SHERLOCK FTW

Heylo!

Okay well I have some exciting news!! Back in May two pieces of my coursework were nominated for the Ulster Media Show. This show is an opportunity to showcase the best and most interesting pieces of work by media students from Colleges and Universities in Northern Ireland.

Although I was nominated last year for my Motion Graphics piece (y’know, the one with the animated version of myself) unfortunately I couldn't make it due to the death of my Granny Green. Thankfully I was given the chance again this year, and submitted my Interactive Flash based narrative “Sherlock - A Scandal In Belgravia” and Interactive film “Ultimate Guitar.”

My classmate and good friend, Rebecca was also nominated for her Flash about Marilyn Monroe “Marilyn and her Monsters”. It was a great opportunity for both of us to meet different people in the media industry as well as showcase our work.

Meeting Sarah Travers with Rebecca! She was really lovely.

There were 5 categories and both of my pieces fell under ‘Interactive Content’. Sarah Travers, who you may know as a BBC Newsline presenter, hosted the award ceremony - and also kindly took photos with us afterwards too! ‘Interactive Content’ was the first category announced. Like most award shows, it showed some of the nominee’s work on screen, that was cool - I felt like I was up for a BAFTA! Then following that a commendation was released, then the winner.

‘Ultimate Guitar’ won a commendation for original idea and special effects so I was delighted for that, but when I went down to collect it, Sarah told me to wait because I also won first prize for ‘Sherlock!’ Then suddenly all these photographers started snapping my photos, and wow, after that I really didn’t take much in after that! 

On stage, award presented by Kate Duffy, NWRC Director of for Workforce Development and Administration.

After the awards, there was food available and a chance to talk to people and get photographs taken too. An excellent evening, definitely the hard work paid off. This year I found my course was a big step up from first year and didn’t think I could handle it - fearing my work couldn’t be up to standard to the level I would want it to be. So I feel these awards have encouraged me to keep going and has given me new-found faith in myself! This is a big deal because it’s been something that I’ve been struggling with for a while. 

The award was engraved with name and work, wow!!

*speech time lolol*

I’d like to thank family and friends who supported me and kept me from going mentally insane during the past academic year and those wonderful human beings who have already congratulated me, because I still can’t believe that I actually won something.

A massive thank you to Rebecca - who although who’s work was in the same nominee category as both of my pieces, kindly and graciously congratulated me ( although I felt so SO bad about it! :[ ) I appreciate it so much, you’re amazing! ♥

In particular I need to thank Jared for his leading role in Ultimate Guitar - it would have been appalling without him and oh, also to Mary-Jane/Emma who introduced me to Sherlock! Whee! You are all brilliant!

With much happiness,
Claudia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I am now 19, this gives me 365 days of being a teenager left.

I must make this worthwhile. Let’s list all the things that needs to be done.

