'tis the season

Time for an update! I know I promised to write more, and this is me trying!

The past few weeks have been pretty stressful for numerous reasons, the least of which, Christmas is coming.

I'll start with the worst news first. At the age of 99 11/12, my amazing grandmother passed away. That's right, a month shy of her 100th birthday. Many of you who know me well, know that I was really close to her and it hit me harder than I thought it would. I mean, really at that age I should have been expecting it, and I was, but nothing can really prepare you for it.

The last time I saw her was October 2008 when I was in Canada to renew my visa. I drove to Barrie (about 7 hours) and stayed at my uncles house. The next day I picked her up and we went for lunch at Tim Hortons (her idea) and then for a drive in the country. We stopped at a local farm and bought the last of the seasons strawberries and some apples.

Then we drove north to Midland to visit one of her good friends who had been placed in a care home up there. She didn't get to see much of her as it was about an hour's drive. We sat out on the patio and ate some strawberries and chatted for a while. They were both so happy to have an impromptu visit. The next morning I brought her some Timmy's for breakfast and had to get back to Ottawa to return my rental car.

I knew then, as she likely did, that it was probably the last time we would see each other. And it was. There are so many things that you think of after the fact that you wish you had said or done. I have those regrets, just as anyone does, but I know that I had a great relationship with her and that we both took full advantage of that relationship while we could. I hope wherever she is, she knows how grateful I am for having had the time I did with her, and even more so for the hundreds of letters I got from her in my life. At least I have those to keep her close to me now and always.

I wouldn't be who or where I am without her influence in my life... May she rest in peace.

Winifred Jane Mavor (Briggs) January 7, 1910-December 4, 2009

I feel like I should start a new post for the rest... but here it is...

About six weeks ago we (my department at work) were told that two of the eight people in my position would likely be made redundant before the end of the year (or very soon after). We were told there was going to be a 'consultation period' where we would have the opportunity to try and come up with other ways to save money and to discuss the reasons behind the redundancies in depth. After two weeks of stressing and coming up with ideas, we were told that we were safe for now. Apparently there is a very big new contract that has come up and they feel that if they lose us they may not get it. What happens if we don't get it anyway? I don't know. There is still a feeling in the department that this is little more than a stay of execution. We'll see. There are still a few other people (not doing the same job as me) who will likely be out of a job in January regardless. And one of our editors has already left. We were all very sad to see him go and his presence was missed from the moment he left.

With unemployment at an all time high in the UK, it isn't a good time to be out of a job. I think a lot of us are looking for work elsewhere now just in case.

With Christmas fast approaching money is always tight, and even more so this year for some reason. Maybe because I have so many people to get pressies for... It's like I have two families now, with Tom's side and Lisa's family (who I have traditionally had Christmas with, and old habits die hard). Then there are friends that I feel I have to get something for as well. I hate all this about the holidays... buying shit that people don't want for people who don't care one way or the other. Everyone keeps asking me what I want, but I don't know... There isn't anything that I really need and anything I do actually want is too expensive or hard to get... I kind of just want to say screw the whole season and f*!k off somewhere hot. Oh well, maybe next year.

Well, this hasn't been the most positive post ever, has it? There are some things to be thankful for... my health, my loving wonderful partner in crime Tom, the fact that I still have a job, that my awesome friend Kim is moving to London as I write this, I'm sure there's more, and I promise to try harder to get into the Christmas spirit, I'm just not feeling it this year... maybe it's the lack of snow or (real) cold? (ha! had to get the weather in there somewhere!)

Happy Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza...etc... to you all and a very Merry New Year!

good timing

For those of you who don't know, I had a job interview this week. I applied internally at work for a video journalist position that opened up and figured I'd give it a shot. They've been sending me out reporting for a few weeks when there was no one else to go, which has been fantastic!

