My tutor asked me to write a blog about
ME... so I thought I'd post it on here too. I don't particularly like
writing about myself because I think it has that 'cringe-factor' about
it. Anyway here goes....
My Story…. so far.
My name is Asma Begum.
I was born and have spent my whole life in London. My parents are
of
Bangladeshi descent and immigrated to the UK in the 1970’s. I have been
bought
up in a humble and hardworking family and in turn it has made me very
appreciative of life and what it brings. I have one sister and two
brothers and I am the youngest. I am bubbly, friendly and a well
grounded individual. I have lived in the
east end of London all my life. I love
the fact that it is rich in culture, creativity and has a wealth of history. When I think of London;
I think of a multi-cultural, fast paced, metropolitan city. London has its
mixture of high-rise buildings, listed buildings, Victorian town houses and run
down tower blocks. On one hand you have Canary
Wharf which is situated in the heart of London’ east end. It is a haven for corporate offices and high
end shops, restaurants and cafés which are not too far from home.
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| 1938 London Underground Map |
On the other hand, if you delve deeper into
the cobble street you also have the beautiful architectures of Victorian houses
and old town halls to admire. I
especially love the experience of the bustling culture and vibrancy of
Spitalfields’ market where I spent most of my childhood years and still visit
now. Likewise I love the hidden
treasures and vintage charm of Camden Market and Covent Garden. These places make me feel proud to be a
Londoner and keeps me grounded in a fast-paced city.
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| 1999 London Underground Map |
I am currently studying Media and Creative Industries and
the subjects which I have chosen are Journalism, Creative Writing and Theatre
Studies. Previous to attending UEL
Docklands; I have worked in a number of jobs; from fast-food at McDonalds
during my college years (which also helped pay for driving lessons) to working
in a flagship retail store in bustling Oxford Street and survey work on foot,
which I gained invaluable experience from.
I gradually worked my way up to a senior managerial role in retail
administration field whilst working part-time and studying at university. In 2001 I dropped my university studies as at
the time an opportunity for promotion was offered to me at my workplace which I
took on.
A few years later I got married and not long after I had a baby! I was enjoying motherhood so took a year-long break from work. At the same time I was living like a nomad, renting here and there. It was difficult moving place to place with a baby and it was a terrible time for me, but I had to dust off my shoulders and continue. When my child turned one I went back to work. It wasn’t easy as any mother would know but I always had this drive to keep mentally motivated and challenged. My experience in the field of Administration and having studied Business Administration at university in year one landed me in a job in Administration with the NHS/Metropolitan Police. I worked for a sexual assault referral centre as Administrator/PA. Initially the work involved was difficult but I had to learn to become thick-skinned and professional at my work. I worked there for several years until I decided to have another baby. I worked through my pregnancy as I had done before with my first child. Unfortunately my second child was born with a congenital heart disease and had special needs requiring my 24/7 attention. I went on maternity leave and then on a two year career break. I knew I could not exhaust any more time off from work to care for my chronically ill child so had no option but to resign. My resignation was emotional and so was the job. It took a toll on me and I needed a change of scene. Although I was really hardworking, organised and efficient at my administrative job; it was something that I was ‘good at’ but was not necessarily what I ‘enjoyed’ doing.
The realisation of wanting to do something I enjoyed and not
just something I was good at came to me during long hospital stays and the
sleepless nights at home. It got me pondering
how I could draw on my experiences in life.
I knew what I went through whether good or bad made me who I am
today. I knew I had a story to tell
hence I turned to writing. I had always
kept a diary from childhood as far back as I could remember! In my spare time I would write down my
thoughts in a notebook. I eventually
started my own blog writing articles, general matters and poems. In the meanwhile
my youngest child grew older and began to thrive and seem more well within
herself. She now attends a special needs
school which she loves. I found I had more and more time to myself. I just
could not be a full-time mum, housewife; I became restless. I was in the
mind-set to do something; to achieve, to follow my dreams… wherever it may take
me.
I decided to go back to studying and now I contemplate that
this move to go back to university and to finish my degree has been the best decision
yet. I do not regret leaving my studies
10 years ago because I would have just probably been stuck doing admin because
that’s all I would know and have not known any different.
So here I am following my heart and passion for
writing. Whether it is journalism, writing or
screenwriting I choose to do; I am hopeful furthering my studies
will equip me with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to
follow my dreams.
