University at 54

You give a man a tool and he is a man with a tool – You give a man a tool along with a book and you give him the ability to move mountains

Education is one of the most powerful tools available to man – Education gives every man and woman and child the ability to advance, move forward, learn and the wonderful ability of empowerment

The work undertaken by many graduates and post-graduates forms societies, laws and structure to the mere foundations of countries

I give a personal shoutout to every graduate through their studies that are pioneering societal change and individual and community empowerment!!!

Happy studying!!

Ali and Chi Chi

So, after a wonderful graduation an opportunity came up to be in a play at Derby theatre and it is one of the most poignant pieces that I have ever come across. Called Welfare based on the miner’s holiday camps in the north of England. It highlights the struggles that the miners had and what they came up against after watching the new films and documentaries about this passed era of injustice and extreme difficulty it has certainly opened my eyes as to how the situation was for this backbone of Britain.

I play a miners wife – I have met ex-miners families and heard their accounts of this hugely difficult time and the scars are still left today. The show has impacted many people and has become a sell-out success! I am truly privileged to be involved in such a socially impactful piece of theatre and all credit to Abi Zakarian for writing it and Sarah Brigham for bringing it to fruition on the stage!

Deep in the Derbyshire Dales there is a place, a very special place and it is known as the Chatsworth Estate.

The story ….. So I complete my Masters which I literally wept blood, sweat and tears over and then when I think I can take no more, I come out of it with a mountain of debt and as my university accommodation ceased, I had a very precarious housing situation.

Possessions in storage, I found myself desperate for work and to stop the spiralling difficulties I found myself agency work in a nursery, commuting nearly 4 hours a day but then I was offered work at the Chatsworth Estate.

A learning curve at first, as I had been out of this type of work for many years. However, they have not only given me permanent contracted employment, which has enabled me to sort out my housing situation. They have taken my situation on board and given me more support than I could have imagined. Not only have I forged new friendships but I have re-established my sense of self-worth. Employers like this are few and far between theses days and I cannot express how appreciative I am of Chatsworth.

With regards to my masters, I have been offered occasional work with severely autistic adults and children, of which I shall facilitate alongside my work at Chatsworth. as it happens Chatsworth are a great supporter of people with learning difficulties and special educational needs (SEND). In every department you will find individuals with SEND or other extra support needs.

If you come along to this magical place, not only will you have an amazing time but you’ll also be greeted by the lovely individuals that make up the Chatsworth family.

What a blessing!

Alison X

So, the beauty of doing an Applied theatre masters – we get to do lots of fun things like Immersive theatre at Papplewick Pumping Station in Nottingham .

I’ve had the results of my Education work – I got 68% – which puts me in line for a 2:1 – even better than my undergraduate degree. So pleased

I’m still in Halls but have actually changed rooms to a much better one – I actually have my own en-suite now – what luxury!

Life is fun at Derby University- lots of fun things to do

Love and light Ali

So, before I started back to school my sister offers me a weekend in Norway and Wow! What a lovely place – visiting the Stave Churches from Viking times, the Fram Museum – which is a must see – you can also see the statues of Roald Amundsen et al. The first explorers to reach the South Pole in 1911 – a full 33 days before Scott arrived. The sense of accomplishment and adventure of these explorers and without modern technology and survival tools, totally admirable and I am in awe of the spirit of our ancestors.

She also took me to see the Norwegian Eurovision winner – TIX – which was great fun! Can’t think of a better way to precede my Masters and what a start to 2023!

So, January sees the start of my Masters and so much work to do and to support myself whilst studying I plan to run my Yin / Relaxation classes and as I have realised so many people need to become less stressed these days – especially with such difficulties that we not only face locally but globally too. My future plans? To help people to a better place, to help people re-centre, grow and to get to a place without conflict and negativity.

Remember if negativity, your past and conflict is calling you – then don’t answer it … It has nothing useful to say, stay present and stay strong.

Love and Light

Ali x

Hi – Just to wish everyone who has and is reading my blog a heartfelt Happy New Year to yourself and your loved ones.

Yes it is back to halls, rather reluctantly, as I now felt ready for my own space but I do not own a home, so yet again the University has stepped in and helped in my hour of need. I could’ve stayed with family, but I felt that this would be, emotionally, a step back and not only that I would’ve had to commute and I could not risk being late for class.

I am currently waitressing to supplement my income, but my talent really lies in my yoga. So, I am trying to set this up whilst I start my Masters. I am offering yoga but it is actually more like a relaxation class on zoom or in person. Ying yoga is very chilled, not physically demanding at all and very grounding. I specialize with people that need stress-management, also children with parents and troubled children with ADHD and behavioural difficulties. If you or anyone that you know is interested, then I can be contacted through my company email, which is: ali@yingyoga.co.uk.

I wish you all, a wonderful year ahead and as a closing thought; be mindful of the people around you and remember; you are not the main character in everyone else’s story but you are the main character of your own.

Blessings

Ali

So, here’s the thing – I was supposed to go back to my beloved Mexico for a month before Christmas, when the night before the flight I started to feel unwell as I boarded the plane reluctantly, I was facing the onset of flu – not wanting to be walking across New Mexico being ill – I aborted the trip and then I had 2 weeks of severe flu. Then one week ago my mom wakes up talking in a bizarre manner – I thought she’d slept wrongly but then I noticed her left side of her face was dropping. I immediately rushed her to the local hospital and all I could think of was the advert that said ‘the quicker you react, the more of the person you save.’ The hospital confirmed – it was a stroke. The family were so grateful that I was here to intervene and I can now stay with her and help her. However, I was so sad not to see my friends in Mexico, my heart is heavy when I think of them, I yearn to be in the sun again but cannot deny that if I had not been here it could’ve been fatal.

