A side of India I experienced

Hi All!

The experience of my sisters wedding was truly spectacular however I want to address the side of India that made me put my life in perspective and allowed me to reflect on my life as to how perfect our lives truly are.

There was one day in particular that was a big eye opener for myself, Throughout the day I wrote notes in my IPhone which I will compose into here.

'Wow today was crazy and hectic yet again. First from the hotel we had a bus ride to the train station at 5am, seeing people sleeping outside near the train station was crazy. Literally 500 people sleeping on the ground, they looked dead. You really feel the pain when its cold and dark. 

Then we got the train to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, it was amazing to see it with my own eyes.

The area around the Taj Mahal was slum, all poor people begging for money. We were the only tourists outside of the Taj Mahal. I saw a little girl about 7 years old holding a baby asking for money. 

We here about it all the time on  TV but to see it with your own eyes is truly indescribable, it makes you realise the life we have is PERFECT and I mean PERFECT. It's a mater of survival for them and THAT IS ALL. 

After the Taj Mahal we got a camel ride back to our bus it was really crazy, little kids begging us to buy their souvenirs.  Its really quite sad how much they need to beg to sell,  its awful to think what happens if they don't sell anything.(video)

That is all,

CVBlogger

Taking a time machine back into time No.2 - Sisters Wedding'(s)

Hi All,

So you are probably wondering why the title is named as "Wedding'(s)...well my oldest sister, Katrina married an Indian therefore we had two weddings as normal people do. One traditional Greek wedding and one traditional Indian wedding BUT in INDIA! 

The traditional Greek wedding was late November 2013, what a spectacular day it was.  A day I thought  would go on for ever as we had a 6 am wake up to commence the hair and makeup however the day went by with a blink of an eye. Once all the make up, hair and pre-photos began the day was ready to begin.

It began at our traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony with my dad Tom, walking my sister into the church. 

Here is photo of my sister and brother in law alongside the braids maids  and groomsmen, 30 years ago my parents had this exact photo in the same church. 

followed by photography done at our old highschool, Mercedes College. 

Then the reception, which is where the fun began! Greek style of course! (photos)




The day came to a close so quickly, however the excitement was still there as we all hopped on to a plane only 3 days later to proceed to stage two of the wedding in INDIA! 

There were several different days involved, and numerous outfit changes. We thought Greek weddings were big, how wrong we were. 

The family read to board for INCREDIBLE INDIA

First we visited the TAJ MAHAL

Here is my first outfit, saree 

Myself, Anna and Katrina (My sisters)

My family with my new brother-in-law, Madhav

Katrina & Madhav standing on their stage

That is all,

CV Blogger 

Taking time machine back into time - No.3 Marketing/Communication & Venue/Admin Internship

Hi All!

Today is the end of one chapter, my marketing internshipat Holden Street Theatres, it is an not-for-profit organisation that creates work for both local and international artists and arts workers by making and presenting productions of the highest calibre.  My role involved working closely on their main project which was the Fringe 2014 where they had 19 shows both local and international performances. In particular six of those shows were produced by Holden Street Theatres and two of those six Holden Street Theatres sponsored them from the United Kingdom which was our main focus. 

Reports to Artistic Director and Venue Managers

Assisting the Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator/ Artistic Director, and Management Staff of Holden Street Theatres with a range of marketing and administration tasks for the preparation and execution of the Holden Street Theatres 2014 Fringe Program. Liaising with Media and Artists.

MY DUTIES:

• General administration duties including reception, scanning, filing and data entry
• Administration of ticketing reports, calculating total income
• Maintaining the diaries and schedules of the artists and venue
• Marketing; including media monitoring, proofing of the guide, mail outs, creating media booklet and shows programs 
• Assistance with prop sourcing and production
• Box office duties

Taking a time machine back into time - No.1 Studying Aboard!

Hi All!

The past two years have really been spectacular in relation to family, university, work and travels! 

So I  have decided to take a time machine backwards to update you all on the wonderful things that have occurred in my life in a couple of different blogs because its just too much to explain and show in one post.

I shall begin with my study abroad in 2012 August in CANADA!

In August 2012 at the age of 20 I decided to take on a trek to the other side of the world on my own to undertake a semester of study in Canada, Nova Scotia at Dalhousie University where I managed to get a scholarship. What an experience it was. 

The beginning of the adventure I moved into a family home with the same cultural backyard, Greek. My parents were happy and relieved their little daughter was in a safe family home in the suburbs.

However lets just say it wasn't the experience I was going for not to mention I had to catch two buses to get to University. I then proceed into looking for 1 bedroom apartments in the city, walking distance from University. After several weeks looking for one in my budget I found the perfect little apartment. However I had not brought any of this to my parents attention, but once I found the right place it was time to speak to my parents about the situation. I confronted my parents via social media saying I was not happy where I was staying and wanted to move into a place of my own, scared what they would respond with, but to my relief I got the response I was hoping for, "Sure love go for it, we want you to be happy!" Phew, I was so lucky I had the support of my parents. 





Then.......TAAAA DAAA my very on place in downtown Halifax!

This is when the real experience kicked in, from living at home with my parents and sibilings to my very own apartment in Downtown Halifax, Canada!  The biggest lesson I learnt living away from home was how much my mum did for me, whether it be cleaning my clothes, cooking dinner, organizing appointments, reminding me of appointments and general cleaning.

One thing I did NOT sign up for was unblocking toilets  But I guess this comes with living in your own and having responsibilities!

 I better address the study side of things, I really did enjoy studying at University in Canada. The classes were taught in some ways different. Rather than having both lecture and a tutorial each week per subject they only had lectures. Which can be looked at both positive and negative, if you miss class for one week  you could easily fall behind but if you went to class every week as good students we try to be the classes were quite enjoyable and easy to keep up with.

I met several great people whilst abroad, but made two long-life friends. Anne-Marie from England & Carolin from Germany. I was really quite lucky to have met people from different parts of the world yet bond and connect so swiftly. 

Carolin, Myself & Anne-Marie

In fact Carolin manage to attend my 21st birthday mid 2013 whilst travelling through Australia and Anne-Marie is planning to visit Australia December this year.

Myself & Carolin @ my 21st

I was about to conclude this blog however I forgot the most exciting part! 


NEW YORK!!

Yes, I managed to visit New York whilst I was studying in Canada. I was lucky enough to have one of my good friend, Alyce visit from back home and come on a vacation to New York! It was an amazing place, I would LOVE to work for a marketing firm in New York... one day. 





That is all,
CVBlogger

My first blog

Hello All!

This is my first ever blog, I am new to the world of blogging I thought it was too late to start BUT it is never too late as my mum says! 

So here goes, My name is Constantina Vartzokas, for short Connie Vartzokas. I am currently in my final year of studies at the University of Adelaide studying a Bachelor of Media with a Major in Marketing. I absolutely love my degree. 

The first two and a half years at University I was studying a Double degree International Studies & Media but I knew international studies wasn't my real passion, luckily I discovered the option of doing Marketing with my Media Degree. So I had to choose whether to complete a double degree OR complete a straight degree BUT majoring in something I have real interest in. BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. I now have more confidence in what I am studying and have many ideas as to what career paths I want to take. 

My blog will contain pretty much anything from university work, overseas travels, work life such as internships and volunteering and anything else that brings together my life and my world! 


That is all, 
CVBlogger 

Oh and here is a photo of me... and my grandparents so you can put a face to the blogger