Day 363: Back again

It's been a long time since my last post. Mostly, I've been very lazy about feeding this blog; then I just rushed out of ideas, so I thought it was going to be too monotone and I suspended it for a while, that had been a long while. Now I'm back again. Hopefully, this time I'll be much more dedicated, I'll bring new ideas and be stick to my goal of writing a few posts every week. Not a big deal, but from my point of view is a great step.

Zara. It's almost a year that I'm working there. Still with my 16 hours, my same contract and my stockroom overnight duties. I'm getting used to it, I've got lots of spare time that I can spend doing what I like most. Old colleagues leaving, new colleagues coming: always the same story, but I'm quite happy now that we are a nice bunch of people.  

Gym. That's my first passion and that's how I spend a good part of my free time. Now going to the gym much more frequently and early in the morning. Love to have my time when most of the machines are free. Treadmill, row, crunch and push-ups just to warm up, then it starts the real training. I want to get fit before start again doing Krav Maga: it's just a matter of few months, then I'll be back again. 

IELTS. Now I'm studying during most of my spare time. Getting better and better every day, and practising my skills to achieve a good score on the exam booked for the end of this month. I know it's really hard, not only for the required hours of study but even for the specific format, but I think I can do it. I'm quite confident of my skills, but sometimes it's just a matter of luck. In any case, my English is already getting to a new level, even if it wasn't really easy to get there when you're already good at it. 

Roadhouse. IMHO, that's the best club in London. And after a week of work, training and study, it is the best way out. I won't tell you how good they are at making cocktails (even because sometimes I can't remember it, LOL!), but wines and whiskies are good enough to let you enjoy the night. That's my usual way to rock my Fridays, so why don't you join me?!

Day 76: Book vs. e-Reader

I love books. Printed books. I really like the texture and the smell of different papers, the shape and the design of the covers. And the feeling of having them in my hands. After a friend’s suggestion, I started thinking about e-Reader, but I'm still not persuaded of buying it. So, let’s list pros & cons.

Books pros:

• Property. A paper book is something real. You own it, it’s yours. You can underline it, make notes in the margins and display in your bookshelf.
  
• All senses involved. Having a paper book is not just about reading. It involves more senses than just sight. Smell, touch and hearing are very involved in reading paper books.
  
• Libraries and used books. You can borrow books from libraries for free or just buy used ones. You can do book crossing. All that books can be read by dozens of people over their lifetime.

Books cons:

• Weight and space. Paper books are heavy and cumbersome. It can be awkward to transport them and sometimes it’s hard to keep them open at a certain page. Finally, you have to find the space to store them (and maybe buy a bookshelf).
  
• Perishability. It is just paper. So, real books are affected by dust, dampness, yellowing and silverfish. Then, you can easily damage or lose them.
  
• Cost and sustainability. Books have to be printed, packaged, and distributed. From paper to plastic and fuel: it is very expensive to create them. They have a real impact on the environment. However, at the end, they are easily recyclable.

e-Reader pros:

• Portability. A little larger than a paperback book cover, the e-reader can easily be transported everywhere: thousands of books in just 200gr.
  
• All-in-one. Dictionary, clock, internet browser: a great world is hidden inside this small and slight device. There are even many tools very useful for reading, like highlighting, notes and immediate translation of foreign words. 
  
• Privacy. People can't see what you are reading and you can protect your book (and device) with a password.

e-Readers cons:

• Cost and sustainability. e-Readers are very expensive (start from 89£)and then you have to buy the books (and you can’t buy used ones). As well as real books, e-Readers have to be manufactured, packed and shipped. What happens after? Are all parts recyclable or will they boost the e-waste mountain? No more trees and paper, but are we sure that will be better?
  
• Battery and lifetime. Reading depends on a battery. You can really be wishful to read a book, but if your battery is flat, you can’t. And you have to remember to charge the device. What if it suddenly stop working? What if it fall from your hand? And if it get stolen?

Great readers. A TerraPass study explains that "e-readers are the more environmentally responsible choice only if you are reading in excess of 23 books per year (almost two books every month)". But if the keyword is money, I don’t think I will buy an e-Reader.

Reading is culture and culture should be free. So, why pay for something that is already free? I’ve my answer, but…

What do you think?

Day 66: Let It Snow...

I've always loved the snow. It gives you a sense of peace and softness. It's nice to stay at home while everything outside becomes slightly white, the snow falls and slowly drifts, so the anonymous landscape of everyday ironically becomes more visible. The snow it is not so much, not a real storm like in Montreal, but it's enough to make me feel joyful and relaxed.

