Ask Tiny! - Royal Holloway's Killer Polar Bear

The Picture Gallery, RHUL

Royal Holloway, University of London is well known for it's ghost stories. In fact, every halloween you can sign up for Ghost Tours around the campus and discover the unknown horrors of this ancient university. The most famous, and recently reported by BBC, is the polar bear painting in the prestigious Picture Gallery within the Founders Building. Thomas Holloway, the founder of Royal Holloway, purchased the painting 'Man Proposes, God Disposes' along with a huge collection of rare artworks. However, this painting is what every student is most excited about whenever exams are approaching.

'Man Proposes, God Disposes'

'Man Proposes, God Disposes' depicts two polar bears eating from an abandoned ship, with what seems like blood stains in several sections of the painting. Every year, exams take place in the picture gallery, but only this one painting is covered up by a Union Jack flag. The myth I heard was that a girl who was sat next to this painting in her exam went crazy, stabbed herself in the eye, and wrote on her exam paper: 'The polar bears made me do it'. However, to this day, I'm still not sure what the underlying reason are, although BBC appears to have an answer to this in their article. Nonetheless, the reason behind why this painting causes such an effect is unclear.

Personally, walking into the Picture Gallery for an exam wasn't too bad, the Union Jack flag does catch your attention immediately but usually you just concentrate on the questions. Having said that, I'm glad I wasn't sat right next to the Union Jack flag though. Other stories I have heard included a ghost of a little boy running down the hallways in Founders. To be perfectly honest, having been a Founders Hall alumni, I would not like to be walking down the hallways alone past midnight again! In fact I used to sprint to the bathrooms and back if ever needed!

The Picture Gallery is open to visitors, details are Here!

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Tiny

Ask Tiny - Interview 101s

Interviews are something everyone will face sometime in their life, but there are ways in which you can make your life a bit easier when it comes to preparing for them. I've personally been to too many interviews to count on one finger, and these are some of the key ingredients I follow, no matter what kind of interview it is. Remember, interviews can also come in many shapes and forms, I have had face-to-face, Skype, phone and even a whole series of online forms. Of course, these steps work for me now, but I will need to tweak and refine these for all future interviews.

1. Be Yourself!

No one likes a faker, especially not interviewers. If you pretend to be someone you're not, either they will see right through you or eventually they will. There will be skills that you are not familiar with and showing the enthusiasm to learn is better than saying you can perform and not being able to. Being yourself also means showing off (in a non-arrogant way) about everything you're good at as well e.g. Advanced Microsoft, Excellent Phone Manner, Hardworker, etc. Sell yourself instead of promising things that you might not be able to achieve.

2. Learn Your Stuff!

Interviewers like it when you have done your further reading, it means that you are mentally prepared for the role. If it's a job interview, learn about the company and the tasks you will be carrying out. University interview? Be sure to read about the modules which is available in the university prospectus and do some research on the topics so lecturers know that you are ready to learn and do the extra mile. Also prepare for interview questions and answers, as it saves you from being put on the spot with nothing in mind. Best place to find these is Google, just practice and practice them.

3. Dress Smart!

Not casual smart, smart smart! Invest in a good comfy suit or blazer and business trousers and skirts. These will be your best friends for the first few years of interviews. Dressing smart is essential for interviews as it means you are taking the job seriously. First impressions are everything and turning up for an interview in a creased shirt, baggy jeans and messy hair is never a good sign.

My Standard Interview Outfit

4. Be Punctual!

Make sure you plan your journey to the interview location well in advance, or ensure you are set up for a Skype or phone interview in a quiet place with no disturbances. Arriving early or just on time means that the interviewer can rely on you to be on time for the job. If you are running a bit late, just phone in and let them know so they can reschedule their timetable if the interview does overrun.

5. Strong Handshake!

If you have ever go through an agency for a job, you are reminded again and again that a handshake has to be strong. Even though it is mainly psychological, by having a strong handshake, you are showing your assertiveness and confidence. A weak handshake is usually attributed to a weak personality, so work on that handshake!

6. Be Positive!

No one likes a negative person who brings the mood down. Try to be positive about yourself and your experiences, there's always another way to phrase things. Bad mouthing or being rude about a previous job would rub of negatively on yourself. Instead, talk about what you learned and enjoyed about your previous experiences.

