Tanzania: Week One

I already don't want to come home and not just because of the EU referendum results...

In the last week I have experienced a wedding, a christening, climbed gangilonga rock, been to church and attended a festival of Tanzanian heritage culture. In my foundation training, I have watched fellow Tanzanian volunteers take up role play dressed head-to-toe (let your whole body talk) in drag WITH PADDING and learned the African Macarena. I have been immersed in a culture that despite a 50:50 Islam:Christianity split, their peacefulness makes Britain look like a 1930s Soviet Union.

My first week experiences have exceeded my expectations for the full 13 week placement and I have picked up more Swahili than German -which I was taught at school for 3 years (sorry Mrs Stoddart).

On the other hand, my luxuries have slowly declined -I started with two long-haul Etihad flights, stayed at a kind of luxurious hotel (see my last post), spent a week in a high standard hostel, and moved to my new home with a concrete floor in my bedroom, waking up with back pain and a long drop toilet that doesn't flush in Iringa. But despite the latter, Tanzania is home. 

Tanzania: Day One

Tonight marksmy first night in Tanzania and my first taste of what life is really like for the locals (kind of). Our first night is spent in Dar es Salaam -about the size of Amsterdam- before tomorrow's 10 hour+ drive to rural Iringa to meet our Tanzanian counterparts. We are staying in a hotel - a nice surprise for us all after a hectic 15 hour flight with a 'HOT' transfer at Abu Dhabi. First thing we all wanted to do when we arrived was have a shower.

I spent my evening shower trying to clean myself from a drip in the pipe where the shower drain had split. Before too long I noticed a second shower head -meant for your butt- but it works! Then... OMG it's freezing. 

While I spent time flittering between a warm burst pipe (at this point there was water everywhere, except on me) and a shower head that only spurted out freezing water I laughed to myself... yep, literally. The local residents just outside can only dream about being in such a luxurious predicament. 

I continued getting myself ready for dinner in my room which was boiling hot -and those who know me know I am NEVER hot. I desperately wanted to open a window but I couldn't: I had no mosquito net, no idea where my deet was and due to the 15 hour flight was a little late taking my anti-malarial this afternoon. Instead, I had to find other -less effective- ways to try and cool myself down. 

Again, I reflected on the locals -they also have no mosquito net, no deet and would probably love to be stuck on a plane for 15 hours and have access to anti-malarials. I, on the other hand, will eventually find my deet and will sleep safe in the knowledge that I will be provided with a mosquito net tomorrow. 

I am lucky.

A Day in the Life of a Social Marketing Executive

This time last week I was racing through London in the evening rush hour, hoping to get to Sheffield in time to celebrate my cousin's 21st birthday. Anyone else would be rather exasperated at the busy city life and the thought of a 21st party to get to... not me. I had a smile on my face that generated concerned expressions on the faces of those passing by. Why? I had just spent the day interning with the Social Marketing Manager at CRUK.

My day started with a quick introduction to the Social and Digital Marketing teams before we dashed off to Holborn for a meeting with the advertising agency Mediacom. *Are they really going to let me sit in on a meeting with the 'big dogs'? Oh yes... yes they are. OMG!* The meeting focused on integrated communications and how a better structure and a change in their methods of communication can benefit both parties in the future. Having studied advertising at University and role-playing the client/agency parties it was so cool to see both the client and agency in action in the real world. The meeting lasted around 90 minutes and after that we hopped on a London bus *ahh!* back to the offices in Islington for lunch... making it out of Pret (-a-Manger) alive during rush hour was a task in itself.

The second half of the day was broken down into 30 minute sessions. We started with a brainstorm based on a challenge to be marketed to Race for Life participants through social media in the lead up to the Summer. As an intern, my input was valued as much as the rest of the team and we had so much fun coming up with quirky ideas for the challenge... keep your eyes peeled! During the second session I had an informal one-to-one meeting with a lovely Digital Marketing Executive who was also called Hannah *omg!* I got to learn more about what her role entails and took advantage of this time to ask any questions.  The rest of the 30 minute sessions were based around a trading brainstorm. As part of this task I had to research a range of clothing companies' social media pages, taking note on how they address their audience and what generated the most interactions/activity. Following this, we brainstormed how CRUK can use social media in a similar way to market their Race for Life clothing and the day ended with a second informal one-to-one with a Social Marketing Executive. This demonstrated the differences between the roles of Digital and Social Marketing and allowed me to make comparisons based on personal enjoyment.

