Writing a journal for myself.

Hey Guys =)

I decided not to make a video blog because I'm uncomfortable with documenting myself, I hope that''s alright for everyone. However, I did manage to take pictures =D
My task was to write a journal for myself. It was definitely something that I had never done for several of reasons- mostly because I do a lot of reading and I just never get the time to write about me! I'm always so busy doing so many other activities, I've never really had the 'right' time to reflect upon myself or rethink about anything. But seeing that I had to make sure I got into practice of writing, I bought myself a new diary to write on and decided that I won't have a specific time; that's because I decided to write on my journal before I go to sleep. And I never have a specific bed time.

 I thought writing before I go to sleep would allow me to rethink my whole day and reflect back on each activity I carried out. Activities that sometime I may not even notice, that seem so banal were highly significant once I got it down on paper. For example I realised everyday when I was writing, at-least on one page my family was mentioned. I'm just so used to being around my family that I can't imagine a day without them , and strangely enough whilst I was writing i felt as though I was alone- so it was important for me to make sure I included the time I spent with them and emphasised upon it. Writing is a very simple thing to do, yet it had so much agency over you, you begin to unfold yourself. I don't mean to sound all philosophical but I truly felt as though I can express myself without any hesitation. Mainly because I knew no one was going to read it- it was for my eyes only.

I honestly enjoyed writing  because what makes me me are the people around me. Writing about them along with me was a whole new experience. I can't say I will be writing everyday, but it is definitely
something I would like to do at-least a few times in a week.

Here is the diary I was writing on:

Look forward to seeing you all
 B =)

My Everyday Routine

So I am an individual of habit. I am very used to routine, having a daily schedule and following it. Doing things at certain times in certain ways is something I've done for a long time and I can't imagine not having this guide. Of course I don't follow my routine super strictly but I'm not used to doing things outside of my routine. Eating my meals at a certain time, even planning all these meals at the beginning of every week is something I must do. I also like to do things in a particular order or way and don't really like to change from the way I prefer. Just waking up everyday I have a particular order to my morning. I just don't like the idea of doing things without my routine. 

In exchange my everyday characteristic was taking  the time out of my day to paint. I have no creativity skills and I've not done Art since Primary School so this was already a challenge for me. I did like the idea of it though and was excited to try it out - I bought some paint and everything!. It is difficult to shut my door and be alone in my house - my parents like to invite themselves in a lot but I did manage to get some painting done. When I wasn't stressing over what to paint it really was a nice, peaceful way to release stress and just enjoy coming up with something that looked somewhat okay. There was something therapeutic about the whole thing and I honestly feel like doing this as a daily or weekly thing (even though the only thing that comes to mind to paint is trees). 

Jamila 

A day without stairs!

Hi Everyone! I have opted to write my blog piece rather than to do a video blog as I don’t particularly like cameras (of the video kind) and as I have a squeaky voice! Anyway, the aspect of my self that I would like Carolyn to experience is my extreme vertigo. It highlights itself most predominantly throughout my everyday with my inability to use stairs- but only if there are any gaps, for example; hand rails with gaps, glass Handrails and steps with gaps in between them. It seems like quite a simple thing but its effects on my ‘everyday’ are quite complex and sometimes very hindering. An example of this is my journey to and from university- most people would come back the same way they came but I get the train to university taking an hour but buses home taking almost 2 hours or sometimes longer. This is because of a temporary bridge (my worst nightmare) connecting platforms which most people just walk over but I tried and had a panic attack leaving me stuck on a bridge and causing a bit of a commotion!  I also have to find elevators instead of stairs at university which sometimes is a problem, only a few weeks ago I missed an appointment in the Warmington tower as the escalators were not working and it was on floor nine! 

I also find Underground stations a challenge, not so much because of the stairs but the gaps on the platforms. I have to find different routes to certain places if I find the particular station platform uncomfortable to walk on; For example, at bank station the platform is thin and rounded so I avoid it as I cant walk to the other lines I need to interchange onto and instead I go to Moorgate and back on myself to get to Liverpool Street. So for Carolyn to experience this I have given her these examples and have asked Carolyn to avoid stairs where ever possible and to look for elevators instead and to get the train to university but the bus home, it takes roughly the same amount of time for us both to get home by bus which is ideal.

I in turn have been given a set of rules that I have to follow so I can understand what it is like to have Diabetes.  I have to be awake at 12am for an ‘injection’ (I have to think of what It would be like as I can’t actually inject myself) and awake at 8.00am for an ‘injection’ I have to calculate all of my Carbs in order to be able to calculate the insulin units I would have to take and I have to avoid sugary drinks (which I drink a lot of). These are all things Carolyn has to carry out on an everyday basis just to stay alive.