1. Meet loads of new people.
2. Be nicer to my family.
3. Live for God.
4. Pass my exams.
5. Always try my best.
6. Reconnect with friends whom I have lost contact with.
7. Start sketching again.
8. Have faith in myself.
9. Have confidence in everything I do.
10. Stand up for what I believe in. 
11. Remain close with my friendship group from school.
12. Have a bit of romance in my life.
13. Eat more fruit.
14. Wear my retainer to bed.
15. Go on holiday.
16. Learn to cook.
17. Write letters.
18. Save money and spend it on something great.
19. Obtain my dream weight.
20. Become more inventive.
21. Buy a new pair of glasses.
22. Plan something awesome.
23. Learn how to use my graphics tablet.
24. Walk the dog more often.
25. Do something dramatic to my appearance.
26. Compliment others.
27. Get a job.
28. Take more photographs.
29. Continue to do my photo-of-the-day until 31st December 2012.
30. Spend more time with Jared.
31. Learn to drive.
32. Don’t stress.
33. Read more books!
34. Don’t worry.
35. Make more eye contact with others.
36. Redecorate the container.
37. Do something which would usually scare me.
38. Stop caring what others think of me or my interests.
39. Take vitamin tablet daily.
40. Go to a party.
41. Stop snacking, especially in the evening.
42. Travel alone.
43. Practice my signature because it's a mess.
44. Turn off the internet and dive into other hobbies.
45. Look after a plant.
46. Build up my physical strength.
47. Give money to the poor.
48. Get out of my comfort zone.
49. Make a movie.
50. Take make-up off before bed.
51. Go on holiday with friends before we all go our separate ways.
52. Spend less time online.
53. Recognize and praise the accomplishments of others.
54. Explore and widen my music taste.
55. Start baking more often.
56. Apologise for any wrong-doings.
57. Create a list of my favourite films.
58. Make more phone calls.
59. Work on being more flirty.
60. Pray consistently and earnestly.
61. Control my temper.
62. Drink less tea.
63. Stop being a horrible person.
64. Join an extracurricular activity.
65. Enjoy every day as much as possible.
66. Go to the beach.
67. Schedule some me-time.
68. Express how I really am to people I don’t know well.
69. Read my Bible regularly.
70. Smile at random people.
71. Stop, break and breathe.
72. Eat food from around the world.
73. Help out round the house.
74. Use the stairs instead of an escalator/lift.
75. Get experience a paid or voluntary job relating to my career.
76. Become less reliant on my mobile phone.
77. Stop being shy...
78. ...and even worse, snobby.
79. Tell someone I love them.
80. Practice willpower.
81. Sort out my skincare regime.
82. Look at the stars.
83. Keep secrets.
84. Turn down my music volume or I will go deaf.
85. Improve my posture.
86. Be more friendly and approachable.
87. Look after myself.
88. Spend more time with my Grandparents.
89. Continue to look for bargains, like a boss.
90. Bake a cake.
91. Watch different T.V shows.
92. Look after my hair.
93. Enjoy a bath.
94. Stop Facebook stalking.
95. Mend any broken relationships.
96. Keep my wardrobe organised.
97. Drink loadddsss of water.
98. Work on things early and get them done and out of the way.
99. Do what I love and what I want to do.
100. Live life to the fullest.

UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS. Pt. one.

Hello, I was feeling a bit bored so I stole/tweaked a meme-like game for my blog. I used Henry’s dictionary to find a random word of each letter of the alphabet, and below I recorded my initial thoughts and mutterings of each word. Enjoy.

Abba

I remember back when I was in Primary school, Jared and I had the cottage. It was a quaint little hut that was in our back garden. We lived July and August in it! Our neighbours Johnny, Lee, Lauren and Ryan often came down and we all squashed into the cottage playing games, watching T.V, craft and most importantly, listening to ABBA on repeat all summer. Good times.

Baker

This brought me back to London. It makes me think of the tube station, Baker Street, with the Sherlock Holmes tiles on the wall. I remember it vividly, not sure why. The whole station and the outside of it as well. Man I miss London.

Chitchat

Ah I can’t believe this came up! Firstly, may I point out the oddness of a Macbook dictionary, it’s got every possible informal word as well as normal ones. Jared and myself have been singing this Korean song Chu by F(x) all WEEK! It’s ridiculous how many times I’ve caught myself singing it. “I got a little plan so pick up the slack, You’re wastin’ time with the CHITCHAT” That’s Amber’s line. It’s only THAT line that gets stuck in my head, it’s crazy. Jared jokes that I fancy her because she looks like a boy with her tomboyish looks. Well haha Jared, you fancy Taemin!

Amber and Taemin: male or female?

Dance

Mike Chang and his immense dance moves and facial expressions are now in my head. Goodbye Amber and your androgynous looks!

Eclair

Mmmmm! Chocolate eclairs! I really want a chocolate eclair now! Chewy!

Fairies

Rather appropriately, ‘Ghosts’ by Siobhan Dongahy is playing on iTunes. That was Titania’s fairies and Oberon’s Army opening tune on our ‘Dream’ production. Sigh! How I miss Dream rehearsals!

Gangster

I have a song in iTunes that is in Slumdog Millionaire called Gangsta. I seriously like that movie and soundtrack. Now I want to watch it.

