All day yesterday I attend the Living with MD Day London w/ Sarah, which was the pilot peer group program by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to have adults dealing with muscle diseases to come together to discuss issues and find out where we can get the most appropriate needs.
All in all, there were 12 of us w/ Muscular Dystrophy in total who attended the peer group b/c the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has to have a small group of attendees otherwise the charity can’t offer a free event, but I think it is much relaxed and intimate that way. That being said, I learned so much and made some great friends too. I had had a fab time and everyone was so wonderful, and I definitely plan to stay in touch w/ them all!
Sunday 31 May 2009
Friday 29 May 2009
Think Beyond Your Boundaries
Today, I also booked tickets for the whole family and me to attend Beyond Boundaries Live 2009 on 4 July 2009, which looks like an awe day out and a brilliant experience…
Check this video to learn a bit more (below):
Check this video to learn a bit more (below):
Football Days
Just booked tickets for the Wembley Cup taking place on 24 July 2009 and 26 July 2009 at Wembley Stadium. I’m going to be supporting Barcelona (and will be sitting in there side) and I cannot wait…
Thursday 28 May 2009
New Champions of Europe
Last night, I watched the UEFA Champions League Final on telly between Manchester United and Barcelona .
What an amazing game! Thankfully, Barça thrashed Man U by beating them 2 – 0. HURRAH! Hopefully, they can win the Champions League again next year, though it’s never been successfully defended twice, but Barça is the team that could probably do it if it was too happen…
What an amazing game! Thankfully, Barça thrashed Man U by beating them 2 – 0. HURRAH! Hopefully, they can win the Champions League again next year, though it’s never been successfully defended twice, but Barça is the team that could probably do it if it was too happen…
Wheelchair Update
Yesterday, my new wheelchair finally arrived today! The seating people and wheelchair dealer guy come at 10:00 and were here until about 17:00 working on getting the seating to best work w/ me on the new wheelchair. Sadly, though they had to take the new wheelchair back b/c the severity of Scoliosis makes it quite complex to get the seating right since once I start sitting vertically gravity is my worst enemy (by me collapsing so much due to not being able to hold myself up), and work on it more to get a better chest harness and headrest. Hopefully, it won’t take too long to get it.
However, I’d rater wait a bit longer to get my new wheelchair in perfect order, than to get it right away and it doesn’t really fit my needs. Just feeling quite down today, as I’m so closer yet so far from getting my new wheelchair, but at least it’s in the same country and only a short while to wait now…
However, I’d rater wait a bit longer to get my new wheelchair in perfect order, than to get it right away and it doesn’t really fit my needs. Just feeling quite down today, as I’m so closer yet so far from getting my new wheelchair, but at least it’s in the same country and only a short while to wait now…
Wednesday 27 May 2009
New Wheels, New Champions...
What a day today was! Lots to tell you, but am quite knackered right now. Will try to fill you in tomorrow or as soon as I'm able. Stay tuned... ;-]
Monday 25 May 2009
111 Days, 5 Hours, 31 Minutes and Counting…
Until my first day of Uni… HURRAH!
I so just cannot wait and think that it’s going to be an utterly amazing experience…
I so just cannot wait and think that it’s going to be an utterly amazing experience…
Saturday 23 May 2009
3 Days, 10 Hours, 48 Minutes and Counting...
Until my wicked, new wheelchair arrives… It’s about time. HURRAH!
Friday 22 May 2009
Day at Tesco
As I previously mentioned, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (where I am during my work experience, working with the Press and Communication Team and as Trailblazers' London Ambassador) has been named Tesco Charity of the Year 2009. As such, I also volunteered to be a ‘Tesco Buddy’ and this afternoon I went to my local Tesco to give my support because all the Tesco stores in the Southeast of the country were having a ‘Wild West Weekend’ event day of fundraising.
