Places

This is an exercise of place association. Which places do I associate with which emotions? A lot of these could actually be the same place(s). I’ll try and mix it up a little bit though.

A place where I was happy
At university collecting my final results: finding out I had a First Class degree.

A place where I was miserable
Beijing Paralympic games: I had an incredibly severe shoulder injury and was in absolute agony.

A place where I was angry
Sat on the floor in the corner of my sitting room after finding out a specific event had been removed from a certain competition schedule.

A place where I had my first kiss
At school. We were at an after school club and went for a walk around the grounds… he was older, naturally.

A place I found exciting
Paralympic opening ceremonies! I’ve been to three – two walking into the stadium and one watching from the stands.  Oops, it seems this is actually three places.

A place where I felt safe
Anywhere with my mum or my fiancée, Chris

A place where I felt lonely
My first night living all by myself in my little bungalow aged 19.

A place I’d like to return to
Lake Malawi

A place I dislike/have disliked
Exam rooms

A place I never want to see again
Berlin swimming pool – home of the longest weekend competitions in the world – ever – bar none. It was also the venue of my final international meet.

A place where I felt loved
The home of Chris’ parents: Chris proposed there

A place I loved
Cuba

A place where I made friends
University

A place where I’ve been ill
At home with Glandular Fevel for four weeks just before my final school exams: all I could do was watch “To Kill a Mockingbird” on repeat.

A place where I was shocked
A swimming pool in Eindhoven (Holland) in 2010: I won a very unexpected World Championship gold medal.

A place where I was inspired
A swimming pool in Stockholm (Sweeden) in 2001: my first major international competition. I wanted to be like all the swimmers winning gold medals.

A place where I lost something important
On my sofa in on of my old houses when I was told my Nana had died.

A place where I felt uncomfortable or upset
At my Granddad’s house. Visiting him a year after he lost his leg to diabetes and realising he lost more than a leg: he’d lost his soul.

A place where I’d like to live
Australia

A place I remember from a favourite book/film
Hogwarts castle – I’m such a child!