Hey all!
It’s been a while but, as I predicted, it is now the Christmas break and so
here I am back with another update!
THE COURSE
The course
has been going pretty well. I’ve been better at organizing practice sessions in
groups and also pushing myself to practice on my own, particularly towards the
end. Translation marks have fluctuated but that was to be expected as the type
of text changes each time. However I managed to more or less keep on top of
things. I also had a French simultaneous interpreting mock on the last week
which, as you know, is my least favourite subject (just because I’m not
particularly good at it). However I increased my practice time and the mock
went alright. It was a lot better than my performance over the previous weeks
so despite mistakes I was quite pleased!
Concerning
public speaking, I don’t have any more tests as both assessments took place during
the semester. I’m just glad the unit is over. I just didn’t feel like I learnt
much but I’m glad I don’t now have an extra module to do next semester… On the
last week we played the balloon dilemma; that old game in which you take on a
persona and have to argue why you shouldn’t be thrown off the balloon (or boat
as I used to play). It was a good idea to practice public speaking on a whim
and to defend yourself against an argument. I went for Christopher Columbus
which I thought didn’t have much to offer but I made it quite far in the game
surprisingly… Still got thrown off though…
Aside from the
actual classes, we had a few extra training sessions scheduled these past few
weeks. First, John Swales from the EU English interpreting booth came to give
some talks on speech writing. It was quite interesting, mostly when he spoke
about his own experience working at the EU institutions and learning languages
in general. The following day he taught us in smaller groups assessing our
French consecutive skills and that was really useful. We were all really
nervous and he was definitely critical but he was also reassuring so it was
good feedback!
Another
opportunity I got was taking part in an EU / UNOV virtual class. Again, we were
assessed on our consecutive interpreting but this time I had to interpret a
Spanish speech. It was a lot harder than what we’d been doing in class but I
think I did pretty well and the feedback was also very detailed and useful.
There was
also a poetry translation workshop at one point, led by a lecturer from a
Spanish university. We had to give some Machado poems a go and I didn’t really
put much effort in as I didn’t have much time. Turns out, only 3 students and a
teacher actually showed up to the workshop so I actually had to read out my
versions… It was really interesting. Poetry translation is a very creative
process but it is also very frustrating and not really what you’d do for a
living. It was still worth going and I know it will be useful when I have to
translate my dissertation texts!
THE CLASH: SCREEN VS STAGE
As I’d said
in my previous post, I performed in the BUSMS November show, The Clash: Screen vs. Stage between the
29th November and 1st December. Rehearsals meant I was
super busy and had to properly plan my time so I’d get all the work done,
particularly since I had two translation deadlines on show week… I made it
through, exhausted but I made it. Tech was particularly time consuming because
the songs I was in were assigned the last slots on each of the tech days, so I
didn’t get much sleep on show week but I survived! We really pushed ticket
sales and managed to sell out the last night!
The actual
performance was fun. Got to wear a mic for the first time in my BUSMS career,
managed not to flash anybody in the sparkly dress and just enjoyed being back
on stage. Sadly, that was my last show with BUSMS this year. I can’t wait to
watch Legally Blonde and Encore when they come round, but I don’t have time to
take part myself. I’ll try to give Fringe a go… After-show was also a lot of
fun. Not many returners around but I drank a fair bit of wine and had a great
time with Megan and the band. Both Megan and I had said we’d only stay until
after PT presents… We were there until they stopped the music… I’d say it was a
successful night.
SOCIAL LIFE, CRIMBO STYLE
In the few
weeks after revision Megan and I met up with Enrico on campus to catch up. He’s
always so busy but it was lovely to see him and see he’s still enjoying his
job. I also managed to see Marta and Wiebke for a bit on campus on the weekend
they came over to Bath. It was great to see them and hear what they are getting
up to! This year I’m struggling with keeping up my Italian but I met up with
Sofia, an Italian student from Bath Spa who wants to practice Spanish and she
seems really nice so hopefully I’ll have time to keep up the tandem.