Sadly, my local Tesco completely did a horrible and shameful job of managing and running the event. Where do I start? Well, firstly when I called up my local Tesco store yesterday to talk to the manager just to introduce myself and find out the agenda of the event, but when I called she was not even there and I ended up talking to another lady who supposedly was knowledgeable of the event. Yet, she had no idea what was happening during the event and when I mentioned that a volunteer from Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is coming to assist, she had no idea who it would be, but when I told her my name she suddenly remembered that was the person’s name. I just took it with a pinch of salt and thought today would be better. However, I was greatly mistaken.
Upon arrival, I was quite surprised that there no sign showing that we were Tesco Charity of the Year 2009, only one small ceiling sign that you could barely read. As the lady on the phone said yesterday, I walked over to the Customer Service desk to let them know I had arrived as one of the staff behind the counter called the lady who was helping with the event, since the manager was not there. 15 minutes later, a lady (the one who I spoke to yesterday) came up to me and I introduced myself; she basically said she wanted me collect money from customers and told me to sit by the main entrance and ‘look pretty.’ So basically the whole time, all I did was collect money.
Furthermore, things I really hated about this event and thought should have happened are as follows:
1) The manager was not even there: First rule of good event management, the manager should always be there during an event
2) There was no signage or visuals in the store: Customers have no idea that we are the charity of the year or who we are
3) There were no special activities during the event for customers to enjoy: We as a charity provide Tesco stores with balloons, stickers, posters, materials etc. for events and as it was ‘Wild West Weekend’ I was expecting my local store to have all that as well as activities for all like country music and lime dancing, but there was none of that
4) Staff were completely oblivious: I was basically left by myself and after half n hour, the lady just came back to give me a box with presents in it for a lucky dip (20p per a gift) and staff didn’t really seem to know what they were doing; through some were wearing cowboy hats
5) There were no auditory PSAs: That’s public service announcements for all non-advertising people out there. There was only one announcement on the PA System 50 minutes after I arrived by this idiot guy who basically said, ‘Dear Customers and Staff…as you can see some of our staff are wearing cowboy hats and outfits today. This is for ‘Wild West Weekend’…’ and that was it, he failed to mention that it for Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and what it was about. What should of happened is that someone should have made a PSA every 15 minutes, since the average customer is only in the store for about that long
6) There was nowhere for customers to donate money when they wanted: Despite each checkout point having a collection box, it was quite hidden away from customers and cashiers never mentioned it. For example, as I was leaving to go home after I’d given the lady my collection box, one 80-something sweet little lady followed me back to my vehicle to give me a donation, but I told her that I’d already given back the box and my Dad added she could make her donation in the collection box at every cashier; she then said she didn’t know where it was, so my wonderful Dad stopped traffic to help walk her back to the store to make her valuable donation. What should happened is A) the collection box at each checkout should be more visible, B) each cashier should ask customers at the end of each purchase if they would like to make an donation for their charity of the year and have a coupon like notepad where they could just scan it to add £1 to their purchase as most people use credit not cash and C) they should be a large collection box with large signage in the main entrance for customers to donate what they like when they like
7) Some customers were quite obnoxious: One lady came up to me and was looking for change to put in my collection box and as she put coins into the box, I thanked her very much and she quite patronisingly said to me, ‘It’s okay, it must be quite hard for you…’ looking at me with pity; as I just bit my tongue and took her money, remembering I was representing our organisation, but swore internally when she was gone. Another scenario that happened was after I gave this guy’s grandkids some free stickers, they put a few coins in the collection box and got some presents from the lucky dip, the man goes, ‘Oh, you don’t get anything for nothing…’ and walked off while he smiled at me, as I smiled back and said thank you to him. Though some people were really nice, especially the kids and elderly who were so cute; one guy came up to me and said that he’d be right back from getting some coins from his car and when he came back, he gave me a whole jar of coins telling me he’d just found it under the stairs of the new house he’d just moved in to. So it pays to be nice
