Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Lifestyle

Reflections on the perils of overthinking

here is a lot to be said for blind positivity. On a good day, I’m a manifester, a big believer in my ability to speak things into existence. During my English A-Level, I had complete confidence that the crystals hidden in my bra would provide enough luck to snag me an A*. Today, I put great faith in words, relying on the same ‘I can do it’ that gets Olympic athletes across the finish line, to help me through difficult situations.

The fourth year: Oxford after your year abroad

I’m now in my fourth year, and as such, must grapple with the reality of my Oxford days drawing to a close. Granted, this is something that every student must contend with, and I watched on as most of my friends bade a fond farewell to this city where our friendships began when they graduated last summer. Yet there is something about the fourth year that I’m certain makes the final year even more strange: a sense of something already lost, of living in a moment that has already passed.

An evening at Pierre Victoire: French bistro dining at its best

Pierre Victoire has been here on Little Clarendon Street for decades – one of...

Being Cupid isn’t easy: What I learned from a term of running Cherpse

Now, having exhausted myself with these relentless pursuits, the job has been passed on to a new bright-eyed Cupid, and in my retirement I’ve become fondly reflective, and decided to curate my insights into this list: 

Table 13 Review: An eye-opener to what vegetables can do

"Table 13 is about surprising people, not lecturing them"

John Evelyn: 3rd Week, Hilary Term 2022

It’s been a horny few weeks at the Union. With the termcard set, the excitement of the first few weeks abating, and the spectre...

The way to a girl’s heart is through her comfort foods

Mashed potato. With heaps of butter and salt and pepper. More specifically , a fork full of mashed potato, with a lump of cold...

John Evelyn: 1st Week, Hilary Term 2022

Termcard? Late. Hacking? Early. You’re welcome Oxford. Well at least it’s good to see that the Union is keeping to tradition.  It has been confirmed...

Fifty shades of ‘meh’: Our night at Kinks and Liberty

"One guy turns up in full hunting uniform and face paint."

“I don’t believe in a redemption arc for Perez Hilton” : Perez Hilton in Conversation

Perez Hilton is saying sorry. 17 years since the rise and fall of his controversial blog, this near-universally loathed gossipmonger turned businessman and doting father...

John Evelyn: 0th Week, Hilary Term 2022

Much like John Evelyn, the union has decided that, after a long spell of messy and toxic matchups, this term it’s time to branch...

Words of Wisdom from Rusty Kate: 0th Week, Hilary Term 2022

This mildly comedic column has been written by a drag queen agony aunt. It is not for the faint hearted and contains sensitive topics...

The joys of online cooking

Learning how to cook has been a great source of pride for me. But becoming a chef whose lentil ragu brings tears to people’s...

Parting Words of Wisdom: Rusty Kate 7th Week

CW: This is a mildly comedic column written by a drag queen agony aunt. It is not for the faint hearted, and contains sensitive...

Words of Wisdom: Rusty Kate 5th Week

CW: This is a mildly comedic column written by a drag queen agony aunt. It is not for the faint hearted, and contains sensitive...

Words of Wisdom: Rusty Kate 3rd Week

CW: This is a mildly comedic column written by a drag queen agony aunt. It is not for the faint hearted, and contains sensitive...

Words of Wisdom: Rusty Kate 1st Week

CW: This is a mildly comedic column written by a drag queen agony aunt. It is not for the faint hearted, and contains sensitive...

Introducing Cherwell’s Dragony Aunt: Rusty Kate 0th Week

CW: This is a mildly comedic column written by a drag queen agony aunt. It is not for the faint hearted, and contains sensitive...

Bouncer’s rejection: it’s not you, it’s him.

But can you imagine sobbing uncontrollably like a Ninento-ridden child in front of 500 people? Christ. Could never be me…

Carbon-footprint Culinary: the Future of Menus?

COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Conference currently underway in Glasgow, is providing catering that prioritises locally sourced and seasonal food ‘to minimise mileage...

Pret A Manger or Pret A Danger

Rumplestiltskin top-hatted men have permeated many of the daily accounts of my fellow female students.

How my Hot Girl Summer landed me in therapy

I think I pretty much accepted the fact that my summer had been somewhat unhealthy when my mother sat me down and asked me...

French connection: My first two months in Paris

I have been shocked by how different I feel to those around me due to aspects of my appearance

Tinder Troubles: A cautionary tale of a match gone awry

Ronan* was sitting cross-legged on the pavement outside the pub, engrossed by his Kindle. As a first-time Tinder user standing anxiously at what I imagined to be the vanguard of online dating, I had been naively endeared by his suggestion that we skip the virtual small talk and just get to know each other in person. He stood up to greet me. “Ah, that was a lovely hug.” It dawned on me that this may have been a mistake. 

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