Reflections From A Blogging Intern...

I know I've been a bit quiet on here recently, but I do have some excuses...

I got my results and, in high spirits, I scuppered off home for a week of R&R back home on the south coast; spending days with my Mum and our teddy-bear-like dog Bailey.
Except he'd had a haircut and looked more like a goat this time...

At the start of July, I returned to Nottingham and spent a lovely weekend with my Dad and his girlfriend. We checked in at a hotel in Eastwood & oh did I make full use of the leisure facilities! Think a gym, swimming pool, steam room, sauna...jealous yet?

Finally on Monday 3rd, I started my blogging internship at Skeleton Productions; a video production company in Nottingham. My main task was to contribute copy for their blog at Video Worth Sharing. But occasionally I managed to get some content on their official Skeleton Productions Website. Every blog had to be focused on video, acting as a marketing tool for the company.

It definitely opened up my eyes as to how writing can benefit businesses. I learnt about RSS feeds, how best to research content and I'm pretty sure I have now mastered GoogleDocs!

Now for the drama. My two weeks were rudely interrupted when, at the start of my second week, illness struck. I tried to plough on through but ended up going home early for two days before I agreed that a day off was needed. But fear not dear readers! I returned to full health for the remainder of my internship and I've travelled far down that road to recovery.

So my summary of the last two weeks? 

It's been incredibly beneficial. Skeleton Productions appear top on Google Search Results and I've gone and got my name all over their blog pages! I've done a bit of networking, gained some good contacts, learnt a lot and hopefully, after some team participation in a bar quiz, an office move and an office party, managed to gain some friends for life.

So what now?

My latest challenge is to apply for a columnist position at my University magazine...I won't say too much - I'm keeping my ideas tip-top-secret until I've applied...

But something has occured to me over the past few weeks. If I don't go into journalism, marketing most certainly is an option now. But being a columnist is still my dream.

However, I've always said I wanted to write something meaningful - something with a purpose. But doesn't all writing have a purpose? Isn't writing that makes you smile just as important as writing that informs you? Just because a piece is light-hearted doesn't make it irrelevant.
Sometimes people just want a break. 
A bit of a laugh. 
So why shouldn't I just try to focus on writing that shares the smiles?

Watch This Space. 

There's more to Cadbury's than chocolate...

I'm going to warn you in advance that if you currently don't have a cup of tea and a slab of Cadbury chocolate in your hand, at the end of this post you might well want one...

...because I'm going to write all about Cadbury World! 

Oh yes. I visited my best friend Hannah in Birmingham last weekend; we had a girly reunion with another friend, Clare from back home, mainly because our summers are all over the place and we'd started having break downs over how long we potentially wouldn't see each other for...

Anyway, on the last day following the all too quick departure of Clare the night before, Hannah & I decided to explore nearby Bournville & it's main attraction; Cadbury World.

To say we were excited is an understatement. We ended up following a few groups of school children & I'm pretty certain we looked more excited & giggly than they did...

Of course we got freebies, scoured the chocolate shop for some bargains & ate as much chocolate as we physically could...it truly was like something from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They even had a ride! But, we also learnt something. It seems there's more to Cadbury's than mere chocolate.

The Cadbury story began in 1824 when John Cadbury began selling tea, coffee and drinking chocolate. Gradually over time, he experimented with chocolate manufacture until in the 1840s he managed to open a factory in Bridge Street. The success of his chocolate increased so that it became available to the masses, & in the 1860s when John retired, his sons took over, continuing his business success. With such demand & productivity, they were able to move out of their small factory & set up Bournville; named due to the nearby Bournbrook and replacing 'brook' for the in-trend French word ville. Their business expanded still, and today Cadbury is known by almost everyone whilst Bournville is a beautiful, quaint little village surrounding the chocolate factory.

Ok so that was a history of Cadbury in a nutshell; leaving out how they put a glass & a half of milk in their chocolate, merged with Fry's chocolate company etc... but you get the jist. What was most interesting though was the social consideration the Cadbury family had. Bournville was created to be an aesthetically pleasing, green village so that their workers could live in the houses it offered & enjoy their surroundings. They believed happy workers could be more productive workers. They created the Bournville Village Trust, printed lists about how to live a healthy and happy life, gave their workers benefits & bonuses that were well ahead of their time & ensured every worker was treated fairly; like one of the family. Perhaps it's through maintaining the feel of a family-run business that Cadbury have done so well. Perhaps they really do just seem like a genuine, friendly company. Plus, we found that Bournville really was a lovely little village; we both said we'd love to live there!

