Oh my god I'm leaving in 6 days time!

I have most my equipment and I have been training hard ... but you know when you go on holidays and feel as if you've forgotten something - that's how I feel right now! I have got so many things to sort out - including my university accommodation next year and student loan ...

I cannot believe the most anticipated moment of my life is just a few days away ... I just wish time would slow down right now

I cannot believe how time simply flies by. I always want to update this page but never have the opportunity to do so. So many things have happened since my last update.

As previously mentioned, I am now working in busy office found in the West End. Although the hours are long, I find that time actually goes by quite quickly.

Towards the beginning of December I went to a briefing weekend in Aviemore (Scotland). This was the opportunity to get to meet the group and leaders I would soon be living with for 3 months. Unfortunately (and ironically) I fell ill that weekend but still tried to participate as much as I could. The 4-day meeting really put the whole idea about going to the Arctic in perspective: this really wasn't for the faint hearted and that serious physical and mental preparation would be required.

A week later I found myself tyre dragging for the first time in Hyde Park (see gallery) and joining my local gym - in an attempt to get fitter :S

During these past few months I have also received a few more charitable donations, which has significantly helped me in reaching my ever-increasing goal.

At the moment I am desperately buying all my equipment and trying to wear in my Scarpa boots!

I havn't had much time to myself recently.

I'm currently working in a busy computer shop. Although the hours are very long (9 to 6.30)/I stand up all day - its quite enjoyable. A few days after having started I received another cheque from a trust I had written to (£750). That was great news and has certainly helped a lot.

Yesterday however, I was offered another job that pays nearly double what I am currently earning. I couldn't turn down such an offer which is why I'm quitting my current job. I feel a bit bad, but then again it must be done. It also means I get a proper weekend (instead of Friday and Sunday off).

Guess that's about it!

YAY!!!! Finally I've got a job!

I can't believe it :) I'm so happy cos' it was in the shop I really wanted to work at.

I had the interview yesterday morning and it went quite well.

The pay is relatively low, but I am planning not to spend a penny.

Urg, now I have to buy a monthly tube ticket which costs loads

Ok, once again this has been a crazy week.

I was desperately looking for a job but couldn't find anything. Then the agency called me up, asking if I could work for two half days in an office. I accepted and found myself stuffing hundreds envelops, but got paid quite well. By the end of the week I was handing my CV out everywhere.

However, one of the shops I applied to just called me up (Sunday 5PM) asking me for an interview tomorrow morning (9 AM!).

I'm so nervous and excited! It's just a normal sales assistant job (since I've been unlucky with the office based ones) but it's in a shop I love.

Fingers crossed

This week has been another roller coaster, with its highs and lows. 

I’ll start with the bad news.  I am currently desperately looking for a job. The other day I went into a job agency and they promised to find me something within 48 hours … whatever. I was called a few days later and was offered a job for the next day, which I accepted. I was told me they’d call me back – which they never did! I called them back late that afternoon and I was told “we’ll call you when we have more info BYE!” …

They then called me up again yesterday offering me a permanent position (when they work in the temporary department) and know very well I am only available until the end of March … (therefore I didn’t get it). I think they’re playing games with me. 

I felt so low last night and couldn’t sleep well (dreaming how I would raise the money on time). I have decided not to rely on the agency anymore and will apply for jobs alone.

Things weren’t going well until this morning.  I received a cheque of £250 from one of the charities I wrote to! That’s fantastic news and I can’t believe it! I feel really motivated now. I will soon be organising a carboot sale and hope that works out too.

A lot has happened since my last update. First of all I finally managed to get my leaflets printed out, and they look quite cool. I therefore sent a few more letters to potential sponsors.

Yesterday I called up this job agency and sent them my CV. They called me back to arrange an interview which I had today. I had an Excel, Word and typing test. I just hope they find me something good.

Fingers crossed

Argh! The cost of this expedition is escalating!

Besides the expedition and equipment cost, I will need to buy:

• A spare pair of glasses (in case mine break)
• Contact lenses (expensive!, but very useful when wearing ski goggles)
• Monthly travel card (for when I get a job)
• Gym subscription

I'm probably missing out a load of other items ...

The other day, a dear friend advised me to send a fundraising letter to his parents ...

This morning I received a nice letter and cheque from his parents! I couldn't believe it.

Thank you soooooooooo much !!!

Today I went back to my old school to sell some of my A-level books. I managed to pocket £15, but still have a huge pile of unsold items :(

£15, I know it's not a lot, but every penny counts!

