So, I'm finally on Christmas break from university! It's been a busy term, hence why I haven't updated the blog!
I have to say, the university is the best decision I've chosen because my course is much better than what I expected. The staff were so supportive and I've made great friends. The course is so much fun, I'm learning a lot, like Photoshop, After Effects, Avid Media Composer and much more. I had little experiences as well, where I was working with Nusic (based in Nottingham) one evening to film a shoot of the local band called 'Alcedo' to promote the band, and also I was a photographer volunteer for a medieval fair held in Dunkirk, along with my friend from my course.
I can't wait for next term as I will be teaming up with the second year students of the course for three weeks before we all head into our work placements! I'm excited to see which placement I will be put into... Although, I did choose my top placements, which are BBC, V-Point and some internal placements at university.
I even signed up to be a course representative and working towards a leadership award for it, as well as working towards an Acceler8 award.
So you can really tell how busy I am! It's pretty mental but I know for sure is that I'm enjoying it.
Despite my lack of updating the blog, I do, however, update regularly on my creative blog because it counts toward my university grade. See here: https://uptillartam.wordpress.com/
Also, as part of the course, I've set up my official portfolio at: http://catherinejoynson.wix.com/catherinejoynson
Other than university, I also attended some deaf events.
I went to BDA Youth's Winter Prom in November, and it was a fantastic evening. I was nervous at first since I've never really been to events in my life so I didn't know anyone at all. I went with two of my friends from Nottingham to travel down to London for a night. I ended up making new friends, as well as having laughs with my friends. I also met a friend who's recently moved to England to study in Manchester from Australia. He travelled with us from coach station to the hotel, and we learned few Australian signs (only because we signed and he got confused!).
As one of the most popular events, I went to a deaf gathering held in Derby. It was my first time to Derby and I went with a friend of mine (one who I also went to prom with) and she introduced me to a lot of friends. I also caught some friends I knew, including a college friend, a friend I made in a summer camp few years ago and re-united with my childhood best friend whom I went to nursery with! It was an awesome night, although my boyfriend did feel left out as he had work in the early morning so he couldn't come along...
If you would like to attend one of the deaf gatherings in Derby, it is held on the first Friday every two months: February, April, June, August, October and December. It also can be on Saturdays too but Fridays are mostly popular.
A rather long post, but hey, I'm back!
Tuesday 9 December 2014
Saturday 27 September 2014
First week of uni...
So my summer is officially over now that I just completed the Welcome Week at my university...
I couldn't find an apprenticeship in the end so now I'm studying in Nottingham. The first week was great and scary as I realised how much more independent I had to be from college to university. I was completely on my own and it was really challenging for someone who's deaf but you get used to it. The tutors were so helpful and they were aware of my hearing loss, I noticed that they made sure that I had their attention and they were facing me when speaking and I was really pleased of that support.
So far, I'm considering take up in so many clubs! I've joined Juggling society and the people were really nice and I made sure that they were aware that I am deaf. I'm considering taking up archery, which the taster session is tomorrow, and maybe badminton. I'm also thinking of film-making society and world wide volunteering. Volunteering abroad is one experience that I really really want to do!
I attended a taster session in juggling society on the first evening and I had learnt two juggling tricks already! I already knew how to juggle so they taught me how to juggle bouncy balls against the floor instead of in the air, and juggling with rings instead of balls. They were so confusing at first but eventually, I got used to it. The juggling clubs looks terrifying as I was worried I'd hit myself with them... But who knows, I could be juggling them soon!
Finally, I received a post letter from the cochlear implant centre stating that I am due to upgrade my right side (old implant) to Nucleus 6. However, I am wondering if I could just delay it until I can also upgrade my left side so I would have both N6 together at the same time. I have asked this three times and none of them got a reply... I did ask them third time and they only replied to say when I am due to upgrade my left side, not exactly answering my question and that was frustrating...
Let the university life begin!
I couldn't find an apprenticeship in the end so now I'm studying in Nottingham. The first week was great and scary as I realised how much more independent I had to be from college to university. I was completely on my own and it was really challenging for someone who's deaf but you get used to it. The tutors were so helpful and they were aware of my hearing loss, I noticed that they made sure that I had their attention and they were facing me when speaking and I was really pleased of that support.
So far, I'm considering take up in so many clubs! I've joined Juggling society and the people were really nice and I made sure that they were aware that I am deaf. I'm considering taking up archery, which the taster session is tomorrow, and maybe badminton. I'm also thinking of film-making society and world wide volunteering. Volunteering abroad is one experience that I really really want to do!
