Decibel conference

On Friday I had an amazing opportunity to go to the Decibel conference. It's a two day conference, devoted to developing the arts in Trinidad and Tobago, followed by and expo (this year's theme was Zombie Island). Friday's theme was Film and Fashion. I went as a teacher with some students from my school.

My favourite panel was at the beginning of the conference, they brought together film directors, a fashion designer and a make-up artist. Although film was the most relevant to my interests, it was interesting to hear the stories of the other panellists to. Best advice I got from that panel: once you figure out what you want to do find or make any opportunity to work in that industry.

Another event I really enjoyed was the talk done by the Cinema Makeup School. They did this amazing zombie makeup as a demonstration, but even more amazing was their model, Bonnie G. She stayed in zombie character no matter what. Whether people were trying to take selfies with her or she was answering questions, or even having people getting a hug with a zombie, this girl never broke character. She is wonderful. While I'm more interested in doing directing/screenwriting, I wouldn't mind doing learning how to do makeup like them.

They also had amazing competitions for students and a guest appearance by Seryah McNeill.* It was interesting looking at this event from a teacher's perspective, rather than a student's. While I did get a good perspective on working on film in Trinidad, I saw so many talented students there. I am truly looking forward to the artistic future of Trinidad and Tobago.

*She is the world's biggest sweetheart.

What happens when you binge watch

Binge watching is not a habit of mine. I lack the patience for it. Of course I also lack the patience for watching a new episode, but I get more instant gratification. However, when there's a series that's really, really good I'm unable to control myself. Two series have done that to me recently

Penny Dreadful

I don't know if you've seen Penny Dreadful but let me warn you, it is NOT a show you should binge watch, I don't think I'm the same after having watched it. I watched almost all in one go because I promised a friend I would try and help him understand it. We are still both slightly confused.

I really like the inclusion of Grande Guignol though. Over the top and bloody is just my style.

Verdict: Penny Dreadful is a very good show. It's got this wonderful taste for really gory horror, while acknowledging the worst monsters are those inside people. Also my love Billie Piper is there <3 <3

Orphan Black

Orphan Black is AH-MAH-ZING! There I said it. I tried watching it a couple months ago but I never finished the first episode. Last week I decided to try and finish it. I think it took me like three days, I am in love. It has all my favourite things: attempting to accurately portray relevant scientific concepts, amazing women and high levels of wit and snark.

Verdict: Sosososososo great. My fave clones are currently Helena and Cosima, my precious murder and science babies. Also Felix needs to get a brother of the year award. The characterisations is great the story is great and I'm so excited for season 3!

I saw the first two episodes of the new Orphan Black season and I am in love. My poor baby Helena, so far from her family. It'll be interesting to see the Castor clones, another group of self aware clones but raised for a different purpose

College?!?!

For those of you who may not know. I was accepted to be part of Bryn Mawr College's Class of 2019!!!!! I am beyond excited.

Working on my packing lists now because if I don't I literally will have no time otherwise #bmc2019 #commentanysuggestions

A photo posted by Anushka Robinson (@nushi.ke) on Mar 28, 2015 at 7:58pm PDT

The only downside is that I have so much to do to get ready. I have medical forms to fill out and get my visa. I only got my new passport on Tuesday

To help me and some future poor soul, here are some ways to prepare for college in the fall

Pinterest

Pinterest is a godsend. I have boards for my dorm room, for study tips and for general college life. Pinterest is currently my survival guide.

Follow Anushka's board Dorm on Pinterest.
Follow Anushka's board College on Pinterest.
HerCampus

HerCampus.com is a great resource for all incoming freshmen. They have amazing giveaways and advice for you during and even after your college life. They also have an amazing book coming out.

HerCampus has given me ideas for dorm decoration, socialising on campus and how to use my degree to get a job in the future.*

Any tourism site about the area you're going to

For me that's VisitPhilly.com. It's  a pretty cool website that even has a breakdown month by month of any events happening in the city. 

I'm looking forward to going around and exploring the city!

Packing Lists

This is of uber-importance. Don't tell yourself that you're going to remember everything you need. That's a sure way to end up on the phone to your mom trying to describe to her the thing you need so she can send it to you before next week, when you have to have it by.

Working on my packing lists now because if I don't I literally will have no time otherwise #bmc2019 #commentanysuggestions

A photo posted by Anushka Robinson (@nushi.ke) on Mar 28, 2015 at 7:58pm PDT

I'm making two lists. I'm planning on mailing the bulky stuff to myself and then packing light for the plain ride. Remember pack only essentials, most of the stuff you'll be able to buy once you get to college.

