For all of those that did follow and read my blog I have moved to Word Press and you can find me here.
Enjoy x
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Wednesday 2 November 2011
I'm still here...
It's certainly been a while since I have even visited my blog let alone updated it. I put it down to the busy five weeks that I have been back at Uni. Yes, that's right we are already five weeks in to the first semester of the second year. Personally, I can't quite get my head around that but what I do know is that it hasn't been an easy five weeks.
I admit, it's the nature of Journalism and it's why I am here but every week I've had to produce fully researched features with interviews. I have struggled and I am still struggling, I guess it's something that comes with experience but it's been tough to prepare these features, carry out interviews, write them up, make them sound good as well as working and actually going to University. It might not sound that difficult but there honestly isn't enough hours in the day. I also have to feed myself, sleep and generally have some time to gain my sanity.
I don't want it to sound like I am moaning about the industry that I am heading towards because that is not at all what I am doing. I enjoy having the freedom at long last to write things that will be read, it's what I've always wanted to do but it's not the only thing that I have to do right now and if that's one thing I struggle with it's fitting everything in. Today however I had a tutorial with my course leader and she gave me some positive feedback and told me there is no need to stress everything is as it should be and just that in itself gives me a little bit more confidence to realise that actually, it's not all that bad.
The next few weeks I am hoping I'll be working less and have more time to really get my teeth in to these features, my law essay and I might even find some time to go home and see my friends and family. If there's one thing I want to do right now it's to go back to Devon and sit in front of the fire with my mum, dad the dog and the cats and soak up a bit of the country side! There's no where like home, a saying that really makes sense when you're feeling a little bit down.
Apart from the stress and the pressure I haven't actually got anything to complain about. Lets face it life is good and this time next month I will be in New York taking in the sights and experiencing a brand new city and America for the first time ever, I'm pretty excited about this.
I admit, it's the nature of Journalism and it's why I am here but every week I've had to produce fully researched features with interviews. I have struggled and I am still struggling, I guess it's something that comes with experience but it's been tough to prepare these features, carry out interviews, write them up, make them sound good as well as working and actually going to University. It might not sound that difficult but there honestly isn't enough hours in the day. I also have to feed myself, sleep and generally have some time to gain my sanity.
I don't want it to sound like I am moaning about the industry that I am heading towards because that is not at all what I am doing. I enjoy having the freedom at long last to write things that will be read, it's what I've always wanted to do but it's not the only thing that I have to do right now and if that's one thing I struggle with it's fitting everything in. Today however I had a tutorial with my course leader and she gave me some positive feedback and told me there is no need to stress everything is as it should be and just that in itself gives me a little bit more confidence to realise that actually, it's not all that bad.
The next few weeks I am hoping I'll be working less and have more time to really get my teeth in to these features, my law essay and I might even find some time to go home and see my friends and family. If there's one thing I want to do right now it's to go back to Devon and sit in front of the fire with my mum, dad the dog and the cats and soak up a bit of the country side! There's no where like home, a saying that really makes sense when you're feeling a little bit down.
Apart from the stress and the pressure I haven't actually got anything to complain about. Lets face it life is good and this time next month I will be in New York taking in the sights and experiencing a brand new city and America for the first time ever, I'm pretty excited about this.
Tuesday 20 September 2011
You know that sinking feeling...
You know that feeling, like when you’ve got to the check out in a super market after doing your weekly shop and you realise you’ve left your purse at home? You know that sinking feeling, well something similar just happened to me on the train. I handed my wad of tickets to the ticket inspector quite innocently and he says in an irritated voice: “Do you have the ticket for this leg of the journey?” I looked at him, a little confused and said gormlessly: “Is it not there?” Well obviously. He told me to have a look for it and he would come back, that sinking feeling hit me. I started to panic, oh my god oh my god I’m going to be kicked off the train, an hour from home, in the dark and the pouring rain with only 80p in my pocket.
I pulled out my pockets, and emptied the contents of my bag! It wasn’t there! I racked my brains desperately to try and work out what I had done with it. To be honest I’d probably not even taken it out of the machine when I collected them or I’d left it on the previous train or something, either way I did not have it and this was a bit of problem. Hoping the guy would forget about me I settled back down to read my magazine but no. I soon saw him marching back through the carriage with purpose. “I’m really sorry, I haven’t got it, I must have lost it or left it on another train or something, but I’ve definitely paid. Here’s my booking confirmation!” I spluttered helplessly, producing my blackberry to show him the confirmation email. He looked over my tickets once again and then lectured me a little bit about being careful in the future and making sure I have everything required for my journey as sometimes people hand tickets to other people for parts of the journey (I’d never thought of doing this!) Then he walked away, he didn’t kick me off or fine me so I was safe and maybe I had over reacted a little but there I decided to share this with everyone that reads my blog.
Although I am currently on a train with no Internet I will post this when I reach my destination – which if you were wondering is home, my proper home in little old Devon with my family. I’m taking a few chilled days there before the mayhem of fresher’s and the start of my second year at University. Crazy stuff!
Monday 5 September 2011
Pushy & Proud: Pamper Parlour Mums
I'm sitting here watching this new series on Sky Living and to be honest I'm a little bit disgusted by it. A princess parlor? Wearing makeup at 3 years old? Spray tan at 4? Eyebrow waxing at 12, a mother that spends £200 a month on clothes and treatment to keep her daughter looking good? Are you serious? At 3 years old I was playing with plastic farm yard animals and running around the garden getting muddy, at 4 not much had probably changed and at 12, I definitely wasn't thinking about having anything waxed.
It's totally bizarre to me, children shouldn't be wearing makeup and receiving beauty treatments. They need to be taught that they don't HAVE to wear makeup to look good because other wise they will grow up under the impression that it is a necessity in life. Surely it will effect their confidence? They'll always think that they need a face full of makeup to hide behind. What about natural beauty? I've always regretted starting to wear makeup, I'm pretty sure I didn't need to at the time but I did it because as a young teenager that's what everyone did, and now I can't go without makeup. That was a decision I made myself whilst growing up, but this program is showing mothers dressing their little girls like barbies. I don't see anything right about that, do you?
As a child you still have your innocence, how can you rob that from a toddler and exploit them in such a way. They have the rest of their lives ahead of them to do all the grown up pampering things. That's what becoming an adult is all about. Yeah, as a teenager you start discovering all that's available to you to make yourself look and feel good which is brilliant but I'm watching little girls on this program being smothered in makeup and fake tan.
I appreciate that the mothers featured on this program aim to prevent their children feeling bad about themselves and providing them with confidence but the reality is, that they are actually putting these ideas in their head. I never cared what I looked like as a child, I was too busy playing games and running around. There are things that adults do and there are things that children do and to be honest I think that's the way it should be kept. I know that in some cases it's just a little bit of nail varnish or glitter, which as a little girl is great. It's exciting to be treated as a princess now and then but that's what it should be - now and then, for a party or as a treat! Children are vulnerable and impressionable they need to be shown that it's not all about how you look, they need to know that they are beautiful the way that they are and they need to grow up knowing that!
It's totally bizarre to me, children shouldn't be wearing makeup and receiving beauty treatments. They need to be taught that they don't HAVE to wear makeup to look good because other wise they will grow up under the impression that it is a necessity in life. Surely it will effect their confidence? They'll always think that they need a face full of makeup to hide behind. What about natural beauty? I've always regretted starting to wear makeup, I'm pretty sure I didn't need to at the time but I did it because as a young teenager that's what everyone did, and now I can't go without makeup. That was a decision I made myself whilst growing up, but this program is showing mothers dressing their little girls like barbies. I don't see anything right about that, do you?
As a child you still have your innocence, how can you rob that from a toddler and exploit them in such a way. They have the rest of their lives ahead of them to do all the grown up pampering things. That's what becoming an adult is all about. Yeah, as a teenager you start discovering all that's available to you to make yourself look and feel good which is brilliant but I'm watching little girls on this program being smothered in makeup and fake tan.
I appreciate that the mothers featured on this program aim to prevent their children feeling bad about themselves and providing them with confidence but the reality is, that they are actually putting these ideas in their head. I never cared what I looked like as a child, I was too busy playing games and running around. There are things that adults do and there are things that children do and to be honest I think that's the way it should be kept. I know that in some cases it's just a little bit of nail varnish or glitter, which as a little girl is great. It's exciting to be treated as a princess now and then but that's what it should be - now and then, for a party or as a treat! Children are vulnerable and impressionable they need to be shown that it's not all about how you look, they need to know that they are beautiful the way that they are and they need to grow up knowing that!
Review: One Day
A week or so ago I went to see One Day at the cinema, I came out crying.
The film revolves around the lives of two main characters Dexter Mayhew played by Jim Sturgess and Emma Morley played by Anne Hathaway who met on July 15th 1988, Graduation day and St Swithins day. The film documents key moments of their friendship for 20 years showing them on the 15th of July of each of those years. Emma is a typical good girl with morals eager to make a difference in the world and Dexter is a rich boy who just wants to have fun in life and live on the wild side a little bit, he doesn't have ambitions and dreams the way that Emma does. From the day they met they fell in love but neither of them really realised and as they went about their lives there were arguments, tears, fun and laughter and many missed opportunities at life together.
I was glued to the screen at the cinema, longing them to wrap their arms around each other and hold on forever, to notice that the person they were waiting for had been there for 20 years! I don't want to tell you what happens in case you are planning to go and see the film anytime soon, but as I said - I came out in tears. I always try and hold it in at cinema, for the sake of my makeup but I looked to my friend beside me and we were both weeping like a pair of emotional girls. It certainly sparks a reaction and isn't that what any good film should do?
I did enjoy the film but when I think back to it what I want to know is why the hell did they cast Anne Hathaway as Emma? To start with, the characters are English and Hathaway is American. I realise that as an actress she should be able to sound English when required but clearly she struggled! Her accent seems to change throughout the film there is no consistency and it actually sounds fake, for me that ruined the film a little bit, it was just annoying. Why not use and English actress. I'm not the biggest fan of Anne Hathaway although I love her in Devil Wears Prada.
I loved the story line and therefore I'm willing to forgive the poor English accent and advise you to go and see the film - it's at least worth a watch of a orange Wednesdays!
The film revolves around the lives of two main characters Dexter Mayhew played by Jim Sturgess and Emma Morley played by Anne Hathaway who met on July 15th 1988, Graduation day and St Swithins day. The film documents key moments of their friendship for 20 years showing them on the 15th of July of each of those years. Emma is a typical good girl with morals eager to make a difference in the world and Dexter is a rich boy who just wants to have fun in life and live on the wild side a little bit, he doesn't have ambitions and dreams the way that Emma does. From the day they met they fell in love but neither of them really realised and as they went about their lives there were arguments, tears, fun and laughter and many missed opportunities at life together.
I was glued to the screen at the cinema, longing them to wrap their arms around each other and hold on forever, to notice that the person they were waiting for had been there for 20 years! I don't want to tell you what happens in case you are planning to go and see the film anytime soon, but as I said - I came out in tears. I always try and hold it in at cinema, for the sake of my makeup but I looked to my friend beside me and we were both weeping like a pair of emotional girls. It certainly sparks a reaction and isn't that what any good film should do?
I did enjoy the film but when I think back to it what I want to know is why the hell did they cast Anne Hathaway as Emma? To start with, the characters are English and Hathaway is American. I realise that as an actress she should be able to sound English when required but clearly she struggled! Her accent seems to change throughout the film there is no consistency and it actually sounds fake, for me that ruined the film a little bit, it was just annoying. Why not use and English actress. I'm not the biggest fan of Anne Hathaway although I love her in Devil Wears Prada.
I loved the story line and therefore I'm willing to forgive the poor English accent and advise you to go and see the film - it's at least worth a watch of a orange Wednesdays!
Sunday 4 September 2011
Southampton Solent Food & Dining Society
One of my house mate's, Kaylee, is setting up a new food society at University this year, she's been busy making arrangements the past couple of weeks and now plans are coming together. I'm excited to be involved with the plans and over the next few weeks in the run up to freshers we will be launching a food society blog which is going to be my responsibility. At Southampton Solent University there is a range of different societies available for it's students to join ranging from cheerleading to photography to football. However the biggest range of societies are naturally sports societies but what happens if you aren't in to sports and you just want to learn some new things whilst meeting people and enjoying your self? Well what happens is, you join the new food society.
