Here is the latest blog by our students. 

 

 

               

               

 

                             Amy McDonald is a journalism student at Glasgow Caledonian University, lover of rose wine and  a bit of a drama queen.

 

 

 

 

SINCE my past three summers had been spent jetting off to holiday destinations for that all important “girls holiday” I decided to tone it down a bit this year and opt for a family holiday to Portugal. 

I was looking forward to a relaxing time, spending my days lounging around trying desperately to get a tan and my nights sipping rose wine (of course) while I enjoyed a nice meal with my nearest and dearest.

However, the holiday was more of an eye opener than a chance to bronze my pale skin. 

I discovered going on holiday with your friends really makes you grow up.  My first year abroad alone was daunting with 11 18-year-old girls turning up the airport full of excitement, it doesn’t really scream grown up and responsible.  But we managed.

As the “oldest” I held the burden of keeping the passports and making sure we got on the right bus to get to the hotel.

After the third holiday though things were going like clockwork.  I enjoyed being away from home and the achievement of staying in a foreign country and actually being able to survive (thanks to cheetos and pot noodles) was a nice feeling.

Sadly, this summer, all of this responsibility was ripped from under me as my mother stepped in as the boss.  To be honest I think I adopt many of my traits from her - bossy and organised were definitely two.

As we arrived at the airport the fight was on between my mum and I to take control.  My dad and brother sauntered behind as let’s just say if they were any more laid back they’d be horizontal.

And so my mum was triumphant and for one whole week I felt as if I was eight-years-old again.

“Amy, have you put on sun cream? Watch you don’t step out in front of that car?! Amy I think you should get lasagne tonight, you like lasagne don’t you?”

Yes, she controlled everything. As I sat with my lasagne I realised how much of my life I control and I do not, I repeat do not, need anyone to take care of me anymore.

You would think my mum would know that after three years of coming home in one piece I would have learned to apply sun cream and not step into the road when a car was coming.  Who knew I needed such guidance.

My dad and brother were pretty happy to follow my mum’s ways, to be honest I don’t think they could be bothered with the argument.

Now I know it’s only August and summer 2016 is quite a while away but it hasn’t stopped me from planning my next holiday, without my mum!

My family can go ahead and book a lovely villa in Spain but for me I’m thinking Ibiza with my girlfriends.  After a summer of no partying I cannot wait to get away and control every part of my own holiday.  Thank you mum and dad for making me the sensible and mature woman I am today but I think I’m ready to go it alone now.