impatience

Oh and one more thing. I can't wait for the results. To be honest I thought the portfolios would be marked by now, but a bit more patience won't kill me I guess.

xoxo
jen

moved deadline

Deadline for the evaluation stage has been moved forward (I suppose, because I can't really remember the initial one) and people are freaking out Luckily, mine was submitted 2 weeks ago. Doing stuff faster really does pay off sometimes!

xoxo

jen

self-evaluation

I've just submitted my self-evaluation sheet, which is a final touch to my graded unit. That means I've officially done absolutely every tiny thing concerning college, and now I just have to wait for the results, but generally, it is an actual end of my year of studying HNC Music Business in Perth. The end of my journey, even end of an era if you want to be all dramatic. My flight back home is tomorrow. And as much as I am ecstatic about seeing my beloved ones and just even sleeping in my own bed again as people often say, I am also anxious about what future holds in stock for me. I guess only time will tell.

xoxo
Jen

finished with the portfolio

I can't even express how happy I am about the fact that I have finally finished working on my portfolio! And what's even better, I am extremely proud about the final outcome! This is the first website I've ever worked on...EVER! I'm sure it's not perfect, but to me, it looks really professional, and most importantly, reflects the work I've done throughout the year, all the things I've learnt, and my shows my personality as a bonus. I feel like I'm going to visit my very own and very first website few times when I'm already back home. Just to bring back the memories.

Oh, by the way here is the link - www.wix.com/jenxification/portfolio

xoxo
Jen

nearly done

My development stage, namely, portfolio, which as I think I've mentioned before, I'm doing on wix.com is looking better and better. Actually, I am nearly finished, just final touches here and there, not much left really. It was really tough to choose between all these reports and other pieces of work, but I think I managed to pick the best ones. Well, at least I hope so. The one thing I'm disappointed about is the fact that the program we had done our EPKs in (iDVD) is the wrong format for wix and I can't upload it onto my portfolio in any way. But at least I had the opportunity to look through it again more carefully, and retouch few things, besides I really adore the final look of my press pack's online version, especially the gallery looks magnificent! Other than that, college is practically finished for me(I mean the HNC obviously!). I've already been told about passing everything in terms of most of the units, and I'm only waiting for the results of few little assessments. I'm hoping to finish and submit my portfolio today as well, so my evaluation stage is the only piece of work left, and as the portfolio is nearly completely done, I know what I want to include in the self evaluation form anyways, so it shouldn't take long. I'm looking forward to having it all done. Optionally, I'd like it to be submitted by the end of the day. Oh well, fingers crossed!

xoxo

Jen

work work work

I have finally seriously started working on my portfolio. As I mentioned earlier, I'm doing it via wix.com, and I have to admit it is not bad to use, but the downside is that I had my Internet connection cut off today, as scheduled with Virgin Media, so every single time I feel like adding anything, I have to take my mac out and work on it in a pub/cafe/library. Anyways, I managed to finish my 'about me' section today and sort out few of the purely appearance-related issues. It's really starting to look quite promising, and to be honest, I'm quite excited to have my very own, and very first website in progress and preparation. Can't wait until I'm finished and I can publish it!
xoxo
Jen