Everyone loves eating and drinking right? The food society is going to hold cooking classes held by professionals for it's member to attend, linking with healthy eating and organic growing. There will be various exciting trips (details of the first trip are being looked in to) and every month the group will meet for a meal at different restaurants around Southampton and will review their experience and the food during their visit, the review will then be written up and published on the societies blog. As well as this the society will have a partnership with one of the local bars where they will hold a social every week and receive discounted drinks and food and enjoy a great night out!
The society is still in it's early days of planning and arrangements are being sorted for our stall at the freshers sports and societies fair where we will be recruiting new members on September 29th in the Quad at Solent University. If you think you might be interested then take a look at the facebook group and the event page for the fair and keep checking for any updates. It's going to be very exciting and we hope to get involved with loads of different things so make sure you get to the sports and society fair during freshers.
Saturday 3 September 2011
Birthday Fun
It's official, I am no longer a teenager! On Tuesday I turned 20 - where have all the years gone? Spending it away from home was certainly different, and a complete change from the previous two years which I spent in the comfort of my home in Devon with my mum and dad. This year my house mates spoiled me rotten, in Southampton.
It started with a drunken night out Sunday night, a free fish bowl at 90 degrees, £1 shots at Vodka Revs, a pointless taxi journey to Wahoo, and back again. We finally ended up in UNIT for a silent disco! I don't know if you've ever been to a silent disco but if not let me explain. Basically everyone wears headphones with a couple of different channels on and the music from the DJ plays through the headphones so everyone hears the same music only it's not out loud. The best bit is, if you take your headphones off all you can hear is the terrible drunken singing of all the people around you and the faint murmur of music. It's hilarious! It's safe to say Sunday night was a drunken one, which to be fair is the only way to be on your birthday night out.
Myself drinking wine before going out.
Myself, Kaylee and James at the silent disco.
Birthday Presents!
Birthday message on the mirror.
It was half past seven when I woke up with an excited feeling like you get when your a kid but you have to wait for your parents to get up before you can open your presents. In fact it actually was a bit like that, even my boyfriend didn't budge after I continuously poked him. Didn't he know he had to do everything I say on my birthday? After getting bored of poking I got up and made a cup of tea and before long I'd been joined by my lovely house mates. I honestly felt like a little kid as Kaylee handed me present at a time and everyone watched as I ripped excitedly in to the wrapping paper. I may be twenty but I certainly don't feel like it.
If there's one thing most people know about me is that since I was a baby I've had an obsession with cups of tea, I drink it all day every day and I go through milk like it's going out of fashion. Even as a baby my mum would fill my beaker with warm milky tea. When I started University my flat mates soon picked up on how much I drank the stuff every day and now that we are in the house myself and Emily are as bad as each other with the amount we go through. All this is in mind my house mates bought me a cute little tea pot, cups and saucers and leaf tea from Whittards! It's so cute! As well as this they gave me some chocolates, bath stuff from Lush and a scented candle. My boyfriend gave me Calvin Klein Perfume - Euphoria and a gorgeous necklace. My parents bought a subscription for Company Magazine which is exciting, some pretty shabby chic hooks and they are bringing something else with them when they visit next week. I was well and truly spoiled!
My teapot and cups and saucers.
After a lush breakfast we caught the train to Brighton where we went vintage shopping in the lanes! Surprisingly I didn't buy very much while I was there but I had such a brilliant day. We had lunch at Wagamamas and a mocha with loads of cream at no other than Starbucks. When we'd had enough of walking around the shops we headed to the Pier and played a little in the arcade and went on a couple of rides one of which was the worst ghost train in the world but we found it pretty funny to be honest! After that we had doughnuts and watched a seagull literally take an ice cream out of a guys hand which amused us a little too much.
Alex and I on the pier.
Kaylee and I at the end of the pier.
Alex and I at the end of the pier.
With a couple of hours to kill before our train we went to Vodka Revolutions for a couple of cocktails. Now call us light weights but as we headed towards the station we were definitely slightly drunk. The voices got loud, the conversation got ridiculous and any regard for the people around us was totally gone. I still don't really know how we came to the decision to buy McDonalds and two bottles of Rose wine for the journey home but it certainly made the journey go quickly and by the time we stepped of the train we were off our trolleys. With plans to head out as soon as we'd dropped our shopping home tiredness hit me and the thought of leaving the house again was not welcomed and therefore a nice cup of tea on the sofa with my Uni family rounded off a perfect birthday!
It started with a drunken night out Sunday night, a free fish bowl at 90 degrees, £1 shots at Vodka Revs, a pointless taxi journey to Wahoo, and back again. We finally ended up in UNIT for a silent disco! I don't know if you've ever been to a silent disco but if not let me explain. Basically everyone wears headphones with a couple of different channels on and the music from the DJ plays through the headphones so everyone hears the same music only it's not out loud. The best bit is, if you take your headphones off all you can hear is the terrible drunken singing of all the people around you and the faint murmur of music. It's hilarious! It's safe to say Sunday night was a drunken one, which to be fair is the only way to be on your birthday night out.
Monday night they took me for a meal at a Caribbean restaurant called Turtle Bay for a bit of jerk chicken - lush! Followed by a few more cocktails at Vodka Revolutions and then home with my pink helium balloons for the count down to midnight and then off to bed ready for an exciting day on my actual birthday which had all been kept secret. Before I headed to bed however, my housemates displayed my birthday presents on the cabinet in the living room, just to tempt me. They even told me to open something but I have always figured it isn't actually my birthday until I go to sleep and wake up the next morning, it might be midnight but it still feels like the same day, so off to bed I went.
It was half past seven when I woke up with an excited feeling like you get when your a kid but you have to wait for your parents to get up before you can open your presents. In fact it actually was a bit like that, even my boyfriend didn't budge after I continuously poked him. Didn't he know he had to do everything I say on my birthday? After getting bored of poking I got up and made a cup of tea and before long I'd been joined by my lovely house mates. I honestly felt like a little kid as Kaylee handed me present at a time and everyone watched as I ripped excitedly in to the wrapping paper. I may be twenty but I certainly don't feel like it.
If there's one thing most people know about me is that since I was a baby I've had an obsession with cups of tea, I drink it all day every day and I go through milk like it's going out of fashion. Even as a baby my mum would fill my beaker with warm milky tea. When I started University my flat mates soon picked up on how much I drank the stuff every day and now that we are in the house myself and Emily are as bad as each other with the amount we go through. All this is in mind my house mates bought me a cute little tea pot, cups and saucers and leaf tea from Whittards! It's so cute! As well as this they gave me some chocolates, bath stuff from Lush and a scented candle. My boyfriend gave me Calvin Klein Perfume - Euphoria and a gorgeous necklace. My parents bought a subscription for Company Magazine which is exciting, some pretty shabby chic hooks and they are bringing something else with them when they visit next week. I was well and truly spoiled!
After a lush breakfast we caught the train to Brighton where we went vintage shopping in the lanes! Surprisingly I didn't buy very much while I was there but I had such a brilliant day. We had lunch at Wagamamas and a mocha with loads of cream at no other than Starbucks. When we'd had enough of walking around the shops we headed to the Pier and played a little in the arcade and went on a couple of rides one of which was the worst ghost train in the world but we found it pretty funny to be honest! After that we had doughnuts and watched a seagull literally take an ice cream out of a guys hand which amused us a little too much.
With a couple of hours to kill before our train we went to Vodka Revolutions for a couple of cocktails. Now call us light weights but as we headed towards the station we were definitely slightly drunk. The voices got loud, the conversation got ridiculous and any regard for the people around us was totally gone. I still don't really know how we came to the decision to buy McDonalds and two bottles of Rose wine for the journey home but it certainly made the journey go quickly and by the time we stepped of the train we were off our trolleys. With plans to head out as soon as we'd dropped our shopping home tiredness hit me and the thought of leaving the house again was not welcomed and therefore a nice cup of tea on the sofa with my Uni family rounded off a perfect birthday!
Thursday 25 August 2011
I Love eBay!
Last week I put a whole load of stuff on eBay, mainly clothes and today the auctions ended with a grand total of £62.11 - I was so surprised and excited. My thinking was, that if I sell old clothes then I can spend the money I make on buying knew clothes without feeling that guilt and having a little voice inside my head saying: "You can't afford that, what about rent, bills, phone contract, insurance!" The last couple of months any money I make hasn't really been mine. As soon as it reaches my bank account if I blink I'll miss it. Hard times. Que a massive eBay sale!
You see times are hard at the moment so even if I'd made twenty quid I'd have been pretty chuffed but clearly it's all gone to my head because in my excitement I have somehow created another pile of items ready to be listed on eBay. I think I am addicted, if I'm not careful I am pretty sure I'll have very little left in my room. As soon as the buyers money landed in my PayPal account I packed everything up, addressed them and they are all in a pile in the corner of my room waiting to be posted. The money has been withdrawn and is making it's way to my bank account as we speak. Hopefully it will be there in time for my birthday, which is in 5 days. Excited would be an understatement.
You see times are hard at the moment so even if I'd made twenty quid I'd have been pretty chuffed but clearly it's all gone to my head because in my excitement I have somehow created another pile of items ready to be listed on eBay. I think I am addicted, if I'm not careful I am pretty sure I'll have very little left in my room. As soon as the buyers money landed in my PayPal account I packed everything up, addressed them and they are all in a pile in the corner of my room waiting to be posted. The money has been withdrawn and is making it's way to my bank account as we speak. Hopefully it will be there in time for my birthday, which is in 5 days. Excited would be an understatement.
Tuesday 9 August 2011
London Riots
"There are people in 3rd world countries starving to death & our youth are nonsensically destroying local businesses and homes without reason."
Paloma Faith tweeted this during the absolutely disgusting behavior that was going on in areas of the UK last night. To me she voiced exactly how I felt, there are so many people in other countries suffering because of the conditions they are forced to live in when Britain's youth of today are causing suffering in our country for no real reason. What is wrong with them? Areas of London and Birmingham were affected last night and I woke up to news this morning that there were even disturbances reported in Bristol, Nottingham and Liverpool and where I am in Southampton, Hampshire police were on stand by for any disturbances which had been rumored through social networking such as facebook, twitter and blackberry messenger.
This map shows the areas of London that have seen disturbances over the last few days, mainly last night however:
To view this map in full Click Here
Yesterday evening, I sat with my flat mates watching the havoc unveil on the BBC, one of my house mates was watching his home town go up in flames, Croydon was one of the areas of London which was badly attacked. We sat and watched in absolute shock, I couldn't understand what the hell was wrong with people. We felt anger rise and we shouted at the television, at the footage of the mindless violence coming from the youths of today. Cars were set on fire, buildings went up in flames, windows smashed and the looters were taking all they could from businesses. We watched these people in gangs attacking shops and running away with armfuls of clothes, electrics, anything they could get their hands on. A clip even showed a women try on some trainers to check they fitted - before she stole them. What also shocked me was the disregard towards the police, things were thrown towards police officers, yobs attacked them verbally and physically. It's disgusting, the police are their to protect us why fight them?
Do they think they are cool? Do they think they are achieving something? Will they look back when they are older and think, damn we did good? The fact is, the young people involved are thugs, they are horrible little people that have absolutely nothing going for them. They will grow up with criminal records, they will gain no respect, they will have nothing to live for and why is that? Because people that have no regard for other people on such a scale of this deserve nothing from society. In my opinion people like that need to be drowned or hit by large vehicle or something similar. Can you imagine setting alight someones house, just because you can? Just think of all of the lives that these young yobs have destroyed. I can't quite describe the anger that builds inside of me when I think of all the people that thought it was just a bit of fun, what is wrong with these people?
A women jumping to avoid fire in Croyden (Image: The Sun)
Think about all of the old people, they must be terrified. All of this going on, on the streets and what can they do to keep themselves safe? What if a brick flies through their window? What if a gang raids their house? What are they going to do? They must have been so scared. Similarly what about all the families with young children, what can you do when all of this is going on, on your doorstep? It scares me and I'm not even there. My heart goes out to all of the people that are just trying to live their lives but are getting caught up in they mayhem across London and other major cities.
