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