intense week

As said in the title above.. wow, that week was really intense! I've done my whole assessment for music and image, which involved using photoshop properly (well, using it at all to be honest) for the first time in my life, by the way it's not as difficult and annoying as it seems, I actually had a bit of fun I would say. I had to come up with and execute 3 designs - CD cover, poster and t-shirt, as well as write a brief accompanying these projects, which I'm really happy with, and pleasantly surprised that they turned out looking to professional! I also wrote publishing assessment. Then I stage managed a show too! And had to write a report to go with it, and prepared the whole presentation for the entrepreneurship class, namely, a business plan presentation. So yeah.. pretty busy week I would say! Luckily, I've done some of the college stuff earlier, because if I hadn't, I would probably be doing 10 different assessments at a time right now! Anyways, the only things I have left(at least I hope I'm right!) are - 1. making sure that the already submitted assessments are correct, 2. actually present my business plan(I'm going to do that in few hours), 3. write another publishing assessment and finally 4. finish my portfolio - development stage and then 5. do the evaluation of my portfolio. And all of that would be perfectly fine(well, maybe not perfectly, because obviously, instead of working on everything, I would prefer to be all lazy, but I seriously can't complain!), if not for the fact that tomorrow I'm having my Internet cut off, as my contract is finishing and I saw no point in extending it, because I'm leaving in a bit more than a week anyways. But it is truly going to be a struggle - going to the library, or at least some kind of cafeteria each and every time I come up with a new 'touch' to my digital portfolio. I'm not some kind of an Internet addict, but it really does make life much simpler.. especially at the time when you're working on something entirely online!

xoxo

Jen

online version

I decided I prefer to create my portfolio in a digital version, as my printer miraculously broke down, (obviously in a very unsuitable moment!) and running to the library every single day when I decide to add something and then changing anything would probably get really frustrating, and creating it digitally will enable me to change anything with, literally, a click of a mouse! I will be using www.wix.com
Few of my pals recommended it to me, saying it's easy and quick to use. I hope they're right, because I don't really have an experience creating websites. Wish me luck!
xoxo
Jen

messy files

Gathering materials for my portfolio really makes me realize that I need to clean up my mac. I can't find a single piece of work in the ridiculous amount of files I've stored throughout the years. Looking for each document definitely isn't the best way to spend time. The process of accumulating my evidence of completion of each core unit would be so much quicker, easier and way more pleasant if everything was neatly organized. Oh well, I guess this is my lesson learnt, and in the future I shall be more careful with that!
Anyways, looking through all the reports, articles and other stuff I wrote during both semesters really makes the amount of work put into the course look impressive. There is really a lot of them! Especially if I count in all articles written for our(by us I mean the editorial staff!) beloved Zipped Magazine.

I didn't expect it, but it is very difficult to pinpoint which piece of work showcases the knowledge gained best. It is quite weird as well, because I feel like I have to look at my own writing objectively and treat it like it's someone else's, in order to judge it by the suitable criteria for the portfolio.

One thing is certain, it won't be easy to go through all these reports and decide. I just hope I choose wisely!

xoxo
Jen

It's the last weekend before coming back to college...Nooo! I got used to that sweet laziness on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I guess I'll just have to get used to school all over again!
xoxo
Jen

It's really time to seriously start working on the development stage for my graded unit classes, but I honestly have no idea where to begin. I need some inspiration... help!
xoxo
Jen

I've got only one thing to say. The weather is absolutely unbelievable.. and not in a positive sense of that word. Today I saw rain, shining sun, clouds and finally snow.. Could it be any more ridiculous?
I hope those summery degrees come back very soon!
xoxo
Jen

!!!

I know that it's Friday already, and Wednesday is the last day we have classes on, but something kind of struck me today.. It's spring break time, which means two weeks of Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays off! I couldn't be happier about it, especially because the weather is really, really lovely lately. It almost feels like holidays. I bet I'm going to spend a lot of my spare time in the park. I would hate to miss such sunny days, since Scotland isn't the new Spain, and sun is not the most common guest here!
Enough of talking, time to go out and cherish the heat!

xoxo
Jen

results

We received the results for our planning stages. What shocked me was the fact that probably most of the class were surprised by their grades. Well, probably we're just a bunch of optimists and that's why the majority expected a higher grade. But it's better to be looking at the bright side than to be a pessimist, right? Anyways, I was expecting a better result myself, but I still achieved a grade B, which, to be honest, is a rather satisfying outcome in terms of graded unit for me. Additionally, it's just 20% of the overall, final grade, so nothing is determined and we can probably expect the unexpected!