Of course their was a reason that all of this begun. Last week police shot dead suspected gangster and father of 4 Mark Duggan, in Tottenham. The bullet went right through him and although the police shot at him twice only one shot hit him. It was thought that he had fired at them first but it is now unclear as to what happened. Family and friends of the 29 year old took part in a peaceful protest in Tottenham which very quickly grew out of hand and before police knew it they had a full blown riot on their hands which as we all know as escalated ever further and last night was totally out of control. It may have started with people standing up for what they believe in and defending the man that police correctly or incorrectly shot but I think it's obvious now that those involved don't really care, they are opportunists and the idea of creating mayhem and stealing from smashed up and burning shops seems like an excellent night of fun. They have no reason to take part other than the fact that they can, and I think that says a lot about the sort of people they are.
Smashing in a jewelery store window in Birmingham (Image: The Sun)
Cars set on fire in Ealing (Image: The Sun)
It has been suggested that social networking such as facebook, twitter and BBM have played their part in the organisation of the riots. Today's technology allows communication within an instance and messages become viral within seconds, providing the medium to organise gangs to meet and to take part in the mindless violence that plagued London last night. People like myself however, used it to keep up to date with what was going on, to post messages of support, anger, disgust and to keep an eye on disturbances a little closer to home. Last night Hants Police were tweeting about rumored disturbances in Southampton which thankfully mounted to nothing but they were so informative that at least we knew they were there and they were keeping an eye on what was going on. I wonder though, what would have happened if Southampton broke out in riots, how would the Hampshire Police of coped because I'm pretty sure that every where else that was affected, the police struggled.
I was glued to twitter last night, reading all the tweets of support, especially from celebrities that of course live in London and are probably being affected by the mayhem.
T4 Presenter Jameela Jamil tweeted: "Its all so very sad. What have we become? Riot has reached my road... Door bolted. Fingers crossed."
and later: "Let's just pray there's a city left when we all wake up tomorrow. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes tonight."
Jessie J: "This is NOT how to gain respect. This is NOT how to get justice. This is NOT how to gain peace."
Holly Willoughby: "This is one of the most frightening things I've ever seen, can't believe what is happening in London tonight."
This morning Fearne Cotton tweeted: "Sending love and peace to all the poor innocent people who have been affected. This beautiful city needs to get back on its feet."
Across twitter this morning, people are following hashtag #riotcleanup and local people are going out in to the community to help clean up this horrible mess and to get businesses, homes and lives on the way to recovery. If your from one of the areas that was affected get on twitter and see what you can do to help but make sure you stay safe. It really is a horrible mess and I wish all those affected all the best. As for those that have caused this I hope justice is found and that they suffer in the future, they don't deserve anything else.
Paloma Faith tweeted this during the absolutely disgusting behavior that was going on in areas of the UK last night. To me she voiced exactly how I felt, there are so many people in other countries suffering because of the conditions they are forced to live in when Britain's youth of today are causing suffering in our country for no real reason. What is wrong with them? Areas of London and Birmingham were affected last night and I woke up to news this morning that there were even disturbances reported in Bristol, Nottingham and Liverpool and where I am in Southampton, Hampshire police were on stand by for any disturbances which had been rumored through social networking such as facebook, twitter and blackberry messenger.
This map shows the areas of London that have seen disturbances over the last few days, mainly last night however:
Yesterday evening, I sat with my flat mates watching the havoc unveil on the BBC, one of my house mates was watching his home town go up in flames, Croydon was one of the areas of London which was badly attacked. We sat and watched in absolute shock, I couldn't understand what the hell was wrong with people. We felt anger rise and we shouted at the television, at the footage of the mindless violence coming from the youths of today. Cars were set on fire, buildings went up in flames, windows smashed and the looters were taking all they could from businesses. We watched these people in gangs attacking shops and running away with armfuls of clothes, electrics, anything they could get their hands on. A clip even showed a women try on some trainers to check they fitted - before she stole them. What also shocked me was the disregard towards the police, things were thrown towards police officers, yobs attacked them verbally and physically. It's disgusting, the police are their to protect us why fight them?
Do they think they are cool? Do they think they are achieving something? Will they look back when they are older and think, damn we did good? The fact is, the young people involved are thugs, they are horrible little people that have absolutely nothing going for them. They will grow up with criminal records, they will gain no respect, they will have nothing to live for and why is that? Because people that have no regard for other people on such a scale of this deserve nothing from society. In my opinion people like that need to be drowned or hit by large vehicle or something similar. Can you imagine setting alight someones house, just because you can? Just think of all of the lives that these young yobs have destroyed. I can't quite describe the anger that builds inside of me when I think of all the people that thought it was just a bit of fun, what is wrong with these people?
Street in Hackney (Image: The Sun)
Think about all of the old people, they must be terrified. All of this going on, on the streets and what can they do to keep themselves safe? What if a brick flies through their window? What if a gang raids their house? What are they going to do? They must have been so scared. Similarly what about all the families with young children, what can you do when all of this is going on, on your doorstep? It scares me and I'm not even there. My heart goes out to all of the people that are just trying to live their lives but are getting caught up in they mayhem across London and other major cities.
Of course their was a reason that all of this begun. Last week police shot dead suspected gangster and father of 4 Mark Duggan, in Tottenham. The bullet went right through him and although the police shot at him twice only one shot hit him. It was thought that he had fired at them first but it is now unclear as to what happened. Family and friends of the 29 year old took part in a peaceful protest in Tottenham which very quickly grew out of hand and before police knew it they had a full blown riot on their hands which as we all know as escalated ever further and last night was totally out of control. It may have started with people standing up for what they believe in and defending the man that police correctly or incorrectly shot but I think it's obvious now that those involved don't really care, they are opportunists and the idea of creating mayhem and stealing from smashed up and burning shops seems like an excellent night of fun. They have no reason to take part other than the fact that they can, and I think that says a lot about the sort of people they are.
It has been suggested that social networking such as facebook, twitter and BBM have played their part in the organisation of the riots. Today's technology allows communication within an instance and messages become viral within seconds, providing the medium to organise gangs to meet and to take part in the mindless violence that plagued London last night. People like myself however, used it to keep up to date with what was going on, to post messages of support, anger, disgust and to keep an eye on disturbances a little closer to home. Last night Hants Police were tweeting about rumored disturbances in Southampton which thankfully mounted to nothing but they were so informative that at least we knew they were there and they were keeping an eye on what was going on. I wonder though, what would have happened if Southampton broke out in riots, how would the Hampshire Police of coped because I'm pretty sure that every where else that was affected, the police struggled.
I was glued to twitter last night, reading all the tweets of support, especially from celebrities that of course live in London and are probably being affected by the mayhem.
T4 Presenter Jameela Jamil tweeted: "Its all so very sad. What have we become? Riot has reached my road... Door bolted. Fingers crossed."
and later: "Let's just pray there's a city left when we all wake up tomorrow. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes tonight."
Jessie J: "This is NOT how to gain respect. This is NOT how to get justice. This is NOT how to gain peace."
Holly Willoughby: "This is one of the most frightening things I've ever seen, can't believe what is happening in London tonight."
This morning Fearne Cotton tweeted: "Sending love and peace to all the poor innocent people who have been affected. This beautiful city needs to get back on its feet."
Across twitter this morning, people are following hashtag #riotcleanup and local people are going out in to the community to help clean up this horrible mess and to get businesses, homes and lives on the way to recovery. If your from one of the areas that was affected get on twitter and see what you can do to help but make sure you stay safe. It really is a horrible mess and I wish all those affected all the best. As for those that have caused this I hope justice is found and that they suffer in the future, they don't deserve anything else.
Saturday 6 August 2011
The Starbucks Experience
It's funny how before now Starbucks has just been a coffee shop to me, as I am sure it probably is just that to you, right? What else is there you can say about it, other than it sells good coffee and provides a relaxed welcoming atmosphere? That of course is true but it doesn't stop there...not even close.
Yes that's right, another Starbucks orientated blog and I'm sure there will be more to come. I have spent today on a Starbucks training course called The Starbucks Experience, I wasn't really sure what to expect and the fact that I was being picked up at 7.30am on a Saturday morning didn't bode well to be honest. The only place I wanted to be at that time of day was tucked up in bed, fast asleep. It turns out however, that today was incredibly interesting and inspiring and I learned a lot from it. It isn't until you get involved with a company, that you begin to understand it's size, it's policies, aims and it's position within society.
It goes without saying that Starbucks works superbly hard to ensure that each and every partner working in every store nationally and internationally is providing worldwide customer service. Meaning good service is never good enough, customer service at Starbucks is service that makes a difference in a customers day and allows them to remember it. You might be polite, happy and you may smile at every customer but Starbucks is about more than that, it's about striking up a conversation with a customer, asking them about their day, talking about the weather, the traffic, complimenting them on their hair etc. Something that's going to stick in their mind and going to make them want to come back to Starbucks because the staff made them feel special and like an individual rather than one of the people in the que.
Though enough about that, what I'm trying to get to is the work that Starbucks do that's beyond the stores but helps the stores run the way that they do. I mean, what is Starbucks without coffee? So where does coffee come from? Coffee is grown in three main regions, Latin America, Africa/Arabia and Asia Pacific. It grows on trees on farms and starts it's journey by looking a little bit like cherries, as you can see opposite:
As the worlds largest purchaser of Fair trade certified coffee, Starbucks ethically sources all of it's coffee. This basically means that the Starbucks looks after the farmers that it buys from ensuring they receive a fair amount for the coffee that they source. It is important to Starbucks that they build strong relationships with the farmers and help to promote the livelihoods of coffee farmers. This in turn ensures that the farms grow quality coffee for Starbucks and allows financial support if farmers are having to harvest early and sell their crops for less to local buyers due to having a shortage of funds. Starbucks are committed to giving back to the communities that they buy from to ensure a sustainable future. (Much more to this, another blog in the making - watch this space.)
One thing I learned very quickly about Starbucks is that they take great care of their partners. As an employee of Starbucks you receive constant support, benefits, rewards and opportunities which doesn't come with all jobs. Starbucks aims to be a third place for it's customers after work and home but for it's partners it's their second and third place and for me I can definitely cope with that. As you might be able to tell even if I am not working I'm perfectly happy to chill out in the store with my laptop or with friends and I think that's what makes it such a brilliant place to work. I may only be a month in to my new job with the company and I may still have lots to learn but it's a brand new experience and a company that I am excited to be part of for the future.
Yes that's right, another Starbucks orientated blog and I'm sure there will be more to come. I have spent today on a Starbucks training course called The Starbucks Experience, I wasn't really sure what to expect and the fact that I was being picked up at 7.30am on a Saturday morning didn't bode well to be honest. The only place I wanted to be at that time of day was tucked up in bed, fast asleep. It turns out however, that today was incredibly interesting and inspiring and I learned a lot from it. It isn't until you get involved with a company, that you begin to understand it's size, it's policies, aims and it's position within society.
It goes without saying that Starbucks works superbly hard to ensure that each and every partner working in every store nationally and internationally is providing worldwide customer service. Meaning good service is never good enough, customer service at Starbucks is service that makes a difference in a customers day and allows them to remember it. You might be polite, happy and you may smile at every customer but Starbucks is about more than that, it's about striking up a conversation with a customer, asking them about their day, talking about the weather, the traffic, complimenting them on their hair etc. Something that's going to stick in their mind and going to make them want to come back to Starbucks because the staff made them feel special and like an individual rather than one of the people in the que.
Though enough about that, what I'm trying to get to is the work that Starbucks do that's beyond the stores but helps the stores run the way that they do. I mean, what is Starbucks without coffee? So where does coffee come from? Coffee is grown in three main regions, Latin America, Africa/Arabia and Asia Pacific. It grows on trees on farms and starts it's journey by looking a little bit like cherries, as you can see opposite:
As the worlds largest purchaser of Fair trade certified coffee, Starbucks ethically sources all of it's coffee. This basically means that the Starbucks looks after the farmers that it buys from ensuring they receive a fair amount for the coffee that they source. It is important to Starbucks that they build strong relationships with the farmers and help to promote the livelihoods of coffee farmers. This in turn ensures that the farms grow quality coffee for Starbucks and allows financial support if farmers are having to harvest early and sell their crops for less to local buyers due to having a shortage of funds. Starbucks are committed to giving back to the communities that they buy from to ensure a sustainable future. (Much more to this, another blog in the making - watch this space.)
