What I stitched & wore (QYL: 2016)

What I stitched & wore?

Attending something as amazing as the Queen's Young Leaders Residential Week requires dress codes for various events and functions.
Lucky for us the QYL team are super awesome and provided us with itineraries that indicated the dress codes for the various events. This really did make everything easy. And being a little over prepared in nature for most things I got down to planning out what I will wear for each of the events (Thanks to le sister for helping out here and being my Fashion Police). We had it all down in a spreadsheet and saved on my phone as well as a printed copy that went in my schedule file.

Now, I love sewing and I got a little over excited and decided that I wanted to sew as many of my clothes as possible for the residential week. And I thought of making mostly dresses as they could be pulled off as formal and casual.

Monday: I wore the blue dress with red roses. YES it has pockets (as most of my stitching does). Simple dress with pockets and I wore my jacket over because it was super cold.
Tuesday: Casual day at Cambridge so I wore skirt and cardigan (not pictured).
Wednesday: The paisley dress. Again simple dress (no pockets - that's another story for another time).
THURSDAY: Award evening! I sewed this black dress and my wonderful brother-in-law printed the veil for me. The award outfit had a lot of thinking and contemplating AND effort I must say. I mean what do you wear to go see Her Majesty, the Queen!!.
Friday: Double trouble. TGIF! Friday was special as it featured two outfits. The first was THE BLUE DRESS which I had stitched last year to wear to the award ceremony. It has Pacific prints and has stick figures which I thought depicted the Pacific well. Plus it was BLUE! Nobel banner blue :-) [FYI: Fiji's flag is blue and the anthem has line "Nobel banner blue"] The evening we were hosted to dinner at THE SHARD so I wore the CROWN dress. The prints on the dress are all crowns. Apt for ROYAL BANO no :-)

There you have it. What I wore during the 2016 QYL residential week. :-) 

 Until next blog,
:-)

Media training and UpRising (QYL: RW)

Hello London!!! And welcome to the QYL residential week 2016. 

The first official session for the 2016 QYL residential week was MEDIA TRAINING followed by visits to some top UK Charities. 

The first official session we had during the Residential week was Media training with Media Trust.  The session included how to deal with Media and how a good interview can go bad with our answers.

Some tips for media interviews:
1. Know your message.
2. Have at least 3 important things about your group/project/event and keep driving these points. The more your audience hears these points the more they will remember it.
3. If the question has a negative word don't repeat that in your answer. Turn back into positive.
4. The beauty with our SOCIAL ISSUE causes is that we are the good guys so keep bringing the focus back to the issues and the key messages.
5. Keep your cool.
6. Know what you are talking about. Be clear with what you want to say.
7. Practice your key messages every now and again. Practice with your group members and practice in front of the mirror. Practice in front of the camera. Get comfortable and ask your group for honest criticism- this will help you and your project.

UpRising: is a charity organization in the UK. Their team came to run a session with a small group of us and the session was game based. "CRISIS" we were given a scenario where the corrupt PM had been forced to resign and protesters are making certain demands. The group (us) could choose to be in;
1. Government
2. Opposition
3. Protesters
4. Business
5. Media
Naturally I picked Protesters.  It was simple: 20mins equals a day; certain instructions were given for the day and basically our actions and decisions drove how the day went. I liked how there was no end outcome. 
It was interesting how we strategise and decided who we wanted to form alliance with. There was a Google Doc we used to update "tweets" and this gave us a chance to put our voice out but also see what the others were saying. 
The media played a crucial role in all this. When the protesters tried to meet and negotiate with Government and media was not allowed. The media played this to their advantage. It was funny to us how our friends in the media were making it look like some secret society meeting. But it made us realise the media has so much power. Our group didn't meet with business so I can't say much there but I do wonder how things would turn out if we did meet business. Our meeting with opposition was interesting. I felt like they wanted to get in power so they tried to turn the protectors against the government.

FJ to UK - let the QYL journey begin

Let the journey begin. 

First I must say that it took a lot of energy to mentally, psychologically and physically prepare for this trip. There were a lot of mixed emotions and I tried to keep my excitement on a low. If you wondering why, you read about it here. 

Tuesday: 14th June. 
Since it is the holy month of Ramadan I woke up around 4am for Suhur and later went into work.I spent the day at work making sure I had handed over documents to my team and set up my vacation notice. I came home for Iftari and got busy with my final assignment for the semester. I thought if I was tired enough I could sleep on the flights (I just cant sleep on the 
flights). And I ended up staying up all night. 

