Hey guys, long time no talk I better dust this place down before posting eh its been far to long, I thought I better make a wee update post and get this going again it. So what's been happening here and what's coming up. We have all been busy with college with the usual outcome tests we have been flying through them and we only have 2 left and that's it all done and dusted and thankfully so far no resists which is nice. We are now spending our days turning up to classes getting marked in and being sent on our way, I have a feeling that is going to be what the next 2 weeks is going to be like. Easter isn't far away now, only down side is we are back in after Easter for a total of 7 days which is spread over 2 weeks, this is for plant workshop and electrical stuff I believe it is a bit frustrating but needs must as they say. So we are in Monday to Thursday then Tuesday to Thursday so a bit spread out but after that we are all done and ready to go to sea.
We have our sea briefings next week, was mean't to be today but it was moved, this is what everyone has been waiting for, to find out where we are going, what type of ship, when and who with so it's all exciting stuff it still hasn't sunk in properly in less than 2 months I will flying out to somewhere I have most likely never been, to join a ship which I never done to this scale. I think there are a few jealous people when I mention I go away soon, the old can I come in your suitcase line has been used a few times or "swap you" haha sorry to say but no chance lol.
So what else to talk about then, I have told you about college and how it's nearly done and that I get my ship soon and other people want to go to hmmm what else........ merchant navy wise that's it really when I get my ship etc I will put some info up on it I guess haha. In other news my car passed it's MOT first time which was a shock was expecting a nice bill so that's it ready to sell later next month before I go away and all that's left now is to start getting all the things I need this includes things like holdalls etc for going away with can't exactly turn up to the ship with my clothes in a black bin liner can I haha. Right that's it for now I think as really I have ran out of things to talk about slight mind blank so as soon as I think of more stuff to ramble on about I will get another post up soon I promise haha wont be as long as the last time anyway :) Cya
Monday, 19 March 2012
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Visa trip fun........
Hey guys, so I thought I would do another post as I haven't done one in a while. I was thinking about talking about my trip to the USA Embassy in London. I am going to start by a quick overview for those who may not understand why I would go there. Cadets from my company and most others are sent for a USA Visa, this is so you can work and earn money in American waters, unlike all other countries you have to go down and have a interview with them (quick chat) just so that they can look at you I suppose. All other countries you fill out the paperwork and that's you done simple.
Anyway, so before you get to go on this wonderful trip you have to fill out an application, make an appointment with them, print out all sorts of different documents and take them with you. I hated filling out the paperwork, they want to know everything up to what you had for breakfast that morning, it had the usual stuff where your from, where you where born etc etc then it wanted to know allll of your education, allll the places you had worked, then it really got in depth the company sent us 4 A4 sheets with the info we needed to put into this form. I would have been lost without it there was so many different addresses and names and places and reasons and much more I can't even remember. So after that I made my appointment, the office sorted travel as I didn't have a clue and didn't want to go over spending. I went in May, my mum dropped me off at Glasgow Airport, I managed to find my way without to much trouble since I had not bags it was very easy. I got onto the plane and found myself to be the only one not wearing a suit, I was on a plane full of suits, I stuck out like a sore thumb oh great, I got myself to the back of the plane to try and hide away. Once I got to London, I didn't hang about I headed straight for the DLR this is basically a train service with no drives just a computer, then I got 2 different tube trains, it was rush hour 9am ish personal space doesn't come into it during this time. I can't even remember the place I got off to walk round to the actual building, so anyway I was walking round a very fancy looking place, there was shops with very expensive cars in the windows I stopped to stare in and dream for a minute then continued walking. Then found myself at the side of the building and noticed a very high police presence and not just any police, it was police armed to the teeth with guns, lots of them, this was new. You are not allowed any electronics in the building either you can only take you and your paperwork and a book if you are smart enough to have brought one (I didn't), so then I got ripped off and stored my stuff in a local chemist for £3 and I joined the queue to get in, there was a stand with some staff on it checking if you had everything with you before entering, they where sending people away who did not have what was required. Once you get past them you go through basically airport security again, though with more guards and again more police with guns. So finally I was in after flying down 1 train 2 tubes and a short walk round and through tighter security then at a airport.
