Joke

A man in a hot air balloon realised he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.”

The woman below replied, “You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.”

“You must be a chief editor,” said the balloonist.

“I am,” replied the woman. “How did you know?”

“Well,” answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help so far.”

The woman below responded, “You must be a writer.”

“I am,” replied the balloonist, “but how did you know?”

“Well,” said the woman, “you don’t know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.”

Happy times

Hi there,

Ok, a quick summary since I have not been an active blogger lately...

I've been in my home country, Brazil, since mid August. I'd to come in the last minute due to multiples visa rejections in London. Finally and thank God, I've got sorted it out here in Brazil and I don't need to worry when I'm back. They gave me 2 years settlement visa. Time enough to finish my studies and maybe do my post graduate course as well.

It's winter time over here, so temperatures are not as warm as you like to think it is...But surely warmer than London winter.

While over here I'm meeting with some old school friends - I haven't seen them in like... 10 years?? So yes, all its good. Family its great too. Oh! I love them and I think this time around will be even harder to leave.
I think getting old also includes having nostalgic moments more often. In the past few days, I want to spend more time with my family and loved ones. Maybe the idea of moving back to Curitiba for good is in the horizon... (just a thought!)

Also there are my lovely dogs. They are the cutest dog. You can't get cuter than this...


Monica

Maco

My time over here it's coming to an end and soon I have to be back in London and back to work, back to my student life. ahhhhh
Anyhoo, just want to write a quick note so you know what I've been up to.
Above are some friends of mine I love dearly.


Guta, Me and Camils

Desiree, Me and Guta

Me & Mariana

"Real friendship is a rare and precious gift, strong,
stable, yet fragile, and never to be taken for granted."

London is trying to tell me something...

Summer in London this year has reach the highest of temperatures. It's been the hottest in 10 years which is a good thing, don't get me wrong. But London is not used/prepared to have a such hot Summer.

For those poor people (including me) that MUST get the metro basically everyday of the week and have to deal with the hottest of temperatures underground is almost a sacrifice. Stinky beggars, people that haven't shower in the morning, expired deodorant, bad breath, sweat... urgh. The air down there its so dusty and warm that make us really think we are in a shelter from WW2.

Temperatures inside the tube can get really high and often people faint. Causing a number of delayed trains and tubes stuck between stations. One time a friend of mine got stuck like that for almost an hour!!!!! Thank you Jesus, THAT never happen to me, just listening to her made me feel claustrophobic.

Transport for London needs urgently do something about it. Can you imagine this city in the Summer of the Olympics in 2012? What a chaos that could turn into?!?

Now, I think London is trying to tell me something because it seems like everything I do to stay legally in this country is not really working...

I will go home earlier this year. I was only planning to go back for Christmas but that didn't go as planned. It's been 3 months now I'm trying to sort it out my situation (visa) from here, but the way things are going the best solution will be to go home and do it from there. At least it's safer. I will leave this country this time as if I'm a criminal. It's ridiculous.
But I will come back as a champion. Wait and see.

Facebook NOT Confidential

A lot of people out there use Facebook as a form of publicity either to promote themselves, to promote their company, fan pages or most common to keep updates with your mates from far away. Facebook is a tool for many people to COMMUNICATE! And let other people KNOW what is going on with your life.

So, in my opinion if you like things to be more private, simply just don't go and tell a whole network what you are abouts.

Don't publish anything that might get people interesting to know More of what you want to tell. And if someone do want to know be ready to answer questions or at least be polite and not an arse.

Anyway, that's my thought of it!!

Peace out!

Linda mensagem

Chat up by an older man

Hey folks, sorry for the laziness, it has been a while.
Don't worry, I've made plan and I do now have a couple of stories to tell. Hope you will enjoy them. Mostly is my day to day routine and situations I come across with, hope you find it funny and understandable.

I will begin by reporting the day I was chat up by an older man in the London underground. Argh! I felt so used.

