Time Flies When You’re Having Rife

18/10/2016
Aisha Sanyang-Meek

As we bid goodbye to Aisha, she reflects on her six months at Rife.

My time at Rife has taught me there is time, there’s always time, even if it seems like there is absolutely no time at all. There is. There is time to reevaluate how I went about doing that film project and understand how I can use my experience of the day going a little bit udders up, to help me improve for the next time. Time to cringe at why it had to be that morning I came in late for a particularly important meeting, because I had hurt my neck doing a headstand when I got out of bed, there is time to learn from that too.

Before Rife, time was a thing to be scared of, a dark reminder of the things I have yet to do and accomplish, but since being here for six months I feel like half of this year has got me learning about my relationship with time. How time can be my friend and how I can work with it. Strengthening my skills through ‘everyday’ things like answering emails a lot quicker than I used to (LOL, it has actually improved from the appalling level it was before, Nikesh, trust me) organising time to organise a social networking event for young people, using the anticipation of it being in two weeks and promoting the hell out of it on social media morning, noon and night.

The scary times, when you have to face challenges that you feel your not capable of overcoming

The scary times, when you have to face challenges that you feel your not capable of overcoming but actually you think, well I could always just give it my very best go…and finding out ‘hey’ I can overcome this, I just did. There is time to reward yourself for those tiny victories and tuck them into your heart and use them for the next challenges you face.

The funny times, like how fast it would take me to get from the office to the Pervasive Media Studio when I heard the words ‘free food’…

The funny times, like how fast it would take me to get from the office to the Pervasive Media Studio when I heard the words ‘free food’ and then how fast it would take for me to wolf down that first portion before going back for seconds. Just time spent discussing the topic of food in general, like that afternoon that I was craving apple crumble I decided to write an article about eating puddings on a dessert island or the time Ailsa, Jazz, Holly Jon and I spent the afternoon having a picnic in the park, playing on a climbing frame and eating a lot of hummus, that was a really fun time.

Moving on to the emotional times, meeting my Rife family, meeting my Watershed family and actually knowing that even though I’m leaving today, I have so many amazing people behind me, supporting me and rooting for me. Like Nikesh, who feels like an uncle to me now, giving me advice and constructive feedback to help push me and just generally being an amazing role model to me in so many ways, I can’t even put it into words. Roseanna, who is like the super cool big sister I never had, always one step ahead and working insanely hard to keep our heads above water and sticking by us every step of the way.

The emotional times, like meeting my Rife family

Hannah, the smoothest cowgirl in all the land, whose bike I borrowed, acted like a metaphor for life as I struggled to ride it, with a huge basket on the front and baby seat on the back, it tested my balance, patience and resilience but I am eternally grateful for that experience, so thank you Hannah and thank you for being an awesome energy to be around on days when I felt like ‘meh’…

Jon, from day one he was a brother, a premiere prodigy and therapist all in one. He was so patient and supportive during those film editing melt downs. The day always felt a little lighter knowing Jon was around for raised eyebrow silliness and giggling over images of dogs doing weird facial expressions.

And last but not least, my Rife sisters, Ailsa , Jazz and Holly, my partners in crime. Holly, who always looked out for us, made sure we were ok and giggled with us on days when we needed some giggling. Thank you for your kindness, infectious laugh and for being the ultimate chip buddy.

And last but not least, my Rife sisters, Ailsa , Jazz and Holly, my partners in crime.

Ailsa who’s courage and honesty I admire so much, she is so intelligent and kind and gives the most committed hugs (there’s no weak, floppy shizz with this girl) you get a full-on bear hug and I love it, did I mention she takes the most beautiful photos too and spits poetry so deep you could cry into lavender over it?

Jazz, who’s always got some advice up her sleeve to remind me that everything’s going to be ok when I’m getting all ‘over-thinky’ her calm attitude and funny stories about her friends/family always make me smile. This girl is also crazy talented and very humble, I know she’s going to go on to do brilliant things.

So there you have it, a collection of memories of different times that have involved up’s and downs, laughter and tears, smiles and solemn head nods and beating of chests to ‘hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmm’…(inside joke)

So here’s to the times ahead, because time flies when you’re having Rife