Wednesday, February 29, 2012

29th of Feb

I was talking to a Latvian friend in the morning, wished her a great day and said that as today happens only once every 4 years, we should make it worth the wait!


Was very proud of myself for being so witty when she simply wrote back: Yes, but shouldn't we make every day worth it? 


So yes, Zane - we definitely should!


That's why I've already had a job interview before work, then came to the office and signed my job contract termination (le sigh) and have a, hopefully, most promising meeting with some great energetic people in a couple of hours. Let's see what comes out of it!


Especially, that the meeting has been organised in really cool circumstances and by a really cool new friend, but more about it later...



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"So when will you get a real job?"

Is a question I hate.
A question that makes me laugh.
A question that annoys me as hell.

And, unfortunately, one that I've been encountering many times over. 
Even from the people I thought would know better, from people I would expect more of...

*     *      *      *      *

Quite a while back, I came across a site everyobody looking for alternative ways 'to make it work' comes across - The Art of Non-Confirmity and joined Chris's newsletter. 
I regret to admit I rarely read those, usually storing them in a seperate folder "for later". Today in the morning read one of the first emails I got from him, "The Decision to Be Remarkable" where he describes his experience with the "real job" question. The timing couldn't be more perfect, seeing how I've recently resigned from a "real job" and am, yet again, bending my head backwards over the idea: what next?


Resigning wasn't a decision I made lightly and I'd discussed it with many people, shared my feelings and plans. What do you think, how many times did I hear: But when will you look for a new job? When will you get real?

*     *      *      *      *

Let me share with you what Chris thinks of it, as these are my exact thoughts (allowed myself to stress what I found most important):


Along the way I went back to school to do a graduate program in International Relations, and when I finished, a friend of a friend asked, "So now will you finally go and get a real job?"
Hmmm... It was kind of like they were asking, "Well, Chris, are you ready to grow up now?"
To be honest, my first thought of how to respond to that question was not very nice. I don't have anything against real jobs, but I also have no interest in following a path that I personally find unfulfilling.
Thankfully, turning 30 years old did bring about a certain maturity, even if the desire to be like everyone else has remained elusive. Instead of saying what I first thought, I just said, "Sorry to disappoint you - but I probably won't be getting the kind of job you'd like me to have any time soon."
In other words... "I will not meet those expectations."
(...)
The decision is deceptively simple: begin making your own choices, and stand out from many of the people around you. It's simple because that's really all there is to it -- think for yourself instead of following the crowd, then begin to take actions to align what you do with what you believe.
It's deceptive, however, because whenever you begin to do this, you'll encounter more than your share of opposition from people who want you to do things their way. Some of them will say your ideas or goals are unrealistic. I say, "life is short." Finding a way to do what we want while also helping others is the most important work we can do.



*     *     *     *      *

So, to answer just about everybody (myself included, as I, of course, doubt everything about me and my choices, like way too often):
I don't think I'll be getting a "real job" soon.

:)




Friday, February 17, 2012

Working on that score

Although that ticket's the most expensive I've bought in 2012, it pumps up the score - adds a 3rd new country to the list and closes the flying schedule for March.


And now the hunt down for April may begin. Any suggestions...? :)



Thursday, February 16, 2012

Best Internet game ever

Opening travel forums and cheap airlines' search engines to randomly look for flights one could take.


Today's score?


Two one way tickets that will let me travel more than 1000 km for less than the main course I had at a restaurant a couple of nights ago. Puts things into perspective...


March will mean visiting at least two new countries, listening to two languages I don't understand a word of, eating their delicious food, chilling to the interesting music beats, meeting all those amazing people along the way - let the games begin!





Tuesday, February 14, 2012

And so it's done.

A decision I'd been struggling with for a couple of loooong weeks. 

Making the last step was what I was struggling with, to be more exact, 'cause the decision seems to have been made already in December. It was supposed to be end of April at first, then end of March but a certain week and a couple of uncomfortable situations have helped me fastforward - end of Feb!

And so it's done - I've resigned!
Unemployed in 2,5 weeks -  can't wait!




Back on the road in ...
No, let's keep this one a secret for a little bit longer...



Friday, February 3, 2012

All roads lead to Rome

And hopefully my 2:30pm plane leaves it as well.
Hope to write you from Germany in the evening!