Well actually if you are going by weather, here in Ireland its neither.
Unless you count cold, rain soaked days as fall weather, which I don't. (I'm being a season snob and I don't care!)
In the states we call the season between winter and summer, fall. Here they call it Autumn. I personally don't care for the word. It almost sounds uppity to me. "Oh its Autumn....tra la la le da." (because thats how posh people talk. we all know its true.)
Every time I say fall though I am quickly corrected by the nearest Irish person. Typically this involves a slow head shake as they say you silly American, when will you learn your English.
Anyways. I usually love fall. I love to see the colors changing. I love that crisp feeling in the air and being able to pull all of my sweaters out from the back of the closet where they were shoved all summer. I love the sunshine and light in the afternoons. The pumpkins and corn mazes and hay rides. I love seeing the Halloween decorations in the stores and have a total love/hate relationship with the dreaded countdown to Christmas.
Fall in Ireland? It doesn't live up to my expectations. Why should it though? Its a completely different country, in a different latitude on the other side of the Atlantic (the COLD side. hrmph). Here the leaves begin changing as early as late august. And strangely enough it never seems like there is a bursting of color on the trees like there was in America. It just kinda slowly changes and they fall off and thats it. I can't even seem to find huge piles of leaves on the sidewalks like you would back home. (you know the kind you can shuffle your feet through and they make that great rustling/crunching sound) There are no hay rides here. The pumpkins are rare. You can only seem to find them at Tesco and they are tiny and insanely overpriced. (seriously 5 euros for a "large" pumpkin....the pumpkin is about the same size as a box of kleenex!) Its just not the same. I don't think that Ireland has to change, I think my expectations need some work though.
Fall here is more of a teaser for winter weather. Its basically the same as winter, just about 10 degrees warmer. So far it has been grey skies and rain all day long. It makes it hard to get out of bed some mornings, but since this is my second time experiencing winter weather here, I find it much easier to get on with my day this time around.
I do have to say though, I have been sick the past couple of days and today I finally have the chance to stay at home and rest and there is no better weather for laying on the couch all day than cold, rainy weather. Another thing that is good about the grey skies all of the time is how much I appreciate sunshine when we get it. Last week we had a sunny afternoon (not day, we don't really get days that are entirely sunny!) and I couldn't get over how colorful everything was! I really appreciated the beauty of that afternoon of sunshine more than I would have if we got sunshine all the time.
I think this year instead of wishing that fall here was more like in America I am going to try and be creative. Make it something nice for me. Make sure that I celebrate Thanksgiving and do a pumpkin for Halloween. So bring it on Ireland- fall (not autumn) style!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Bittersweet
Oh life, with your twists and turns.
Well I have come into a bit of luck lately. A little too much luck. (is there such a thing?)
Its all a little complicated so I won't get into details. But in the last couple of weeks I have been offered interviews left and right. I accepted each and every one of them (hey you never know) and then proceeded to fit them in my schedule somewhere.
I got offered one job (one which I really hoped to get) and I accepted it straight away. It is only a part time position but it's a company that has branches all over the UK, Europe and is now owned by the biggest electronics retailer in America. (I'm not naming names, you can figure it out for yourself haha) In my mind that says to me OPTIONS. I can move with this job. I can transfer. There is also a ton of upward mobility and opportunity with this job if I do well.
Then I had an interview the day after I accepted this job. I went despite accepting the offer because the job was only part time and I was worried about finances. I was offered a job on the spot. I asked them to wait a week before I told them yes or no. They were calling me 4 days later chomping at the bit to have me, promising me the first managers position that opened up. When I told them about the job I had already accepted they pretty much told me I had to work with them and no one else. So I then declined this position. (not as good of a company, pay was the same, not as much mobility in terms of countries.)