Once you get inside you are given and number and its basically Argos all over again but much longer. You wait to be called up for the first time (this took over an hour). I spoke to the women, handed over my paperwork, she scanned my fingers asked a couple questions then gave me a new number and asked me to take a seat again. There was a small shop in there, I must have spent about £5 in it for drinks and chocolate, I think I resorted to reading the empty wrappers and cans I got that bored. I was sitting for hours, I arrived at 10am and was still there around 3pm my flight was 4pm if I remember correctly, safe to say I missed it, I waited around for hours to go back up answer 2 questions and have my visa granted. I was free. finally. Now I could go and get my phone and all my other stuff, I phoned the office and they moved me onto a later flight to get home and that was it, on the flight home it was all suits again, this time I didn't care I was going home I was shattered. So that was that, all for a small page to be put into my passport but it's done now, just gotta go do it again in 10 years when it expires oh joy.
Anyway, so before you get to go on this wonderful trip you have to fill out an application, make an appointment with them, print out all sorts of different documents and take them with you. I hated filling out the paperwork, they want to know everything up to what you had for breakfast that morning, it had the usual stuff where your from, where you where born etc etc then it wanted to know allll of your education, allll the places you had worked, then it really got in depth the company sent us 4 A4 sheets with the info we needed to put into this form. I would have been lost without it there was so many different addresses and names and places and reasons and much more I can't even remember. So after that I made my appointment, the office sorted travel as I didn't have a clue and didn't want to go over spending. I went in May, my mum dropped me off at Glasgow Airport, I managed to find my way without to much trouble since I had not bags it was very easy. I got onto the plane and found myself to be the only one not wearing a suit, I was on a plane full of suits, I stuck out like a sore thumb oh great, I got myself to the back of the plane to try and hide away. Once I got to London, I didn't hang about I headed straight for the DLR this is basically a train service with no drives just a computer, then I got 2 different tube trains, it was rush hour 9am ish personal space doesn't come into it during this time. I can't even remember the place I got off to walk round to the actual building, so anyway I was walking round a very fancy looking place, there was shops with very expensive cars in the windows I stopped to stare in and dream for a minute then continued walking. Then found myself at the side of the building and noticed a very high police presence and not just any police, it was police armed to the teeth with guns, lots of them, this was new. You are not allowed any electronics in the building either you can only take you and your paperwork and a book if you are smart enough to have brought one (I didn't), so then I got ripped off and stored my stuff in a local chemist for £3 and I joined the queue to get in, there was a stand with some staff on it checking if you had everything with you before entering, they where sending people away who did not have what was required. Once you get past them you go through basically airport security again, though with more guards and again more police with guns. So finally I was in after flying down 1 train 2 tubes and a short walk round and through tighter security then at a airport.
Once you get inside you are given and number and its basically Argos all over again but much longer. You wait to be called up for the first time (this took over an hour). I spoke to the women, handed over my paperwork, she scanned my fingers asked a couple questions then gave me a new number and asked me to take a seat again. There was a small shop in there, I must have spent about £5 in it for drinks and chocolate, I think I resorted to reading the empty wrappers and cans I got that bored. I was sitting for hours, I arrived at 10am and was still there around 3pm my flight was 4pm if I remember correctly, safe to say I missed it, I waited around for hours to go back up answer 2 questions and have my visa granted. I was free. finally. Now I could go and get my phone and all my other stuff, I phoned the office and they moved me onto a later flight to get home and that was it, on the flight home it was all suits again, this time I didn't care I was going home I was shattered. So that was that, all for a small page to be put into my passport but it's done now, just gotta go do it again in 10 years when it expires oh joy.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
College and Halls
Right so I thought I would talk about the college for a bit, as I mentioned before I am at South Shields college, the college has a history of 150 years of maritime excellence which was celebrated last year which is great. The college is a fair size, I was still trying to work out how to get to places 2-3 weeks after starting or in other words I followed the group (still do). The college doesn't just teach marine students either, you see all sorts of other classes going on. The teaching quality is good, if you don't understand anything it is easy to get help either from the lecturer or your class tutor who you get a hour with each week and from what I can tell they are all ex merchant navy to and can answer most questions. I am in every day, 4 days in class and 1 day in workshop, lessons are 90 minutes long with 15 minutes breaks between then and you get a hour for lunch. The college has good facilities, I don't know actual figures but I know there's a good few workshops, bridge simulator, engine control room simulator and a marine plant workshop. When I arrived they where busy finishing off a refurbishment they had just carried out over the summer so the place is still nice and fresh from that.