However,
most of my social life over these past few weeks obviously involved CHRISTMAS!
On Sunday after the show I dragged myself to the Christmas market to have a
look around, as I knew I wouldn’t really have much time later on. It was super
busy but I managed to buy a few things and also heard a busker with a violin
playing folk music and carols who was amazing!
I had three
Christmas meals this year. The first one was fencing on Tuesday the 4th.
We ate at The Stable and it was good to see the fencing lot. Since I don’t have
time to train I just see them at socials. We ended up in Spoons and James and I
took the mick out of some freshers with some old drinking games. Was quite fun
I must admit… The second Christmas meal was the BUSMS one, at Graze on the
Thursday of the same week. It was super nice. Everybody dressed up, we had
crackers, the food was delicious and we exchanged Secret Santa presents.
That night
was also Snowball but I had the EU / UNOV virtual class early the next morning
so I sadly had to sell my ticket and give it a miss this year. So sad.
The last
Christmas meal was quite impromptu but Saul managed to book Thaikun for a
course (Thai) Christmas meal which was lovely. Some teachers also attended and
it was just a nice way to round up the semester.
The last
few things that week were some carols with Aquapella, some ice-skating and
drinks and nails with course mates as people started trickling back home… Oh,
and I also watched BUST’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, drag version, which was
amazing as per. I loved the troupe of actors! They had me laughing out loud!
OTHER INTERESTING SHENANIGANS
Not fitting
into the other headers is my determination to make it to the gym three times a
week, which save for show week (I think running Good Morning/All I Do 10 times
straight was plenty of cardio…) I have managed to stick to. I’m seeing the
physical difference but most of all it gives me energy and helps my mental
health. I definitely need to do physical activity as a break from all the
course work so I’m happy I’m consistent. I’ll have to figure out how to fit the
fitness sessions around my schedule next semester, but at the moment I’m
focusing on not letting the routine slide while I’m surrounded by polvorones and Christmas snacks.
The second
thing was going to Bristol to finally have my interview for the National
Insurance Number. Such a hassle with the SLC loans and the NIN but the mess
seems to be sorting out. I should have my letter when I get back from the
holidays. The interview went fine. The guy at reception actually said ‘Oh, your
English is really good, you won’t have trouble getting the NIN’, like, thanks
mate. But while I was there I realized how lucky I am that I speak English so
fluently and that I am an EU citizen and I’m getting my NIN before the 29th
of March. Will not be such a walk in the park in the future…
JANUARY IS LOOKING BUSY
So those
were the last few weeks of term. I was super busy with the course but still
managed to fit in some fun things, although I couldn’t wait to come back home
and enjoy the sun and cuddles. I flew back on the 15th December,
when it was chucking it down in the Southwest, so that made landing in sunny
Tenerife even better. I’ve been working but also enjoying the good weather and
sea breeze, meeting up with friends and hanging out with the family. I have a
lot more work to do than I anticipated but I don’t want to stress myself out
because I know next semester will be even more intense.
I’ll be back in early January to do my exams
and mocks, as well as extra work I need to get done to prepare for next
semester. At the end of the month I will be going to Brussels with a few other
course mates for my placement: a 3-day Study Visit to the EU Parliament and
Commission to practice interpreting in the dummy booths. It should be
interesting. It will definitely be hard, but I’m so chuffed that I got the
opportunity. It was my first choice in my placement preferences and I want to
see what it’s like to work there. The EU has been my long-term plan for a while
but that might change, who knows?
Around the
same time I will have a bunch of consecutive interpreting mocks, languages
careers fair and various training sessions for interpreters, translators and
linguists, so no chill ISB for me this time. It will be super useful though.
Plus, the weekend before we start classes again is Megs’ birthday so I will
head over to London for the weekend.
That’s it
from me for the time being, I hope you’re having some lovely holidays and I
wish you all an amazing 2019! Until next time!
Zoe x