Not just taking Cadbury World's word for it, Hannah & I explored the local village & found the Visitor Centre.

Inside is a stone inscription claiming that the building was dedicated to one of the Cadbury sons when he married. It seems that the villagers & workers had a respect for the chocolatiers, which was returned by good working conditions & benefits.

The Village Trust still exists today, but is now just one of the many things Cadbury attempt to do to help their society; think of their recent involvement with Fairtrade...they even have a water project in less developed countries (unfortunately asides from a poster, this wasn't even mentioned during the exhibition...)

So there you have it. Asides from making mouth-watering, delicious, milky chocolate (I don't care what some of you say...it IS the best!) they also have a certain respect for their workers & society...

It's official. Chocolate really is amazing. Now where's my stash of freebies gone... 

http://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/CADBURYWORLD/Pages/Welcome.aspx

A very Royal Morning...

This morning was rather special.

This morning, the Queen came to Nottingham.

Being proud fans of the British monarchy, my housemates & I were in Market Square, forming part of the swarm of people gathered eagerly, awaiting the Queen's arrival. The clouds were looming overhead ominously but even the rain behaved whilst she was here. Flags were waving, cameras were rolling & kids were being held on their parents shoulders excitedly. It's safe to say the atmosphere was...for want of a better word...tingly. There was a buzz among the crowd - even more so after a few false alarms of a royal sighting. People were so keen to get a good view that three people were spotted on the roof of a rather tall building, hoping to get a better view!

Eventually, an hour & a quarter later she arrived, accompanied by Will & Kate. The crowds began manically cheering, flags were waving extremely fast &, all i can say is, thank GOD for the big screen next to the town hall, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to see anything. 


The balcony wave was well worth it though. Unfortunately, from where we were standing, we couldn't quite see Prince William, courtesy of an unfortunately placed pillar. But this was what we could see...

Kate was respectfully singing along to God Save the Queen, as her Majesty herself occasionally waved and smiled to the crowd. What's more, is that she genuinely looked pleased to be there. There was no falseness in her expression whatsoever; perhaps that's why so many people like her. 

After the song, the screen once more became vitally important; this time we caught a glimpse of the trio... (excuse the camera poking up from the bottom!)

And that was it. 

After a few minutes, they turned back around & headed inside the town hall. 

And we left. 

Despite waiting over an hour, & despite the cold, & despite the threatening dark clouds, I still think it was worth going. How many times do you get to see the Queen in one lifetime...& how many times do you get to see not one but three members of the Royal family all at once?

Needless to say, everyone became rather supportive & patriotic this morning but the inevitable debate about the Royals arose as expected. I would like to settle this.

Whilst unlike some (I could mention Sara on Big Brother; ashamedly admitting that I now watch it) I wouldn't burst into tears if someone didn't like the Queen, I do think the Royal family is something we should keep and be proud of. It's a part of our heritage; it's tradition; it's England. Although the attention on more distant family members can seem slightly crazy to me, (it gets to a point where I'm not sure how they're related to her Majesty) I still believe they are a worthy figurehead for our nation. If it's old fashioned then fine, but I'd rather term it tradition!

Plus... just look at her smile - she looks friendly & caring & although I hate to use the adjective; genuine. Let's just face it, the Queen is rather quaint, isn't she? 

My vision for the Eurovision...

It's an exciting time in England at the moment; the Queen's Jubilee, the impending Olympics AND... we didn't come last in Eurovision. That's right folks. We were NOT left with 'nil points'. Mr Humperdink deserves an almighty round of applause.

Or does he?

With some of the world's greatest music acts shouldn't England perform slightly better in what is meant to be a music competition? Shouldn't we put our impressive up-and-coming young talent on the world stage, without the attempts at humour and without the stench of fame's has-beens? Shouldn't we bring the serious chance back to the game?

Sitting listening to my friend detailing to me the highlights of this year's show, I let my mind wander and came up with an ingenious idea (even if I do say so myself!) I suggest a brand new approach to the selection of our Eurovision representatives. Who actually decides who represents us anyway?!

What if the public had more of a say...
What if there was a pre-Eurovision talent competition...

Yes, I know, our TV's are inundated with reality shows; The X Factor, The Voice, Britain's Got Talent...It gets a bit tedious. But this, (like Britain's Got Talent) offers contestants the chance to represent their nation. Who knows what gem we might stumble across...to think we could have had someone like Olly Murs represent us...After all, Ireland had Jedward... (You can't help but feel a slight twang of pity really...)