One thing I learned very quickly about Starbucks is that they take great care of their partners. As an employee of Starbucks you receive constant support, benefits, rewards and opportunities which doesn't come with all jobs. Starbucks aims to be a third place for it's customers after work and home but for it's partners it's their second and third place and for me I can definitely cope with that. As you might be able to tell even if I am not working I'm perfectly happy to chill out in the store with my laptop or with friends and I think that's what makes it such a brilliant place to work. I may only be a month in to my new job with the company and I may still have lots to learn but it's a brand new experience and a company that I am excited to be part of for the future.
Friday 5 August 2011
Have you ever thought about the lives of the people that pass you in the street?
I'm sitting in Starbucks sipping my grande caramel coffee frappuccino with whipped cream (yes it's my day off but I clearly can't get enough of the place!) waiting to feel inspired to write something. Earlier today I was lying in bed with lots of ideas but I thought I would take my laptop in to town and chill out in Starbucks whilst I wrote. That was about 5 hours ago now, I'm sitting here watching the world go by with all my ideas from this morning, vanished. However, as I watch all the people pass by the window it's got me thinking about all the different people in the world. I don't know these people but they all have lives, they've been places, they've seen places and just because they mean nothing to me they have families and friends and lives full of different things.
Obvious right? The point I'm trying to make is that there are some extraordinary people in the world. Not just the ones that are famous and have done famous things for the world to know about but what about all the people that have fought in a war, saved someones life, given blood, donated an organ, survived a life threatening illness, raised money for a charity, flown out to underprivileged countries to help people that aren't as fortunate? What about all the nurses and doctors in the world that we don't know that are helping to save lives each and every day. For all I know the old lady with a pretty floral bag that had just walked past the window of Starbucks may have once upon a time saved a life or of had her life saved.
Have you ever thought that in a crowd of people there might be someone that you've met before but you'll never know or someone that grew up in the same town as you or maybe even someone that was born in the same hospital you were born in. Things like that must happen all the time but unless you have a reason to talk to these people you'll never know. It's like the saying goes "It's a small world." It's not, but sometimes you meet people that you share experiences with, I often find that. I often bump in to people that share mutual friends or something similar and often I use the phrase. If you think about it though, it's a silly phrase. The world is not at all small but it can often feel like it, especially when you are a long way from home and meet people that are from the same place as you.
There are so many people with a story to tell in this crazy old world so I think when someone has something to say it's worth listening because you never know what they have seen and what they have experienced. One day someone might open their mouth and say something which shocks you, pleases you or maybe even something that changes your life. Everyone has something to say.
Obvious right? The point I'm trying to make is that there are some extraordinary people in the world. Not just the ones that are famous and have done famous things for the world to know about but what about all the people that have fought in a war, saved someones life, given blood, donated an organ, survived a life threatening illness, raised money for a charity, flown out to underprivileged countries to help people that aren't as fortunate? What about all the nurses and doctors in the world that we don't know that are helping to save lives each and every day. For all I know the old lady with a pretty floral bag that had just walked past the window of Starbucks may have once upon a time saved a life or of had her life saved.
Have you ever thought that in a crowd of people there might be someone that you've met before but you'll never know or someone that grew up in the same town as you or maybe even someone that was born in the same hospital you were born in. Things like that must happen all the time but unless you have a reason to talk to these people you'll never know. It's like the saying goes "It's a small world." It's not, but sometimes you meet people that you share experiences with, I often find that. I often bump in to people that share mutual friends or something similar and often I use the phrase. If you think about it though, it's a silly phrase. The world is not at all small but it can often feel like it, especially when you are a long way from home and meet people that are from the same place as you.
There are so many people with a story to tell in this crazy old world so I think when someone has something to say it's worth listening because you never know what they have seen and what they have experienced. One day someone might open their mouth and say something which shocks you, pleases you or maybe even something that changes your life. Everyone has something to say.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Albert Einstein Quote
Having the imagination to create and inspire can sometimes mean more and I think that's something important to remember. Imagination, can take you anywhere and make everyday that little bit more exciting.
Friday 15 July 2011
Southampton Strikes
I have always been bought up to care about the world around me, my parents recycle everything that they can, the TV is turned off at the wall when it's not being used and the rule always stands that if you leave a room you turn the light off. My dad has drummed this in to me from a very young age, I will admit he does still have to moan at me now and then when I leave something on over night or I put cardboard or plastic in to the rubbish bin, but I do what I can.
Now that I am living in a rented house with other young people I'm struggling to live by those rules which at the moment is made even harder by the continuous bin strikes in Southampton (yeah that's right, bin strikes - they are not kool.) Our recycling bin is still full from the people that lived in this house before and I would put money on the fact it doesn't even have recyclable items in it. The strike is a massive hassle and the streets of Southampton are absolutely disgusting to say the least. Bins are full to the brim in the high street causing litter to fall on to the floor and be swept up and down the street by the wind, gathering in shop door ways and around seating areas. I wonder, what people think if they are visiting Southampton for the day or for a holiday. They wont exactly leave thinking it's a gorgeous city with well kept streets will they now? As for the polygon where a lot of the student houses are, bins are full causing bin bags to be thrown on to the pavement and during the night ripped and torn apart by animals which leaves rubbish up and down the pavements and no one clears it up. It doesn't just look awful, I can imagine how much of a health hazard it is. With the weather like it has been lately the high temperatures cause it to smell and I'm sure I don't need to tell you it's a rats haven. I dread to think what goes on outside my bedroom window on the roads when we go to sleep at night.
So why does Southampton currently look like a landfill site? Well, 4,300 council workers including bin men and street cleaners, have been threatened with being sacked from their positions if they do not agree to sign up to new contracts which will cut their pay by up to 5.5 percent from July 11th. These budget savings need to be made to save 400 jobs. The strikes are in to their third month now and the streets are getting worse. Read more here.
So with the strike not exactly helping with recycling in our new house, I'm feeling guilty every time I put a can or plastic in to the bin. I can just imagine my dad shaking is head disappointingly at me. Not only that, I feel guilty. I don't just recycle because my dad says I should, It's because I care as well. Some people are ignorant to global warming, and the effect it has on the planet. I'm no expert to be honest but I do care. Some people just point blank don't!
The issue of having no where to put the rubbish as the bins are full outside is a problem. We seem to generate so much waste and because everything is being thrown in together we are having to take the bins out every couple of days. If we flattened plastic packaging and cardboard etc. and separated our waste the bin in the kitchen definitely would not fill up so quickly. I'll reiterate my point however, with the bins outside still full, if we separate our rubbish there will quite literally be no where to put it. It's like viscous circle. Either way we can't win until the strike ends, we have empty bins and we know what we are doing and where everything goes.
So I now realise how much I sound like a moaning old woman but I think it's all relevant right? I might only be 19 but you can care about these things just as much as when your young and I think some people seem to forget that.
Now that I am living in a rented house with other young people I'm struggling to live by those rules which at the moment is made even harder by the continuous bin strikes in Southampton (yeah that's right, bin strikes - they are not kool.) Our recycling bin is still full from the people that lived in this house before and I would put money on the fact it doesn't even have recyclable items in it. The strike is a massive hassle and the streets of Southampton are absolutely disgusting to say the least. Bins are full to the brim in the high street causing litter to fall on to the floor and be swept up and down the street by the wind, gathering in shop door ways and around seating areas. I wonder, what people think if they are visiting Southampton for the day or for a holiday. They wont exactly leave thinking it's a gorgeous city with well kept streets will they now? As for the polygon where a lot of the student houses are, bins are full causing bin bags to be thrown on to the pavement and during the night ripped and torn apart by animals which leaves rubbish up and down the pavements and no one clears it up. It doesn't just look awful, I can imagine how much of a health hazard it is. With the weather like it has been lately the high temperatures cause it to smell and I'm sure I don't need to tell you it's a rats haven. I dread to think what goes on outside my bedroom window on the roads when we go to sleep at night.
So why does Southampton currently look like a landfill site? Well, 4,300 council workers including bin men and street cleaners, have been threatened with being sacked from their positions if they do not agree to sign up to new contracts which will cut their pay by up to 5.5 percent from July 11th. These budget savings need to be made to save 400 jobs. The strikes are in to their third month now and the streets are getting worse. Read more here.
So with the strike not exactly helping with recycling in our new house, I'm feeling guilty every time I put a can or plastic in to the bin. I can just imagine my dad shaking is head disappointingly at me. Not only that, I feel guilty. I don't just recycle because my dad says I should, It's because I care as well. Some people are ignorant to global warming, and the effect it has on the planet. I'm no expert to be honest but I do care. Some people just point blank don't!
The issue of having no where to put the rubbish as the bins are full outside is a problem. We seem to generate so much waste and because everything is being thrown in together we are having to take the bins out every couple of days. If we flattened plastic packaging and cardboard etc. and separated our waste the bin in the kitchen definitely would not fill up so quickly. I'll reiterate my point however, with the bins outside still full, if we separate our rubbish there will quite literally be no where to put it. It's like viscous circle. Either way we can't win until the strike ends, we have empty bins and we know what we are doing and where everything goes.
So I now realise how much I sound like a moaning old woman but I think it's all relevant right? I might only be 19 but you can care about these things just as much as when your young and I think some people seem to forget that.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Hell yeah - I work at Starbucks!
After a stressful few days moving in to the new house with two previous flat mates and a new one, Monday morning came and I was up bright and early with a handful of CVs ready to hit Southampton hard, I needed a job big time. The idea of having to pay 3 months rent with no help from student finance was freaking me out big time. I went every where, all the shops, cafes, restaurants and bars - someone had to have me!
I pushed the big glass door in to the Starbucks store where I noticed the poster on the door, "Come and join our team?" Well at least they were hiring and I wasn't in danger of handing over my CV hopefully only for them to say: "We will keep it on our records and let you know if anything comes up." For them to throw it in a pile of paper work never to be seen again. The Starbucks staff were cheerful and welcoming and like very few of the places I had been the day spoke to me about the job vacancy for a few good minutes and even read through my CV while I was still there. I had a good feeling and sure enough within an hour later the store manager was on the phone inviting me back for a 'chat' and within the next hour I had secured a job interview. Successful job hunting day I would say.
An interview and trial shift later I was a Starbucks employee and I am now two shifts in to my new job. The first day was as okay as first days go, I felt pretty useless and in the way but at least on your first day you can get away with it. Today however was hectic and scary. Starbucks is fast paced and today I could not keep up. When there's six drinks lined up waiting to be made all completely different with special requirements I forget what I've been taught and look blankly at the other staff hoping someone will help me. Which of course they do. My problem is I panic and the more I panic the more I have no idea what I am doing. Don't get me wrong I am learning but these things take time you know. I have just about mastered lattes and cappuccino but throw in a caramel machiato, whatever kind of frappuccino and white skinny mocha with extra cream it all gets a little bit complicated.
I will get there. In the mean time I can enjoy the free drinks before and after and during my shifts and 30% off at any other time, oh yeah! Plus, free bags of tea or coffee (definitely a win for my caffeine addiction) and as a 'partner' I get shares in Starbucks. Crazy stuff don't you think? It's all pretty exciting and I'm sure I'll be a pro at making frappuccinos and the like within no time at all.
I pushed the big glass door in to the Starbucks store where I noticed the poster on the door, "Come and join our team?" Well at least they were hiring and I wasn't in danger of handing over my CV hopefully only for them to say: "We will keep it on our records and let you know if anything comes up." For them to throw it in a pile of paper work never to be seen again. The Starbucks staff were cheerful and welcoming and like very few of the places I had been the day spoke to me about the job vacancy for a few good minutes and even read through my CV while I was still there. I had a good feeling and sure enough within an hour later the store manager was on the phone inviting me back for a 'chat' and within the next hour I had secured a job interview. Successful job hunting day I would say.
