Where have i been???

HI EVERYBODY!!!!

Wow, so it has officially been ages since I wrote anything properly on here!! Sorry to have abandoned you all :(

BUT WHAT A SUMMER I HAVE HAD!

The Olympic Opening ceremony was officially amazing. One of the most special things I have ever done. I even managed to see myself on the television which was a bonus.

Then working in London over the Olympics was hard HARD work. Long hours, and on your feet all day, selling programmes in Excel Center. The pay was very rewarding though, even if the general public at that venue where a bit of a nightmare!!

Then to be invited back to do the Paralympic Opening Ceremony was just the icing on the cake. This routine was totally different from the Olympics, and on the whole felt more relaxed. I really only had about 10 rehearsals for this segment. Once again we were onstage for a long time, and yes did catch myself on tv :)

I am a bit sad that I saw so little sport over the summer. Working meant that I missed out on many of Britains sporting highlights, however I did manage to watch AND CHEER Usain Bolt in the 100m finals. EPIC. I did get tickets to a couple of events. I saw Water Polo in the Olynpics, and Para Equestrian and Para Swimming. The paralympic athletes really were an inspiration and it was quite emotional watching them. Talking of athletes, on Monday I went to watch the Athletes parade in London. I was given a special "ceremonies volunteer ticket" along the mall. It was incredible. I have never cheered and clapped so much in my life, and I stood wonderfully close to all of Britains great athletes. 

SO BLIMEY! What a summer!!!!

So what happens to me now??? 
Im back to normality with a massive crash. lol
Currently applying to jobs around the country, just so I can move out and start earning money. I had set my hopes on getting a Beauty Therapy job at Center Parcs, and unfortunately didn't get it. :( BUT never mind, job applications are still rolling.

LATEST NEWS: teehee, mind you many people are going to KILL me for saying this, seeing as I have been so against university in the past.....
- I have decided to try and study for a degree. But being me, I'm not going to take the usual path....
- I have signed up to a degree from the OPEN UNIVERSITY doing Natural Science (BSc), this is going to be a mega challenge for me as although I consider myself to be quite good at Biology and Geography, I'm not so hot at Maths or Physics. 

So where does this take me?
Well I will keep my options open with it. Im not ruling out University for 2013. At least with OU, i have a choice whether to continue studying with them or to convert the course to another University.

I shall keep you posted!!!
ANYWAYS, that was my quick catch up for you all. Will be checking in again soon!
xx

LONDON 2012 is here!!!

This is a blog for all those people who perhaps haven't quite grasped the whole concept of the games!

Its here! London 2012 kicked off last night with an outstanding opening ceremony. it was a thrill to be part of it and an experience that no one can take away from me. The cast was primarily made up of volunteers who had not been paid at all for their contribution.

Our rehearsals called for us to give up father's day, jubilee celebrations, family events and seeing the flame in our local counties. New skills were learnt and many lifelong friendships have been created. 

The games makers are a 10,000+ strong team of volunteers. Without them the games would not be able to run. Again they are volunteers, no money paid, all they gain is the pride in taking part and representing their country.

The games have created over 6,000 new permanent jobs across the U.K, boosting the employment rates in Britain. The games is also all about "inspiring a generation". Last night at the ceremony the cauldron was lit by a team of young olympic hopefuls. Their achievements and aspirations are an inspiration to other young people across the world. 

As for the buildings of the olympic parks, many will be kept beyond the games, and will provide sporting facilities for a wide area of London. Stratford has been completely transformed thanks to the presence of these beautiful buildings (anyone remember the wasteland it used to be???)

And for the athletes. Competing in the Olympic games is a goal that many may dream of, yet few achieve. The very best athletes from around the world have descended upon London to compete in the biggest sporting event in their lives. Proud mums, dad and coaches have all followed them here and stood by them. And really, this is what the Olympics is all about, the athletes. 

SO, to anyone that wants to rant and rage, please don't. Its so hard for us volunteers to be met with such abuse from people. We are merely volunteers, wanting to be a part of this amazing experience.

Look at the bigger picture.

Look at what we gained.

Be proud to be British!

Any ranting is a fast track to a Facebook friend removal. Because we don't need it. Britain on the whole is proud, and excited. YOUR the minority and the people with the problem. Trust me, don't bother voicing it cos we ain't gonna listen! Don't ruin this opportunity for all involved.

15 days to go!!!!

OH MY GOLLYGOSH!

15 DAYS TO GO UNTIL LONDON 2012 KICKS OFF!!

We are in the Stadium rehearsing now. Trust me it's quite a sight, however it's definitely bigger on the outside (in my opinion anyway!)

The choreography is learnt, its now just a case of blocking, entrants, exists and cues.

The atmosphere is electric in there, once the music starts blasting and the lights start strobing........AAAAAAAAAAH.

I hope you will all be watching! Beijing is a tough act to follow, but believe me, we will leave you all amazed, enlightened and empowered! 

I've recently had a local radio interview which was so much fun, but i've just had to turn down a television appearance.....sad, but the journalists have a job to do and I can't AND WON'T reveal anything!!

Another piece of excitement......I'M IN THE PARALYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY!

wooohooo. Joined quite late so having to pick up the routines very quickly! I hopefully will do a separate blog on this!

Moving up to London on Monday for a month. Renting a flat. WOOP

God its all happening!

THANKS again for reading! REALLY hope you all support London 2012. Support us and SUPPORT your team!! Whatever country your from!!

WoW 3000+ views!

Thanks for reading! :o)

Haven't posted on here much lately.

Times are a changin' and things keep moving forward.

