Songs of Praise + Ramin Karimloo!!

I have had such an amazing evening. I went to the BBC Songs of Praise recording tonight. Obviously Aled Jones was there, and he was such a nice, friendly, and funny man.

Colm Wilkinson and Ramin Karimloo

For me, the best surprise was that Ramin Karimloo was there, and because we got there really early, I was sitting right at the front, less than 10ft away from him! His voice sounded so perfect, I was awestruck for most of his singing (I also will swear till the day I die, he looked at me at the end of his song, Constant Angel).
He also sung 'Bring him Home' which was such a treat. I think I was melting in my seat.
I think what I have realised is that people in the limelight are normal people. I realised that I was saying that all those famous people 'were actually quite nice!' is doing them a bit of a dis-service. Just like everyday people, there are some knobs, but most are lovely people with kind hearts. We should not have this perception that famous people are arrogant and nasty. We should just take them for as they are in person. Unfortunately I couldn't get any pictures with any of them, which is sad, but I understand that they weren't going to hang around, just so people could get a photo with them. I wouldn't.
I'm going to be glad when it is Friday, as I have had recordings yesterday and today, and a concert I'm in tomorrow evening. I'll be glad for a quiet Friday in!
But until then, here's to being busy! x

Frustrations vs Aled Jones...

I just seem to be surrounded by things that frustrate me at the moment. I saw that someone needed an alto for a choir tour to Israel. I knew I was the first person to apply, and asked for my experience. I got a reply nearly 12 hours later saying sorry but they chose someone else, sorry to of lead you on. I would of been perfect for the tour, and just can't seem to get any breaks.

I also got my results for my blood test. I have irregular hormone levels. The doctor tried to pin it of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and told me just to lose weight (she called me 'plumpalitious', which I also didn't appreciate very much), and she was going put me on diabetes drugs to help (having the hormonal imbalance of estrogen means losing weight is that much harder. Great). I had to tell her for the third time in a week that I have already lost over a stone, that I am eating healthily and exercising. I then had to explain for the fifth time that my symptoms do not match PCOS. She went through the symptoms-that I have none of- and eventually conceded that it didn't sound like PCOS, and referred me to gyno.

I hate the fact that because I am overweight, that she automatically pinned my problems on it, and ignored my symptoms, focussing on my weight. I also hate that she constantly makes little jabs at me about my weight. After her sterling performance, it may of given me the push to change surgeries. Why should I be treated like a leaper over my weight, especially as I am doing something about it?? I can tell that she has obviously got fed up of the situation, hence the referral, just to get rid of me and my problems, and maybe to prove me wrong. I know she knows her stuff, but I know my body. 

I went to sign in today, and unfortunately the buses were running late, so got there late to my appointment. The lady who I saw rudely said that in future, I don't want you to come in late to sign in. When I explained my situation with the bus, she calmed down, but it was all to do about the fact she wanted to go out for lunch. If anything, I am normally 10 minutes early to my sign ins, and they normally make me late. It is just so ironic that the one time I was late they bring it up. I was made to feel that because I have to sign on, that I am stupid, and someone who doesn't care. Of course I want work! I wouldn't go to so much effort to get a job if I didn't want one. I wouldn't of got a job and be waiting for my training if I didn't want a job! I will just focus on the really nice man I saw before the annoying woman. 

Must not mention 'walking in the air' .

It did look up today though. I had the first Songs of Praise recording. Yes it was a bit repetitive at times, but overall it was done professionally, and with good humour. Aled Jones will be there tomorrow for the second recording. I am determined to get a photo with him. That'll certainly cheer me up a bit!!x

Am I finally maturing...?!?

Today has been a weird mix, but mainly full of mature, adult things that needed to be done.
I was applying for jobs this morning, and I really am starting to feel disheartened. The jobs I found wouldn't give me an interview, and the others are hard for me to get to.
It definitely is hard for young people these days. We couldn't get a job at first, because we didn't have enough qualifications. Now that we have qualifications, we are over-qualified. We also have to fight against mature, experienced people who have lost their jobs.
There definitely is a plus side to this- I had my interview with Halfords today. After working for Lush, it felt quite weird to have a formal interview again! I thought it went quite well though, but who knows? I definitely tried my hardest, and that is all that I can do. Hopefully I get a phone call from them soon :)
In the evening I helped out at my old youth club, which is always really fun. I get to put the volunteering onto my CV, which is always a help, but I really do it for the kids. I always really enjoyed going to youth club at the end of the week, and I do feel that it is a nice way for me to give back. The kids are also really nice, and I think they see me as someone that they can talk to, but hopefully someone that they should respect. Without sounding arrogant, I think the kids enjoy it when I'm there too, and one of the parents said that their child only likes it when I'm there. It's quite daunting, but it helps keep me motivated to go and help.
I think children do pick up on whether people want to be there or not. Bless him, but I can tell that the leader has been coerced into running the youth club. The kids have no rapport with the leader, and they want to constantly do something, not just sit around and do nothing every other week. I am in the unique position that the kids do talk to me, and it is difficult, as I do agree that they want something to do, but it's not my place to say anything, as I know the response would be "well you run it then".

Typical picture of Boom and I.

On to lighter subjects eh!
I'm am so excited for tomorrow, firstly because I will be seeing Bethan, (aka BOOM buddy) and I haven't seen her in ages! Secondly, we are going to London, to see Nigel Kennedy play the four seasons. For me, he is the master of those works, and to hear it live is going to be EPIC.

It was great to chat to boom to sort out arrangements for tomorrow, but to also sort out where we're going to meet, what we're going to do, and working through all the underground closures, it is nice to sort out the nitty gritty details, rather than leaving the job to someone else. I even thought of going to see some exhibitions...scary eh! Knowing us though, I think we'll slip into our usual chatter about random crap and de-mature pretty quickly!
Fingers crossed we will, all this maturity from me is a bit freaky. x

Never giving up job hopes

I have been going through mixed emotions about jobs at the moment. I have a wonderful job at lush, (with my first shift tomorrow!!) but it is only a temporary Christmas job. The worrying reality is that I need a permanent job. BBC 3 - Up for Hire is a really good programme, looking at youth unemployment, and helping with skills needed to attain these important jobs. It has given me hope, inspiration and determination to hold my head up high, and look for those jobs. It has also helped inspire me to focus on my classical music career. A Career in Music has a really good article, helping people who want to get involved in the music business. It gives me great ideas to get work experience whilst I am at university, making great use of reading weeks that I would have during my future stay at Chichester University.
I am now going to use my time wiser when I am at home. Watch the programmes that I love, (loose women..) but look for jobs, and not just give up. Send out letters to top local orchestra's to ask if I could sit in rehearsals. Get involved with as many orchestra's as possible. Work hard to get to a good standard. Look for jobs that will keep me going, and eventually fill out my UCAS application.
Lots to do! x