Election Update!
This week has been kind of crazy. Monday at about 12:30, Harri - the current VPAR - reminded me of a meeting I was supposed to attend in Scarborough with him that night along with the other VPAR candidates, to get a feel for the job, get a chance to meet some Scarborough student reps and have a mini q&a. So We left Hull at about 4:30 and got back at about 10! It was a long evening. Well worth it, but a long day. I was out of the house from 10:30am til about 11pm!!
Tuesday - was that only yesterday? Oh man, it's been a long week - saw the beginning of the madness that is election fever. 10am - by the union clock settings - saw dozens of students in the union foyer putting posters up on any available space. It was madness! There was hands, paper, blutack and elbows everywhere. I have to say, I'm being a bit too relaxed about it all. I just wasn't all that motivated about the posters. Yes I know they can make a difference in people voting for you, but it's such a waste. The union looks ridiculous covered in sheets of green, yellow, pink and white with slogans and photos splashed across them. And then today half of them were underfoot, instead of infront of face! And that doesn't include the ones pulled down by angry students. There is some controversy regarding one of the candidates, but since it's all ongoing at the moment, I can't actually say anything specific about it.
Tuesday night - We had what is called Hustings. It's an opportunity for all candidates for all positions to get up, give a speech and answer some questions. The idea was that each candidate would get two minutes to give a speech, then once all had given their two cents, there would be two rounds of three questions put to the candidates, who would then take it turn to answer, with only a minute on the clock. When you think the number of candidates running for Pres is 6, for AU is 5, and the average for the rest is about 3, you can see how it stretched into a long night. We got out of there at about 10:45. But it was good, did me a lot of good to get up in front of a - small - crowd and tell them my opinions and positions for the job.
Today, thankfully, was not quite as busy. Had a radio interview about the election, which was a lot easier than I expected it to be, and that was it election wise!
Wow, when I put it into words I realise just how much I've been doing. I'm still wondering why, I mean do I honestly really want to do this? I think I do....I just want something to convince me.
Life Update
So outside of Election Fever I've not been up to much to be honest. Sleeping, remembering to eat, and not just junk food. Those are kinda my main two priorities outside of elections. But, tomorrow, at 6pm, I will be clambering onto a bus, driving down to Dover, across the sea to Calais and then on to Paris. Three day, the most beautiful city in the world and me!! I cannot wait. But at the same time, part of me doesn't want to go anymore. I'm getting a cold, my back is in agony most of the time - another story - and its bloody cold out! I've been wearing a hat, scarf and gloves every day the last week! We had snow all day yesterday! It's just mental! But it should be fun. Not so sure I wanna do the touristy thing again though. There's a couple of places I want to go back to, but I'm more interested in maybe finding a quirky pub and brushing up on my french with some randomers. That could be fun.
Showing posts with label sabbatical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sabbatical. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Friday, 15 February 2008
V-Day
That dreaded day has come and gone. I've never been a fan of the day in the past. It's a commercial money making machine for card companies and chocolatiers and florists. I don't like couples who use the day as an excuse to show how much they care for each other. Yes I understand some people have trouble expressing themselves and days like this are a great help to those kind, but for me...if the man I'm with needs valentines day to express how he cares for me, then I'm with the wrong guy. I should know it by the things he does throughout the year, not just on that one day. Yes, I am an old fashioned romantic in some ways, and this is one.
Speaking of romance, Nick and I called it quits. Two days short of four months {though he thought it had been six - boys!} We talked things through and agreed we were not working and were too different so we split. And it was a good call. He's a nice guy, but not for me.
The sabbatical elections are in two weeks *bites nails*. I'm more nervous than I thought I'd be, and yet not very motivated. It's a bit weird. Fingers crossed it all goes well. I still don't even know if this is something I really want to do, but sure hey! If it's not I'll know later won't I?
Speaking of romance, Nick and I called it quits. Two days short of four months {though he thought it had been six - boys!} We talked things through and agreed we were not working and were too different so we split. And it was a good call. He's a nice guy, but not for me.
The sabbatical elections are in two weeks *bites nails*. I'm more nervous than I thought I'd be, and yet not very motivated. It's a bit weird. Fingers crossed it all goes well. I still don't even know if this is something I really want to do, but sure hey! If it's not I'll know later won't I?
