Sunday, May 13, 2012
Another stamp
One of the main reasons we came to London was that we could easily get to other parts of Europe. I recently had to renew my passport but mostly be cause the old one was filling up with stamps! I love going through it and trying to figure out the dates and where the stamps have come from....they're usually messy and mostly blurry.
We added another stamp and best another country. We spent a long weekend in Lisbon, Portugal. I have been craving warm and sunny and we figured this would be a good place to go in a 2ish hour flight form London. Well, it was!
Lisbon is beautiful. It's historic old town area is falling apart, crumbling mostly, but it's still beautiful. They're propping up some of the really bad ones and trying to recover some others but you do get a sense of what it was like when you see those that have been restored. Most of the really old ones have been preserved and they look fantastic.
We rented an apartment this time instead of a hotel room. This worked out great as we had a 3 room apartment, Bath, Kitchen & Bedroom. The place was very nice, blue paint with white trim, reminds me of our guest bedroom in our house in Los Angeles(*sigh). Having an apartment meant we could take our time with getting up and making our own breakfast. We weren't rushed to avoid the housekeeping either.
We got there and figured out how to get from the airport to the center of town via the Aero Bus. One of the first things we saw were these vendors selling HUGE strawberries, so red and big and full of flavor! We had them everyday for breakfast.
Walking around the city is easy and looking through bakeries makes it really worth walking everywhere. One thing we noticed right away was how cheap it is to eat. Another thing was how easy it is to buy drugs! Yes, every night I was approached by at least 3 men asking if I wanted to buy hash, coke, or pot. I always giggled when they asked. Granted we only had this happen when we were in the main pedestrian street very late at night AND it's still very safe to be walking around there. The dealers take "No" for an answer and they leave you alone.
Oh, English is spoken there and strangely they broadcast several channels in English with Portuguese subtitle. That took some getting used to. It was great to see current programming in English! It made us feel that we would be able to get around the city easily even with our little map.
I really loved going to Lisbon. I hope they get their act together soon and get the buildings in shape, clean up the graffiti. Belem was great. Sintra was fantastic especially before the hoards of tourist buses came in and packed the little town. St. George's castle was fun even if we'd been through so many other castles before.
Where to next?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Paris, Je t'aime!
Ya, it's no shocking news that I LOVE PARIS! In the 30 months we have lived in London we've been to Paris 4 times now. I'm sure we'll be back a few times more. Yes, it's pretty easy to get there, we're 15 minutes by bus from St. Pancras International Station where the Eurostar comes and goes all day long and some people have been known to make a day trip out of it, Jessi.Our friends from the States where coming over to visit us here in London and then since they were going to head to Paris for part of their trip we figured we'd go along, sorta. We love visiting Lisa because she's funny and always has some fantastic facts about the non-tourist Paris, she's been living there for 6+ years. We've been through most every tourist thing you can do there so this was going to be a very relaxed weekend where we stroll and chat and eat and drink.
Paris, Je t'aime
Paris, Je t'aime
Saturday, April 14, 2012
With Regards
to having been employed for nearly a month now I'm starting to get a little panic-icky about a few things. Granted most people would kill for a to say they work only 10 minutes walk from home and that you can wear jeans and you can leave early on Fridays. But I'm in a situation where I haven't been for over 2 years. Having to make decisions and come up with suggestions and implement new procedures...the list goes on. So you can see why I'm feeling panic-icky. Maybe I'm just over-reacting to it all. I suppose deep down inside I know what I'm supposed to do but can't muster up the confidence. Strangely I did bring up a point about a new person who's training for a critical position and how we're to work with her on her schedule and building her confidence. I guess I should just listen to myself and trust that I'll be okay.
Being instinctive is something I can do when I'm working with a color guard or talking about how to train for long distance cycling. My instincts right now are telling me that I could be going in the right direction but when presenting my work my direction is slightly off. Guess I'm rusty.
I don't like being self-loathing and whinny about things, well, at least not publicly. I suppose everyone goes through this when they start a new job. Right?