Ok the halls, I want to try and cover the basics and talk about things I wanted to know before getting here. The halls are named the Dr Winterbottom halls and have been here a long long time I believe, it is split into blocks A through to F, in my block we have a room each (they used to be doubles) there is 8 rooms on each floor with a common room in the middle, there is 2 showers which some people would think isn't enough for 8, well I have never had to wait for a shower so it works ok and there is toilets on every floor. These all got refurbished recently to. The common room has a kettle, microwave, fridge and a T.V. In the rooms you get a single bed, desk, sink and enough space to store everything and a mini safe if you choose to use it. The doors are key card entry so is the main door on the block, rooms are cleaned daily and hoovered weekly. There is wifi but it can drop out at times and has a filter running all the time.
Food: Depends on what your used to really, I hear people complaining all the time and yes I have had a few dodgy meals but some nice ones to its all down to your taste I think, they do a decent breakfast aswell you can have a fried breakfast or the healthy option.
Around the college: On the campus there is the 1861 club it has a quiz on a Wednesday which I can be popular, it also has darts and pool and football on the when there's a game. Locally there is 2 pubs the Westoe and the County, the County does good food at good prices. There is also a sandwich shop close by, it does big stotties for £2 and will fill you up. The town centre is about a 15 minute walk and you will find everything you usually find in a town centre.
Ok the halls, I want to try and cover the basics and talk about things I wanted to know before getting here. The halls are named the Dr Winterbottom halls and have been here a long long time I believe, it is split into blocks A through to F, in my block we have a room each (they used to be doubles) there is 8 rooms on each floor with a common room in the middle, there is 2 showers which some people would think isn't enough for 8, well I have never had to wait for a shower so it works ok and there is toilets on every floor. These all got refurbished recently to. The common room has a kettle, microwave, fridge and a T.V. In the rooms you get a single bed, desk, sink and enough space to store everything and a mini safe if you choose to use it. The doors are key card entry so is the main door on the block, rooms are cleaned daily and hoovered weekly. There is wifi but it can drop out at times and has a filter running all the time.
Food: Depends on what your used to really, I hear people complaining all the time and yes I have had a few dodgy meals but some nice ones to its all down to your taste I think, they do a decent breakfast aswell you can have a fried breakfast or the healthy option.
Around the college: On the campus there is the 1861 club it has a quiz on a Wednesday which I can be popular, it also has darts and pool and football on the when there's a game. Locally there is 2 pubs the Westoe and the County, the County does good food at good prices. There is also a sandwich shop close by, it does big stotties for £2 and will fill you up. The town centre is about a 15 minute walk and you will find everything you usually find in a town centre.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Spelling and all that
Ok, so it has been brought to my attention by a few college friends that I have commas and full stops in the wrong places, well they are right, I am hopeless at punctuation and my spelling isn't great either. I try my best to proof read these and still find myself going back to them to sort faults already had to remove 3 extra e's that I had added to the word story. I am now about to try and re proof read my blog posts and fix these errors to the best of my ability. I also find it hard to type and think at the same time, you have all probably all experienced this, your brain races you have lots you want to say and everything else flies out the window, only to return once you have finished bashing at your keyboard. So bare with me and if you find any faults please let me know so I can fix them. English was never a strong point anyway it goes as far as standard grade english and even then I was bad at spelling and punctuation. Now to fix everything well try to and still have it a mess. Enjoy. :) .,?:;@'"!*#
Many Thanks
Duncan
Many Thanks
Duncan
Why Engineering
Hey folks, thought it was time for a bit of a side story to add to what I have told you so far. As the post title suggests I am going to talk about why I picked Engineering or as some people would tell me off, it's Marine Engineering and not just Engineering. Anyway this is a bit of a weird one really. To start with I had no interest in Engineering. The Sea Cadets offer it as an area you can learn, but I wasn't bothered with it well not to start with anyway. I wanted to be a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy, so why would I need to know about engines. Then one night when I was in the unit a bunch of my mates where booking a Marine Engineering 3rd class course at H.M.S Gannet (This is where the Northern Area Marine Engineering school was) and I had my arm twisted and said I would go to. I went along thinking I would be quite bored, I wasn't interested in this field but I went along with it anyway. I think this is the point the interest started, I scored well on the course, even though the course was very basic it was still interesting. Though I still left it thinking I wasn't fussed with it all. Then everyone decided to book onto the 2nd class course the next level up, again my arm was twisted to go.
