A Japanese Visitor and a New Job...of sorts

After my tirade against David Cameron earlier this week, I thought I'd end the week on a slightly more humourous note and fill everybody in on what's being going on in my life. I know how much you all care of course (and if you don't, JUST PRETEND OK?!). Sidenote: Who suddenly ordered all these spiders?! I HATE THEM. That's all.

EXCITING THING NUMBER ONE

Six years ago, my GCSE Japanese class and I travelled to Japan for a two week tour of Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji and Tokyo, where we completely a one-week homestay. Last year, a friend and I travelled to Tokyo, where I meant up with the girl I stayed with. AND THEN, last week, FINALLY, said friend visited England for the first time and stayed with me for a week. HURRAY!

We spent the week sightseeing around London, Hastings and little ol' Tunbridge Wells, where we experienced a very traditional afternoon tea (yuuuuuuuuuuuuuum). We went for a cruise down ye olde River Thames (which I had actually never done before and LOVED) and had a quick spin on the London Eye, where the views over London are simply stunning. It's probably easier to sum the week up with photos, so I've put them below (minus my phone pictures which are being useless once again). I had such a fantastic week and it was fab to actually get out the house and do something different for a change - even if I did prove myself to be a bit of an awful tour guide! I hope Seiko had a brilliant week too, and I hope we can meet again soon :)

 

^ Yes, that man is almost floating. WHAAAAT?!

YES, there was a fake-Psy doing Gangnam Style in British gear in London. Bloody brilliant.

I also had the chance to quickly say hi to my boyfriend. Obvs.

EXCITING THING NUMBER TWO

Last weekend (yes, it was a very hectic week) I started writing for Entertainmentwise.com, live tweeting the Strictly shows and reviewing them afterwards for the website. I'm really enjoying it, and it's giving me great experience for online writing, using a CMS and for improving my social media experience. I'll admit I also still find it exciting to see my name on an ACTUAL WEBSITE - don't judge me. I'll be putting all the reviews under 'Portfolio of Work' on here if you fancy a ganders by the way... please read them. Please. This is all working towards a job - any experience is good experience and I can only hope someone will see my writing, like it and offer me a job. Ahem. 

Tomorrow I'll be starting two weeks of work experience at Mother & Baby magazine, which I'm both hugely exciting and very nervous for- eek! Wish me luck!

Until next time (and hopefully a longer post. Sorry.),

x

How Do You Solve a Problem like Benefits/Unemployment/Youth Employment?

Not by taking away money Mr Cameron.

Today, David Cameron promised that if re-elected at the next general election, he will strive for a "land of opportunity," where those under 25 will no longer be entitled to housing or jobseeking benefits. Instead, they will have to be earning or learning. Cue a barrage of swear words from me, and a backlash instantly erupting on Twitter.

Here's why Davy C's new big idea is naive (Apologies in advance if this isn't my usual vaguely humourous/less drivel. This might actually be somewhat comprehensive and informative. WHO KNEW?!)

I am in total agreement that something needs to be done, that something needs to change to help our economy and that we need to stop people just scrounging off benefits and never getting a job. What I don't understand, is how taking away help for young people is going to somehow create a bunch of jobs and get rid of youth employment. It just doesn't work like that. To me, this just seems like another example of blaming and punishing the young (and, more often that not, ambitious AND hard-working) for going to university like Mr C encourages but sadly, coming out to find no jobs. Surely, the bigger problem is those who have been on benefits for 10 years and have made little or no effort in finding employment.

Trust me, out of all those I know who are or have been on jobseekers' allowance, not one of them (including myself) have wanted to be there. I personally find it somewhat soul-destroying rocking up to the job centre with my degree just to confirm that yes- I have been looking for jobs, yes- I have had rejections and no - there really aren't jobs. Promise. For every job there is, there's a couple of hundred or more applicants standing in the way. It's all becoming a bit of a lose-lose situation. We're grateful for the help of course, but choosing jobseekers' is not the easy option. When I signed up, I felt like I was admitting defeat. It's mentally and emotionally tiring, even more so when you then get penalised for unpaid work experience that will help you get a job, but will stop your monetary help in the mean time (but that's a whole other debate).

What annoyed me EVEN FURTHER was this comment :

"Think about it: with your children, would you dream of just leaving them to their own devices, not getting a job, not training, nothing? No – you'd nag and push and guide and do anything to get them on their way … and so must we. So this is what we want to see: everyone under 25 earning or learning."

Here's the thing David. Of COURSE my parents would rather see me working than on benefits, and of course they're helping me the best they can. But they cannot just give me a job on a plate. What you're suggesting is that my parents have just left me to my own devices and I've strayed over to benefits. Bit offended by that. Unfortunately, we're not all born in huge amounts of wealth, where Mummy and Daddy can fund every part of our lives. I feel that's what you're seeing through your rose tinted glasses. My parents know I hate being on benefits, but they can't afford to keep paying for me, and would rather I was getting help until someone finally decides to employ me. 

Mr Cameron seems to lack any understanding of the graduate climate right now, seemingly thinking that because we don't have jobs, we are not hard-working. Bollocks to that. Bollocks even more to the idea that taking away our money will suddenly magic jobs into our worlds. Again, that just isn't the solution. Even telling us to get training isn't a great help, as training can cost MONEY that we only get through JOBSEEKERS which you want to GET RID OF. Good one. I'm all for tackling those who are too lazy to work, but let's not target those who are genuinely working their butts off to get some form of work. The internship issue will only get worse, and some of the poor will end up poorer. As per usual. 

I always knew my career would be a difficult one to get into (whole other kettle of fish right here), and jobseekers, until I get some work, is the only thing pulling me through. Monetary-wise anyway.

So Mr Cameron, I end my rant here. Stop generalising us and tarring us all with the same brush and realise that WE DO WANT TO WORK, there's just no jobs. Or the jobs are over-subscribed. Please tackle those on benefits who need to be tackled. Back to the drawing board and back to your bread-maker.

Anything to add to the debate? Comment below :)

Normal service resumed next post...

Ciao! x