So, I was eagerly awaiting my interview, which was with the two people my desk is sandwiched in between. The interview started with a picture test, where I had to look at an image of something or someone that has been in the news and name it and why it was important. I only got seven out of ten... bad me. I recognised them all, but you can't retain everything, can you? Anyway, then I had to take seven stories from that day and choose four to make a news bulletin. I had to explain why I chose the order I did and also what video and interviews I would get to make a good story. I also had to explain how I might make them into a 1:30 package.

Then came the actual interview with the people I sit to next to all day, everyday. They asked some of the typical questions... why are you applying? Who is responsible for knowing about the story before you go out? What would I check for in my kit before leaving? What kind of experience do I have? etc...

It went well, probably in part because I sit next to these people so I wasn't really nervous. It was easy to talk to them and I answered the questions to the best of my ability. But I didn't feel great about it when I walked out. I didn't think when I applied that they would give it to me anyway, and after the interview I was certain that they wouldn't choose me. Not to mention that then they'd have to replace me and I'm so good at my job that they'd want to keep me there. This has happened to me in the past.

But, the stars must have been aligned and in my favour, because on Thursday morning, not 24 hours after my interview they offered me the job!!! I am (or will be as soon as they replace me) the newest VIDEO JOURNALIST at my office!

For those of you who don't know me that well, this is something I have dreamed of since university. This is the reason I am in London. Six months after getting here, I have landed my dream job. I still can't believe it... It won't really sink in until I start. I've always wanted to move to England and there has to be a reason for that, I'm starting to realise that I was right all along and apparently I've come at the right time.

summer

Summer has supposedly hit London. People were saying this back in May when we had a few weeks of nice weather... but it's been 'tupperware' weather since then. What is tupperware weather? You know, that dull grayness that makes it feel like you're living inside of a tupperware container? It's a new term that L used the other day and I rather think it's a good description of English weather... so I've appropriated it and will use it from now on!

Anyway, as I was saying, summer has officially hit. The solstice was yesterday and tens of thousands of people descended on Stonehenge to celebrate. Sadly, I was not one of them. Instead, I celebrated with a mojito by the canal at an upscale restaurant. We spent the afternoon praying that the tupperware wouldn't get thrown in the dishwasher and thankfully, it didn't! Okay, enough of that analogy...

It was a good mojito and a good afternoon. Then L and I headed out for an evening of drinks and dancing. We woke this morning to bright sun and blue skies! So we did what you have to do when the weather is actually nice, we spent the morning and afternoon in her garden worshiping the sun. I think I got a little colour, which is good since I don't want to be a ghost when I get to Greece in 38 days. Not an easy feat in London. But I'm trying.

Enough about the weather, I know it's boring, but it's news here. It's something that people are always talking about since it dominates our lives. Do I bring my brolly to work today? Should I wear a scarf? Yes, even in the summer, I still wear a scarf in the morning... it's chilly!

Right, I said no more weather. In other news, I have an interview this week for the position of video journalist. It wouldn't be a big move, only a couple of desks over, but I'm hoping and praying that I get it. So Wednesday morning (my time) send <> my way! It would really be a dream come true!

Other than that there isn't much new here... but as I promised to write on Sundays, here I am. I'll be back with more next week... hopefully with something a little more interesting than the weather!

it's sunday

As promised in my previous update, here I am!

I encourage you to scroll down and read my last entry, as it was rather comprehensive and there are some nice photos. In case, you don't though, I've decided to post on Sunday every week, just so that there's always something fresh here. It's possible that I may post more often, but Sunday's will be the minimum.

Since I last posted on Thursday, I don't have much to write...

But, on Friday I got to go do an interview again, this time it was for "the Big Story", which was about a celebrity wedding... I got to interview a woman from the Daily Express newspaper. I didn't get to edit or package the video afterwards, which is too bad, but it was still nice to get out and about. The only thing wrong with my interview was that in a few of the shots my microphone is showing... :( boo. It was a particularly bright day and the itty bitty screen on my camera and the fact that I couldn't be looking at it throughout the interview meant that I didn't realise until I got back to the office. Oh well... I still got compliments on the aesthetics of the shot... it does look really nice... check it out here. I think it's pretty obvious which part of the pack I shot, but just in case, it's the woman who is talking throughout and not the shots from Italy!

