So far from being rejected, I have a second interview with the accountancy firm.  This has shocked me to be honest, I really don’t feel I stood out or made any impact whatsoever, but clearly I did something right.   I am both nervous and excited.  I have no idea what will happen, whether there will be some kind of mathematical test or whether it’ll just be talking to some different people.  I think I’ll take a calculator just in case.

Alex took the day off work to come to graduation in the end, so I am currently feeling loved in that respect.  All in all things are pretty good today, and this has been reflected in a bout of sheer happiness and euphoria, with only a trace of excitability.  I am not hypomanic, just happy.  I’ve learnt to tell the difference now, at least retrospectively, even if I can’t trust my emotions at the time.  The graduation ceremony itself was boring beyond belief and I was so sick of clapping by the end.  They read out the name of every single person graduating, shook hands with them and then everybody had to clap.  This took about two hours.  Needless to say the last person on the list got the biggest clap, everyone was just glad it was over.  My parents took me, Alex and my sister out for post-graduation dinner, which was sweet of them and rounded off the day nicely.  Then Alex, my friends and I all went and got drunk in a quiet little pub.  Drinking is a mistake in terms of mood because it invariably brings me down, however I was a bit hyped post-boredom, so in fact it just brought me to a normal level.  Can you say self-medication?

So my birthday is on Saturday, and this is the first birthday that a significant other has planned something for me. Steve is taking me somewhere for the day, and I am way excited to see what he’s got cooked up.

But I can’t believe I’m going to be 24. That’s one year away from 25 guys! I think 24 is the last year where you’re allowed to get away with doing things you did while you were in high school. It seems to me, once you turn 25, you’re old. Next comes steady career, marriage and children.  I already have a career started, and I’m in a relationship so I’m partially there? Christ.

Before I turned 21, it seemed as if I would never really reach that age. Then once I hit it, it was kind of like, well what happens now? Every year after 21 has been pretty good. I met Steve when I was 22, got my first real job at 23, what’s going to happen at 24? Hopefully something really good like possibly getting a better paying job and getting an apartment.

You know, this has actually been a really good year. Let’s review.

I spent the first six months job hunting like it was, well, my job. I knew going into the search that it would be bleak. It turned out to be grim. I got turned down several times — I even went to freakin LaFayette, Indiana, for an interview. I was ready to make the move, but I got turned down. Finally, in May I landed this job.  I couldn’t wait to quit Lowe’s. Working retail made me lose all faith in humanity. You don’t know how many stupid people are in the world until you work retail, let me tell you.

When I first started at the Journal, I was pretty much terrified. I didn’t know where anything was, I didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing and I didn’t know what was expected of me. Thankfully I had people show me around and then I pretty much just coasted right along from there. Normally people tell me what I should be covering, but now it’s more like me telling them what I think I should cover, and most of the time they agree. So I’ve been chugging along since June. Driving for three hours a day, which really sucks, but still, I love my job.

I think things are finally starting to fall into place in my life. I never really felt lost before, but now I feel like I have a solid sense of direction. I know where I’d like to end up, I just have to make the journey there.

Bring it on 24. I’m not scared.

I’m not necessarily talking about the beer, although I wouldn’t be surprised if economic success in Wisconsin strongly correlated with growth in Leinie’s sales (I don’t think it’s quite cheap enough to be recession proof). Wispolitics:

Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel predicts gradual job growth beginning in 2010 and says that with its diversified economy, the state is ready to take advantage of economic recovery.

“I know we’re ready when the recovery comes,” Leinenkugel (left) said on On Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha.” “It’s because we’re such a diversified economy.”

Leinenkugel predicted the state, which has lost roughly 130,000 jobs since October 2008, would see jobless numbers turn around in the second quarter of 2010 as businesses gradually begin to hire more workers.

Second quarter. Just in time for graduation! But just in case, maybe you ought to stretch it out into summer. Then you’re guaranteed a job. Right…?

Wow, just … wow.

I have nothing to say here except to share this article and see what you think about it. Per the article, “Students at Lincoln University with a body mass index of 30 or above, reflective of obesity, must take a fitness course that meets three hours per week. Those who are assigned to the class but do not complete it cannot graduate.”

Can you imagine?! As if body image issues aren’t a big enough deal for college students, now they might not graduate on account of being overweight?! WTF?!