I attended a taster session in juggling society on the first evening and I had learnt two juggling tricks already! I already knew how to juggle so they taught me how to juggle bouncy balls against the floor instead of in the air, and juggling with rings instead of balls. They were so confusing at first but eventually, I got used to it. The juggling clubs looks terrifying as I was worried I'd hit myself with them... But who knows, I could be juggling them soon!
Finally, I received a post letter from the cochlear implant centre stating that I am due to upgrade my right side (old implant) to Nucleus 6. However, I am wondering if I could just delay it until I can also upgrade my left side so I would have both N6 together at the same time. I have asked this three times and none of them got a reply... I did ask them third time and they only replied to say when I am due to upgrade my left side, not exactly answering my question and that was frustrating...
Let the university life begin!
Friday 18 July 2014
Summer '14 is here!
So... I've officially finished college!! The pressure is off me now...
I have to say, that was one hell out of a course!
Since the end of college, I've been busy! I've been applying for apprenticeships regularly, visiting my boyfriend and catching up with my sister who's finally home for the summer from university.
So far, I've been to Center Parcs with my boyfriend and it was rather lovely as the weather's been kind to us! Although we did get ill because we were rather obsessed with swimming everyday!
After that, I was already off to Bournemouth with my friend for a week and the weather was nice again. I tried to avoid getting sunburns but instead I have funny tan lines on my feet and wrists! Because we both are interested in photography, we ended the week with lots of photographs and instant images! Bournemouth is a really nice place for quick getaways! The beach is lovely and of course water to cool you down. I recommend that you bring a bike or rollerskates for evening beach walks!
It was that time of the year that the NDCS have arranged annual event day at Wicksteed Park for the county's members! I couldn't wait as I hadn't seen my friends from old school since last year! I caught up with my friends on the day, with endless go karting! It was a hot day but managed to keep myself cool by whizzing on the go karts and water ride!
Yesterday, I went to Thorpe Park with the same friend from Bournemouth holiday. This time, I really did get sunburn on my shoulders! It was all down to the ridiculous two hours queue for the Saw ride... During that time, the ride had actually stopped twice! Thankfully, the rest of the rides we went on didn't have long queues. I was really disappointed that the fastest roller coaster, Stealth, was closed at the time... It was one of the rides that I wanted to try out! I would say that Thorpe Park is a fantastic park, despite the queue times, and I recommend The Saw ride!
My summer is not over yet... I have a family holiday to look forward to! It starts next week and we will be staying near Middlesborough for a week, so I'll be expecting to come home very exhausted from hiking and probably biking!
After that, I'm hoping to start an apprenticeship, if I get one. I've applied over 25 vacancies already and not one has invited me to an interview yet. But my applications are currently processed so I'm assuming that they like to take their time!
The appointment from June that I attended for a checkup on my implants. There were no changes, just normal assessments but I had forgotten to ask about the upgrades! As the centre states, patients are entitled to upgrades every five years and my Freedom processor is due already. They haven't said anything and I assume that the funding is difficult at the moment as there are more children being given processors. I've heard some of other recipients are complaining about the lack of attention to our age range because they believe that the team are focusing on younger children.This is unfortunate for us, and I was hoping to get rid of the Freedom processor as it keeps breaking at random times and it depresses me every time it breaks!
A rather long blog post for you...
Enjoy your holidays!
I have to say, that was one hell out of a course!
Since the end of college, I've been busy! I've been applying for apprenticeships regularly, visiting my boyfriend and catching up with my sister who's finally home for the summer from university.
So far, I've been to Center Parcs with my boyfriend and it was rather lovely as the weather's been kind to us! Although we did get ill because we were rather obsessed with swimming everyday!
After that, I was already off to Bournemouth with my friend for a week and the weather was nice again. I tried to avoid getting sunburns but instead I have funny tan lines on my feet and wrists! Because we both are interested in photography, we ended the week with lots of photographs and instant images! Bournemouth is a really nice place for quick getaways! The beach is lovely and of course water to cool you down. I recommend that you bring a bike or rollerskates for evening beach walks!
It was that time of the year that the NDCS have arranged annual event day at Wicksteed Park for the county's members! I couldn't wait as I hadn't seen my friends from old school since last year! I caught up with my friends on the day, with endless go karting! It was a hot day but managed to keep myself cool by whizzing on the go karts and water ride!
Yesterday, I went to Thorpe Park with the same friend from Bournemouth holiday. This time, I really did get sunburn on my shoulders! It was all down to the ridiculous two hours queue for the Saw ride... During that time, the ride had actually stopped twice! Thankfully, the rest of the rides we went on didn't have long queues. I was really disappointed that the fastest roller coaster, Stealth, was closed at the time... It was one of the rides that I wanted to try out! I would say that Thorpe Park is a fantastic park, despite the queue times, and I recommend The Saw ride!