Anyway...something that is pretty darn cool is where everyone is from in our little company. People are from all over Europe and of the 30 in the office there are only 5 that are native to England. I'm the only American.
Being instinctive is something I can do when I'm working with a color guard or talking about how to train for long distance cycling. My instincts right now are telling me that I could be going in the right direction but when presenting my work my direction is slightly off. Guess I'm rusty.
I don't like being self-loathing and whinny about things, well, at least not publicly. I suppose everyone goes through this when they start a new job. Right?
Anyway...something that is pretty darn cool is where everyone is from in our little company. People are from all over Europe and of the 30 in the office there are only 5 that are native to England. I'm the only American.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
2 years 4 months
Well, it finally happened. After 851 days I have finally been offered a job. Granted that is about 4 months of really not looking while I was back in the US early 2010, but it still does weigh on your mind. I left my last real job November 13, 2009 and yesterday I received an email asking when I could start my next one. Yes, I did have 2 moments of employment but I won't really count them because one was for 'fun' and the other was just about a month long.
I can't remember where I read it because it was such a long time ago but it goes sort of like this; "Looking for work is a full time job". There is truth to that notion. I spent hours upon hours every day, even weekends looking through various job postings on various web sites. I have spent days talking to recruiters from most every part of England, the US and even a couple from India, yes, India. Apparently one of the recruitment companies has outsourced that part of their company. I have managed to get a couple interviews through recruiters but the most success I've had with getting past the 1st interview was finding a posting on a non-recruitment site.
I have actually received 2 offers, one more solid then the other. While the culture here in the UK is different than the US there are some similarities. After exchanging emails with a recruiter from the US it was explained they are seeing an up swing in the job market however the employers are being very picky with who they want to see. Employers are asking for specific experience and skill sets, they want someone who will be the best fit. This is the similarity between the 2 countries. That being said it seems to also extend the hiring process. I remember when you could interview on Monday and be working on Wednesday of that same week. Now, especially here, the process can take weeks even months. The one offer that I received, the not so solid one, started with interviews in Dec of 2011 and just the beginning of March 2012 is when they mentioned the word 'offer' in an email. Sadly, because of physical space issues, they are unable to make the real offer. I am a little sad about it, it would have been an interesting experience and maybe, I think, having the brand recognition to lean on would have been great bragging rights. I'll just have to remember that I made it but they were unable to make it happen.
Using recruiters probably has it's place when looking for work. I've been told by a few people the same thing about you're a more attractive employee when you are working than if you're unemployed and looking for work. I really had hoped some of those contacts I made over the short phone calls would have been able to come through.
The first year I was in London I really expected to be able to find a job quickly, after all I have nearly 20 years experience and it would certainly be a bonus. But after 8 months of trying with very limited success I gave up. I took it personally that they weren't hiring me. I thought they didn't want to deal with me being an expat here on a work permit and that I could run off when the permit expired or that we'd just move back on a whim. I felt that they were the ones missing out on what I had to offer. That was the worst attitude to have. Cocky American.
As 2011 came in I regrouped, after spending 4 months in the US, and decided to rethink everything about my job hunting. I started to talk to more contacts, I asked for help with my resume or CV. I especially decided not to take it personally. I think being raised to be proud and only ask for help when you're so far down the drain was something I had to get over. I asked and kept asking.
The success I had in getting interviews in 2011 was sporadic but beneficial. I looked at each one as a chance to practice for the next one. I didn't turn down any of them. Granted I had maybe 5 or 6 but they all helped me retool my resume and how I would personally approach each cover letter and how I would present myself if given an interview. I even bought a new suit just for interviews. I look very professional when I enter and sit up straight. I give them the answers they want to hear and even share a little more just to show them I'm human and have a personality.
One of my biggest fears was that I would be unemployed for many years before we eventually move back to the US and I would be this old 50+ guy trying to get a job in something I should have been doing with 3 or 5 or 7 year gap. Who'd want to hire me then? I had even thought that at the end of this year I would move back on my own and try to get work, something and get things going again. Now I don't have to. Now I can feel like I have a purpose here and that I can contribute to the cost of us living here and our desire to travel and even do it more.
