Generally I do not allow myself to write late at night. So here is another exception.
I am entering Easter having had a very eventful week. I came back from South Africa on Monday, and then I moved into a new place on Wednesday.
There are many things to be said about SA. It is a beautiful country. I wish I could see things through the eyes of the people who live there – it is so easy to become a Mr Know-it-All. My friend Leah would have had a tough week without me being there, so she deserves praise for surviving me - and being a great host. Not like she had a choice...
Africa is probably not a finished chapter for me. When I get good at project management, I hope to get an opportunity to join my company’s office in Johannesburg on a short-term assignment. But first a few years in Guildford.
Good opportunities come to those who pray and work their asses off.
Today Simon has:
Listened to Def Leppard's Hysteria
Read Fortune and how American companies utilises the leadership qualities of ex-soldiers
Noticed that I am not always happy
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Monday, 30 November 2009
Travhell
Today I am back in the Reading office after a few great days on the run. However, the week did definitely not start as I had planned.
This was my itinerary for Monday a week ago:
Guildford - Coventry
6:12 – 6:52 Train from Guildford Station to Reading
7:10 – 8.22 Train from Reading to Coventry
8:30 – 8:45 Taxi from Coventry Station to the Ericsson site at Ansty Park
9:00 – 17:00 Graduate training in Coventry
This is what happened:
6:00 @ Guildford Station
I turn up in Guildford in good time to get the train to Reading, only to find out that the train was cancelled. The next train departed half an hour later, ensuring that I would miss my Coventry train in Reading.
7:20 @ Reading Station
I knew that the next train to Coventry would depart one hour later, so after a breakfast sandwich in Reading I took the 8:12 train instead. I also sent a text to my colleagues, so that they would be aware of my late arrival.
My estimated arrival in Coventry is now 9:22. Not ideal, but still reasonable. Unfortunately, the following announcement came on the PA after the train had rolled on slowly for a while:
“If you are wondering why we are moving slowly, this is because of a freight train hanging around the area. We will be able to overtake it shortly.”
The expected arrival at Birmingham New Street Station (final destination) would occur 20 minutes or so later than planned, according to the announcement.
Approaching Coventry:
Cheery PA Announcement: “I am sorry, but unfortunately a train is blocking our platform at Coventry Station. This means that we will not stop at Coventry or Birmingham International. So you will be joining us up in Birmingham instead!”
Great. I thought. This could not really go any worse. We were told that a train taking us to Coventry would depart 10:10, and we actually reached Birmingham just in time to take that train.
10:08 @ Birmingham New Street Station
However, the following announcement sounded at Birmingham Station: “Unfortunately the train to London Euston has been cancelled due to a fire on a train at Coventry Station. Further announcements will be made once we have more information.”
Great. I sat down waiting and after 1 h and 10 mins (11:20) I finally got onto a train that would take me on a 20 minute journey to Coventry Station.
PA Announcement by the cheery Virgin Trains steward:
“Good morning everybody. We seem to have lost our crew, so we won’t be running a catering service on this train. We seem to really have a great day!”
Two minutes later:
“I am sorry, but I forgot to tell you where we are going today. But as much as I like magical mystery tours, here are our stops on our way to London Euston….” (stops announced)
11:40 @ Coventry Station
I get to Coventry 11:40. I am very hungry and looking forward to lunch. After a few minutes of waiting in the taxi rank, I eventually catch a cab. This cab looks older than any of the other cars available. But I thought that he probably knew what he was doing.
I had been told by a colleague that the taxi journey would cost me around £15.
After getting into the car, I find out that the driver does not know where the Ericsson office at Ansty Park is, so he asks me for a post code for his sat nav.
“CV2 2TF”, I tell him, specifying the last two letters using a makeshift interpretation of the NATO alphabet.
After 40 minutes the taximeter shows £25, and still no office in sight. He is asking me repeatedly whether that really is the right postcode.