Or, why not rummage through the talent on offer at our Brit school? If we raised the profile of Eurovision and actually made it something to be proud of, or to even care about, getting the English nation involved in picking an act then who knows...we could actually look at our singer in Eurovision without a sense of embarrassment...one day we might actually stand a chance of winning!

Until then, I suppose we can stretch out the pride we felt in Buck's Fizz for a few years longer...

Carpe Diem...

I’m so EXCITED!

I feel like filling this page with lots of nonsensical words that will amuse and annoy people, frustrating anyone trying to pronounce them and possibly giving others who have never read this before the image of myself as a complete and utter idiot. Instead, I’m going to fill a line like this:

Auhgpuawnhwvuyhguidmvhtrgpv urehtvhweikjvgt egruivfjh4uteos;idlkjhrgiwo 4wyurpughifujk !!!

Yes I realise they’re technically not words as I accidentally pressed some number and punctuation keys but it conveyed my excitement well did it not?!

I’ll explain why I’m so (for want of a better word) ‘buzzy’…

As you may have noticed, or guessed, my last blog was written in a slightly lower mood…maybe a new label needs to be invented like ‘pre-term blues’ or something…

But nonetheless, today everything seemed to brighten! The writing workshop I so briefly mentioned before emailed me: I have a confirmed place and the first workshop is next week! It’s titled ‘Writing Reviews for Publication’ and runs for 5 weeks at a professional studio in the city.
A studio, may I add, that is extremely difficult for two exploring students to find in the pouring rain…perhaps made harder because they overlooked the building name and focused instead on the number. Maybe I won’t be doing that again – I think my shoes are still drying out…

Anyway, this lovely-jubbly workshop will focus on theatre, book, film and product reviews with tips on approaching publishers and become a professional (!). Hopefully I’ll gain some useful skills, maybe possibly some contacts whilst giving me some good old fashioned writing experience.

Why reviews I hear you ask? Well, with the help of some lovely friends of mine, I’ve noticed that newspaper journalism, which I’ve been focusing on so strongly, doesn’t allow for much creative expression nor for an individual writing style to develop, both of which I enjoy experimenting with in my blogs… so perhaps the newspaper format isn’t quite for me. I also sometimes can be quite sporadic with my ‘news-curiosity’…some days I know EVERY headline, some days I don’t have the foggiest clue about who’s at war with whom…

Which led me to consider magazine journalism and, after various suggestions from friends and parents, I’m considering swaying towards those culture magazines that you sometimes get in the Sunday papers. (As a starting point) I’ve done reviews in the past for Impact at my university so why not start there? (Before slowly but surely progressing to a columnist position... *wishes*)  I’m aiming to review some plays over summer and try to get them printed by a local paper or something…

So, there you go – that’s the first exciting thing! Now for the next, which I am STILL beaming about! J

I, on a spare of the moment thing, applied for the (paid) job of campus tour video presenter for the University of Nottingham. This basically means presenting a video for prospective students highlighting our campus and why Uni. is JUST SO GOOD! To be perfectly honest, I thought nothing would come of it and actually forgot about it, until the email came through yesterday. I seriously thought about bailing. And then I had a rethink.

Today I had the actual casting session!! Yes yes, ‘casting’…

*pause for effect*

 I had to learn a short script and present it in front of a camera and three other official people – members of the project and marketing team I think. (In the excitement I think I’ve forgotten their names…) Anyway, after that I had to walk slowly across the room whilst being filmed explaining, off the top of my head and totally unprepared, why I’d recommend my university and explain a bit about my experience.

Well, I started with the English committee and being part of the netball team before I had a little brainwave. I mentioned writing reviews for Impact magazine, creating my own blog and managing to write for The Huffington Post. I finished in style with a cliché about University allowing you to chase your dreams and do what you’ve always wanted to do.

They seemed to like this. Mr Camera-guy smiled at me and said, and I quote, ‘That was brilliant’, whilst the boss of the ‘film-crew’ and part of the marketing team smiled and nodded to the lady sat next to him. Mr boss-man then questioned me a little about my blogs, especially Huffington Post and before I knew it he asked; "So, are you looking for writing opportunities?"

A little stunned I nodded eagerly.

"Great. Expect a separate email from me soon then."