It all started when I decided to go for that stupid casting in Hammersmith station it was for L'oreal. It's a long way to go if you are in Central London, also it was my last casting of the day. The weather was great, Sun was shining - I was happy.
People kept staring at me, maybe because I put more make up than usual, or was the black eyeliner I putted under my eyes?!? I have no idea.
So I'm on the Piccadilly line sitting and listening to my Ipod, enjoying my music (I do that on purpose sometimes, so to avoid this kind of situations) when he got up and sat next to me - I didn't even see it.
Once in a while I put my head up to check the station we are in and also to see how closed I'm from Hammersmith station. In one of these times, I see from the corner of my eye, this white haired man, bubbling something to me. Remember I'm with my Ipod on and I CAN'T hear him at all.
I put my earphones phones down and politely turn to him and said: "I'm sorry were you talking to me?" Ohhhhhh WHY? WHY? WHY? I should have kept my head down and pretend I didn't see him. He asked: "Oh do you know if I get down in Hammersmith station I will be closer to Hammersmith Road?" Ohhh common now! Are u kidding me? Again I politely answered: "I don't know! Maybe...?!" I see that he keeps staring at me and from that moment on I knew it, he was just trying to make a conversation. Aff. I'm so angry with myself now.
Next question: "Where are you from?" Are you serious? No way. Look at you old man, you are old enough to be my grandfather!!! Politely I answered: "I'm from Brazil!"
As he started talking about his life (observation: I didn't ask anything) I felt he had a bad breath as well. Great! That's all I asked for, having to deal with an old pervert man with a bad breath, just before I need to be in front of clients looking all happy and smiley. Yes!
Next step he gave me his card and said:"Anytime you want to go for a coffee just give me a call!" Gheez! Why on Earth would I go out for a coffee with you??? Tell meeeeee.
At this time we are almost reaching Hammersmith station and I thank God for that... As I get up, he start coming right next to me and we walk 'together' until we go our separate ways. Maaaannnnnn. During this time I told him I'm at university, so maybe he will realize how young I am??? Baff, I should have known better how to deal with these kind of maniacs!!!
I mean, I should have been 'short and sweet' and tell him straight away: "Look grandpa, I could be your granddaughter. Look at you! Just please stop acting like you are in your thirties, would you? I don't like to date old men and also I have a gorgeous and young boyfriend. Why don't you go and browse in some other department?"
I was completely stunned by his actions. Did I look like some golddigga perhaps? Oh maybe I looked like a stupid blond girl (note: I'm brunette) and he might have thought: "Oh this one, yes, she will come for a coffee with me." Did I look easy? Or maybe he was just so desperate for a conversation?? Oh I don't know!!! In the end he said: "Hopefully I see you again on my way back to the station." Are you kidding me?!? Lunatic!!
Anyway, if you are wondering what I did with his card. First, I searched on the web about him, then I threw away on the first trash bin I found it. If you are curious, he is the director of a research medical business.

The cost of being a foreign student

The plight of foreign students: international fees support UK universities



Universities are turning to foreign students tuition fees to help in their finances. The relative amount of overseas students accepted in British universities has doubled in the recent years, states Universities UK. Overseas students produce the most income for universities in the UK with fees being up to ten times as much as undergraduates from Britain and the EU.

One of the latest publications from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that there were 2,396,050 students in Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in the UK between 2008/09. Of these 2,027,085 was UK home students, whereas only 117,660 were from other EU countries and 251,310 were from non-EU countries.

Most of UK international students come from China (47,035) and India (34,065) comprising almost one third of all non-EU students in the UK and this number keep rising. The majority of students from EU countries are from Ireland and Germany with 15,360 and 14,130 respectively.

A 2008/09 study showed that full-time UK students were 111,486 to only 15,717 non-UK students and part-time UK students were 55,879 to 28,415 non-UK students.

International students contribute far more to the UK culturally and financially. Rishi Pancholi, from Student Union in London Met, said: “One of the best things about University is that I have the opportunity to meet and make friends with people from all over the world.” He also reaffirms that: “International students (not EU) do pay at least 3 times more than home students” and are almost seen as a “Cash Cow.” In a survey made by Mike Reddin, shows these following figures for undergraduate fees from UK/EU and overseas students (non-EU) 2009/10. Note that these numbers are for arts based courses, science based course fees are slightly higher.

UK/EU non-EU
3,225 14,247 Cambridge
3,225 12,020 Kings College London
3,225 8,800 London Met
3,225 17,100 Oxford
3,225 12,280 UCL
3,225 9,830 Westminster

Theses numbers are a clear example that international fees are really high.
Universities in London have a significant number of places for overseas students. London Metropolitan has over 34,000 students in which nearly 8,000 students are foreign. Westminster University has more than 20,000 students where 5,000 are from overseas.