I look forward to starting this new chapter in my life.
I can't remember where I read it because it was such a long time ago but it goes sort of like this; "Looking for work is a full time job". There is truth to that notion. I spent hours upon hours every day, even weekends looking through various job postings on various web sites. I have spent days talking to recruiters from most every part of England, the US and even a couple from India, yes, India. Apparently one of the recruitment companies has outsourced that part of their company. I have managed to get a couple interviews through recruiters but the most success I've had with getting past the 1st interview was finding a posting on a non-recruitment site.
I have actually received 2 offers, one more solid then the other. While the culture here in the UK is different than the US there are some similarities. After exchanging emails with a recruiter from the US it was explained they are seeing an up swing in the job market however the employers are being very picky with who they want to see. Employers are asking for specific experience and skill sets, they want someone who will be the best fit. This is the similarity between the 2 countries. That being said it seems to also extend the hiring process. I remember when you could interview on Monday and be working on Wednesday of that same week. Now, especially here, the process can take weeks even months. The one offer that I received, the not so solid one, started with interviews in Dec of 2011 and just the beginning of March 2012 is when they mentioned the word 'offer' in an email. Sadly, because of physical space issues, they are unable to make the real offer. I am a little sad about it, it would have been an interesting experience and maybe, I think, having the brand recognition to lean on would have been great bragging rights. I'll just have to remember that I made it but they were unable to make it happen.
Using recruiters probably has it's place when looking for work. I've been told by a few people the same thing about you're a more attractive employee when you are working than if you're unemployed and looking for work. I really had hoped some of those contacts I made over the short phone calls would have been able to come through.
The first year I was in London I really expected to be able to find a job quickly, after all I have nearly 20 years experience and it would certainly be a bonus. But after 8 months of trying with very limited success I gave up. I took it personally that they weren't hiring me. I thought they didn't want to deal with me being an expat here on a work permit and that I could run off when the permit expired or that we'd just move back on a whim. I felt that they were the ones missing out on what I had to offer. That was the worst attitude to have. Cocky American.
As 2011 came in I regrouped, after spending 4 months in the US, and decided to rethink everything about my job hunting. I started to talk to more contacts, I asked for help with my resume or CV. I especially decided not to take it personally. I think being raised to be proud and only ask for help when you're so far down the drain was something I had to get over. I asked and kept asking.
The success I had in getting interviews in 2011 was sporadic but beneficial. I looked at each one as a chance to practice for the next one. I didn't turn down any of them. Granted I had maybe 5 or 6 but they all helped me retool my resume and how I would personally approach each cover letter and how I would present myself if given an interview. I even bought a new suit just for interviews. I look very professional when I enter and sit up straight. I give them the answers they want to hear and even share a little more just to show them I'm human and have a personality.
One of my biggest fears was that I would be unemployed for many years before we eventually move back to the US and I would be this old 50+ guy trying to get a job in something I should have been doing with 3 or 5 or 7 year gap. Who'd want to hire me then? I had even thought that at the end of this year I would move back on my own and try to get work, something and get things going again. Now I don't have to. Now I can feel like I have a purpose here and that I can contribute to the cost of us living here and our desire to travel and even do it more.
I look forward to starting this new chapter in my life.
Monday, March 12, 2012
It's so BIG!
Yes, it certainly is! Courchevel and the 3 Valleys Ski Area in the French Alps. We haven't been skiing much and didn't go at all last season because I was away in the US during the winter ski months. We picked 3 Valleys from recommendations of Kevin's co-workers.
Besides that issue the trip was great! It didn't matter we were up at 2:30am to travel for 12 hours. It was by Car, Plane, Bus, Train, Train, Bus then a walk up a hill. We arrived at the hotel at about 6:30pm. We thought about the return trip and how it would be hell but it would be in a down hill direction.
Staying at the Hotel Saint Louis was fine, rooms are tiny and it's a basic room too. The remote for the TV didn't work and neither did the phone. So Kevin had to go down to the front desk to tell them about both of those problems. The curtains needed to be rehung and maybe changed out all together. The varnish finish on the little table was chipping away. The bath is fine for the size of the room. The best thing about this place was the dinner menus.