After a while, I get to see it on a note where he had written it. The note says CD2 2TF. As there is no such post code, he looked up the region CD – which apparently is quite south of Birmingham.
Around 12:45 @ The Completely Wrong Motorway
When I see a sign saying Birmingham International Airport, I realise that this is probably very wrong. The taxi driver was nice though, and it was partly my fault that he did not get the postcode right.
He switches of the taximeter when it is showing £58 (700 Swedish Kronor), saying that it would not be fair to charge me that much.
13:40 @ Ericsson, Ansty Park
After nearly two hours, and some help from my sat nav, we reach the office. As I only had £23 in cash – he was happy to accept that. I was also given a book by this Muslim driver on why you do not have to say goodbye to your brain when becoming a Christian(!). Very kind of him and I will read it properly at some point.
After Arrival
I managed to get out some of the training, although I only got a couple of hours of it. As Jonas (the other Project Management graduate from the UK) and I were departing Birmingham to Stockholm (via Copenhagen), we had to leave 17:00. This as our flight would leave Britain at 19:00.
Thankfully, our taxi found Coventry Station, and our train stopped at Birmingham International. In addition, our flights departed on time and we were ten minutes early arriving in Stockholm Arlanda. Our Stockholm taxi driver knew where our hotel was, and I hit the bed just after 1 am local time. Phew!
All this was written on Thursday night onboard the flight to the UK from Stockholm.
Today Simon has:
Listened to an announcement in Guildford about a cancelled train - that did not affect him!
Read stuff on the new Ericsson website, particularly this section
Noticed that he has all reasons to be proud of the place where he works
This was my itinerary for Monday a week ago:
Guildford - Coventry
6:12 – 6:52 Train from Guildford Station to Reading
7:10 – 8.22 Train from Reading to Coventry
8:30 – 8:45 Taxi from Coventry Station to the Ericsson site at Ansty Park
9:00 – 17:00 Graduate training in Coventry
This is what happened:
6:00 @ Guildford Station
I turn up in Guildford in good time to get the train to Reading, only to find out that the train was cancelled. The next train departed half an hour later, ensuring that I would miss my Coventry train in Reading.
7:20 @ Reading Station
I knew that the next train to Coventry would depart one hour later, so after a breakfast sandwich in Reading I took the 8:12 train instead. I also sent a text to my colleagues, so that they would be aware of my late arrival.
My estimated arrival in Coventry is now 9:22. Not ideal, but still reasonable. Unfortunately, the following announcement came on the PA after the train had rolled on slowly for a while:
“If you are wondering why we are moving slowly, this is because of a freight train hanging around the area. We will be able to overtake it shortly.”
The expected arrival at Birmingham New Street Station (final destination) would occur 20 minutes or so later than planned, according to the announcement.
Approaching Coventry:
Cheery PA Announcement: “I am sorry, but unfortunately a train is blocking our platform at Coventry Station. This means that we will not stop at Coventry or Birmingham International. So you will be joining us up in Birmingham instead!”
Great. I thought. This could not really go any worse. We were told that a train taking us to Coventry would depart 10:10, and we actually reached Birmingham just in time to take that train.
10:08 @ Birmingham New Street Station
However, the following announcement sounded at Birmingham Station: “Unfortunately the train to London Euston has been cancelled due to a fire on a train at Coventry Station. Further announcements will be made once we have more information.”
Great. I sat down waiting and after 1 h and 10 mins (11:20) I finally got onto a train that would take me on a 20 minute journey to Coventry Station.
PA Announcement by the cheery Virgin Trains steward:
“Good morning everybody. We seem to have lost our crew, so we won’t be running a catering service on this train. We seem to really have a great day!”
Two minutes later:
“I am sorry, but I forgot to tell you where we are going today. But as much as I like magical mystery tours, here are our stops on our way to London Euston….” (stops announced)
11:40 @ Coventry Station
I get to Coventry 11:40. I am very hungry and looking forward to lunch. After a few minutes of waiting in the taxi rank, I eventually catch a cab. This cab looks older than any of the other cars available. But I thought that he probably knew what he was doing.