People go to college for an education … not to enter a beauty contest or begin a modeling career where appearances matter.

While you know I’m all for promoting physical fitness and advocating good health … come on … how can this be for real!?

How about you? What do you think? What would you do if you were a student at this school?

Hi guys! Sorry I haven’t been around lately but here’s the latest; hope you enjoy!

Ok so being in the final year of uni is kinda scary because it means it’s almost time to ‘fly the coop’ as they say. For the past two years I’ve been allowed to make mistakes and grow from them with virtually no repercussions…people keep asking me what I want to do after graduation and asking how I’m gonna get there. I DON’T KNOW!!

Going into the music industry is tough and exciting and yes it’s always good to have some kind of plan. Knowing where you want to end up and actually getting there are two completely different things.

You see, I’m someone who likes to take one step at a time because my experience of planning my life and every little career move has either not worked out or just changed dramatically for one reason or another. For example, at first I wanted to study law and become a barrister, then I did some work experience and that soon changed…then I decided I wanted to become a child psychiatrist…then I got my A-Level results and that soon changed. Then I was watching Step Up one day and thought to myself…’wouldn’t it be great if I could go to a school dedicted to helping me persue my love for music’; and BOOM! I arrived.

I guess what I’m tryna say is, life is unpredictable and yeah it’s sometimes scary, but music is my life so I’m not looking to go into say graphic design…(although I did get a B in GCSE-not to brag lol)! Life is full of surprises!

Guess I’m just gonna have to keep knocking on opportunity’s door and see who answers.

Live life, Love music

Missaddler

Pattern:

Student registers for a course, but for some reason doesn’t get the credit he thought he would (fails, didn’t attend, whatever). Student sits on this for a year. Said student applies for graduation and is informed he needs that credit. Student sits on this information for a year. Student contacts the Registar’s Office to find out why he hasn’t received his diploma, and is informed that he needs this credit to graduate. Student flies into a rage and contacts the President. Arrangements are made, help is offered, special advising is given, student is allowed to take credit in a unique/special way, and registers for the course. Time elapses. Faculty contacts us to say, “Student never showed up and in spite of my attempts to contact I got no response.” Student receives an incomplete. No credit.

Pattern repeats.

Unfortunately, it is not an isolated incident.

What gives? I’m stumped.

*Sigh* Graduating has been one of the greatest nights I have ever had. It is still bittersweet because its the end of my 3 wonderful years at the greatest college, Red and Yellow.

The setting was Spier, Stellenbosch, always stunning. The weather, perfect warm Cape summers eve. The food, delicious- smoked salmon salad, divine steak on polenta with roasted vegetables and bearnaise sauce and a strawberry cheesecake to end off. The speeches, awesome! Our guest speaker was Paul Warner, the youngest guy in South Africa to start his own agency. He was highly entertaining with his main point being, Never Be Afraid to Fail.

This he backed up with a showing of some of his greatest failures. TV ads that made you cringe, followed by the ulimate comebacks, bold, cheeky ads that made us all laugh. Success. Inspiring.

Red and Yellow has always been personal, friendly and not afraid to be different. The grad was all this and showed all our accompaning friends and family the awesomeness that was my college. We had speeches from some of the lecturers, entertaining and funny as always, as well as from the creative and marketing representing students- Mpumi and Camilla (creative legends) and Kaeley and Rob (marketing peeps). Inside jokes and digs at all the cool quirky characters we have at college made for lively speeches.

It all went far too quickly and before I knew it I had been up, shaken hands and received my diploma and award. wow. Surreal anyone?

The afterparty was ‘hectic bru’ with okes heading to Terrace (ug) and finally to Upper Level (prev Sprongboks) to dance and jol till the sun came up! GOOD TIMES!!!

My closest college friends Glynn and Candy joined me in the bunker (golfcourse)  in front of my family home to see in the new morning and write ‘Class of 09′ in the sand. Real world here I come. As they say, “Watch this space.”

You know that feeling you would get the night before your birthday? That certain type of excitement?

That’s how I felt this morning, considering the fact the I was finding out my final results, which consisted of 4 distinctions and 2 credits, which is still pretty good.

I was so happy I could dance… literally.

It’s safe to say I’m going to be an RMIT graduate with an Advanced Diploma in Business (Advertising) wearing that gown at Etihad Stadium.

