Sweet Home California

So after what seemed like having to wait an eternity and spending two weeks prior to the journey counting down the days, I am officially in America’s fantastic state; California! I’ve always had a strong desire to travel and see the world, and America was a place that after visiting on numerous occasions throughout my childhood years made me determined to live here (even if it is just for year!). All it took was a lot of preparation, planning and paperwork and yes, I can honestly say from my short but fun experience so far – it was all worth it! California State University San Marcos is a remarkable University, the University comprises a beautiful complex with modern buildings, great resources, unfortunately there are a lot of steps – but they will certainly keep me active this year! The accommodation is not what we expected at first, we were a little disappointed with the bedrooms and the communal areas... but that was only because we needed to add a little of mine and Rebecca’s touches to the apartment. Our rooms and the communal areas look and feel like home, just how things were when living at UCLan. I’ve met some very interesting people; my American roommates I have become very close to, I have also met an Australian girl who wants to take me to visit her hometown in Australia and we are already planning a trip to New York next month. Drinking, I thought this would be an obstacle in itself; going from partying at least two or three times a week in Preston to it being illegal to consume or to be in possession of alcohol under the age of 21 in the states. (Pretty scary thought!) However, as naughty as it seems; I’ve taken the risk, (ssssshhhhhh) it is quite strict, but there are ways round it. If you meet the right people and are careful, it can be done. It is now Sunday night, Labour Day is tomorrow and I am about to get ready to go out downtown in San Diego to an all-round, American style, or should I say American Pie style; frat party. California is a completely different experience, even the way lecturers teach and the class styles certainly have an impact on your experience. For me studying Mass Media and Communication out here, American news is vital knowledge so in retrospect, going from studying Journalism at UCLan and having knowledge of UK news is just a little different, it will take time, but I will learn.

My first (but technically my second) year at UCLan...

I've been at UCLan for two years now, after completing a foundation degree last year which I decided to do as an additional course to further my experience and to broaden my knowledge of the Journalistic industry today.

In doing so, the course was highly accredited by BBC Radio Lancashire and our lectures and workshops were held in Blackburn at the BBC. This also provided us with further opportunity to gain work experience with the staff members, I got to work with some very inspiring journalists who showed me life in the world of radio - as exciting and dull as it can be!

From broadcasts at Blackpool tower (where I met Bruce Forsyth), Fleetwood fishmarket, an old ICI plant that was being demolished, homes in the Blackpool area and many other interesting and comical broadcasts to say the least. The year gave me a good insight in to the broadcast industry and made me think about actually pursuing a career in broadcast, despite me initially being set on print journalism before University. At present, I'm swaying between both print and broadcast - If I were to go in to print, I would love to write for a magazine, however, if I worked in broadcast, television would also be amazing!

But all in all, I had a really great year and loved the course... which really made me want to go on to the degree at UCLan.

So I am now in my first year of my Journalism degree (technically my second year here) and I'm still enjoying it. For me, quite a lot of the topics that I have covered have been a little repetitive but it has been good to recap and to expand on things that I had learnt last year.

University has definitely made me more mature, honest, determined, independent and certainly given me more desire to pursue a career as a journalist. Writing I love, it allows me to express myself, it gives me opportunity to be assertive, to find the story and to do things I would never have done if it wasn't for the profession that I want to go in to.

Journalism really is no object, it's something of many years ago, last week, yesterday, today and ultimately the future.

My first year for me is one stepping stone in my life, next year holds endless possibilities as I will be spending the year in the USA, in California studying at one of their Universities. So yes, as well as hoping to get one gorgeous tan, it will be a fantastic experience and maybe I'll make some good contacts.

So for now, I guess it's all about making the most of your time at University, whatever that means to you... whether it's working hard on your assignments, partying day in, day out, making the captain of the football team, making friends, finding yourself or just doing it all... If we don't succeed in these next few years, when will we succeed? There's no point sitting back and waiting for it to happen - you make it happen!

Here goes looking forward to next year! Hopefully my Journalistic career is waiting just around the corner...

A Whole Glamorous Line...

Lebanon is home to one of Couture’s hottest designers; Elie Saab who started his career in the former “Pearl of the Middle East”, Saab who is renowned for being an eager fashionista had a passion for dressmaking and showed signs for his future flair at the young age of nine; he would design clothes while the other children played. Hit 2010 and today, Saab is still sporting his popular label when he signed with Weyves International to design three grand yachts. The first one, ES117 built by OCEANCO, was exclusively revealed at the Abu Dhabi Yacht show in February.

In 1982, at just 18 years of age, Elie Saab opened his couture atelier in Beirut with his small cohort of 15 employees. Soon later, he presented his first collection to a public of young women, who were attracted to the designers work. His reputation rapidly transcended his country’s borders, attracting women from high society who desired an Elie Saab dress. Ultimately crossing the Lebanese border and today the designer is famous worldwide, from London to Los Angeles and from Russia to Madrid.

So many are inspired by this self-taught genius, we must agree that Saab has, over many seasons, expanded on his collections; he has designed several clothing lines, as well as handbags and accessories. Thanks to Saab’s ultra feminine, sophisticated and elegant designs, he has become a designer to the stars. Saab has for so long dominated the catwalk, with his originality and realism that is demonstrated in his designs. Throughout his career, he has strived for perfection and applies this approach to the whole art of living, something inherited from his Lebanese origins. In Saab’s spare time, he will usually be investigating modern architecture and the latest designs.

Most of the couturier’s lines ensemble materials such as taffeta, satin, organza and sable, along with lighter fabrics such as lace and muslin. Some of his garments feature Swarovski crystals, sequins and gem stones; for Saab, these are fundamental elements which bespoke many of his feminine pieces.

