My Olympic experience

The Olympics is over and after all the training and preparation it’s the weirdest feeling! But this now means I can finally spill the beans and let you know exactly what it was I was doing, but don’t worry I won’t go into every intricate detail. I was based at the Olympic park, in the Olympic hospitality centre. The main function of the centre was for the use of the marketing partner suites and the exclusive clubs within the Olympic hospitality centre. My role within the venue was part of the front of house team; responsibilities included excellent customer service at all times, front and back of house reception desks, welcome centre, ticket control and working within one of the clubs in the venue. I was working alongside an amazing team, who were all a pleasure to work with, really enhancing my experience, and I hope to stay in contact with many of them. The guests who visited the Olympic hospitality centre were equally as lovely to meet, many included members from marketing partner companies, some famous faces, Paralympic and Olympic athletes. WHO, WHO, WHO! I hear you ask, let’s just say I had a lovely conversation with the Mayor of London and got to see a few gold Olympic medals.

I was also lucky enough to get a chance to experience the games from the spectator perspective. I was able to see one of the opening ceremony rehearsals; the atmosphere was amazing and I was blown away by the performance of the volunteers involved, it was clear to see the amount of hard work, determination and time they had given up. The whole performance gave me Goosebumps and even a few tears at times.
I also got to see some sport, I went to see the Handball bronze medal match between Spain and Korea. Initially being worried about my lack of knowledge of the rules of the game, I really enjoyed it! The game is a really fast moving game with goals being score and players being knocked down, quite violently at times I felt, as well as constant music and atmosphere from the crowd, with extra, extra time then being given at the end of the game in order to crown the winners Spain. I would definitely recommend giving handball a look if you ever get the chance, trust me you won’t be disappointed.

Source: http://www.london2012.com/handball/

Finally, I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the closing ceremony. It was incredible and an amazing finish to my whole Olympic experience. Again, the atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, the performance of the volunteers was inspirational and an array of brilliant performers from the best of British music. But, how can I not mention, my childhood dream came true, I saw THE SPICE GIRLS!!! Much to the embarrassment of my colleague next to me I was singing and dancing like a crazy woman….it had to be done. With the ceremony finally concluding with the historic passing of the flag from the current host nation to the next, Rio and the biggest secret of the night, how they would be extinguishing the flame.


Although it was long hours, hard work and at times zombie like tiredness. I would not change any part of my time at the Olympic Games. I had the opportunity to do, see, learn amazing things and meet some amazing people. Soak up the atmosphere of the games all over London, and have an experience that will not only benefit my future but also one which will stay with me a lifetime.

Now the wrap parties are over and I have to hang up my purple polyester, I’m experiencing what’s being coined the ‘Post-Olympic blues’ but it is lovely to finally have a nice rest!

(I didn’t take many photos, but I’ve put a few which I took mainly at closing ceremony in the blog J)

Good luck to everyone getting their A-level and GCSE results!! J

Butter Beer and the Hackney weekend

Now I’ve got some free time before the madness of the Olympics begins and still awaiting grades back from my exams, I’ve had some time to actually enjoy the summer break!

Source: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

Last week I went to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter studio tour in London. Two of my friends from home came up to see me and we headed over to the studio in Leavesden. Getting there was a little bit of a trek taking us a while to make it but it was well worth the travel, and the slightly expensive ticket price. As a big fan of the films I loved the tour, you get a real insight and behind the scenes view of how the films are made, seeing the costumes, the set and loads of the significant props made famous in the films. The tour took about 3 hours and is part guided but mainly self-guided so you are able to look at your own pace and get taking photos, which I did, of literally everything! Also while I was there I got to try the infamous Butter Beer….

I would love to tell you it tasted amazing like how they make it out in the films, but as we all know what  you see in the films is not always what you get…..Butter Beer is awful, which was slightly disappointing.  But don’t be disheartened all you Harry Potter fans, I think it’s a bit of a ‘you love it or hate it’ drink so if you get the chance give it a try!

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj

I was also lucky enough to get tickets for the Hackney big weekend, it was such a good day and I got to see loads of great acts, like the Vaccines, Rita Ora and my personal favourites Kasabian. The weather was a constant worry throughout the day with a big grey cloud looming over us and showers happening on and off all day but luckily the weather held out and only began to rain heavily at the end of the day.

The Hackney Weekend was part of the London 2012 festival, which is offering various events and performances across the UK in celebration of the Olympic Games, so it was exciting that I got to be able to enjoy part of the Games celebrations. I would definitely have a look at all the celebrations taking place where you are, there could be something exciting happening near you! 