Now remember within the Sea Cadets it was based on Marine Engineering and not just Engineering so its more relevant, so I attended this course, well the two weekends as it was a longer course and was split into Mechanical and Electrical sections and I passed with good marks again, so now I was really interested in what was going on as we got more in depth and I wanted to know more, along with the 2nd class we also got our RYA Diesel Engine course as we covered the same stuff so that was another string to my bow. So when we got back, me and my mate booked onto the 1st class mechanical course as I was more interested the mechanical and since it was a higher level again each section was a week long course and it became 2 qualifications, so we spent a whole week learning the mechanical workings of an engine, got to take bigger engines apart and where given projects to either fix or report on which was very interesting stuff I was loving it. After starting out not bothered, then to being really into it and fairly confident with it as well. I didn't manage to do the 1st class electrical course as it was cancelled due to low numbers.
As for engineering after this, when I did the car mechanics course it was mainly on engines and the systems that feed them like cooling, fuel, lubrication etc, I remember we where put into pairs and given a work bench and on this work bench was a 4 cylinder car engine that had been cut out a scrapped car, our job was to take off all the hoses and rubbish that comes with them and get it to the bare bones. Once we had completed that we had to strip off the parts as if we where going to do a repair job (so this means remove the belt without just flicking it off with a screw driver as someone had decided to do (not me)). We took it totally apart, further than I had ever got to with the cadets, we removed the cylinders to, completed measurements on things like the cam shaft and crank shaft then put them together again. Although we put our pistons back in and had to strip it again 3 out of 4 pistons where round the wrong way. Yes they had arrows showing you what way then where put in and yes we didn't notice them and yes we messed it up everyone does at some point. The arrows should have been pointing 180 degrees in the other direction.
So this brought me to the choice of wanting to do engineering, I love getting stuck in. I like to take things apart and fix or clean them and put it back together, I like to see I have made something work after it being broken or faulty. Although on top of this, it is a good thing I picked the engineering department over the deck side as I can work round my eyesight weakness, with deck I would have no chance so I am just glad I can still do the job I picked.
Now remember within the Sea Cadets it was based on Marine Engineering and not just Engineering so its more relevant, so I attended this course, well the two weekends as it was a longer course and was split into Mechanical and Electrical sections and I passed with good marks again, so now I was really interested in what was going on as we got more in depth and I wanted to know more, along with the 2nd class we also got our RYA Diesel Engine course as we covered the same stuff so that was another string to my bow. So when we got back, me and my mate booked onto the 1st class mechanical course as I was more interested the mechanical and since it was a higher level again each section was a week long course and it became 2 qualifications, so we spent a whole week learning the mechanical workings of an engine, got to take bigger engines apart and where given projects to either fix or report on which was very interesting stuff I was loving it. After starting out not bothered, then to being really into it and fairly confident with it as well. I didn't manage to do the 1st class electrical course as it was cancelled due to low numbers.