My plan is to fundraise early, which is why I am sending my letters off to Trusts this week. As mentioned in my previous post, I am also including a mini-brochure with a cover letter.

The thing is, my brochure is in full colour as well as double sided; and my printer unfortunately only prints in black and white. I went to the library the other day to get it printed out in colour (and double sided), but unfortunately the printer went crazy (when trying to turn the paper around) and chewed it up. I only got two good copies in the end.

So I went back today hoping it would work again, but of course it didn't. I can't seem to find anyone who can print it for me ... and for cheap (I went around all day looking for other places - but they were all charging me £2 for each double sided colour page!). I will have to reprint my letters again (with the correct date) as without my brochure I am not sending anything.

My brother told me he'd try at work tomorrow... (yes, I am getting stressed for no reason, but this has wasted my day)

Today I sent off my first batch of fundraising letters to potential sponsors, accompanied by a small leaflet. It took me ages to find these potential sponsors and I have put so much energy into the letters/leaflet/website ... I hope I will receive at least one positive outcome ...

Fingers crossed!

The other day I received some goodies from BSES, including a T-shirt and this "Arctic Expedition Handbook" written by a past leader and YEs. Some extracts just made me laugh and scream (I don't think I will be laughing when I'm there).

"Sleep like sardines - it gives more room. Take turns in the middle (the cook?)"

"Arctic Willy" (I leave you to guess the rest).

I am now getting a bit worried about frostbite. Not only will it be cold, but wind chill factor increases the effect.

When I checked the mail, I noticed a big envelope with my name and the BSES logo on it. It was relatively thick and heavy and I told myself that it couldn't be a rejection if it were that big. I wasn't very nervous about opening it because I really had not expected to receive anything. I opened it, and read that I had been offered a place on the expedition. At that moment I felt like crying and called my parents up.

A few days later I filled out the acceptance papers along with my £500 cheque.

After having received a confirmation of my application, I called BSES to reschedule my interview from the 24th to the 1st of August. I also managed to get my biology teacher to write me a reference.

I didn't sleep the night before, not because I was nervous, but because I was so excited. After all, I had been waiting for this moment for such a long time - and finally it was becoming a reality.

I had my interview in the corner of this huge, bare, intimidating room of the Royal Geographical Society. It wasn't so much of an interview, but more of a chat to see what kind of person I was. I suppose they want to see whether you are up for the challenge and whether you are half sane and won't turn against the others half way through the expedition.

I was asked what I knew about the expedition and Svalbard etc. My advice is: be yourself! I gave it my all because I knew that I was capable and that this was my only chance to prove it to them.

When I came out of it, I really wasn't sure what to think. I thought that I had somehow overdone it. I thought that perhaps my enthusiasm was over the top - to the extent that it was irritating. I was told I would expect the answer within a week or so.

Having been able to raise the £500 was, I found, a great achievement. It also meant that I could finally apply. I told my parents what my plan was. They didn't have much choice now anyway - I had already made up my mind. I also started going back to the library to research potential trusts I could approach.

If I were to be taken seriously, I told myself that I would need to first convince my parents. BSES require a £500 non-refundable cheque on acceptance of a place and if I were to suddenly ask my parents for £500, then they would think I'm crazy and would most probably influence my decision on whether to apply or not. I felt as though I didn't and certainly wouldn't have much support from my family if I were to depend on them.

I therefore decided I would find the £500 myself. In a short space of time, I managed to raise that amount. You can read more about my fundraising here.

I first found out about BSES in January 2004, as well as the trip they were planning for summer 2005 to Svalbard (4 weeks). I was so desperate to go that I convinced myself I would apply. At that time, nobody believed or supported me. I was going to apply but then I went skiing and had mock exams (which I took too seriously but failed in the end). Things weren't going great for me at school and I gave up on the idea, however the adventure bug was still biting.

Then came November and I still wanted to apply. It was a make or break period for me, and in the end (for various reasons) I didn't apply (for summer 05).

I then heard they were planning a 3 month gap year trip. I just couldn't resist. If I were to take a gap year, I would have sufficient time to fundraise the money. I wouldn't have to worry about school work and the fact that the expedition would last 3 months instead of a few weeks made it sound an even more worthwhile reason to apply.

From that moment on my mind was fixed on Svalbard and I was secretly conspiring on how I would raise the money and what I would write on my application form if ever I were to apply.