So I began last night. I found it easy to be awake at 12.00 am for my first ‘injection’ as I am just returning from work at this time so am usually awake, however on the way home I bought a tub of ice-cream and bottle of Prosecco to celebrate some good news with in the family, however when I got home I realised that I was unable to drink the Prosecco (sad face) and had to calculate the Carbs from the ice-cream and ‘inject’ the appropriate amount of insulin before eating it, however by the time I had worked it out I no longer wanted the ice-cream so did not eat it. I set my alarm for 8.00 am and woke up at 8am, usually I would wake up later on my day off and the first thing I would do is make a cup of tea, I instead woke up and had to think about what it would be like to wake up and inject myself every morning, it was quite a sombre thought. I also did not have my tea as I could not figure out the Carb intake so instead had a green tea…caffeine withdrawals pursued… For lunch I had a tin of tomato soup and two slices of bread, and calculated the units I would need to inject myself with, but having to exchange soup for an injection (in my case the thought of one) or any food stuff for an injection isn’t very pleasing so I find I have been skipping things instead as I imagine I would do if I needed to actually inject myself. I am yet to have dinner but I am thinking of what I will have already! Whilst I am having an insight into Carolyn’s world I think I would need to do this for a longer period of time to fully understand or better understand it.

 It’s because of this that I don’t think that swapping aspects like this will fully allow us into each others worlds, particularly because of the lack of time in carrying out the activities, I feel we will only get a superficial understanding or as deep a understanding as our empathy will allow us which I think is often the case anyway. I do think however it is the idea behind the exchange of aspects which is most prevalent as it shows us how the most minute aspects of our everyday lives can be incredibly complex and this can be transferred onto other things such as our everyday consumption which we become very (though not completely) passive too and a recognition of this. I noticed this with in my ‘everyday’ when I challenged it and brought into my daily life the aspect Carolyn asked me to carry out especially with regards to the food I consume and the reasons (or lack of) that I consume it. So for me it’s not so much carrying out the activities with in the project that will make a difference but rather the macro level of understanding around the everyday lives that we begin to gain when we  challenge our own everyday lives by integrating (even just for a time) an aspect of somebody else’s.   

Amanda :)

Performing Wudu

Hi Everyone, this is a video of me performing Wudu, the Muslim practice of cleaning oneself before prayer. It was very different from what I do in the everyday. I am not religious, so preparing for prayer is not something I am used to. Additionally, the Wudu had specific requirements and a method which found somewhat difficult to remember. I first had to clean my bathroom to be sure that it was a clean enough environment for the practice. This cleanliness is something I would definitely need to be more aware of if this was something I practiced every day. I also had to refer to my list in order to remember what I needed to do next, and was very aware of not wanting to mess up something so important.

One of my everyday routines-Praying

Hey guys =)

The everyday routine that I have given to Sarah (my partner) is praying. As well that I have asked her to focus more on the first step of praying and how it starts off. So the first thing to do is 'Wudu'. Before we perform Salah, we must prepare before we present ourselves before God. The Wudu can last up to a day, but it is recommended you do it before every Salah. Here is a link that will show you how to perform Wudu, Hopefully its helpful =)
[http://girlsguidetobeingmuslim.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/how-to-make-wudu-things-to-do-before.html]

Praying is an everyday for me. However, I do not pray 5 times a day (which I should be doing). I have already told Sarah the first Salah i wanted her to concentrate on, Fajir. The first prayer starts at 5 30, and you have to bear in mind that you cannot perform this salah after sunrise. To wake me up I have the azaan as my alarm, and each sentence in the azaan forces me to get up and pray. Its so beautiful. I'd like you to listen to it so I'm pasting the link here: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ztSjUxAZM] This one is with English translation: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKgplIb3csg] - as i said every sentence is significantly meaningful and so strong it literally forces me to get up.

Along with that something I listen to everyday is called the Aytul-kursi. Aytal Kursi is known as the 'The Throne Verse' and is in the 255th ayah (verse) of the second chapter (Surah) Al-Baqara in the Holy Quran. I cannot express how much I love listening to this verse. I know it byheart, so I read it when I'm about to do anything really,getting up, getting on to the train, sitting down doing nothing and so on. It is believed that one who recites Aytal Kursi will be guaranteed paradise, it protects oneself from any difficulties and keeps them safe throughout the entire day.  It is was narrated that Abu Umamah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Ayat Al-Kursi immediately after each prescribed Prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death.” I would really appreciate it if you listen to this verse, because it truly is soooo beautiful- I listen to it everyday. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR5ykVdTzHE] 

That's pretty much it! I would really appreciate it if you all could respect this since it is a very personal and sensitive area for me. I am already really happy with the way Sarah is managing the project. Thank you!

B =)

Sarah's Every Day Activity: Journaling

Hi everyone, here is my video explaining my everyday activity, why I chose it, and why I think it will be interesting for this project.

nadia's video

Hi everyone, hope you've had a nice reading week. I've made my video and uploaded it to youtube so I'll post the link here.
The activity I've asked my partner Tracei to do is listen to Madonna through headphones, the first bit of the video is me explaining my activity. The second half is me doing Tracei's activity, which centres around social anxiety. I basically filmed myself walking round town, and having a Mcdonalds, while trying to make minimal/no eye contact with strangers around me.

Have a nice day! xxx

I love painting. I do it everyday. Even if it is something rubbish. I like to escape into something I have created; to shut my door, be alone, put my headphones in and paint whatever comes to mind. I think this will have to be my characteristic for my partner. If for only 10 minutes a day, pick up a paintbrush and paint away!

L xx

Hi everyone!

So here I'm explaining my everyday life activity and the things that I would like Amanda to do during the swap.

Sorry it is a very boring video but I hope it's helpful.
Speak you all soon,

Carolyn x