"Write about experiences which are unique to you. When pitching your ideas to a publication do your research and tailor it to an audience and always be open to feedback. I started off in book publishing and then moved into magazines and newspapers."
- Journalist Andrea Thompson, Marie Claire.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Saturday, 28 May 2011
New York Smoking Ban
All eyes are currently set on the city which never sleeps. New York has now introduced a free tobacco zone outside in popular tourist attractions such as Times Square, outdoor pubs and restaurants and park benches. With this having a mighty global interest, has the smoking ban gone too far?
As a non-smoker myself, I do feel that this legislation ban for smokers not to have the choice to smoke in open area's outside is abit extreme. I am fully aware of the statistics and health risks of passive smoking, but how hard is it to cross the road so that you're away from the smoke? I thought the smoking ban which was set in place five years ago was necessary, for the benefits of others and the potential plan to decrease the amount of cigarettes which were being smoked.
Yet, I cannot feel strongly enough on the fact that nobody owns the space around you and I'm sure a smoker would respect someones decision if they got asked to move along or smoke in the opposite direction, rather than a ban which is targeting against them and not allowing their chance to voice their opinion.
Michael Siegel from BBC News said: "the ban is pointless from a public health perspective and could, in fact, increase the risk of passive smoking by creating "smoke-filled areas" near park entrances for example."
According to statistics, since the ban in July 2005, more than two billion cigarettes haven't been smoked and 400,000 people have quit.
So will this work? Will Britain follow the steps of their fellow American friends?
As a non-smoker myself, I do feel that this legislation ban for smokers not to have the choice to smoke in open area's outside is abit extreme. I am fully aware of the statistics and health risks of passive smoking, but how hard is it to cross the road so that you're away from the smoke? I thought the smoking ban which was set in place five years ago was necessary, for the benefits of others and the potential plan to decrease the amount of cigarettes which were being smoked.
Yet, I cannot feel strongly enough on the fact that nobody owns the space around you and I'm sure a smoker would respect someones decision if they got asked to move along or smoke in the opposite direction, rather than a ban which is targeting against them and not allowing their chance to voice their opinion.
Michael Siegel from BBC News said: "the ban is pointless from a public health perspective and could, in fact, increase the risk of passive smoking by creating "smoke-filled areas" near park entrances for example."
According to statistics, since the ban in July 2005, more than two billion cigarettes haven't been smoked and 400,000 people have quit.
So will this work? Will Britain follow the steps of their fellow American friends?
Thursday, 26 May 2011
I got the job!!
This makes me a very happy bunny as I have tried so hard to find a job since Septemeber for Southampton and back home. Hearing nothing, I was getting anxious as summer was approaching and my bank balance was decreasing. However, this morning I had an interview and an hour later I got told I had the job to work at Melanie's cafe in Tewkesbury. I cannot help but think that I will be perfect for this job and that they have picked the right person. Not only is it flexible hours and in a convenient location, I get to work with my best friend's mum giving me more confidence and making my experience more enjoyable. It is also in a work setting which is catered for the older generation (who I love). Additionally, it's extremely popular, meaning tips and keeping myself occupied in the 5 months of summer I have off. Cannot wait to get my hands on a crisp £20 note and the feel of cash again- I won't know where to begin on my wish list which has been permantly saved in my favourites for months now.
I start tomorrow and cannot wait! However, the only downside (which I knew would happen) is the fact that they have asked me to work on days which I have planned to go and visit friends at universities. I do want to make the right impression, but I don't want to let my best friend's down, and although they would understand, the fact that I have been excited and planned outifts for it, is abit of a bummer! Hopefully something will get resolved. Cross fingers :)
Today was my nanna's 82nd birthday :) She is no longer with me but I wore her silver bangles she gave to me for extra good luck and to remind myself that today especially is a good day for me and her. I also bought some gorgeous lilac flowers for myself and mum to celebrate her birthday and my good news :). I miss her very much, but I know missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will :)
<3
This makes me a very happy bunny as I have tried so hard to find a job since Septemeber for Southampton and back home. Hearing nothing, I was getting anxious as summer was approaching and my bank balance was decreasing. However, this morning I had an interview and an hour later I got told I had the job to work at Melanie's cafe in Tewkesbury. I cannot help but think that I will be perfect for this job and that they have picked the right person. Not only is it flexible hours and in a convenient location, I get to work with my best friend's mum giving me more confidence and making my experience more enjoyable. It is also in a work setting which is catered for the older generation (who I love). Additionally, it's extremely popular, meaning tips and keeping myself occupied in the 5 months of summer I have off. Cannot wait to get my hands on a crisp £20 note and the feel of cash again- I won't know where to begin on my wish list which has been permantly saved in my favourites for months now.