Friday night, after a few pints with a work mate, I went to see Gnarls Barkley with a few friends. I didn't know who they were until Friday and was told that I would only know one of their songs... and I did. It's that song 'Crazy' that plays all the time... maybe you know it too? Probably. Anyway, it was a good gig (as they call shows here) and afterwards we all went for a couple of drinks a little closer to home.

Saturday was a BBQ at L's, sans L. Her flatmate, K, had a barbee for all her kiwi friends, so I met a load of people and saw a bunch I already knew. There was so much food that I can't even remember everything that we had, burgers, sausages, shrimp, salmon, asparagus, salads of all descript, garlic bread, oh and beer. Lots of beer. The weather could have been better, but it only dripped a little rain on us for about five minutes and then we had clear skies.

Today has been a lovely sunny day, but not too warm. I covered all the basics today, cleaning, laundry, gym... and now, blogging. That's it, I'm done with this week and am almost ready for the next one to begin... hopefully it will be just as good as the last.

two weeks

is too long without an update.

I seem to have lost the art of writing about daily life. I feel most of the time like I'm just living... not that interesting... though on second thought, it might be to you, dear reader.

I've been at my new job for a little over three weeks now and things are going well. I'm itching to get my hands on a camera and be a VJ... but I know it will come in time.

Other than work, I've been going out like crazy on the weekends, wearing shoes that are too tall, dresses that are too short and make up that makes me feel like I'm 20 again! My confidence has been at an all time high, which might explain the few dates I've been on... though they haven't developed into anything, they've been learning experiences.

London is a strange place when it comes to meeting people... especially romantically and I've been learning a lot. I've actually had text message relationships that didn't go beyond a night out because of them. Weird. Nobody CALLS anyone here, they message. This means that your vocal intonations are irrelevant... people here don't "get" my Canadian-ness. Though I've heard we're a bit of a novelty, it seems to end at that. Anyway, I'm out there socialising and having a good time, and that's the important part!

In other news, I've booked my flight to Greece for the big wedding in August. I'm looking into the visa issues that I need to and will be home to Canada before the year is out to sort it all out... I can't leave... not yet anyway... not with the rest of the UK and Europe to discover!

PS... if anyone wants to send me a few small things that I'd like from Canada, then PLEASE email...while there is much more selection here than in Korea, some things are sorely lacking from my life... like microwave popcorn...

new beginnings

It's official. I am a career woman! I started my new job yesterday and I have to say that being happy about going to work makes a world of difference.

I was nervous at the beginning of the day, but slipped right into it. I was teamed up with a colleague who use to do my job and he showed me a lot. By the end of the day I was uploading to the wire all by myself!

The programs that I've learned so far are relatively easy to use. The real challenge will come tomorrow when I have my Avid training. My confidence is way up though and I know that I can do this job and anything they ask me to.

It's a different world for me now. I like going to work and it doesn't even really feel like work. The day flies by and before I know it, it's time to go home!

I'm still, of course, in the honeymoon stage here, and who knows what the future will bring... but for now, I'm loving it. From now on there are no more annoying people calling me and no more dealing with the public, which is a first for me!

Anyway, just wanted to drop a quickie to let you all know that things are going really well. I feel like it's the beginning of the rest of my life!

a new job

I've been seriously ignoring this blog since I left Korea last year. It's disappointing since I was so stubborn about it while I was there. I imagined it would be similar here in England, but I have let myself, and you dear reader, down. So, I will apologise again, I'm sorry.

I guess I just haven't felt like I've been doing anything terribly interesting. Of course, I do things, but it's more like living life than anything to write home about.

I do have some big news though.

I applied and interviewed for a job way back in January but was only number two after the interviews were done. When they called me to tell me I didn't get it, (weird I didn't just get an email) I could hear the disappointment in the interviewers voice. He told me they were going with someone who had more "experience" - to me this meant that the other person knew how to edit with Avid where I only know Final Cut (thanks a lot ConU)... Anyway, he asked me if it would be okay to keep my details on file and to ring me if anything came up. Of course I said yes, but thought that was just something that employers say.