Marcela Fiuza, a third year student of Human Nutrition at Westminster claims that: “There is no financial support for international students and it would be nice if there was at least a sponsorship (anything from 20% of the fees) based on academic achievements, so it could benefit both students and the university.” Although her university doesn’t offer support for international students, some universities in the UK do, but it is almost impossible to get.

At London Met it is no different. Any full-time non-EU international student who achieves an average of 70% in year one or two will receive an automatic £1000 tuition fees reduction in next year’s tuition fee but mostly of scholarships are only available for new students.

Bhavesh Thakkar, who is 20 years old and a second year student of International Relations at London Met, states that: “I have an educational loan from my country of about £26,000 - in all with 12% interest to pay”. Bhavesh, who is from India, is also having bank difficulties and is trying to get £3000 on concession from London Met at the moment and up to now he has not been given any financial help and only an extension to pay for his fees.

England is well known for being a multi-cultural country, which is popular for young ones. Individuals from all over the world desire to come to England to get a better education. Despite the huge amount of money you need to invest in higher education in a foreign country, there are other factors that may conflict before you reach your target.

Besides the tuition fees there are costs of accommodation in which keep increasing. Landlords and homeowners are taking advantage of international students first because they believe that if you have enough money to pay for international fees you also might have extra money for your accommodation.

This is exactly what happened with Management and Marketing London Met student Anfisa Bulgokova, 24, where the estate agent asked her to pay in six months’ rent in advance. “When we paid the full amount (for 6 months) the agents from Atkinson McLeod did not respond to any of our problems regarding to our flat. They always found some reasons to not to deal with our issues”.

Victor DelVecchio, a journalism student, moved to London four years ago and had a similar situation: “…due to my thin knowledge of English, people have tried to do me in. I guess if your understanding of English civilization remains small, consequently some dodgy ones would make sure they get out of the deal without a fail.”

Although the idea of having an international degree does not always means quality. In the article written by Richard Garner in 2008 for the Independent newspaper, Peter Williams, head of the Quality Assurance Agency, states that international students believe that paying fees will get you a degree. Professor Geoffrey Alderman argued that some universities were turning a ‘blind eye’ on plagiarism and giving better grades just so they can show up well at league tables.

Little adventure to France!

Our little adventure to South of France - Part 2 - right when the Eyjafjallajokul volcano errupted!

PEOPLE TREE SHOOT

Nose picking, stinky beggar... oh I need some wheels!!!

Ohhhhh my Lord!!! I can't stand the Underground!!! Either I get a bicycle or car!!!URGENTLY!!!
First let's talk about nose picking.
In my opinion nose picking equals farts. It's disrespectful. You don't do it in front of others. And never in public. These are the basic rules.
After five years living in London I realize English people are winners when it comes to education but losers when it comes to hygiene.
This week on the Underground I caught a couple of people digging up their nostrils. Ahhhhhhhh it was so horrible!!! The most repulsive one was this typical English guy sitting next to me: blond, tall, and kind of fit. One hand was holding his newspaper and the index finger of the other hand was almost totally inside his nostril. But it doesn't stop there. After he finally got it all out, he then put in his mouth and started chewing!!! Ahhhhhh GROSS!!! How could you??? Thank God my stop was the next one.
Again, the other day, we all had to get on to the platform because something was wrong with the train. As we were waiting this Asian guy started picking his nose while reading his newspaper. He then started rubbing both his fingers together and making little snot balls. What's wrong with people? Did your parents not teach you good matters?
Moving on to our next topic.
Stinky beggars.
Ohhhh they should NOT be allowed on ANY public transportation unless they're reasonably clean!!
I rarely encounter stinky beggars, but when I do, I make sure to be as close to the door as possible. So at least when doors open I get some fresh air. These ones always start their speeches with (imagine a very strong Scottish accent): "Sorry everyone, I don't want to disturb, but I haven't eaten for days and I'm just collecting money so I can spend the night in a shelter and clean myself ... blah blah blah..." I know we should feel sorry for them but I don't at times. Britain is a country that offers everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, a chance to make it. Homeless people can even get benefits. There is absolute no excuse for you to be the way you are. I say this because I've studied for the "Life in the UK" test, where you need to read a book which contains all the country's basic information. I recommend you read it if you want to come and live in the UK. It's really helpful.
Anyway, back to the subject. So yeah, this man was smelling so bad I almost threw up in disgust.
Those are my reasons for needing to get some wheels, pretty soon. I will start looking for a bicycle perhaps...