I will get there. In the mean time I can enjoy the free drinks before and after and during my shifts and 30% off at any other time, oh yeah! Plus, free bags of tea or coffee (definitely a win for my caffeine addiction) and as a 'partner' I get shares in Starbucks. Crazy stuff don't you think? It's all pretty exciting and I'm sure I'll be a pro at making frappuccinos and the like within no time at all.
I have a house!
I guess you could say the next phase has begun. Last week I moved back to Southampton, packed up my little room in halls and said goodbye to the first year of University and the fun, arguments and tears we shared in those hallways and moved across town in to a house. For a student house it's pretty damn impressive. We have reclining sofas, a spice rack, wine rack and a pull out ironing board! I'm not even kidding, you pull out a draw and da-da there's an ironing board. It's actually amazing - I love our house!
The only down side is that at the moment we don't have internet as such because it takes weeks for it to be set up. I feel lost without it and because I've been so out of touch with the internet my blog is seriously lacking in life right now. I have taken to using my mac in Starbucks every now and again to get updated with what's going on in the world, which - by the way is where I now. Hell yeah, I work for Starbucks. So since I have stopped blogging regularly lots seems to have happened and changed which gives me loads to blog about but with the busy bustle of life and lack of internet access I just havn't been able to.
In yet another attempt to revamp this blog I will write about all those things that have made the last month so incredibly hectic from the good to the bad from the funny to the sad and all the bits in between.
Watch this space.
The only down side is that at the moment we don't have internet as such because it takes weeks for it to be set up. I feel lost without it and because I've been so out of touch with the internet my blog is seriously lacking in life right now. I have taken to using my mac in Starbucks every now and again to get updated with what's going on in the world, which - by the way is where I now. Hell yeah, I work for Starbucks. So since I have stopped blogging regularly lots seems to have happened and changed which gives me loads to blog about but with the busy bustle of life and lack of internet access I just havn't been able to.
In yet another attempt to revamp this blog I will write about all those things that have made the last month so incredibly hectic from the good to the bad from the funny to the sad and all the bits in between.
Watch this space.
Monday 27 June 2011
I disappeared for a few weeks but I'm back...
It's been a busy few weeks and therefore my blogging had taken a bit of a back seat on my list of things to do but I'm back and I have so much to write about I'm not quite sure where to start.
A couple of weeks ago I did a weeks work experience with Perfect Wedding Magazine. I can tell you now, it certainly was an experience. I spent the week staying in a complete strangers house in the middle of Bristol completely by myself, in - I must add - a seriously dodgy area! I didn't think she double locked the flat for nothing! When I first mentioned I was doing working experience in Bristol my flat mate instantly piped up: "Oh you can stay with my friend." With out another thought the plans was made.
A couple of months later and there I was arriving in rainy Bristol by train, with a huge pink suitcase that I couldn't hardly manage to stay as I said, in a strangers house. Thankfully I was made extremely welcome and the flat was very cute and cosy but sadly I'd be spending the week there on my own while she was needed away else where. I figured it wouldn't be a huge issue but as I was left on my own that, I realised it was going to be a long and lonely week.
All of that being said, the reason I was there in the first place was for my work experience placement at Perfect Wedding Magazine. I was so incredibly nervous as I caught the lift to the 9th floor reception and waited to be met by the editorial assistant. I didn't really have any idea what to expect. Would I be making tea all day? Would they be nice? Will they thing I'm useless? Will they talk to me? It turned out I hadn't needed to have worried about it.
The office was smaller that I thought and there were less people working on the magazine that I'd expected but that made friendlier and relaxed. Everyone was lovely and made me feel very welcome which was of course very settling. On the first day I was given small photo sourcing jobs to do for their new website which will be launching soon. Basically I spent the first day looking at stunning wedding dresses and breathtaking honeymoon destinations. Easy yes, but also pretty tedious.
By the end of the week I'd had the chance to work on things which would be appearing in the magazine, admittedly not huge features and not masses of writing but it's all experience right? I wrote out captions to images, found out the prices of products and found appropriate pictures for some articles. I also sourced images for two regular pages: "Get the celebrity bridal look," and "Get the celebrity bridesmaid look." So when the issue goes on sale in August I can say, I created those pages. That pleases me quite a lot. The other page I can take credit for is the very back page. You know how Glamour does something like "10 Reasons to emigrate." (Or something similar, that's only my mind because it is raining." Well I wrote Perfect Weddings, "13 reasons we love a budget wedding!"
So there we have it, by the end of the week it felt like I'd learned a lot about how a magazine gets put together, from initial planning to going to print. It was my first my placement and I am excited to see where else I can get some work experience because I loved it, despite my initial worrying. When the week was over I went to London to stay with my boyfriend in Kingston and now I am home again preparing for the move to the house in Southampton, it's all happening very fast. I swear I only started University a couple of months ago.
A couple of weeks ago I did a weeks work experience with Perfect Wedding Magazine. I can tell you now, it certainly was an experience. I spent the week staying in a complete strangers house in the middle of Bristol completely by myself, in - I must add - a seriously dodgy area! I didn't think she double locked the flat for nothing! When I first mentioned I was doing working experience in Bristol my flat mate instantly piped up: "Oh you can stay with my friend." With out another thought the plans was made.
A couple of months later and there I was arriving in rainy Bristol by train, with a huge pink suitcase that I couldn't hardly manage to stay as I said, in a strangers house. Thankfully I was made extremely welcome and the flat was very cute and cosy but sadly I'd be spending the week there on my own while she was needed away else where. I figured it wouldn't be a huge issue but as I was left on my own that, I realised it was going to be a long and lonely week.
All of that being said, the reason I was there in the first place was for my work experience placement at Perfect Wedding Magazine. I was so incredibly nervous as I caught the lift to the 9th floor reception and waited to be met by the editorial assistant. I didn't really have any idea what to expect. Would I be making tea all day? Would they be nice? Will they thing I'm useless? Will they talk to me? It turned out I hadn't needed to have worried about it.
The office was smaller that I thought and there were less people working on the magazine that I'd expected but that made friendlier and relaxed. Everyone was lovely and made me feel very welcome which was of course very settling. On the first day I was given small photo sourcing jobs to do for their new website which will be launching soon. Basically I spent the first day looking at stunning wedding dresses and breathtaking honeymoon destinations. Easy yes, but also pretty tedious.
By the end of the week I'd had the chance to work on things which would be appearing in the magazine, admittedly not huge features and not masses of writing but it's all experience right? I wrote out captions to images, found out the prices of products and found appropriate pictures for some articles. I also sourced images for two regular pages: "Get the celebrity bridal look," and "Get the celebrity bridesmaid look." So when the issue goes on sale in August I can say, I created those pages. That pleases me quite a lot. The other page I can take credit for is the very back page. You know how Glamour does something like "10 Reasons to emigrate." (Or something similar, that's only my mind because it is raining." Well I wrote Perfect Weddings, "13 reasons we love a budget wedding!"
So there we have it, by the end of the week it felt like I'd learned a lot about how a magazine gets put together, from initial planning to going to print. It was my first my placement and I am excited to see where else I can get some work experience because I loved it, despite my initial worrying. When the week was over I went to London to stay with my boyfriend in Kingston and now I am home again preparing for the move to the house in Southampton, it's all happening very fast. I swear I only started University a couple of months ago.
Tuesday 7 June 2011
So, I've joined the world of Twitter
It's happened, I have succumbed and entered the word of twitter.
I never really understood the concept of it, and facebook had been satisfying my social networking needs since I left school, therefore I had no desire for Twitter. I have come to realised that in this day and age, Twitter is a journalists best friend and I am an aspiring journalist. It's something I have known for a while but it has taken until now to allow myself to give in to Twitter. Besides, it is pretty cool that you can keep track of what celebrities are up to. Within half an hour of signing up, I was already following over 60 people, I was hooked pretty quite to tell you the truth.
I do wonder however, where did Twitter come from? One minute everyone is all over facebook and the next it's all about tweeting. Social networking is a fast paced and quick to change little world though isn't it. We have seen this before, when everyone went from MySpace to Bebo and then on to facebook. Personally MySpace never appealed but through secondary school I was one of millions obsessed with Bebo and it's comments, photo sharing and the little cyber world that it creates away from the real world. I do think social networking is excellent but doesn't it distract young people away from the real world a little bit?
This is where I become incredibly hypocritical but if you could just forget that I have a obsession with facebook and a developing obsession with twitter, I would be most grateful. Social networking distracts people from the real world, instead of phoning someone or meeting someone to catch ip we think that a brief chat on facebook or a couple of comments here and there will do the job. Maybe it does in this day and age but when our parents were younger social networking was done in person not through a computer screen. Having an online profile in theory can allow you to make yourself who ever you want to be, it's almost like recreating yourself, through just a few lines of text you can tell the world what you want them to think of you. Doesn't sound like a negative point but surely you want someone to get to know you as a person, not your facebook profile?
All this being said, in the 21st century social networking sites have in actual fact become a link to the rest of the world. Facebook and twitter don't just reach out to young people wanting to keep in touch with friends but to businesses, shops, newspapers and magazine and celebrities. They entertain and inform you. Twitter in particular has updates from magazines and newspapers continuously, bringing you the latest headlines, breaking news, competitions and gossip. It's all there with just a click of a button, and when you've read your magazine from cover to cover but you want more Twitters there waiting for you.
Yes, I think social networking sites have their negatives but the world is changing and young people adapt easily to these changes and for the media and journalism they can only be benefits.
I never really understood the concept of it, and facebook had been satisfying my social networking needs since I left school, therefore I had no desire for Twitter. I have come to realised that in this day and age, Twitter is a journalists best friend and I am an aspiring journalist. It's something I have known for a while but it has taken until now to allow myself to give in to Twitter. Besides, it is pretty cool that you can keep track of what celebrities are up to. Within half an hour of signing up, I was already following over 60 people, I was hooked pretty quite to tell you the truth.
I do wonder however, where did Twitter come from? One minute everyone is all over facebook and the next it's all about tweeting. Social networking is a fast paced and quick to change little world though isn't it. We have seen this before, when everyone went from MySpace to Bebo and then on to facebook. Personally MySpace never appealed but through secondary school I was one of millions obsessed with Bebo and it's comments, photo sharing and the little cyber world that it creates away from the real world. I do think social networking is excellent but doesn't it distract young people away from the real world a little bit?
This is where I become incredibly hypocritical but if you could just forget that I have a obsession with facebook and a developing obsession with twitter, I would be most grateful. Social networking distracts people from the real world, instead of phoning someone or meeting someone to catch ip we think that a brief chat on facebook or a couple of comments here and there will do the job. Maybe it does in this day and age but when our parents were younger social networking was done in person not through a computer screen. Having an online profile in theory can allow you to make yourself who ever you want to be, it's almost like recreating yourself, through just a few lines of text you can tell the world what you want them to think of you. Doesn't sound like a negative point but surely you want someone to get to know you as a person, not your facebook profile?
All this being said, in the 21st century social networking sites have in actual fact become a link to the rest of the world. Facebook and twitter don't just reach out to young people wanting to keep in touch with friends but to businesses, shops, newspapers and magazine and celebrities. They entertain and inform you. Twitter in particular has updates from magazines and newspapers continuously, bringing you the latest headlines, breaking news, competitions and gossip. It's all there with just a click of a button, and when you've read your magazine from cover to cover but you want more Twitters there waiting for you.
Yes, I think social networking sites have their negatives but the world is changing and young people adapt easily to these changes and for the media and journalism they can only be benefits.
Thursday 26 May 2011
Journalism Internships Abroad
Recently I have been seriously thinking about what I want to get out of the next few years, besides a degree. Let's be honest, I have long summer holidays and although this is all well and good I don't want to waste the months I have free, I want to do fun and exciting things.
So I've been looking in to the idea of travelling, something that has been at the back of mind since I left school but I've never really thought about it too much. I figured, one day it will happen but it hasn't yet. I know I chose to go to University anyway so that kind of ruled out travelling for a while but now I'm thinking about it again. I don't mean a year of travelling Australia, Newzealand and America, more a couple of months doing something that justifies me going travelling while studying and University. I googled, Journalism Internships Abroad.
