Letter from Kenrick Mark (23rd Edition)
Letter from Kenrick Mark
Dear Esteemed Readers,
I spent a few hours reading in the library. I began to immerse into a tenure and lifestyle of academics. The first weeks were somewhat challenging! There were many books about the Public Relations discipline, and thankfully, more specific areas in PR. I read chapters. I took notes. Sometimes, I gave up if I wasn’t understanding, and took a stroll to the far end of the library, or a bathroom break, or an ‘elevator ride’ break. Yes, I said it. Sometimes, I intentionally took the elevator from the third floor to the ground floor for fun! I walked around, and hopped on back! I hope that doesn’t sound crazy. It’s like taking a cab, in this case, there’s no fare! I always looked left, right, and beyond at fellow students enthusiastically focused on their computers and books. It’s like they never take a break! I went home around 1030pm. I skyped with my comrade Ben from Belize. He was in Europe a few years back, so he shared his good and bad experiences. He also knew my parents very well, so it was good to connect with him! He told me to try minced pie. I did. I didn’t like it!
I woke up around 8am. I made oatmeal and added strawberry jam. I had to do money transfer via Western Union. As I walked through the center of my university’s campus, I was surprised to see huge trucks with long containers, around 15 of them, parked on all corners. There were many people dressed up in Victorian Era clothing, and then, I saw huge green screens moving and cameras, on all angles. Certain areas were blocked off, because the actors were shooting a movie. I saw men holding big video cameras, and some other machines. I saw little carts taking even bigger cameras, as they were shooting the movie. It was my first time to be witnessing a LIVE ‘film in the making’. This was big! I stopped a bit, and watched around. Many fellow students were watching from the balconies too, and videotaping from their phones! The Victorian Costumes were lovely, vintage! There was even a horse carriage too, and cars from the Victorian era! This was an experience of a lifetime. On several occasions after, and while attending class, there were more ‘films being acted’. Channing Tatum was also there once.
As usual, the Nepal guy smiled as I entered the store. I didn’t have a phone number, but he still allowed me to do my Western Union money transfer. I guess we bonded at the Nepal — India brotherhood! He was always kind to me. He always asked me if I needed some extra money, he could afford me a job, helping in the store. I bought a delicious white fruit cake, and some other snacks from him. I thanked him for his good service. As I walked back to the Greenwich area, I only waved as I passed Alacosta Coffee. The Asian Lady saw me through the window. I went back to my room to send some messages and drop off the stuffs I bought. I went to the Waitrose Area.
Waitrose was a huge supermarket! The rows were never ending. There were fruits and vegetables, meats, breads and pastries, milks, cheese and butter, cosmetics, seasonings, toiletries, flowers, chocolates and candies, and loads more! I was tired after walking two rows! I grabbed apples, and some bread rolls. The prices were more expensive compared to Sainsbury. The service was great, though! I lazily walked back home. This area going back seemed ‘spooky’. There were mainly homes. There was a u-turn going in another direction on the right, which I never explored. My Google map said there was a supermarket that way, though. Huge machines were building more tall sky scrapers. In the morning, I can hear them from 6am. I also heard some drilling and knocking in the night. I guess people worked during the night too. There was bright pink roses blossoming from home gardens down this road. I remember one of my Mom’s comrade in Belize mentioning that she got roses from England. Now, I’m living the experience! I should have taken optics and send to them! There was a bus stop in the corner too. All bus stops had maps of the Red-Bus directions. I thought Belize should invest in maps at their bus stops too. Then, there was the ‘Latino Area’. Then, the school. And opposite the school, the creepy little vintage looking building — which was a bookstore but closed down.
I enjoyed the fresh air. I know I had readings and assignments to work on. So, I went to the library. I stayed on the ground floor, and got a chair beside the steps. There was an outlet in the center bookshelf area, so perfect spot, I thought! I can read, and glimpse on the nature and people outside. I met many Arabs guys in library overtime. We connected quite well. Some even asked if I was an Arab too?. (smiling). I spent most of my day reading, and reviewing work, and assignments, and embracing a structure to start some graded papers.
Planning & Communication with Christian Schnee was always an inviting, exclusive, informative session! He made us feel relaxed, and encouraged us to participate. As usual, I always sat in front of class. There were a few times he challenged my perspective on international issues and PR concepts as a British Chevening Scholar. I was naive. He discussed our formative assignment for the class. We had to do a case study, analyzing the 5pence charge for plastic bags in England, among other assignments. I forgot to mention that on October 5, 2015, a law was introduced for large stores to charge 5p for plastic bags. It was a part of an environmentally-friendly campaign, to further reduce the use of plastic. We also did a stakeholder analysis, annual report analysis, strategic challenge & tactic build for a company, and press release analysis.
Christian then moved in to teaching us about ‘Effective Press Releases’. I do many press releases for my foundation, so I carefully listened. Some pointers included keeping it short and simple, getting to the point, and the importance of the ‘crucial paragraph’. There were many other essentials for press releases, and we all immersed in good knowledge, and an evening of analysis discussion. Along the way (throughout the year) we learnt about earned reputation, paid reputation, and all the grandeur of marketing versus public relations.
In the other half of the session in the Stephen Lawrence building, we learnt about Ethics and Public Relations. It was quite a presentation! We discussed employers rights, employees rights, ethics in general, ethics in the workplace, situational ethics and virtue ethics, and various theories and approaches. It was a full session! We were glad when the time was up. We gladly walked home. Serena & Luna walked with me, as there were going to catch the DLR. It was the same direction, and just a minute before Cutty Sark Halls. I went home, and decided on dinner. I went back downstairs and ordered two chicken sandwiches, two packet of fries, and a chocolate shake. I watched cooking shows in my room while enjoying my meal from McDonalds. It was THE meal!
I’m quite exhausted for tonight! I will continue my journey in a next edition of Letter from Kenrick Mark.
Sincerely yours,
Kenrick Mark