Sigh, life is good.

xo

Been a while since I noted my ventures down on here by last Wednesday saw the culmination of 17 years of study, my graduation.

Wearing a suit now feels like a second skin to me but today was different as I knew that I was going to be seeing my Uni buddies not donning  hoodies, jeans and beaten up trainers for the first time.

The summer has sped by like Jenson Button’s Brawn and it that time a lot has happened. For one I found that the media industry is much harder to crack than even I imagined. But Wednesday gave me a bit of a reality check.

As far I have been busting my balls to try and get into my chosen industry but I have never questioned why I have been in such a rush. Am I running out of time? Am I in danger of missing opportunities? or is it simply the case that I am an impatient sod. Probably the latter.

Wednesday was one of the quickest days of my life, even now it is still a blur. The same old faces but with new haircuts, different stories and many going down different paths. Some people have looked to pursue a career outside of the media, others are still trying to crack it and some are just pondering their next move. It’s like one gigantic game of chess.

Too often I have tried to be the king of the board and that simply isn’t the case anymore. Whilst I often thought I was a big fish in a little pond at Uni, I am now a goldfish in the ocean with regard to the media. I have to find my way up the food chain but what’s the rush?

In an ideal world I would be working for one of your Sky’s or BBC’s at the moment but I am not. Many people I spoke to on Wednesday are looking forward to travelling, expanding their horizons and some even just having a break. Perhaps I should take heed from this.

I turned 22 last week which to be honest is no age at all. Perhaps I still need to grow further as a person before jumping into everything head first.  Maybe travelling wouldn’t be such a bad idea but I just don’t think it’s me. Don’t get me wrong there are many places I would love to visit around the world. Italy, Seattle, Vegas, Egypt to name but a few but you try and find me an operator which accommodates all of those.

Tuesday might provide a new solution for me but I don’t want to put the mockers on it so my lips will remain sealed for the time being.

This aside the past few months have been jam packed. A brief foray into sales didn’t quite work out for me as I missed actually talking to people face to face. GMTV Kids served as a reminder that I still have a long way to go until I get where I want to be and currently being employed in a job just based on what I look like is actually quite unnerving. However I suppose I can’t really complain when it involves talking, chatting up hot girls and just generally wandering around can I?

Lets be honest, it could be a hell of a lot worse. The media is going to take some time but I have to admit now that perhaps bobbing along the river for a while isn’t so bad, be it a river full of make up, perfume and sharp suits.

Perhaps next time I post on here the Pawn may have taken the King.

Checkmate

You don't need their big bucks to live like a rock star.

Maybe you’re a fresh college grad shooting resumes into the black hole that employers call an “inbox,” or maybe you’ve been working for a few years but haven’t quite given up your milk crate bookshelf and neighbors’ house party keggers.

Don’t let these economic times tempt you into sticking to the starving college student lifestyle – you can still live like a rock star without obliterating your savings account.

1. Happy hours can be classy affairs. And a good place for dinner, too. McCormick and Schmick’s dinner menu may boast the pricey surf and turf, but go during their happy hour and you can get Kobe beef sliders or salmon cakes for less than $5 (and a cheeseburger and fries for only $2.95). Swanky restaurants of all stripes are embracing happy hours now, often with heavily discounted entrees and half-off drinks.

2. Two words: Free. Samples. There are free samples for everything. EVERYTHING. Not least of all, cosmetics. While most people can’t afford to stock their makeup drawer with goodies solely from Lush or Sephora, the sales representatives there will gladly dole out samples of Love Lettuce Face Mask or Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, if you ask nicely. (The generous sample portions will last a while, too.) The best part: when you’re done paying off student loans and have enough disposable income to buy out the entire Macy’s cosmetics counter, you’ll know exactly what you want.

3. Cook simple, cook smart. Not everyone has the resources to style a “Top Chef” worthy dinner, but that doesn’t mean it has to be spaghetti night again. In addition to the great archives at AllRecipes.com, the “Best Ever Three & Four Ingredient Cookbook” (complete with glossy food photos) contains over 400 recipes that don’t require more than four ingredients at a time, with nothing you can’t find at the local grocery store. An added bonus: you can usually find this book for less than $6 on the clearance rack at Borders.

