My Rebellion ...

Originally written in 2013 ... It all began when I saw my first copy of a fashion magazine, at age twelve, for me, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Vogue - and at about the same time as I discovered fashion independently of a parent. At the same time, Enid Blyton became less the centre of my universe and those fashion magazines, my reading bibles of choice. While some of my friends were reading 'Jackie' - a popular publication for young adults at the time - the 1970s, I was exploring the world of fashion and commentary, my intelligence captured by interesting sophisticated commentaries of the times and advice offered in the sweetly perfumed pages of these fine publications. As a young adult I sought a world that specialised in the artistic, through fashion and commentary and those publications confirmed that for me. Seeking a world that sought to represent the uniqueness of my youth was important to me as a young adult. I did not rebel in the sense of changing the style of my hair, drastically, nor did I take to wearing monotone or black. I rebelled in not following such trends. I rebelled in subtlety, in becoming self assured in a gentle manner and looking at fashion as a barometer in understanding the society I lived in from my newly learned perspectives. Fashion, in its many creative arcs as it happens upon is as important to me now as it was when I first discovered it. It is exciting and relevant. Lifestyle and fashion are one of life's more successful marriages. Fashion can surprise us and, reading Vogue and its sister publications I am still as excited by their language, their keen observations, their writers with their wonderful perceptive commentaries and features that lead on to other creative worlds. I look for the way a collection is brought together whether seen en'homage on the pages of Vogue and its sister publications or in a less elaborate ensemble on the street in my town, when a person looks nice it is an appreciative moment. I have learned over time that bringing an outfit or a costume together is an artistic endeavour, a keen eye is vital and through that creative impulse many things are possible. To arrive at a concluding theme style must be balanced on all fronts before we can be chic; it takes patience and understanding one's style, and being comfortable, of course, is key. We all look for a little bit of the unusual in ourselves and represented by what we read and the clothes we wear to procure that ineffable quality that is our personal style. When I was growing up, a young teen and then a young adult there were lots of things to do that were momentous. At age twelve I was very happy to share my new-found knowledge with my mum and my friends and at fourteen, I worked for my Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan, my Saturdays passed as in a dream, albeit in practical terms - a part time job to help support my interests and informing my life, evolving into a world of choice and appreciating the global through the experiences and issues redolent of our lives, a window, through which to see and to believe. In short, I am happy that since those lived experiences I am still finding room for those fine publications. So, this is my rebellion... Angela De Freitas

Brief note on technology ... How it affects me ...

Hello to my readers; this is Easter bank holiday weekend,2015, I have just logged into my blog site, I now have a router from the Post Office to enable a wireless broadband to feed into my computer, an iPad, so I can use it in my flat; I also have a lap top which I am working on getting used to, and a Samsung tablet, one purchase too many, however, the tablet too has some interesting features in comparison to the iPad - the iPad however, seems a better option, and With our curious nature to learn things as humans one can never have too many gadgets in terms of assuaging our thirst for technology taking us into the future/ the technology age that we are mostly all a part of. For now, happy learning, Angela.

A little up-date ... May 2014

As you may know from reading previous comments I was due to start a course of study in Law, an MA, with the Open University, unfortunately, for practical and sensible and financial reasons and circumstances I am now unable to study that course as I had wished. I have to add, however, cancelling studying with the Open University has been like losing a limb - education is that important to me. Its not the end of the world, I will adapt and live my life otherwise, and save my continuing academic education until another day, but my education is second to none, for me, and I do miss that aspect of myself to learn to distinguish the world through a legal lens and in this instance as far as the course is concerned, and break down academically the various factors involved in studying Law. />< I have my plays and playwrighting for me is a great joy - I will continue to write, its how I think, its how I feel. I will not give up on education and in the future should circumstances change and I am able to study a good course, preferably an MA Law, with the Open University then I will consider studying again in the future. Not studying a course to that extent does not mean I am missing out on learning, although crucially it is important to take part in learning within a structured academic environment, however education comes in many forms, we adapt and we learn from different situations and hopefully become a better person for those experiences. Yes, I do feel short of a limb for now, but I will continue to look at further education in a positive way and learn albeit differently from other aspects of life which are important to observe. Being a good person, being open to what life has to offer and never underestimating our ability to overcome difference and our capacity to take life on board is the ultimate lesson, however, studying and reading should be part of life and it is for many people, we are not alone in these pursuits, For now, good reading and take care. Angela

Writing, continued ...

