Happy Days :-D

Too much has been happening, but in a good way! Since having completed my course and handed everything in I have been working for the enquiry unit, it has been a rather busy period recently, preparing for the university clearing, and appointing people to work which involves testing them and interviewing candidates, everyone in the office is working incredibly hard! Phones have been busy, which is an always a good thing, makes the day go that much faster and gives me a feel of what clearing will be like this year.

Up until recently clearing has always taken place at the main campus, also known as the Maritime campus. The office was based in a lab on the fourth floor which resembled a loft, a tad bit spooky from the stories I have heard! This year we have had a shake up, we will all be working at the Avery Hill campus in a spacious lab on the ground floor. I am actually quite familiar with this particular lab because I have spent good 3 years there, so for me working there will be rather nice and familiar, excluding the commute that I will have to make every day and the early wake ups.

I would just like to remind readers that the enquiry unit number has changed, it is now 0208 331 9000, if you have any questions about a particular course, fee’s and finance, clearing or anything else then please give us a call, we will be happy to assist you.

After waiting patiently for my results, it is good news. I have passed with a 2.1 yayyyy! This means I have a higher chance of studying a postgraduate certificate in teaching or a graduate teaching programme, which will officially allow me to be a primary school teacher. Exciting times indeed!!  I will be taking a year out to gain some relevant work experience and then back to university for me.  I look forward to my graduation ceremony, which will be taking place in October.

Since I have finished university, all I have been doing is getting fatter (shamefully) I have eaten out many times to celebrate birthdays, finishing university etc in the company of friends. Although my scales may say otherwise, it has been a good few weeks, dining out and eating yummy food! Now to celebrate my results, my mother cutely suggested we have a take away (nothing out of the ordinary) as sweet as my mother is, she hardly expresses these kind of emotions hence this little suggestion made it that extra special. My sister in law bought me a chocolate fudge cake with scoops of white vanilla ice cream, and my other sister in law suggested we go out for some fruit cocktails! (Fruit cocktails because I don’t drink alcohol) I am looking forward to the crazy shenanigans! 

In addition to this, I am trying to convince my father to insure me on his BMW heehee! The insurance will cost a BOMB! He insists he buys me a new car instead, because I can get cheaper insurance and a brand new car for the cost of the BMW insurance under my name. I am not too fussed which car I am insured on, but the BMW would sure be nice! However, when I did a search on an insurance quote, out of 120 NOBODY would like to insure me due to my age and the engine size, great! I will settle for a Peugeot, or perhaps a Smart car J

One shall write to you very soon, ciao for now xxx

It is all OVER/FINISHED (for now…)

 I have finally finished studying my degree, no more late nights no more courseworks, no more assignments, AND no more dissertation! WoOo HooooOoo! Admittedly, it does feel weird; I mean every time somebody asks me ‘what are you doing tomorrow?’ I almost reply with ‘do my coursework duh…’ ha-ha except this is no longer the case! I have all this time to relax, enjoy the erm British weather, have a good time, and go on a shopping spree! What else can one do? Ahh yes, look for a job in my studied field! However, for now I am happy with working at the enquiry unit, answering calls, advising people on different new courses available etc!

So, last week was quite hectic because I had 3 major things due all in on Tuesday! Had a dissertation due, an assignment project, which was pretty much like a dissertation and an essay. Out of these three, I have only many to do one of them well… I think. Dissertation, hmmm not very happy with it and my days the project is going to receive terrible marks. I know people mean well when they say ‘nooo I’m sure you’ll be fine, and you’ll get good marks!’ Except, when you have completed the assignments and they are that difficult and mind boggling, you just have this urge to say ‘I did the work, so I would know that they will get awful marks!’ Now I have to sit tight and just wait. Patience I believe is a skill. I think I will know of the marks in 3-4 weeks time, but I can actually wait for them. The later they come out, the better I say. Just that stomach churning feeling, I am not eager to feel that any time soon. This is why I refuse to even think about it anymore, and I will speak no more of it (I hope). I must add though, that these three years have gone by ever so quickly!