I could babble on about how truly UH-MAZING my day was but I don't want to blurt out anything confidential so I'll stop now. Anyone looking to undertake an intern-ship with CRUK should 100% do so - applications for the April-June intake are opening soon! My experience so far has been absolutely fantastic and the hours are flexible which means you can even do it alongside your University studies.

Ciao for now xo

Topic Tuesday: J-Law Shuts Down Reporter on Phone

Jennifer Lawrence may be known for her sassy-ass comments as much as she is for being a Hollywood actress but her latest mouthful seems to have gotten her into a little bit of bother. Headlines on the papers read she 'scolded' the reporter in question and she has been labelled 'culturally insensitive' by critics. Don't you think that's taking this a little TOO far? The reporter hasn't verbalised his hurt at her comments - why should he? - but the media are damaging J-Law's reputation.

AFTER WINNING BEST ACTRESS at the Golden Globes and being the only winner to HUG HER OPPONENT (which none of the articles have mentioned) J-Law shut down a reporter because he was on his mobile phone. 'You can't live your whole life behind your phone bro. You gotta live in the NOW' she told him. There goes the Hollywood A-lister millions of us gals can ACTUALLY relate to. *Audience laughs*. The reporter then asks her about the upcoming Oscars - an event for which the nominations haven't even been released for yet. Obviously not wanting to blow her own trumpet talking about a prospective nomination - and also continuing her 'live in the NOW' comment, she continued 'this is the Golden Globes, if you put your phone down you would know that'. *Audience laughs... including the reporter*.

Watch the video here:

Instead of talking about how beautiful she looks - like they have with all the other ladies - or mentioning the fact she HUGGED HER OPPONENT the media have decided to focus on these comments - despite the reporter not taking any offence, obvi. How is everyone reacting to this? By drawing their attention to the fact the reporter's first language wasn't English. Irrelevant. Let me tell you - if the reporter was English, J-Law would have still said the SAME comments. And let's be real - if the reporter was so bad at English he had to use Google Translate or whatever on his phone he wouldn't be a reporter. 

I won't get all 'LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE' on you, I just hope J-Law's reputation isn't tarnished just because the media are looking for something to complain about. 

I'll leave you with a video of her hugging Amy Schumer and her very touching acceptance speech.

Spread positivity like confetti.
Ciao for now xo

12 days of Christmas: Day 12, The Healthy Recipe

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's day one of sticking to New Years Resolutions so here is a healthy juice recipe to keep up with my goal: 'Be More Healthy'. This one is full of antioxidants which boost your immune system... no I'm not lying, Google it. I'll keep this one brief as I'm sure you're all tired and/or hungover. And also I don't think I need to tell you how to slice fruit.

You can also substitute the water with milk (skimmed for a healthy option) or fresh orange juice - but in case you missed the post on Day 10, I can't have milk any-more - and we didn't have any fresh orange juice in the house - so I'm using water. Ingredient measurements will vary depending on the size of your cup. I used a small Nutri-bullet container and this is what I used:

Ingredients:
1 banana
1/2 reed grapefruit
1 satsuma
100ml water/milk/juice
Ice (optional)

Method:
1. Cut it up, throw it in, blend and drink.

I hope you've enjoyed 12 days of Christmas 2015. Should I do it again next year?

Merry Blogmas and a Happy New Year!

12 days of Christmas: Day 11, My New Year Resolutions

WARNING: If you're someone who thinks the first of January is just another day, stop reading now. The first of January isn't just the opportunity to start writing a new page or even a new chapter, it's the opportunity to start writing a whole new book. 

I don't usually stick to my New Year resolutions but I like to make them anyway because it's important to have goals. In fact, the only New Years resolution I have ever stuck to for the entire year was New Year 2013/2014 and the resolution was 'don't pluck your eyebrows'. I left them alone for the whole of 2014 and most of 2015 - right up until about a month ago so almost two years! You'd think I'd look like Roald Dahl's Mr Twit but actually they barely grew... still, I won't embarrass myself with before and after photos. This year will be different. I'm 21 now. I'm an adult. I WILL stick to these resolutions! 