4. Free guest passes to the gym. Many gyms, like Bally’s, Gold’s Gym or 24 Hour Fitness, offer guest passes or trial memberships that let you work out free for a week. Sure, it’s only seven days, but intersperse a week here and there between free activities like running, cycling, and swimming, and you’ve got a whole summer’s worth of workouts.

5. Like live music to my ears. Tickets for The Killers may be out of your budget right now, but live music at smaller concert venues is a great way to discover new bands that haven’t hit the mainstream yet. Ditto the free summer concert series in most major cities, whether it’s Chicago’s Millennium Park, New York’s SummerStage, or the (practically free!) $1 cheap seats at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Pack a picnic basket and bottle of wine for date night. In the winter (or all-year round, really), check out new bands at your local dive bar – you never know when you might be listening to the next Fall Out Boy.

6. Be a beauty school drop-in. Cosmetology schools like the Aveda Institute or the Paul Mitchell School will snip your locks for around $20 (they do mani-pedis and facials for cheap, too). An even better deal? Salons all over the country, like NYC’s Bumble and Bumble, provide a free cut, color and blow-out in exchange for being a hair model in one of their classes. The caveat: you may not always get the exact style you want, but what rock star doesn’t shake things up with a sassy new haircut from time to time?

7. Parties from another era. Forget the toga parties and skanky “Pimps and Hos” themes. Try “1940s Hollywood” and have your guests dress up in old school Tinseltown glamour, or throw a “James Bond”-themed fete and loop the films (from Sean Connery through Daniel Craig) in the background while partygoers mingle with their martinis – shaken, not stirred.

8. Potluck mixology. Instead of chugging the last two beers in the fridge and ambling over to the local bar, invite all of your friends – and their half-full bottles of vodka and rum – over for a potluck cocktail party. Look to Epicurious or DrinksMixer.com for some fun mixed drink recipes and designate yourself and a friend as “mixologists” for the evening. All you’ll have to buy is some orange juice and seltzer water, and you’ve got a party. (See Number 7.)

This week has been spent in celebration of my graduation. My parents flew over for the occasion and stayed the night. It was a more relaxed affair than my last graduation, maybe because it was very “been there done that”. More friends gathered round, all complaining about jobs and the lack of training contracts etc – a common feeling.

There was the usual embarrassing photographs, one person who fell completely flat on their face, one extra long speech and of course the hat that wouldn’t stay on. We were sat in alphabetical order by class, so those of us who got a distinction got it over and done with pretty soon, but then my hands got sore from the continuous clapping afterwards. But all in all the evening was disaster free.

After graduation there was champagne, then dinner with the parents and finally more drinks with some fellow students before I shamefully had an “  early night” (these 4.30am wake up calls are taking their toll).

My mum and sister donning my latest designs while out on my graduation day.

Whilst sitting watching the third years present this week, not only was I impressed with their confidence and depth, but they got me thinking.

Merlin presented very simple work – but the titles of the pieces made me question what they were about and what was the ’story.’

It got me thinking that using your words wisely can provoke questions and prompt the wearer/viewer to find out more.

Why is it called that? What does it mean?

If the reaction to our jewellery causes a question to be asked, then it can only be a good thing. I really respect a piece that can speak for itself and can scream out to the viewer/wearer but I love a piece that has history, that has a story, that makes people think.

I live in Canada,

There are no igloos (most places), and there used to be lots more snow but it is still freezing! I’m bundled up in fur, flannel and faux leather but I’m still shaking in my boots when I go outside and it’s under 5 degrees Celsius. Anyway, have any tips on staying warm this winter? Hot totties? Big dogs? Snuggies? How do you stay warm, and sane?

Another startling thing: the next time it’s warm enough to wear an off-the-shoulder tee, I will be finished my degree. OH MY HELLO REALITY.

(Ps. Check out these sweet videos me and some friends made for an intro to video class. Videos begin at 20 second mark. We are a little obsessed with white, pink, blue and cute.)

Something interesting happened today.  

I subscribe to the blog of a well-respected social media icon named Chris Brogan.   Chris is your average guy in many ways:  low-key, friendly, a parent of school-age children, a concerend citizen.    But he’s also got a very large brain and tremendous networking abilities.  Through social media, he builds alliances with people from all sorts of backgrounds and especially those different from his own: people who like to think outside the box and who like to share useful information and bounce cool ideas back and forth until something clicks. 