Then this morning I had a second informal interview with an Irish company. They sell high end kitchen supplies and home furnishings. The informal interview was basically to tell me you have the position. It was for a mangers job. Basically everything I have wanted since I moved here nearly 2 years ago. A managers job. In a small shop with normal working hours. I would love love love this job. But there is no mobility. small company, not a lot of room for promotion. Only three other locations in Ireland. If we move to Dublin next year I'm out of a job. And the nail in the coffin for me is that the store is located in the city centre here in Limerick. The city centre is dead. no one shops there, especially for high end kitchen wares. Who can really afford to splash out 60 quid for a single pan?? Not many people, especially here in Limerick. Taking this job, while everything I want, is a complete and total risk. So I go to the interview, its going great. Then I drop the bomb shell and inform this woman who I would be working with about the job I already accepted. I was basically told that I could only work the job there and not at the other place I had accepted. I told her I wasn't willing to give up that other job. She looked at me like I was an idiot. She probably did think I was an idiot. Who in their right mind would pass up a management spot (especially with all of my experience) for a part time job? I asked her if it was possible for them to let me work there part time that I would love that and that I feel that I would be a really great fit in the store, which she agreed, but told me she felt it wasn't possible.
I'm expecting my rejection email sometime early tomorrow.
I was absolutely gutted (as the Irish say) leaving the store. I was able to walk around the corner before I started crying. I felt like I just had one of those "turning point" moments where if I chose path A my life would be very different than if I chose path B. I started panicking thinking oh god, have I made the worst decision? What if path A is the wrong choice and I've just screwed myself completely?? I called James and he talked me off my emotional edge- kinda. I moved from panic to pity. All I could think of then was how long I waited and tried and failed and wished for an opportunity like this and how stupid I was to pass it up. I just felt so alone and tired and stupid and horrible.
Then I did something incredibly smart that I almost never do. I called my dad. It was incredibly early in America (around 6am) but he was up and answered. He is the one person that I know is really great about all things work related. I'm sure getting a call from his daughter first thing with her crying about jobs wasn't the highlight of his morning. But he really helped me see that I had made a sound decision. That thinking long term, while not beneficial in the short term will pay off. That some risks aren't worth taking even though they promise a lot. My dad and I don't get along that well, but today was nice. He was able to comfort and calm me down and be supportive which was exactly what I needed in that moment.
I guess basically what this post is all about is timing. Life doesn't work out the way we want it to. I hoped and hoped for interviews and job offers for months. I finally got them, but just too many at once. Any decision with work can be risky no matter how much you prepare. I just made the best decision I felt I could make with my resources and information I had at hand. So while it sucks that I couldn't make it work for a full time job, I'm really happy that I finally, FINALLY, got a new job, and I'm feeling ok about the choice I made.
Next step? Quitting the job I'm at now (thats right people, I've been too chicken to hand in my notice, and I'm scared about the pay cut.). I'm working both jobs at the moment and am working about 60 hours this week. (I'm just a little tired. just a tad.) but I will be handing in the notice friday. woooo hoooo!
Well I have come into a bit of luck lately. A little too much luck. (is there such a thing?)
Its all a little complicated so I won't get into details. But in the last couple of weeks I have been offered interviews left and right. I accepted each and every one of them (hey you never know) and then proceeded to fit them in my schedule somewhere.
I got offered one job (one which I really hoped to get) and I accepted it straight away. It is only a part time position but it's a company that has branches all over the UK, Europe and is now owned by the biggest electronics retailer in America. (I'm not naming names, you can figure it out for yourself haha) In my mind that says to me OPTIONS. I can move with this job. I can transfer. There is also a ton of upward mobility and opportunity with this job if I do well.
Then I had an interview the day after I accepted this job. I went despite accepting the offer because the job was only part time and I was worried about finances. I was offered a job on the spot. I asked them to wait a week before I told them yes or no. They were calling me 4 days later chomping at the bit to have me, promising me the first managers position that opened up. When I told them about the job I had already accepted they pretty much told me I had to work with them and no one else. So I then declined this position. (not as good of a company, pay was the same, not as much mobility in terms of countries.)
Then this morning I had a second informal interview with an Irish company. They sell high end kitchen supplies and home furnishings. The informal interview was basically to tell me you have the position. It was for a mangers job. Basically everything I have wanted since I moved here nearly 2 years ago. A managers job. In a small shop with normal working hours. I would love love love this job. But there is no mobility. small company, not a lot of room for promotion. Only three other locations in Ireland. If we move to Dublin next year I'm out of a job. And the nail in the coffin for me is that the store is located in the city centre here in Limerick. The city centre is dead. no one shops there, especially for high end kitchen wares. Who can really afford to splash out 60 quid for a single pan?? Not many people, especially here in Limerick. Taking this job, while everything I want, is a complete and total risk. So I go to the interview, its going great. Then I drop the bomb shell and inform this woman who I would be working with about the job I already accepted. I was basically told that I could only work the job there and not at the other place I had accepted. I told her I wasn't willing to give up that other job. She looked at me like I was an idiot. She probably did think I was an idiot. Who in their right mind would pass up a management spot (especially with all of my experience) for a part time job? I asked her if it was possible for them to let me work there part time that I would love that and that I feel that I would be a really great fit in the store, which she agreed, but told me she felt it wasn't possible.