Keyword: organisation. A week ago, newspapers and TVs announced that today would have snowed. Everyone knew and everyone was prepared. Indeed, everything here is extremely organised. Clear and frequently updated information, closed schools, salt on the roads, reduced public transport but fully in service and open shops till late. No one is concerned, there is no reason to be. 

After all it's just snow, not the end of the world! So, let it snow... 

Day 62: Two Months in London

Sorry. It passed a long time since the last time I wrote a post: I'm sorry, but I was not able to constantly update this blog till now. Time is money as businessmen say: it's not my case, but here in my new life in London the time is short and there are always plenty of things to do. However, from now on I will try to be more consistent: it is one of my good intentions for the coming months and for this new year! 

Changes. Since the last time I wrote (3 Dec. 2012), much changed. Just few days after that date, I found a room in the beautiful area of Wood Green, just 6 minutes from the tube station and within walking distance to all major shops, groceries stores and shopping centre.

Beautiful job. My Zara job goes on well and every day I love and I'm passionate about more and more. Organization and precision have always been two of my main skills and being able to practice them at work makes me excited: it's always nice to receive compliments for your work! Indeed, it's really appreciable the British habit of thanking those who work at the end of their shift, as the manager will always say "thank you for your time"... it's preferable not to think to the Italian comparison!

The new year began under a lucky star. I decided that, as I was in London, my new year would have to be absolutely original. So, putting aside my shyness, I went to a meetup with other 250 people in a traditional British pub in St. James's Park. Funny and amazing night: I drank good wine, I watched the fireworks on the Thames from a great spot, and above all, I talked to many people and take ​​contacts of some of them to meet them again in the future. A great experience.

My English is going better every day: movies, books and conversations with different people are helping me a lot to improve my vocabulary and my pronunciation. But it can never be enough! Indeed, one of the goals in the coming months is definitely to attend more meet-ups and meet as many people who speak English as possible, to attend an advanced class in writing and conversation and to get the IELTS Certificate with a good score. More effort and commitment in 2013.

Among many good intentions, the first one is to be more punctual. Too many times in the two past months here I've been late and for the British punctuality does really matter. I'm not talking about work, except for once when I made a mistake calculating the travel time from my new home to job place, but especially in interpersonal relationships. I have to learn to better manage my time within the next two months: this is my goal!

Two more. Finally, in addition to the previously stated goal of learning to iron shirts, there are two more good intentions related to each other: sleep less and make special every new day. Seven hours each night will be enough because sleeping more is a luxury. I'm in London, so I wish I could take the best of every day, every hour, every minute, making it special for me, thanking to still be here every time the sun rises.

Lots of ideas for the coming months. Once again, time is short, so now I need to get dressed and go out to attend the next meet-up, before it's too late.

Stay tuned! (I stole this beautiful expression to a dear friend of mine!)

Day 20: My First Pasta & My First Contract

Rain. Last week it rained only once: please stop saying that it always rains in London, it isn't true! It is cold and the temperature is almost below zero, but all days were sunny and it was a pleasure to get around. 

Finally a bit of pasta. I dreamed of a big plate of pasta from the first day I came in England and finally it arrived after almost three weeks. After being disgusted from having tasted a dish of it at the restaurant of the hostel (a strange carbonara with oregano!), finally a taste of home. In fact, the only things needed to breathe a bit of Italy were a nice house and a nice girl. And then, De Cecco pasta and basil sauce bottled in Salerno: what more could I desire from a meal in London!

Permanent job. That dish of pasta gave me the right energy to go to sign the contract with Zara. At the Recruitment Centre, there were only two other people who had part to the group interview with me. Some signatures, details of your bank account and I've done. A permanent contract with three-month trial, a dream for those who come from Italy. My dream. I will start next Wednesday: ti will be hard and tiring, but I'm ready.

Day 15: I've got a job..

Second job interview. Today, at 11.30 am I went to the store in 333 Oxford street (close to Bond Street Tube Station) for the second job interview, in the same store where I'll work if I'm hired. Great preparation and great anxiety. The song "Hall of Fame" and the Al Pacino's motivational speech of the film "Any Given Sunday" gave me the power I needed.

Italians everywhere. I arrived early at the store, trying to find out information about that place: almost all people I asked where Italians, included the recruiter for the interview. But, as usual, we had to speak English. The interview was quick: after brief introduction of myself and of my CV, she started asking questions and explaining me the position I'll take if I'm successful. It was pretty easy, except for a question: "what's your weakness?". But I tried to give a positive idea of it, and it worked.. Anyway, if I was successful I would receive a call directly from the Zara Recruitment Centre in 120 Regent Street.

