Not the last of me....

I only started blogging because I was told to for a module assessment in my journalism course at Uni. We had to create 6 blogs…that was the brief, and this is my last. I had never considered blogging before. As far as I was concerned I had better things to do with my time, and I just wasn’t one of ‘those’ people.

Truth be told, when the assignment was set I didn’t really know what a blog was, I actually had to Google it. That sounds shocking for a journalism student but my short time on this course has shown me that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know something, as long as you make the effort to find out – that’s the sign of a good journalist.

First of all I had no idea what to write about. I don’t have any area of expertise. I don’t know loads about music, or sport, or films. But then I realised, that this wasn’t a problem. The one area I did have expertise in, was me. The world from my point of view, my opinion. No one could write a blog about that better than I could.

Each of these entries may not have been the most informed or intelligent, but they have been true to me, my interests and my experiences. I consider that to be a very important aspect of journalism. Yes, you need to accurately inform and convey information to the public which is in their interest but you also need to stay true to yourself.

I thought I would see blogging as a chore, as an assignment that had to be done every week. Instead I found myself inspired, constantly thinking of new subjects for me to write about. I was taking many more mental notes about what was happening in my life so that I could write it down later. It has become part of a routine which I really enjoy.

Not only does it give me a chance to practice writing, it lets me document what goes on in my life. Blogging gives me the opportunity to write things down, and ultimately share them with others. I had always been rather afraid of sharing my writing before this assignment. I had no idea if I was any good or not, and I feared criticism.

Writing a blog means people actually get to read it. The comments I’ve had from people who don’t even know me very well and people who didn’t know I could write, have been so encouraging.

So, this hasn’t just been an assignment, it has become part of my development into the journalist I want to be. Although I only need to write 6 blogs, I’m sure there are many more to come.

 

 

Change

Change is something which creeps up on all of us. Circumstances change and people change and on the most part we don't see it coming. 

I was on facebook this morning and reading messages from my friends from home. I love hearing from them and seeing what they are up to as everyone has progressed so much and we are all so different from how we used to be. 

One of my friends is in Australia having the adventure of her life, one has a full time job and is getting a house with her boyfriend, a few others have moved to university in different parts of the country. We all have new people in our lives, and probably new views on life itself. The best thing is that everybody is so happy.

Just a year ago I was a fairly naïve, insecure, christian school girl. I was sitting my A levels and living at home. I had a fairly closed view on life, some would have called me narrow minded. Looking back, the turning point for me was leaving home. 

As much as I love my family and friends at home, I needed a new start. On a personal level, I needed a chance to find out who I really was instead of being who people expected me to be. For me, becoming a young adult is the biggest change I have ever had to deal with. And although it's hard, and this sounds corny, I think it gives the individual the opportunity to find themselves, to explore, and to have freedom.

Of course, the age that someone reaches this stage is completely different for each individual. Some may not truly find themselves until later life. I'm not pretending to have it all worked out or know all the answers, but I do know that I am the happiest I have ever been. 

Obviously I still have my insecurities, as everyone does, but I am finally happy being me. I have a much more open minded view of people and the way they live their lives, and am much slower to judge people. I have found the confidence to think for myself and have my own beliefs, despite what anybody else thinks.

Sometimes change is chosen by us, but sometimes it is out of our hands and the important thing is the way we deal with it, as that is what shapes the future. It can be positive, but it can also be a very painful process before you reach that state of happiness, it certainly wasn't easy for me. However, I believe that it is an integral part of life. As far as I'm concerned, everything happens for a reason.

'Confessions...'

ET, The Godfather, Shawshank Redemption,  Jaws, The Goonies...all films which I have never seen! I'm not a great fan of films, although I do have a weak spot for romantic comedies. I don't have a very long attention span, always fidget, and I am such a chatterbox! I shocked my boyfriend and his housemates when they found out I had watched about 5 of the top 500 films, according to Empire magazine. Since then I have been forced into watching as many films as possible in an attempt to make me 'normal.'

So, I've been sitting through DVDs for the last few weeks that I really have no desire to see, but "it's important to experience them," apparently. This week I got my own back though, I made my other half watch 'Confessions of a Shopaholic.'

Needless to say he wasn't happy about it, and I think he fell asleep. But I really enjoyed myself! When I'm in the cinema it's a lot easier to concentrate as I don't have anything to distract me. 'Confessions' was a light-hearted, feel good, girly film...just the kind my boyfriend hates. 

