I’m tired so please do excuse any nonsensical moments this post may contain.

Boy, oh boy.  I did not see this coming from a mile.  The ND course seems like a breeze compared to the HND I’m doing now.  I managed to get my projects completed before the due date the last to years.  However, this year it’s like I’m fighting to get things done.  The first semester…where did it go?  I break up this Friday and seriously can’t wait.  Not to blow my own trumpet but I have worked very hard – my dad seems to think I’ve even changed courses because I’m always working, which might also explain why my mum called me a “mule”.  Nice, isn’t it? 

I did have a photo of what I have done, thus far, with my bowl but being the numpty that I am I have left the image on my camera and lent my camera to my sister.  *palmface* I am putting a lot of effort into the bowl project as I wasn’t pleased with my results for the puppet, and so much effort that I’ve not been giving my design development project much work – I’m seriously lagging.  Oh and I’ve also been sitting through an hour and a half worth of THS (Theoretical, Historical Studies) lecturers each week.  I think it’s quite fortunate that it’s only an hour and a half per week. 

What have I learnt this semester?

• Well, for one, my memory has gone downhill.
• My attention span has also joined my memory.  I almost fell asleep during one lecture.  If it weren’t for my thinking about coding or storyline I’m pretty much sure my lights would have gone out. 
• That I am in fact accident prone.  I have cut myself numerous times without realising and tripped up the stairs, resulting in my “communicating” finger getting cut front and back: not that I realised because I was checking where my goggle’s left side of the frame had gone. *palmface*
• The there not only idiots on the road but also on footpaths (read: pedestrians).

Anyway, come Thursday my bowl project will be due in, then I’ll be able to sod off to the German Market with Nadia (classmate).  Whoop.  It’ll be the first time I’ve been so I’m excited.  Has anyone else been before?

How has education been treating you? 

Off topic but I’ve upgraded WordPress and it looks nice.  Although there seems to be a lot going on window.  I’ll have a better poke around once I’m done with uni. work.

If there’s one trait I dislike it’s confusion.  It’s not good for me nor anyone else.

Have any of you entered competitions?  If so, do you usually get a confirmation letter of application and then a letter/e-mail saying your application has been accepted?

Last week I made the most of my opportunities as the lecturer advised.  I asked work if I’d be able to have two days off (that’s the length of this competition), applied…blahblahblah but still haven’t heard anything from…well…anyone.  First I was given three days to decide on entering – I swear I was having a dumb moment.  Now I’m wondering what’s happening, am I an entrant?  Or was I deemed not good enough?  I need to know so I don’t waste petrol travelling to Birmingham.  The competition is next Thursday.  O.o

The site doesn’t say anything about when applicants will be notified of their acceptance, only “*Please note that the process of selecting and preparing competitors for a WorldSkills Competition is long and rigorous. Subject to eligibility, outstanding winners of relevant UK/National Finals will be long listed, after which they will be assessed alongside other contenders in accordance with our selection procedures.” – worldskillsuk.org.

Thoroughly shocked.  Three awards, three awards are staring me in the face:

• ND2 Design Crafts
• The Jewellery Quarter Assoc. Prize for Craftsmanship
• Weston Beamor prize for casting

Read on to know the nitty gritty detail.

Why, oh why must I get bored of my layouts so easily?

At the age of 20 and almost at the end of my course, it’s time to really make a decisive decision on my future.

For months I’ve been debating whether or not I should continue to the higher level of my current course. My path is not clear yet; I have no decisive answer as to what I want to do.

Reality has hit me today that I must make a decision and I don’t have a lot of time. Earlier this morning I received a letter from my university, making me a conditional offer. I know I’m not guaranteed a place yet because my final project will be the defining one. You’d think, since I’ve been thinking about it for over a year that I’d already have an answer but I don’t. I’m stuck in two mindsets. I could only wish that my answer was an easy one.

I want to apply but there are problems. Money being the main obstacle. Although I have a job (very fortunate because it’s hard getting into the jewellery business) I’m still not gaining any income and with petrol prices increasing right before my eyes (at the moment it’s 104.9p), it’s going to cost me a horrendous amount of money for travel alone. Going by train won’t make much of a difference. Putting travel aside, I still have to pay for the course, precious materials, tools and potentially more.

Although I’ve managed to get through the two years and still holding the passion from my second week of starting this course (let’s face it, the first week always seem slow) I still don’t feel as if I have the backing of my parents. My dad doesn’t say much to me in terms of university but he’s one of these dads where you have to read his facial expressions to know what he’s thinking. My mom wasn’t too keen on me taking this course anyway, as she was worried that it wouldn’t guarantee me a job for the future. She’s right but that counts for any course, right? Although they seem alright with it all now I still don’t think I have their happy with my decision.

If it weren’t for my colleague (from my first job) and my cousin I’d probably have listened to my mom. Also, if it weren’t for my job then, I wouldn’t have been able to pay for this year or last.

I was going to see how the situation with work went – whether I’d be offered a full-time job because I’ve been getting subtle hints . However, I have under a month to respond to the letter.

What to do? What to do?

[edit on 22/04] I’ve sent the application form. [/edit]