8) The event was utterly rubbish in the way it was organised and run: My local Tesco store did an absolute bad job of the event. I have a keen interest in event management too, and as an advertising student I think could have created a much better event. What should have happened at this event is Tesco should have A) had a marketing plan, B) advertise it in the local media, C) set up activities and visuals in the store for the event, D) invite local media to the event, E) have a manager on site during the actual event who can supervise everything, F) train staff to better participate in the event, G) have PSAs every 15 minutes during the event, H) incise customers to participate in activities during the event and to make a contribution, I) enjoy the event and J) get feedback from customers and staff how to better future events
And 9) This year is quite unlucky for us to be charity of the year: This year it really is a very bad time for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to named Tesco Charity of the Year 2009 because of the credit crunch and all. People are losing their jobs and really don’t have much money to give away to charities, even if they do people are becoming quite stingy. Through, there are still lots of kind people out there who will always help others
That’s about it. There are just so many things I would have done better for this event instead of making it so bullocks! I just hope that future events at Tesco stores across the country can be fixed to produce a better outcome and keep our good reputation intact…
Sadly, my local Tesco completely did a horrible and shameful job of managing and running the event. Where do I start? Well, firstly when I called up my local Tesco store yesterday to talk to the manager just to introduce myself and find out the agenda of the event, but when I called she was not even there and I ended up talking to another lady who supposedly was knowledgeable of the event. Yet, she had no idea what was happening during the event and when I mentioned that a volunteer from Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is coming to assist, she had no idea who it would be, but when I told her my name she suddenly remembered that was the person’s name. I just took it with a pinch of salt and thought today would be better. However, I was greatly mistaken.
Upon arrival, I was quite surprised that there no sign showing that we were Tesco Charity of the Year 2009, only one small ceiling sign that you could barely read. As the lady on the phone said yesterday, I walked over to the Customer Service desk to let them know I had arrived as one of the staff behind the counter called the lady who was helping with the event, since the manager was not there. 15 minutes later, a lady (the one who I spoke to yesterday) came up to me and I introduced myself; she basically said she wanted me collect money from customers and told me to sit by the main entrance and ‘look pretty.’ So basically the whole time, all I did was collect money.
Furthermore, things I really hated about this event and thought should have happened are as follows:
1) The manager was not even there: First rule of good event management, the manager should always be there during an event
2) There was no signage or visuals in the store: Customers have no idea that we are the charity of the year or who we are
3) There were no special activities during the event for customers to enjoy: We as a charity provide Tesco stores with balloons, stickers, posters, materials etc. for events and as it was ‘Wild West Weekend’ I was expecting my local store to have all that as well as activities for all like country music and lime dancing, but there was none of that
4) Staff were completely oblivious: I was basically left by myself and after half n hour, the lady just came back to give me a box with presents in it for a lucky dip (20p per a gift) and staff didn’t really seem to know what they were doing; through some were wearing cowboy hats
5) There were no auditory PSAs: That’s public service announcements for all non-advertising people out there. There was only one announcement on the PA System 50 minutes after I arrived by this idiot guy who basically said, ‘Dear Customers and Staff…as you can see some of our staff are wearing cowboy hats and outfits today. This is for ‘Wild West Weekend’…’ and that was it, he failed to mention that it for Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and what it was about. What should of happened is that someone should have made a PSA every 15 minutes, since the average customer is only in the store for about that long
6) There was nowhere for customers to donate money when they wanted: Despite each checkout point having a collection box, it was quite hidden away from customers and cashiers never mentioned it. For example, as I was leaving to go home after I’d given the lady my collection box, one 80-something sweet little lady followed me back to my vehicle to give me a donation, but I told her that I’d already given back the box and my Dad added she could make her donation in the collection box at every cashier; she then said she didn’t know where it was, so my wonderful Dad stopped traffic to help walk her back to the store to make her valuable donation. What should happened is A) the collection box at each checkout should be more visible, B) each cashier should ask customers at the end of each purchase if they would like to make an donation for their charity of the year and have a coupon like notepad where they could just scan it to add £1 to their purchase as most people use credit not cash and C) they should be a large collection box with large signage in the main entrance for customers to donate what they like when they like