Halo

BEYONCE!! Actually, better than that. MASA!! The greatest K-Pop mash-up artist ever. I downloaded this track yesterday that’s a mash-up of DBSK’s Why Did I Fall In Love With You? and Beyonce’s Halo. It’s so amazing. Like, the tracks separately are class, but Masa just makes them even better. Why Did I Fall In Love With Your Halo? Find out here.

Icon

This really is defined without me saying. But...Audrey Hepburn!

Jamboree

What is a jamboree? Oh.

“A large celebration or party, typically a lavis and boisterious one.”

Nice. That reminds me I’m going to have to think of ideas for my 18th.

Kart

Mario Kart! I love Mario Kart. Nothing against the Gameboy Advance version (which is stunning in it’s own way, of course) but Mario Kart Wii is the greatest game of all time. Kanye that. I don’t think people will ever stop playing it because still when I play online there are a pile of others also racing. Yeah, playing online! It’s the only game I’m actually moved to get competitive over. Keep an eye out for me, I always play as Toad in the Concerto kart.

Lackadaisical

Aragh! I dispise this word so much! I just don’t understand how some lack enthausasim over the most exciting things in life. People, you only live once! Get off your backside and do something!

Magical

As a HP fangirl in my younger days, I thankfully held onto a Gryffindor cloak and dressed up as Harry Potter last night for Halloween. It was great fun! On another note, 19 DAYS TO GO!!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

3. YOUR PARENTS

Dear Mum and Dad,

Okay, I know you will probably never read this, which is maybe a good thing. I want to thank you for always being there for me, I’m glad you didn’t divorce or die or anything or I’d be even more messed up. I know I owe you a lot, something I don’t think I could ever do. (Unless I won the lottery or something)

Without your influence in my life, I know I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. You gave me the chance to grow up in a Christian home. This was something to build my morals, decisions and personality on. I don’t even want to think what I would be like if I wasn’t raised this way. But today I have an amazing relationship with God and I’m so so thankful for that.

Thank you for encouraging my love of art and broadening my creative talent: I understand if you were bored when I trailed you round art exhibitions all those years. I also want to thank you for accepting my passion for art and supporting me as I discuss choosing it as a course in university, even though I’m fully aware choosing art could get me no-where in life. I really value your opinion about making decisions for my future. It’s so helpful having someone older and wiser to guide me along, especially when you both know me so well.

I’m very grateful for all you have given me. Materialistically yes, but also the love and the memories we have had together. It’s hard to remember that sometimes. Especially when I’m cross. I’m sorry I always get so cross. But I always feel bad afterwards.

I probably have disappointed you in rows and I’m sorry about that. But I do think we get on very well usually.

I know you’re proud of me because I study well, I know you’re proud of me because I look after myself quite well, I know you’re proud of me because I’m a good child. I hope you’re proud of me in everything I attempt to do, especially in the future, which you know I’m terrified of. But I’m certain you will help me through it.

Dad, I want to thank you for allowing me to inherit your genes. I have lovely brown eyes and a round face (which I’ve been told I will appreciate when I am older) I am also thankful for crude sense of humour and interest in technology I have. I also enjoy the craic with you, us roaring mindlessly at each other can be lots of fun. However, you do have faults: I hate ‘Two and a Half Men’ on repeat 24 hours a day, and I despise having to watch it after you fall asleep snoring on the sofa at 9.30pm every night. It’s not fair. And I also don’t like how lazy you can be. Fair enough, you have to work lots but I don’t like cleaning up eggs after breakfast or cleaning the bathroom. Speaking of work, YOU WORK TOO HARD. You are all stressed usually and you pull your hair out. If you’re not careful you will die of a heart-attack, then how will ‘the business’ cope? We will all be screwed, just because you won’t sit down! And I don’t understand how you procrastinate so much, that just makes work worse. By the way, I may have to join Green Electrical if my art career doesn’t work out.