That's it for now. I'm so tired!! Yay!! Dinner is ready!! Talk soon!

Volcanic ash

Well, as we all know from the news last week the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull caused a chaos to thousands or better millions of people. And I was one of them. The day it went off I was set to go to South of France (Saint Jean de la Blaquière) to shoot a catalogue for People Tree. I was ready to get my cab when my phone rang saying to stay on stand by because our flight - basically all flights that day - got canceled. Two hours later I get a phone call saying we are suppose to meet anyway and that we were going by car. Wow they must be really wanting to shoot this catalogue. Why not postponed for next week?? I thought.
Anyway, cutting the story short. We had to travel for 17 hours to get to our destination. 8 of us in a van. With uncomfortable seats, not enough space for legs, no arm rest, and no heating. During the night I was literally freezing my ass off. Got to our destination at 5 am to be waken by the make up artist at 9 am to start shooting right away. And for my surprise I wasn't that tired.
My trip ended up being longer than I thought. By the second day the volcano was still erupting and still no flights. Third day the same. When I got the news I was going to be shooting the whole catalogue myself. The other models couldn't make it due to the volcano. Well, what to do... One side of me was happy because that meant more £££ in my pocket but the other side really wanted to just go back home.
The crew was amazing. The funniest English people I have had work with so far.... They were hilarious.
I've never been in South of France before and I'm sure I will be back soon. I just loved the place!!! Here are some pics.

Polar Bears by Mark Haddon

I must said that I haven't been in a such engaging play in a long time. Just to remind you that most of my teenage years I spent seeing my sister act in a several theaters around town (Curitiba). All our group of friends were mostly theater actors. We always had a good laugh - we still do.
I think plays are so enigmatic and if it is done with passion and obviously an excellent acting the only thing left to do is for you to leave your mind to go with it. Its way better than watching a movie because its happening right there at that exactly second.
Anyway, Polar Bears was all that together as Charles Spencer from the Telegraph puts it: "Irritatingly arty and terminally depressing." All characters are very intense and every single one of the cast does an outstanding act. Over here you can have look a bit more into the Cast of Polar Bears.
If you are around London I totally recommend you to go and watch it. You won't regret it! You can get more information in here Donmar Warehouse.

Continuation

So, continuing from where we stop. The Sun was shinning and the weather was perfect for our activity. I was even getting a bit of sunburn. If I only knew it was going to get this hot I would have brought my sun lotion along!!! Well, next time!
Our second ride was waaayyy better than first. For the first time I kept my eyes open ALL the time. Usually, I never open my eyes because I'm too scared too see how high we are and what is about to come. But maaaannn, with eyes open its whole new level of fun. I LOVE IT!! LOVE IT!! From now on I'm going to always keep my eyes open and of course scream until I get a sore throat.
The only problem was the waiting in line process. Ohhh we needed to be very patient, in the other hand every minute gone by meant that our turn to go for a ride was coming closer and closer.
Sadly, we only had time to go for only 4 rides. The park closed at 6pm. boooo :(
Anyway, last one we went was a ride called SAW. Oh my Lord!! That was the scariest ride I have ever been to!!! Specially because me and Tifanny decided to follow Patrick and Daniel on the first seats!!!! What adrenalin!! When we got to the top, I closed my eyes and scream from the top of my lungs. Than Patrick shouted: "Open you eyeeees!" Oh boy, the most beautiful view of Thorpe park. Up there on the ride, hundreds and hundreds of meters high felt like we are literally flying. The BEST feeling!!
I"m so glad I went to Thorpe park with my brothers in Christ. I love them and we are surely repeating this very soon. Can't wait for the Summer to kick in... Ahhhh it's going to be so much fun! Till then I need to finish my projects for Uni. Whoooppeee
God bless!!