Friday, 8 February 2008
Question Time
I have a question. Am I the only one that suffers from feeling like you're still a child and have no idea about what's going on around you? That things are passing you by in some "adult world" and you're just a bystander? If I'm not the only one, does it ever go away? I've been feeling like that a lot lately. Like somehow I went through a secret door and ended up in an adult land with no clue whats going on and no idea how to navigate my way around it. How do people do it? How do they carry on a normal seeming existence when there is so much crap going on around them? At the moment I am trying to juggle several different things - committees, uni work, elections, seeing people - and still having to be my normal cheery self. It's not easy. A close friend of mine keeps asking if I'm okay, and up until today I would just reply yeah fine! Today she phrased it differently, she asked "I know it's a question you don't like hearing, but are you okay?" My response was "Then do us a favour and stop asking it!" She laughed. I was serious. It really annoys me when it's obvious that I'm not and don't want to talk about it. She should know me well enough to know that.
Anyway! Think I'm done with that tangent - for the time being.
Elections are coming up fast. Three weeks. January 26th the polls open. I'm scared! I went to see the guy who is currently in the position I'm running for yesterday and he showed me some bits and pieces so I can get an idea of what he does. I took some of the material away with me and had a better look at it today, and I can honestly say I don't think I understood even a quarter of what was written on it. Yes I know that I would get full training for the position if I won the place, but the question is do I really want to have to go through learning all of that stuff? It all read like gobbledegook to me. I'm going to go and talk to him again on Monday and discuss it with him. The nomination forms have to be in by midday Tuesday so I'll have it filled in and in my bag, and if talking to him about it convinces me then I'll go and hand it in. No turning back once thats done!
Anyway! Think I'm done with that tangent - for the time being.
Elections are coming up fast. Three weeks. January 26th the polls open. I'm scared! I went to see the guy who is currently in the position I'm running for yesterday and he showed me some bits and pieces so I can get an idea of what he does. I took some of the material away with me and had a better look at it today, and I can honestly say I don't think I understood even a quarter of what was written on it. Yes I know that I would get full training for the position if I won the place, but the question is do I really want to have to go through learning all of that stuff? It all read like gobbledegook to me. I'm going to go and talk to him again on Monday and discuss it with him. The nomination forms have to be in by midday Tuesday so I'll have it filled in and in my bag, and if talking to him about it convinces me then I'll go and hand it in. No turning back once thats done!
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Lacking title topics
I don't really have anything to talk about today.
My writer's block disappeared shortly after I stopped putting things off, funnily enough, and I am now officially finished the first semester of my final year at university. That's a lot scarier than it sounds, believe me. So I now have a week entirely to myself. Well, almost. As always I have plans and meetings and volunteering and this, that and the other. But wouldn't be a week for me without all the above.
This last week I've been very stressed, what with three essays due in three days in succession. They're all done. They may not be up to the best standard but they're done. And what with the registering for sabbatical elections coming up soon. I have until, early feb to officially decide. I think the final date for application submission is Feb 12th - though I'm not entirely positive. But it doesn't end there!! Once the application is in I have to go through election campaign stuff. Like going to hustings, answering questions thrown at me but students. Having my face and name plastered across the uni!! It's gonna be an interesting few weeks. And in the midst of it all I'm heading off to Paris for a weekend on the 21st. The ISA are organising it, and am going as a trip leader, so it'll be work of sorts, but only if I'm needed that way. I can't wait to go. I've not been in years, and just love the place.
Speaking of, had an interesting discussion with Nick the other night. He doesn't like Paris. Doesn't see the appeal or the charm and doesn't want to go. I'll admit I was in a state of something akin to shock for a while after he said this. I mean I can understand not wanting to go somewhere famous, but its PARIS!!! Or is it just me that thinks this city is a must on the list of things to do before you die?
My writer's block disappeared shortly after I stopped putting things off, funnily enough, and I am now officially finished the first semester of my final year at university. That's a lot scarier than it sounds, believe me. So I now have a week entirely to myself. Well, almost. As always I have plans and meetings and volunteering and this, that and the other. But wouldn't be a week for me without all the above.
