<text> T has been such a busy couple of weeks I don't know where to start! Firstly, I'll get my 'admin'out of the way. Things on the graduate job hunt are progressing well. I recently made it through to the final round of a job application process with a world renowned corporation at their European HQ in London. The final 12 candidates out of over 2,000 applicants included me, three fellow St Andrews graduates and an Oxford University contingent. This made me chuckle! At the beginning of my first ever university lecture at St Andrews in 2010, the professor exclaimed to a hall of two hundred modern history 'freshers'that Oxford was the university to beat. I eventually escaped the School of History, eloping to the School of Geography where things were much more civilised. As we made our introductions at the assessment centre in London, I shook the hands of my fellow competitors with a smile as Professor Pettegree's words came to mind!

In all seriousness, I did not approach the day intent on beating my Oxford companions. I was there to be the best I could possibly be and if that wasn't what the assessors were looking for, so be it. After a seven hour day of individual and group interviews, group presentations, a social media exercise and an individual presentation, I scored joint first with another female candidate. In my rejection phone call – I didn't get the job – I was told that the role would bore me. I reservedly took that as a compliment. Despite my disappointment, I was genuinely happy for the successful candidate. I really warmed to her at the assessment centre and I'm sure she will be fantastic in her new position. A week after hearing the news, I received an unexpected email from the gentleman who would have been my manager had I been successful. He asked if he could retain my details should anything come up in the future. I was more than pleased and returned to my other on-going job applications with renewed confidence.

Each job application is a long process, requiring patience and perseverance at every stage. I'm learning quickly and trying to take as much knowledge as possible from each experience. In the coming weeks I'm making another trip to London on my career journey as well as continuing other applications and starting new ones.

In other things, last week I had the wonderful experience of shooting with Joyce Howard of Erne Photography for the Valley Hotel's wedding promotion. Grafted and perfectly executed by Lisa Williamson of the Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown, we shot at the Valley and on location with the help of John from McGarry Wedding Flower and Venue Stylists. In keeping with the vintage theme, I was dressed in two spectacular 'Great Gatsby'inspired gowns from Serendipity, Fivemiletown with hair styling and make-up by Tanya McGoldrick of Headrush Hair and Beauty in Lisbellaw. I really couldn't recommend those involved enough and I'm delighted to have worked with such a professional, hard-working and talented group of people. We all had so much fun and I'm very excited to see the final results.

Last but certainly not least, I can't leave you this week without mentioning my brother's success on Easter Monday at the opening round of the British Superstock 1000 Championship. Held at the home of the British motorcycling grand prix at Donington Park, Josh took a career best finish in the Superstock 1000 class finishing on the podium in second place. The screams and cheers in the Elliott household courtesy of myself, mum and sister Jessica were very likely heard in the far reaches of Ballinamallard. It was a great day for our family and we were all so incredibly proud of Josh for getting the 2015 season underway both successfully and safely. The race will be broadcast this week on British Eurosport and all updates, photos and reactions from Donington and the rest of the season can be found on 'Josh Elliott Racing'on Facebook!

Looking ahead, I'm travelling to Amsterdam next week to support my partner Gino as he competes in the Dutch round of the World Supersport Championship. Beyond that, I will have job applications coming out of my ears and will be putting my sister Jessica through her paces in preparation for her GCSE examinations. It's full steam ahead in the life of Julianne!

</text> <text> T has been such a busy couple of weeks I don't know where to start! Firstly, I'll get my 'admin'out of the way. Things on the graduate job hunt are progressing well. I recently made it through to the final round of a job application process with a world renowned corporation at their European HQ in London. The final 12 candidates out of over 2,000 applicants included me, three fellow St Andrews graduates and an Oxford University contingent. This made me chuckle! At the beginning of my first ever university lecture at St Andrews in 2010, the professor exclaimed to a hall of two hundred modern history 'freshers'that Oxford was the university to beat. I eventually escaped the School of History, eloping to the School of Geography where things were much more civilised. As we made our introductions at the assessment centre in London, I shook the hands of my fellow competitors with a smile as Professor Pettegree's words came to mind!

In all seriousness, I did not approach the day intent on beating my Oxford companions. I was there to be the best I could possibly be and if that wasn't what the assessors were looking for, so be it. After a seven hour day of individual and group interviews, group presentations, a social media exercise and an individual presentation, I scored joint first with another female candidate. In my rejection phone call – I didn't get the job – I was told that the role would bore me. I reservedly took that as a compliment. Despite my disappointment, I was genuinely happy for the successful candidate. I really warmed to her at the assessment centre and I'm sure she will be fantastic in her new position. A week after hearing the news, I received an unexpected email from the gentleman who would have been my manager had I been successful. He asked if he could retain my details should anything come up in the future. I was more than pleased and returned to my other on-going job applications with renewed confidence.

Each job application is a long process, requiring patience and perseverance at every stage. I'm learning quickly and trying to take as much knowledge as possible from each experience. In the coming weeks I'm making another trip to London on my career journey as well as continuing other applications and starting new ones.

In other things, last week I had the wonderful experience of shooting with Joyce Howard of Erne Photography for the Valley Hotel's wedding promotion. Grafted and perfectly executed by Lisa Williamson of the Valley Hotel in Fivemiletown, we shot at the Valley and on location with the help of John from McGarry Wedding Flower and Venue Stylists. In keeping with the vintage theme, I was dressed in two spectacular 'Great Gatsby'inspired gowns from Serendipity, Fivemiletown with hair styling and make-up by Tanya McGoldrick of Headrush Hair and Beauty in Lisbellaw. I really couldn't recommend those involved enough and I'm delighted to have worked with such a professional, hard-working and talented group of people. We all had so much fun and I'm very excited to see the final results.

Last but certainly not least, I can't leave you this week without mentioning my brother's success on Easter Monday at the opening round of the British Superstock 1000 Championship. Held at the home of the British motorcycling grand prix at Donington Park, Josh took a career best finish in the Superstock 1000 class finishing on the podium in second place. The screams and cheers in the Elliott household courtesy of myself, mum and sister Jessica were very likely heard in the far reaches of Ballinamallard. It was a great day for our family and we were all so incredibly proud of Josh for getting the 2015 season underway both successfully and safely. The race will be broadcast this week on British Eurosport and all updates, photos and reactions from Donington and the rest of the season can be found on 'Josh Elliott Racing'on Facebook!

Looking ahead, I'm travelling to Amsterdam next week to support my partner Gino as he competes in the Dutch round of the World Supersport Championship. Beyond that, I will have job applications coming out of my ears and will be putting my sister Jessica through her paces in preparation for her GCSE examinations. It's full steam ahead in the life of Julianne!

</text>