Final Post

With so much that has been happening, I haven't had the opportunity to post. Many apologies for this being after the semester, but I would like to say one final goodbye from my house in England! I also promised Melanie some graduation photos!

Firstly, graduation was a really fitting end to the two years. I was really moved by the President's speech along with the Student speakers, who had overcome such adversity with cancer battles to achieve. It was brilliant having some loved ones in the crowd cheering my name, when I went up to get my diploma. There could not have been a more beautiful venue overlooking the ocean, it really begun to sink in how lucky I had been to go here. I also felt a sense of achievement, not too long ago I was told I would need three years at CC before transferring. There weren't the finances to do this, nor did my visa allow, so I did everything in my power to cram in as many classes, assess into a higher math, so I could celebrate this day in May 2014. I am immensely proud to have gone to CC, to be part of a community that continually pushes you to thrive, grow in confidence, and open doors for you if you work for it. I can't wait to visit in the future! Aftwards, my dad took us to dinner at El Encino Hotel, above the Mission, it has lovely views over SB and was a really yummy celebration dinner.

However, the celebrations came to an abrupt end on our way home with the news of what had occurred in Isla Vista that night. After seeing numerous ambulances drive past my house, I felt heartbroken by the news of what had occurred just a few moments from my house. There are no words to describe how shocked, heartbroken, angry I have felt ever since. I cannot imagine the grief that the families and loved ones of the victims feel.
But, the Isla Vista community is incredibly close knit, regardless of whether you go to CC or UCSB, it is a friendly hub of students. It will heal and continually support one another in this time. Leaving the following morning in the wake of this, was incredibly surreal. It was not a news story for us, it was something terrible that had occurred in our home.There was an uncomfortable silence all around and the grey clouds seemed as if they were mourning too. The emotional goodbyes were said with even a little more heart, and I was on my way. I think now more than ever, it is extremely important to remember to love and appreciate our loved ones and life. Isla Vista and CC will always stay with me. If anyone needs any support , please refer to CC Pipeline email with support services and help listed.

The following two days were spent in Berkeley. I loved campus, the surrounding area and of course San Francisco. I toured an apartment complex, I may live at which is very modern and just a block from campus. Campus is beautiful, which you can see from the pictures. I can't wait to start in late August, i'm sure there will be challenges that await but i'm ready to have a great time at my dream school! I have just arrived back in England, luckily with so many errands in Berkeley, the highs and lows of graduation night, and four finals, I slept the entire plane ride. I don't think i've ever hugged my family so tight.
On a final note, I have enjoyed writing this for the past year, it has been a really adventure. I hope you all have a great summer, and if you are starting at CC, enjoy! Or continuing at CC, I will always be a little bit envious, but enjoy and best of luck for the future!
Helena x

Making the most!

As we tie up the end of the semester, I hope everyone is not feeling too fatigued, and can enjoy their time away from school as well.

Last weekend, I went to Red Rocks again, it is fast becoming my favorite place in SB. The next time it is hot here, I really encourage you to go. The water is so clean and cooling, it is like a little paradise. I always find it amazing how you can just drive up the freeway, and then you are in the mountains, and can find a spot like Red Rocks. I'm going to miss this place.

But, as the days go by I am excited for Graduation, finishing up here, but the more I look into going to Cal. I literally cannot wait. As i've mentioned before my goal is to work in Conflict Resolution for the government back in the UK, known as the Foreign Office, or the United Nations. Cal has one of the best programs in the world known as 'Peace and Conflict Resolution', this is what i'm going to minor in and I cannot wait. My friends would tell you, I can be quite nerdy. I will happily spend a few hours in the library researching a conflict, trying to know everything there is and then not shut up about it. My latest one is the girls being abducted in Nigeria. This heinous crime is at last catching the worlds attention, but it may take up to ten years to recapture the girls. It just shows how backwards places can be on women. The group whom have captured them 'Boko Haram' literally means Western Education is sinful. It sparked a memory of watching a TED talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who is now a world famous author from Nigeria, she speaks about the way girls are treated in Nigeria. I wondered what she would make of what was occurring. I am extremely pleased that the worlds attention is now on this. 5 Questions- a brief summary of what is going on http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27348354