Thorpe Park

One of the best days of this year so far... What a day! We decide to leave early morning so we could get as early as possible to the park. But obviously that didn't happen. On our way we needed to go north and pick up Patrick - he had some work to do before and couldn't meet earlier and me of course arrived at the meeting place a couple of minutes late.
Getting off London was another mission since we all needed to pee because of the long ride that was ahead of us. We stop at gas station to fill up the tank and they had NO toilet for customers. Ridiculous! Alright, now we needed to find a Sainsburys supermarket to go and do our thing... Anyway, we left London 1 hour behind schedule. Great! But nothing could change our whoopee mood. We were so happy to go to THORPE plus it was a beautiful day with temperature rising high. That time of the morning was marking 13ºC but promising to get to 18ºC. AMAZING!!
Finally made it. And as soon as we pull out the car I looked around and it seems like every single teenager in London had the idea to go to Thorpe park. I wonder why??
Because we were in a big group with ages ranging from 11 to 28, obviously our decision on which ride to go first was a little tense. In the end, we all decide to go in each one according to the map order. (Particularly, I thought it wasn't the best idea).
OK! In line to our first ride. We waited for 1 hour and it wasn't that great either. I left a bit dizzy with my head spinning. I'm not a big fan of rides that goes in circles...



Continues tomorrow:)

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter everyone!!
Hope you are all with your family or loved ones having a great time of prayer and renewal.
Forget about chocolate eggs and rabbits; the most important thing today is that JESUS CHRIST resurrected!!! ALLELUIAAAA!!
Today is the most important day for us Christians and believers. Let spread His words to the whole world!!
Please read this passage Matthew 28 and you will understand how great is our GOD!!!!!
O LORD LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER!!!

Preassure

I think I need to come to terms that: I work better when I'm under pressure. I try to do work before hand but never works. I must change the way I do things. I need to be more prepare and do some kind of schedule so I don't let things behind and do the best I can in everything.
I might be pushing myself too hard but if I don't do this, no one will do it for me.
Its just a thought for the day... Hope you're all doing well.

JESUS CHRIST

Please read the following BBC article. Finally BBC has spoken about Christ!! Aleluia!!

HAITI

Tremendous video!! Striking, Haiti prostrating to the Lord!


ALLELUIA!!!

Alright, alright...

Thousand apologies for not being a good blogger. I've just had the most hectic weeks. I've been so so busy with university deadlines, work, castings... Almost or better NO time at all to call my friends or even open my computer and start writing.
But for now I have a couple of days off, where I can write and relax. I've just got back from church and once again it was amazing. I will share with you what the word was about... Five things that us Christians must do while walking up to God's favour:
First: We need to speak more about Jesus, don't be shy because it doesn't matter how old or intellectual the other person may be, if you don't have Jesus you have basically NOTHING!
Second: We need to be a generation where God can be proud to call us HIS sons and daughters.
Third: We need to be sanctified so HE can work HIS way through us.
Fourth: Ask the Lord to stretch us more and more so our faith can be seen and felt miles away.
Fifth: Be ready for what HE wants to make in your life, have your heart wide open so HE can come straight to you.

God bless you all!

See you soon!

Get ready

Hello everyone, I'm so sorry I haven't been blogging lately. I have had the busiest week so far this year. This Saturday at London Hilton Hotel the Revival Conference - CEIZS is taking place and God will do miracles in that place. Two more days and counting!
Its so much to do but I'm so happy because I know that all this is for the Name and Glory of God!!!
Besides that I been having castings going to university and trying to make time to do my projects (which didn't really happen this week). But one thing I'm sure, only the Lord to give me the strenght to keep going.
Tomorrow is Friday and I'm having another busy day. Running around the city for castings and some duties then uni in the afternoon untill 4pm. Finally, when I get home I have to start cooking for this weekend. I'm making fours types of sandwiches for Saturday activity and "salpicão" for the pastors dinner on Sunday. Yay! Can't wait!!! This weekend will be marked by miracles and things that only GOD can make it happen = THE EXTRAORDINARY !!! ALELUIA!!

Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Sarah Maple

Sarah Maple speaks on International Women’s Day at Amnesty International
Sarah Maple looked just as I thought she would - fresh face, petite figure, modern, in her early twenties and with a lot to said. A young artist, full of energy, ready to speak her mind out and not scared of what critics would think of her or her work. She has been the subject of much debate through her ground-breaking artwork, addressing controversial issues and encouraging debate amongst her audience and peers.
Speaking under the topic "Who Are We To Speak?" at Amnesty International’s ‘International Women’s Day, she made clear that the concept of freedom of expression in bureaucratic Britain is still controversial, especially when expressing your ideas through art.
Amnesty International’s office was filled with young artists and smart people for the talk of Women International Day on the evening of 11th of March down in trendy Shoreditch. I felt like an outsider since I’ve never been in a place where everyone is asking pointed questions or speaking seriously about gay and women’s rights and how these relate to freedom of expression. The audience seemed to agree with the speakers Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Sarah Maple, Jo Clifford and by the end of the talk, one person asked the panel how they felt about death threats and others threatening correspondences, and if they are ever scared by them. Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Sarah Maple, Jo Clifford all replied, with a thin smile and in unison, “No, never!” They aren’t scared to express their feelings or ideas but they are afraid that their families may fall victim of their ideals.
Sarah Maple and the others artists surely does not have a desire to upset anyone or disrupt somebody’s belief systems. Instead, one finds that Maple wants to make a difference in a society still marked clamoured by taboos and censorship.
We are in the 21st century and yet people live to be critical and selfish. But as Sarah puts it, “art is boring if we don’t do art the way we do it”.

London Underground

Uh la la the Underground is getting updated!! Thank God! I just jumped on this train on my way to Uni and even smell it like a new toy. New seats, new paint, new map and seems a bit bigger too. It looked and felt great!!!
Well, about time I shall said...I don't get it how in 1º World country British people has to deal with bad conditions on the Underground.
The other day on these free newspapers (can't remember which one now) mention that we share our seats and air with more than 200 cockroaches more than thousand different kinds of flees and bacterias. DISGUSTING!!!!! Bad bad.
Other thing is that they named Underground for a reason but it should be Deep ground. Most of stations you need to take a escalator or a lift to get to the trains level. The escalators are so deep and seriously some of them seems to go down in a 45º degrees angle. In the Summer its almost impossible to bear with the heat down there. Air-cons are a must have during the Olympics.
Anyway, from the look of things I guess London is getting ready for 2012. Although, some super renovations are indeed needed on our daily friend: Underground!
X

AVATAR

Finally watched Avatar in 3D!
Was really good, because we were sitting right at the front and it felt as if we were the camera man. So real!
The story was a simple one, but the scenes and graphics were really good. Well done James Cameron, one more time you rock on the screen. You definitely knows what you're doing. Now one thing I'm sure it will be only Avatar this Sunday at the Oscars. No doubt!

Another point I want to make is that made me realize: two people from different background or beliefs don't work together. They showed exactly that on the movie, he needed to be 'born' again to be accepted and for both to live a happy life - being equal, same mind set. This its been in my head for a while now and this movie just confirmed to me. Oh! It just don't work! It will never do. Unless one side give it up.

Ahhhhh.... frustrated and a bit sad...

Tonight I'm going to watch a MMA fight. Yes, I know its a unsual programme. Well, what can I do. If only, it was the same - the other way around. Things would be so much different.

Enjoy your Saturday!

xx

Lost x Big Love

Okay, I'm so sorry I've been away for a couple of days. But I'm back! Yes!

Today I would like to speak about these two tv shows I've been watching. Before I was such a Lost person, I love all the episodes but I have to confess I'm a bit upset that this is the last season.
Being so, that doesnt mean that they have to be crap and confuse our heads even more. It's a mixed of time travel, people coming back to life, people dissapering, walking to where?? and always 'looking for some answers" Camo'n how many times did we hear this phrase on this show? A hundred thousand times or more...

On the other hand, Big Love keeps surprising me. Every episode is a disaster (in a good way). That family just get into trouble!! It's like they enjoy having a bit of drama. The mormons are weird people but I do respect their believes. As everyone should. I don't really agree with poligamy though it's none of my businees who does it.

Can't wait to watch the next episode. But for now Big Love is winning.

Lost 0 x 1 Big Love

One of my projects for Uni.

I'm being given grades for this one as we speak. I cut it some parts of it otherwise would be too long.

“… [The] television screen today becomes a sort of mirror for Narcissus, a space for narcissistic exhibitionism” (Bourdieu, 1996:14).
Nowadays the obsession for being the most talked personality at the moment has brought celebrities, high profile people, royal family and government to use “…television as an instrument that offers, theoretically, the possibility of reaching everybody.’ (Bourdieu, 1996:14). Television has been an essential tool for media and society. It helps to bring up opinions, warnings or community issues that need to be revised. Television can help the Labour party win an election or it can damage your public image for a long period of time. So, the more you want to raise your public image with television, the higher the risks of a negative result. As Berkeley said ‘to be is to be perceived.’(Bourdieu, 1996:14).

