New Layout!

I've decided to spruce up my blog, with a lovely new layout from yummy lolly. I've also updated my blog list with the sites I probably spend most time looking at. All this has been done to distract me from getting upset because I've missed my graduation ball. Although, missing the ball seems awfully in keeping with my relationship with formal events. I missed my school leaving do  (I left secondary schools before the high school prom was fully embraced here). My sixth form had no formal what so ever, and I missed a results night celebration as I was in Rome, awaiting a flight home, in danger of being stranded by one of our cohort losing their passport. When we did finally celebrate (after a sleepless night researching alternative universities since I'd narrowly missed my first choice... damn biology) we went to Nandos and I was in bed by ten, not through alcohol but from sheer exhaustion.

I suppose I'd rather not be missing it,  but then I've never put that much emphasis on formal events, and I didn't have a dress.

fixing the blogging neglect

Hello!

I promised that this time would be different, that I was committed o blogging this time. No longer would I leave this poor site unloved for weeks on end. That was in February, it is now May, nearly June. Whilst other writing commitments and general final year uni commitments has kept me away, a broken ankle has brought me back. Hoping to find a way to distract myself from the pain of my poorly leg, this blog will document a rather unconventional post-university summer

Until sometime soon (I promise)

Claire

Opportunity of a lifetime or advertisement for a dogsbody

So, I've been thinking a lot about the future of late, you may have noticed the undercurrent of panic that these posts sometimes have. It's getting to that crazy time of university, when you're getting threw ideas, hints, tips, imperatives and scare stories from practically everyone you every encounter on a day to day basis. Whether it's receiving pointless emails from the careers service, telling you about jobs at a variety of different middle of the road companies, or from lecturers advertising studentships at the most stressful time in your degree, the general atmosphere is one of blind panic.

For many graduates, the inevitable caveat is that experience is essential. Over the next few months and perhaps years, we will get told by everyone the importance of getting your foot in the door, making connections and keeping your ear to the ground. I totally get this, getting a degree is no longer enough. Experience is vital to your own personal development and this is a message I've been trying to get across, especially in relation to volunteering, which has infinitely enriched my human experience.

However, talk of graduate work experience inevitably brings up internship, a moral minefield and what may be come an increasing reality in graduates lives. Although, I agree that experience is important, and I'm glad that I've offered my time to charitable organisations, I am starting to become dubious of companies 'offering' experience to graduates. The problem of internships is many fold. Firstly there's a class issue. If you're going to work for free, you need the financial support (presumably from parents)  to get through the weeks or months when money isn't coming in. I know that I wouldn't have this, and that as a result, either internships would be completely out of the question, or I would have to take on a part time job to support the work I'm doing for free.

Whilst I know from personal experience that work experience can be mutually beneficial (my own experience of interning part time whilst still at university was extremely positive and I felt I gained new skills whilst helping out a reasonably small company), it's clear that some companies are simply taking the piss. Interns Anonymous provides a range of graduate experiences with some tales of warning , whilst campaigning for pay guidelines for work experience. It seems ludicrous that large companies are able to use graduates for nothing, whilst not providing their interns with interesting tasks and little chance of a job. A set of guidelines would be welcome, as graduates need to know where they stand when they go for that opportunity of a lifetime.

The crawl towards the weekend

I need to learn stanima this year it seems, as this week has been pretty damn hectic. For a very short period of time at the start of the semester I felt calm. Well you know what they say about calms and storms.

I started the week pretty relaxed, if a little bad tempered. I had tapas, and that seemed to calm the impending feelings of doom and general stress, until a 'helpful' lecture on dissertations put paid to any ideas of a relaxed week. Tuesday ended with a shift at work, then a trip to the pub. I left the house at nine and got in at half ten, but found myself watching the Apprentice USA in bed until one and I really don't think that my strange nocturnal sleeping habits are helping matters...

On Wednesday, I had a meeting about a conference, fitted in around uni work, tweeking and sending off a book review, work work, and trying to maintain a social life. Today has been a slightly calmer affair, I've been to the Lit and Phil, ate soup, drank coffee and read a few articles for next week, though I fear that I've started to prematurely wind down for the weekend when I still have a shift left at work and lectures tomorrow. This weekend will be exciting though, as I'm going to see the lovely Adam Green strut his stuff at the Academy2 and sleep. Alot.

P.S I know thid has been a very whiny post, I just want to make it clear that most of the time, I love being so busy and that my bad attitude is mostly caused by sleep deprivation. I will try and be more cheerful the next time round.

Oh Henry!

It's a full house again, with Fiona and Laura back from Barbados (Jealous? Moi...no!) and me back from  Middlesbrough. (Which doesn't have quite the same ring to it)  The house has also been rather full of other people this week, as people are coming to view the house for let next year. A part of me is quite glad not to have to go through the whole house hunting process again, whilst another part of me is already mourning the loss of my student days.

However, sadness aside, there's nothing more amazing than holdiday presents, especially when those presents are alcholic and chocolate based. Firstly I got rum, then I got rum cake. The bottle of rum is just the right size to fit in my pocket if I ever have a bad few days at the office. (Thinking ahead of course, to the days when I will have to get a proper job). The cake is meant to be ridiculously strong as well. These don't match up in amazingness however, to this:

Ok, so the photo isn't great, but I'm sure that you can still see that there is a chocolate bar called 'Oh Henry!'. The bar has nuts, fudge and chocolate in it, but I can't see a corrolation between the ingredients though, so can only imagine some sneaky Hershey's worker using this as an opportunity to declare his/her love to Henry. If it was me, I would be honoured.

Shopping

I am currently attempting to join the twenty first century. I have now joined twitter, you can find me @claire_sedgwick. I am also hoping that through said twitter, I can feel a bit less weird about writing to nobody (or somebody I hope!).

This week has been a working week, with three days working for the uni, and a bit of reading for next semester. I have, however also been shopping, where i bought this lovely necklace:



I also got a lovely early birthday present, in the form of a bag from Accesorize, whose 70% off sale could easily bankrupt me.



And finally... I promise that my next post will a bit more serious and intellectual than a post about bags and necklaces

This is not a new blog...

More an old one with all of my posts deleted. I'm giving myself a blank slate with the aim of actually posting here on a regular basis, I may even make it a new years resolution. Partly this new enthusiasm is caused by envy. My very talented writer friend Amy blogs very well at:

http://amykins-writefromthebeginning.blogspot.com

and I'm getting a bit jealous of her discipline, so I'm giving this whole blogging marlarkey another shot. I hope you like whatever I come up with!

Merry Christmas, I hope Santa gives you all you wish for and here's hoping for a peaceful and happy New Year.

Claire x