I start tomorrow and cannot wait! However, the only downside (which I knew would happen) is the fact that they have asked me to work on days which I have planned to go and visit friends at universities. I do want to make the right impression, but I don't want to let my best friend's down, and although they would understand, the fact that I have been excited and planned outifts for it, is abit of a bummer! Hopefully something will get resolved. Cross fingers :)
Today was my nanna's 82nd birthday :) She is no longer with me but I wore her silver bangles she gave to me for extra good luck and to remind myself that today especially is a good day for me and her. I also bought some gorgeous lilac flowers for myself and mum to celebrate her birthday and my good news :). I miss her very much, but I know missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will :)
<3
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Sunday, 22 May 2011
First year of uni done? Check.
First year of university done - no longer a fresher. BOO!
Despite a university year only being 9 months long, that 9 months has scarily flown by. What has this year taught me? ... a lot!
...Being independent.
Before I came to uni I relied on my parents a great deal and this convinced my Mum that I would struggle massively. Despite getting thrown in at the deep end, I feel that I have done myself proud as well as my parents. Weirdly, I enjoyed tidying my room regularly cleaning my en-suite, making my dinner, washing up my mountain of plates and cutlery and attempting to sort my finances out. I guess I didn't have a choice whether I did it or not, I mean no angel Gabrielle would come down and do it for me - but I loved the independence. It makes coming home that little more exciting, that you know you will be provided with decent meals, and a relaxing weekend where your parents can spoil you and enjoy your company for the few precious days you are home for.
It has also taught me that everyone around you is competition.
'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer...'
From secondary school to sixth form, I was the top student in my media class, getting grade A's, 100% in my written exams and in the high 90's for all my coursework. I thought university would be fine after producing such good grades that extending my knowledge of this subject further, would be a breeze. However, when you are crammed in a room full of students who are at your academic level, if not higher, you realise that everyone around you is competition. The media industry is very competitive and career wise everyone is battling with each other, to get that dream job. I watch TV programmes like 'The City' and think how much I want to be like Olivia Palmero and Whitney Port in that perfect job and in a city which never sleeps (NYC). I create scenarios in my head of how I would get there, yet you always forget about the multitude of obstacles you have to overcome first. Which is usually other people who have the same mindset of what they want as you.
It is always awkward when you're sat in a room full of people you don't know, and you just want one of your best friends to walk through the door and to save you from the girl who enjoys boasting about everything and thinking she's number one. Being at university you have to make an effort with everyone, and by coming home you realise that some of the people you have made friends with you wouldnt necessarily socialise with back at home. I've learnt to be patient and to make an effort with everyone and to never judge on first impressions, after all it is a great insight of what people are like. I have made some truly wonderful friends being at Southampton, girls and boys, who I know I could confide in, have a laugh with and who I can trust. Sounds a bit inconsiderate, but I know that everyone has done it but, you compare new friends to the ones back home which you've known for years. Truth is that it's just a number. What I mean is that people say that someone is their 'best friend' on the amount of years they have known them; yet I can honestly say that I have met some incredible people, who I've known for less than 3 months and I could class them as very special friends of mine. I think the close proximity and the fact you see them everyday helps.
Getting pulled out of your comfort zone and living away from home, you start to respect your family more than you did. I am quite an argumentative person (even if I don't show this side much), and the smallest things which my parents do like nagging at me over something simple, annoys me. Nevertheless, when you compare yourself to other people/families you soon realise how lucky you are.
Experiencing university life has definitely been one of the best decisions I have made (despite being such a poor student), and I can say that the memories I have had/will have, will stay with me forever. This first milestone has certainly been the greatest time of my life fo' sure :) From amazing nights out such as Carnage, Big Night Out, Birthdays, to having a snippet of home life such as close friends visiting (George, Sammy, Abbie) to throwing a street party at 11am for William and Kate's wedding, to a trip of a life time to the beautiful city of Paris.