This last week I've been very stressed, what with three essays due in three days in succession. They're all done. They may not be up to the best standard but they're done. And what with the registering for sabbatical elections coming up soon. I have until, early feb to officially decide. I think the final date for application submission is Feb 12th - though I'm not entirely positive. But it doesn't end there!! Once the application is in I have to go through election campaign stuff. Like going to hustings, answering questions thrown at me but students. Having my face and name plastered across the uni!! It's gonna be an interesting few weeks. And in the midst of it all I'm heading off to Paris for a weekend on the 21st. The ISA are organising it, and am going as a trip leader, so it'll be work of sorts, but only if I'm needed that way. I can't wait to go. I've not been in years, and just love the place.
Speaking of, had an interesting discussion with Nick the other night. He doesn't like Paris. Doesn't see the appeal or the charm and doesn't want to go. I'll admit I was in a state of something akin to shock for a while after he said this. I mean I can understand not wanting to go somewhere famous, but its PARIS!!! Or is it just me that thinks this city is a must on the list of things to do before you die?
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Writer's Block
I always seem to suffer from writer's block when I have an assignment due. Any other time I can write and write and write, and come up with some good ideas, but when I have something that needs to be written for a specific time I get stuck. I have a 4,500 word piece due on Wednesday and I currently have just shy of 2,000 words written for it. I cannot seem to expand. It has to be either a complete short story or a section of one. So I wrote a scene between two people to throw into the middle of a short story that I have in my head, but that scene doesn't go beyond the 2,000 mark. So now I need to expand upon that, or write another scene, or the opening of the story or something to make it hit the word count.
Of course the fact that I'm slowly but surely driving myself insane thinking about the future doesn't help my writer's block. I know I shouldn't be worrying about it right now, and focusing on the papers that are going to shape my future, but I can't help it. With every essay I hand in I think I'm a grade closer to graduating. I'm terrified. I have no idea what to do. I have plenty of options - I think.
1: Run for a sabbatical position and if I succeed in getting it, stay in Hull for an extra year and work at that job. Pro's and Con's are fairly obvious. I get to stay in Hull, I get a fantastic criteria to put on my cv for the future, and I get to do something I think I would enjoy. On the other hand, the job does seem really difficult and taxing, it's very low pay and it's a very busy position. I'd have to forego the majority of the social side of my life to do this job to the degree it deserves to be done.
2: Stay in Hull. I've spent a while tonight looking at jobs online in places I know of. Looked at Hull, home, Edinburgh, High Wycombe and a few others. Even went so far as to looking at jobs in Australia. I'd like to be able to stay in Hull once I graduate for another year, six months minimum. But I know from talking to friends who have graduated before me that there is a very small amount of jobs in this city, unless you like factory work or bakeries. And I've done both in my time, and don't feel the urge to repeat either just yet.
3: Move home. It's an option, but one I don't feel ready for. I've built a life here, my friends are here, and despite it's drawbacks and bad reputation I love this city. It's quirky, it's odd, but I love it. If I move home yes it's a cheaper option, yes it means I get to be with my family more - which I really really miss - and yes I know I could find a job easily. But the chances of me finding a job I would enjoy are slim. I know I'd end up working back somewhere like Euro 2. Had enough of that thank you! I didn't go do an English degree so I could go back to being a supervisor in a discount store.
Option 4: Move and start again. As I said, I was looking at jobs all over, and I know I could move and start again, if I found a dream job. But I don't know what my dream job is. I'd like to go into a job that at least has some connection to my degree, otherwise whats the point? But that's limiting. I'm going to send cv's to every newspaper in the country I think, and every publishing house and every magazine HQ - anyone, anywhere, that might employ me because I can write fast and spell properly and have an opinion on literature.
It doesn't help that I keep hearing friends discussing applying for jobs, how bad the job market is in Hull, filling in masters applications, talking about housing. If I want to stay in Hull I need to decide, I need to find somewhere to live.
Jobs and housing is just one thing freaking me out about the future. I'm dating a guy I like, a lot, and I've been with him longer than I thought I'd be. But - and I know there are people who will kill me for saying this - I doubt it'll go anywhere. I know, I know, I'm young, I should just enjoy it while it lasts and not think about the future etc., etc. But the thing is, that's what I do. I think about how things are going, and where they are going, and as much as I like him I can't see us being together outside of university. University is a funny thing, people are all the same. Older, younger. Local, foreign. Widely travelled, never left home. Doesn't matter. People are just people. But outside that little world, people are not just people. People become things, instead of humans. Those labels that you managed to shake off for the three or four years you studied come back to haunt you. Who you are. Where you're from. What colour skin you have.