When you look at the map of the resorts you don't get a sense of how big the place is until you're riding up in a gondola or a chair and you can look out across the area and you see all of the other chairs and gondolas going in various directions. It has 600 square kilometers of interconnected slopes and 180 ski lifts. That's about 148,263 acres! I thought Mammoth was big. We were told that from the area we were in it would take about 90 minutes of non-stop skiing and traversing via chairs/gondolas to get to the other side of the resort. We didn't make it that way but we did go to the closest edge to us.
I know that most of the ski packages available there offer 7 days where it's 5 days of skiing. I would guess only a hard-core skier would be able to cover most of the ski able map. We thought about it but our legs couldn't take it.
It was great to be back on the slopes after 2 years. I have a feeling we might be going back to this place again.
Let me start by saying avoid Flexiski at all cost. They're rotten when it comes to organizing the trip and make things harder when you realize you're going to have to do your own transportation transfers to and from the airport(s) no matter where you fly into.
Besides that issue the trip was great! It didn't matter we were up at 2:30am to travel for 12 hours. It was by Car, Plane, Bus, Train, Train, Bus then a walk up a hill. We arrived at the hotel at about 6:30pm. We thought about the return trip and how it would be hell but it would be in a down hill direction.
Staying at the Hotel Saint Louis was fine, rooms are tiny and it's a basic room too. The remote for the TV didn't work and neither did the phone. So Kevin had to go down to the front desk to tell them about both of those problems. The curtains needed to be rehung and maybe changed out all together. The varnish finish on the little table was chipping away. The bath is fine for the size of the room. The best thing about this place was the dinner menus.
When you look at the map of the resorts you don't get a sense of how big the place is until you're riding up in a gondola or a chair and you can look out across the area and you see all of the other chairs and gondolas going in various directions. It has 600 square kilometers of interconnected slopes and 180 ski lifts. That's about 148,263 acres! I thought Mammoth was big. We were told that from the area we were in it would take about 90 minutes of non-stop skiing and traversing via chairs/gondolas to get to the other side of the resort. We didn't make it that way but we did go to the closest edge to us.
I know that most of the ski packages available there offer 7 days where it's 5 days of skiing. I would guess only a hard-core skier would be able to cover most of the ski able map. We thought about it but our legs couldn't take it.
It was great to be back on the slopes after 2 years. I have a feeling we might be going back to this place again.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Nothing new to report....maybe
Ok, maybe a few things.
It's still grey and cloudy here but it has warmed up some, so I guess that's sorta new. Yes, there are some spring flowers coming in, crocus and daffodils and some of the shrubs are starting to sprout new leaves. The park near by had cleared out an area where they will form a 'community garden' but I'm sure it'll be full of over grown and unloved tomato plants after a few weeks. Not to sound to pessimistic over it but the attention span here is pretty short. This other park where I used to take the dogs for a mid afternoon relief walk has some ragged lavender plants. A neighbor came over and asked me to keep my dogs out of the plants and showed me how the plants were struggling, she passed blame on dogs walking through them. I think she needed to realize that it's winter and most plants aren't going to look very good in this climate. So I don't take my dogs there anymore. I do miss the sunshine and warm weather.
We're headed to Courchevel on Sunday for a 4 day ski trip. We've not been skiing for 2 years, last time was Northern Italy in 2010. The tour company we used is not going to get a good review from me on TripAdvisor or any good word-of-mouth either. They really need to figure out how to make things easier for people to transfer from the airports to the resorts. But we're excited to be going skiing again. I would have never guess that I would be skiing in Europe. I love and miss Mammoth Mountain very much and wish I could be there. For now I'll just have to be happy to be skiing even if it's in the French Alps.
We're also trying to plan our other trips. I would love to take a trip to some very exotic places like Istanbul or Morocco but that will take a lot of persuasion skills on my part, Kevin isn't that adventurous. I'd even like to go to Egypt but that won't happen unless I go alone. For now it's Eastern Europe and I hope it doesn't turn out to be like Scandinavia where we went to 2 countries and realized they'll all start to look alike.