Wishing the best of luck to everyone still doing exams and waiting on results, hang in there and keep positive! J

I’m sure you’ve heard about the Olympics?

Finally all the revision and the exams are over! I had two exams this year, both of which I went into not feeling particularly confident. The first I came out of realising I had learnt more than I had thought and felt that I gave good answers to the questions. The second I didn't feel as positive about when I finished, but it’s finished now so I will have to wait until the results come out. So I made the most of the long jubilee weekend and had some relaxing time in the sun....or lack of sun should I say!

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/2419978/Have-you-lost-faith-in-exam-results.html

Moving away from the exams, although this means that my second year is finished, there is an exciting opportunity which I will be taking over the summer. Of course you will have heard about that little thing happening in London this summer, the London 2012 Olympic Games. I have kept quiet about this in my previous blogs but this has been something which I’ve been training and working towards for the past academic year. I am going to be working with a corporate hospitality company throughout the whole period of the Olympic Games. As we are completing our training our roles have yet to be finalised (I’ll keep you posted on that one!). The company have made a strong link with the University of Greenwich and many of our students will be working with the company during the games in a variety of different roles. But, I was extremely lucky as the company have been working closely with the second year Events management students, providing us with training throughout the year on a weekly basis, being interviewed, and then if successful we then move into the local staff training with all the other local staff who will also be working with the company during the games.

                                                               

Source:  http://www.london2012.com/

This will be such an amazing opportunity and I feel extremely lucky that I am going to be involved in, what arguably, is the largest event that takes place in the world.  Being able to work so closely with a company who has years of experience and learning so many new things along the way. This has been an aspiration of mine since I decided which university I wanted to go to. Knowing that the Olympic Games would fall at the end of my second year at university, going to a university in London was a big factor in my decision. So you can imagine my excitement when this opportunity came about.

The training has been intensive and we have been asked to complete various online, in class activities, venue tours and exams in order to prepare us for the Games. As well as all the learning I need to do about London, not being from London this has been a slight challenge but one which I was happy to do in order to have this amazing experience. If you were lucky enough to get a ticket to one of the events, maybe I’ll see you there!  J

….Ogres are like onions! And The Woman in Black

Source: http://www.thewomaninblack.com/

I was lucky enough to not only to see Shrek the musical this week, but also Woman in Black. After watching the film and there being a theatre show I’d heard really good reviews about it, so me and a friend managed to get hold of some cheap tickets for a matinee show for Woman in Black. It was a really good show and really intense the whole way through, even some bits that make you jump, or scream like the school group next to us! I was amazed that the show only features three actors, yet still created the feeling which is needed for a ghost story! Here’s the story outline for anyone who hasn’t a clue what I’m talking about;

‘Proud and solitary, Eel Marsh House surveys the windswept reaches of the salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway. Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, the house’s sole inhabitant, unaware of the tragic secrets which lie hidden behind the shuttered windows. It is not until he glimpses a wasted young woman dressed all in black at the funeral, that a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold.  This feeling is deepened by the reluctance of the locals to talk of the woman in black – and her terrible purpose.
Years later, as an old man, he recounts his experiences to an actor in a desperate attempt to exorcise the ghosts of the past. The play unfolds around the conversations of these two characters as they act out the solicitor’s experiences on Eel Marsh all those years ago.’

Source: http://www.shrekthemusical.co.uk/

And if that wasn’t enough theatre for one week I then went along to see Shrek the musical. It was my Dad’s birthday so my family came up to London to look around, grab dinner and see a show. It was a really good show, full of energy and if you love the film, the theatre production will not disappoint. Plus, I was lucky enough to see the show on the productions 1^st birthday performing in the West End, so there were lots of activities, mainly for children, but this didn’t stop me wanting a pair of donkey or Shrek ears too!

Life hasn’t just been like a musical though, as I’m sure you’re all aware it’s EXAM SEASON! So I have spent the majority of my time in the library or some hidden area of the University revising. I literally have post-it notes, lecture slides and revision cards coming out my ears! But hopefully it all pays off in the end when the exams are over, which I must admit I’m extremely looking forward too. Some advice for anyone feeling as lost as I am with their revision, it’s important to find the revision method which is best for you and give yourself time. Although we all know those people who can read a book the day before the exam and pass with flying colours, this is not the case for everyone and if you’re like me its definitely not, I prefer to take my time and use revision cards and post-it notes….everywhere!