That's it form me for now, good luck Class of 2019!

* I might even start a HerCampus chapter at BMC, shhh....

REVIEW: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

(Source: https://postcardsfrompurgatory.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/americanah-cover-image.jpg)

Please excuse any gushing. Chimamanda Adichie is the queen of my heart.

Americanah tells the story of two Nigerians, Ifemelu and Obinze. They meet in high school, fall in loved and stay together in university. Nigeria is under military rule at this time, to escape the constant strikes at their university Ifemelu leaves to study in America. Obinze promises to follow soon. Instead, they are seperated for 13 years. When they reunite, Ifemelu has returned to Nigeria after running a successful race blog in America, while Obinze is married and had a child.

Americanah is a love story. Through all of Ifemelu and Obinze's faults, their trials and sucesses, part of you waits for the moment they reunite. Even stronger than Ifemeulu and Obinze's personal love story, is a love story for Nigeria. Ifemelu carries two things with her as she live in America, Obinze and Nigeria. Through all her blog entries, included when relevant in some of her chapters, is a sense she is writing her way home. While she becomes a savvy "Americanah"*, her blog makes sense of a world that was incomprehensible to her when she newly arrived. When she returns to Nigeria, part of her doesn't understand why, only that she must go back. Once she does, she is lost in the beginning. She soon starts another blog, writing her way back to Nigeria she knows.

All of Obinze's loves fail. Only his love for Ifemelu is strong enough in the end. He is the opposite of Ifemelu, he loved America but found that it was not when he expected when he arrived. He does not love his wife but is content with his life. Obinze spends much of the book having lost his way. While financially successful, most of his life seems only to be going through the motions. Unlike Ifemelu, instead of holding on to his convictions his worldview becomes gradually shaken up. Only when Ifemelu returns does he begin to rediscover who he really is.

Adichie also has masterful characterisation. Even the minor characters are shown with their own stories. Ifemelu spends six hours in a hair salon and by the end of it the reader feels as if they know her hairdresser as well as they know Ifemelu.

I loved Americanah. I stayed up until 1 a.m. reading it and didn't even realise it. READ THIS BOOK. If I haven't been enough to convince you of the power of Adichie's writing here's a review of her book Purple Hibiscus by a girl I was in class with:

"[I reached a certain part] and I flung the book across the room"**

*A term used for a Nigerian who goes to America and comes back in the novel. Please correct me if I'm wrong

** The good kind, the I don't know what to do with myself the author is so good kind

"Caribbean" accent

"You're from the Caribbean? Isn't that like Jamaica?"

 If you are from the Caribbean and have ever traveled outside, you have heard some variant of this. The first time you hear it you laugh it off and explain no, the Caribbean is an archipelago, made up of hundreds of islands. Yes some accents sound more similar than other but that's getting into phonetics.

 The reason for this blog is that I just finished reading Americanah by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie.* In it the main character Ifemelu, describes her driver as having a "Caribbean accent". I have no beef with Adichie, throughout the novel she allows her characters, even minor ones, to keep their national identity. This one instance struck me as strange, perhaps because of that. What is the Caribbean accent? It feels like it belongs to members of the Caribbean diaspora. Those who have left band together in voice to remember the lyrical patterns of home.

It certainly is not something Caribbean people agree about. Tell a Trinidadian that they sound like a Jamaican and see the look you get. Most Caribbean people can generally guess where you are by your accent. Of course there is the general "Small islander accent."**

I don't expect anyone outside of the Caribbean to instantly know what island a Caribbean person by accent. I just want it to be known we are not a homogenous society of white sand beaches and palm trees. We are not just a vacation destination. Know who we are.

 Bigger countries have no excuse anymore. America, you call us your backyard. And hey Britain, Spain and France! You colonised us for nearly 500 years, learn our names.

*Spoiler alert: It was fantastic like all her books are , I'll be posting a review later.

** I am so so sorry I am an arrogant Trinidadian bastard.

New Year????

Honestly I am not feeling the New Year Spirit this year. Resolutions have never been my thing, I didn't go out, and  I was bogged down with essays. I wouldn't know it was the new year if the calender on my computer didn't say so.

BUT I do have an idea for what I want for this year, or an affirmation as my dad would say.

2k14 was the year of loving my self. I'm going to keep that up but I'm also going to spread that to others this year as well. 2k15 will be the year of giving of myself, as much as I am able.

Also I know college applications are due soon. Good luck to everybody who applied and all the best for the new year!