Find your way around

My name is Lucy Cunnington and I started this blog back in 2012 when I was about to embark on my Gap Year. Since then I have posted about a range of things, so hopefully this post will help you find what you are looking for.

This is me now hoping you're still interested in what I do ;)

Looking for Travel Inspiration?

Morocco with Mum

Los Angeles, California

Slovenia in September

And other relevant posts can be found under "Travel Tips", "Gap Year", or "Travel by Place" to your right.

This is in San Diego, California

Going on a Gap Year?

The Original Introduction to my Blog

Gap Year Posts Content Page

And other relevant posts can be found under the "Gap Year" section to your right.

This is me in Australia with a Kangaroo

Wanting to Study Abroad?

Should I go?

Initial Steps to Studying Abroad


And other relevant posts can be found under the "Study Abroad" and "Study Abroad Experience" sections to your right.

This is me in Las Vegas (the 2nd visit of 6 during my year abroad)

Thinking of going to University?

Useful links for Might-be Students

My experience of First Year

Once again, look on your right for more titles!

This is me going a bit mad at University

Are you an Events Manager or Student?

How to be a Good Runner

This is us celebrating that we raised  over  £1,300 for charity

Or just have a look around and see what you can discover!

Either way I hope you like what I have created,

Lots of Love,

Lucy xxo


P.s. if you have any specific questions, email me at lucyslocations@hotmail.com

How to be a Good Runner

The following is for people interested in Events Management only. I wrote this at work today and thought it might be a good idea to post it. If you're here for travel information, click on the links on the right hand side to find more itneresting posts!

Event Runner Basics

Event Runners are basically general assistants to the event. As a runner you will be either working directly under the head of a category (e.g. stage management) or you will be needed in different places throughout the event. This should be indicated in the Running Order (which should be given to you by the Event Coordinator) and your point of contact should be highlighted during the event brief.

An Event Runner is vital for the smooth running of any event. You are the glue that sticks the rest of the larger aspects of the event together. Do not undervalue your role, and make sure you learn the content of any event documents you are given properly before the event itself.

During the event, your job is to provide assistance to anyone and everyone who might need it. You should be prepared to do tasks that vary from as simple as showing a participant where the bathroom is, to more stressful tasks such as buying a last minute screen projector, in the middle of nowhere, minutes before the event should start.

However, please note here, that if you have any questions or problems yourself, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. In fact, you are encouraged to do so, in order for the event to run smoothly. Do not attempt any tasks that you do not feel confident in. The people to ask for help are usually those who gave you the initial brief, the site manager, other runners, other event staff or the Event Coordinator/Manager.

You should avoid asking the Event Coordinator anything, unless absolutely necessary (e.g. an actual emergency has arisen) try instead to ask the appropriate head of whichever category your problem is in (e.g. ask the stage manager where to put the speakers). This will enable everyone else to continue doing their own job smoothly as well.

Simple things you can do to be a better Runner:

• Dress appropriately: you should be smart but comfortable. Do not wear shoes that you cannot stand in for the entire day. Runners do the most walking out of everyone during an event.

• Think about the weather: wear layers that you can remove or add on according to the temperature. Make sure you have something rain proof nearby and sunscreen is also a great idea if you are likely to be outside.

• Eat and Drink regularly: again, you as a runner are doing the most exercise, so it is very important to stay hydrated and full of energy! Keep a bottle of water on you at all times and make sure you’re sipping it, even if you’re not very thirsty.

• Be confident in your knowledge: as a Runner, you will be expected by participants and other event staff members to have a good general knowledge of the event. I suggest you read the documents given to you several times over before the event starts. Take extra care to remember where the bathrooms are, where the emergency exits are, and what the key speaker’s or acts names are.

• Be friendly and easy to approach: your main job is to help, so make sure that you look like you are actually willing to help. If you feel your mood dropping, ask for a break and make sure that you get some more food into your system. Something with sugar is ideal: keep some cereal bars in your bag if you can.

• Don’t forget that you have documents! You should print your own copy out of any documents given to you before the event and keep them in your back pocket. This will enable you to pull them out whenever you are unsure of something, or even to be able to show a participant exactly where you mean on the venue plan. (Having the Running Order on hand can be especially useful)

• Something unexpected will always happen at an event, so keep an open mind and be willing to help. The success of an event is often judged on how the event staff handle a setback.