Wednesday 15th June.
5.15am - We left Suva for Nadi. 4 hours later we were in Nadi and I slept for an hour in the car. We stopped over for breakfast and headed down to the airport. Check in time started at 11am and after checking in I waited for Luisa (QYL 2016). We ate at the airport and went on inside before boarding time. The flight left around 2pm and we were headed for NZ! 

5pm we arrived in NZ and went looking for the emirates counter to get our boarding passes. Lucky for airport WiFi we also contacted the QYL's from NZ and Tonga and met up with them. 
Next leg was from NZ - Dubai. Luisa and I had seats together and believe when I say I never want to fly this route ever again in my life. 18 hours!!! 18 hours has a few hours to many to be on a flight. The food on emirates was great! Lucky once again. but sitting there for so long and it was a night flight so most of the people are sleeping and I felt bad turning on the little lights and doing some reading/writing. I tried really hard to sleep. When I woke up I thought at least 3 hours would have passed - behold - I was asleep for 45mins. I attempted this maybe 3 or 4 times and each time I woke up in less then one hour. After that I gave up and watched the TV Show Blackish. Hilarious show by the way. There is only so much walking around you can do on the flight so it was a very tiring flight indeed. 
FINALLY we were in Dubai. 

As we headed to our gate we met with QYL from Australia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. We had a little QYL Pacific family. And this felt great. Before you know it we had to board our flight to London. 

Only another 8 hours and we would be in London. Once again I tried to sleep but had very little luck so I carried on watching movies in flight. It amazed me that the flight had WiFi. Thank you Emirates! You are the best airline so far.

And finally we touched down at Heathrow airport in London. FINALLY we were here. I know all the QYL's were excited to be here - but I almost cried. After last year I wasn't sure if I would make it, but I did. The boarder security lines were long but the staff was nice and we were out in LONDON. 

Thursday 16th June 12.45pm we are in LONDON. This was Thursday 11.45pm back in Fiji. 
The QYL volunteers greeted us at arrival and we headed to Goodenough College on a big blue coach (double deck) bus. YUP!! This was my first time on a double deck bus. The The Pacific Islanders were already chatting and laughing. This was a great sign to the beginning of a new friendship. 

The residential week has only just started. 

I met the QUEEN

June 2016 I traveled up to the UK for the Queens Young Leaders residential week and award programme. 

The entire week was AMAZING but the highlight of the week was meeting her majesty the Queen. It is not everyday we wake up thinking - I will go meet the Queen today. The winners from the Queens Young Leaders programme are indeed privileged to be among the those selected individuals who have the honour of meeting her majesty. And it was worth the wait.  
She is such a sweet lady! She spoke to each and everyone of us when we walked up to receive our awards and this is a moment we will cherish for the rest of our lives. 

(Official photo from the Buckingham Palace) 

At 90 she is still walking around on her and took out the time to speak to each and everyone of us for a few minutes. 

I am now among the 120 Youth from across the Commonwealth who have received their medals from her majesty, in recognition for the youth work we do in our respective communities.  I cant think of a better way to leave behind a legacy then by investing in the youth to carry forward the leadership and social causes. 

Earlier that day Jacob and I were asked how we were feeling about meeting Her Majesty that evening. Here is what we had to say :-)

And later that day we had one hour to get dressed so I tried to motivate my fellow QYLs through this video. 

About the outfit: I stitched my outfit to wear for awards function :-) Kept it simple but put in a little bit of thought into it. So the salwar kamiz highlights my Indo heritage (ancestors from India) and the woven shoes represent my Fijian heritage (Fijian - Nationality). Woven mats are symbolic to Fiji and the Pacific communities. My brother-in-law printed a Samoan design on my veil so I could also share my extended family heritage. I was very happy to receive compliments from so many people on the outfit. I must add - all the QYL's looked amazing in their respective outfits. JOB WELL DONE guys!!! 

(photo from Google)

Its only upwards from here... 

Until next blog. 

15 days to QYL residential week

15 days to QYL residential week

Tip # 5: 
Make a list of all the things you need to pack. Keep this list handy and if possible check which of these items you need to purchase so you can get them early. 

Keep the list handy. 
Write it out in a notebook; white board; stick the list on your mirror or fridge - somewhere visible.  Tick or cross things off the list so you know what remains. Try to pack everything at least 2 days before your travel date. This way you have a peace of mind and don't panic just before you travel. 

What is on your list? Here is our travelers guide to packing :-) 

#TravelDiary #travel #Fj2UK #Fiji #youth#youthCan #YouthWill

Until next blog...