Still plugging away at finding a job. I have had some success with getting interviews either in person or over the phone and have moved to the 2nd interview stage and even had a 3rd meeting with one firm. I'm going to keep going with this for a little while longer then shut it down. The frustration is just not worth it and it'll get to a point where the gap in unemployment will be too much and firms won't even bother.
I did have 2 auditions with London 2012 for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies and will know more in a few weeks if I made it or not. I'd love to be a part of that even if it's being a human wall. We can't afford tickets for the Ceremonies and it may be just fine to sit at home and watch it from the couch, but if I have a chance to be a part of this I'll do it.
So I guess I did have something new to post.
It's still grey and cloudy here but it has warmed up some, so I guess that's sorta new. Yes, there are some spring flowers coming in, crocus and daffodils and some of the shrubs are starting to sprout new leaves. The park near by had cleared out an area where they will form a 'community garden' but I'm sure it'll be full of over grown and unloved tomato plants after a few weeks. Not to sound to pessimistic over it but the attention span here is pretty short. This other park where I used to take the dogs for a mid afternoon relief walk has some ragged lavender plants. A neighbor came over and asked me to keep my dogs out of the plants and showed me how the plants were struggling, she passed blame on dogs walking through them. I think she needed to realize that it's winter and most plants aren't going to look very good in this climate. So I don't take my dogs there anymore. I do miss the sunshine and warm weather.We're headed to Courchevel on Sunday for a 4 day ski trip. We've not been skiing for 2 years, last time was Northern Italy in 2010. The tour company we used is not going to get a good review from me on TripAdvisor or any good word-of-mouth either. They really need to figure out how to make things easier for people to transfer from the airports to the resorts. But we're excited to be going skiing again. I would have never guess that I would be skiing in Europe. I love and miss Mammoth Mountain very much and wish I could be there. For now I'll just have to be happy to be skiing even if it's in the French Alps.
We're also trying to plan our other trips. I would love to take a trip to some very exotic places like Istanbul or Morocco but that will take a lot of persuasion skills on my part, Kevin isn't that adventurous. I'd even like to go to Egypt but that won't happen unless I go alone. For now it's Eastern Europe and I hope it doesn't turn out to be like Scandinavia where we went to 2 countries and realized they'll all start to look alike.
Still plugging away at finding a job. I have had some success with getting interviews either in person or over the phone and have moved to the 2nd interview stage and even had a 3rd meeting with one firm. I'm going to keep going with this for a little while longer then shut it down. The frustration is just not worth it and it'll get to a point where the gap in unemployment will be too much and firms won't even bother.
I did have 2 auditions with London 2012 for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies and will know more in a few weeks if I made it or not. I'd love to be a part of that even if it's being a human wall. We can't afford tickets for the Ceremonies and it may be just fine to sit at home and watch it from the couch, but if I have a chance to be a part of this I'll do it.
So I guess I did have something new to post.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Paris Street Food
After my first visit to Paris I always felt that it was in my blood. Probably because I'm Cajun and could possibly be a decedent of those poor souls that was kicked out of Canada I think a part, a big part of my heart is Parisian to a point, but French none the less. Every visit is typically the same; we forage for food. We are always on the look out for a pastries, or a stinky cheese shop or what could be a wonderful meal in a tiny cafe. We've been able to eat through most of Paris and have always been open to suggestions from friends like Lisa who lives there, and from travel shows and books. Lisa did turn us onto a fantastic L'As Du Fallafel and she wasn't wrong...it is life changing! Even David Lebovitz goes on about it, he also talks about other places he likes to go and we might have to check out. But they didn't mention the amazing Boulangerie Murciano a few doors down with baklava pieces that would feed a small family of 8.
Going to Paris anytime is the right time, we've been during the different seasons and I love it no matter what. I'm so ready for my next trip!
Best Finds for Paris Street Food | Travel News from Fodor's Travel Guides
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