At last, I was so happy to visit the Getty Museum in LA. I've wanted to go for ages, and it was so relaxing. I guess it is beginning to get quite hard with the realization i'm leaving so sometimes it's nice to escape SB. I really love art, both modern and old, my parents are keen lovers as well, so they have always encouraged me to think and appreciate art. There was a huge Jackson Pollock hanging, which was great to see, but my favorite was all the old Italian exhibitions of paintings, and manuscripts from the Byzantine Empire. The items are literally priceless, and after that the Getty is situated looking over LA, which is so pretty. Afterwards we went to Pizzeria Mozza, which is a really authentic Italian placed run by one of the Mastcherchef judges Joe Basitanich, it was really yummy. Definitely a memorable day.

I have a few more tests and things due in before finals. Don't get too stressed at this point of the semester it's nearly over! Have a great weekend! 

Stats on more Stats

Hello,

Ambassadors 'working'

It's been a pretty busy few days so I haven't really had a chance to blog. I really enjoyed meeting with the other bloggers on Friday, to kind of celebrate the year of blogging and for me was a nice send off. I've really enjoyed blogging, actually it's been my favorite job i've ever had. I like writing, and this has made me really focus my writing on topics I wanted to, with the kind support of the marketing team. I felt like I learnt to balance time far better than I ever had before, and doing this never felt like a drag. It definitely encouraged me to do more on the weekends, and i've loved keeping my extended family in the loop. But, the best part is knowing that I can maybe help people in some way, if this makes your experience any easier than this makes me really happy. These blogs were a brilliant idea by the marketing department, and I hope they continue for years to come. I was really excited to learn that Berkeley have their own blogs set up, I would be actively looking to join their team if possible.

Pangea Feast!

Friday, also was my final ambassador meeting and my final meeting as Pangea President. We celebrated the end of Pangea for this semester with even more pizza. I loved being President of this club, watching its numbers grow and helping people create bonds with one another, have some fun and learn how to be an ambassador. The ambassadors have just one final lunch on Friday. This all feels really unreal for me. I remember being interviewed to become an ambassador not so long ago. On a personal note, everyone always says get involved in things. I personally have always been pretty reluctant to, partly because I can be very lazy. However, I wanted to meet international students, I wanted to develop my leadership skills, and I was aware when I transferred the more I had put in the greater my application would look. What I didn't expect from the ambassadors was for me to grow and really enjoy organizing events, leading a club, be able to speak to a group of people with confidence, and find a real support team of friends. So, whilst I cannot lie and say it isn't extremely hard work at times, to manage your commitments to the program, school, social life, relaxing etc. It is worth it, and I think it's important to say because there are the type of people who get involved in everything. I'm not one of them, but this has been such a worthy investment, and i'm truly sad that it is ending.

Story of my life!

Right now, I have a fair amount going on. I'm trying to tie things up in SB these next few weeks to make the move up to Berkeley a little less strenuous. I need to sort my visa for the next two years, the release of those documents, get a cap and gown, sell my full bed (any takers let me know!), pack and get rid of any junk (i'm a hoarder), say my goodbyes for now (absolutely dreading), find a place to live in Berkeley, which I hope i've done, accept my offer to go there, move up there, put my stuff in storage, visit the campus, fly home! Oh, and take finals, and a big Maths test tomorrow, which for maybe 7 hours for (this is a welcome break), but it will all get done and i'm excited. My mums even more excited about the prospect of me going, she found out that there are pet hugs to be had and a botanical garden (her favorite things)! Plus, she went there so i'm carrying on the family tradition. I want to blog some of my pictures from my visit to the Getty museum this past weekend and Red Rocks (again, it's amazing when it's so hot), so i'll be posting later this week.

Have a great week!

Not ready for goodbyes!