20 days to QYL 2016

20 days to QYL residential week 2016

Tip #4: Hand Carry (for Residential Week)

During the QYL Residential week participants have a list of places they will be visiting and key people they will be meeting. For these meets keep a small bag handy. it can be a back-pack, a handbag, a nap snack or a shoulder bag. 

1. Keep your important items with you at all times. This may include; ID card(s), money, laptop, phone, camera (if the venue restricts use of gadgets-store them in a safe place). 

2. Keep a note book and pen handy. When you attend meetings and seminars you may want to note down important things mentioned. Some may record things via memo on their smartphones. I still prefer note book and pen. 

3. Personal items- this may include; lotion, perfume, (makeup for our lovely ladies), hand sanitizer, sanitary napkins, bottle of water and handkerchief or face towel. 

4. Contact cards: Have copies of your contact details handy. This can be a simple card that includes your name, organization name and address, phone contact, email address and social media handles. Simple and within budget contact cards can be printed on normal paper and glued them on vanguard sheets. 

What are some things you like to keep in your bag when you attend important meetings? 

Until next blog...

35 days to QYL residential week 2016.

35 days to QYL residential week: 2016

TIP 2: What to wear? 
》Go through the residential week itinerary to pack efficiently & appropriately. 
The weeks itinerary clearly states the events that the residential week participants will be attending. It also indicates the dress-code for each event. Have a read through the list so you pack appropriately. 
If you have only one jacket (for formal event) keep it nicely so you can wear it with different shirt/pants to other events.

》Pack enough formal wear. 
Most of us are able to pull off casual wear with ease. It is the formal wear that usually has been thinking and worrying. Don't panic!!! Formal means no flipflops, runners or ripped jeans. Actually no jeans. So keep it simple, pack one or two formal pants/skirts and two formal shirts. You can mix and match these for the different functions. 

》Check for the weather forecast and pack (enough jackets) & suitable shoes.
I hear it is summer up in London around this time of the year, but weather anywhere is unpredictable these days so keep a jacket (or two) handy just in case it gets cold. For the Pacific Islanders, our summer is 23*C and above. London summer is around 17*C and this is winter for us. So pack your pants, socks and jackets too. If it is warm enough you can bring your jacket back home safely :-) 

we in the Pacific are very much flipflop people most of the year round. But for formal occasions like these a pair of sandals or a pair of closed shoes shouldn't hurt so pack in a pair and keep it handy. Try to pack light shoes so it doesn't add too much weight to your luggage. 

Until next blog .... 

*In the lead up to the QYL residential week I am posting (I hope) helpful tips for fellow QYL participants. The aim of this is to help you pack and ease off the worrying! Enjoy the build up to one of the most exciting days of your life. 
Thank you to fellow QYLs (2015) for providing some tips and contributing to these posts.

40 days to QYL 2016

Let the countdown begin!!! 

40 days to the QYL residential week; 2016. 

40 more days my dear QYLS. Do you have all your documents & visas sorted??
TIP#1: scan all relevant documents and keep in email copy (just in case).
✔passport name page
✔passport page (s) with visa stamped
✔birth certificate
✔ QYL letter
✔QYL document of the programme
✔contact details of QYL team
Keep photocopies of these documents in a file and keep in your hand carry.

FOLLOW the blog for more updates. 

Until next blog ....

Update on bad service from Fiji Airways

Since a few of my ever so wonderful family and friends are still checking up on me after the most 'devastating' incident of my life (missing the opportunity to actually receive my Innovative Youth award from her majesty, the Queen) here is what happened.....so far!! 

