Oh such childish fun!

By: Nicole Twaddle

TWEET: Want to find out what fun childish activity I attempted? Then check out my blog at: http://tinyurl.com/yjad6mt #rublogs

Lying completely still allowing the suns warm rays to soak into my white skin, the stillness of nature all round me. This was what I had been craving for so long. To take sometime away from all of the work that had been piling up, and just relax and do absolutely nothing.

The botanical gardens was my place of choice, along with a group of friends, also dying to be out in the glorious summer day away from the many assignments, tutorials and studying to be done. The grass was crisp, the sun shone brightly and the gardens were in perfect condition, giving rise to the perfect day to be outside.

It was while laying in absolute stillness that madness began to take over from being cooped up in our rooms all this time, away from the sunshine and fresh air. The stress had clearly taken its toll as there was the sudden urge to try something different, something that had not been done for what felt like forever. It was time to act like children, while attempting cartwheels and handstands.



This fever began to entice the rest of the group, as soon plenty of us were attempting the childhood fun. A competition soon developed and people began to compete for the best handstand and cartwheel.

I admit that at first the childish display of cartwheels and handstands was not appealing. I was more than happy to remain on the blanket basking in the sun, however I could not contain it when I saw all of my friends engaging in a childish activity that confirmed to still give them as much joy as it did when they were mere children. I therefore had to try it. It proved to be just what I needed. I thought that just lying still in the sun was relaxation, but this simple childish activity was indeed more relaxing, the kind of outlet of stress that cannot be bought. The fun lasted for what felt like an hour, however was only 20 minutes, but it was the best 20 minutes I have spent in a very long time.

So the next time I feel stressed out and in need of relaxation away from work, I shall try something different, because it just might be the outlet I need for my stress. I enjoyed getting in touch with my childish side, because it proved that one can never be too old to try new things, or old, things.

Party like it's...welll...like you're six!

By Cassy van Eeden

Tweet: cassystars Kids will be kids!!! http://tinyurl.com/yhzr5dj #rublogs

This past weekend I got up to something a little different for once. When I first received my invitation to 'Piet's Big Kids 21st' I was excited, yet doubtful. Basically my friends and I were invited to our friend Pieter's 21st birthday party where we had to dress up as kids (or, more accurately, as our mother's would have dressed us). I enjoyed the theme idea and the fact that we were going to be doing something different to celebrate, but I feared this was going to be just another party involving drinking, dancing and debauchery.

I began planning my outfit, ensuring that all my primary colours clashed and that my hair was going to be fastened in the highest possible pony tail - scarily reminiscent of how my mother would have dressed me. The idea that there was going to be a jumping castle and even a blow-up pool was possibly what made me want to go through with dressing like this in the first place. I could not help but laugh at myself as I stood in front of a mirror. When I stepped outside into the happy sun at 2pm on Saturday, I was delighted to see that my friends all looked just a rediculous as I did. We admired each other's party attire and took plenty of photos before setting off to Café Blanca for the party. Make no mistake, going to the small pub on High Street was not an new experience for any of us...but the rest of the afternoon certainly was!

Upon arrival we were greeted by an enormous jumping castle/slippery slide. I fought back the sudden urge to be the first to slide down its glistening surface and headed over to claim my share of jelly babies and punch. It is truly amazing how, as soon as you're dressed like a kid, you truly 'feel like a kid again'. The tiffs over who was going to blow the bubbles first or who got the last cheese curl started almost instantly. We moaned, we whined, we giggled...and somehow, from somewhere deep inside, the younger versions of ourselves emerged.

Running around like maniacs, drenched from head-to-toe, screaming at the top of our lungs made me realise how we had all fogotten just how simple it really is to have fun. As we grow up we all buy into this arbitrary notion that we sould be doing age-appropriate things in order to be entertained, in fact, you seem weird and annoying if you're immature or childish. But none of this mattered whilst we danced about in fits of laughter and headed down the slide for the millionth time that day.

Nap time soon came around, I had to return to taking care of myself: I washed my own face, brushed my own teeth and climbed into my jammies all by myself. In doing this I realised that perhaps it is the responsibility that we are faced with now as young adults that prevents us from acting like six-year-olds again. But, I think it is really important that for once we but the seriousness of life aside, and let the little kid inside us out to play!

Scandlously Brilliant

By Cassy van Eeden

Tweet: cassystars RU Scandalously Brilliant? Know of a blog that is? My thoughts on a fellow blogging group's work: http://tinyurl.com/ygynmy4 #rublog

When I first stumbled upon the ‘RU Scandalous?’ blog, I had a number of doubts as to whether or not this blog was even going to be worth reading, but I was otherwise pleasantly surprised. I have to admit that in the early stages of our blogging expedition this term, I found myself becoming rather critical of my fellow Journalism students’ blogs. However, the writers of RU Scandalous can be proud to know that they have produced a rather impressive blog with very few faults.

With a name like ‘RU Scandalous?’ I immediately assumed the worst. I expected to find a tacky presentation and the absolute bare minimum of content (our set assignments), but I was proved wrong almost immediately. I first found their layout and design most attractive, it is clear that the creators have put effort into this project. The template they have used is graphically interesting and certainly sets them apart from other blogs, and then to be greeted by a large image of the Rhodes clock tower, which I thought was most appropriate.

After browsing through their various posts I was struck by the clarity and skill found in their writing. It is obvious that they have closely followed their plan to be opinionated yet relevant and concise about their work. However, I do think that they could have nurtured their blog a little more as it lacks depth in areas such as reflection on being a Journalism student at Rhodes University. But all in all their blog is certainly worth recognition!

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain...

Yesterday, during that freakishly bad weather, I decided to do something that I had always wanted to do but never quite got around to… duck diving!

I had shut myself in my room all day, missing everything but compulsory lectures and tuts to study for this pain-in-the-arse test: Linguistics. Due to my complete lack of dedication to the subject during the term, I literally had one day to teach myself the entire syllabus which so happened to be Japanese. Needless to say, when the lecturer didn’t pitch up with our tests, I was not impressed, especially considering that now I had to walk home in the pouring rain for no reason.

But then, a moment of opportunity arose when I heard someone in the crowd of disgruntled students yell “its time for duck-diving!” In case some of you are not familiar with this phrase, duck-diving consists of throwing oneself headfirst onto the rain-soaked ground in the hopes of skidding across the water as a duck would when it lands in a dam.

To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about the whole idea at first. All I could think about was the fact that I could not afford to get sick just before exams but then, before I knew it, I was dashing through the downpour, screeching as I leapt into puddles and running through the rivers pelting towards me. As we arrived at the great field, I saw that we were not alone. We were not the only students wanting to act like five year olds in the rain.

So now here I sit tissue in hand and possibly a bit drowsy due to the copious amounts of Vitamin C tablets and Med-Lemons that I have consumed. Was it worth is you may ask? Running in the rain like a little child high on sugar, mud stains in my clothes and possibly the worst cold I have ever had? Most definitely!