The Making of ULTRA_CHRISTINE, A hobby by CULTURE

You have just got to read this. I was so impressed by this guys mission to build Ultra_Christine, and the end results. Amazing.

Check out a few pictures of his below, and read all about it at Ghanacommunity.

Prince2 Course – The Results Are In!!!!

Saturday morning I got up early ready to make tracks into town and pay some bill. Just as I was about to open the front door, a couple of letters popped through the letter box. I picked them up and was about to toss them on the dinning room  table, when SPOCE suddenly on the envelope caught my eye. I quickly tore open the envelope, dropped it in the process, picked it and finally got the letter out.

Guys a Gurls…guess what? I passed. What a sweet joy of success.

Thanks to y’all who  prayed for me.

Three Days Work At Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire.

Its been a very blissful three days at Brocket Hall.

I have been support a Directors Board Meeting and took the few hours at my disposal to wonder the grounds of this huge Estate.

Brocket Hall is a country house in Hertfordshire, England, 22 miles from central London by road. It was built for Sir Matthew Lamb, 1st Baronet, in around 1760 to designs by the architect James Paine. It stands on the site of two predecessors, the first of which was built in 1239. It is a tall red brick neoclassical house in a fine landscape setting with a Palladian bridge. The main staircase is probably the finest of the interiors. A ceiling was painted by Francis Wheatley.

Sir Matthew’s son became the first Lord Melbourne and he was often visited at Brocket Hall by the Prince Regent, who had a liaison with Lady Melbourne. The next owner was William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1835-1841. On his death, the house passed to his sister, who was to marry Lord Palmerston who also became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and who died at Brocket while still in office. Queen Victoria was another visitor to Brocket.

In 1923 the estate was purchased by Sir Charles Nall-Cain; he was created Baron Brocket in 1933. It was a maternity hospital during World War II.

In the late 20th century Charles Nall-Cain, 3rd Baron Brocket, also a convicted fraudster and reality television personality, converted Brocket Hall into a hotel and conference centre. It has two golf courses, a Faldo Golf Institute, and a restaurant called Auberge du Lac which was formerly associated with celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

As usual, I took the time to take some stunning pictures of the place.

Brocket Hall - Library

Brocket Hall - Snooker Room

Brocket Hall - Dinning Room

Brocket Hall - Ceiling View

Brocket Hall - Stair View

Brocket Hall - Stair View

Brocket Hall - Lake View And Golf Course

Brocket Hall - Lake And Mini Waterfall

Broket Hall - Outside View

Brocket Hall - Tea Lounge

Brocket Hall - Tea Lounge

Brocket Hall - Tea Lounge

Will PRINCE2™ Help Me Get a Job?

Project Management as a specialised skill-set and career path is becoming increasingly prominent. Ever more new graduates are considering trainee project management roles, for the clear career progression that they offer, the satisfaction of practical application of learned skills to specific projects, and the opportunity for a varied and rewarding career across a wide variety of organisations.

Project Management specialisation is also being recognised as an asset within companies. While subject-matter experts are important for providing specialist skills and understanding of the specific project environment, Project Managers enable these experts to be utilised efficiently within the project structure.

Many organisations specify a professional project management qualification as a necessary or desirable part of the project management job specification. Where a qualification is not required, demonstration of interest and application at a formal level will boost the C.V. of anybody seeking even an entry-level position into a project management environment. Demonstrable project management training enables you to develop a career path independent of industry specialisation, thereby broadening the scope of your professional development.

As well as C.V. points, project management qualifications provide knowledge of established and popular methodologies, confidence in working within a project management environment, and transferable project management skills. Project Managers move from corporate banks to marketing, to hospitals, to engineering. Professional project management training allows you to develop skills that are valuable to organisations across all sectors.

In the UK, and increasingly on a global level, PRINCE2 is the preferred methodology and qualification. Developed by the OGC in 1996, PRINCE2 is the project management method used in all UK government-run projects, as well as in many high-ranking commercial businesses. Founded on the earlier PROMPT and PRINCE project management methods, and shaped by the combined experiences of over 150 European organisations, PRINCE2 offers a set of shared expectations, structures and techniques – in short, a common language – for project management.

Adaptable to the project environment, PRINCE2 is designed to foster an organisation capable of tackling any project that arises. Correspondingly, PRINCE2 training cultivates transferable skills, and therefore enables practitioners to work in a wide range of project environments.

The PRINCE2 qualification consists of two levels, Foundation and Practitioner. At Foundation level, you can expect to gain a thorough knowledge of PRINCE2 principles and terminology, and an understanding of how these concepts interrelate. This qualification is essential for anybody working within a PRINCE2 project management environment.