Saturday - 20th June I was supposed to fly from Nadi - Sydney - London. This was delayed and long story short, the incompetence of the Fiji Airways staff resulted in me being re-routed to Nadi-Brisbane-Singapore-London for Sunday morning (Side note; the service counter staff told me I couldn't take the Nadi-Aussie-Singapore flight on Saturday because I needed a visa for Singapore!! BS!!!!!!!!) Sunday - my flight was delayed to Sunday evening and no one attended to me in the two hours or so I waited in the lines and ended up not going because no one attended to me and there was no flight leaving that I could take and reach London in time for the award ceremony. 
Now on Monday -22nd June - I get a call from Fiji Airways customer care or something and says she is taking down my 'feedback'. She begins with "Congratulations on receiving your award..." Honey, keep up with the news! I didn't receive anything. 
Tuesday - 23rd June. I called her back the next day to clarify what she was saying about meeting with their team and discussing some kind of compensation offer. The number went to someone in the engineering department. He was giving me a landline number to call back and find the person I wanted to speak to. I told him I don't have a landline nor did I have that much credit to call a landline from my cell, he was going on about what a big company they work for blah blah blah. So I cut in and said.. "You know what, it's ok. Fiji Airways never fails to disappoint. So just leave it." Just as I am about to hang up on him he cuts in and asks for my cell number. within minutes he calls me back with the cell number of the person I wanted to speak with. Why couldn't he do that initially? 
So I spoke with the lady and she called me back a little later saying that she went over the phone recording from Monday and that she gave me her number twice on Monday. 
RED FLAG NUMBER 1: Our conversation was recorded and you didn't disclose this to me. WHY? 
In all my frustration and anger during the Monday conversation I honestly did not pay nay attention to her giving me the number or me noting it down. 
Wednesday 24th June - I get a call from her again and this time she says that either by Wednesday or Thursday afternoon I should get an email from her with my feedback and an offer of compensation from Fiji Airways. Verbally, this offer has been that IF I go to London next year (2016) to receive the award from the Queen then Fiji Airways would like to sponsor my flight. 
RED FLAG NUMBER 2: 
(i)My trip was already sponsored by the UK team. The trip was not only to meet with the Queen but to meet with other organizations such as; BBC, twitter, AMV BBDO, CR, youth groups, young women's groups and I was going to see my family!
(ii) What if I am not on the list of medal recipients next year? 
(iii) What if I die before then?
(iv) What if their flights are delayed again? 

Friday - 3rd July. I called the lady again following up on the email. NO She has not sent it yet. A little after my phone cal I receive an email saying that I should receive the email no later then close of business on Tuesday, 7th July. 
Bravo! So much for effective communication. I do wonder what would have happened if I didn't call. 
Would I receive this email at all? 

So it is Monday- 6th July today. And I assume close of business is 5pm. So in some 30 hours I should be receiving this email. 

IN a nut shell- the service at the airport was pathetic. The service over the phone has been less than satisfying. Email communication is snail mail. And I missed out on a huge opportunity for myself and for the future of my youth group. 

This compensation offer better be worth the wait. 

Happy 89th to the Queen

This year, 2015, her Majesty, the Queen turns 89!! What a milestone. This makes her the long serving monarch in history. 
As a Queen's Young Leader I was invited to the Queen's Birthday Party (#QBP) hosted by the British High Commissioner, HE. Roderick Drummond. 

My plus one for the evening was my dear Mummy!!! And she was just as excited as I was to be invited :-) 

We were greeted by the High Commissioner himself upon arrival and I introduced my mother to him. His reply was that he will mentioning me in his speech later that evening and that he has been following my blog!! How awesome is that. (Memo to self; show more commitment to the blog). 

While we waited for the formalities to begin we met this wonderful mother and son who were invited to the function especially from Lautoka. Ellekay is a student at USP's Lautoka campus.And her son, Manueli, who is a class 8 in Lautoka won the DHL Match Ball delivery competition for the opening match between England and Fiji. Today also marks the 100 days countdown for the Rugby World Cup 2015

I must admit the High Commissioner has a great sense of humor.

He mentioned how he will need to be 'neutral' during the England Vs. Fiji opening match, adding he has two words Tosso Viti. The entire speech he had was very captivating and the little jokes he had in between made things even more interesting. He acknowledged Manueli's accomplishment and everyone is super excited for him, especially his mom who will be traveling with him to England for the opening match. 

He went to mention my accomplishment with the Queen's Young Leaders Award and emphasized on the award being given by her majesty, The Queen. The was a rush of 'Oooo!!" from the crowd. This put the largest smile on mummy dears face. AND I live to see that PRIDE smile on her face. She has done far too much to ensure we, my sister and I, become the people we are. 

After the formalities we mingled with some of the guests; including the Attorney General, the President of Fiji, UNDP rep, Acting VC of Fiji National University, Chair of CCF Board and two of my high school/ uni friends (Javed and Seema - Sorry Javed for not taking a photo with you!!!) 

The small chat with HE, the President of Fiji was funny.

HE, the British High Commissioner (to HE> President of Fiji); This is Elisha, she will be receiving an award from the Queen next week. 

HE. the President of Fiji; Congratulations.

Me: This is my mother, Saira. 

Mum: I am Iqbal's wife, from Fiji Golf Club. 

HE. the President of Fiji: Shakes his head and smiles away. 

It was a very "That awkward moment when the President of Fiji is friends with your father". 

I would like to thank HE. The British High Commissioner for such a wonderful evening and for the invite. And to her majesty, the Queen, Happy 89th Birthday. May you live a long and healthy life. See you soon! 

Until next blog;

HerRoyal Bano