I’m sorry, what? Run that by me again, I thought. Was this a writing opportunity landing at my feet? Could it be….?!

I thanked them all for their time and left the room feeling the happiest I’ve felt for ages. I got escorted downstairs by the nice young man who initially escorted me upstairs, and he asked me how it went. I genuinely got good vibes, I told him. I also thought to myself, and am still thinking now, how impressed I am that I didn’t clam up in front of the camera – I managed to actually look straight at it - I didn’t feel my heart getting overworked and beating a million times a minute AND I didn’t feel my face burning up. All in all, I’d say that’s pretty good right?!

I then decided to tell him about the writing thing. He looked at me, and it was as if something seemed to dawn on him. "Of course!" he said. Turns out, the marketing department, for whom he and Mr boss-man work for, are looking for a writer (originally full time but they realised students hadn’t finished yet) to work for them. It’s a paid position. A PAID WRITING POSITION.

OK, so I’m not sure the finite details; I don’t know what I’d be writing and I could very well be forgotten about by Mr boss-man. *sob! L *

But I really really hope he doesn’t forget.

I left with a wave from the nice young man as he called, "who knows you might end up with a nice little writing number, that is, if you don’t get the presenting job and end up getting scouted from YouTube!"

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Just IMAGINE!

So yes, my lovely readers. Not only could I gain a nice little writing job (pray for me that he emails), but I could be presenting a video for bright-eyed young potential Freshers. Maybe presenting is the way to go…

                                                                                ***

P.S – Did I also mention I got voted in on the Yoga Committee at University? I am now the new Communications officer and their website, email account, Twitter and Facebook account is MINE.

Oh, it’s been a good day… 

Just a little scribble...

So I’m back in Nottingham! My Mum and brother have just left after spending a few days in my ‘student digs’ as she called it, enjoying the shops and sights of the city. Back alone again in my student house. Me, myself and I.  (OK, that’s a lie… another housemate is actually here too so I’m not crying into my pillow out of loneliness just yet…)

It’s been an emotional few days though, and I can’t really place why. The most obvious reasons spring to mind; leaving home again, not seeing family for over a month whilst facing a promising and exciting term of essays and exams…

But I suspect there’s more than that. I feel like a little scribble on here will clear things up a bit and as two things keep popping into my head lately I’m going to subject you to reading about them:

1) Writing
This is, as you all know, what I want to do with my life. This is also what I am (apparently) rather good at. However this is also rather hard to earn a living from and with time moving fast and more experience needed, I’m getting increasingly worried about how I’ll break into the writing scene and actually manage to make some money from it… I know people who, this time last year, spent their summer between second and final year at University undertaking numerous work experience placements and internships, making contacts and lining up that perfect job. I am currently awaiting a response from one place I have applied, trying to think of another article to write and frantically skimming through contact pages for every newspaper and magazine I can think of. My thoughts flit between journalism, review writing, and fictional writing; each equally as hard to break into!

Yet, all is not lost. A faint glimmer of hope appeared when I stumbled across a writing workshop in Nottingham in the next few weeks… I’m going to apply for said workshop and see where it takes me. It focuses on reviews like book, theatre and travel…which could be ideal and leads me onto the next occupying thought in my mind…

2) Kenya.

I don’t think I’ve written about this yet, which is actually quite surprising. If you ask any of my friends I’ll have mentioned Kenya to them at least 5 times. In the summer of 2010, I spent a month on expedition in Nanyuki in Kenya, helping out at an orphanage in Timau, meeting the Masai tribe, going on safari and climbing Mount Kenya. (Yes…I CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN!!!)

I came back with what felt like a brand new focus. Things that worried me before suddenly felt petty compared to the worries of the people I met. I stopped caring as much about material possessions and unwittingly caught the travelling bug, catching myself occasionally staring longingly at my huge rucksack and walking boots. Yet it was lovely to come back home, and when I first sank into our sofa with a nice cup of traditional English tea, it felt like perfection.

 To be honest, I felt like I came back refreshed with my eyes that little bit more open and clear, ready to take on anything (I mean, I climbed a mountain!!). I had a clear view on what really mattered to me; the people in Africa were inspirational in the way that, they might not have had much, but they still had an unbelievable spirit and an ability to laugh and smile so much that it became contagious! I’m proud to be able to say that I’m still in contact with the orphanage and frequently send letters and gifts over. They reply in emails, calling me ‘sister’ and hoping that I’ll return soon. One reply even said they’d love it if I came back and lived there! They might think twice if they had me there all the time… ! 