Mum, I want to thank you for all the good talks we have late at night. I feel like I can tell you anything and I usually do, because I don’t understand the concept of kept secrets or barriers between us. I want to give thanks also for my soft heart and awesome sense of style. You allowed me to freely develop my own style until I found what suits me. I’m glad you are not old. Like, really old. I also like how you’re not cross at Jared and I much. I’d usually just shout back, because I enjoy a good shout. I like how you accept me as I am, and handle my obsessions and monitor what I buy quite well. But you have your faults too: you never listen properly! Even though I know I’m sure I told you otherwise, you get it wrong! It drives me mad. Then you ARGUE otherwise, just like Jared, and it cracks us both up. You also make us clean the house a lot, I don’t really mind but it’s annoying when I want to do something else. This year’s exam pressure was grand for me, (let’s just hope I done okay) but Jared’s was absurd. Sure his marks were actually good, but it gets so boring listening to it after a week.

But, flip, this letter has gotten long. But anyway, thank you for setting such a good example for me. I want to be like you when I’m older. (I’m already turning into you anyway with my desire to clean) except I’ll have a little Asian boy who can play the drums. You are so so very organised, I love how I have inherited your instinct to use a to-do list and look after my stuff so well. You need to teach me how to deal with money next, I just don’t understand that.

And Dad, thank you for having an interest in cars, because I honestly don’t have a clue. And thanks for currently paying my insurance because I’m still at school. The craic is good when we go out for a drive and to our occasional Burrendale gym days together.

Okay, I’m ending this now. Thank you for all our memories together, and I hope there will be many more. Even if it’s just sitting in the house watching a film, I’m very happy to be a member of the Green family.

I’d end with saying I love you but you already know that.

- Lots of Love,

Claudia xox

CH-CH-CHANGES

I want to write a blog about new year's resolutions. Here goes.

Become closer to God- I've been so distant recently it's embarrassing. Due to going to bed so late, I haven't had time for quiet time, and my prayers are a mumbley mess. I need to get back into routine of putting God first in my life. This just hasn't been happening.

Be crazy and adventurous- I'm just so lazy! I sit in every weekend. I need to get out more, experience new stuff; like try new food, wear different clothes, go different places, listen to a range of music, learn a new language, watch movies, plan events and carry them out.

Meet new people- I seem to hang out with the same old crowd all the time, I would love to meet new people and have a wider range of friends. I'm really quiet though, and most of the time I don't have a clue what to say to people. I shall conker this! *determined face*

Learn to drive- Something I dread, but it must be done! Actually, dad was looking for a car for me last night, and I did get excited about it. I'm hopeless at theory (to put it this way, I scraped my cycling proficiency when I was 11) But there is a lot of thickos who have their test, so maybe it's not as hard as it looks?

Save Money- HAH well this is mission impossible- due to the fact I need money to run a future car, and that I just love spending cash. I will be more careful on what I spend money on. I don't have a job- that could go on the list too.

Become nicer to people- I have the worst temper, I need to learn to control it. I also need to become more polite because I'm sometimes rude and don't even realise. Whoops. I also have started this habit of swearing under my breath, or replacing swear words with these made up words (example: ssssss..sugarbooger. or. "si-ah-hash-sheesh" which is basically Parseltongue in Harry Potter. lawl.)

Lose weight- Okay, even half a stone I would be happy with. I have NO willpower whatsoever, probably the same willpower as a smoker trying to quit. It's like battling the Blob in Scribblenauts; You can't win.

Exercise- This ties in with point above. Try and get to the gym once a week, twice if I'm lucky.

Become more creative- Blog often, keep a planner (I have for the last two years running, it's definitely one of my better ideas) draw often;- put this art onto deviantart, perhaps make a YouTube video? Photoshop loads (that reminds me I need to get my Corel Photoshop off Sarah.)

Volunteer- Once again, I am lazy and not willing to help others. I need to write a CV in the near future, if I don't do something about it, it will be an empty CV. Not cool man.

Pass exams- Flip I haven't started revision! My whole school stuff is going downhill. I'm just so lazy. Work work work work work work work in 2010 Claudia.

Til my next blogging session,

Claudia. :)