Rosa Campbell
Leeds
4th Year
English Lit
Rosa’s journey to St Andrews was not a romantic one. She wasn’t called here by the sweet siren music of a prince in love, or the windy allure of a round on the Old Course. Not even the tunnels below the castle silently pulled her to Fife. No, it was the league tables. In 2009 St Andrews was both the best university in Scotland and the fourth best in the United Kingdom. So after receiving her obligatory answer from Cambridge, Rosa found herself settled into a windy corner of the eastern Scottish coast. She stresses that, like most St Andreans, she is not bitter about the outcome. “St Andrews is a weird experience, especially the limited night life… but I love being near the sea. Leeds is mainland so it’s still very exciting for me.” She describes the scene here as ‘endearing… it is so stupid and generally crappy, that I can’t help but love it. Like the Lizard! I. Love. the Lizard.’ She says these words through laughter with a true appreciation and fondness of the sublimely sheltered life we lead. Her favorite part of St Andrews is our tri-street system: for good or ill, you will always see people you know. We both acknowledge the fact that one will always encounter an unwelcome acquaintance on those ‘off’ days (aka sweatpants, no makeup, messy hair days).
In the past Rosa has participated in acapella and sailing, but this year, as President, her life has been happily consumed by Inklight, the Creative Writing Society. Inklight hosts events throughout the year, including the ‘now infamous’ –her words– Poetry Slams, which feature student poets competing for the role of champion. Though Rosa doesn’t compete in the Slams herself, she has recently been published in LS13 New Generation of Leeds Poets. She even has a reading this week at the Leeds‘ Waterstones! Inklight is full of talented young writers, a former President even went on to the Slam World Championships in Paris last summer–basically, Inklight delivers. They’ll also be hosting post-graduate led workshops in weeks 3, 5, 8 and 9 so be sure to check those out, especially if you’re planning in writing for NANOREMO! ‘People should like, tweet, email, smoke signal us to find out more!‘ (I recommend smoke signal, it’s the most creative form.) When Rosa isn’t busy, she is a blogger, a ‘full time feminist‘ and a foodie. ‘Food is a habit of mine’, she explains, adding that she is a ‘decent‘ cook, but her real love is eating–even better, going out to eat. She asks me if I know what ‘sobremesa‘ means. ‘It’s the period after dinner when everyone is full and happy and chatting. It’s the small things that make life great.’
Rosa describes her degree of English as the ‘only possible choice. Reading is like breathing to me.’ In fact, when I met her in Northpoint for our interview she was immersed in a novel, and it never left her side. ‘Books influence my life too much’, she says with a mixture of amusement, embarrassment and pride. As a young girl she dreamt of being a ‘lady author’ like her literary heroines, Betsy and Tacy from the Betsy-Tacy novels. Placed in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, the series follows a cast of characters as they grow and change. ‘We had friends in America, and each year on my birthday they would send me a book. I got to see what Betsy was up to, and of course base my life choices on her…’ In fact, ‘I basically used the books as a 100 year old guide for my gap year!’
I have no idea where Betsy and Tacy spent their gap years (such trend setters!) but I do know where Rosa did hers. After a month of a residential language program in France, she spent the next three inter-railing through Europe. ‘I get itchy feet, so I loved the road. There’s nothing like waking up every morning in a new city.’ Though she remembers her time fondly, it had it’s dark moments. Her first relationship ended when her girlfriend of 18 months dropped her off at the rail-station. Her first month away was marked by her heartbreak, ‘you can never re-experience that, that first broken heart…’ Her words are full of sadness, but the years of distance have allowed her to speak about it with humor. Thankfully she and her ex remain very good friends. Her favorite part of the trip was staying at the Czech Inn in Prague, ‘It works on every level! I was just amused the entire time!’ She has also travelled to Denmark, Sweden and Norway, done a six-week road trip through America (citing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter as the best part), and Race2’d for charity. ‘Traveling gave me a 100% confidence boost. Each night you meet different people in hostels, and you make the choice to be social. If I wanted to talk to people, I had to make an effort…now I’m very comfortable with new people.’
Rosa has known she was a lesbian since she was 13, though she didn’t come out until she had her first girlfriend at 17. ‘Sometimes [when we were younger] we played Truth or Dare, or Spin the Bottle and I got to kiss my friends… yea, that was pretty great!’ she says with another big laugh. Thankfully Rosa’s experience was ‘very pleasant’. ‘My parents are Guardian reading, hummus eating, middle class liberals. There were very proud, as in: “Lesbian daughter? Yes!”’ Growing up, her parents had lesbian friends, which made the process easier for her, and her mother used to talk about the ‘boys or girls’ Rosa and her sister might bring home one day. She laughs again, and recounts her father after she came out. ‘He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “It’s okay Rosa, gender is just a social construct anyway!”’
Currently Rosa is entangled in a ‘long and committed relationship with my snooze button. She’s always like, “Rosa, come back to bed…” and I’m like, “I think we should see other people.”’ Though the competition might be alarming (get it? puns!) she admits she wouldn’t reject a relationship if it came along, ‘I would never dismiss someone or something good, but I’m not actively seeking at the moment. Final year is a dangerous time to fall in love…’ The type of woman Rosa looks for is someone fun, who likes to laugh and eat and of course, ‘who thinks I’m absolutely incredible!’– cheeky girl…but who couldn’t think that anyway! If you’re in the mood for a good spooning session, this might just be your girl, ‘I’ve got the technique down!’ she boldly asserts after sipping her iced-T. Bonus: she likes big and little spoon!
Rosa is relaxed, charming and one of the most effortlessly confident people I have met. She is eloquent, but not pretentious and endearingly open. Definitely someone worth knowing, so make sure to head to some Inklight events and who knows, you might end up tricking her into being your friend!
Thank you Rosa for your time and glowing chat, and best of luck at your Leeds reading this week!
Rapid Fire:
Favorite pub: Aikmans
Favorite restaurant: Northpoint during the day and Adamson at night
Quiet night in vs. big night out: Quiet nights that turn into big nights
Favorite drink: I like heavy red wines, like a nice Merlot or Shiraz
Fun fact: I’m a classically trained opera singer with stage fright! If you get me drunk enough I’ll sing for you!
Fears: Feet and mediocrity. I have a hunger for glory–I know that makes me sound like a jerk, but it is! It’s not fame, it’s not money, it’s glory.
Last words: I’m the only ginger in St Andrews with my hair cut like this, if you see me say hi!
Twitter: @rosaetc
Blog: rosareads.tumblr.com
Inklight FB: facebook.com/theinklight
Inklight Twitter: @inklight