throughout my day.

So this is the first part of the post, the introduction, next I have a few errands to run so I’ll update this post during that and so on throughout the day.

I hope you enjoy this different method of blogging, but if you’re at the end of the day just reading the whole thing I hope you find it equally as enjoyable.

9:00 – Errands

So I ran out of shampoo last night, just about managed to get the last drop into my hair, which means I need to buy a new bottle! I recently found out that my local health shop does refillable shampoo so that is my first stop!

After that, I want to pop into a local bookshop and see if they have any books for my new collection.

Fortune favours the bold! Three new books! Which I believe puts me up to 8/100, slow and steady progress.

10:00 – Workshop

As part of my course we have to learn many different computer languages and softwares. One of these is a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program called NX.

NX is used in many different industries to produce models of components, in my specific topic it’s often used to design spacecraft parts before they are made to see how they will all work.

Often when I do projects like this I wonder how they made any satellites before it? I’m all for carpentry but eyeballing something like that seems risky!

Anyway, today I’m learning how to model a hinge for a satellite solar panel. It’s a long process of making sure everything is perfectly measured and aligned, but the end product is something to be admired. I’m in this workshop until 12 so I’ll post a picture of my finished product then!

For now, back to the keyboard!

12:00 – The Graveyard

Not what you were expecting is it?

Technically this is a shortcut to where I’m going next, but i do also find graveyards to be quite peaceful places to be. It’s a good way to take a bit of a break midway through the day!

I have a little game where I try to find a gravestone with my own name on. So far I’ve never been successful, but i know that one day I’ll find it.

After all, one day we’ll all find one…

12:30 – Lunch

I maybe spent too much time in the graveyard, now I have to rush getting my lunch!

A sushi selection from Morrisons has caught my eye, so I headed to the supermarket nearby. I also need to pick up a bunch of fruit whilst I’m here. These days, it feels like all I eat is fruit, so I’m packing a lot of it into my backpack. Bananas and Oranges, Apples and Pears, I’m living the true roman emporer lifestyle!

Now I’ve gotten all of produce, I’ve got to rush back to the university.

One of my friends from my course is heading back home this evening and tomorrow morning is partaking in their local archaeology club. The group is in the process of unearthing some ancient roadways as well as some medieval tiles and I found it fascinating to listen to their tales and see the pictures of their findings. Truly groundbreaking!

But now, the breaks over, it’s lecture time!

13:00 – The Lecture

In this lecture of Spacecraft Systems Engineering, we’re learning about electric propulsion. This is one of my favourite topics, one I’ve been studying for years long before I started this course. Fortunately, I already learned this topic a few weeks ago so I can relax a bit in this lecture.

14:00 – Essay writing

I mentioned this recently, but i have a bunch of essays due soon so I’m trying to make as much progress as I can.

I like to think my essay writing method is good, i set up the sections, I find references for my topic, I read the references and when I find something that fits my sections I paraphrase it in, write about it a bit, and add the reference.

It’s quite a long tedious process though, even if it is about rocket engines. But I’m here for the next few hours and then it’s time for…

16:00 – Italian Practice

I’ve been learning Italian for a few months now, it’s starting to make sense I think. I practice by writing notes from my lessons, researching a few similar topics and adding in words that are in a similar branch. That way when we get to learning those words I’ve already done them and connected them in my head.

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Mio Dio! Capisco! L’italiano, ho praticato e capisco!

It’s strange, I’ve never had a point in a language where I’ve thought i just get it but I was just learning now and it felt like everything just slotted into place! That’s so cool!

Well I won’t get carried away, I still have a lot of the language to learn, but the basics seem to just make sense to me now! Which is great because it’s time for my next activity!!

17:00 – The Language Exchange

My university does a lot of events, it also has a lot of students from around the world, this all collides into the language exchange!

I intended to go to this to just practice Italian and French with native speakers, but as I walked in they handed me a bingo card with phrases in multiple different languages. I’m a sucker for a challenge, I must complete it!

So here i am walking around talking to people in many languages, teaching them a bit of English, a bit of Italian, and they are teaching me their languages too!

In the time I had, I got quite close to bingo:

Next time I’ll get them all! But for have have my Italian lesson.

18:00 – Mio lezione Italiano

I’m not sure if I passed some sort of mental block earlier but I feel like these lessons are starting to make more and more sense!

Anyway, today we’re learning the difference between past and present tense. For example:

Mia giacca è sul pavimento

My jacket is on the floor

Mia giacca èra sul pavimento

My jacket was on the floor

So the layout isn’t different from English. You just have to remember how to spell and what pronouns everyone uses, which is what I do in English anyway!

Everyone is really nice in my Italian class, so even if I barely understand what’s happening, I get a little helping hand from the others!

20:00 – The walk home

So here we are at the end of the day, blimey it’s been a busy one, and yet, I don’t feel tired at all!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading along. Let me know your thoughts on this kind of blogging as I found it very fun 🙂

But of course, there is one final very important piece of the day: the fit check!

Tomorrow is a new day

Cassie 😀