I had been told by a colleague that the taxi journey would cost me around £15.
After getting into the car, I find out that the driver does not know where the Ericsson office at Ansty Park is, so he asks me for a post code for his sat nav.
“CV2 2TF”, I tell him, specifying the last two letters using a makeshift interpretation of the NATO alphabet.
After 40 minutes the taximeter shows £25, and still no office in sight. He is asking me repeatedly whether that really is the right postcode.
After a while, I get to see it on a note where he had written it. The note says CD2 2TF. As there is no such post code, he looked up the region CD – which apparently is quite south of Birmingham.
Around 12:45 @ The Completely Wrong Motorway
When I see a sign saying Birmingham International Airport, I realise that this is probably very wrong. The taxi driver was nice though, and it was partly my fault that he did not get the postcode right.
He switches of the taximeter when it is showing £58 (700 Swedish Kronor), saying that it would not be fair to charge me that much.
13:40 @ Ericsson, Ansty Park
After nearly two hours, and some help from my sat nav, we reach the office. As I only had £23 in cash – he was happy to accept that. I was also given a book by this Muslim driver on why you do not have to say goodbye to your brain when becoming a Christian(!). Very kind of him and I will read it properly at some point.
After Arrival
I managed to get out some of the training, although I only got a couple of hours of it. As Jonas (the other Project Management graduate from the UK) and I were departing Birmingham to Stockholm (via Copenhagen), we had to leave 17:00. This as our flight would leave Britain at 19:00.
Thankfully, our taxi found Coventry Station, and our train stopped at Birmingham International. In addition, our flights departed on time and we were ten minutes early arriving in Stockholm Arlanda. Our Stockholm taxi driver knew where our hotel was, and I hit the bed just after 1 am local time. Phew!
All this was written on Thursday night onboard the flight to the UK from Stockholm.
Today Simon has:
Listened to an announcement in Guildford about a cancelled train - that did not affect him!
Read stuff on the new Ericsson website, particularly this section
Noticed that he has all reasons to be proud of the place where he works
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Where the Action is…
…or perhaps; where is the action?
I do apologise for the lack of blog posts. I have been thinking lately about updating this blog with a more customised look. In addition, I am hoping to connect my mobile to the blog again. This would make a huge difference as I always have plenty of time to write when travelling. I also have plans to write more about what I think, as this blog so far has been very much about what I do.
Work is going well. Ericsson is a great company and I do not mind the Reading commute, as it will all be worth it in the end. I trust I am in the right place.
In the upcoming week, Jonas (the other Project Management graduate) and myself will be going to Sweden for some training in Ericsson's Project Management Model (PROPS). It will be great to show Jonas my home country, and Stockholm is one of my home towns as well!
The joy of writing has really hit me in the last week or two. I really look forward to write more with my new fountain pen - and that the ink will remain calm and not attack my clothes...
In a week's time I will also have my keyboard back. Really looking forward to start playing music (well, technically) again.
More later, my friends.
Today Simon has:
Listened to Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle
Read about pens, and bought two!
Noticed that it is raining outside
I do apologise for the lack of blog posts. I have been thinking lately about updating this blog with a more customised look. In addition, I am hoping to connect my mobile to the blog again. This would make a huge difference as I always have plenty of time to write when travelling. I also have plans to write more about what I think, as this blog so far has been very much about what I do.
Work is going well. Ericsson is a great company and I do not mind the Reading commute, as it will all be worth it in the end. I trust I am in the right place.
In the upcoming week, Jonas (the other Project Management graduate) and myself will be going to Sweden for some training in Ericsson's Project Management Model (PROPS). It will be great to show Jonas my home country, and Stockholm is one of my home towns as well!
The joy of writing has really hit me in the last week or two. I really look forward to write more with my new fountain pen - and that the ink will remain calm and not attack my clothes...