• Lastly, a great runner is thoughtful and keeps an eye out for other struggling staff members. If you’re not currently doing something specific, see if your colleagues need anything. Sometimes a simple cup of tea or drink of fresh water can really go a long way.


Good luck,

Lucy xxo

My Remaining Visa

I haven't updated my blog in a long time, which I am not overly happy about but here are a few things I've been doing instead of blogging over the past few months;

I created a short documentary called "Window to the Sole" for one of my classes at NAU. It revolves around my friend's obsession with his shoes, and I'm relatively proud of it considering it was my first attempt at making a documentary.

The link is here: Window to the Sole

I have also started a new short series of films about studying abroad. I interviewed 18 international students at NAU just before Christmas and have edited two videos so far. More videos will follow as soon as I have time (at the moment though I am making the most of my remaining US Visa by travelling until mid-July);

Video 1: Introduction of International Students

Video 2: What was your Biggest Fear before arrival?

Unfortunately, I did all of the interviews BEFORE I took the class in documentary production (including professional interviews) and so they aren't as good a quality as they could be, now that I HAVE taken the class - oh well, they still get the point across as far as I'm concerned.

So yes, I have now officially finished at NAU and my year abroad is over. I still have about 15 days on my visa before it expires and below are my plans for what I will do with those days, plus a few more.

I am actually already in Los Angeles (we are in fact leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow) so half of this post will be reflective on what has already happened and half will be predictive of what is to come.

NAU International Graduation

I experienced my first graduation, although a pretty fake one on our account, with a mini graduation cap (thanks to Letti) and certificates for all.

We didn't stay for too long but we did get all dressed up and took a very adorable group shot:

Actually the tightest group of people I've ever belonged to.

Haley's Graduation

Luckily for me and my quest for the true-American experience, my friend Haley was graduating for real from NAU a few days after we did. Thus, I got to experience what an American graduation looks like; there was a lot of hype, some cannons of confetti string and some absolutely awesome graduation caps. I will be forever grateful to Haley for everything she has done for me in this past semester; from taking me shooting in Phoenix to letting me watch her graduate. 

Houston, Texas

My proper travels began in Houston (somewhere I have not been before unless you count a trip when I was 3 months old). I must say, I have never felt more like a Kardashian family member in my life. We were absolutely pampered by my friend Sophia's family and it was a wonderful way to recover from finals week at NAU.

As far as Houston goes, the weather was really hot but the clouds were pretty constant. It rained like absolutely crazy for one day but was gorgeous the next. It has some excellent places to go shopping and some real interesting places to eat (especially if you like steak). I unfortunately did not make it to NASA but I guess that just gives me a reason to return!

The Grove, Houston

San Diego, California

We stayed in San Diego for 4 nights in total. On the first day, we went to the most beautiful beach (Wind'n'Sea in La Jolla) and to some absolutely amazing botanical gardens (Balboa Park) which I highly recommend to anyone visiting. We also went on a hike (see below photo) and reunited with Kelly (who had gone to Denver before) and the boys (who had all been on a different road trip through California). Overall, this has been my favourite trip since the Lake Powell trip in my first semester (as far as travel and exploration is concerned anyway).

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles consisted of a long hike to the Hollywood Sign, exploring some of the alternative nightlife (Sof is under 21 until Las Vegas) and bumbling along Venice beach. It has been a very reflective trip for me as I came here when I was 19. Back then I was travelling alone and it was my last destination before returning home. It has really shown me the differences in travelling alone and as part of a group. Personally, I think one should try to experience both types of travel at least once in their life.

& what's to come

We are flying to Las Vegas tomorrow for Sophia's 21st birthday. It used to be my dream to have my 21st in Vegas and to make it as cliche as possible but I didn't quite make it, instead I will do everything I can to make Sof's the best experience ever and live my dream out like that, haha.

After that, all of our visa's expire so we are heading to Mexico for 10 days, Cancun to be specific. I actually look forward to this a lot as I said I wanted to return to Mexico after my trip in November.

We will then all be returning to the USA again on my 22nd birthday (16th June) on a tourist visa to go to EDC in Las Vegas. A huge festival that I look forward to experiencing so that I can probably write about it in one of my assignments in my final year at Chester ;) EDC 2016, Las Vegas

I then have about a week before Lauren, my friend from Chester, gets here and as of yet, I am still not 100% sure what I will do with that, or what I will do with her. All I know is that she gets here in Phoenix on the 27th June and I leave from Vegas on the 7th July.

My time as Lumberjack has passed.

That's all for now,

Lucy xxo