7) Some customers were quite obnoxious: One lady came up to me and was looking for change to put in my collection box and as she put coins into the box, I thanked her very much and she quite patronisingly said to me, ‘It’s okay, it must be quite hard for you…’ looking at me with pity; as I just bit my tongue and took her money, remembering I was representing our organisation, but swore internally when she was gone. Another scenario that happened was after I gave this guy’s grandkids some free stickers, they put a few coins in the collection box and got some presents from the lucky dip, the man goes, ‘Oh, you don’t get anything for nothing…’ and walked off while he smiled at me, as I smiled back and said thank you to him. Though some people were really nice, especially the kids and elderly who were so cute; one guy came up to me and said that he’d be right back from getting some coins from his car and when he came back, he gave me a whole jar of coins telling me he’d just found it under the stairs of the new house he’d just moved in to. So it pays to be nice
8) The event was utterly rubbish in the way it was organised and run: My local Tesco store did an absolute bad job of the event. I have a keen interest in event management too, and as an advertising student I think could have created a much better event. What should have happened at this event is Tesco should have A) had a marketing plan, B) advertise it in the local media, C) set up activities and visuals in the store for the event, D) invite local media to the event, E) have a manager on site during the actual event who can supervise everything, F) train staff to better participate in the event, G) have PSAs every 15 minutes during the event, H) incise customers to participate in activities during the event and to make a contribution, I) enjoy the event and J) get feedback from customers and staff how to better future events
And 9) This year is quite unlucky for us to be charity of the year: This year it really is a very bad time for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to named Tesco Charity of the Year 2009 because of the credit crunch and all. People are losing their jobs and really don’t have much money to give away to charities, even if they do people are becoming quite stingy. Through, there are still lots of kind people out there who will always help others
That’s about it. There are just so many things I would have done better for this event instead of making it so bullocks! I just hope that future events at Tesco stores across the country can be fixed to produce a better outcome and keep our good reputation intact…
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Uni Update
About an hour or so ago, I just received a phone call from the head of the first year of my course at university, who was the one that interviewed me and offered me a place on the course. He called in reply to my email as I had some queries about my course. We talked for quite a while, he told me more details about my course (including timings and first term courses I’d most likely be having) and gave me some very cool links to check out, such as the course website. It was just really great to talk to him and I cannot wait to begin my course!
Sunday 17 May 2009
Europe Rocks!
I don’t how I can tell you this, especially to my American friends, but I just utterly love living in Europe b/c there’s always so much to see and do – including the cuisine, sports, events, sights, museums, languages, creativity, and the music – it’s bloody amazing! It is like a giant, diverse mixing pot of society; well, that’s the ideals I hold the EU to, though it’s not perfect no thanks to likes of the BNP and Neo-Nazi wankers across Europe…
To that end, about the music: Last night, we watched the Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 that was really a spectacular feast for the eyes, which was in Moscow, Russia this year b/c there was voting block by Eastern European countries who voted for Russia to win at last year’s event.
So, this year they “Changes in the voting procedure were made with the re-introduction of a national jury alongside televoting…” for the Final. Here are the top five songs that won:
1) “Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak (Norway)
2) “Is It True?” by Yohanna (Iceland)
3) “Always” by AySel & Arash (Azerbaijan) (I really do NOT like this song b/c it’s so irritating!)
4) “Dum Tek Tek” by Hadise (Turkey)
5) “It’s My Time” by Jade Ewen (United Kingdom) (Don’t ask me why)
Here’s Norway’s final performance after he’d won (below):
And here’s the song from this years host country, Russia, “Mamo” (Mother) by Anastasia Prikhodko (below):
Additionally, here are some more songs from Eurovision that I thought were quite interesting too (in no particular order):
A) “Jan Jan” (My dear) by Inga & Anush (Armenia)
B) “La Noche Es Para Mí” (The Night Is For Me) by Soraya (Spain)
C) “Rändajad” (Nomads) by Urban Symphony (Estonia)
D) “What If We” by Chiara (Malta)
E) “Et s'il fallait le faire” (And if it had to be done) by Patricia Kaas (France)
F) “Todas as ruas do amor” (All the streets of love) by Flor-de-Lis (Portugal)
G) “Lose Control” by Waldo's People (Finland)
And H) “Miss Kiss Kiss Bang” by Alex Swings Oscar Sings! (Germany) (Check out his wild trousers…)
I also really loved the interval act of the show a lot as well. It was by Fuerzabruta (Argentinean dance/music/visual experience group) and was so amazing! Check it out (below):
How fab it was, the event was quite a creative piece of magnificence and was visually stunning to view! As an advertising student, having a keen interest in event management too, I’d love to create amazing events like this sometime in the future to like hobby on the side of my advertising career…
So, it was just a utterly brilliant show and I cannot wait for next year’s ESC in Oslo!
