For the first time in my life, I am poor. Or rather, psuedo-poor. I am down to the last £5 in my wallet. This £5 has to last me until my scholarship cheque shows up in my bank account. I’m hoping, hoping, that will be tomorrow.

Being psuedo-poor, here are the luxuries that I cannot buy until fortune smiles again:

• Fruit
• A bicycle helmet (considering how clumsy I am, riding without a helmet is particulary hazardous.)
• Phone credit
• Accommodation (I cannot pay me college fees yet.)
• The services of the college washing machine or dryer
• Print credit
• Gym membership
• Dance lessons

And this is what I’m having for lunch right after I finish this post:

• A 90p olive bread I bought from the market
• A free chocolate sample that people from Cadbury gave me as I whizzed dangerously by on my bicycle
• Free soup from the special room I told you about
• Water

Luckily, most of my dinners this week are provided for. Last night, I had a welcome dinner at New Hall for the students of my MPhil program and others. Tuesday night was formal hall (a formal three course meal with sherry, port and wine) and tonight is my matriculation dinner. On Saturday, I will be on a River Thames boat cruise in London.

My life is an odd mix of poverty and privilege at the moment.