As for engineering after this, when I did the car mechanics course it was mainly on engines and the systems that feed them like cooling, fuel, lubrication etc, I remember we where put into pairs and given a work bench and on this work bench was a 4 cylinder car engine that had been cut out a scrapped car, our job was to take off all the hoses and rubbish that comes with them and get it to the bare bones. Once we had completed that we had to strip off the parts as if we where going to do a repair job (so this means remove the belt without just flicking it off with a screw driver as someone had decided to do (not me)). We took it totally apart, further than I had ever got to with the cadets, we removed the cylinders to, completed measurements on things like the cam shaft and crank shaft then put them together again. Although we put our pistons back in and had to strip it again 3 out of 4 pistons where round the wrong way. Yes they had arrows showing you what way then where put in and yes we didn't notice them and yes we messed it up everyone does at some point. The arrows should have been pointing 180 degrees in the other direction.
So this brought me to the choice of wanting to do engineering, I love getting stuck in. I like to take things apart and fix or clean them and put it back together, I like to see I have made something work after it being broken or faulty. Although on top of this, it is a good thing I picked the engineering department over the deck side as I can work round my eyesight weakness, with deck I would have no chance so I am just glad I can still do the job I picked.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Arriving at the halls
Right, as I spoke about earlier. I have just arrived at the halls for South Shields College, well not exactly to start with. The sat nav I borrowed from my mum (thanks mum) to get there without getting totally and utterly lost decided to take me round to the back of the halls onto the street behind them. This confused me slightly I could see the halls, but I could not get to the halls, then I clicked and realized what had happened and turned the sat nav off, then followed my nose out the street and round and went down 1 block as such and turned right. This brought the college to my right hand side, and found the side road down to the halls car park. So first task completed.
I found a parking space after avoiding lots of people moving boxes and suitcases around, I decided to leave all my bags and stuff behind and just take my paperwork. I headed over to the security office, and joined the queue and as I stood waiting to be seen to I watched people come and go. I thought I had brought a lot of stuff, as people passed I saw all sorts of items TVs, mini fridges, scanners, printers all sorts. There was a lot of parents kicking about to, they had come to see there kids off and to see where they would be living or the more logical thinking is they where making sure they are getting rid of the kids with no chance of them coming back haha. Anyway I was finally seen to and given my room number and a key card to get in and told to fill stuff out and sign my life away.
So I headed over to my room, I got a ground floor room which is a bonus when you gotta lug bags in, though I decided to go for a look before moving anything anywhere. I got in and was happy with the room with it still sinking in that I had just arrived, I sat at my desk with my paperwork and looked around, it was bigger than I had expected so I was happy enough. I filled out everything and went back over to finish off the paperwork which was quickly sorted and I was put onto the college system and given an ID card with a lovely mug shot on it and that was it really. Then I started the many trips back and forth to get my stuff from my car into my room. I am not looking forward to packing up to go back home before I go to sea.
That's it now really from then on I have been living in the halls, so a good 5 months now due to go to sea in a few months which is the next big thing. As for this blog, now that I have finished the story about how I got here, I will probably add stories from before, that I didn't put in through this, along with what's going on here etc. I will try and do a 1st day at college post to will see how it goes.
Cheers
I found a parking space after avoiding lots of people moving boxes and suitcases around, I decided to leave all my bags and stuff behind and just take my paperwork. I headed over to the security office, and joined the queue and as I stood waiting to be seen to I watched people come and go. I thought I had brought a lot of stuff, as people passed I saw all sorts of items TVs, mini fridges, scanners, printers all sorts. There was a lot of parents kicking about to, they had come to see there kids off and to see where they would be living or the more logical thinking is they where making sure they are getting rid of the kids with no chance of them coming back haha. Anyway I was finally seen to and given my room number and a key card to get in and told to fill stuff out and sign my life away.
So I headed over to my room, I got a ground floor room which is a bonus when you gotta lug bags in, though I decided to go for a look before moving anything anywhere. I got in and was happy with the room with it still sinking in that I had just arrived, I sat at my desk with my paperwork and looked around, it was bigger than I had expected so I was happy enough. I filled out everything and went back over to finish off the paperwork which was quickly sorted and I was put onto the college system and given an ID card with a lovely mug shot on it and that was it really. Then I started the many trips back and forth to get my stuff from my car into my room. I am not looking forward to packing up to go back home before I go to sea.