Hello to my readers. I hope you have been busy writing and certainly at least, reading. I trust you may have found my suggestions to you as writers helpful and have found many incentives from which to draw your writing material. With writing it is very much being mentally in tune with the world around us to be able to respond to those experiences in as much a positive way as possible. In addition to what I write above and further, you may be thinking of taking a summer holiday or indeed during the Easter period, in that case buy yourself a nice notebook and pen and in-between your holiday activities write some notes on your holiday experiences, if it is too warm and sunny to contend with you can always deferr whilst relaxing and write about your time on holiday and where once you arrive home. For now, good luck and happy writing ...

Education ... and studying ... Masters Degrees ...

Just to up-date my readers, and perhaps inspire my readers, I am thinking of studying for an MA, a masters degree, I am choosing to study at this level again because I have already achieved a bachelour's degree with honours, and am familiar with the course requirements to achieve a masters degree. For me its the right thing to do, to be honest I feel by now I should have studied at PHD level if I had progressed with my previous MAs, however, I am now researching the various MAs to see what is involved, so far the various course content encourage me to look further into what is involved and the level of commitment I am expected to apply. I am seriously looking at the MA Law degree and the MA Literature; apparently the MA Law degree involves looking at case studies to see how the structure of law and the legal process determines the outcomes of a legal case; there is a lot of legal literature to read quickly and process quickly, all of these requirements to me sound ideal to challenge my intellectual thinking, so, i am seriously thinking along those lines, and again, I am looking to study with the Open University; there are a number of requirements I need to have in place such as computer adaptability, I will see if I can get by with my samsung tablet, studying a degree is all about preparation, its like cooking, everything has to be ready at hand and in place and ready to adapt by following directions and engaging with the process to achieve outcomes. I am also looking at the MA Literature, again, so I have some choices. I feel that in my situation, my particular circumstances I am best suited in an environment that is challenging to me intellectually and following a good course of study is a way to achieving that. I feel I cannot push my bachelors' degree any further, its like going around in circles intellectually, so I must progress, its the right thing to do. I have already made enquiries and everything is in place to proceed with an application. We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves, to be involved in education, and even if we are in work there is always time for concise study, we owe that to ourselves and those around us to engage appropriately and intellectually with our fellow human beings. So, wish me luck. Angela De Freitas

Writing advice ... cont ...

Angela Maria De Nobrega Freitas BSc Hons., Social Sciences, Open University, DipGeog., Open University MLit., Literature, Open University, studied - MPhil., and Playwriting, Birmingham University, studied ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ A note to my readers. Please note this is a revised version of the original article. It has been a little while since I talked with you and wrote to you specifically about writing. Remember, if you are serious about writing and the writing process obviously its advisable in the first instance and I should say here on my website, Wordcraft42, that you should study a course in writing at a university such as the University of Birmingham. You will find details of their courses on line or you may telephone the university and make enquiries there. Further to that I will advise you according to my remit, my qualifications are as stated above. To continue ... Remember, if you are serious about the writing process do not under any circumstances send your writing to anybody without first discussing your writing work with the person you may decide in the end to send it to. Obviously I will be happy for you to ask me any questions you may feel it would be helpful for me to answer and I can certainly give you valuable advice based on your writing and the necessary criteria to become accomplished in the writing field. In short, please ensure you send your writing to a legitimate informed writer who is respected in the field of writing you may choose to send or write for. Importantly, remember too to write for yourself as much as for your potential appreciative readers. Keep your writing private until you find a publisher, who is again, respectable and respects you as a person and thereby, will respect your writing work by agreeing with you to publish your writing and pay you for the privilege of publishing your work. Further, I often comment on BBC news-on-line, and you too I would encourage to do the same, write a comment that is your personal view of the headline stories as published on BBC news for facebook. It is a way too of communicating critical analysis as well as a general critique that is relevant and is a good way for you to become used to the writing medium and will help you gain confidence by contributing what may be a valued and succinct point of view; i would also encourage you to be positive, being positive will open your mind to positive thinking about life in general, do not be dissuaded by anything or anyone who may challenge your thinking in any way. any trials or tribulations that may face you are not worth the sacrifice of your peace of mind, be focused about your writing and write well. Be sure and be positive. For now, good writing and good luck. Angela Maria De Nobrega Freitas