About a week after the interview I rang him back and asked him how I could get in to do some work experience (unpaid internship type work). He told me that was a brilliant idea and that he'd be in touch. A week or so passed and he called me back just to tell me that he was still checking it all out but that the guy he needed to talk to had been and was still on holiday. A few more weeks passed and I emailed him, he replied with "do you know how to use a video camera?" So I told him that I'd used a Sony PD 150/170 at school and was comfortable with a camera (still or video) in my hands. I didn't hear back from him for another week - in this biz people are busy, so I didn't push too much.

Finally about a month ago he emailed me to see when I'd be able to come in on a trial shift as a video journalist. We arranged that April 16th would be the day. Then he rang me the day I was leaving for Switzerland to ask me to go in on the weekend, but, of course, I would be away. He was okay with it and told me that we'd talk more before the trial shift.

I had a message on my mobile from him about a week and a half ago and thought that he wanted to arrange another shift or something. When I called him back he said, "the job you applied for is available". I replied "what do I need to do?" and he said, "say yes or no".

I was blown away! It was not what I was expecting AT ALL. Anyway, all that to say that starting in a week I am the new media co-ordinator at the Press Association.

I don't have an actual job description for you, but basically I'll be logging, archiving, and editing video. The video journalists (VJ) come in with their tape and I have to get it out to buyers - TV stations mostly, I think. The company is the UK's version of CP or Reuters, so it's a pretty big deal in the media world and the perfect first step in my career. There will be opportunity for me to get experience as a VJ, as well as learning other aspects of the business. There might be some writing that I can get involved in too. Anyway, it's perfect and of all the jobs that I've applied to in the UK, I wanted this one the most, so WOOHOO!!!

That's the big news of late... there are little things here and there, and again, I promise to write more often... please don't forget about me, dear reader, I haven't forgotten about you. :)

the hunt

I have been applying for jobs constantly since I arrived in London. It took me about a week to get an "on-going" temp job. Basically, you find a temp agency (which is easier said than done, despite what you hear) and they find you a job.

Often these jobs are on a short-term basis, a day, a week, a month, but the on-going is the best for several reasons. First, you are guaranteed a pay check every week (the most important). Second, you don't have to get used to a new boss every other day. And third, it gives you the opportunity to make ends meet while you look for something you really want to do. Which is what I have been doing for the past month and a half.

At first, it seemed to me that journalism jobs were abundant in the UK - but that was before I got here at the height of the holiday season. When I first arrived, the pickings were slim. As it turns out, tons of people get new jobs in january - time for a change, I suppose. (Apparently the rate of divorce is higher in january too.)

So, lucky me. Everyone is moving around and getting new jobs, which means plenty of openings for me, right? I hope so. There have been a lot more advertised positions in the last month than there were in december, which is a good sign for me. I've been applying to all of them. Assistant editors, trainee journalists, journalists, assistant this and assistant that.

I've had two serious interviews in the past week. The first was for a trade journal. Investment banking. I had to take time out of my already short weekend to write a 300-400 word article on the Societe Generale and the systematic failures that led to their losing billions of pounds (the currency, not the weight). It wasn't something I knew much about, but the article was okay, so I thought.

In fact, it was "the best of the bunch". But I still didn't get the job. The question that lost it for me was, "Are you passionate about investment banking?" Who is truly passionate about it, other than investment bankers? I believe in honesty, but lesson learned. Next time, I eat, dream and sweat investment banking!

The other was at a pretty large news agency that would have been my perfect foot in the door. It's a job I wanted MORE than any job I've ever applied for. It was working with videographers, editing, archiving and sending off video to people who want to buy it.

I rocked the interview. Rocked it harder than any interview I've ever had. I know, because they told me. I was wearing, what I refer to as my "power suit", and was feeling good until I got into the building and had to wait to be taken upstairs. I started to get really nervous (which I usually am not, especially in interviews), my breathing was erratic, my heart was pumping, I felt sick. But I managed to pull it together and put it all out of my mind. Obviously, I must have had something they wanted or I wouldn't have been there.