In a week's time I will also have my keyboard back. Really looking forward to start playing music (well, technically) again.
More later, my friends.
Today Simon has:
Listened to Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle
Read about pens, and bought two!
Noticed that it is raining outside
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Work Starts Soon
On Monday I will start a working for 'real'. I am really excited about starting with Ericsson, and I hope I will feel as excited about things in a few weeks' time.
The current flat is good, but too expensive for me and I hope to get a cheaper one this spring. So please let me know if you are interested in flat sharing from April and onwards.
Guildford is a beautiful place, and I have found myself a good church. Interesting times ahead!
Today Simon has:
Listened to a box with ten Kent CDs
Read about taxation in Britain
Noticed that the tax year does not end when the year ends =/
The current flat is good, but too expensive for me and I hope to get a cheaper one this spring. So please let me know if you are interested in flat sharing from April and onwards.
Guildford is a beautiful place, and I have found myself a good church. Interesting times ahead!
Today Simon has:
Listened to a box with ten Kent CDs
Read about taxation in Britain
Noticed that the tax year does not end when the year ends =/
Saturday, 20 June 2009
The Update
Ok. I admit. I should write here more often. Lately seem to have put all my words into either assignments or emails. Anyway, assignments are now over. University is actually formally over in the middle of July - that is when my graduation is.
Dissertation went well (I hope!). With God's help I also found a suitable job for myself, but I won't reveal any more details until I have signed a contract. I am happy to tell that it seems to be the job of my graduate dreams.
This summer I am tourist infoing it at the Tourist Information Centre in my hometown (Åsele). It is likely my last summer as Tourist Adviser, but it has been the most enjoyable summer job possible. Not all people get the privilege of working with The Stick and Slyve Homegreen ;).
Last week I did some interpreting Swe-Eng for a group asylum seekers that were taken on a bus tour past the sights around my hometown. Working with refugees is something I really really enjoy, and I hope I can get some time to do voluntary work within that area in the future.
Today Simon has:
Listened to Air
Read some computer game text
Noticed how God is good, even though Simon has felt so and so.
Dissertation went well (I hope!). With God's help I also found a suitable job for myself, but I won't reveal any more details until I have signed a contract. I am happy to tell that it seems to be the job of my graduate dreams.
This summer I am tourist infoing it at the Tourist Information Centre in my hometown (Åsele). It is likely my last summer as Tourist Adviser, but it has been the most enjoyable summer job possible. Not all people get the privilege of working with The Stick and Slyve Homegreen ;).
Last week I did some interpreting Swe-Eng for a group asylum seekers that were taken on a bus tour past the sights around my hometown. Working with refugees is something I really really enjoy, and I hope I can get some time to do voluntary work within that area in the future.
Today Simon has:
Listened to Air
Read some computer game text
Noticed how God is good, even though Simon has felt so and so.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
A Different Breakfast, Alanis, Marital Status and Coursemates
I will probably be fed up with this dish in a few weeks' time as that is what I keep cooking for friends. As I had leftovers from yesterday, I decided to fry these (those?) for breakfast.
Oh, I had this dream tonight. It was about me nearly missing my dissertation celebration flight to New York. I was pleased waking up and realising it had been just a dream.
According to Wikipedia, Alanis Morissette is dating some kind of environmental lawyer called Tom Ballanco. Never mind. I hope she is happy. Really.
During the past seven days I have socialised with friends once, and that was yesterday. Before that it was a night (or in my case, late evening) out with the coursemates. It has been such a privilege getting to know a few people on my course better. I hope we will keep in touch with each other after graduation.
When I was seventeen years old I thought I was gonna be married at the age of 22 and, if not, definitely by the age of 24. Two and a half brief relationships later, I now have no intention of getting involved in a relationship. Of course I did not enjoy getting dumped in the past, but with the benefit of hindsight it was the best that could happen.