There were so many websites, programs, countries to look at and I must admit it overwhelmed me a little. There are so many opportunities out there, not just journalism related but if there's something you want to do in a particular place I guarantee Google will find it for you. I spent about an hour reading through different journalism internship programs in different countries and the more I read the more excited I began to feel. The experience would be invaluable.
I've been told many times that in the journalism industry it's your experience that get's you places and I know that, this experience in another country would make it twice as invaluable. One program in particular caught my eye, it's based in a wine making region of Argentina called Mendoza at a leisure magazine. I found it on a website for a organisation called Travellers Worldwide. Volunteers get the chance to write and research articles, assist with proof reading, assist with graphic design and photography and you get the chance to travel around the area to find things and places to write about.
It's also mentioned that in some cases you may have to go out on leisure days such as skiing and horse riding in order to write about them!
The idea is that you stay with a host family, which will almost always cook for you and care for you while you are there. Admittedly, staying with complete strangers in different country where you don't really speak the language scares the hell out of me, but that's all part of the experience isn't it? As well as all this you can opt to take classes along side your program in, Salsa, Tango, Spanish and Photography. Personally, it would be between either Spanish or Photography. I have always loved the idea of photography and obviously it goes hand in hand with journalism but at the same time Spanish would be a brilliant language to learn but I don't think I would grasp it easily, it would be a struggle. I haven't learnt a language since I was about 14 now, I regret so much not continueing to learn French, speaking another language is always such a benefit in anything that you do.
It sounds amazing doesn't it? An experience never to forget, will look amazing on my CV, I would learn so much, improve my writing and help me achieve all that I want to do. Then I come back to reality and remember that I can't just fly to Argentina and get on with it, I have to pay for the program, my flights, Insurance, Visas, some transfers and I need money while I am there. Doesn't sounds so easy anymore does it? To go travelling, in any shape or form you need money and the reality is that from July I will be paying rent every month to live in a shared house to continue my degree, I have to pay for the rest of my New York trip in December and I have to pay to live in general.
I'm not going to forget this idea, I'm going to work hard at everything I am doing and I am going to earn some money and then I am going to aim for the next two summers to come. If I can't afford it this summer I'll aim for next summer, I'm determined to make it happen. Not necessarily in Argentina, the opportunities are endless. It could be China, Australia, Ghana or Kenya. For now I'll stick to seeking work experience in this country, in June I have a weeks work experience with Perfect Wedding Magazine in Bristol and I have a possible chance to contribute to an English magazine in the Alicante area of the Costa Blanca in Spain. I'll start small and see where I end up.
So I've been looking in to the idea of travelling, something that has been at the back of mind since I left school but I've never really thought about it too much. I figured, one day it will happen but it hasn't yet. I know I chose to go to University anyway so that kind of ruled out travelling for a while but now I'm thinking about it again. I don't mean a year of travelling Australia, Newzealand and America, more a couple of months doing something that justifies me going travelling while studying and University. I googled, Journalism Internships Abroad.
There were so many websites, programs, countries to look at and I must admit it overwhelmed me a little. There are so many opportunities out there, not just journalism related but if there's something you want to do in a particular place I guarantee Google will find it for you. I spent about an hour reading through different journalism internship programs in different countries and the more I read the more excited I began to feel. The experience would be invaluable.
I've been told many times that in the journalism industry it's your experience that get's you places and I know that, this experience in another country would make it twice as invaluable. One program in particular caught my eye, it's based in a wine making region of Argentina called Mendoza at a leisure magazine. I found it on a website for a organisation called Travellers Worldwide. Volunteers get the chance to write and research articles, assist with proof reading, assist with graphic design and photography and you get the chance to travel around the area to find things and places to write about.
It's also mentioned that in some cases you may have to go out on leisure days such as skiing and horse riding in order to write about them!
The idea is that you stay with a host family, which will almost always cook for you and care for you while you are there. Admittedly, staying with complete strangers in different country where you don't really speak the language scares the hell out of me, but that's all part of the experience isn't it? As well as all this you can opt to take classes along side your program in, Salsa, Tango, Spanish and Photography. Personally, it would be between either Spanish or Photography. I have always loved the idea of photography and obviously it goes hand in hand with journalism but at the same time Spanish would be a brilliant language to learn but I don't think I would grasp it easily, it would be a struggle. I haven't learnt a language since I was about 14 now, I regret so much not continueing to learn French, speaking another language is always such a benefit in anything that you do.
It sounds amazing doesn't it? An experience never to forget, will look amazing on my CV, I would learn so much, improve my writing and help me achieve all that I want to do. Then I come back to reality and remember that I can't just fly to Argentina and get on with it, I have to pay for the program, my flights, Insurance, Visas, some transfers and I need money while I am there. Doesn't sounds so easy anymore does it? To go travelling, in any shape or form you need money and the reality is that from July I will be paying rent every month to live in a shared house to continue my degree, I have to pay for the rest of my New York trip in December and I have to pay to live in general.
I'm not going to forget this idea, I'm going to work hard at everything I am doing and I am going to earn some money and then I am going to aim for the next two summers to come. If I can't afford it this summer I'll aim for next summer, I'm determined to make it happen. Not necessarily in Argentina, the opportunities are endless. It could be China, Australia, Ghana or Kenya. For now I'll stick to seeking work experience in this country, in June I have a weeks work experience with Perfect Wedding Magazine in Bristol and I have a possible chance to contribute to an English magazine in the Alicante area of the Costa Blanca in Spain. I'll start small and see where I end up.
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Water for Elephants Review
I have just got home after watching Water for Elephants at the cinema, on the walk home I was already thinking about what I was going to write about. How could I miss writing a blog about this film when it made me cry, gasp, jump and shake. It certainly sparked a reaction. Not only that, it stars Robert Pattinson, say no more.
The film tells the story of a young man named Jacob, played by Robert Pattinson as his life takes a drastic turn in just a day. He goes from almost graduating as a vet and having everything to live for, to receiving news of a car accident that killed both of his parents. With no money and no where to live, he is unable to continue his studies and with that pulls himself aboard a train and there starts the rest of his life.
The train turns out to be a traveling circus, where his skills as a vet are eventually welcomed by the man who runs the show, August played by Christopher Waltz. Initially Jacob has landed on his feet, and when he meets the boss' wife Marlena played by Reese Witherspoon he cannot take is eyes of her true beauty as the star act of the show. It doesn't take a genius to notice the connection made between Jacob and Marlena, but the boy can look but he cannot touch. August is an extremely jelous and angry man, his temper is unravelled throughout the film showing just what he is capable of.
August purchases a beautiful Elephant called Rosie to become and new star act of the show, along side of Marlena. With his cruel treatment and training of the creature driving Jacob and Marlena closer together, August and Jacob's possible friendship is blown apart as is the nature of his circus and his marriage. Up until now August isn't portrayed purely as the bad guy but also as being kind and loving, this has to be done to show why Marlena never left him and his abusive way, there has to be some kind of realism.
The films shows the magic of a traveling circus, it's ups and it's downs, it's poor and it's rich and the difference in people. August wants the circus to be successful no matter who or what it hurts or kills, whereas Jacob can see the pain on peoples faces and it's that determination to help everyone and everything within the film that make you warm to Jacob and Marlena instantly. (Not just because it's Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson)
There is one scene, close to the end which sticks in my mind very vividly simply because of how it made me feel. I don't want to give too much away if you haven't yet seen the film but it's an extremely powerful, heart stopping scene which will either break or make the film and circus and there are times you really aren't sure what is going to happen and you are scared for the characters you have warmed to. It's a scene that certainly sparks a reaction.
If you haven't yet watched the film then it's must, I can't stop thinking about it since I left the cinema. The magic, the power, the love and the determination - it's a world that unless you experience it you can't begin to recognise.
Friday 20 May 2011
Espanol
I'm in Spain at the moment, visiting family and enjoying some Spanish sunshine with the boyfriend. The last few days have been a little cloudy and I was doubting whether or not I was going to get a tan. I couldn't very well go back to Southampton white after boasting abut the natural tan I was going to get.
Nevertheless today the sun shone high in the sky and definitely made up for the last few days. I covered myself in sun-cream, and armed with bottles of water, magazines and snacks we headed for the pool and spent the whole day sunbathing. I braved the pool but in just May the water was quite honestly freezing, but it had to be done, I manned up and took a running jump in to the water.
It's so nice to spend a few days away from home, in another country especially with some family you have not seen for some time. My Auntie, Uncle and cousins moved to Spain about 7 years ago, where they live on the side of a little mountain in southern Spain. When I say mountain, it isn't really but it's difficult to explain exactly what it is and therefore mountain seems to to be the best way to describe it.
After a day in the sunshine I'm definitely in need of a good nights sleep before some more serious tanning tomorrow. I'm going to cut this one short but there are several other blogs to look out for in the next week as inspiration has definitely developed from this little holiday, so watch this space.
Nevertheless today the sun shone high in the sky and definitely made up for the last few days. I covered myself in sun-cream, and armed with bottles of water, magazines and snacks we headed for the pool and spent the whole day sunbathing. I braved the pool but in just May the water was quite honestly freezing, but it had to be done, I manned up and took a running jump in to the water.
It's so nice to spend a few days away from home, in another country especially with some family you have not seen for some time. My Auntie, Uncle and cousins moved to Spain about 7 years ago, where they live on the side of a little mountain in southern Spain. When I say mountain, it isn't really but it's difficult to explain exactly what it is and therefore mountain seems to to be the best way to describe it.
After a day in the sunshine I'm definitely in need of a good nights sleep before some more serious tanning tomorrow. I'm going to cut this one short but there are several other blogs to look out for in the next week as inspiration has definitely developed from this little holiday, so watch this space.
Monday 16 May 2011
A day at the races!
I spent the second day in the pimms tent serving jugs of the stuff to the customers. A stag party set up camp just a meter from the tent and spent the afternoon ordering four jugs every time they ordered and they ordered probably about five times. They learnt my name straight away and whenever they were running low they would shout from their table: "Sarah, four of your best!"
As you can imagine the group of men were extremely drunk and provided entertainment for myself and the others I worked with in the tent. We watched them attempt to chat up glamorous looking women, whip each other with riding crops, play drinking games such as I have never, annoy the elder generations in the crowd and we watched as security kept a close eye on them. It was amusing. After spending nearly three hours drinking pimms they announced that they were heading for the bar to try a different scenery and that we had provided them with brilliant service and hoped we had a lovely day, then they staggered across to the bar and failed to leave a tip. So, they can spend £200 on pimms, and have it delivered but they can't tip. I must say, I was very bitter about this.
Here's the thing, there is certain type of person that goes to the races, not to say this is true to everyone that attends but to the majority. For example if you are regular at the races you don't shop in Primark. It's certain class of people which I am not familiar with. I wont go in to detail but, I'm sure you get my drift. I have myself, been to the races and had a brilliant day out but my bets went as high as £1 every time, I wasn't going to win or lose and I think that was the best decision myself. To win big you have to of already won, one way or another.
From my little red pimms tent I was able to watch the crowd elegantly arrive, the women dressed in beautiful dresses, outrageous hats and 6 inch heels and the men dressed from head to toe in suits, and tweed jackets. I was then able to watch them stagger out of the race ground just like students in Southampton stagger home from the likes of Bliss and Wahoo. There really was little difference, they might have arrived with class but they definitely didn't leave with any and watched with amusement.
It was two very long days at the races, I was picked up at 7.30am and got home around 8.30/9.00pm and I was absolutely exhausted but it was two days in a completely different world that I really enjoyed. Plus, I earnt myself about £100 - can't really argue with than now can I?
Tuesday 10 May 2011
Rapture Magazine
Rapture Magazine is a new online magazine which has recently been launched by Southampton Solent student, Natasha Coles. A few months a go I responded to a post on the University Portal, looking for student journalists to contribute to the first issue, I replied and agreed to write an article about Christian Lacroix's new book by Camilla Morton and here it is:
To read the article and the rest of the magazine visit:
http://rapturemagazine.com
http://issuu.com/rapturemagazine
To view the magazine's blog visit:
http://rapturemagazine.blogspot.com/
For a first year Magazine Journalism student I'm pretty excited about this and personally it feels great to see something I have written, published in an online magazine. I appreciate the opportunity that I was given to do this and the magazine it self looks amazing! I definitely recommend you check it out and hopefully I'll get the chance to contribute to future issues. x
Thursday 5 May 2011
Student night, I think not!