Oh my!! the amount of work I have had to do has been so stressful! It definitely steps up a notch from sixth form, but I suppose this is why people get jobs, instead of extending their education. I think what the work has taught me the most is to not leave it to the last minute or not to think it's only going to take a week ha. Fortunately, by living in a house next year I won't procasinate as much ( I hope) and the level of noise will be much less than halls. The fact that when I return to uni, that every bit of work and contribution I make will be going towards my final grade of my degree is quite daunting.
This first year has taught me an incredible amount and given me the certainty which I needed of what my future career plans entails.
Looking forward to seeing the new freshers, with freshers flu mwahha ;)
Despite a university year only being 9 months long, that 9 months has scarily flown by. What has this year taught me? ... a lot!
...Being independent.
Before I came to uni I relied on my parents a great deal and this convinced my Mum that I would struggle massively. Despite getting thrown in at the deep end, I feel that I have done myself proud as well as my parents. Weirdly, I enjoyed tidying my room regularly cleaning my en-suite, making my dinner, washing up my mountain of plates and cutlery and attempting to sort my finances out. I guess I didn't have a choice whether I did it or not, I mean no angel Gabrielle would come down and do it for me - but I loved the independence. It makes coming home that little more exciting, that you know you will be provided with decent meals, and a relaxing weekend where your parents can spoil you and enjoy your company for the few precious days you are home for.
It has also taught me that everyone around you is competition.
From secondary school to sixth form, I was the top student in my media class, getting grade A's, 100% in my written exams and in the high 90's for all my coursework. I thought university would be fine after producing such good grades that extending my knowledge of this subject further, would be a breeze. However, when you are crammed in a room full of students who are at your academic level, if not higher, you realise that everyone around you is competition. The media industry is very competitive and career wise everyone is battling with each other, to get that dream job. I watch TV programmes like 'The City' and think how much I want to be like Olivia Palmero and Whitney Port in that perfect job and in a city which never sleeps (NYC). I create scenarios in my head of how I would get there, yet you always forget about the multitude of obstacles you have to overcome first. Which is usually other people who have the same mindset of what they want as you.
It is always awkward when you're sat in a room full of people you don't know, and you just want one of your best friends to walk through the door and to save you from the girl who enjoys boasting about everything and thinking she's number one. Being at university you have to make an effort with everyone, and by coming home you realise that some of the people you have made friends with you wouldnt necessarily socialise with back at home. I've learnt to be patient and to make an effort with everyone and to never judge on first impressions, after all it is a great insight of what people are like. I have made some truly wonderful friends being at Southampton, girls and boys, who I know I could confide in, have a laugh with and who I can trust. Sounds a bit inconsiderate, but I know that everyone has done it but, you compare new friends to the ones back home which you've known for years. Truth is that it's just a number. What I mean is that people say that someone is their 'best friend' on the amount of years they have known them; yet I can honestly say that I have met some incredible people, who I've known for less than 3 months and I could class them as very special friends of mine. I think the close proximity and the fact you see them everyday helps.
Getting pulled out of your comfort zone and living away from home, you start to respect your family more than you did. I am quite an argumentative person (even if I don't show this side much), and the smallest things which my parents do like nagging at me over something simple, annoys me. Nevertheless, when you compare yourself to other people/families you soon realise how lucky you are.
Experiencing university life has definitely been one of the best decisions I have made (despite being such a poor student), and I can say that the memories I have had/will have, will stay with me forever. This first milestone has certainly been the greatest time of my life fo' sure :) From amazing nights out such as Carnage, Big Night Out, Birthdays, to having a snippet of home life such as close friends visiting (George, Sammy, Abbie) to throwing a street party at 11am for William and Kate's wedding, to a trip of a life time to the beautiful city of Paris.
Oh my!! the amount of work I have had to do has been so stressful! It definitely steps up a notch from sixth form, but I suppose this is why people get jobs, instead of extending their education. I think what the work has taught me the most is to not leave it to the last minute or not to think it's only going to take a week ha. Fortunately, by living in a house next year I won't procasinate as much ( I hope) and the level of noise will be much less than halls. The fact that when I return to uni, that every bit of work and contribution I make will be going towards my final grade of my degree is quite daunting.
This first year has taught me an incredible amount and given me the certainty which I needed of what my future career plans entails.
Looking forward to seeing the new freshers, with freshers flu mwahha ;)
Monday, 9 May 2011
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