Well thank goodness that's over. I need a holiday from Xmas and New Year. Don't get me wrong it is so nice to be back home and to see snow over the Christmas period was beautiful, but all I did was work at Monsoon and try to catch up with friends and family. Monsoon sales are just insane. Constantly scrabbling about on the floor picking up clothes from the floor and watching people trample over expensive silk evening gowns for which they seem to have lost all respect.
Constant queues at the fitting room and till, constantly repeating " you have seven days to return sale items for a refund or an exchange". This makes me so infuriated because we have to take responsibility to inform customers that the refund policy has changed even though there are signs around the store and it's on the receipt. I understand why we have to do it but it doesn't stop me from feeling like a robot, and I am not a robot.
On returning to college I felt like I had been slapped in the face with a massive amount of work. For my sketchbook that I had handed in pre xmas for the Anh Mao project I received a Merit which is pretty average. I was annoyed with myself because the parts that I lost marks on were pretty easy to have completed - maybe that's why I didn't do them - I don't know.....
Anyway, I have since applied to five universities - Kingston, Glasgow School of Art, Leeds, Northumbria and Newcastle College. I have to say it took me ages to write my personal statement because I am not the most fluid writer and I am a perfectionist. Now I have received notifications from these universities to say that I need to supply portfolio pictures to even be considered for an interview. Scary Mary. These are due on the 28th of January and the 7th of February so far.
EEEEK!
I also have to complete my Digital Applications Module which is due on Wednesday 25th January, post off a design sketch for Escada by the 31st January and do some more research and designs for our new project. I also have to attend a meetingon the Wednesday morning this week and work on my portfolio for universities so that it looks amazing. Oh and I am at work tomorrow and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Where can
I squeeze all of this in eh?
I know- I know - if you're reading this then you're thinking well stop blogging and go and do some work then you lazy cow and believe me I am thinking the same thing. However this is also part of my PPD module and if I don't keep updating this then it is going to be one of those horrible things that you have to do all in one night. I think if I did that then it wouldn't be very interesting. I think that the whole part of blogging is to update it as and when stuff happens because it is the immediacy that makes it addictive.
Did I mention that I have to sort out my work experience placement as well and also start thinking about a design for Miss Newcastle?? My cup overfloweth methinks. But it's all good. This is real life and it is not supposed to be easy. Good job I like a challenge otherwise I think I might have to rethink this career choice!!
Several positives came out of the past couple of weeks as well... We got our marks back for the construction of our dresses for the Anh Mao project. I got 82% which is a distinction so I was really pleased about that. Also we got to do a couple of workshops with a lovely lady called Jane Shaw who runs a company called "People into Enterprise". She is helping us think about starting up a business and how we perceive people in business. It is really worthwhile as I am in talks with another designer about setting up website - you know in my spare time!!
We also spent the day with a designer that has worked for Pringle, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Nautica to name just a few. His name is Colin Reed and he has recently moved back to Kelso from America. I have made a page about him because he really is inspirational and despite the array of amazing famous designers that he has worked with he still has his feet firmly planted on the ground, in his roots and traditions. Above all what he expressed to us was his love of design and his passion was clear for everyone to see. Great day!!