I can see myself leaving uni and travelling. I can see myself in the future moving alot. It's in my blood. I like to change the scenery from time to time. He was born and bred near Hull, and I can see him staying in the area. There's nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong, but it's not me. I've a gypsy, he's a home boy.
BUT, for now, all is still good. It's three months and I'm still happy. He makes me smile, he's good to me and I like being with him. So, I will do what I know I would be told to do, and enjoy it while it lasts, and just wait and see what happens.
Of course the fact that I'm slowly but surely driving myself insane thinking about the future doesn't help my writer's block. I know I shouldn't be worrying about it right now, and focusing on the papers that are going to shape my future, but I can't help it. With every essay I hand in I think I'm a grade closer to graduating. I'm terrified. I have no idea what to do. I have plenty of options - I think.
1: Run for a sabbatical position and if I succeed in getting it, stay in Hull for an extra year and work at that job. Pro's and Con's are fairly obvious. I get to stay in Hull, I get a fantastic criteria to put on my cv for the future, and I get to do something I think I would enjoy. On the other hand, the job does seem really difficult and taxing, it's very low pay and it's a very busy position. I'd have to forego the majority of the social side of my life to do this job to the degree it deserves to be done.
2: Stay in Hull. I've spent a while tonight looking at jobs online in places I know of. Looked at Hull, home, Edinburgh, High Wycombe and a few others. Even went so far as to looking at jobs in Australia. I'd like to be able to stay in Hull once I graduate for another year, six months minimum. But I know from talking to friends who have graduated before me that there is a very small amount of jobs in this city, unless you like factory work or bakeries. And I've done both in my time, and don't feel the urge to repeat either just yet.
3: Move home. It's an option, but one I don't feel ready for. I've built a life here, my friends are here, and despite it's drawbacks and bad reputation I love this city. It's quirky, it's odd, but I love it. If I move home yes it's a cheaper option, yes it means I get to be with my family more - which I really really miss - and yes I know I could find a job easily. But the chances of me finding a job I would enjoy are slim. I know I'd end up working back somewhere like Euro 2. Had enough of that thank you! I didn't go do an English degree so I could go back to being a supervisor in a discount store.
Option 4: Move and start again. As I said, I was looking at jobs all over, and I know I could move and start again, if I found a dream job. But I don't know what my dream job is. I'd like to go into a job that at least has some connection to my degree, otherwise whats the point? But that's limiting. I'm going to send cv's to every newspaper in the country I think, and every publishing house and every magazine HQ - anyone, anywhere, that might employ me because I can write fast and spell properly and have an opinion on literature.
It doesn't help that I keep hearing friends discussing applying for jobs, how bad the job market is in Hull, filling in masters applications, talking about housing. If I want to stay in Hull I need to decide, I need to find somewhere to live.
Jobs and housing is just one thing freaking me out about the future. I'm dating a guy I like, a lot, and I've been with him longer than I thought I'd be. But - and I know there are people who will kill me for saying this - I doubt it'll go anywhere. I know, I know, I'm young, I should just enjoy it while it lasts and not think about the future etc., etc. But the thing is, that's what I do. I think about how things are going, and where they are going, and as much as I like him I can't see us being together outside of university. University is a funny thing, people are all the same. Older, younger. Local, foreign. Widely travelled, never left home. Doesn't matter. People are just people. But outside that little world, people are not just people. People become things, instead of humans. Those labels that you managed to shake off for the three or four years you studied come back to haunt you. Who you are. Where you're from. What colour skin you have.
I can see myself leaving uni and travelling. I can see myself in the future moving alot. It's in my blood. I like to change the scenery from time to time. He was born and bred near Hull, and I can see him staying in the area. There's nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong, but it's not me. I've a gypsy, he's a home boy.
BUT, for now, all is still good. It's three months and I'm still happy. He makes me smile, he's good to me and I like being with him. So, I will do what I know I would be told to do, and enjoy it while it lasts, and just wait and see what happens.
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