New Job?!?!

Anyone who knows me knows I don’t vacation well. Strange for a lazy person but true. I think the max amount of time I go without either a job or school is about a week or two before I go mad. Work is how I relax, there’s nothing I like more than completing a job and being productive. The paycheck doesn’t hurt too ;).

Recently, like all college students, I had to ask myself the question: How am I going to make my degree profitable? A conversation with an alumni from my college gave me the idea of trying out a job in marketing/advertising. While my eventual goal is to be a writer and a filmmaker, I have to pay the bills before then. I looked around for marketing jobs and managed to land a great internship at a local advertising firm.

So far I’ve been here about two weeks but I’m learning a lot. I’ve helped write talking points and press releases, done research and even gone on shoots for ads. That’s not even touching on all the amazing stuff that’s still to come. I’ve had some really great jobs, but my co workers here are some really cool people who do some amazing work. Summer internships are a great way to test out different career options, even if you think they may be unrelated to your major. I’ve decided to take some classes in marketing in the fall to become more educated about the field. I can’t wait to see what next summer holds!

The G.A.T.E. question

"The government who gets rid of G.A.T.E. is a government that has decided to retire."

This was my attitude for years, an attitude which time has made me lose confidence in. G.A.T.E. is a government programme in Trinidad and Tobago which funds tertiary education for citizens. This leads to large number of T&T citizens staying in the country for college. On the other hand, this system has invited abuse in past years because of poor regulation. Instead of tightening controls, from what I can tell the programme has just become less accessible to people. Arbitrary rules and regulations have been set up with means students have to jump through hoops in order to receive funding for their education. While there is a need to make sure that G.A.T.E. funds are used appropriately, these regulations have made it harder for students to even get the funding. Students now even have difficulty getting funding if they want to switch programmes, and often G.A.T.E. pays students' tuition late.

While I do not receive G.A.T.E. funding myself, most of my knowledge of the troubles associated with G.A.T.E. come from the experiences of my friends and family. While successive governments have tried to make G.A.T.E. more efficient, their efforts have been like a bull in a china shop. There is huge concern right now that students are abusing G.A.T.E. funds and wasting taxpayers' dollars. The concern is valid, however their approach is worrying.

Suggestions have been made that the programmes and institutions which qualify for G.A.T.E. funding be reviewed, or a 50/50 loan programme be put in place. How do you judge which programmes deserve to get G.A.T.E. funding? Do the sciences and law get prioritised over humanities and the arts? With the rising cost of education, how much can students really provide towards tuition?

As a nation we've decided on certain national priorities, education being one of them. Funding is expensive, but the rewards are greater than the expense. A nation with more educated people is a nation whose citizens are more productive and are more perceptive. Regardless of the degree, when a person is educated that person is empowered. By deciding that education is right, not a privilege we decide that nothing can disqualify a citizen from that right and that systems will be designed to prevent abuse of that right. Delinquency is a huge problem that has to be dealt with. Making access to fund for education creates more problems than it does solutions, It can end up decreasing the number of people who can reap the benefits of the system.

The Shepherd's Crown

I can't believe I forgot to write about this earlier but I finally read the last book of my favourite series. I put off reading Wikipedia articles and ran from all spoilers. Finally, I got a chance to read it. Coming home I had to buy some stuff for my mom and decided to get reading material for the plane at the same time. I had to restrain myself to stop myself from reading it between leaving college and the airport.

Reading The Shepherd's Crown was an emotional experience. Even though I still have several Discworld novels I haven't read, The Shepherd's Crown is the last that will be written. Years ago, because I was obsessed with Christmas, I picked Hogfather off the shelves. Anyone whose read it knows it is not the conventional Christmas story. Terry Pratchett was the first writer that really taught me that you don't have to follow any of the conventional rules of writing.

I won't include any spoilers for the book. The Shepherd's Crown is not the best Discworld book, but it's a fitting way to end the series, especially since one of the first Discworld books I read was a Tiffany Aching novel.

Sunday Lunch

Sunday Lunch  is a Trinbagonian tradition. It's a time where a people who could already cook better than anybody else really bring out their best. It's when a family of two cooks for a family of six (and then has to invite over enough people to eat the food). It's a time where cooks make old favourites ad experiment with new dishes. It's a time to relax, to lime, to explore and to enjoy.

I made the beef and broccoli and the fried rice, mummy made the lasagne. #sundaylunch #daylate #womantohaveinyuhhouse

A photo posted by Anushka Robinson (@nushi.ke) on Jun 15, 2015 at 7:11am PDT

One of my own Sunday lunch experiments with mummy

Sunday lunch is one of my favourite meals because food is one of my favourite things. I love to come up with new dishes to try out and see how they turn out. The come out right for the most part! After leaving church, we usually head to the grocery store then head back home to cook up a storm.

If you enjoy the Sunday lunch tradition I encourage you to share with others. The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Assumption church is always looking for volunteers to donate a boxed lunch to the less fortunate. Outside of this area, enquire with your local charities to see if they have any similar progammes.

My first year

When I was saying goodbye to all my friends before I left to get on the train that could take me away from my first year of college one of my friends said something that I didn't quite expect. She said:

"I'm so glad you came, I know you had a tough first year."

This was so strange for me to hear because until she said that, I would have never though of it. So much happened during my first year, and a lot of it was really great. I got into a really great college, I made some amazing friends, I got the idea that what I want to study won't leave me broke and destitute for the rest of my life. I joined a sport (rowing) and actually gained muscle. I wrote and I completed my first solo film project. Leaving at the end of the first year, I was torn. I wanted desperately to come home and I desperately wanted to come back.

Looking back, many tough things did happen in my first year. I spent both semesters stressed about my mother back at home, I worried about my grades and someone I cared about very much died while I was away. The friend who recognised these things was someone I'd told this to throughout the year. Yet, all these pressures didn't overcome me. Having friends like her really helped, they were there for me through everything.  I guess the moral of this blog is when you're going through a tough time, depending on where you are and who you're with it can be a little easier.

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