Be more healthy.
Here's one thing I am not ashamed to post my before and after photos for. On the left is me on my 17th birthday, below 7st. On the right is my 20th - last year when I was at my healthiest at 8st 10. Despite thinking I was 'fat' on my 17th birthday I couldn't have been more wrong.

I was so proud of this transition after the second photo was taken. I decided being unhealthily skinny wasn't for me and as a result, 2015 was the year I binged. I won't tell you exactly how much weight I've put on but it is a LOT. I'm still proud of this transition but the embarrassment at my lack of self-control often takes over. This year I'm determined to get back on track, with a HEALTHY regime. This is not a diet, it's a lifestyle choice - and I can't wait to show you my new before and after photos next year! 

Give more.
I have set targets for my charitable donations to slightly increase from the £85 in 2015 to £100 in 2016 (I know it's only small - I'm about to undertake an unpaid internship before I become a student again at the end of the year so let's be real.) But giving doesn't always have to be materialistic - you don't have to give money, you can give time. I plan to take on more volunteer work this year, starting with a 12 week internship at Cancer Research UK. Indirectly giving, I will be utilising a skill and a hobby to promote the charity and hopefully increase donations through my marketing for Race for Life. 

Save more.
While giving more in 2016, I also want to save more. You're probably thinking I'm contradicting myself but what I mean is... stop spending money on rubbish! With 0 income and student bills about to dawn on me in September, I need to be a proper adult (boooo) and only spend money on the things that matter. If I want to leave university with something in the bank I best start saving.

What are your New Years Resolutions and do you stick to them? Enjoy tonight's celebrations!

Ciao for now xo

12 days of Christmas: Day 10, What I'm Most Excited for 2016

THE PAST IS IN THE PAAAAAAAST, LET IT GO, LET IT GO...

Yep that's right, no more reflecting on 2015. It's time to look forward to the future and I'm starting with a list of things that I'm most excited for in 2016.

1. New job
I start my new job as a Marketing Intern on the 11th January. I'm so excited to be able to put all the theory I have learnt at University into practice. The internship may only be 12 weeks long but it puts my foot in the marketing door for when I graduate next year. This is like REAL life.

2. Return to University
Once the internship is over I get a loooong summer before I return to University in September for my final year. We just signed for our house for the year and it's SO nice! I'll also be taking my new car with me which will make the chore of food shopping a lot more bearable. I said this before and I can't believe I'm about to say it AGAIN but I actually can't wait to go back. Despite the stress and losing my head a few times, I'm very very excited to go back - because what's University if you don't have a few (a lot) of Hades moments? For those of you who don't know Hades:

photo source: disney.wikia.com

3. Adam and I have booked our first trip abroad (AHHHHHH!)
ERMAAAHGHERRRD. We literally only did it last night but Adam and I have booked our first trip abroad! We'll be visiting Deutschland in March to celebrate our one year anniversary. We have a bunch of stuff to look forward to before, including going to London to watch the fireworks for New Year but going AWAY AWAY together is  definitely what I am looking forward to the most.

4. Baking baking baking.
I GOT AN ELECTRIC MIXER FOR CHRISTMAS!!! The problem is... we did so much baking for the big day we still haven't eaten it all! Because of this, I haven't used it yet but I can't wait to get started, eeeeek. As well as the addition of the electric mixer, I have also recently developed an intolerance for dairy products (goodbye chocolate) which means my baking will have to adapt! It's kind of frustrating but it's made me SUPER excited to get experimental with some healthy bakes for 2016. I can't wait to share my recipes!

5. The Unknown.
Of course there will be so much more going on than the above but these are the main events so far. As the year goes on and new plans are made I'll be just as excited for those plans too! Life is what you make it.

I hope the more recent posts have let you know a little more about me. What are you most excited for in 2016? Tomorrow's post contains my New Years Resolutions, I wonder if I'll stick to them...

Ciao for now xo