Intern Diaries: What is life...

I was hoping this deep thinking phase wouldn't catch up with me while I am doing work here. The organisation I am interning for is a non profit organisation with the mission of the better good, it has been a good few weeks so far but what it has made me do is confront my purpose of life, again. 

I know by now that I am far from figuring anything out, but I thought at least I knew the general direction I want to head to. Being here has reopen the thought that life is short and I should do what I fucking want to do. I began thinking about dreams I let go and how it may never come true now since that day I told myself to look forward. That isn't all. Do I want to chase happiness and interest I know can satiate me at least while I do them, or do I want to take the hard road and fight for something I believe in, the greater good. A life guaranteeing hard work, low pay, and tough opposition from the manny people that question why you chose to do what you do. What do I want to do?

I can't answer that. Maybe it is too early for me, but I suspect I wouldn't know the answer in two years time when I do have to come out with something to convince everyone else that I know what I am doing. 

Here we go again, I feel like a monotonous tape on replay. All I want to do is sleep. 

Intern Diaries: OMG where did all Monday go...

*poof* That was how my weekend went. In a blink of an eye. No where, gone, and Monday too, now Tuesday is gone and tomorrow is Wednesday. Oh God... I don't exactly know who I'm reporting to, but for some reason, there're like four people handing me jobs to finish within the week. I can't handle all of it! I need some sleep (which I am totally not doing anything about it right now staying up writing this). Let me describe my day to you: Wake up, go to work, work, come home, yes work, sleep. Wake up. And eat lots of lots of lots of food, my stomach bulges abnormally largely. But food is so good here at home. 

Not really sure that I completely understand the concept of a holiday. 

I know I complain a lot, but I find it hard to write about happy. I'm great at talking about sad and bad and crazy things. I'm sorry I'm so whiny. I'm working on it. Promise.

Intern Diaries: Casual Friday

How casual is casual ever in a workplace? So as with many other modern corporations/organisations, the office I'm interning with does Casual Friday. My fellow guy intern commented that the girls usually look pretty much the same as they do on "formal wear" days whereas the guys whole heartedly look forward to wearing t-shirts and jeans. If you're a girl, you would understand, formal and casual wear have lines that blur into each other. If I could, I would totally wear my jammies into the office but... Yea, its my first week here lets not push it.

Four interns left us today and it seemed like their managers really appreciated them, like really. I wonder if I would be able to be half as good as they were. I'm worried I won't be. There was cake too, happy and sad at the same time, confused!

Thus ends my first week of my first internship. It has been quite good, I like the atmosphere and though I got off to a rough start due to bad timing and still needing to recover from jetlag, I think I'm going to have a good time here. I also think that I will be given many more projects in the weeks to come as there will be less interns. I'm both excited and scared, God help me...

One thing that my internship has made me think about so far is what I want to do for my future. If anything, it has made me more confused. As I've mentioned, it is a non profit organisation and does things for the good of education. I'm confused as to whether or not I am a corporate person or a person who chases things for the greater good. I know it is possible to get both together but these opportunities are hard to come by. Most people go into either of the two and a majority of them lean towards corporate. I'm not sure of my values and what I stand for anymore. I'm just way too confused about everything!

I must remind myself a thousand times each day to not worry about the future, especially one that is going to take years to become the present. Obviously I don't have much success in the department. It has been ingrained in me to constantly think about what I should do in the future even if its light years away.

Anyway, this is where I'll leave off at. Going home for the weekend. Happy times.

Intern Diaries: I need to sleep...

The office I'm interning at has incredibly high security. Coming in at ground floor, we as interns need to show our identification to be able to enter the lifts. That's fine, totally understandable. Going up tens of stories up to the level where the office is at, a tag is needed to enter the office proximity. Still completely logical. Going from the general area into the working area also requires tapping of the tag. This is where it all gets a little funny. You also need the tag to enter the toilets (meaning tapping out from work area into general area and tapping from general area into toilets). Interns do not get these tags. I made the mistake of taking in way too much water at one time and found myself in desperate need of a tag. But no one with a tag was around! Plus, the only possible choice I had was from someone I borrowed not too long ago to (surprise surprise) relieve my bladder. 

I ran out of the working area and nearly crashed into the toilet doors missing it. Thankfully, the lady who went in just a second earlier figured it was probably an intern-me. She was absolutely right and also a saviour to my suffering. Oh Lord, I think they should assign interns tags. Not necessarily to each one, but at least one for the whole group. 

Its like a trade off, hydration or toilet visits. Oh well, valuation here we go again. :)

On another note, I shall make sure I sleep before 12am no matter what stupid excuse I come up with i.e. this show is really interesting, the bedroom's too far, I'm too lazy (to go to sleep, yes)... I always regret sleeping late the next day. I never learn.

Flying angels, ripped abs, giant yakults. Summer is here...

After exams, I stayed back in the UK for way too long to wait for the 2013 Fina World Aquatic Championships in Barcelona. Thankfully, it was well worth the wait, although I was thoroughly homesick by the end of it. My function was under media at the diving competition. I took flash quotes from the divers after they completed all their rounds, basically I conducted mini interviews and got a taster of what being a journalist feels like. I loved it! I am aware its because my responsibility was super small, so don't go blasting me for thinking I know exactly what it takes to be journalist, I don't. I also got a little bit involved in some translation work, and I must say it was pretty enjoyable too, except for the fact that I fail absolutely at languages. I shall brush up all my existing known languages and continue to work hard to pick up more. 