I also still talk to some of the guides that took care of us around Kenya, who asks how things are in England and also occasionally drops in a question as to when I’ll be back…

I know it’s a cliché, but Africa really gets under your skin.  At first, travelling from Nairobi into the country, we were a bit unsure, thinking we were facing a bleak and dusty landscape. But the wildlife, the scenery, the people….they all just get to you. We were practically in the middle of nowhere and looking back, that probably was what made it so appealing. At night, sitting around a campfire, we’d look up and see stars flecked in the night sky – so clear and only the sounds of the bush to disturb our thoughts.

 When people say they want to go travelling, of course all the big cities and sights spring to mind; New York, Rome, Paris… but there’s also a craving for a bit of adventure. A bit of wilderness. A bit of road that no one’s been down yet… But this road less travelled is somewhat costly.  When I went to Kenya it took a year and a half and one extra job to fundraise £3,500 for the trip… and that’s not including the equipment.

Yet I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m itching to go back and I’m envious of the girl who went there two years ago. Sometimes, amidst all the stresses of life and the to-ing and fro-ing between university and home, I feel like I’ve dimmed a little. You get used to moving between places and try to make the days count in each place, but sometimes it’s not quite enough and sometimes amongst all the humdrum of daily life, you forget what’s really important and who really counts to you. This, I think, is the bottom line of my emotional moments when my Mum left. I’m normally ok, ‘take it all in my stride’ as she says. But sometimes, it all just piles up and that little unexplored place inside your mind; that little bit of wilderness that beckons to you just needs a little visit. You need a little break.

And I need some chocolate… 

Artificial Futures

So, I’ve just embarked on my usual morning peruse of the BBC News headlines. I skimmed over the best April Fools pranks, news of the economy recovering (sure we’ve heard that already) and pictures of snow in Scotland (sure we’ve seen that already) to stumble across a story that could have been out of a sci-fi story. It was titled ‘Man VS Machine’.

Now I can reassure you that this was not a story similar to the plots of The Terminator or I, Robot but it certainly reminded me of them. I scrolled down to the link and two eyes stared back at me; one human, one robotic. I clicked.

What loaded was an article about the scientific progression in developing artificial intelligence. This is basically the theory and development of computer systems to perform tasks that would usually require human intelligence, like visual perception.

The first thing on this article was a video, so I clicked play and allowed myself to be impressed. The video showed a reporter meeting Professor Owen Holland from the University of Sussex, and the world’s first anthropomimetic robot. (Don’t worry, I didn’t know what that meant either…)

For all the non-scientists reading this, anthropomimetic means simply that this robot mimics the human body. Professor Owen Holland believes that without a body, artificial intelligence cannot exist because the human form helps shape the way the brain works.

The reporter, somewhat apprehensive looking, attempted to squeeze and shake hands with this robot…which squeezed and shook hands back. Yes. The robot responded to the human contact. Ok, it only mimicked it, but it’s a massive progression from things like Poo-chi or Furby that responded to human words because it had been programmed to. (I remember getting annoyed that my robotic dog could only bark so many songs…) 

Is this an impressive development?

Well, yes. But it’s not the only impressive robot we’ve seen….remember the Honda robot? I’m sure you know what I’m talking about; that little thing must be famous now. Well in 2008, I went to the British Motor Show with my Dad and brother and remember this little robot walking on stage at the end of a stunt show. It walked on and shook hands with the guy with the microphone. And unless I’m very much mistaken, it did a little dance before walking off.

Is that not amazing?!

So…if science progresses at the current rate and the world doesn’t end this year, will the future see robots being a commonality amongst our society? Will we have personal robots, one for each household? Admit it…having your own personal robot would shift that ironing pile a hell of a lot quicker! 

Maybe I’ll have my own robot and call it Sonny…

What’s that you say? Beware of what you wish for?

Quite right too. As much as I admired Will Smith in I, Robot I don’t know how well I’d cope if robots turned around on the human race. And if every household had a personal robot that could do everything humans can do, what would be the point in us? Except for producing more robots? We’d be robot-producing humans churning this technology out like cogs in a factory...we’d be like robots.

Yes, I’m getting very H.G.Wells here, predicting a devastating future of technology…but is there not an old saying, something like ‘curiosity killed the cat’?

Of course, we have more intelligence (supposedly) than our feline friends to be able to better handle our curiosity, but I’m just saying…what if our future became artificial?