I'm sure many of you have read the "leaking" of information about the Olympic Opening Ceremony.I for one was quite surprised upon hearing this information, nothing Danny Boyle said in the interviews was news to me, us volunteers had been told all this information before and we get to see it all happening at rehearsals.I was just surprised that information has been "leaked". We were under such scrutiny to keep everything a secret!!!Mind you, Danny has only revealed a TINY fraction of the ceremony plans. PLEASE don't look at his plans and say "oh how boring, not gonna watch that!". The ceremony will be a celebration of all things British. There will be something in it for everyone and I know you will love it! It is such an honor being a part of it all, and the realisation of the scale of what I am part of is slowly dawning on me!


I can always create a flip side here.

I still have the ongoing battle against university goers. People STILL looking down their noses at me, mind you not much about my life has changed (I did pass my driving test a couple of weeks ago with 2 minors! SO HA BEAT THAT!) 


I'm sure "friends" rather acquaintances will calm down in the next year or two. Most people my age have just completed their uni studies (I defy you to walk into a job in September)
And by next summer the vast majority of people I was around at school will have finished.


SOME DAYS I can get away with saying to myself "I don't need to prove anything to anyone" yet others I think "Oh god i really am a waster".


No I will not be earning a six figure salary, no I may not accept promotions nor even be offered them. No I won't live in a mansion, but hey what is exactly wrong with a council house? And if I change my career every 5 years, there is NOTHING wrong with that. 


Some people need to be careful. I have already turned my back on people that once cared about me, because they couldn't accept my choices, believe me I WILL do it again. < - Man is that UBER bitch or what?! Another UBER bitchy thing I do is to somethings coax things out of people.....let me explain.....
- If someone starts down the old "university is it" road, I will try and coax out their real feelings, usually by pretending that what they are saying either 
a) Doesn't hurt me
b) I pretend to agree with what they are saying, acting as if I have had a "change of heart"


Based on their comments during this conversation I either EMBRACE or DITCH. Be warned people.


But seriously, do NOT let others judge you. Turn your back on people who cannot accept you for who you really are, it's they who have the problem not you!

EUROVISION 2012

That title was a warning!!!

If you have NOT watched Eurovision 2012 yet then please do not read any further!!!

So ladies and gentlemen what a night! What a Show!
Azerbaijan hosted the competition in Baku.
Great Britain started the ball rolling with Englebert Humperdink. Oh dear, and where did we finish? Second to last, poor old Norway at the bottom (although I thought there's was pretty good!)


Who were my favourites?
Russia - Singing grannies, and i'm so so pleased they came second, well deserved!
Iceland - Never Forget - Possibly the best song of the night, deserved to do so much better than they did!
Norway - Just failed
Jedward - Well done boys a valliant effort. Not as good as last year, the novelty has worn off!!


My shock/ memorable moments?
ALBANIA - Just wtf????? Its a singing competition isn't it? NOT shouting! Jesus christ woman!
Israel - quite catchy, enjoyed the song
Moldova - The woman dancing in the pink tutu......too much red bull? 
I liked the Greek entry, typical eurovision pop!


And LORDI doing the votes from Finland! An added bonus!


Also well done to Graham Norton on his flawless commentary, always makes us chuckle!


And we have our winner!
Euphoria - Sweden. When I first heard it in the semi-finals I knew it had to do well and I believed it would win. A worthy winner. That sort of sound is very in (even if the dance moves aren't!)

Rehearsal number.....can't remember!

Yup
Another Sunday, another rehearsal.
This was our first time in the new venue, it's outdoors. I won't reveal on here where exactly it is, but apparently people do know.


Quite alot of blocking happening today. They created an area the exact size of the stadium, and believe me you feel like an ant inside it! They spent time blocking us, so we knew were exactly we would need to be, what direction to travel etc.


We went through the routines. Painfully they keep adding new pieces on (my brain couldn't take too much today). I think it was easier to dance outside, but I swear there is less room. Without revealing too much we dancers need alot of space to work in, and somehow we just don't have it.


Also spent time "funneling" (watch on the 27th July and all will be revealed.) We worked out where trap doors will be, YES I FINALLY GET TO USE A TRAP DOOR!


Also did a little partner work. Standing close by our dance partner in a SPOONING fashion. Always rather odd to be spooning someone you only met a few minutes ago! Although he was a rather nice boy! The choreography for this number in particular is very challenging on the brain, think quickly! Did hit one or two close dancers on various parts of their bodies! 


All in all a good rehearsal. We have been told make-up ideas and costume changes. I haven't yet resolved my costume drama, but watch this space.....


Trust me, it is BLOODY HARD to not reveal just little snippets of information. After today I do feel more excited, as the scale of what we are part of slowly becomes real.

Strange Noises

Really should be asleep by now, got to be up at 6am tomorrow for another rehearsal!


MEH LOL
Sleep pattern is totally up the wall at the moment, i'm sure I will be awake until about 2am (as I usually am!)


Can I just say thank you to those who have written to me regarding posts on here. I appreciate the love! lol


Seriously just lying in bed now, all I can hear is eeirie banging noises coming from outside.....
Thats one thing I HATE about being on my own. When it comes to nightime, any noises are multiplied and amplified.
Listening......they sound like fireworks. (i hope)


11pm and FIREWORKS?!? REALLY? Isn't that illegal?


Anyway, yes another rehearsal tomorrow. First time in the new secret venue. And it's outdoors. The team want to get us used to performing outside and it will be the first time that all 1400 of us dancers will be performing together.


SCARY STUFF!


Okay that noise is still going on.
Freaking me out......am going to just lie here very still........can i just say that it is scary because it sounds like someone banging on my front door. :S help