Good Luck with your exams everyone!! J

7 Easter eggs later....

You could say I’ve had a little bit of a greedy Easter, but I did get to go home and spend some time with my family and friends which was lovely after the hectic end to last term. I took full advantage of being home and the fully stocked cupboards! But all good things must come to an end and the Easter break soon flew by and I was off back to uni and beginning the start of my revision! I have put my revision timetable in place, which I plan to stick to, and hopefully will see success in the result....fingers crossed.

I was also marshalling at the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday (22^nd April), it was an early start and the threat of a down pour of rain was looming over us but luckily the weather held out and the weather stayed lovely all day. I was marshalling in Greenwich, at the 7 mile mark, just down the road from the campus and right next to the Cutty Sark student halls. Below is a picture from my marshalling post.

As well as spotting a few famous faces, like Arg from TOWIE, I also got to see all of those running either as a personal achievement or for charity. It was really emotional watching everyone and really inspired you to run the race yourself. I don’t think I would be quite ready to run 26 miles but maybe a shorter race would be more achievable so I could also do some fundraising. To make it a little bit more exciting, I even got one of these;

This week Greenwich also had a visit from the Queen! Unfortunately I was working and couldn’t make it down to see her but I hear it was an exciting atmosphere and loads of people turned out to see her re-opening the Cutty Sark after the massive restoration project which took place. Now its open again I am definitely going to have to visit and take a look for myself as well as having a look at the new exhibition space around the vessel!

Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/British+maritime+legend+Cutty+Sark+rises+from+ashes/6516132/story.html

Bright and early start but well worth it....

This weekend I volunteered at the Gold Challenge event and had an amazing time! I was given the role of sports presentation runner. In this role I was a runner for the team in the sound and technical box, as well as for the commentator Rob Walker, whose voice you may recognise as he regularly commentates on many sporting events including athletic competitions and the on-course commentator for the London Marathon.

Up bright and early (with my alarm set for 5:30am) I made my way to the Olympic stadium, I was lucky enough to be able to see the whole event and a lot of the behind the scenes work going on. This allowed me to gain further knowledge of the industry and a real insight into how problems can be caused and solved in the face pace environment which is events.

The event had various celebrities present, with the likes of Paul Potts, Spellbound from Britain’s got Talent and also Dionne Bromfield performing.  All of the runners were truly inspirational all raising massive amounts of money for their charities. A final surprise on the day was a marriage proposal from one of the participants in the race, it was a complete surprise to everyone, including his now fiancé (of course she said yes!). There’s even a news article about it; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17577353 . I have to admit a little tear did come to my eye.

I would recommend volunteer work experience to anyone who is interested in events management, not only does it give you the invaluable experience needed but also allows you to make contacts, put your knowledge into practise and most of all have fun, And yes it will be worth the early starts!

Final assignment and visit to the Olympic stadium

A slight apprehension but also relief flooded over me as I clicked the submit button on my final assignment of the year. The assignment was a research proposal for next year’s dissertation, and I have to say it has been one of the hardest this year….save the best till last as they say. Although it was difficult with the right reading and research, as well as asking my tutor about 500 questions each tutorial, I got there in the end.  Although this may mean my assignments are all finished for the year, I still have the dreaded exams in May to revise for, but before I start all of the revision, myself and my fellow event managers are off for a celebratory drink and making the most of this lush weather!

This weekend, on Sunday 1^st April 2012, I am extremely excited about volunteering at the Gold Challenge. The event gives people the opportunity to complete a variety of different challenges; these involve the 2012km challenge, Olympic sport challenge and a gold challenge in a gym. Participants raise money for various charities whilst completing their challenges. The event will include various performers; have some participants completing their challenges on the Olympic track and a parade around the Olympic stadium finishing on the track for all the participants who have been raising money through different challenges prior to the event, giving them the chance to have a unique experience inside the stadium.

 

All the information about the event can be seen on the website: http://www.goldchallenge.org/index.php

Prior to the event I have been given some training about what role I would be doing, about the event and also getting a tour of the Olympic stadium and areas of the Olympic park which will be used for the event. Although there is still work going on down at the site it was an amazing experience being able to walk round the Olympic stadium and actually getting to walk on the track and yes, whilst I was walking on the 100 metre track I did pretend I was Usain Bolt. Unfortunately I am not able to show any pictures from inside the Olympic stadium due to the works still taking place inside the park and the privacy surrounding the park but I feel extremely lucky that I have been able to see these areas, and even walk on the ground which the athletes will use in the Olympic Games. I will keep you updated how the event goes J

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/02/bbc-sportsrights