if you want to see the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain

Those are the wise words of Dolly Parton. And people say she was just a big pair of ...

This classic quote can seemlessly be used to describe two current experiences of the union officers.

But before this, let me, in classic salesman style, sell myself as the new Union President:

I come with:
- 22 years
- A degree in Social Policy and Sociology
- Double glazing
- Moderate musical talents utilised in a band
- A roof-rack
- A sister
- A broken, but well used squash racket
- An ultimate frisbee
- 6"4 inches of height
- A chicken pen
- Alloy wheels
- A young persons railcard
- A passion for The Office, Alan Partridge and The Mighty Boosh
- A winning motto: He who dares, wins (surely that's copyrighted?!)
- A shed
- A pasta maker
- A smoothie maker
- And a signed football

Back to Dolly...

Quite tangible is the occurence of very large amounts of rainfall. Graduation week last week was frequently disturbed by torrential downpours and concourse rivers forming with a current strong enough to move proud grandparents on quicker than they'd hoped.

Rain is the new sun I'm told.

Metaphorically speaking, Miss Parton's words describe another union officer experience of late. This is the feeling of being inundated and often overwhelmed by the barrage of new things - new commitments, new people, new challenges, new offices, new sleep patterns, new eating habits... The list goes on. Everything is very new. This is a very exciting time. But at times it feels somewhat like the rain won't stop.

But the rainbow is coming.

Gradually I am climatising myself to the new surroundings, the new people and the new challenges. This year offers so many exciting opportunities!
We have a new VC.
We have new student residences.
We have new democratic processes.
We have new ideas.
And this is all happening whilst surrounded and supported by experienced and knowledgeable staff, always willing to offer guidance and help wherever necessary.

My objectives for the year and the Officer team objectives will be coming soon, so refresh this page hourly and see what emerges.

Before I finish may I just emphasise something I will reiterate regularly throughout the year:
This is your union.
We are your representatives.
Come and speak to us whenever you so desire so that we can do the very best job of working hard for you to respresent you the very best that we can.

Big love x