When you are a student you get pretty good at going out on a tenner a night, to include to include taxis possibly there and back, entry fee, several drinks and sometimes cheesy chips from a greasy kebab shop. Last night however this was made extremely difficult. What I love about student night in Oceana is that if you arrive before 11 it's free entry and drinks are generally pretty cheap. Last night however, as I stood in the que I learnt that this had now changed and that it's £5 entry or £3.50 with a student card - thankfully I had remembered to bring my student card just in case but that's not the point we still had to pay to get in when we were fully prepared not to! Yes I know, £3.50 isn't exactly breaking the bank, I'm a student though remember. It's a good job the my student loan has finally come in.
As I got to the front of the que, I decided in my tipsy sate it was a good idea to ask the mean looking bouncers why exactly all of a sudden we were expected to pay. They pretty much ignored the question, which angered me very much and left me disgustedly moaning about it all the way from the entrance and upstairs to the ice room, where I quickly forgot about the nasty bouncers and headed straight to the bar.
The next shock was the bar prices, since when has 2 drinks for myself and the boyfriend cost me nearly £7 on a student night out in Southampton. Never since the day I came here. I was yet again disgusted and out of money and as we drunkenly left Oceana I realised I had no money for a hot dog from the little man that sells them on the way out or for a taxi home. This angered me further but thankfully my flat mate shared her hot dog around and kindly paid for our taxi home.
I think it's safe to say Oceana knows where it can go from now on I think it's time to go back to Kaos and enjoy their £2 drinks! I'll admit, Oceana wasn't exactly breaking the bank but as I said, we're all students here and I think you'd agree that a student night means being able to pay for everything with just a tenner.
Wednesday 4 May 2011
Staring at a computer screen for 5 hours sends you a little crazy.
After arriving at Uni at 9am and spending 5 hours staring at a computer screen today I feel surprisingly good. Although I will probably need to spend most of the next week at Uni as well, I feel like I am finally making progress. With two assignments nearly completed, writing for the multimedia and culture of the glossy, it's just the last and probably most tedious unit to finish magazine design.
It's caused me many tantrums, much stress and a few headaches but I finally know what I am doing. I am now however, regretting the decisions I made last term most Tuesday mornings when I woke up, most probably hungover and facing 2 hours of magazine design, to then roll over and go back to sleep. "It's nothing important, only practicing using Quark for our final double page spread," I would think. (Quark is the extremely tedious software program that we have to use to build a double page spread for a story we have written.) Nothing Important? Oh how wrong I was. I thought I could just download the 3 month trial from the internet and teach myself how to use it. All well in good if you don't muck up the download the first time and then not be aloud to try again. I'm so clever.
This is a prime example of why staying in bed is not the best decision. Anyway, I finally know what I am doing - a week before deadline, excellent. I surprised myself a little today, and found that once I got in to it, it's surprisingly easy. I stopped thinking about what all my flat mates were up to, (probably asleep at 9am anyway) about the sunshine, spending my loan and getting drunk and instead I zoned everyone and everything out. I got quite in to building all these double paged spreads, I didn't mention that not only did I have to do my own spread I still had to do all the practice ones we'd been doing every week for 5 weeks to show our progress in our scrap books. I hadn't done any of them.
So, pretty pleased at what I have finally managed to achieve today, I definitely think I deserve a night out tonight so I am therefore forgetting about Quark and looking forward to a bit of Oceana.
It's caused me many tantrums, much stress and a few headaches but I finally know what I am doing. I am now however, regretting the decisions I made last term most Tuesday mornings when I woke up, most probably hungover and facing 2 hours of magazine design, to then roll over and go back to sleep. "It's nothing important, only practicing using Quark for our final double page spread," I would think. (Quark is the extremely tedious software program that we have to use to build a double page spread for a story we have written.) Nothing Important? Oh how wrong I was. I thought I could just download the 3 month trial from the internet and teach myself how to use it. All well in good if you don't muck up the download the first time and then not be aloud to try again. I'm so clever.
This is a prime example of why staying in bed is not the best decision. Anyway, I finally know what I am doing - a week before deadline, excellent. I surprised myself a little today, and found that once I got in to it, it's surprisingly easy. I stopped thinking about what all my flat mates were up to, (probably asleep at 9am anyway) about the sunshine, spending my loan and getting drunk and instead I zoned everyone and everything out. I got quite in to building all these double paged spreads, I didn't mention that not only did I have to do my own spread I still had to do all the practice ones we'd been doing every week for 5 weeks to show our progress in our scrap books. I hadn't done any of them.
So, pretty pleased at what I have finally managed to achieve today, I definitely think I deserve a night out tonight so I am therefore forgetting about Quark and looking forward to a bit of Oceana.
Tuesday 3 May 2011
Ralph Lauren Romance
I literally cannot get enough of this advertisement for Ralph Lauren Romance Fragrance for Women. It makes me want go out and buy it straight away, exactly what an advert aims to do I suppose. I came across it in the Hello Magazine I bought a couple of days ago (which just so happened to be a royal wedding souvenir copy) I pulled it out and it now takes pride place on my pin board directly above my mac. Not sure if this is really the best place for it, as I sit here trying to finish my essay I find myself gazing pointlessly at the advert. I love it, it's such a perfect picture.
Sunday 1 May 2011
Looking back at the Royal Wedding
Finally, I have got round to blogging about the wedding. It was absolutely beautiful, Kate looked amazing and the day was perfect. I forced myself out of bed to watch it on Friday morning, and I am so glad I did.
I tuned in, in time to watch most of the family members make their way along the route from Buckingham palace, Calarence House and Goring hotel where Kate stayed to Westminster Abbey. I feel priviledged to have been able to watch such a beautiful royal wedding, in forty or however many years time I will be able to say: "I watched the King and Queen's wedding from my tiny student room in Southampton!"
It gave me goose pimples when Prince William turned to Kate in the church and said what looked like: "You look beautiful." And of course she did. Watching them together, exchanging smiles, grins and of course that first kiss upon the balcony reminded me that although they are part of the royal family, they are still human, they have feelings they do normal things like getting married. Not to say however, that the wedding was normal - not with that many people watching anyway!
Having said this however, the wedding surprised me a little at how ordinary and simple it was. Not negatively but realistically. Obviously it was this crazy massive wedding that everyone who is anyone knew about but it still had the beautiful white wedding dress, a church and two people that love each other. I'm not quite sure what else I was expecting from it but the traditional simplicity is why I liked it so much.
After watching Kate and Will on the balcony of Buckingham Palace looking truly happy and perfect i felt good and excited for the wedding celebrations that afternoon in Southampton. We went to a street party on Newcombe Road (ironically the road I will be living on next year), I'm not sure what I was expecting from it but it certainly wasn't what I saw when I turned the corner. There were hundreds of students filling the entire road from one end to the other, burger vans, massive speakers in several front gardens, dancing, alcohol and honestly happy people. The sun was shining and I don't think it could have been more perfect. I spent the afternoon with my friends celebrating the special day. Who cares if we don't actually know Will & Kate, it was a beautiful wedding and gave everyone a reason to be happy and to celebrate. It was a good day.
Saturday 30 April 2011
Blogging Challenge
Returning to Uni after Easter, celebrating the royal wedding, final Uni assignments and going to Spain, I have quite possibly chosen the worst month to chose to take on the blogging challenge. With this in mind I am going to put the challenge on hold because there are plenty of other things I need to be concentrating on, this is not to say however the blogging itself will be put on hold.
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Day 3// Call To Action
So with call to action being the idea for day 3 of the blogging challenge I wasn't too sure what I was going to write about to begin with. I decided however my call to action is to ask the people that do read my blog to get more people reading it by sharing it around a little.
I blog about all sorts of things, whether they are funny, serious, sad or silly I will write about it and some turn out really well and some not so but after all the whole idea of my blog is to improve and learn a little. No ones brilliant to start with at anything, and as the saying goes practice makes perfect. I'm still relatively knew to the blogging world and therefore I'm still finding my feet a little.
So my call to action, if you read my blog and you like it I want you to share it with other people. It's easy to do this on my blog as there is a gadget on the right hand side and at the very bottom offering several methods of sharing it such as facebook and twitter. All you have to do is chose the one you want to use and click on it - simple as that. By sharing it around, your creating a wider audience and increasing the number and variety of people that might stumble across my blog and read it.
As well, if you read anything you like, agree with, disagree with or don't like I want people to leave comments on my blog posts and tell me what your thinking and why. The whole idea of this is to get people reading what I write and creating a reaction, that's what a journalist aims to do isn't it? Things aren't written just for the sake of it, there's a reason why it's written. Even if you have something negative to say, a bit of constructive criticism never hurt anyone now did it. My point is, I want to know that people are reading my blog and I want to know what you think.
You might ask why? What's the point? Let me tell you...
It's pretty simple, I am doing a degree in journalism after all because I want people to see what I write and this seems like a perfect starting point to me. So that's my call to action to help me out. If you ignore it then that's entirely up to you but if you don't then I definitely owe you a massive thankyou!
I blog about all sorts of things, whether they are funny, serious, sad or silly I will write about it and some turn out really well and some not so but after all the whole idea of my blog is to improve and learn a little. No ones brilliant to start with at anything, and as the saying goes practice makes perfect. I'm still relatively knew to the blogging world and therefore I'm still finding my feet a little.
So my call to action, if you read my blog and you like it I want you to share it with other people. It's easy to do this on my blog as there is a gadget on the right hand side and at the very bottom offering several methods of sharing it such as facebook and twitter. All you have to do is chose the one you want to use and click on it - simple as that. By sharing it around, your creating a wider audience and increasing the number and variety of people that might stumble across my blog and read it.
As well, if you read anything you like, agree with, disagree with or don't like I want people to leave comments on my blog posts and tell me what your thinking and why. The whole idea of this is to get people reading what I write and creating a reaction, that's what a journalist aims to do isn't it? Things aren't written just for the sake of it, there's a reason why it's written. Even if you have something negative to say, a bit of constructive criticism never hurt anyone now did it. My point is, I want to know that people are reading my blog and I want to know what you think.
You might ask why? What's the point? Let me tell you...
It's pretty simple, I am doing a degree in journalism after all because I want people to see what I write and this seems like a perfect starting point to me. So that's my call to action to help me out. If you ignore it then that's entirely up to you but if you don't then I definitely owe you a massive thankyou!
Monday 25 April 2011
Day 2// Tips
The second day of the blogging challenge is TIPS. I was thinking to myself what do I know a lot about to warrant me giving tips on it. Then I realised, what is really fresh in my mind is my first year at University, which is rapidly coming to an end. Before I started University, I was constantly reading guides, tips and lists published by students on forums and blogs about going to Uni. Now however, I know for myself. I know that I should have not shared my saucepans with my flat mates so they get incredibly scratched and unusable and I know that the vegetable streamer I thought would be very useful, really isn't - I have never used it.
So here are my top 10 tips for starting University. (In no particular order.)
1. Don't try and take EVERYTHING
Any typical girl has loads of clothes, which is fair enough but believe me, your Uni room will not have space for your entire wardrobe. There's no point in trying to take everything with you, I sent back a couple of boxes of things with my parents, there simply wasn't the room. Plus half of what I did keep I haven't even used or worn.
2. Don't hide in your room on the first night
So you’re scared, alone and nervous. You don't know these strange people that your parents have left you with. Well funnily enough, everyone is in the same boat and the best way to solve this is to get out in the kitchen or communal space and get chatting. On my first night, I was shattered and all set for an early night but it's really important you make the effort with your new flat mates because they may or may not become your closest friends at Uni. Once I got chatting to my flat mates, we went to the student union, got drunk, went to a club, got a bit more drunk and the rest is history.
3. Take plenty of photos and home comforts.
Being in a strange place, and moving away from home for the first time can be extremely daunting. Personally, I found having cushions from home, photographs and pictures very comforting and made settling in much easier. That’s why it’s also important to unpack and settle in to your room as soon as possible. If you do it before your parents leave, they’ll help you. My mum hung up and folded all my clothes for me –excellent!
