When I was working in Halifax over the summer break last year (2007), I was so excited to be getting back to uni. I had worked hard, earned extra money, and improved significantly as a drummer, and most importantly, as a person. The summer taught me a lot, and made me focus on what I needed to do. I was also happy that I was secure in the knowledge that I was living with friends in uni halls, and no awkwardness would be there when introducing myself to new people. I went into the first week of being back in Derry head-first, and begun the whole term with a huge party; well, more like the whole flat did. It still is probably the best party I have ever attended in my whole time here in Derry; there were so many old faces, and new ones...
This year brought about choosing final year modules for the first time, and it took me a long time to decide. So long, in-fact, that I was the very last person to hand in their form...and in hindsight, I think I made the right choices. Whilst the Project module in first semester screwed me over somewhat; I still feel that I probably would not have enjoyed the other module choices. Generally, the whole year has brought about a whole new feeling of responsibility; every action I take seriously influences my future - and not even GCSE's or A-Level taught me that. This time, the decisions I have made are affecting my actual career.
Musically, I have felt the biggest improvement. This year has taught me much, and this is partly in due to my new drum teacher, Steve Davis. He has helped me improve leaps and bounds, and his bi-weekly teaching in first semester has completely changed my whole outlook on drumming, and helped me discover styles that I was previously not very well accustomed to. I've only had 1 lesson this semester, but we're hopefully going to have some more lessons before the end of the semester. The summer holidays brought about a bit of a realisation that I needed to improve, and Adrien helped me with that - by outlining my mistakes and being brutally honest when he needed to be. Since then, I have constantly been improving. I now feel like I am a "good" drummer, and am still improving to this day. I know that once I graduate I'll be able to practice more and get better and better. I'm very lucky to be living in a generation where obtaining "free"lessons, via online video sites, is able to benefit me. It was so good to hear a friend of mine from the very beginning of uni, who does not do music, say to me how much they noticed the improvement in me, after a jazz band gig...jazz was something I wasn't very accustomed to, but now I feel I can play it well, or at least better.
Whilst the 2 years that preceded this year in uni, I had many moments of feeling depressed and very unhappy. Well, unfortunately this year has had some of them days; but they are a lot less common and nowhere near as severe as they were in the past 2 years. As I near the end of the year, I am actually the happiest I have ever been. I have such a good close circle of friends around me; who would do anything for me and are always patient with me when I am all weird and annoying (well, sometimes haha). I couldn't ask for better friends, you know who you are...and I know we're all going to stay friends well after we all graduate.
This year has also brought about what I would consider my first actual proper girlfriend. For those who don't know, my girlfriends name is Colette, and she is quite possibly the most amazing person I have ever met. I'm not gonna get all soppy on something so public, but let me assure any of you who don't know her that she is absolutely unbelievably amazing. Even though she's only here for a semester, we are willing to try and keep it going after she leaves. I know long-distance things are traditionally supposed not to work, but I think we have something different, and an extremely high level of trust is in place. After the semester is over, we are going to Milan and Paris for my birthday, before she leaves back to North Carolina in August. I'm excited :)
I have met so many new people this year, and I'm sad that the ones I have met this semester are all leaving very soon; and some already have left. They have all provided me with so many memories and fun times I can't possibly name all the fun times. One thing is for sure; we are all going to meet, and hopefully remain friends as they all do go away for good. You all are awesome; again, you know who you are :)
And what of me after I graduate? Well, it's currently up in the air right now. My parents want me to come home and work (and ideally find a house too), but personally I want to live in Derry for the summer and work here. Derry is, for now, my home - it's the place where I feel happiest, even if I don't have any friends around me...it's just a more enjoyable place for me to live in, and I think it suits my personality and lifestyle more. Belfast is great, but even when I'm in the place for a few hours I find I get a bit dizzy with all the busyness going on, and the people..well, lets not get started on them (apart from my Belfast friends of course, haha). My current plans are to work for the summer, raise enough money, and move to America. Whereabouts in America, I'm currently unsure. But it will be on the East Coast somewhere anyway (NYC, Boston), and eventually moving to North Carolina so I can live closer to Colette.
I have so much to say, but words are failing right now. Generally, this has been the best year of uni that I have had, and I have enjoyed almost every day of it; and without my friends I could not have possibly enjoyed it. I really hope everyone keeps in touch, especially those who are graduating and moving on to greener pastures. For those who are returning; expect to see me in Derry quite often!!!
Iain The Destroyer :-)
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