Those September Days . . .

September has already been a month full of excitement and changes, looking back what have I actually accomplished? What things do I still want to seek? From the Lowlands of Amsterdam to moving back to Birmingham, did I forget anything? I'm awaiting my student loan so I hope its good news because with all this work I'm sure to stress about I must have something to enthuse me to keep going through this final year of my university challenge.

Beginning this month with a bang myself and my younger brother made the trip to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We had a colourful weekend in the city of a thousand canals. We took several trips to the Coffeeshops, recommending GOA as a top pick for its chilled vibe and modern music. Be prepared for the soothing smells of the Coffeeshops because we loved it! Amsterdam is a beautiful place that has many temptations, some of those temptations were not for us! I must admit the working girls that can be seen posing from the windows in the Red Light District are a sight for sure! Being cultural during a boys weekend in Amsterdam is possible. We took the liberty of going on a canal cruise, taking in the iconic warehouses and new developments that keep this Dutch city a cut above the rest! Our hotel choice was something that we didn't expect it to be, let's just say I will not be booking at that residence again. Negatives aside the energy of Amsterdam can be felt in the center of Dam Square. We made a considerable effort to be responsible tourists that didn't do the typical things that are expected. Dankuwel Amsterdam!  

Note to self, always be mindful when taking the train from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport because lots of trains all go to stations that end with Centraal. We took the train that called at Utrecht Centraal instead of Amsterdam Centraal, it was a mistake because quote me wrong those Centraal's all read the same when you don't speak or understand Dutch! Nonetheless with the help of a fellow passenger who happened to speak English we made it to our desired destination instead of Rotterdam as that's where our original train was bound for.

September has been one of those months, I just feel like I have been in a constant limbo not knowing what to exactly do. Whilst at home in Bilston I made the short trip to the nearby city of Wolverhampton to run a few errands. As you probably know I've been quite the globetrotter over the last two years so I have not been faithful to places that are closer to home. Like most places over the last two to three years the economic situation hasn't been too kind to our high streets and retail companies, I wanted to see if Wolverhampton still had its spark that I remember from my college days! I made my way around the city taking the current sights in with an analytic approach to determine how I felt about Wolverhampton nowadays. To be truthful I was not really impressed but also felt sorry for this city as I had grown up at one of the city's Irish pubs that is now a betting shop. Fear not my fellow Wulfrunians I did see some redeeming qualities that remain today.

Located by the headquarters of Wolverhampton's City Council is St.Peter's House a building that brings back fond memories. For around two years I went to St.Peter's House for my drama classes with the Christian Drama Club (CDC). With my six other fellow actors we had a great time rehearsing for shows and having a great time, it was a place that allowed me to make some great friends for sure! My September visit to Wolverhampton was a sobering state of affairs because I did see some fashion faux pas committed by the locals, sort it out Wolverhampton! I don't really know when I'll be returning to the city streets of Wolverhampton but I will be sure to think about this place from time to time hoping that upon my next visit things will look more pleasing to the eye!

Birmingham definitely has some hidden gems that have brighten up my university life. Cannon Hill Park allowed myself and Lydnsey to have a chilled out and relaxing afternoon. The weather had taken a turn for the better with sunny spells blessing the Birmingham area, so Lydnsey suggested we take a stroll to the park to enjoy the weather as she had been the previous weekend and liked it there. Leaving our student halls behind us I was excited to see something outside the Maltings because it can be boring sometimes. Setting off for the park we made a pit stop at Aldi to grab some lunch as breakfast time had well past by then. My eyes were opened up to the Edgbaston Stadium where the cricket is played, new discoveries are made everyday! We're no stranger to spending time at a park or open space because last semester we spent some time at the Edgbaston Reservoir, its so much better to enjoy the best of our weather beside some nature. Birmingham is landlocked so any lake or manmade water space is much appreciated. Back to Cannon Hill Park, we took some much needed time to catch up as we had not had a good chinwag since last summer! With our Aldi purchases we opted against having an ice cream because my last serving was less than satisfactory. 

I would like to say that we are both cultured soles who like to mix things up compared to the average university student. I would say to any university student in Birmingham to get up and get out to see something new. I've been at University College Birmingham for almost three years now and I'm constantly discovering new places within Birmingham. Entry to Cannon Hill Park is free so there's no excuses about not having enough money, steer clear of the binge drinking all the time and be a little bit different! Anyway, I had a great time at the park and look forward to more days spent out and about that don't hurt my already weak financial predicament!  

September . . . I did well this month, lets remember all the good things and smile!Joseph Harrison