I'm expecting my rejection email sometime early tomorrow.
I was absolutely gutted (as the Irish say) leaving the store. I was able to walk around the corner before I started crying. I felt like I just had one of those "turning point" moments where if I chose path A my life would be very different than if I chose path B. I started panicking thinking oh god, have I made the worst decision? What if path A is the wrong choice and I've just screwed myself completely?? I called James and he talked me off my emotional edge- kinda. I moved from panic to pity. All I could think of then was how long I waited and tried and failed and wished for an opportunity like this and how stupid I was to pass it up. I just felt so alone and tired and stupid and horrible.
Then I did something incredibly smart that I almost never do. I called my dad. It was incredibly early in America (around 6am) but he was up and answered. He is the one person that I know is really great about all things work related. I'm sure getting a call from his daughter first thing with her crying about jobs wasn't the highlight of his morning. But he really helped me see that I had made a sound decision. That thinking long term, while not beneficial in the short term will pay off. That some risks aren't worth taking even though they promise a lot. My dad and I don't get along that well, but today was nice. He was able to comfort and calm me down and be supportive which was exactly what I needed in that moment.
I guess basically what this post is all about is timing. Life doesn't work out the way we want it to. I hoped and hoped for interviews and job offers for months. I finally got them, but just too many at once. Any decision with work can be risky no matter how much you prepare. I just made the best decision I felt I could make with my resources and information I had at hand. So while it sucks that I couldn't make it work for a full time job, I'm really happy that I finally, FINALLY, got a new job, and I'm feeling ok about the choice I made.
Next step? Quitting the job I'm at now (thats right people, I've been too chicken to hand in my notice, and I'm scared about the pay cut.). I'm working both jobs at the moment and am working about 60 hours this week. (I'm just a little tired. just a tad.) but I will be handing in the notice friday. woooo hoooo!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Sleep? Pshhh who needs it
The last few weeks in the Taylor house have been a little hectic. And by hectic I mean completely insanely busy!
So apparently moving house, working 45 hour weeks, interviewing 5 or 6 times, driving all over mid-west Ireland and heading to Spain for 3 days all at the same time keeps one kind of busy.
Between James and I we have probably slept about 20 hours in the past two weeks. (well probably more, but it sure does feel that way!)
But its been great. There have been a lot of huge changes, but really good changes.
Like our great new house. We now live on the other side of Limerick. In an actual house that is about the same size as our last flat. And its 150 less per month. That might not seem like a lot for some people, but for me working with my shoe-string budget its a life changing amount of money to save! (I might actually have financial wiggle room! woot woot!)
Also after a year and a half of applications, CVs, interviews and banging my head against the wall I seem to have had some success on the job front. (FINALLYYYYYY!!!) I had about 5 interviews in 3 days, 2 job offers so far and another 2 interviews scheduled for next week.
So apparently moving house, working 45 hour weeks, interviewing 5 or 6 times, driving all over mid-west Ireland and heading to Spain for 3 days all at the same time keeps one kind of busy.
Between James and I we have probably slept about 20 hours in the past two weeks. (well probably more, but it sure does feel that way!)
But its been great. There have been a lot of huge changes, but really good changes.
Like our great new house. We now live on the other side of Limerick. In an actual house that is about the same size as our last flat. And its 150 less per month. That might not seem like a lot for some people, but for me working with my shoe-string budget its a life changing amount of money to save! (I might actually have financial wiggle room! woot woot!)
Also after a year and a half of applications, CVs, interviews and banging my head against the wall I seem to have had some success on the job front. (FINALLYYYYYY!!!) I had about 5 interviews in 3 days, 2 job offers so far and another 2 interviews scheduled for next week.
(happy dance....HAPPY DANCE!!!!)
I don't know what changed. My work experience hasn't changed, nor my CV but that doesn't matter so much to me. I'm just happy I finally got a break.