4. Take essentials like oven gloves.
As obvious as this may sound, it's amazing how easily people forget things like this. When it comes to getting the pizza out the oven, you suddenly remember what the answer was when your parents ask you: "Is there anything you've forgotten?"
5. Save all your lose change.
Every time it came to having to wash my clothes I never had any change to use in the machines. This made the whole having to do my own washing a whole lot more annoying in the fact I had to go all the way to the shop to change up a note before being able to actually start. The worst part of living on your own: Having to wash your clothes - and pay for it!
6. Take a doorstop.
Ages before I even thought about what to take to Uni with me, people told me I would need a doorstop. As un-exciting as that sounds it's proved very useful. Most of the doors in Halls of Residence close behind you. This is all well and good when you want some time to yourself but also very un-social. For the first few weeks I propped my door open and that way it was much easier to get to know everyone. It's a lot easier to approach an open door than an un-open door. Besides who wants to get ready for a night out on their own?
7. Buy cheap glasses, plates, mugs etc.
Nothing lasts very long in a halls of residence kitchen, I can tell you. I have probably been through about 10 different glasses and I know for a fact I have one less plate - and I know whom to blame! I never really care when things get broken because I bought it all cheap, if you take anything valuable in terms of kitchen stuff, I guarantee it will be broken at some point. Lets face it, everyone gets little bit drunk now and then and knocks things flying, it's been done a lot in my kitchen.
8. Don't try and do EVERYTHING in fresher’s week.
Fresher’s week is amazing and I wont deny that, the first week or fortnight are the most important for getting to know people and places but it is also extremely tiring and overwhelming. A lot of people will try and do everything, go to every social event and get drunk every night - there seems to be that emphasis on fresher’s week but there is a lot more to in than that. Personally I went out about 3 times the first week and the other nights I spent with my flat mates socializing in halls, you get to know people a lot better that way and you don't embarrass yourself with your drunk habits straight away. You know what I mean, the emotional bit, the disappearing act, the violent stage and the paralytic ending.
9. Get involved with groups, societies and clubs.
If there is one thing I regret not doing, it's failing to join a club. Universities provide all sorts of social activities other than drinking (though that usually comes in to it one way or another.) It's a brilliant way to meet people and when you are sick of being in the flat it gives you something to do and somewhere to go maybe a couple of nights a week.
10. Be prepared to have your sleeping pattern ruined.
For some reason students find it a good idea to sit up to all hours, chatting, drinking and watching really pointless crap on the Internet. Why going to bed every night at 2am seems like a good idea I will never know but it seems to be the way it goes. Even when you do manage an early night, there is plenty of noise around to ruin that for you. That’s halls for you! So if you like your sleep you’d better be prepared to have to wear earplugs.
So here are my top 10 tips for starting University. (In no particular order.)
1. Don't try and take EVERYTHING
Any typical girl has loads of clothes, which is fair enough but believe me, your Uni room will not have space for your entire wardrobe. There's no point in trying to take everything with you, I sent back a couple of boxes of things with my parents, there simply wasn't the room. Plus half of what I did keep I haven't even used or worn.
2. Don't hide in your room on the first night
So you’re scared, alone and nervous. You don't know these strange people that your parents have left you with. Well funnily enough, everyone is in the same boat and the best way to solve this is to get out in the kitchen or communal space and get chatting. On my first night, I was shattered and all set for an early night but it's really important you make the effort with your new flat mates because they may or may not become your closest friends at Uni. Once I got chatting to my flat mates, we went to the student union, got drunk, went to a club, got a bit more drunk and the rest is history.
3. Take plenty of photos and home comforts.
Being in a strange place, and moving away from home for the first time can be extremely daunting. Personally, I found having cushions from home, photographs and pictures very comforting and made settling in much easier. That’s why it’s also important to unpack and settle in to your room as soon as possible. If you do it before your parents leave, they’ll help you. My mum hung up and folded all my clothes for me –excellent!
4. Take essentials like oven gloves.
As obvious as this may sound, it's amazing how easily people forget things like this. When it comes to getting the pizza out the oven, you suddenly remember what the answer was when your parents ask you: "Is there anything you've forgotten?"
5. Save all your lose change.
Every time it came to having to wash my clothes I never had any change to use in the machines. This made the whole having to do my own washing a whole lot more annoying in the fact I had to go all the way to the shop to change up a note before being able to actually start. The worst part of living on your own: Having to wash your clothes - and pay for it!
6. Take a doorstop.
Ages before I even thought about what to take to Uni with me, people told me I would need a doorstop. As un-exciting as that sounds it's proved very useful. Most of the doors in Halls of Residence close behind you. This is all well and good when you want some time to yourself but also very un-social. For the first few weeks I propped my door open and that way it was much easier to get to know everyone. It's a lot easier to approach an open door than an un-open door. Besides who wants to get ready for a night out on their own?
7. Buy cheap glasses, plates, mugs etc.
Nothing lasts very long in a halls of residence kitchen, I can tell you. I have probably been through about 10 different glasses and I know for a fact I have one less plate - and I know whom to blame! I never really care when things get broken because I bought it all cheap, if you take anything valuable in terms of kitchen stuff, I guarantee it will be broken at some point. Lets face it, everyone gets little bit drunk now and then and knocks things flying, it's been done a lot in my kitchen.
8. Don't try and do EVERYTHING in fresher’s week.
Fresher’s week is amazing and I wont deny that, the first week or fortnight are the most important for getting to know people and places but it is also extremely tiring and overwhelming. A lot of people will try and do everything, go to every social event and get drunk every night - there seems to be that emphasis on fresher’s week but there is a lot more to in than that. Personally I went out about 3 times the first week and the other nights I spent with my flat mates socializing in halls, you get to know people a lot better that way and you don't embarrass yourself with your drunk habits straight away. You know what I mean, the emotional bit, the disappearing act, the violent stage and the paralytic ending.
9. Get involved with groups, societies and clubs.
If there is one thing I regret not doing, it's failing to join a club. Universities provide all sorts of social activities other than drinking (though that usually comes in to it one way or another.) It's a brilliant way to meet people and when you are sick of being in the flat it gives you something to do and somewhere to go maybe a couple of nights a week.
10. Be prepared to have your sleeping pattern ruined.
For some reason students find it a good idea to sit up to all hours, chatting, drinking and watching really pointless crap on the Internet. Why going to bed every night at 2am seems like a good idea I will never know but it seems to be the way it goes. Even when you do manage an early night, there is plenty of noise around to ruin that for you. That’s halls for you! So if you like your sleep you’d better be prepared to have to wear earplugs.
Sunday 24 April 2011
Day 1// Topical Blogging - The Royal Wedding.
For Day 1 of the blogging challenge the topic was something that is currently in the news, instantly I though of one event which for one reason or another is continuously cropping up in the News, The Royal Wedding.
The royal wedding is less that a week away now. Did you know that? Of course you did, If you listen to the radio, watch television, use the internet via computer, blackberry or Iphone or read magazines and newspapers then you would definitely know.
Lets be honest now, the whole royal wedding palaver has sent everyone a little bit crazy. I will admit, I'm completely obsessed with the whole thing, yet I'm not quite sure why? I would love to say Wills is a friend of the family and I go shopping with Kate on a regular basis, but that would be a lie.Yet every day, I find my self thinking about their wedding.
I literally cannot wait to see Kate's dress, and see how many bridesmaids have to stop it from dragging along the floor, miles behind her. Just think, the money that has been thrown at this event and how utterly glamorous, gorgeous and perfect it's going to be, and also the pressure there is to make sure it is just as it should be.
In my slight obsession with the whole thing I Googled it, just to see how the schedule looks. I can't believe how complex it is. Any regular wedding and the schedule would mention, the people directly involved wouldn't you think. You know, the two people getting married and their families. Not when your the son of the Prince of Wales, your wedding then involves a couple of hundred other people you probably don't know the names of.
The schedule starts between 8.15am and 9.45am with, the general congregation arriving at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey. From 9.50am Governors-general and prime ministers of realm countries, the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests arrive at the Abbey. Who are these people?
The schedule gets as exact as 10.38 when The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.42am. What I want to know is what happens if unexpectedly The Duchess of Cornwall's heel breaks and she has to change her shoes? Or if Prince Charles forgets the camera? (Yes - I realise there will be a very expensive professional photographer, but you get my point.) That would ruin the schedule a little wouldn't it?
What I like about the marriage is that Kate is like any other girl. Well, maybe I should rephrase that. She was like any other girl, until Prince William proposed to her and offered her a marriage that the entire country and probably many others will be watching. From what I have seen of her and read about her, she does seem so normal, so natural and so lovely. That doesn't stop a lot of the girls in this country thinking: "Bitch!" She does get to marry the prince and have an absolutely extraordinary wedding, and a whole day where all eyes will just be on her.
Exciting as that may sound, think of the pressure? The pressure to look amazing, get the vows right, not be late, not to trip over anything or get drunk and take the piss out of the Queens Corgi or something. She's marrying in to the royal family for goodness sakes, better stay away from the champagne.
Anyway, the wedding is on Friday and I'm pretty sure the country will be celebrating in style. It's been announced as a public holiday so for me that's an excuse to have a damn good party. I will definitely be watching the royal wedding, I can't wait to see if anything goes wrong, anyone falls over or a car breaks down or something. I'm pretty sure however, with the amount of money that will have gone in to this day, mistakes like that will not be happening.
The royal wedding is less that a week away now. Did you know that? Of course you did, If you listen to the radio, watch television, use the internet via computer, blackberry or Iphone or read magazines and newspapers then you would definitely know.
Lets be honest now, the whole royal wedding palaver has sent everyone a little bit crazy. I will admit, I'm completely obsessed with the whole thing, yet I'm not quite sure why? I would love to say Wills is a friend of the family and I go shopping with Kate on a regular basis, but that would be a lie.Yet every day, I find my self thinking about their wedding.
I literally cannot wait to see Kate's dress, and see how many bridesmaids have to stop it from dragging along the floor, miles behind her. Just think, the money that has been thrown at this event and how utterly glamorous, gorgeous and perfect it's going to be, and also the pressure there is to make sure it is just as it should be.
In my slight obsession with the whole thing I Googled it, just to see how the schedule looks. I can't believe how complex it is. Any regular wedding and the schedule would mention, the people directly involved wouldn't you think. You know, the two people getting married and their families. Not when your the son of the Prince of Wales, your wedding then involves a couple of hundred other people you probably don't know the names of.
The schedule starts between 8.15am and 9.45am with, the general congregation arriving at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey. From 9.50am Governors-general and prime ministers of realm countries, the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests arrive at the Abbey. Who are these people?
The schedule gets as exact as 10.38 when The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House for Westminster Abbey. They arrive at the Abbey at 10.42am. What I want to know is what happens if unexpectedly The Duchess of Cornwall's heel breaks and she has to change her shoes? Or if Prince Charles forgets the camera? (Yes - I realise there will be a very expensive professional photographer, but you get my point.) That would ruin the schedule a little wouldn't it?
What I like about the marriage is that Kate is like any other girl. Well, maybe I should rephrase that. She was like any other girl, until Prince William proposed to her and offered her a marriage that the entire country and probably many others will be watching. From what I have seen of her and read about her, she does seem so normal, so natural and so lovely. That doesn't stop a lot of the girls in this country thinking: "Bitch!" She does get to marry the prince and have an absolutely extraordinary wedding, and a whole day where all eyes will just be on her.
Exciting as that may sound, think of the pressure? The pressure to look amazing, get the vows right, not be late, not to trip over anything or get drunk and take the piss out of the Queens Corgi or something. She's marrying in to the royal family for goodness sakes, better stay away from the champagne.
Anyway, the wedding is on Friday and I'm pretty sure the country will be celebrating in style. It's been announced as a public holiday so for me that's an excuse to have a damn good party. I will definitely be watching the royal wedding, I can't wait to see if anything goes wrong, anyone falls over or a car breaks down or something. I'm pretty sure however, with the amount of money that will have gone in to this day, mistakes like that will not be happening.
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