In the case of Jacqui Janes and Gordon Brown, the fact that her son died in a War in Afghanistan, it was in this case almost terribly omitted. The newspapers and websites went crazy and ballistic because the Prime Minister had misspelt her son’s name. As Bourdieu says: “Journalists have special “glasses” through which they see things and not others, and through which they see the things they see in the special way they see them. (Bourdieu, 1996:19). Journalists see things in different ways and a lot of times distort societies view of things. They do this mostly for their audience, in which they know would be more interested in ordinary things such as a misspelling in a letter of condolence, rather than an actual fact. Turning the focus on banal things to please the not - so - sophisticated general audience, as well as, their employer. For example, in a headline in The Times Online, journalist Robert Crampton wrote: “Gordon Brown screwed up by not screwing it up.” It’s not acceptable to some journalists, that in a letter of condolence, written by someone that has millions of extremely important things to do during the day, he is the prime minister after all, manage to misspell some words. In The Sun newspaper, splashed out “Bloody shameful” and “PM couldn’t even get our name right.”

The media focuses on things that are irrelevant to our cultural growth just to show us how society is heading for a slump related to culture and education. A good example of this kind of media focus is the saga of Katie Price and Peter Andre. In this case it is a bit different since they both live in the public eye and are used to using the media. Although, a lot of what is shown from their life together as a couple was completely ‘made up’ for television. “Television calls for dramatization” (Bourdieu, 1996:19). Living their lives in constant worry of what society would think of them and what really would change society’s view of them as a couple. Once that didn’t work out anymore they got divorced. “…images have the peculiar capacity to produce what literary critics call a reality effect” (Bourdieu, 1996:21).

In conclusion we have to end up by agreeing with Bourdieu statements about press and television. It’s a world of drama and conflicts. Some will lose and some will win. A lot of good journalists get caught up in this world and are drawn to this orbit without realizing it. The embarrassment that the prime minister had to carry for a couple of months, for misspelling Jacqui Janes son’s name and the disgraceful story of Katie Price and Peter Andre, just shows us again that journalists, producers and artists see things differently and some of them will suffer to keep up with the demands of commercial television where is based on numbers of viewers and ratings. A lot of what is on television today is there for a reason and the main goal is to reach as many people as they can. So, if the population is keen on knowing of ‘What Katie Did Next’ or what Jacqui Janes thinks about Gordon Brown that’s exactly what is going to be the headlines of tabloids and talk shows of Britain.


Tell me what do you think?

X

30 seconds to Mars at Wembley Arena last night

30 seconds to mars

They were AMAZING!!

Ohh Sunday & LFW

Hello dear all!
Sorry, couldn't blog yesterday. Had to help a friend out by doing a small show at Fashion Scout in which follows up the LDN Fashion Week. I did a show for Carlotta Gherzi. She is an italian designer but grown up in Moscow (I found this out in the bathroom just before the show started, by one of her pr people - errr yes, I overheard) where she designs for Sado - if you're interested. Gherzi AW10 collection for Sado was relaxed, cool and comfortable.
The show was fantastic! The clothes were so pretty and that made me realize of how good it feels to go down a real catwalk. With all those flashing lights at you, you're basic the center of the attention plus those butterflies in my stomach ahhhh felt great! Shame it's my only show for this season, since I don't do fashion week because of my height. 5'8'' Yes, is too short indeed! Anyway, I had fun and thanks to my sweet friend Juliana too she made this happen.
Today rained all day in London. Perfect weather to stay in bed sleeping... Ah! I'd try to find more information about the abandoned building on top of Brick Lane but still nothing on that. Apparently I have to fill up a form to get all information I need and the response comes in 20 days!!!!! One more thing, they can charge me some £££ for that piece of information... What a bureaucratic country - I thought.
Later. X