Wedding dresses by Elie Saab is something every princess desires; Saab’s concept of making a young girl’s dreams a reality has contributed to the progression of his career and essentially the designer’s reputation. So much that young ladies from all over the world would travel to Paris or Beirut in order to have a dress designed by Elie Saab.

And in July 2003, when the Groupe Pronovias (specialized in ready-to-wear wedding dresses) suggested he create his own line. This was so that Saab could potentially reach a less fortunate clientele allowing them to purchase exceptional wedding dress designs. This was established under the name of Elie by Elie Saab. This was a sparkling success which marked the beginning of yet another remarkable happening in this sensationalists’ career.

So what does Saab have to offer in his upcoming collections, and where will the future take this fine man? Well, one thing is for sure, he will impress, enlighten and not to mention, stun his fans and all the fashion lovers out there. He will have classy and feminine written all over his haute couture collections. So be ready for a little Saab style this season!

Clamping down!

Naughty limousine... It looks like the party has officially been declared over! Photograph taken by SantiMB.

Yesterday, couldn't have been a worse day... Law assignment due in, only to hear that it had proven difficult for most of the class.

So deadline: 3 O'Clock- which I met of course...

Speaking of legal, in order to meet my deadline, I parked my car up, (Okay, it was illegal to park where I had parked- but my assignment had to be in!) returned to my car ten minutes later to find that on the driver's side of my car, my car had been clamped! Talk about bad luck!

It just makes you think that clearly these "money grabbing" twits have nothing better to do than drive around taking money off society. And the key question is, what do they actually do with the money?

Clamped - fined - Let's wait almost an hour to get my car unclamped! - £100 please! Yeah, cheers!

Something to bare in mind; do not park illegally in the future, no matter how urgent it is or pushed for time you are! That's sure one to remember.

Manchester... Oh so Cosmopolitan!

Do the words classy, sophisticated and sensational even begin to describe Manchester's array of restaurants, bars and clubs?

It is what is known as a smaller form of London. Not to mention its fabulous Northerners!

Manchester really does dress to impress with its; good food, fine dining and spectacular bars, it aims to attract people from different backgrounds.

For food, you can experience a little Italian at the award-winning, San Carlo restaurant on Manchester's Deansgate... There you can taste good hearty Italian food at its best. With its extensive range of clientelle, from Cristiano Ronaldo to couples, families and business arrangements. San Carlo truely caters for all!

Manchester has its very own China town, with a vast range of chinese restaurants to choose from. You can be sure to experience fine dining, the Chinese way.

By day, Manchester is the prime city for shopping, it features Manchester's Arndale centre, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols department store, Kendals, all the main high street stores and hundreds of great shops to choose from. You can always rely on Manchester to make your shopping enjoyable and promising.

By night, Manchester features Panacea, a modern trendy bar for all those wanting to drink in style. Living Room is also another one of Manchester's favourite classy bars, which seeems to be famous for its footballers, based on Deansgate.
Tigertiger is a popular chain of bars running throughout England, with its smart/casual dress code, fantastic drinks menu, relaxing booths and its many dance floors. It really is the ideal bar/club for all party people.

Manchester is the Northwest's home to culture, eating out, shopping; featuring the Trafford centre and many shops within Manchester city centre. It is famous for football and has its own football teams; Manchester United and Manchester City... which for many decades have proven to be very successful.

Sarah Jessica Parker AKA Miss Carrie Bradshaw

My Journalistic idol.

So yes, Carrie Bradshaw does star in Sex and The City, and the writer is not a real Journalist, but the series and the films are enough for me to believe that Bradshaw is a good journalistic figure.

Bradshaw is for many women, an inspiration. I see her as a strong-willed, remarkable woman, who lives a very Cosmopolitan life style; whilst being a freelance writer, she seems to diary record/discuss her every day life happenings in her work. She has so much passion, this is the approach all REAL journalists should have.

By day, she leads a typical Manhattan way of life, constantly making dinner arrangements with her friends in New Yorks oh-so-classy district. Whilst putting pen to paper, writing.

By night,Carrie and her friends hit the busy Manhattan bars to enjoy the pleasure of sipping a cocktail; ironically, a Manhatten. If cocktails galore isn't enough for the girls, they will usually attend a party, or some formal event, (in style, of course!) - Usually from one of Sammantha's contacts.

I believe Carrie to be someone who is very loyal to her friends, partner (her husband, John James Preston, AKA Big). In her first movie- we see just how devoted she is to "Big", when he leaves her heartbroken on their wedding day. Carrie and her friends decide to battle it out in the couples "meant to be honeymoon resort" in Mexico. After the honeymoon, circumstances force the couple to meet, or perhaps it's just down to fate. And eventually they realise, that having forgotten the main reason why they fell in love and wanted to marry in the first place, they really cannot live without eachother. Instead of Carrie's ideal wedding big venue, with many guests, and the works, she works a more simpler, smaller affair, with "Big" and her close friends.

Miss Bradshaw to me, in three words would be: delightful, classy and sensational.

So here's looking forward to seeing what Carrie has in store in the near future. Whatever it may be, it will no doubt, excite, stun and impress all her fans! So for now, cheers, sip on a Manhattan or two, and write oh so beautifully...

Me, Myself and I: The Future of Journalism.

What's my name? Rianna! I am a young lady who's studying Journalism at UCLan. I come from an unconventional background, half English and half Italian. This blog is part of my work as part of my Journalism studies at the University of Central Lancashire. With online tools and multimedia becoming more accessible and popular, it is only fair that I enter the bloggersphere.
You can contact me at RIkin@uclan.ac.uk