So lots going on. Lots of good things. I'm pretty happy and super stressed right now (strange combination haha!) but I'm really looking forward to what I feel like is the second phase of my life here in Ireland.
Onward and upward people, onward and upward!
So lots going on. Lots of good things. I'm pretty happy and super stressed right now (strange combination haha!) but I'm really looking forward to what I feel like is the second phase of my life here in Ireland.
Onward and upward people, onward and upward!
Friday, September 23, 2011
When it rains it pours...
I have been job searching for a year and a half.
Let me tell you, its been a learning experience. Job hunting overseas isn't easy- no matter what ANYONE tells you. I swear I have never been more frustrated and disappointed so many times in all of my life.
Ive gone months without interviews now. Sending in application after application with no response or email inbox full of rejections.
Until this past week.
So far I have had three interviews. In a week. For really really great jobs.
I just got home from two excellent interviews. One lasted an hour and a half. One went so well I left feeling like I was on cloud 9. (and I would LOVE to work at the company!)
I got home and started some laundry preparing to go to my current job. I glance at my phone and see that I missed a call.
Another call from another job I applied for. I have yet ANOTHER interview for tomorrow morning.
Wow. Just wow. I am so thankful for these interviews. I know they aren't job offers but they are something. A move in the right direction. A sliver of hope that my life might improve for James and me.
I really hope that someone sees something in me that they want at their company. I would so love to get my foot in this employment door here in Ireland. I just feel like I would be so much happier here when I have a job that not only sufficiently provides for my family,but that gives me the job satisfaction I left behind in the states.
Heres to hope! Keep you fingers crossed for me people!
Let me tell you, its been a learning experience. Job hunting overseas isn't easy- no matter what ANYONE tells you. I swear I have never been more frustrated and disappointed so many times in all of my life.
Ive gone months without interviews now. Sending in application after application with no response or email inbox full of rejections.
Until this past week.
So far I have had three interviews. In a week. For really really great jobs.
I just got home from two excellent interviews. One lasted an hour and a half. One went so well I left feeling like I was on cloud 9. (and I would LOVE to work at the company!)
I got home and started some laundry preparing to go to my current job. I glance at my phone and see that I missed a call.
Another call from another job I applied for. I have yet ANOTHER interview for tomorrow morning.
Wow. Just wow. I am so thankful for these interviews. I know they aren't job offers but they are something. A move in the right direction. A sliver of hope that my life might improve for James and me.
I really hope that someone sees something in me that they want at their company. I would so love to get my foot in this employment door here in Ireland. I just feel like I would be so much happier here when I have a job that not only sufficiently provides for my family,but that gives me the job satisfaction I left behind in the states.
Heres to hope! Keep you fingers crossed for me people!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Just when I thought I had him trained....
...Something like this happens:
Yes folks- that is the kitty litter scooper IN THE DISHWASHER!!!!!!
I opened the dishwasher this morning to unload the dishes james washed last night. When I saw that he put the scooper in there I gasped in horror- stared for a minute. took that picture. closed the dishwasher.
Yeah. Im just not even going to deal with it. James will be rewashing those dishes. after we clean out the dishwasher.
I have no clue what train of thought would lead james to think that putting the kitty litter scooper in with the things we eat off of. Just when he was doing so good.
I'm off to go set the forks on fire.
Yes folks- that is the kitty litter scooper IN THE DISHWASHER!!!!!!
I opened the dishwasher this morning to unload the dishes james washed last night. When I saw that he put the scooper in there I gasped in horror- stared for a minute. took that picture. closed the dishwasher.
Yeah. Im just not even going to deal with it. James will be rewashing those dishes. after we clean out the dishwasher.
I have no clue what train of thought would lead james to think that putting the kitty litter scooper in with the things we eat off of. Just when he was doing so good.
I'm off to go set the forks on fire.
Monday, September 12, 2011
10 Years
In ten years lot can change. For most people in ten years a lot does change.
I will never forget that moment ten years ago when the entire world changed.
I was sitting in english class, second period.
A girl named Kathy had heard that there was an accident in New York and asked the teacher if we could turn on the TV and see if it was on the news. Being teenagers and looking for any distraction from our schoolwork we all begged the teacher to turn on the news.
She relented and turned the TV on to NBC News. At first there were just pictures of a smoking building and plenty of confusion on the newscasters side of the story. Reports of a commercial jet accident hitting the World Trade Center.
