Letter from Kenrick Mark (55th Edition)

Letter from Kenrick Mark

Dear Esteemed Readers,

I woke up around 5am on Tuesday morning. I was still sleepy. I heard trucks on the streets beside our halls. I guess it was the garbage collection trucks. I also heard loud talking downstairs. I guess some of the students who lived in our halls were doing a project or personal work. I went back to sleep for about an hour.

Around 630am, I climbed out of bed and arranged stuffs in my room. I always kept my room tidy and clean. I took a shower, got dressed, and prepared for the day ahead. It was already November 24 — nearly two and a half months in Europe. It was definitely a worthwhile Chevening journey, of difficult times, of beautiful times, of thinking times, and most importantly, ‘learning’ times.

I went downstairs to check my personal post box. In the entrance building/main area, there was a section in the corner with post boxes for all students. Our room numbers were listed on it. We got a key along with our main room keys on the day of our arrival. I usually got mails from our university, promotional offers from businesses in Greenwich and greater London, bank statements and relative letters from TSB (London) and Scotia bank (Belize), official correspondence from the Chevening secretariat, and other regular mails. I checked my box twice weekly.

Early mornings were hushed yet striking in the courtyard filled with tall, slender trees surrounded by the concrete benches, and colorful flower gardens. Very few students were up , I guess many studied late at night, and slept in when they can, unless they had early classes.

I went back to my room, and had cornflakes for Breakfast. I checked my emails, and social media, replying to messages as necessary. I also checked my schedule for the day.

I went to library around 8am. Many students were already there, logged in to their computers/laptops. I stayed on the ground floor, at my usual spot, looking outward the glass windows. I opened my portal, and began reading, and researching, for another project. Around 11am, I decided to continue my critical analysis final paper for our Monday class. I smiled and talked to a few other students around me. Of course, I had my bag of sweet and savory ‘goodies’ beside me. I enjoyed these delicious snacks during breaks. Sometimes, I would just stop (while doing my work), and observe other students in the library. Some of them made me laugh (by what they were doing or talking about).

I went to class around 4pm. Professor Mark headed the discussion. We also had a Guest Lecturer. She was a former PR student/graduate from the University of Greenwich. She was invited to share important points, more so a story of her life and career. She introduced herself, spoke in depth about her tenure at the University of Greenwich, and of course, her career as a Public Relations first officer. She was very intelligent and jovial. We added her on our Twitter/Facebook. We also asked her questions on her thesis and challenges at university. She also hosted a game/activity in the latter part of class.

We enjoyed this class so much! It was different, new — enlivening perspectives! We promised to keep in touch with the lady on Twitter (for advise, et al). We all went home in the dark evening hour. It was so cold. My hands were freezing. Luna and Serena walked with me, as they took the DLR (which was next door Cutty Sark Halls).

I went to my room, and relaxed. I had a full morning and afternoon. I decided to go sit on the benches on the bank of River Thames. I took chocolate muffins, and indulged in the magnificence of night fall. They were couples walking down the path, enjoying the touch of pure beauty in Greenwich.

After a while, I headed back home, and went to sleep.

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

Sincerely yours,

Kenrick Mark