My daily feed of Chris’s blog always gets me thinking:  it’s a pleasant morning nudge for a brain that hasn’t always warmed up yet, and I like where it takes me.    Chris’s column surprised me today, as it was about the US education system - not a topic I’ve ever seen him write about.   Chris just learned what many of us know about the atrocious dropout rate in America.    (Want to see how your state stacks up?  http://www.getschooled.com/state-facts ) 

He poses some interesting questions and found some unexpected players at the table.   I think you’ll find today’s (Nov 27) blog interesting, especially if your work is focused on intervention.  Input is always welcome, too. 

http://www.chrisbrogan.com/how-could-new-ideas-change-education/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+chrisbrogandotcom+%28%5Bchrisbrogan.com%5D%29

Finished the final report for American Literature yesterday- the last subject. No more schooling for a while! Self-studying? yes, for sure. Never stop learning something new!

Temporarily finish the first chapter of my life: 16 years of studying. Begin the second one: marriage & career.

Planning on the wedding and settling down in HCM City, and marriage life. Hmm…quite a challenge.

Agenda is what I need, right now.

Goals for next year…. Here I go!

Wrapping up my time here in Roslyn, New York out on the Long Island and have enjoyed it. We have eaten quite well, which is always nice, but it is time to head back to Princeton and home.

I attended a virtual graduation in Second Life for the University of Edinburgh and I believe it was an absolute success. They had streamed the audio and the video from the non-virtual life graduation at McEwan Hall on the Edinburgh campus. Graduates who were unable to attend the ceremonies there came to Second Life and they handed out virtual diplomas. We were all virtually clapping and whistling and it created a surprising sense of presence and togetherness. In the non-virtual world ceremonies (the physical ones on campus), they even paused for a moment and clapped for everyone graduating in Second Life. The non-virtual feeding the virtual and vice versa.

I decided to don a kilt for the festivities and felt virtually dashing. I have included some pictures below.

I will head home today via the treacherous Belt Pakrway through Brooklyn then to Staten Island then to the New Jersey Turnpike, which is shockingly a welcome sight at that point in the journey. I will do laundry, study a bit, pack and tomorrow will head to Newark Airport to fly to Ann Arbor (via Detroit). I will be spending the better part of the week with the good folk at the JSTOR office there.

At some point this holiday season, I am determined to buy a Christmas tree. Jen and I have never had one in our nine Christmases together and I would like to end that streak this year. I feel like I could use a little ceremony this year to build some momentum for next year, which if kharma has taught me anything will be one of the greatest years of my life. I will keep everyone updated on this Christmas tree development, even if I just rationalize myself out of one again this year.

All my best to everyone out there as the chill weather sets in on the East Coast of the US.

Wow, I can’t believe Thanksgiving is gone and I have less than a month to graduate. It seems surreal, but then I am excited to start my journey. I intend to go back to school to get my Bachelors in Nursing and pursue more education.

I am thankful for my instructors, family, friends, and the Inver Hills Community for supporting in my educational pursuit!

Inver Hills CC  has provided me with a lot of great memories and wonderful people I can never trade. So, as we the days to final exams get closer, lets “Finish what we start.” Let’s continue to dream big and to never give up even when it seems impossible! Believe in yourself, surround yourself with positive people, and do not let anyone put you down.

Yeah to graduation and I have done it!!

Yesterday was Logan school concert and graduation.  I wasn’t feeling up for it during the day and the events leading up to the actual concert didn’t help either.  I really don’t like rude parents that park off right in front of the stage with their camping chairs.  Especially when it is a picnic-type event where most people are sitting on blankets!  After the “self-proclaimed VIP” mommies got what they wanted, my mom and I made ourselves comfortable in a better spot, next to a lovely family!  

Yesterday was the third concert I have attended at this school. The first two concerts was the traditional baby Jesus in the barn type theme.  This year they created a christmas tree, with the baby-gift-boxes at the foot of the tree.  It looked so cute!

Sneaking a quick picture or two in of Logan, before they change into graduation clothing!

the Little Girl in the background recently tried to kiss him and he ran away!

A train of kids walking off the stage…

Graduation photo number 1

Number 2.  I have so many, saving them all for his 21st birthday party! 

My Favourite Photo of the day

Santa giving a present to a nervous little boy.  (I told the teacher to hold off a little on his present.)  He was in tears when I told him to tell Father Christmas that he was a good boy during the year.  He refused!