And it happened. On the way back to the hostel, I avoided taking the tube and I preferred the bus to be always reachable. At 4.30 pm the call came. I'm hired as a stockroom assistant: I will work 16 hours a week with two shifts of 8 hours on Wednesday and Saturday from midnight to 8 am. And due I will be working at night, Zara will pay me double. It means: working for 16 hours and being paid for 32! Perfect! On Monday I will sign the contract! I can't wait!

Day 14: A Strange Idea of Family (Zara & Leon)

Job interviews day. I had two different job interviews scheduled for today. The first one at Zara in 120 Regent Street, at 11.30 am for a group one. The second one at Leon Restaurant, a healthy fast food chain pretty famous in London, at 3pm in a place close to London Brigde tube station. A strange day with a funny epilogue. 

Zara time. I got there earlier than 11.30 am: punctuality in London very very important. The recruiter was an young Italian gay guy that spoke a good English but sometimes he found difficulty in finding the right word for the speech. For me, it was really easy because my Italian friend Eleonora the day before explained me her job interview step-by-step, so I knew before others the right answers to all questions. Indeed, I fully studied the company website, so I was the one who answered all questions about that. Preparation is better than luck. The interview lasted almost a hour: in my opinion, I did a great job. In fact, around 5pm the recruiter phoned me back to offer me the position of Stockroom Assistant and giving me the opportunity for a face-to-face interview tomorrow at Zara in Oxford Street. Just one last step, I can't wait for tomorrow. 

Funny family idea. At 3 pm I went to the job interview in Leon. The welcome wasn't one of the best because in the recruitment centre there were other twenty people, packed in a small and too warm room. It was a really strange group interview because all candidates had to play games (like quibbles, brainstorming, Jenga) while being watched by recruiters to show their proper skills for the job. A funny way to look for employees. The best part was to discover how the restaurant ran. Leon is considerate a real family so employees have to call managers' restaurants DAD and MOM. Hi Dad, hi Mom! The managers' chief was the UNCLE and Leon's boss was the GRANDFATHER. I'd never thought there could be another different idea of family. For me, it was too much, so I left the job interview, I couldn't handle that. 

My second family. It's really amazing to find different ways of family around the world. I found one here in hostel. Some other wonderful Italian guys with whom share time, meals and days. Beers, chocolate pralines and cakes: we can't wish for better. I think I'll miss this hostel life and this way of family. 

Day 10: Room... Coffee... Job!

It's a lot of time I don't write here. I had plenty of things to do and time is very short. In these days, I visited at least ten different rooms, I applied for some jobs, I dropped plenty of my CVs in the streets and more other things. Very tiring days passed in a kind of fast motion: I usually run from a place to another one, so I have just a little spare time and I prefer to spend it with the friends I met in hostel and have a beer with them every evening.

I visited many kinds of rooms and I met many strange people. Two of them were truly dirty: the space outside the door was full of garbage and inside the situation was ever worst. Others were family house, so I would have my single room, but I had to share the house with a family with children: I felt uncomfortable since I got inside. Finally, in other cases, landlords wanted particular kind of tenant, like a vegetarian one or an early night sleeper. Mankind can be really surprising. Anyway, maybe I found a room that I really like and I even went out to have a beer with the current tenants. Next week I'll be able to say more on that. 

These days were almost sunny. Wednesday was a strong windy day and Thursday evening there was a heavy shower until the next morning. Anyway, it is very pleasant to be outside and walk: cold isn't yet so strong. 

I started drinking coffee even here. In London, there is a very famous chain called Caffe' Nero that serves one of the best espresso I've ever had abroad. It's a little expensive (1,45£, about 1,80€) but it's worth it. And this company has also a loyalty card: after nine paid coffees you get one for free! I tasted even some other espresso at Starbucks, Costa and Coffee Republic but Caffe' Nero is really the best one. 

Now I have to go... see you soon in the next post. :)

Day 5: Coffee & Sandwich

A coffee. A real Italian espresso. That's what I miss. In hostel, an espresso is a weak instant coffee made of hot water and coffee powder and so watery that it can take up even more than half big cup. It smells good but its taste was weak and disgusting. Anyway, I think it may contain a little amount of caffeine and I need it in the morning, so I decided I should drink it. Outside the hostel, unfortunately, an espresso costs too much, at least more than two euros, so I just quit it. I'm waiting to a room and a kitchen to set up my personal moka and my coffee powder. I can't wait anymore.

Nice to meet Mr. Sandwich. Yes, it's me. Living in a hostel forced me to eat out all my meals. I strongly decided not to eat pizza and pasta until I can cook by myself, so the only solution is eating sandwiches. I mean homemade sandwiches, not just fast food ones, like McDonald's, Burger King or Subway. In London there are a lot of "penny markets" (like "Dollarama" in Canada) where you can buy everything for a pound or less. That's my favourite shop. And that's where I eat everyday. Yes, Mr. Sandwich!

