Letter from Kenrick Mark (35th Edition)

Letter from Kenrick Mark

Dear Esteemed Readers,

I woke up around 8am. It was my birthday! I was officially 26 years old (getting older by the minute, smiling). I didn’t tell any of my classmates or comrades. My comrade from Belize City forgot that it was my Birthday too. My Mom and our comrade from Tennessee, Mike, sent birthday greetings via social media! I believe my U.B classmate, Diane also messaged me on social media, wishing me a Happy Birthday! I had toast and butter. Breakfast was so delicious — the butter made a big difference! I also had a granola bar.

I checked emails and my portal. I didn’t prepare for this class. However, some of the materials we read and reviewed for the other classes were interconnected. I showered and dressed. I went to university earlier than class contact time, and browsed one of the papers. Some of my classmates began arriving too — Bianca, Inge, Silvia, Luna, Ervin, Amy, Elaye, Serena. Many times we arrive before class and speak about any difficulty we have with classes, and even ask each other’s advice on certain things.

Professor Roger was our class instructor today. He was quite a vibrant, understanding, and charismatic gentleman. He always joked with us! He started off his presentation with the European Communication Monitor. We observed the 2014 report. The E.C.M is basically a comprehensive research of strategic communication practices in corporations and NGOs worldwide. It improves the Public Relations discipline, and seeks an outlook for future years. We spent over half an hour, learning about this important feature in Public Relations. We also did a group work, analyzing concepts and creating new perspectives. After our mid-break, Professor Roger looked at the British Government’s Communication Plan. Since I didn’t read it before class, I wasn’t sure about the contents. This plan explained eighty communication campaigns promoting the Government’s priorities. The Government adopted a ‘One Nation narrative’ with several themes including ‘helping working people, spreading hope and opportunity, bringing the country together, and securing Britain’s place in the world’ (Government Communication Plan 2015/2016). Furthermore, the plan called for professional communication always and an evaluation scheme. Since I’m very much interested in Political Communication and Diplomacy, I listened very carefully. I observed several steps in the process, as I might soon be researching and writing communication plans for businesses.

The weather was getting colder. I could feel cool whips of breeze blowing on me while walking home. I still used my summer jackets. Some days were rainy, and gloomy. I didn’t like those days. I saw people having lunch on the concrete half walls, turned benches near the Cutty Sark ship. It was crowded too in the streets. I also saw many people in the Greenwich Market, purchasing food from the vendors. I remember from my visit, all the scrumptious food and treats I saw. There were several vendors including a Polish couple who sold huge Polish sausages in a bread with sauces; a European guy who sold mini pancakes with a variety of toppings including chocolate and strawberries; an Indian lady who sold Chickpeas Curry with rice; a Spanish couple who sold empanadas and other Spanish dishes; Asian couples selling soups, noodles, and Asian dishes and British girls selling freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. I kept walking home.

In the afternoon, I went to the library to catch up on readings. I left the library around 7pm.

After I dropped off my laptop bag and books, I went to eat at a Mexican restaurant across the street. It was near the Turkish restaurant. I had a Mexican dish — chicken fajitas with sourcream, guacamole, salsa, and coleslaw. I had a watermelon juice too. It was a flavorsome fajitas — a flour dough filled with cooked seasoned chicken, peppers, onions, and chili. The filled dough was steamed instead of baked. I loved it! I couldn’t eat all my food though. I paid around 12 pounds. It was a bit expensive (being a student), but was worth it. The hospitality was second to none! The decors in the restaurant was very Mexican! I noticed (while passing on a daily basis) that many people had lunch and dinners here! There was a ground floor restaurant set and a first floor set. I visited several times after this.

I went to my room, showered, and got in bed. I began communicating with some of my comrades. Everyone was talking about the General Elections in Belize. Everyone had their opinions on the political parties, and the candidates competing. I spoke to my comrade in Belize City. I told him it was my Birthday. He apologized that he forgot (smiling). He told me ‘Happy Birthday, Kenny and wishes for success in all your endeavors!’ He was busy with work so I left him alone. I started a sincere conversation with my Belizean Chevening Cohort in England. Andrea was always giving the highlights of the day. We all had our respective ideas and opinions on the Election, and was waiting on the outcome. I was so tired that I fell asleep around 11pm.

I’m quite exhausted for tonight. I will continue my journey in a next edition of Letter from Kenrick Mark.

Sincerely yours,

Kenrick Mark