Hello again, welcome to the Ken show. It’s been a while since we last met but here I am with a fair few paragraphs of juicy gossip.  I’ve been getting stuck into my course, busy with work, protesting about tuition fees and eaten a few early mince pies.

The course

The course is going well and I’m getting used to logging into Pebble Pad a few days a week. I’ve never used Pebble Pad much in my past three years, now I’m never off it. So for my Conflict Studies course it’s essential that I make regular contributions to it, posting my thoughts and feelings, issues that I have with studies, and interact with my fellow students by sharing comments and opinions.  Some people write near essays on there and get a little carried away, but we will keep that between us. I wish I was able to take out more books on my library card, because I’m trying to read a broad range and working on two different topics, twelve books doesn’t really suffice. And I got a fine last week! I hate library fines, feel like I’ve been mugged, but I guess it’s cheaper that buying the actual book.

OPPS!  Deadlines ahead!

I managed to decide on my title for my independent study. Finally! I’m going to base it around the Vietnam Conflict (Vietnam War, depends on whether you’re American, it’s a war or conflict). My title is still pretty much a work in progress, but it will be along the lines of: “Was there a level of racism in the U.S. Army and to what extent was this racism directed against Afro-American soldiers?”. Obviously it needs a lot of work, but as part of another module on the course, I’ve been getting lots of practice in for research methods etc.  Talking of which, I handed in component three of that module last night. Talk about pushing it to the wire, I have been so busy with work that I nearly missed the deadline, but super Ken pulled it off and after finishing work at 5pm, I headed straight to the library and banged out seven straight hours and managed to get my work submitted by the midnight!! Shazzamm! Definitely means that I’m gonna make sure that I’m well prepared for the next deadline.  I’m gonna start it now, even thou submission date isn’t until Jan 12 2011.

So what else have I been up to?  Work, work and work.

Work in the Students’ Union

It’s been a busy time for me here at the Students’ Union. We had our official opening last month and we were honoured to have our very own Chancellor Lord Paul of Marylebone officially open our building. That was an enjoyable day that took a lot of planning; my speech went down really well too.

So in between Trustee Board meetings, School Meetings, Board of Governors, Chaplaincy meetings, I’ve even managed to visit a few other Students’ Unions, attended the NUS Black Students’ Winter Conference and managed to organise a petition to our local MP, Paul Uppal, in an attempt to get him to vote against higher tuition fees. We even managed to spend the whole night in University as we staged a 12 hour occupation of the MC Building on 8 December. This was our last attempt to show government that we are opposed to plans to raise tuition fees to £9,000 per year. Over 50 students and staff attended and we were joined by representatives from Wolverhampton College, NUT, UCU and the University, we enjoyed a night of debate and even managed a few games of table tennis (some of our lecturers are skilled technicians in the art of ping pong. 

The wrap-up

So as you can see it’s been mega!!! Busy, busy, busy and I haven’t even told you the half of it. Did I manage to go out on the town? Get some Christmas shopping done? What about my personal life. Looks like I missed all this stuff out, so I’m gonna get this submitted and post a special treat just for you.  Stay tuned.

SU official opening last month and we were honoured to have our very own Chancellor Lord Paul of Marylebone officially open our building.

Saturday studying

Saturday lectures - working hard

University students sit in

More from the sit in at the University MC building

Thumbs up!

These are a few of my favourite things

Hey hey hey, I told you I’d add a little more about my personal life, so here it is.  Don’t get too excited, I haven’t revealed too much, but this should give you a little insight into my inner thoughts...

Favourite Word: Marvellous

I love the way it uses the whole of the mouth to be first initialised and ends by being collected on the tongue before being pushed out the mouth to declare just how amazing this word is.

Favourite Chocolate: Cadbury

Gotta be the best chocolate in the world! Yes it’s a statement not a question. I love chocolate, but not to the extent that I’d ever claim it is better than sex. I do have to have my daily dose of chocolate, just to keep me ticking.

Favourite Cereal: Kellogg’s Clusters

Actually I like all cereals, including Kellogg’s All Bran (good for the system!) so if you take a look in my cupboard, you will find roughly around ten different types of cereal, including porridge oats. Never mind Ready Brek or Oats So Simple, porridge has gotta be the easiest thing to make. I never understand why people would want to spend their money on it, so it takes 2 minutes to make in a microwave, well guess what, so does a bowl of porridge oats. Add a little cinnamon and nutmeg and a big dollop of golden syrup, perfection.

Breakfast!

Favourite Cartoon: Spider Man

I used to collect the comics as a kid. Now I still watch the cartoons as a bigger kid. Amongst other cartoons of course, not forgetting X Men. Does that make me a Marvel fan?  I guess so, but I pretty much like most cartoons. Sci-Fi is where it’s at for me. Don’t bring me any soaps, unless its Dove. I cant believe Marvel has been brought by Disney!  Imagine what the next Spider Man film is gonna look like...Will he be able to beat up bad guys? Or will he sing them a song and send them to counselling. To be continued...

Favourite Film: Goodfellas

Although if I was gonna answer this question, I’d really split them in to genres, such as comedy, gangster, Sci-Fi , etc. So Goodfellas would be my favourite Gansta Film and would defo feature in my top ten.

Favourite Music Artist: Jamiroquai

Have been a fan ever since1994 when I first heard “Too Young to Die”. I’ve seen them live 7 times. Just brought tickets for the latest concert in April 2011 and can’t believe that its £50 per ticket. But when you’re a fan, that’s the price you pay. Loving the new Album “Rock Dust Light Star”, loving the first track and the whole album. Can’t wait till the concert, standing of course, gotta be able to dance my feet off.

Me with my favourite music - Jamiroquai

Favourite Number: 0

Because although it’s nothing, when added to something else it makes it more.

The Wrap up

So there it is, not quite in the style of Mary Poppins, but you now know a few of my favourite things. Obviously I have a lot more. I’m feeling an opportunity to get a little bit interactive, so if you want to know any more, simply post a comment and ask me a question. You never know, I might answer it.