To that end, about the music: Last night, we watched the Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 that was really a spectacular feast for the eyes, which was in Moscow, Russia this year b/c there was voting block by Eastern European countries who voted for Russia to win at last year’s event.
So, this year they “Changes in the voting procedure were made with the re-introduction of a national jury alongside televoting…” for the Final. Here are the top five songs that won:
1) “Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak (Norway)
2) “Is It True?” by Yohanna (Iceland)
3) “Always” by AySel & Arash (Azerbaijan) (I really do NOT like this song b/c it’s so irritating!)
4) “Dum Tek Tek” by Hadise (Turkey)
5) “It’s My Time” by Jade Ewen (United Kingdom) (Don’t ask me why)
Here’s Norway’s final performance after he’d won (below):
And here’s the song from this years host country, Russia, “Mamo” (Mother) by Anastasia Prikhodko (below):
Additionally, here are some more songs from Eurovision that I thought were quite interesting too (in no particular order):
A) “Jan Jan” (My dear) by Inga & Anush (Armenia)
B) “La Noche Es Para Mí” (The Night Is For Me) by Soraya (Spain)
C) “Rändajad” (Nomads) by Urban Symphony (Estonia)
D) “What If We” by Chiara (Malta)
E) “Et s'il fallait le faire” (And if it had to be done) by Patricia Kaas (France)
F) “Todas as ruas do amor” (All the streets of love) by Flor-de-Lis (Portugal)
G) “Lose Control” by Waldo's People (Finland)
And H) “Miss Kiss Kiss Bang” by Alex Swings Oscar Sings! (Germany) (Check out his wild trousers…)
I also really loved the interval act of the show a lot as well. It was by Fuerzabruta (Argentinean dance/music/visual experience group) and was so amazing! Check it out (below):
How fab it was, the event was quite a creative piece of magnificence and was visually stunning to view! As an advertising student, having a keen interest in event management too, I’d love to create amazing events like this sometime in the future to like hobby on the side of my advertising career…
So, it was just a utterly brilliant show and I cannot wait for next year’s ESC in Oslo!
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Transportation Report Launch
Yesterday, I attended the Trailblazers Transportation Report Launch at Parliament. I arrived in Westminster around 11:30 and walked over to Westminster Abbey where other Trailblazers were waiting. About 12:00, we had a press conference in front of Westminster Abbey where we took lots press photos and were interview by the media. I was interviewed by ITV and was on London Tonight later in the evening yesterday; it was very exciting since it was my first telly interview, but I forgot what I learned at the Media Training Days back in December at Muscular Dystrophy Campaign HQ by remembering that even before the camera starts rolling you ask the reporter what the first question and format will be, so you have a 20-30 second buffer period to brace yourself before the lights go on; although, I think I did pretty well considering I’ve never done this previously and hopefully I’ll be even better next time. Highly enjoyed indeed, but it was so windy in Westminster!
This all took over 1 1/2 hours to get done, and then around 14:00 we walked to House of Commons for a conference w/ Ministers and I got to the Committee Room I was the last one the b/c getting security always takes ages and I had go right through the back of Parliament to get to the Committee Room since there are stairs in the main entrance up to room. When I got to the room, everyone had already handed our report over to MPs and Peers, and were discussing the findings of the report and recommendations for “future courses of action to improve accessibility on public transport for disabled people.”