xoxo
Jen

planning stage feedback

Two weeks ago we received the feedback on our trial planning stage documents. How shocked was I when I found out that my version is a actually close to perfect. Obviously, I forgot to sign it, but that's just me! Anyways, more of that kind of surprises please! I didn't know what I was doing and I was convinced that  my whole document was just a pile of nonsense. But luckily, it wasn't, which meant not a lot of job to do before submitting the final version. Now I'm anxious about the grade for it. Fingers crossed it will be an A! 

xoxo

Jen

beloved bunny

Yesterday I had the saddest evening/night in such a long time, that I can't even remember when was the last time I was so miserable. And I will be for few weeks, at least. However silly this may sound, I am crushed, because my beloved pet, namely, a bunny, died. He wasn't just a regular rodent, oh no! He was more like a dog to me. Not only did he behave like one, but he also was my companion for twice as many years as it was expected in the beginning. Domestic rabbits are supposed to live around 5 years. Mine was with me for 10 years. I remember exactly when I got him, I finally convinced my mum to buy me one, when I broke my arm. He was sort of a consolation I guess. And he definitely was. I do realize that it is nature and I am so grateful that he was alive for an unbelievably long time. I know that this is just how it goes, but the awareness doesn't make me feel any better to be honest. I was looking forward to coming back home so much, inter alia to see these tiny ears! I still cannot wait to go back home and reunite with friends, family and my lovely dogs, but just the thought of that one piece missing makes me break down in tears. I can't even imagine my room without that little bastard...

Obviously, this has nothing to do with the general topic of the blog, but that situation is pretty much all I can think of. I've always been extremely emotional if it comes to animals, but I haven't really lost any of them since I've been a kid. There is only one conclusion, no matter how expected it is, loosing a precious pet always hurts terribly, and in the end, it is always a surprise. I just wish there were no such horrible surprises..

xoxo

Jen

planning = stuggling

I have to admit that working on a planning stage was an utter struggle for me! Missing the last graded unit class, because of my illness, definitely didn't help me get that assignment right. On top of that, seeking help didn't really pay off, because apparently I wasn't the only clueless one. Every single person I asked, most of whom attended the classes last week, and they still had no idea how to do that. Not one of them knew what to write down. The summary is : Thank goodness that it is just the 'trial' version, sent to receive some feedback, because if it was the final version, most, if not the whole class would literally be doomed! I just hope that I got at least few things in that huge document right, because I'm not really looking forward to doing it all over again. Anyways, it should be way easier after hearing the feedback. Well, one thing's for sure, it won't get any tougher.

xoxo
Jen

No progress in terms of college for me, I mean not this week, as I was lying in bed, coughing, sneezing and doing the rest of fun stuff associated with sickness for about past 10 days. Who doesn't love to be ill and have fever all day long? I can be a bit hyperactive generally and I tend to get bored really quickly, so sitting at home with no permission to leave is definitely a challenge for me. One-two days is a challenge. Whole week is more like a torment. I just hope that all those medications will help me get back to the regular life some time very soon. Otherwise, I'll probably need mental help. No, but seriously, thank god there's Internet, books, films and fashion weeks. The bright side is I pretty much have the time to watch most of the catwalk shows. The downside is that my illness doesn't really make me very lively.

Anyways, the main reason for my hatred towards various sicknesses, besides the obvious 'feeling lousy' factor and a choice of annoying syndromes, is the fact that you lose track of everything and you have catch up with everything that happened at school, while you were at home. Luckily, it's still kind of a quiet period in college, but still there are few things to do, as we have to have the content ready for the next issue of Zipped Magazine by the end of February. The toughest part is to start, but once I manage to motivate myself, I genuinely love writing those articles and the words almost write themselves!

xoxo
Jen

This week passed so quickly. Honestly, I don't even know when. But it's already Sunday and tomorrow it's time to go to college again. Luckily, as it is the beginning of the second semester, things are going really calmly right now. Almost no assessments and various assignments. This tranquillity is nearly weird. But we all could definitely get used to it! Focusing on private, social life, rather than school and work is so addictive, isn't it? Especially now, when it's one of my favourite periods of the year, namely, time of fashion weeks!