Let us move on to talking about movies! As I mentioned in my previous blog, I was going to watch Fast Five, and can I please just express the following in regards to the eye candy presented in this movie…

Mm MmM MmMmMmMmMmM…!

The actors are just absolutely gorgeous, and the storyline is great too, still involves cars but not too much about racing, as they have done it before it would get a tad bit boring, however this is an amazing film. After the ending credits, they always show a preview of the next sequel and I cannot WAIT for fast and furious six to come out! It is a long wait, as it will not be releasing until next year  However, once more I must be patient. Anywhoo I must rate this movie a simple 10/10. If it is still in the cinema next week, I will be sure to watch it again or buy the DVD.

I recently went to watch insidious, simply because I was bored and my friends decided we would go out to eat and then watch a movie. It was the wrong movie to watch. I mean why would you insist on watching a horror movie, if you get scared easily and hide behind your hands for 90mins? My arms were clutched ever so tightly by my friends that they had red marks on them!! Not a pretty sight. The movie itself was surprisingly entertaining to watch, more entertaining than the movie was the audience, everyone kept gasping, and throwing their arms in the air when something spooky happens suddenly, I mean throwing your arms in the air… a bit much I think. The ending of the movie was predictable to me, and I am pretty sure we should be expecting a sequel of this too. A different kind of movie, the shots change abruptly, I will give it an 8/10.

I need to make plans of going to South Wales (WALEEES) ha-ha! Spend some time with my cousins, and make separate day trip with friends, go on a shopping spree in Cardiff Central and then relax on the beach (Barry Island) and perhaps feed some sheep’s. I hope when visiting my cousins, I can perhaps just drive down as oppose to taking the train or coach as it takes ages! Lumbering the luggage around is not cool or efficient! Especially if I am to stay for a minimum of four days, I rather just drive down and save the hassle.

This week, I will be at work Tuesday and Thursday, and then meet the old girlie work friends on Wednesday evening, which should be pretty good! Eat & Laugh; a great yet a lethal combo! *Grins sheepishly!* Hopefully a spot of shopping on Friday at Blue Water shopping centre.

Then next week, if the weather permits it, I will be relaxing in a lovely park and go for a birthday dinner! Again, meet some old friends!

I shall keep you updated.

As the ghetto kids say ‘nuff luv :)

xxx

Work, Chillin, Stress, Movies...

I am happy to announce that I do not have a cold for a change how exciting, and hopefully it stays that way *touch wood* because I have a lot to do right now, I cannot afford to lie in bed and be on a recovery mode nuh uh!

I have managed to get an essay out of the way, however it needs fixing and it would have been done and dusted by now had my tutor not got the meeting dates mixed up, which now means I will be two weeks behind on editing, great(!) Thus, I am stressed! I am currently working on my dissertation; it is coming along well, trying to wrap it up now. I just hope my supervisor is happy with it, I don’t wish to make big changes, because after this I have a 5000 word essay due which is worth 100% which is rather insane especially because, if for whatever reason I don’t do well in it then I won’t even have a degree :-O Right now it’s a stressful time, and in two weeks time it’ll all be over, I cannot wait! I need to get myself down to the beach, hopefully a nice holiday somewhere in Europe? Lots and lots of shopping and picnics in the park, given that the weather still stays warm and lovely.

I am going to watch FAST FIVE tonight! I’m really excited to see Paul Walker on the big screen again, action, cars, fit guys, hot weather & a slush puppy in hand; it doesn’t get any better than that :) The reviews for the movie are really good, so I’m hoping it won’t be a letdown. I attempted to watch it on Friday with my sister in law, but we ended up getting lost because the damn Blackwall Tunnel was closed, we ended up near Island Gardens, then Mile End and eventually on London Bridge :-\ there were no diversion signs either, we somehow couldn’t figure out how to cross the damn river. So close yet so far. Turned out to be a pretty nice evening though, cruising in a Jag, windows down and playing the latest hot songs!

Long time no see!