7. Prepare Questions!

Interviews will almost always end with interviewers asking you if you have any questions. If not, you should take the initiative to ask. Not only do you find out more about the company and your role, but they will also see your genuine interest in the role. Make sure questions are appropriate, I usually like to ask what kinds of training would I be given, and the career path I might be able to achieve in that role.

8. Be Polite! To Everyone!

See that person walking past you whilst your waiting for your interviewer. He could be the cleaner, or the CEO. By being polite and positive to everyone heightens your chance of making a positive impression on not just your interviewer, but the whole company.

9. (Optional) Ask for a Glass of Water!

I personally find myself to be a lot calmer after drinking some water whilst waiting for my interviewer to arrive. It is also especially helpful if you rushed to the location in order to arrive on time, a glass of water will help cool you down!

~

Hopefully you will find these helpful. Is there something I've missed out but has worked for you? Why not mention it in a comment below :)

Tiny

Bash Bish Falls - Discover One Waterfall, View 3 States

Bish Bash Falls

Bash Bish Falls lies within Massachusetts, and borders New York and Connecticut. From the very top of the falls, you can see all three states, whilst being surrounded by the calming sounds of the waterfall and beautiful scenery.

Off Into the Forest & Away We Go

The fun begins even before you reach the top of the mountain, as thrill seekers slide down the mountain on skateboard like vehicles, narrowly missing upcoming cars. The roads took us through a lovely woodland stroll before finally arriving at the waterfall.

The Waterfall

Despite its obvious beauty, Bash Bish Falls has actually been named one of the most dangerous tourist destinations in the US, as it has seen several drowning incidents due to rock climbing or rock jumping. Security guards constantly survey the area to ensure everyone is safe, although you do get the odd crazy daredevils attempting to escape their line of sight. You can sit and play in the shallow waters of the fall, where there are large rocks which you can sit on and just dangle your feet in the water. Swimming is prohibited, but water fights are more than welcome, as long as you make sure you're not too close to a ledge.

Nearby the Shallow Pool (Ideal for Waterfights!)

As New York is mostly sunny throughout the summer seasons, it's easy to dry off your swimsuit before heading back to wherever you are staying. Bash Bish is a must-go for everyone visiting any of these three states, and whilst you're there, why not pay the tiny town of Copake a visit as well?

Rating: 10/10

Tiny

Yauatcha - Dim Sum & Dessert in London

Yauatcha Deserts Display

Yauatcha lies within Soho, London, offering dim sum as well as a beautiful array of desserts. For lunch or dinner, dim sum and food menus are usually served downstairs in stunning settings. Within the walls and a few cm away from each other are indents with electric candles that look real from afar. There is also a huge wine bar with a mini aquarium inside, where you can see live fish swimming underneath the bar where waiters are preparing wine. You can also view chefs cooking, making dumplings and preparing the food if you sit towards the side. The tables are a bit small, but overall, I really adored the interiors.

Pork & Prawn Siu Mai

The waiters and waitresses were all very professional, and were able to time everything perfectly. With the menu, I ordered 3 dim sums which set me back about £30, but despite appearances, they are all very filling and we were full after eating just 2. You can find traditional dim sum dishes as well as proper food menus as well, but as it was lunchtime, dim sum was more than enough. I would recommend the pork and prawn siu mai, although it did taste a little bit sour which could be appealing for people with specific tastes. I also enjoyed the Shanghai dumplings, which were a tiny bit sweet inside, but I wouldn't recommend the Beef & Enoki mushroom Cheung Fung as the inside was not to my taste.

Beef & Enoki Mushroom Cheung Fung and Shanghai Dumplings

What I enjoyed the most was definitely the dessert. Yauatcha are famous for their desserts, so you can give the dim sum a miss and go straight for seconds. With carefully designed choices, you will be stuck for minutes trying to decide which one to go for, but the friendly staff are always happy to give suggestions. I had the Raspberry Delice, which included raspberry, dark chocolate and a lychee middle. Ice cream is also served with the dessert. I thought the dessert was absolutely amazing and would be more than open to try others from their menu.

Jasmine Honey (Top) and Raspberry Delice (Bottom)

Ratings:

Dim Sum - 5/10

Dessert - 10/10

Tiny

New York - Everything I Thought It Would Be & More!

Spontaneous trips? Why not?! When I went to the US for the first time to be a music tutor in a summer camp, I visited New York City not once, but 4 times. Despite the grueling 4-6 hour trip, and burning sun, it was all worthwhile as soon as I stepped out of the train and onto Grand Central Station. I adore New York City, and if I had to chance to visit again, I would book myself onto the next flight out.