Anyway, the interview, as I said, was amazing. I was sure, certain, positive, that the job was mine. When the interviewer called me on Monday morning (after a weekend of butterflies in my tummy) he told me he was "really, really sorry, but I was unsuccessful".

He went on to say that I was fantastic in the interview and I had really impressed them, but they were going with someone who had more "practical experience". I think that means the other person knows Avid, (the software they use) and I don't. "But," he went on, "if it's all right with you, I'd like to keep your information on file and call you if we have any freelance work or if anything else comes up." (I know they always say that, but for numerous reasons I won't list, I actually believe him.)

When I started breathing again, I told him that would be great, thanks for the chance and I'm looking forward to hearing from him. I hung up the phone and almost started to cry. I'm over it now, everything happens for a reason, so there must be a reason I didn't get the job. I still see it as a toe in the door, even if it's not the whole foot. Next week I'm going to ring him and see if I can get some work experience so that next time I have all the skills they want.

I've got loads of other applications out there. And while I'm waiting, I can hone my interview skills and learn from these experiences. They both gave me valuable feed back and I'm not going to forget it. So, while the hunt continues, I work six days a week at my temp job and hunt for something better, which I know will come along when the time is right.

stuff

It's been more than a few days, I'm sorry. I haven't felt like posting much and oddly, I still don't, but I am anyway.

I've been searching for a job all week. On the internet. With agencies. On the street. It looks like things may be looking up now, though I was pretty discouraged earlier in the week.

On Monday I met with my first agency. I had to take a bunch of tests. Word. Excel. Typing. I scored intermediate on all of them. What did I learn from that? I thought I was better at all of them than I actually am. The agency told me it was okay and that I'm employable, but that didn't mean they had anything for me.

I think I've applied to about 25 or 30 jobs online as well. Some of them I've heard from and some not. I got really discouraged when one guy told me to never mind when I told him that I was on a working holiday maker visa. That means that I can only work for 12 months, so who is he that he thinks he's so important that I'll still want to be working there a year from now?!

Anyway, I hit the streets in the area yesterday applying at all the pubs, restaurants, and cafe's that I could find. I also applied at a small photography store that was looking for someone. My job at York International wasn't on my CV since it was quite some time ago, but I worked in a retail photo store for about three and a half years. I was also sent on a Fuji Film Canada lab technician training. Oh, and did I mention that I studied photography for a number of years and worked as a photographer for a summer? They called me today. I'm going in tomorrow to see what it's all about and so they can meet with me and see if they like me.

I also got another call from a temp agency today and met with them this afternoon. They said that I have highly transferable skills and am highly employable - much nicer than the first agency. They might have something for me starting as early as next week, which would be nice.

After meeting with them I went to Paddington Station (wish I'd had my camera!!!) to get my tickets to Cambridge to visit Anna for the weekend. I'm really excited about it since I haven't seen her in a couple of years and I've known her for more than half my life! She's studying for her PhD there. Very cool. So, after the weekend I should have some nice updates about partying in the Uni town of Cambridge for you! See you then!

In the meantime here are two pictures of fuzz that grows all over the place here... everything is covered in green moss...

fun in london

On Wednesday (the day I arrived) Lisa had over a couple of her closest friends - A and K - and we had a vegetarian green thai curry and way too much wine. It was a lovely evening and I was able to meet a couple of really great women. A is an aussie but has been here for years and K is from Kent, I think. Anyway it was really a great night, though my stomach didn't appreciate it the next day!

Yesterday Lisa and I went shopping. We hit Oxford street and went to some of the big department stores -the names all escape me at the moment- and then went to Tottenham Court road to continue the search for one of her Christmas gifts. We ended up finally buying most things online as it's cheaper, and as it turned out, easier.

In the evening we were invited to the Of Montreal concert (or gig as they say here) - which was hilarious for me, since I'm from there and only just left there. The band, however, is not from Montreal... They're American from the States somewhere. They were pretty good and I'm sure there are people I know who are big fans of this band and might be a little jealous that I just happened onto their concert... sorry!