I had an absolutely amazing time in Barcelona volunteering. The people I worked with were the best and were so friendly. I made sure to have tapas and loads and loads of Sangria. If you ever go there, choose anyone of the eating places along Las Ramblas, order yourself a litre of Sangria and just drink. Boy, you'll feel extremely happy after that.

Also, what made me very happy was getting extremely close to James Magnussen's abs. The event he won was an absolute cracker and I'm super glad to have been able to watch it. Go team Australia! Lol, don't mind me. Here are some picture I have to share with you, excuse the bluriness. 1, I was sitting rather far. 2, my camera isn't that good :(. 3, I suck.

I just have to add before I leave, James Magnussen is an extremely beautiful man. I love him. I really don't. But he is beautiful.

Hope you have a cracking day! (Saying cracking a lot for some reason.)

Intern Diaries: Why did I even...

I always complain about everything, sometimes I need to take a step back to see how blessed I am. The second day of my internship started off slow. I practically sat in my chair the whole morning with not much to do. Admittedly I wasn't seeking out tasks as I'm sure my body hasn't recovered from the two day journey home and the time zone I am in right now. I felt like a zombie. I wouldn't have minded a slow afternoon, but boom the summoning came and next thing I knew I had a whole list of projects to complete. They're pretty cool projects, so I don't mind, and I guess I kind of asked for it what with turning up for work and all. It is now 10.52 pm and I am still working on my first project. I can tell you one thing, no matter how enjoyable work is, I'm not so sure I ever want to graduate! I mean, the amount of off time and holidays you get in uni is amazing. Regretting viewing a three year course as a good thing. Lol, sorry dad. I think your daughter is turning into a bum as each day passes by.

On another note, I have changed up the layout and design of my blog. I felt it needed some freshening up. It still does not have the ideal background I have in mind, but I didn't really like my old design anymore. In the meantime, this works for me, I rather like it. Also, I honestly don't really know where all this need of documenting my life has come from. Over the course of the last few months, this blog was more of a review/opinion on books and movies (though even that wasn't updated regularly) type thing with me being obnoxiously private about my life. Don't ask me about the change of heart, I am the queen of changes.

I'll stop here for now, got to get back to work! I hope you're having a great day whatever you're doing. Sleeping, watching tv, working out... Things I would really like to do. Till the next time.

Keep smiling :)

Intern Diaries: The First Day...

When your school gives you a summer break (or really any break at all), people usually choose to be bums and laze around at home, or on the beach. Then you have me, who unwittingly filled it with very purposeful activities. It is good stuff, but honestly I would rather spend my days sleeping like pig in my bed, which I have not yet been able to sleep in yet! My own lovely bed!

Just to let you know what has been going on, I volunteered for FINA World Aquatic Championships in Barcelona doing some media work. It was the most amazing 14 days ever, I may write a post on that now thinking about it. However, what it meant was that I stayed back in Europe longer instead of flying straight home. After arriving home, three days later I jet off to the capital city to start an internship. Today is my second day and let me tell you I have not recovered from jet lag yet. God... I am crazy. I am only in my first year so I am not entirely sure why I put myself through such unnecessary torture.

On the internship, I am doing it with the equivalent of Teach For America in my country. My first day (yesterday) was ok, it was a little boring at first given that it was the first day after a long public holiday so the staff that was suppose to give me an orientation was not in! I am still blur as to the ins and outs of the office, I don't know how to get to the toilets. Enough said. Anyway, it is pretty good. I had work in the afternoon and even had to stay back overtime to complete it (don't worry, its not labour, I chose to do so myself.). I'm working longer hours than my parents.

From observation, the office has a really cool atmosphere. Everyone likes everyone and people are so committed and dedicated. There is no check in or out as it functions on trust, most people here just love working for the cause, which is the best check for work I guess.

I will end this shit talk here right now, 9am has passed three minutes ago and work has started. That's all. I'm really sleepy.

Iron King...

I've read quite a few books revolving around faeries and a lot of the reviews from other people claim that so far this book is the best out of the lot. I wouldn't go so far as to say it is the best, but certainly near the top and  extremely interesting.

I wanted to read this book because these days a lot of teen/youngish adult books are all dystopian, and though they're all really interesting, my favourite will always be the good old fantasy world (i.e. witches and wizards, dragons, dwarves, magic, elves. Faeries included). And so far, there has not been any faeirie series that I've been really keen on. The one I got the farthest was the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr and I think I got to the third or fourth book before I just couldn't go on anymore. So with Iron King, I really didn't have much expectations since faerie books have tended to disappoint.

Megan Chase is the main character and describes herself as a rather unmemorable girl. This is quite different from other faerie books as the main characters are always seriously beautiful. Although, you'll find out a whole lot more later into the book. As usual an adventure unfolds and she finds out more about herself and things start to make sense, and as usual again she is left to make a life changing choice.

The characters in the book are really interesting and I will avoid going further into it because halfway through the book I read some reviews (why?) and kind of spoiled a little of the surprise for myself. And I hate spoilers.

I did feel at some point that once again I find that I may possibly be a little too old for these books though I'm not sure if it is me or the way the book is written. I sure hope its the book. But even with that, I really enjoyed the book and once I finished wanted to buy all the rest of the books in the series so I can read all about it. Also, there is a accompanying series with Ethan Chase Megan's brother as the main character and I wanted to get that too. I think that's a pretty good mark of a good book.

Overall the book is really interesting and I think I kind of love it. If you love the faerie world and have yet to find the one that really satisfies your needs, give this a try. If you have however, oh please do tell me which one. 

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Would I recommend this book?
Yes!
How much do I rate this book?
4.5/5
Would I read other works by this author?
Yes