Sadly, during the discussions my rubbish current wheelchair started hurting really badly, so much so that I had severe breathing difficulties and had to get Dad to leave the room w/ me to lay me down in the hallway, reclining me flat in my wheelchair so I could breathe. After resting for a bit, I decided to go home early b/c I didn’t want to risk my health further. Despite this, everyone from Muscular Dystrophy Campaign were really understanding and lovely about it. Oh, how wonderful they all are at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and how much I love working there…
Anyway, it was just a brilliant experience and it was very nice to meet Trailblazer friends and other wonderful Trailblazers from across the UK. Also, we got the attention of the country’s press and were covered by 12 national and regional telly and radio broadcasts…
This all took over 1 1/2 hours to get done, and then around 14:00 we walked to House of Commons for a conference w/ Ministers and I got to the Committee Room I was the last one the b/c getting security always takes ages and I had go right through the back of Parliament to get to the Committee Room since there are stairs in the main entrance up to room. When I got to the room, everyone had already handed our report over to MPs and Peers, and were discussing the findings of the report and recommendations for “future courses of action to improve accessibility on public transport for disabled people.”
Sadly, during the discussions my rubbish current wheelchair started hurting really badly, so much so that I had severe breathing difficulties and had to get Dad to leave the room w/ me to lay me down in the hallway, reclining me flat in my wheelchair so I could breathe. After resting for a bit, I decided to go home early b/c I didn’t want to risk my health further. Despite this, everyone from Muscular Dystrophy Campaign were really understanding and lovely about it. Oh, how wonderful they all are at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and how much I love working there…
Anyway, it was just a brilliant experience and it was very nice to meet Trailblazer friends and other wonderful Trailblazers from across the UK. Also, we got the attention of the country’s press and were covered by 12 national and regional telly and radio broadcasts…
Saturday 2 May 2009
Day at The Market
Earlier today I went to Walthamstow Market w/ Dad, as it was such a beautiful day for a change and I just needed to get out of the house. Once we arrived, we walked to the market from a side road where we had parked and I couldn’t believe how bustling it was; it was just how I remembered it when I was younger. Walthamstow has the longest outdoor market in London, possibly even the UK, and is wonderful because there are so many different types of people that go there.
We first went to the main entrance of the outdoor market, where they had a merry-go-round and fun fair type activities for families and a giant screen showing the scores from to Match of the Day . After walking through the market for a bit, we went into the mall that right next door and looked around for a bit in a bookshop and BHS , exiting out into the outdoor market when finished. Exploring the market some more, I was just taking in all the amazing sights and sounds – from Reggae to Bhangra and from Fish ‘n’ Chips to Chicken Tikka Masala. Also, the market is the best local market in the country because there are people here from every part of the world and all connecting with the East London language, raw Cockney English; for example you have all the animated Cockney market-sellers shouting out “Pound ya bananah” and “Lovely jubly darling, tah!” at their stalls. The diversity of the market is really quite surprising, though the BNP or UKIP would really hate there.
Overall, it was a great day well spent in great weather…
We first went to the main entrance of the outdoor market, where they had a merry-go-round and fun fair type activities for families and a giant screen showing the scores from to Match of the Day . After walking through the market for a bit, we went into the mall that right next door and looked around for a bit in a bookshop and BHS , exiting out into the outdoor market when finished. Exploring the market some more, I was just taking in all the amazing sights and sounds – from Reggae to Bhangra and from Fish ‘n’ Chips to Chicken Tikka Masala. Also, the market is the best local market in the country because there are people here from every part of the world and all connecting with the East London language, raw Cockney English; for example you have all the animated Cockney market-sellers shouting out “Pound ya bananah” and “Lovely jubly darling, tah!” at their stalls. The diversity of the market is really quite surprising, though the BNP or UKIP would really hate there.
Overall, it was a great day well spent in great weather…
Friday 1 May 2009
Uni Update
I cannot believe that there’s only about four months left until I start university! I’ve just been so busy lately working on uni stuff (getting accommodation set up, applying for support and sadly applying for student finance, etc.) and all… Wish me luck!
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