As we sat there watching the news we saw the second plane hit. Live.
In that moment of pure confusion and horror the world changed.
We watched as the first building, and then as the second, fell.
In each class the rest of the day there was silence. Lessons forgotten. TVs turned on. Tears fell.
I don't remember that evening, I don't remember the next day. But I will never forget as long as I live the feeling I felt in those moments watching the news. Even to this day when I get asked what it was like in America on 9/11 a chill still comes over my body.
I do know this though- no matter how far away from home I am, or how long ago 9/11 was I will never forget that moment. I will never forget the sacrifices made that day. I will never forget the weeks following that day- that tension and fear and brotherhood and patriotism.
I KNOW I will never forget.
I will never forget that moment ten years ago when the entire world changed.
I was sitting in english class, second period.
A girl named Kathy had heard that there was an accident in New York and asked the teacher if we could turn on the TV and see if it was on the news. Being teenagers and looking for any distraction from our schoolwork we all begged the teacher to turn on the news.
She relented and turned the TV on to NBC News. At first there were just pictures of a smoking building and plenty of confusion on the newscasters side of the story. Reports of a commercial jet accident hitting the World Trade Center.
As we sat there watching the news we saw the second plane hit. Live.
In that moment of pure confusion and horror the world changed.
We watched as the first building, and then as the second, fell.
In each class the rest of the day there was silence. Lessons forgotten. TVs turned on. Tears fell.
I don't remember that evening, I don't remember the next day. But I will never forget as long as I live the feeling I felt in those moments watching the news. Even to this day when I get asked what it was like in America on 9/11 a chill still comes over my body.
I do know this though- no matter how far away from home I am, or how long ago 9/11 was I will never forget that moment. I will never forget the sacrifices made that day. I will never forget the weeks following that day- that tension and fear and brotherhood and patriotism.
I KNOW I will never forget.Thursday, September 8, 2011
RATS!
So I met an american woman the other day.
Her american accent was so strong I thought she was a tourist- So I asked her, as I always do when I run across Americans where she was from.
She said she was from San Diego but that she lived in Ireland now.
(GASP! Another American!! In Limerick!!)
So I asked her how long she lived in Limerick- She said 11 years which shocked the crap outta me- 11 years of living in Ireland and her accent was still so American!! I've only been here a year and a half and my accent is all over the place! I actually was mistaken for Irish the other day (by another Irish person surprisingly enough!) and when I told that person I was American they said "Oh yeah- I can hear a hint of an American accent in there!"
So 11 years and her accent not changing? Astounding!
Anyways- well so we got to chatting briefly and I told her that I hadn't met any other Americans here yet and would love to meet up with some.
She was surprised and right away asked me for my number so we could get together. I was more than delighted and gave her my mobile number.
And then I waited...and waited some more.
She hasn't called.
Sadface.
Its like giving your number to a cute guy....you hope they call...you wonder if they are going to play that stupid game and wait 3 days before they call.
And then no call.
rats.
Who knows, maybe she will call still....maybe she lost my number? I don't know.
I hope she does though.....I really want some American buddies on this side of the Atlantic.
Her american accent was so strong I thought she was a tourist- So I asked her, as I always do when I run across Americans where she was from.
She said she was from San Diego but that she lived in Ireland now.
(GASP! Another American!! In Limerick!!)
So I asked her how long she lived in Limerick- She said 11 years which shocked the crap outta me- 11 years of living in Ireland and her accent was still so American!! I've only been here a year and a half and my accent is all over the place! I actually was mistaken for Irish the other day (by another Irish person surprisingly enough!) and when I told that person I was American they said "Oh yeah- I can hear a hint of an American accent in there!"
So 11 years and her accent not changing? Astounding!
Anyways- well so we got to chatting briefly and I told her that I hadn't met any other Americans here yet and would love to meet up with some.
She was surprised and right away asked me for my number so we could get together. I was more than delighted and gave her my mobile number.
And then I waited...and waited some more.
She hasn't called.
Sadface.
Its like giving your number to a cute guy....you hope they call...you wonder if they are going to play that stupid game and wait 3 days before they call.
And then no call.
rats.
Who knows, maybe she will call still....maybe she lost my number? I don't know.
I hope she does though.....I really want some American buddies on this side of the Atlantic.
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