Wow it has been a while hasn’t it? I have been up to so much that reflecting back on it seems to be a huge BLUR! Let me begin with that nasty cough that attacked me the last time I put up a blog, well I thought that was the last of it but noooo, my body had different plans! I recovered from the cough within four days or so, but then on a Thursday sunny morning, at work I came under attack! It was extremely warm in the office, but I had to search for the heater because I was absolutely freezing, even though I was hovering above the heater I was still a tad bit shivery. Then during lunch time I couldn’t even eat, and what’s worse is that I couldn’t even watch Iplayer like I routinely do, I had to turn that off and nap for twenty minutes, my head and neck were burning up which is why I thought it’s the fever. I was told by my colleague that I should go home, but I’ve never left work half way, it’d feel weird and wrong? Haha don’t know why. I stuck it out and then in the afternoon I began to feel insanely HOT, at that point I still refused to believe that I might actually be very ill. Well to cut this long story short, I was ill for six days in total, still have a bit of a cough. I am hoping this is the last cold I have this academic year, I assume I’ll be receiving a new batch of germs in October :(

Let me move on to sports news, CRICKET :-D I became a little cricket crazy! It was the world cup this year, and my country India won! :) It was extremely exciting to watch, especially the last two matches, it is believed that over one billion people tuned in to watch the India vs. Pakistan game, and a good game it was! In the finals, we were up against Sri Lanka, which turned out to be a FAB game, after 28 years of winning the last cup the victory was ours once more. Lovely atmosphere across London, people celebrating eating and drinking. At the moment the Cricket IPL is taking place, sadly I don’t have the time to watch much television anymore, so I’m not keeping up with this.

So what else? My uni work is going ok, was a little behind schedule to the cold/flu(whatever it was!) I am back on track now, trying to keep on top of it. I have a lot to do still and not much time left, right now it’s very much early wake up’s and late night’s, miss my sleep! I am currently surviving on Coke, Sprite and Boost; maybe I should have pro-plus too! 16,500 words to do within 28 days, now that is a challenge.

Well I must crack on with some dissertation work, blog back in two weeks time, cheerio x

Sandpaper throat

*Coughs hysterically* I don’t even have a cold, but this cough seems to have appeared out of nowhere! Having symptoms of a cold or flu is bad, but the worse one for me is a hacking cough! It sticks with me for a good two-three weeks, it’s extremely annoying, very dry and tickly and nothing I try seems to sooth it. The more I cough, more my head hurts and my ribs, because everything is constantly pulling. My Internet was down earlier on, which mean I could only do limited amount of work at home. I thought about going into uni to use the computer lab or the computers in the library, but I don’t want to disturb others, and let’s face it, it’s embarrassing too! Especially, on the public transport and someone like me tries to cough in a polite way, if I can’t I hold it in then come the tears rolling down my cheeks because I’m holding something in that needs to be let out. Oh the joys! Like I said, I decided to stay at home and in hope that I’ll recover for the next two days, as I have uni on Wednesday and work on Thursday. I don’t want to be sputtering on the telephone. I have also got a supervision meeting for my dissertation on Wednesday, which I think I may have to reschedule which sucks, especially when I have the work done. Sad times are upon me, sad times. :(

This blogging every other week thing is difficult, I have difficulty in remembering what I did over the past two weeks. Let me begin with the things that come to mind instantly, in hope that I my memory will recollect other ‘things.’

Sooo, driving is going well :) everything relates back to uni work, but I will have to say it anyway. Because I have a lot of work to do, I am unable to revise for my theory, which is holding me back in doing my practical, grrr! I have decided I will revise for my theory ASAP now, because my instructor thinks I am ready for my practical. Normally, due to the high demand in order to get a practical test, booking it could take me up until June/July but thanks to my instructors, dodgy ways he has declared that if I do my theory this month, he could give me a practical test by the end of this month. A little bit scary that it is all happening, but might as well give it ago. On this driving note, I would like to say Congratulations to my lovely loony nutcase of a friend Raz for passing her practical driving test!

There have been many birthday celebrations taking place recently, been eating out a lot, which is, not good! Especially, when there is cake day in day out, desserts here and there. I have another two birthday celebrations to look forward to, but it will be difficult to celebrate as it falls around the end of March, which is when the workload shall be increasing.