I now have to work as many hours as possible, I have a job waiting tables in a lovely Italian café, the food is lovely, much better than supply teaching. I have to save money for my future, getting stable and looking forward. Still on course to for my Masters, as well.

I would like to also use December as a time for reflection over the year and I would like to wish everyone who reads my blog the best wishes for a wonderful December.

However, let us celebrate being in the present, that is why it is called the present because it is a gift, don’t regret the past or be anxious about the future but cherish the current moment, the present, a gift to you.

Best

Ali

In between residences awaiting student accommodation – I find myself in an Air B&B in an inner city area in Derby. And I am humbled, humbled by the charity, smiles and welcome by this multi-cultural area. On route to the gym last night there is the wonderful aroma of curry, an array of herbs and spices – I think that the families eating those delights are fortunate.

I haven’t blogged for a while as I wanted to show my respect for the people of Iran who are going through such troubles.

And as observations – my recent working experience has certainly been an eye-opener. At first, I was offered supply-teaching with an agency I found out about at the Freshers Fair, where I was also told that I couldn’t join the Army training corps society, as I was too old, very disappointing as I thought it would be a fun way of getting fit. The teaching was bizarre, without training – not even a zoom meeting – I was put in front of a class of secondary school children and told to teach them English. I felt out of my depth, I didn’t even know that I had to take a register – let alone follow the National Curriculum. Then the next day I was asked to teach Basketball? At the school, they said just show them how to dribble and pass? And 2 of the classes had reduced learning needs! At this point I had to fake being poorly, stated coughing and called an UBER! My family were highly amused especially when I suggested that I could teach them Yoga instead whilst standing there with my sound bar and in my sparkly leggings.

Then I do a stint in a well-known chemist selling a world-wide known fragrance – only to be pulled up on my grooming. I felt like a lamb to the slaughter, however, my sales were through the roof! And I concurred that some people in Customer facing Industries definitely need further training.

Such a materialistic society that we live in. I reflect on Wole Soyinka, the great African playwright, whose book is ‘The Chronicles of the Happiest people on earth,’ and they are all from a very financially deprived country. Happiness, I believe is Compassion, Humility and Gratitude in Abundance.

To leave you on a good note, I am now officially President of the Mature Students Society, with lots of fun evenings planned and of course no age limits – Under or Over!!

Best

Ali

So, it’s definitely a Master’s for me. Also got offered a Masters at York University. I received a 2:2 but still offers are coming in, I think that they were impressed that I got up at 3.30am in Mexico to do the interview and I also told them of a performance that I had in mind with refugees and I think that they were intrigued.

I met with Chi Chi today as she flies back to Kenya on Tuesday. She got a 1st but she was so clever academically. I was making notes with her today so I could get hints and tips in order to get a better grade in my Masters. We also discussed my next thesis and I would like to study the concept of returning to study later in life. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be emotionally ready for a degree in their 20’s or 30’s and life gives us barriers to prevent us from returning to study but as Chi Chi said, if I do a thesis about it then maybe it will inspire others to change or start a new direction in their lives. I think that their is a whole network of people out there not discovering or pushing their boundaries. And people that have a lot to say and could offer a great contribution to society.

You know something? Stay in Halls of Residence – there is then no worry then of fuel bills dropping through your letterbox – in fact you don’t even have your own letterbox.

I must admit challenging it has been, studying and living with people much younger than me, I can get on with anyone but during my 3 years I was the oldest by decades and I do feel at times, as I was pushed aside as that old woman who knew no better. Especially in Theatre/Drama – why is this lovely creative area of the Arts not encouraged more to be studied at all ages – it is in fact the seniors that would really benefit from the confidence boost that studying in this area can give you.

Enough said. I am now going to start my preparation for my next studies. Which I think after my experience of travelling and my personal growth – this next chapter, academically, will be the most valuable.

So, before I left Mexico the family took me to the Mangroves. Which is such a beautiful environmental ecosystem located on the southwest section of the Yucatan Peninsula, in Campeche. The below photo shows me jumping in the water with little Noah, the water was so clear that I drank it. I would highly recommend a trip here, if you’re visiting the area and you can’t miss Playa Bonita, where you get the real white sands and crystal clear waters and nearly every second a butterfly goes past you – which is proof of how well environmentally this area is flourishing.

I then head onto Chicago, USA as I have an Aunt who passed away and I want to support the family. It is a breath-taking city, with huge buildings with a beautiful river that runs amidst these concrete structures. And thanks to Ninth Wave Global I was able to go up 95 floors in the Hancock Tower and enjoy the view.

Chicago is a very friendly city – even despite the recent shootings – the customer service is excellent and people have been very warm to me.

The problem we have globally however is climate change – and although changes worked in Mexico at grassroots level – I feel because of the urgency there also needs to be more laws and regulations in higher populated areas to evoke change. I do feel it is a good move to make a charge on carrier bags – when you have seen videos of islands in the Pacific where birds have ingested the bags and it has terminated their lives – it makes you think- it was this video that prompted me to enquire about volunteering work for the environment- which led me to Mexico – an amazing experience.

I leave you with this, ‘Compassion’ definition – ‘A sensitivity to suffering in self and others. with a commitment to try and alleviate and prevent it.’ I ask you to show as much compassion as you can to the environment, each other and of course our animals.