Summer Activities Part 1!

So I know I said it was a new blog for a new year but I think what I did over summer was interesting and somewhat relevant so I'm going to tell you anyway.

Me and dad outside the main house - Calke Abbey

Firstly I went to Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, which was a real treat. I absolutely love history and used to visit places like this all the time when I was younger and its something I miss doing. I was particularly interested in Calke Abbey for the efforts that the National Trust have put in to keep it in the exact same condition that it was given to them in. When it was given to them 1985 the house was in a serious state of neglect. The estate tells a fascinating story of the decline of country estates as time goes on and modern life as we know it creeps in. These beautiful houses are so impractical for modern life these grand spaces were built for a staff of at least a hundred and as society changed there was no need for them and it became impossible to keep them running.
It's fantastic work that they do, it actually takes a lot of work to keep the house frozen in time the way it is and it's really interesting to see. I have never seen a house like it has such an obvious story to tell and as you walk through the rooms you can see the different periods of times that the house has been through and how it has struggled to adapt.
And theres not just the house to see either, the grounds are interesting too, theres a church, gardens, out houses, stables and a grotto. I would recommend that you go and see it for yourself but I believe the house is shut for the winter as it is incredibly hard to heat. Which leaves me with a slight problem, I was considering doing this house for my FMP (Final Major Project) I was so utterly charmed by it I could resist the idea of re creating it myself!
If I were to attempt it I would have to get in contact with the national trust or at least the team that runs it so I can gain access. I'd need to take a ton of pictures for reference but last time I was there they said I could take as many as I like. I can't see it being too much trouble but I would have to see.

After that I spent some time in London meeting all sorts of interesting people. It was around that time in the summer where its was ridiculously hot, even more so in congested London! First I went to meet Sophia Coney again and see how her new job in the capital was fairing. I had a great time catching up and afterwards we went for drinks with all her co workers. I felt ever so grown up in London having after work drinks with a bunch of people in the industry. It was really nice to be around these guys they were all so genuine, it was really comforting in a way, sometimes I feel that the course can be so dramatic and that some of the people on it can be so self involved and ignorant it can put me off the industry all together. But after that I felt like I could fit in and that the industry was full of actual people and not ego boosting students. I could really see myself working for a company like that. The employee's seemed pretty happy and thats always encouraging. Every time I see Sophia I feel like I can achieve stuff, I feel inspired and like I'm not crazy for wanting to do something different. Sometimes I feel so isolated on the course for wanting to do something else, I feel very misunderstood and on the outside. But in a way thats okay, I feel like I have my eye on the bigger picture and I need to work to my strengths.
Anyway it was a good experience, after that I met up with some international Internet friends! I stayed in a hostel with a bunch of girls from around the world and it was great. After not really having a summer last year as I was catching up after my illness, this year I wanted to make the most of it! after all it would be the last summer I would get. Call it seizing the day or whatever.  It was really interesting from a career point of view though, now stay with me on this.
I met Cameron Parker again that day (I hope he won't mind me talking about this). The first time I met him back in February 2013 he gave off the best first impression ever. He was so enthusiastic, warm and friendly I felt like I had known him my whole life, he managed to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable and there was a lot of people there that night. I couldn't help but think that this was a ridiculous talent of his and that this must be what they call a people person. Then when I met him again he was exactly the same he even remembered my name which is amazing considering the amount of people he must meet. As the day progressed I began to realise why the company he worked for was so successful. A lot of it was down to him and his skill set; his job is in marketing but he is essentially the designers right hand man and I can see why. He is well organised, friendly, warm he makes people feel like they are part of something special and when everything seems to be falling into chaos he does the most amazing thing and smiles. Not only does he do all this but he also runs his own company on the side. I find him pretty inspiring and he has opened my eyes to what I can do with my own skills. So thank you Cam

Me the girls and James Lillis in St James's Park

Outside Buckingham Palace with the girls

After all that excitement I got a promotion at work. I'm now a supervisor, which is good. I mainly just want as much as experience as possible. Any opporuntunity that comes along I want to grasp, I'm just trying my best to build up a good set of experience that may one day lead to a job I enjoy. I'm taking as much responsibility and training as I can handle and I hope that all this will make me more employable. After all I have so many balls in the air I think that kind of proves I can multi task and manage my time efficiently! Even if it sometimes gets a little much. Either way it's something for my CV not everyone can say they are a third year student and a supervisor running the store on their weekends.

I also took the time to do some touristy stuff in the summer and went back to London and visited my old flatmate down south. I visited a few beautiful sites such as Windsor castle, Longleat House Westminster Abbey and Eton College.

And we are only half way through. I better save the rest for another post though as I think I have rambled on long enough.. for now.