University work is going well, trying to keep on top of things. I handed in a 3000 word assignment in last week; hopefully I will get a decent mark. I had better do because it is worth 80%, I cannot afford to get 60s and below! Still have many assignments to complete as well as presentations etc. I am being optimistic and trusting that the hard work will pay off in the end. One of the irritating things about my course is, unlike other courses my assignments, coursework’s, and essays have to have ‘scholarly’ writing. Now that is hard to do consistently! Although, I do try my best. I enjoy writing this blog because I do not have to write ‘academically’ and I am able to make minor errors in my writing, it is a nice break!

I shall report to you in two weeks time, toodles for now.

xxx

My captivating life…

My life is really not interesting at all at the moment, so nothing like the title suggests… sorry. I am overloaded with work, and I keep thinking about my future plans (if I can even call it a plan). At the moment I am working on my assignment that is due next week, consists of 3000 words about bulling and comparing and contrasting journals along with the hard bit… synthesising, hate it! It’s oh so HARD!
Moving on to something a little a bit more upbeat, in order to honour and show our support for the National Heart Month, the office members have been participating by electing a Heartthrob and/or choosing a Heart song competition. The fundraising will go towards the nation’s heart charity: British Heart Foundation, who is celebrating their 50th Birthday, so Happy 50th to them! Another addition to the fun and to support BHF as an office everyone will be wearing red to work this coming Friday, just like many people across the nation will wear red to schools and work. Although, I won’t be at work this Friday I will definitely be wearing something red, and I hope many others will join me to mark this occasion and show your support. :)

I am going to ignore my uni work plans for this week ( I mean I will do my work, just not state what work I’ll do and when) But my ‘fun’ plans for this week are too go out on Friday for my Sister in laws 30th birthday, woo hoo! Birthdays galore all over on this blog! Also for further celebrations, I will be going out to eat in a fancy smanshy (no it’s not a real word) restaurant on Sunday. I plan to eat lots of cake, it’s an important part of my plan, must not forget that!

Anyhow ciao for now, I shall write to you in two weeks time again xxx

Late nights & hard work pays off in the end...

I am extremely happy, WHY I hear you ask? Simply because hard work pays off. The assignment that I handed in for my course in January, well I got the results back on that and managed to get a 66. I think it is great taking into consideration that it was really difficult and I had a hard time even understanding the question; which was poorly constructed. The tutor, who marked it, is a strict marker she does not give out easy marks which is why I am even more ecstatic hehe! It was looked over by a fellow academic, and he has agreed with the mark. Hopefully it should not change. Apparently from the class there are only four people who have achieved grades in the ‘60s’ rest are in the ‘50s’ range, which is a tad bit worrying considering this, is our final year.  The second essay of this same module is a similar question and again I really need to do a lot of reading to aim for a 70 and above.

On another work note, my dissertation is going well so far. I’ve completed my project proposal; the literature that I will be including has been given a good look over, now I need to complete 2000 words of my dissertation to show to my supervisor, as well as another assignment that includes 3000 words, and a presentation. I am really excited about my dissertation because I am looking at a topic that I will enjoy researching into. The topic is along the lines of ‘Bullying amongst staff in Higher Education’ and what really excites me about this, is I have found some data concluded from a survey about universities that will be very helpful and interesting.

I would also like to mention that Open day on Saturday 5th February went really well. It was a fairly quiet open day at the Avery Hill campus in comparison to the previous ones; however it was an enjoyable one. I am normally on campus tours, during which we provide information of the buildings potential students will be studying in, and other exciting facilities that we have on our campus, such as ‘The Dome’ which consists of a gym, a mini restaurant, a lounging area, and fair number of computers. We also show the library facilities, which include more computers, and also the official computer lab which consists of 101 computers and large printers in colour and black and white which tend to be extra beneficial for education and architecture students. Due to a smaller attendance this time, the campus tours were really lovely; it was nice to interact with a smaller group on a personal level about their courses, and giving out advice and information.

The next open day will be on the 26th March 2011, from 10am-3pm, if you are interested in attending then please look on our website to book a place http://www2.gre.ac.uk/study/opendays also it is necessary for you to have a look which campus you will need to attend according to your choice of course. If you are unsure then please give us a ring on 020 8331 9000 and we will be able to advice you accordingly.