Celebrity spotting

Uh-oh last night it was a night of seeing famous people. Start it up by meeting up a friend in Oxford Circus then going to a photograph exhibition where we had a delicious free dinner!! Ahhh models they always get what they want!! Ha! At time likes this that I'm glad to be a model.:) At the exhibition I met a couple of friends that I haven't seen in a long time. It was nice to see them and to know they are doing well. After that we went to South kensigton and there we met all the celebs. They were there because of Fashion for Relief party. It was good and fun. Eva was wearing a tight red dress with sleeves dancing away, Kate (wasted)on the corner chatting with Bassey with tons of people around them and Jared being a snob. Paparazzi outside waiting to get a glimpse of them... funny!
Alright, I'm pretty tired from all activities from last night and that's it for now. More tomorrow. X

Sofa time turning into a fur argument

Today I spent most of the day reading a book about media and what are the role of being a journalist is coming to. Is it a distinct occupation or is growing closer to marketing or advertising? Basically, "the main concern of the media giants is to make journalism directly profitable." Most of article published out there depends on its advertisers and what the media owners stands for. Well, that's nothing new here...

Today one of my tasks was to get some information from Tower Hamlets on some abandoned buildings. But I did not have much luck on that one. Have to search more into that this weekend...

My subject will change here because I got interrupted by a friend who is against people wearing furs. Oh dear, I have been having an argument for over hours due to fur!!!
Seriously, I don't wear it often and if I do, I only wear vintage or fake ones, I won't advertise for them either.
I will not persecute them but I think, they have the right to wear it and I'm sure they are conscious about it too.
Peta organisations for me its a bit lame they campaign for anti-fur and at the same time they kill little poor animals too. Saying they "rescue them". Yeah right!!
I think there are so much more important issues that need to be solved in this world that this will not be on my top list.
Ahhhh I'm tired of talking about it now. So, if you are willing to discuss more feel free to leave a comment.
p.s: you're a human being not a quadrupeds. Don't get me wrong I love animals and the idea of them getting killed is devasting but that's the world we live in. That's nature.

GaGa fever

She was the big winner on Tuesday night BritAwards. She took 3 gongs home for best international female artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album for ‘The Fame’.
Not too sure about her outfit though...

Wednesdays

Hello chaps, this is going to be a quicky one as I'm late for my Church service. (If you don't know, I'm a Christian and go regularly to my home-country Church in Kilburn Park). Today we had a clear sky and the Sun was shining. Beautiful! It remind me of Summer...ahhh I guess, after all that rain yesterday the clouds were empty?!?
Okay, this morning almost had to miss class due to a phone call from my agency saying I might need to do a shoot because the girl booked was feeling sick. Yay! I thought... finally some work! But that didn't happen. Anyway, went to Uni, as usual and we learned how to make a good and informative CV. I honestly, made one from a template last night and fortunately my tutor didn't ask to see it - I've done it all wrong! He gave us good tips that will be very useful in the future but what I did was completely the opposite and thought it was alright... Today's class was a good one. I've learned how to make a good CV and a cover letter and that's all the matters. Now I need to make one on my own NOT using a template one. Good times!!
See you tomorrow! Hope you had a good Wednesday!
p.s: if you need some help with your CV here is a link that might help you:
How to make a good CV

Last week event

Last week I got invited to go to an art gallery called Salon Contemporary.
It was really something to talk about!
All the arts in the exposition were quite shocking or let's said they had a potential. Here is a bit of what I've experienced. Bellow are two 'wedding cakes' if you could call them that!! One represents funerals or the seven capital sins (expressing greed, lust, avarice, melancholy...) and the other represents marriage (expressing hate, death, disloyalty). There was another cake but I thought was too obscene.

2010 !!!!

First text of 2010!
So much has happened since my last blog so let's summarize quickly... Went home for Christmas (which was amazing!!!) and got back just in time to finish my two assessments for University. One advice to you guys: DON'T EVER LET TO DO YOUR ASSESSMENTS ON LAST MINUTE!! You get too stressed and usually a bunch of things turn up at the same time as your assingnment. Neh, not worth it! So, yeah that's my tip for you! Get prepared before-hand and thing will go perfectly fine.
For this year my resolution is to be ahead of things and don't acumulate work. I'd already start it researching for my projects and by the look of things I think I'm on the right path.
2010 only started but I already feel like it's June. I think is the weather, that is definitely not helping.
One thing I have to confess: students life is not all party and glitter. I'm so tight with money right now that's ridiculous. I haven't been like this (broke!) since when I lived with my parents, where I used to ask them for cash. Oh dear!!
Okay, I think that's it for the day. Bed time now! XX
ps: Oh yeah, coffee is one of the few things I need it everyday.