My summer is not over yet... I have a family holiday to look forward to! It starts next week and we will be staying near Middlesborough for a week, so I'll be expecting to come home very exhausted from hiking and probably biking!
After that, I'm hoping to start an apprenticeship, if I get one. I've applied over 25 vacancies already and not one has invited me to an interview yet. But my applications are currently processed so I'm assuming that they like to take their time!
The appointment from June that I attended for a checkup on my implants. There were no changes, just normal assessments but I had forgotten to ask about the upgrades! As the centre states, patients are entitled to upgrades every five years and my Freedom processor is due already. They haven't said anything and I assume that the funding is difficult at the moment as there are more children being given processors. I've heard some of other recipients are complaining about the lack of attention to our age range because they believe that the team are focusing on younger children.This is unfortunate for us, and I was hoping to get rid of the Freedom processor as it keeps breaking at random times and it depresses me every time it breaks!
A rather long blog post for you...
Enjoy your holidays!
Thursday 5 June 2014
Programming Appointment Due
Hi!
No news at the moment!
I am due to an appointment at the Cochlear Implant Programme, which I've booked one for tomorrow morning. It's probably nothing new in the appointment but since I am due to an upgrade for my old implant, and I've not received any word about it from the team so I will be asking them about that.
Just finished college now! All there's left to do is two business exams, and I've just had one on Tuesday. I think it went fairly well but you never know until the results day! I'm pretty nervous...
I found an apprenticeship that's just come up, which is a Photography assistant and this is my chance to try and get it! It's so rare for a photography apprenticeship to come up and one hasn't come up for the last 3 years! Hopefully, I could get it in late July!
Ciao!
No news at the moment!
I am due to an appointment at the Cochlear Implant Programme, which I've booked one for tomorrow morning. It's probably nothing new in the appointment but since I am due to an upgrade for my old implant, and I've not received any word about it from the team so I will be asking them about that.
Just finished college now! All there's left to do is two business exams, and I've just had one on Tuesday. I think it went fairly well but you never know until the results day! I'm pretty nervous...
I found an apprenticeship that's just come up, which is a Photography assistant and this is my chance to try and get it! It's so rare for a photography apprenticeship to come up and one hasn't come up for the last 3 years! Hopefully, I could get it in late July!
Ciao!
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Nearly the end of college
Hi, I've been really busy with my college work but now I have finally finished fine art and photography! Although, I still have business lessons to attend to until May half term in two weeks and then attempt three exams in June before actually finished my college life ever. I'm really excited to finish college because the last year tend to be harder and just drags on... But I'm really happy with my progress over the last two years and felt I have learnt so many things and improved my knowledge and skills. I would totally recommend going to college than sixth form schools, unless you don't feel up to being independent just yet.
I've planned many things in the summer before I start looking for apprenticeships myself: Center Parcs with my boyfriend, Bournemouth with my best friend, Great Ayton with my family and few day outs too! I'm really looking forward to it and making the most of it as this could be my last big summer holiday if I get an apprenticeship in the end.
My implants, still no changes...
I've planned many things in the summer before I start looking for apprenticeships myself: Center Parcs with my boyfriend, Bournemouth with my best friend, Great Ayton with my family and few day outs too! I'm really looking forward to it and making the most of it as this could be my last big summer holiday if I get an apprenticeship in the end.
My implants, still no changes...
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Progress...
So I'm finally 18! Had a great birthday meal with my friend who also had her 21st birthday. It was funny to see us having two age birthdays up next to us. We've been friends since I moved in town from London, which I was in infants school whilst she was in juniors school next door. She is also deaf, and wears hearing aids on both ears.
College has been real crazy as I had short time to complete many projects for both Fine Arts and Photography, and I just had my photography exam! It went well, although a little more time on preparation work would've been nice... I've completed my photography course, so I have art and business to focus from now on. I have 15 hour art exam after Easter holidays, which I am looking forward because the photography exam wasn't pleasant as I was just sitting there, staring at my Mac laptop which is tiring! In art exam, I can just walk around and sort out materials so, I wouldn't be sitting around all day!
Talking about my bilateral implants... Honestly, I really don't think my second implant is really improving much... I don't know if it's just because of the amount of electrodes I have (they couldn't fit all of the electrodes in due to meningitis), or it's actually THAT slow... It's quite frustrating because I still can't rely on the implant yet, because I'd like to hear properly in the implant so I can rest my old implant to boost up my hearing on the left ear. In the new implant, it's still going in high pitches, so it tires me out. I still have that problem where if I wake up and put on the second implant straight away, I'd get headaches easily unless if I switch it on later and this is annoying because sometimes I forget to turn it on. It's harder than I thought about this process. But I guess I'll have to wait for few more years and see how it goes.
