Just got back from another week in the big smoke- this time for trip with college. I ended up staying for a wee bit longer though, as the return journey meant we'd be back in at Sheffield station around 11 so I wouldn't be able to get home. Well, that's my excuse anyway!
This time around, the college itinerary meant we had to do the museum circuit - starting with the Tate Modern. I know this is going to sound awful and yes, I'm an art student, blah blah blah, but I really was not looking forward to it. Some years ago, I visited the Tate in St. Ives, Cornwall -- and was hugely disappointed. I don't know if it's because of my upbringing, or a lack of 'taste', or the fact that my pursuits are focused on illustration.. but I just found the whole thing bloody ridiculous. It all seemed rather pretentious to stand around talking about the deep, resonating emotion of a wall painted red: I didn't (and still don't) get it.
I'm not going to lie: there were wall-painted-red moments at the Tate Modern, and I did laugh awkwardly at some points. However, all things considered... I did quite enjoy it! Wandering around and taking photos make the whole experience a lot more interactive, in a way. I don't think I'd have liked it quite as much if I didn't have my camera with me!
Got quite an audience for this!
Might have bought a book.. It's absolutely fascinating and I couldn't resist! I fully maintain that it wanted to come home with me. Also, silly bathroom selfies with the boyfriend were completely necessary.
Next up on my mini-adventure: the V&A Museum. I've been in before (after visiting the British Museum a while back) though not explored to any great extent. Honestly, the first time around I didn't get much further than the gift shop (which is fiendishly expensive and both intimidated me and made me roll my eyes in despair at the poor sods willing to pay out of their arses for things they could probably find at a more reasonable price elsewhere). This experience was much more productive, I feel, as although we didn't manage to get around the whole museum, we managed a fair chunk! Kind of gutted it closed before Nick and I could sample the tea and scones in the café though - another time maybe!
Aaaand after all that museuming (spellchecker hasn't bothered correcting that so I'm going to take it and roll with it actually being a verb) was done, we headed home (or, well, Leytonstone) - and I turned into a vegetable for a solid two days thanks to the flu I picked up somewhere along the line. Was feeling fairly sorry for myself, I'll admit! I don't think I've ever had more lemsips than I did in those few days. By the time thursday rolled around, I was about ready to full-on snort Olbas Oil in a desperate measure to clear my sinuses - and so was definitely not ready for the UCAS email when it buzzed onto my phone.
Now, you first have to understand that the previous university I applied to rejected me despite telling me to my face that my work was strong and the interview was extremely positive (we think due to the mention of my history of agoraphobia). I'm not naming names (because it's over and done with - and an experience I'd like to put behind me) though it's safe to say it really did knock my confidence. Knowing how competitive the illustration courses are at UAL, when I saw the notification that something had been changed on my UCAS, I was fully prepared for another blow.
BOOM!
So.. yep: I do believe that as of next year I'll be an illustration student at Camberwell, of which I've talked about here. It was the place I did originally want to go, though never expected to get into. I'm ecstatic!
