I've now been back in York for seven weeks and so far the new house has been plagued with a multitude of problems. These include dramas with the lock, a lack of hot water and central heating, a broken doorbell and a lifeless kettle. Oh, and the temperamental bathroom lights, which seem quick to extinguish while I'm in the shower. The oracle that is my Mum however assures me that this is all to be expected… It's not all bad news though; I'm really enjoying my first term as a second year. I must admit I felt a blissful sense of relief during fresher's week to know that I was removed from campus anxieties. I was so homesick last year and the worst thing was, in all my pre Uni imaginings, none of them had included homesickness. I didn't see it coming until I got into the car for the drive to York on my first day. It does get much much better though, you definitely get out of University what you choose to put into it. I enjoyed fresher's week events so much more this year than the last, it passed by in a happy blur. It's indisputably a time when the second and third years have the most fun! Other developments are I successfully auditioned for West Side Story a couple of weeks ago. Lethargy had set in as I was awaiting the arrival of the plumber and so in a burst of spontaneity (inspired by Loose Women) I signed myself up for an audition the same day. Rehearsals aren't too intense yet, although we did have a Salsa dancing workshop the other Sunday which was rather amusing! Linguistics classes this year have got substantially more difficult it has to be said, however at least I don't come home feeling like death due to inhaling too many chemicals like my chemistry house mates after a hard day in the lab! Anyway, I should go and do something useful such as peruse the Boots catalogue for Christmas present ideas, I can't wait for Christmas! Helen | 