Happy Easter holidays, everyone!
College has been real crazy as I had short time to complete many projects for both Fine Arts and Photography, and I just had my photography exam! It went well, although a little more time on preparation work would've been nice... I've completed my photography course, so I have art and business to focus from now on. I have 15 hour art exam after Easter holidays, which I am looking forward because the photography exam wasn't pleasant as I was just sitting there, staring at my Mac laptop which is tiring! In art exam, I can just walk around and sort out materials so, I wouldn't be sitting around all day!
Talking about my bilateral implants... Honestly, I really don't think my second implant is really improving much... I don't know if it's just because of the amount of electrodes I have (they couldn't fit all of the electrodes in due to meningitis), or it's actually THAT slow... It's quite frustrating because I still can't rely on the implant yet, because I'd like to hear properly in the implant so I can rest my old implant to boost up my hearing on the left ear. In the new implant, it's still going in high pitches, so it tires me out. I still have that problem where if I wake up and put on the second implant straight away, I'd get headaches easily unless if I switch it on later and this is annoying because sometimes I forget to turn it on. It's harder than I thought about this process. But I guess I'll have to wait for few more years and see how it goes.
Happy Easter holidays, everyone!
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Halfway to the end of College...
Before February half term was absolutely mental as I was being piled on with coursework to complete before I break up for the half term. But I managed to complete it all in time, and now I'm on new fresh units in art and photography, which means new projects!
As we are now in March, it is a week from today to my birthday! My official 18th birthday! I've not got any plans for the birthday but I'm having a meal with my best friend who is also turning 21, four days after I turn 18. Apart from that, I'm just generally looking forward to my presents from my family and friends.
I've finally moved house, but not far from my old town, just 5 miles away. Pretty much next door to the town... Even though I moved in, I still might not stay here for long as I might go to university in September, unless I get an apprenticeship locally.
I've applied for Nottingham Trent University to study a foundation course in Media Creatives, then I might consider doing a Top-Up degree in Photography after that, so I get to explore different range of media, rather than just doing photography in BA Photography course that I applied in other universities. I've been accepted a place and I've already replied to the offer so I'm hoping to get my results to get into the course and enjoy university life.
Ta-ra!
As we are now in March, it is a week from today to my birthday! My official 18th birthday! I've not got any plans for the birthday but I'm having a meal with my best friend who is also turning 21, four days after I turn 18. Apart from that, I'm just generally looking forward to my presents from my family and friends.
I've finally moved house, but not far from my old town, just 5 miles away. Pretty much next door to the town... Even though I moved in, I still might not stay here for long as I might go to university in September, unless I get an apprenticeship locally.
I've applied for Nottingham Trent University to study a foundation course in Media Creatives, then I might consider doing a Top-Up degree in Photography after that, so I get to explore different range of media, rather than just doing photography in BA Photography course that I applied in other universities. I've been accepted a place and I've already replied to the offer so I'm hoping to get my results to get into the course and enjoy university life.
Ta-ra!
Sunday 12 January 2014
Happy New Year!
Happy New 2014, guys!
Being traditional, my new resolution would be get into a healthy lifestyle - exercising and healthy eating. I hate sitting around when my body feels crouched down where I feel free after exercising! But because of the college, this would be a challenge as I travel 3 hours home and back, so I get really tired... Hopefully I can stick to this resolution!
I got great presents from Christmas, although I did receive many chocolates so I'm trying to eat them all so I can get them out of the way. Also, I got few games to occupy myself whenever I'm bored, Sims 3 collections and SimCity. Over the holidays, I was really addicted to Pokemon X on 3DS, so I spent a whole week playing on it and have managed to finish the story...
I've got a busy month coming up, moving house, college work, driving test and I'm already under pressure! It's hard to balance home life and college life because my art tutor is putting me under pressure as she's determined to get me a grade A but I'm really trying!
I've no news at the moment, so take care!
Being traditional, my new resolution would be get into a healthy lifestyle - exercising and healthy eating. I hate sitting around when my body feels crouched down where I feel free after exercising! But because of the college, this would be a challenge as I travel 3 hours home and back, so I get really tired... Hopefully I can stick to this resolution!
I got great presents from Christmas, although I did receive many chocolates so I'm trying to eat them all so I can get them out of the way. Also, I got few games to occupy myself whenever I'm bored, Sims 3 collections and SimCity. Over the holidays, I was really addicted to Pokemon X on 3DS, so I spent a whole week playing on it and have managed to finish the story...
I've got a busy month coming up, moving house, college work, driving test and I'm already under pressure! It's hard to balance home life and college life because my art tutor is putting me under pressure as she's determined to get me a grade A but I'm really trying!
I've no news at the moment, so take care!
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