'I like you, very much. Just as you are.'

I think in another world I would have been cool.

I would have been a real gangster/rapper with a 'so-solid' crew following me around watching my every move. I would be able to rock awesome clothes because I would be ahead of every trend and people would watch on in awe shouting 'hollaaa' or 'that gurrl be trippin' as I roamed the streets of Oxford in my Nike high tops.

Alas, that is not quite how I turned out. The fact that I just used the word 'Alas' is probably case in point that I am not particularly "fly." I was a bookworm, I watched Lord of the Rings (a bit too much) and managed to get my school choir to sing Avril Lavigne. I enjoyed studying (and still do). Much as I try not to be, I remain much more of a granny than a hipster.

Still, this is not meant to be a 'woe is me' post- although just so you know, I am pretending you're all gasping and saying reassuring words of 'Oh, but Jenny you are so cool...' (humour me)- rather, it's about a bit of a 'phoa! yay!' realisation I have had over the weekend.

Saturday started off well- my library fine got waived even though I was late by 15 minutes (note to all undergrads, Sue the librarian is a very nice lady, or at least easily sweetalked without the need to offer her chocolate, boom). The victory dance outside the RSL was followed by a speedy walk to G and Ds for a brilliant birthday breakfast for Zoe, fun with Worcester friends and a free chocolate muffin - winner.

Then onto Pastorate FUN-day. This could be a whole post in itself.

From our walk to Port Meadow, drinks at the Perch, girls shopping in town,ghosting, pizza in the evening, articulate, and general banter, I don't think I have laughed so much. It was a day filled with JOY. (Note to anyone wanting to take up 'ghosting,'  don't do it to much older people, it takes things a bit too far.)

I know I've blogged about pastorate before, but I have got a lot of love for it. Meeting people who make you laugh for almost a whole day, encourage you, have the same taste in music as you, can be silly and can be serious with you, is a rare and wonderful thing.

How great it is not be judged (well maybe only a little bit, sorry Kellie), but laugh hysterically when you realise William Hague wasn't actually at the Battle of Hastings or trying to describe a tennis racket starting with 'bigger yellow balls....'                                                                                           -[articulate]

Sunday we had more pastorate lovin. A phenomenal lunch together and then a great church service.

So what did I realise after this brilliant weekend? 

I am content. 

Don't get me wrong, there are still desires on my heart which I continue to hold hope for. Life would be easier with perfect vision, shorter reading lists, if you knew the person you fancied, fancied you straight back or there was fat-free chocolate. BUT for now, I am thankful for the joy that I have. 

I may not be perfect by a long shot, but, as Mark Darcy so wonderfully said to Bridget Jones, 'I like you, very much. Just as you are.'(You go Mark Darcy.) I am finding myself content in being just the way I am. I am so grateful that my friends and family seem to think the same.

In another world I may have been cooler, prettier and let's face it, probably taller. But Life is good. 

Let's enjoy the rest of the party.

Running update

• Zara and I ran 10 miles last week in 1 hour 44 mins! We had the most horrific time at the beginning traipsing through mud, dealing with pins and needles and jelly legs, but managed to push on through and end with a sprint around Worcester lake! Go team! 
• Gym on friday where it was so hot one of the guys almost took his top off, half the girls swooned and I decided to follow suit and just 'cross train' in my sports bra (only joking ma).
• Next week 11 miles and blogilates.com with Cassie the uber fit, love-her-but-hate-her instructor. My hips were all over the place this week and need more core stability- woo.

P.s.  In response to the messages/texts etc that last week's post received, I was tempted to go all out on more dating/boys/relationship related stuff, but don't want to over do it. Let's see what next week brings...

For now, all you single ladies out there, one word of advice. DON'T sing this to a man. In any context. Ever. Unless it's Ryan Gosling, then what have you got to lose?

[Although, do listen to White Horses, Unwritten or These Words. They are good.]

As always, thank you for any donations: my justgiving page