Don't judge a person by the books they read!

That was meant to flow like
"Don't judge a book by it's cover" although i'm not sure it did!


So, like I have mentioned before, I have been very privileged in where I have been educated my whole life. My first school was chosen by my parents, and then my second (6th form) was selected by me.


I really don't believe that where you where educated makes the blindest bit of difference to someone. More often that not, kids in state schools are coming out with much better GCSE results than those at private school.
My education history shows that up until my A-levels I have achieved nothing lower than a B.  I made sure that the GCSE's I chose were varied and at AS level I had a Science, Humanity and a Creative Arts. I was pushed at GCSE to achieve at least 6 C's in order to secure a place at my chosen 6th form.  


At 6th form, I was just there to get "LIFE EXPERIENCE". That was my goal all along. I wasn't there to get straight A's or to get into university, however this made me seriously in the minority. During careers talks, the school lost interest in me. It was clear to them that I wasn't going to get them onto any league tables, I wasn't going to achieve anything to benefit them. All my friends got valuable careers advice, interview skills and c.v. writing practice. I instead took up a couple of Open University modules in Marine Biology and Fossils/ Evolution. (This did give the school something to shout about, and to this day I am still mentioned and used as an example when the Headmaster talks about this opportunity)


So my 6th form life ended, and all my friends strolled off to university. Many falling flat on their faces only to return a short time later, with me laughing in the background. Over the next 2 years, I went on the achieve 2 Diplomas in Chemistry and Feline Biology both with Merit. I also did work experience at Sealife, as well as continuing my charity shop work.
I tried attending a college to study Animal Management - Level 3, however realised the place wasn't for me, so dropped out after 2 months, BUT continued the course and achieved it 6 months later. 
Since September I have been completing a course in Beauty Therapy, and have recently passed with distinction at level 3, with 2 training days which all adds to my CPD points. I have also joined as a Consultant with the Body Shop at Home, and in 6 months generated sales exceeding £3000. 


Now,
I may not be the "typical" (factory built) university student. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying university on the whole is bad, it's just not right for some people! (me included) It's a predictable path. I never wanted to be on the same road as other people. So far, I have a darn sight more life skills than most of my friends. They are sitting safe within the hold of the university for the next 3 odd years. Some just stacking shelves in Tescos, or others with no job at all. Their qualifications will not always guarantee a job.


People think that because I have no degree, PHD or whatever, that my c.v. is weak. How very very wrong they are! I have skills and evidence to back up those skills. I can claim to be an all rounder and with endless evidence to prove it. I have personality traits that are evident in the work that I have already done.


Education is not THE goal, it is merely a way to help you achieve the goals that YOU want to achieve in life. Don't follow the crowd, stand out! 
Be who you want to be, and not what everyone expects you to be. 

Gamesmaker - Volunteers Remember?!?

So yes, as predicted, I have rolled out of bed feeling like a complete zombie! Not in quite as much pain as I was 3 weeks ago after my 3 hour Zumbathon, nevertheless muscles are hurting!

Yesterday was challening, both physically and mentally. Yet I feel it is only just the beginning. I can appreciate that we as performers are going to be "pushed to our limits" as they said, we are of course right in the action on the opening night, all eyes on the world will be on the stadium where we are performing, and we have to make it look good. All this pressure is one reason I didn't follow drama as a career. Dance is even worse! I'm not a professional dancer, and my body (at present) is not used to working so hard, so quickly, so intensly. I'm hoping it will get easier as time goes on.......

Yet at the back of my mind, I do keep thinking.....we are only volunteers! Should we really be pushed like this? We have given up time to make the weekend rehearsals, and for some (me included) there is a signifigant financial commitment being made. Yes they are paying for any travel expenses within London, but for me, this offer is useless as I leave the train at Stratford.......no travel across London required.

My parents are both gamesmakers (the team of Olympic Volunteers).
My dad is in the trasportation team, driving important people around from the Olympic park and Westfield shopping center, to various destinations around London.
My mum is with the security team. Welcoming guests to the Olympic Park and aiding with the security procedures.

My dad has recently been given his shifts. And to be honest, they are horrific. He is being asked to work all hours of the day, for 9 hours at a time! Now, correct me if i'm wrong, no PAID position is having to work like that! Somedays he is working 9am-6pm and others he is 4pm-2:30am, and some are even through the night!!!! These are not hours that my dad is used to working, and I'm not even sure he was told to expect these sort of hours, and I think that is bad on the gamesmakers part. He was selected for the Paralympic Games period, yet he is having to work 5 weeks!!!! And the Paralympics only runs for 10 days! Mum is now dreading the arrival of her shifts, fearing that they could be very similar.......

My parents are not alone in their grief. All one has to do is log onto the Gamesmaker facebook page, and the wall is full of other people's concerns about their hours, destinations, financial problems, and places to stay. How are people who finish their shift at 2:30am going to get home?? Some people, who have regular jobs, have only asked for 2 weeks off work (the time the Olympic Games runs) yet are being required to work for 4 weeks! It's not consistent, and unfortunately I fear that many people are going to have to give up this wonderful opportunity because they have not been told the correct information of what is going to be required of them right from day 1.

I fear my parents may go the same way. My dad feels he cannot work the hours being asked of him, and mum is going to turn down this opportunity if her hours are anything like his....and I think that is such a shame.

What I have also recently discovered is that many of the volunteer jobs within the games also are available as paid positions. I for example have a job as a programme seller (this is also a volunteer's role), there are paid security, paid cleaners, paid transportation and EVEN (as I discovered yesterday) PAID OPENING CEREMONY PERFORMERS!

Please don't get me wrong, I am honored to be part of the games. I just feel so sad for the people who desperately want to be part of it all, but just can't comitt to what is being asked of them as volunteers.......