 New York edition is in progress and I have to admit that keeping an eye on so many catwalk shows is very time-consuming. But it's a true pleasure indeed. Oh, how badly I wish I could be there and see it with my own eyes (and take all those beautiful clothes home obviously)!

But let's go back to the reality. We've already started the planning process for the graded unit. Even though it's not the most exciting part, I'm sure it's worth it, because even a thought of having my own portfolio makes me feel ecstatic. Despite the fact that it will be very useful, it's also some kind of a souvenir, reminding you of all the work you've done. Having the reports, I've been given so much positive feedback for, gathered in one book sounds like a real treat.

But the planning stage is really not as easy as it may seem. First, setting yourself three specific goals and then additionally split each one of them into three targets, is definitely not the simplest task, but it's not nearly as tricky as the next assignment, which is completing a SWOT Analysis. Don't get me wrong, I like talking about myself... Okay, that sounded really bad. I meant that I do like expressing my opinions and evaluating my passions. But that's not what SWOT Analysis is all about. It is about identifying your own strengths, weaknesses and naming the opportunities and threats surrounding you. Additionally, those features have to be relevant to our college course and the chosen job - promotions manager in my case. And it is really difficult to describe yourself so briefly and also make it adequate in terms of the graded unit's purpose.

 All those tasks are included in the planning stage, which is the first part of the process of creating a portfolio. And I have to admit that it will probably be a bit of a struggle for me, because I absolutely detest precise planning and I always have. I definitely prefer working more spontaneously, not according to the strict program. But the avail is that scheduling everything will be a challenge for me. And there is one thing I am completely sure of. I do like a good challenge!

xoxo
Jen

...

Okay, so the second semester took off last Monday. It is definitely weird to suddenly have classes three days a week instead of two. Not that I'm complaining, because it's heaven anyway, in comparison to five days a week in high school, with so much homework that it seemed like a full time job with overtime. But this one additional day seems to have shortened my week more significantly, than I could have expected. Oh well, it's probably just a matter of getting used to it, just as I did to living without any parental supervision. But the thing I can't imagine getting used to is being constantly homesick. Once again, this is not grousing. It's just the fact that some people are really irreplaceable, and living about two thousand kilometres away from them, undoubtedly makes it more noticeable. As much fun as I'm having at times with some locals, such acquaintances have nothing on genuine friendships lasting for years or relation with the closest relatives. On the other hand, not having the convenience to see them every single time, when I feel like it, makes you really appreciate those relationships. But that's enough of sentimentality for today, so.. back to the topic of college. New semester also means new subjects. Most of them are kind of equivalents of the previous units, such as publishing instead of law and marketing in lieu of promotions, but there's also a brand new one, graphics. We didn't get to meet the tutor yet, but having other teachers will be refreshing. Additionally, there's graded unit. Having my own portfolio by the end of the school year sure sounds good, and it should be quite useful in the process of applying for university. If it comes to spare time, the gig last Wednesday, namely, the Music Combines launch party had its moments. Minds of Montage, the band which performed there, is definitely a treat on Perth's music scene, and the drummer/vocalist kind of reminds me of Dave Grohl, so that's one factor making them worth keeping an eye on. But except for that, the situation, which happened after their performance really put a smile on my face. Some stranger approached me at the bar, saying he recognized me from the picture in Zipped Magazine and told me that he absolutely loved my article about David Bowie and that it was the best part of the whole publication. Then, he added that I should become a professional journalist. And honestly, in this moment, I definitely felt like one. 

P.S. Here's a song I've been humming all week long. Love the retro vibe.. and the fact that one of my favourite actors, since I've been a kid, Ryan Gosling, makes such good music, that two years after hearing the track for the first time, I still keep coming back to it. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgUCWfuHugY

xoxo

Jen