THANKS MOM AND DAD FOR THE POPCORN!!!

Norbiton Train Station - towards Kingston.

I am much worse at updating this blog than the one I kept in 2009, I wonder if that means something - haha.

From the last time I posted I have accomplished quite a list of activities - if that is what you want to call them, haha. I had a conference on publishing at Stationer's Hall, I dorked out with Ruth in various geek shops in the center of London, I went shopping for warm clothes, I wrote a paper on production in publishing - which required me to take books from the library - I agreed to attend the mid-night premiere to see the next Twilight movie, I emptied my fridge and have not restocked it, I booked a spontaneous trip to Wales for their Christmas events, and I got a ton of popcorn in the mail from my parents - etc, etc...

In other news, NaNoWriMo is going terribly and I do not know when I will focus on that. Maybe today, before class, and while finishing my laundry, packing and preparing for tonight. Also, I have yet to find a place to live, and I am completely unable to keep up with my incoming emails - so much stuff, all the time. Thanksgiving plans have failed to move forwards, and I am not really motivated to work out the kinks without help. BUT the golden light at the end of this tunnel is -

I AM GOING TO WALES THIS WEEKEND. 

(Cardiff to be exact). 

Mentally - I am still doing really well, and I am really loving everything about being here. But do not worry, I am super excited for Christmas and to see my family and friends. Also I am super excited for New York Pizza, wings and an antipasti salad - So, if someone wants to put that order in for me? All the doubts I had before coming are gone now, and honestly I cannot even remember the details of those extreme moments of panic - I am sure they are in this blog somewhere.

Ruth and I at M&M World, London. 

Sure, I do not know what will happen once I get my degree.

But, I have a plan, and I know what I would like to happen.

But that is all in the future, and there is no point is killing myself today about what will happen in a year. A year ago today, I had no idea I would be back in London. I had the plan of moving to New York City, or Boston - maybe even Seattle - after getting decent experience at The Freeman's Journal. Working towards a degree in publishing and creative writing was not even a real consideration and it took a few more months to bring me to that single decision. Which is silly of me after all, because I love books, so working with them is just the correct answer.

My point is, right now is really good, and in one year the most important thing will be that I am still able to feel confident and happy. That is really the most important thing for anyone. If all I have in one year is the memory of this experience, and the knowledge I have gained, I want that to be enough. However, I am sure my dedication to carving out a niche for myself, and my stellar work ethic will continue to pull me through.

And on that note,

Myself, new winter gear
and a poppy. 

THANKS MOM AND DAD FOR THE POPCORN. 

(It's one of my favorite foods). 

Here's for constant optimism,
xx, Kristin

'Kristin Bergene' & A NEW BAG!

So, I accomplished some things today. I accomplished getting out of bed. I accomplished getting into Kingston to accomplish some schoolwork. I accomplished making it my class on time at 18:00 (6pm) and I accomplished some stuff to help market myself better.

Our lecturer today was talking about social media, and frankly it brought me to the conclusion that I am not doing enough - cue laughter. I have no idea how to market myself, and I really never considered that it was something I should be responsible for. However, there was a very good point brought up which was if you have a pre-existing group of followers you are more likely to be published. This includes self-publishing, which I may just have to give a shot - eventually. Anyway, this has me planning out a new marketing strategy which involves making 'Kristin Bergene' the product I want it to become.

Once Jane from The Office (US) said: "Dress for the job you want." In a way that is what I am trying to do, I am making my name recognizable as a brand. A brand of what?

That is still to be determined.

But today I worked towards my newly organized ambitions - not new ambitions, just reorganized. I have two blogs for my professional life, two blogs that I have failed to touch seriously once arriving here in England. Today, I changed their URL's to a more appropriate name.

They have now become:

• Writing Portfolio: http://kristinbergenewriter.wordpress.com/
• Art Design Portfolio: http://kristinbergeneartdesign.wordpress.com

With their new names, I hereby swear to market them the "right way" - as opposed to just having them there in the background. I will dedicate at least one hour a week to spreading the word on 'Kristin Bergene' - which I think is plenty enough time for one week, considering I am still doing my masters. 

My responsibilities are slightly overwhelming. It seems this easy / fun blog is my best source of stress relief that can be played with between serious responsibilities. Well, this blog, traveling into London's center and shopping - speaking of which...

LOOK A NEW BAG!

I thought a sleek bag like this would be perfect to get me in the right mindset of a professional. As I stared it down, I imagined going on interviews with a pencil skirt and this guy. It seemed like an unbeatable confidence booster - mostly because both my planner and kindle fit inside beautifully, along with all my other crap.

Bring it on world.

xx, Kristin

CRAZY Days

It has been so crazy here over the last few days. In the short span of a week, so many things have happened, changed and exploded. It is unbelievable that only one week has passed since arriving here in London.

First of all I went from:

• Eternally grateful to the Adam's family for taking both Stacey and myself into there small bedroom upstairs.
• Freaked and stressed because I could not find a place to move in a decent amount of time, aka: the end of this coming week.
• Relieved, because Philippa set Stacey and I up with a friend with two bedrooms to rent in New Malden.
• Stressed again, because one room was very much smaller than the other - and one would have felt very guilty to get the larger room with a desk. 
• Eternally grateful to the Adam's family for suggesting I rent this room from them, without a contract, so that Stacey and I might continue looking for a flat without stress.

Then I learned that:

Myself in front of the Parliament Building,
just out of Waterloo Station and under the
shadow of the London Eye: 20, Sep. 2011

• I could still manage my way around central London.
• I still LOVE Harry Potter - getting to enjoy the last film on the largest Imax screen in all of Britain. (My fourth time seeing it, of course).
• My degree is going to kick my butt, and I have only been introduced to half of the course! (The other induction is tomorrow for Publishing). 
• I am still capable of making friends, even though I was practically on solitary confinement for the last year and a half. 
• Jet lag takes a long time to kill off.
• I can survive on little food during the day when stressed.
• I can survive on little sleep during the night when overwhelmed.
• The internet makes this world a very, very small place. 
• My writing style gives me strengths as a story builder.

Every night I go to bed after midnight. Every morning I get out of bed early to start my day. But I still keep trudging on with a smile, because I made it and I am following through on my goals. As long as you love what you are doing, you can afford to smile even in the most difficult parts of the journey.  

And this was my first week in London...

xx, kristin