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!
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