That's it now really from then on I have been living in the halls, so a good 5 months now due to go to sea in a few months which is the next big thing. As for this blog, now that I have finished the story about how I got here, I will probably add stories from before, that I didn't put in through this, along with what's going on here etc. I will try and do a 1st day at college post to will see how it goes.
Cheers
The week before
So college, it came eventually, thankfully, thought I was going to go mad waiting. I quit my job a week early to "pack" when I say pack I mean a week of sitting doing very little saying to myself "I should really pack" and my mum saying "make a list of things you want to take with you." I eventually made this list and left it sitting like I usually do. Then finally took action in the last few days. If I remember correctly I started packing and my mum took over because mums know best, it's always that way, I am told to pack as she refused to do it for me so I am fine with that, I start packing and when I am nearly finished my mum will have a look and say no you've done it all wrong and pull out all my work and do it for me all over again. What happened to your packing your own bag!! I have packed many bags and nothing went wrong, it didn't explode but if it isn't how your mum thinks it should be it isn't right and must be fixed or you may get to many wrinkles in your clothes!!!
I should really tell you what college I am at and in relation to my home, I live in the south west of Scotland, just south of Glasgow. I was heading for South Shields which is just east of Newcastle. Don't assume a person from South Shields is from Newcastle or say to them that they are, you may get into a bit of bother and for your health don't confuse people from Newcastle with people from Sunderland again it causes trouble. Anyway, this college is around about 170-180 miles away from my house well my parents house as such, who knows! I don't know what home is now. So its a fair drive so because of this I changed car from a wee 1.4 petrol Seat Ibiza to a much larger 1.9 Turbo Diesel Seat Toledo or as some of my mates here call it, the old mans car. I choose this for the size/comfort/diesel it's cheaper for the trips up and down than the petrol. It isn't a car I love but I don't hate it, its good for what I need it for.
So this car has a boot big enough that I can fit into, so I packed it full of my gear I had a fair amount. The boot was full with stuff on the back seat. Then I got ready to leave, this was weird, I was moving out but I wasn't moving out, I rent a room in the college halls, not quite a place of my own but I am not in my house, so its in the middle. So I said my goodbyes another weird one really and left for the 3 hour trip down. What I do remember of the trip is it was a very nice day but there was so many cars on the motorway full to the roof with peoples stuff, it seemed like alot of people where heading for colleges/unis down south. I enjoyed the drive anyway and arrived around 3pm and at that I will stop here, and will tell you all about arriving in the next post, drink time can you guess what am going to get.
I should really tell you what college I am at and in relation to my home, I live in the south west of Scotland, just south of Glasgow. I was heading for South Shields which is just east of Newcastle. Don't assume a person from South Shields is from Newcastle or say to them that they are, you may get into a bit of bother and for your health don't confuse people from Newcastle with people from Sunderland again it causes trouble. Anyway, this college is around about 170-180 miles away from my house well my parents house as such, who knows! I don't know what home is now. So its a fair drive so because of this I changed car from a wee 1.4 petrol Seat Ibiza to a much larger 1.9 Turbo Diesel Seat Toledo or as some of my mates here call it, the old mans car. I choose this for the size/comfort/diesel it's cheaper for the trips up and down than the petrol. It isn't a car I love but I don't hate it, its good for what I need it for.
So this car has a boot big enough that I can fit into, so I packed it full of my gear I had a fair amount. The boot was full with stuff on the back seat. Then I got ready to leave, this was weird, I was moving out but I wasn't moving out, I rent a room in the college halls, not quite a place of my own but I am not in my house, so its in the middle. So I said my goodbyes another weird one really and left for the 3 hour trip down. What I do remember of the trip is it was a very nice day but there was so many cars on the motorway full to the roof with peoples stuff, it seemed like alot of people where heading for colleges/unis down south. I enjoyed the drive anyway and arrived around 3pm and at that I will stop here, and will tell you all about arriving in the next post, drink time can you guess what am going to get.
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