If you ask me, any film about shopping has to be a winner. Rebecca Bloomwood, the main character in the film was brilliant! I think most women can completely relate to her character. The feeling of excitement when she sees a store, the butterflies in her stomach when a sale is spotted, the pure pride she feels when modelling her beautiful new cashmere coat, are all feelings which I love.

I don't know about the other girls watching the film, but her wardrobe made my heart beat faster, the envy was ridiculous! Her shoes were amazing, and apparently I let out a squeak at the sight of the most beautiful pair of Christian Louboutin heels.

The film was completely based around fashion. The storyline was fairly predictable and quite stilted in places, but I don't think those things are particularly important when it comes to a film like this one. The outfits were the main draw for me and I so wish I had enough pennies to invest in just one item from Rebecca's wardrobe.

So what if I haven't seen some of the 'top' films of all time. I know the kind of film I enjoy, and maybe this one is girly and shallow, but it got me excited. The clothes, accessories and shoes were enough to make any girl swoon. Not to mention the sight of Hugh Dancy. I left the cinema feeling warm, positive and happy. It made me laugh,  and that to me is the sign of a good movie. 

Realities of student life...

When the word 'student' is mentioned, most people think of late nights, even later mornings, doing no work, beans on toast and most of all - alcohol! 

This perception is probably partially right, but there is a lot more to being a student than that. Most people don't think about the 9am lectures, the pressured deadlines, the stress of looking after yourself and having no money!

When I first decided to come to University, I focused on the ways in which it would benefit me. I thought about the qualification I would gain, the people I would meet, the independence I would discover and the lifestyle I would enjoy. The thought of being in loads of debt didn't really worry me at all. I didn't mind the fact that I would be paying around £7000 a year just to live and work at university, because I knew that there was a structured way that I would pay it back. Plus the fact that thousands of students do it every year. 

However, I didn't anticipate that my loan and grant would barely cover my rent and I would be forced to max out my overdraft just to survive. I didn't think about having to live healthily on a tiny budget (which is pretty difficult, I might add). And I certainly didn't contemplate the possibility that I would have to give up my love...shopping!

'Stop being a lazy student and get a job' most people would say, but trust me, it's not that easy. I'm exhausted from handing out CVs and emailing every company within Lincoln that I can find. It's certainly not the best time to be looking for a job. You just have to watch the news and you can see the increasing rate of unemployment. 

I've always been a bit of a worrier and stress about things I shouldn't, so needless to say I'm not the most relaxed person at the moment! Someone very close to me says “life is too short to worry, enjoy it while you can.” This is a viewpoint I am constantly trying to adopt...I just hope its all worth it in the end.

Hometime

Being a student is fantastic! The freedom, the independence, the ability to be my own person and do my own thing is completely liberating. But there's nothing quite like being at home either. Maybe it's being looked after by my mum or the good old home-cooked food my dad makes me,  but nothing beats it!

I'm spending this weekend at home, and away from Uni for the first time in just under two months, and I'm so looking forward to it. Needless to say, the train journey is less than fun. Three hours of looking out of a filthy window from which I can barely see anything, can get a little boring at times. Not to mention the stress of finding which train is the right one! I'm awful at train stations and always seem to find myself on the wrong platform going to the wrong place. Like the time I tried to take the simple 15 minute journey from Ipswich to Needham Market and ended up in Felixstowe with no money to get back!

Despite all the stress and tiredness that travelling causes me, I know that at the end of it, the reward is worth it. Not only do I get to spend a long weekend with my family, and have a full Sunday roast, but I get a few days free from washing, cleaning, cooking and doing the washing up, something which I'm certainly not complaining about. It's not that I'm lazy, but everyone likes to be looked after from time to time, growing up is hard work!

Vintage Fashion

Broke, poor, skint...just a few words to describe my current situation! Yet I still found myself at the Engine Shed on Saturday, experiencing Lincoln's first vintage fashion fair. 

Apparently, despite my size zero bank balance, fashion is still a necessity! I spent over two hours rummaging through the clothes, shoes, jewellery and handbags, delighted at how far my money would stretch! 

There's something about vintage which makes it irresistible. Maybe it's the individuality that each garment brings, the fact that I know i'm not going to walk down the street and see the exact same dress/boots/blazer walking towards me. Or perhaps it's the story behind the clothes and knowing that someone else has loved and cared for the same piece. Either way, at £15 for two dresses, I would have been mad to resist. 

At a time of recession and lots of student debt, vintage is definitely the way to go. The advice of any sensible individual who is unaware of the importance of fashion would be to stop buying clothes altogether as my wardrobe is sufficiently full...but that would be no fun at all!