Day 4: Lovely Camden

Camden, lovely Camden. Today I took a long walk from my hostel to Camden Town, around 40 minutes. I really love enjoy all places by feeling them on my skin. Every street, every corner has something different and it's very amazing to experience it. And Camden is one of my favourite place in London: a lot of curios shops, strange bunch of people, new kind of food and further more.  I went there for lunch and it was for me a great surprise. I tasted plenty of different food: Turkish wrap, Argentinian sausage, British pork, chips without fish, Chinese noodles and Brazilian chorizo. Just a place to eat after another, so the choice was pretty easy. Then, I took another long walk until Piccadilly Circus, trying to digest everything.

What about rooms? While walking on Oxford Street, I received an email to allow me to visit a room close to Shepherd's Bush Station. So, I ran by bus to get there in time, but it wasn't easy to find the place. Anyway, along the way, I met some other guys that were there for these same reason. It was a nice room, but too expensive, so I decided to extend my stay at the hostel and keep looking for it. I've already arranged some visits for tomorrow, hoping to find a nice place to stay. Finding a room is more difficult than I could think before departing. 

Beer time. After all walking day, I got hostel by bus. In these days, I'm choosing buses instead of subways as much as possible. Moving by bus is in fact the best way to enjoy the trip and look all around the city. So, after this tiring day, I really deserved a beer. And I enjoyed it. 

Day 1: Hostel & O2

I'm here. I arrived at Gatwick Airport around 9 am. The flight was pleasant with a save landing and luckily no one claps the hands to the pilot. It was a cold but sunny day. Thanks to my elettronic passport, I jumped all the long queue to allow you to get inside UK and London. I could decide the way to get to the city between train and bus, and I chose the last one. In fact, I decided to feel immediately the sensation of driving in the wrong way: it was pretty short because I felt asleep as I got in and woke up just ten minutes before arriving. Then I arrived at Victoria Station and I needed to carry up and down all the stairs my two luggage. Remember me next time not to bring them any more, but just bags I can load on my shoulders.

I arrived sweating at my hostel. It was pretty easy to find. The 28-bed-room was conformable and not so full of people. I looked my important stuff, left my two heavy luggage and then I went out. At the beginning, I felt some strange sensations: I thought I still was in Rome, but just people, buildings and streets were different. For few minutes, I kept asking myself what I was doing here, then I just enjoyed the day. 

Look right, look left. Before crossing the streets, here it is necessary to look before at the own right then at the own left. My first times were really risky, but I was lucky because were anyway far. Then I slowly learn to handle it, even because as I put a feet on the street cars would immediaely stop. I took a long walk avoiding to spend money for the undergound and I really enjoyed it, even if I got lost several times. The neighbourhood (West Hampstead) was sorrounded of beautiful shops, cheap grocieres stores and especially KFC fastfoods. They are at every corner and even if I don't like it, I know I'm gonna try it. But not now, because I'm trying not to spend so much money by eating in the restaurants.

New mobile number. At the end, I finally reach the reason of my walking: the O2 shop. And there I bought a prepaid sim card, like in the CSI films. You don't need to registrate, nor to leave your I.D. or signature. You just pay and get a new phone number. So, now I can be a serial killer. Then, I walked back to the hostel. My day is over, I can hard spell correclty out my words. Good night! :)

14 Days to London: Raining

Rainy day. Rain coming down all day long, non-stop. In the common sense, it's a perfect London day. But I've never been afraid of bad weather. So, let's go out.

I woke up late, failing all my daily plans. I had many things to do before leaving, but I just quit them. So, my day started with disappointment: I wasn't able to respect what I planned to do. It has always happened, but now my days in Italy are very few.

So, I went out just wearing my coat and bringing an umbrella with me. I didn't need anything else, expect for a book in my pocket. People angry and annoyed everywhere. Why should you be angry about bad weather?  You can't do anything to change it, just live and be in peace with yourself. Open your umbrella and go wherever you have to, but please stop complain about it.

I felt so in peace with myself that I called my barber and asked him if he could cut all my hair off. He said yes: I was the happiest guy in that bus stop under the rain. I took two crowded buses with all my patience, and finally I got there. And I shaved my head. That beautiful sensation of not caring any more about my hair. Another step towards greater comfort and, obviously, towards London.

Then, I went back home. I changed my wet clothes and I went swimming. From the water to the water: no pain, just relaxing sensations. Being in the pool always give me back my forces. The best conclusion for a tiring and rainy day. Or not.

It's the Halloween night, but I don't care. Saving money is my first principle now. So, feeling a little bad with a starting cold I just went bed. Good night to ghosts and monsters.