NYC View

You can't go to NYC without experiencing shopping there at least once. With A&Fs, Hollisters, Sephoras galore, be sure not to miss out on the amazing prices that would blow your mind. Central Park is another must-go, with it's little streams and beautiful architecture, strolling under the summer sun was a much needed break from camp life. We also visited Times Square, where we just stood and looked at all the media surrounding us...and Picadilly Circus paled in comparison.

Getting Ready to Party in the Bronx

As our camp chef lived in the Bronx, we decided to visit there as well. Apparently the Bronx is separated into specific parts depending on their ethnic group, which I never knew, and we visited the Mexican populated area. We went to this lovely Mexican bar/club, where Spanish music ruled and we learned to dance Mexican style! Shopping in the Bronx was ridiculously cheap, and you can find some great fashion there. I got my Bearpaw uggs from the Bronx for just $20, which was $60 off RRP!!

K-Town

Whether you are Asian or not, K-Town is the place to be. With authentic Korean food that would put any Korean chain restaurant to shame, K-Town offers stunning eating areas and really good bibimbap. Of course, a trip to K-Town wouldn't be complete without a karaoke session, which was roughly $11 per head, and you can choose from your K-Pop faves to attempt to sing along to. I also had my first Maccy D in NYC, and the portion sizes really are huge compared to the UK but their breakfast is too good to be missed. Definitely try Maccy D USA style once, you won't regret it.

The Sanrio Store

Overall, I had an amazing time in NYC with some of the most amazing people I have met in my life. Every trip to NYC was enjoyable, and it really is a city of dreams. Just be careful of your bank balance, as every outing would set you back a lot. My luggage was filled to the max with A&F, Hollister, Forever 21, American Apparel, Pillow Pets, Bearpaws, Converse, Sephora, Metal Gear Solid and more!

Rating: 10/10

Tiny

Curry Shack - Are You Ready to Sizzle?

Free-Range Chicken Curry

Last Friday, we went to the Real Food Market at the Southbank Centre, London, for lunch. With so much variety in foods, you are really spoiled for choice as soon as you arrive. One stood out to me, because their rich aroma caught my attention right away. I knew that my lunch will be from Curry Shack.

Upon arrival, you are immediately offered to try the curry. When I went, there were three types, from mildly spicy to very hot. All of their chicken is free-range, sourced from local farms and you can really taste the difference when you dig in. After you choose your curry, you can personalise your curry to your taste by adding in vegetables, spices or chilli if you wanted to. Not a fan of meat, no worries, Curry Shack also offer veggie options (so let me know how it goes =]! )

I went for the super hot one, which looked like a soup of lava (silly me), and it is definitely very spicy, so if you're not a spicy lover, I would recommend you stick with the milder choices available. After the first few bites, I had to get something to drink from another stall in the market. I can't remember the name, but their apple and cranberry juice was really good, despite being a bit lukewarm. Also, if you don't like bits in your juice, be sure to ask first, as my orange & mango gave me a little shock.

From just £6, it's a very reasonable price for the food you eat. I'm very glad I went for this option and would not hesitate to try it again next time I go to the Southbank Centre. Remember guys, Real Food Market is only on Fridays to Sunday (most of the time)!

Check out their website here, and discover your new favourite street food today:

Real Food Festival Homepage

Rating: 10/10

Tiny

London Oktoberfest - Let the Beer Fest Begin

Missing the Germany Oktoberfest this year? London has the perfect substitute with their very own version of Oktoberfest, situated in Kennington Park, South West London!

Stage Performance

With free entry after 8pm, who wouldn't want to experience the London Oktoberfest? As soon as we approached, we heard good music and people dressed up in Bavarian costumes. Inside was very spacious, which several tables empty towards the back of the tent. There was a live band playing towards the front, and of course, lots of beer.

Bratwurst with Chips

We ordered some bratwurst with chips, which was actually not bad. It was definitely very filling, although I think more sauce would have been appreciated as we had 5 people sharing one plate of sauces. The service was great, and all the staff were very friendly.

Of course, I haven't been to an Oktoberfest in Germany before, so I can't compare the London one to the German one. I'm sure that Oktoberfest in Germany is much more lively, and different in several aspects, however London Oktoberfest and Kennington Park did a good job with this event.

Rating: 7/10

Tiny