The success of the PRINCE2 method is built upon the shared language that it creates. A PRINCE2 Project Manager requires a team who are aware of the project strategies that are involved within the method. A Foundation-level qualification demonstrates knowledge of the PRINCE2 method, boosting your suitability for, and your confidence within, a role on a PRINCE2 team.

The PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification takes you beyond knowledge-based competency to challenge your practical analytical and evaluative abilities. By testing practical ability as well as understanding, this qualification demonstrates project management skills outside of a PRINCE2 environment, and is a valuable addition to any C.V. This qualification is a vital accompaniment to project experience when seeking a role at the level of Project Manager or above.

Continuous training and qualification is essential in particular for contract Project Managers. Self-employment means that you are constantly being required to market your skills, and that you are expected to deliver the required goods to a high standard with minimum on-site training. Gaining the Practitioner qualification formalises the project management capabilities that you already have, and enables you to slide smoothly into a PRINCE2 environment.

Project Management is a recognised and well-rewarded professional specialisation. Practical experience is necessary for gaining senior positions, but professional courses boost awareness of established methodologies, confidence in working within project management environments, and the C.V.’s of those interested in a project management career. The PRINCE2 Foundation qualification demonstrates interest and ability in those working within companies that use alternative project management methods, and is essential for anybody seeking work within a PRINCE2 project environment. The PRINCE2 Practitioner Qualification is a rigorous test of practical skills, and is therefore a recognised mark of project management ability.

PRINCE2™ is a trademark of the Office of Government Commerce
Article Source

Prince2 Course – Finally Done And Dusted

Friday morning saw all 16 participants of this course sat in the exam room ready to take the Practitioner exam.

The exam lasted 3 hours and was an open book one. The funny thing was that at the beginning of the course, the tutor mentioned that we shouldn’t worry because the exam was an open book one, and that we could refer to the PRINCE2 text book whenever we wanted. On the exam day, I didn’t even have the time to open the book.

Its been one week 3 days since I took the exam. Greg [the tutor] adviced us that it will take between 2 to 3 weeks to get the papers marked.

Reflections on the course:
I totally enjoyed it 100%. What I noticed immediately was that 14 out of the 16 candidates were involved in project management one way or the other. I think, for me, this put me at a disadvantage as all the others who were familiar with the various terminology and processes were asking questions related to some stage ahead in the course.

Also, I thought, and still do, think that one week for the course is far to short a period to study for the Foundation and Practioner. Its absolutely too much information to get in.

prince2 course – day 3

Well, it has been a gruelling 3 days so far into my PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioners course. I have never had so much information crammed into me within a space of 72 hours like this before. And I cannot remember the last time I spent so much time on my bum sitting down!
But its all good.
I took the Foundation exam this afternoon and passed. You should have seen the relief on my face. It has been a grueling 3 days of intensive lectures and studying. I will surely be over the moon with joy when I do the Practitioner exam on friday afternoon to wrap up the course.
OK, I have got to dash now. I am staying over at the Swissotel tonight, up at 3 AM the next day for some more studying and back to Monument in the morning for more lectures. By the way, my stay at the Swissotel is to do with work.

All This Snow – London:February:2009 – More Pictures

These pictures were taken in London – exact location unknown.

Anyway check the snow out! London, and its surrounding area was hit by heavy snow on Monday 2nd February, whiles may areas up north didnt get much snow. Then come the rest of the week – that is wednesday onwards, and the streets in London had hardly snow. Amazing.

All This Snow – London:February:2009

WOW…where was all this snow when we needed [well really - wanted] it over the Christmas period?
And now this. Hey, I am not complaining, I am absolutly loving the snow.
Anyway, here are some pictures taken from British American Tobacco.
Enjoy!

picture credits: Dave – Audio Visual Technician, BAT, 4 Temple Place. London

PRINCE2

OK, I have been doing some research for about PRINCE2 now, as in which training center is best [London based] and comparing prices. My initial and present research has all been from other Project Managers in BAT who have gone through the PRINCE2 course. So I finally decided to go with SPOCE, because 8/10 Project Managers recommended them. So far I have paid for the Foundation and Practitioners 5 day course which includes exams for both of them.

Carols By Candle Light @ Reachout Community Church

Carols By Candle Light is a yearly event we do this time of the year. It involve members of the Reachout Community Church organising a series of plays and singing. The kids also get involved in this event. It is a time when people are invited to take part in this unique event. And oh, the after party? Wow…such a thrill, people just mingle and talk to each other..there is such a unique sense of togetherness.

Below are some pictures Paul took, and kindly emailed me copies – yes I need to get a decent digital camera!