Should we hope for the better?

There comes another hot and debatable issue.Obama won the Us presidential election.Should we opt for change.Others are already saying that at least there is a change in the world social set up because race and discrimination are no longer order of the day.Nairobi people are already opting to be given free visas to America.African leaders are so hopeful to such an extent that evryone is saying that they hope for a change in the foreign policy.So what should we say for this?Does this signify change?Is it the proper season for the world change?

LasT Post For NOW

Well this is my last blog post. I will get my single extra mark for 10 blog posts. I am quite surprised: I actually enjoy blogging. After all my de-motivated talk in the beginning I think I may have had a complete turn around.

I’m glad this assignment is over though, because I’m not a fan of group work so all that is left is individual studying. That last statement is quite ironic in view of the fact that I do Drama and with that, group work is imperative. I suppose it’s also imperative to journalism.
Perhaps, like my views regarding blogging, my dislike for group work will change. But for now I’m still relieved it’s over.

I have been thinking. Maybe I will start my own blog in the holidays. It can’t hurt right? It will be helpful if I major in Journalism (I just have to anxiously wait for that acceptance letter). The only question is do I remain anonymous or broadcast my identity? I might have more freedom to say what I want if I stay undercover. On the other hand if I want to get myself well known (which I might not) I will have to reveal my identity.

gooDbye HiSt 102

The 23rd October 2008 was a very sad day in my life. It was my last history lecture and perhaps the last time I will ever hear the pessimistic yet, oh so wise, words of Prof. Julian Cobbing (not to mention his distinctive hand gestures).

A lot of people will not understand this affinity for History 102 and its lecturer but I feel the course has opened my mind and made me more aware in countless ways. I now look with a more critical eye on the way I behave in my everyday activities. And I now, of course, recognise the corporations for who they really are!

I religiously attended lecturers throughout the semester to catch the next episode on the downward spiral of the fate of the planet and the human race. I loved the course because it wasn’t “history history”. It was so broad and all-encompassing and allowed me to put most things in perspective.

I genuinely felt a deep pang of sadness last week Thursday and couldn’t even bring myself to tell Cobbing what I thought of the course.

The one redeeming factor is that there is an exam lecture-session-thing tomorrow. *yay* But that actually just means that tomorrow will be the last episode of History 102 *ahhh*

aDDIction To PieRcingS

A lot of people who have piercings or tattoos say it’s addictive and that is why they’re always saving up for a new addition. I currently find myself doing exactly that. As soon as I have the cash I’m off to get some more metal punctured into me.

Yesterday I stopped myself and thought “Why?” I couldn’t actually answer myself. My current tally of piercings is enough. I don’t look scary but you can still notice them. Any more and people might start avoiding me in the street. Perhaps not in Grahamstown, but certainly back home.

So if I don’t think a new piercing will make me look more attractive why do I want one? Do I want to start scaring strangers off? Not particularly. It isn’t even a rebellion thing because I don’t live wit my parents so they don’t pose a restricting factor. I’m baffled as to my own motivation. All I know is that I’m strangely compelled to get a Monroe lip stud (upper lip). And very soon.

I was thinking of a centre labret but changed my mind. Also, an option is a tongue ring but I like food too much to not eat for three days and then only minimally for a further week.

Drama ExAm strEsS

It seems all I do is complain about Drama but it is currently the most frustrating and time-consuming aspect of my life. Along with our three intense practical exams which, needless to say, consumed much (I emphasise much) of my time throughout the second semester we have two theory papers. Because they pile on the work practically wouldn’t one be sufficient?

What surprised me about the June theory exam for Drama is the level of work they actually expect. I find myself less worried about my English exams, a completely theoretical subject, than the upcoming Drama theory papers. A little bit strange, no?

The problem really lies in the lack of theoretical input throughout the year. The lectures are often useless (with a few exceptions of course). We therefore end up having to do some serious self-study cramming when it comes to exam time. We weren’t even given notes on some of the sections we need to study and others have no published material. Thumb sucking doesn’t work either because they expect us to reference (in an exam!?!?)

Ok final complaint (I promise there shall be no more!): the department also decided to put our exams on the 1st and last possible days. I am missing half of Woodstock thanks to this subject.

A learning curve for me

A learning curve for me
This module was very hectic for me but at the same time I have learnt a lot of things professional and personally about me. This terms work required us to plan our work and work as group. And for me that was really good because I learnt how to work with people though it was kind of hard at the same time because you had to plan the time for your meetings with your group, where sometimes some of your group members couldn’t make it so you had to wait or reschedule.
This course has allowed me to grow as an individual because it has allowed me to voice out what I think and made me realize or rather understand the society better. At the same time I must say, the course has been emotional removing for me because of the work load and the pressure we were always working under. I had times when I felt like leaving everything and go home because I felt like I couldn’t keep up with everything that was happening and what was expected of us to do.
Through everything that was been happening personally for me, I must say that this course has thought me more about journalism like working under pressure but still meeting deadlines. During the course we had to do a lot of research and it was very hard with the work and people not willing to contribute anything but at the end of the day you had to come up with a story. The research that we had to do on this course mostly involved students and from that I have learned to be patient with people make people trust and see me as a student not as journalist and also to interact with them in a good way.
Personally the course has made me understand different people. It was very emotional for me the interviews that I had with people were very sad because they told me their stories and put their trust in me and I didn’t trust myself with that keeping people’s secrets. I remember asking myself how people can still go on when they have so much on their shoulders. I felt like all the things they told me were just a big rifle place in my shoulders. Because now their problems were now mine because I had asked them to tell me their life stories. I remember one night when I cried my self to sleep after I had an interview with Itai Wanyuku for my profile it was like everything in my life was just to perfect Because of what his been through. Through everything I learned that you need to show your sources that you care about them while interviewing them, so they can see you are not a journalist passing by looking for a story but you are that person who is willing to listen to them and tell their stories. The course has been hectic but I believe it has made us strong and grow personally and professionally.
The course was very useful to use as journalist students because it included everything we have covered through out the year. It included all types of genres. It was very practical because we were applying all theories that we have covered narratives and profiles. It was also relevant to use as first years because it’s where we got a chance to express our selves and get to know each other about everything that has been happening.

Alohol as a social crutch: Outtaurspace

Red Moonrise: To Booze or Not To Booze

I agree that a ban on alcohol won't solve anything. What worries me most about this issue is the way alcohol is relied on as a social crutch. Read my post about it.