Before the show Lisa and I headed to the local for a pint. My first real pint here, actually. It was nice to sit and chat, we hadn't really had time for it before. I kept thinking to myself how "normal" (whatever that means...) it feels for me to be here. That could change, I know, but for now, there isn't any real culture shock, no homesickness, no wondering what the hell I'm doing... it's all very different from Korea in that sense.

Today I started to seriously look for and apply to jobs. Now I'm waiting to hear anything. I'm going to continue over the weekend to look for something. On Monday I have an appointment at one of the recruiting agencies that I've signed up with. They'll want my banking information - but I don't have any yet. I was going to go get an account today, but the lines were all so long at ALL of the banks that I would have been in line until next week anyway! So, I'll go on Monday afternoon. I still haven't decided on a bank, but Lloyd's is looking like the best right now... we'll see how difficult it proves to get an account here.

So, stay tuned for more on London and the adventures of getting a bank account! Not sure what's on for the weekend yet, but I'm sure it'll be fun no matter what it is, just because I'm in London!!! Also, more pictures to come soon.

Back and Forth

This seems to be a theme in my life right now. I'm back in Otterburn - the cats at my (wonderful) friends' house were just too much for my immune system - and I'll be here until I leave in 36 days.

Which brings me to the other "back and forth" part of my life - moving to London. I keep thinking how things would be so much easier if I just stayed here and then I think that I would regret not going (possibly for the rest of my life)... What's a girl to do? No one can make the decision for me, but sometimes I wish there were someone to just tell me what to do. Not that I'd likely listen to them if there was!

So here is a pros and cons list to staying and leaving.

Pros to staying:

• I could set myself up in a nice apartment for WAY less.
• I would be close to my friends and family.

Cons to staying:

• I would always wonder "what if..."
• Finding a job in my field is more difficult here.
• I could get "comfortable" and forget about my dreams of seeing the world.

Pros to leaving:

• I'd get to live in one of the biggest most exciting cities in the world.
• I would never wonder "what if..."
• I can always just come back and settle if I want.
• My visa and flight cost me about $1000.
• I'd be fulfilling a life-long dream.

Cons to leaving:

• My money will be gone the instant I land.
• I will be in a foreign country (again) with no (real) support network.

I guess that I should go... I know that I will, it's just that when you have to wait so long to something so "crazy" you tend to start to wonder why you thought of doing it in the first place. I felt the same way for a few weeks (and especially days) before leaving for Korea, so I know this is part of the process... I just can't help thinking about it.

In other news...
My "cold" developed into something more fierce, but being away from the cats for a couple of days is helping. I hope to be 100% better in a few days.

My new "job" had no hours for me this week. Ya, that's right. I had to log in to a website today to choose my hours for next week and am now waiting on approval. I hope that I get something next week... if not I'm not sure what I'll do for money... though I am awaiting my tax returns...

new digs... again.

I've moved into the city. There are a number of reasons for this, but I won't list them. There is something sad about leaving Otterburn, but it's also a good thing for me. I'm stuck here until the 4th of December, so I might as well make some money in that time, right?

Today I got a job at a market research firm where I will be calling people and asking them questions. Fun. I had some friends way back who did this while they were going to school. I'm just doing it to be able to survive for the next six weeks without spending any of the money currently in my bank account. Hopefully I can stand it enough... if not, maybe I'll head back to the country...

I found a great deal at redtag.ca for my flight to London. $480 one way on British Airways... the same flight is listed at just over $1000 on their site, so I'm looking at it like a 50% off sale! Plus BA lets you bring more luggage than the (only) cheaper flight that I found. Anyway, I've got two days until I start my new job, hopefully the cold that has been lingering in my sinuses for the last five days will be gone by then.

BTW, I was thinking of trying to go to the Gazette or CJAD and ask them if I could be their "bitch" for a day or two a week... just not sure how I should go about it... any ideas are welcome.