I am not scared of staying single the rest of my life. As it is now I probably would not mind, but I have to acknowledge that this contentedness is largely dependent on me finding a meaningful career. However, I am scared of losing the friends that I actually have. My future life will probably consist of a lot of moving around. Heck, I have lived in five places in five years – and actually enjoyed the hopping around.
I have to admit it feels strange to leave Newcastle after graduation. It is the first town I have identified myself more with than Stockholm. I felt as home in Newcastle after a year as I did in Stockholm after three years.
One reason is probably that I have felt more like a member of the church here, while in Stockholm I always felt like a guest. Having said that, my priorities have rather been with my studies than church activities during the last few years.
That does not mean that I see my Christian faith as little more than a Get Out of Hell Free card. For instance, I would not have had the courage to come here if it was not for my faith.
Clocked up another six miles of running yesterday. Let me know if you want to join at some point.
I usually do not write about private matters on my blog. Hope you enjoyed the exception ;).
Today Simon has:
Listened to Andy Murray's racket
Read nothing yet
Noticed that going to bed early is so rewarding
Oh, I had this dream tonight. It was about me nearly missing my dissertation celebration flight to New York. I was pleased waking up and realising it had been just a dream.
According to Wikipedia, Alanis Morissette is dating some kind of environmental lawyer called Tom Ballanco. Never mind. I hope she is happy. Really.
During the past seven days I have socialised with friends once, and that was yesterday. Before that it was a night (or in my case, late evening) out with the coursemates. It has been such a privilege getting to know a few people on my course better. I hope we will keep in touch with each other after graduation.
When I was seventeen years old I thought I was gonna be married at the age of 22 and, if not, definitely by the age of 24. Two and a half brief relationships later, I now have no intention of getting involved in a relationship. Of course I did not enjoy getting dumped in the past, but with the benefit of hindsight it was the best that could happen.
I am not scared of staying single the rest of my life. As it is now I probably would not mind, but I have to acknowledge that this contentedness is largely dependent on me finding a meaningful career. However, I am scared of losing the friends that I actually have. My future life will probably consist of a lot of moving around. Heck, I have lived in five places in five years – and actually enjoyed the hopping around.
One reason is probably that I have felt more like a member of the church here, while in Stockholm I always felt like a guest. Having said that, my priorities have rather been with my studies than church activities during the last few years.
That does not mean that I see my Christian faith as little more than a Get Out of Hell Free card. For instance, I would not have had the courage to come here if it was not for my faith.
Clocked up another six miles of running yesterday. Let me know if you want to join at some point.
I usually do not write about private matters on my blog. Hope you enjoyed the exception ;).
Today Simon has:
Listened to Andy Murray's racket
Read nothing yet
Noticed that going to bed early is so rewarding
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Avundsjuk pa sig sjalv [Awundshook paw sey shelve]
I am actually quite envious of myself (is that proper English?). Not in a unhealthy way though. However that might change on the day the dissertation proposal is due. It might well change on Wednesday. I really look forward to Windsor. Nicola - thank you for all your kind and encouraging words.
Today Simon has:
Listened to The Sounds and Katy Perry on Myspace
Read not much but written loads
Noticed that GAME reminds him of that working is the best thing in the world
Today Simon has:
Listened to The Sounds and Katy Perry on Myspace
Read not much but written loads
Noticed that GAME reminds him of that working is the best thing in the world
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Where are the Tourists? / Time for a Degree
I am now just one day away from fulfilling two working weeks at the tourist information centre in Åsele. The workload is pretty uneven - right now it is most answering the phone and replying to email enquiries from tourists. It is a great job though, but I have to say I look forward to the more stressful days.
But where are all the tourists? Potentially they all are in the US as you get more money for your money as a European. Most likely it is just because their holiday period has not begun yet.
I went to the local gym yesterday. A nice place which sadly has not performed well enough financially. Rumour has it that it will be sold to the owner of a local supermarked who will re-open it in the town centre.
Placement
I will be very surprised if I am anywhere but Northumbria when university starts in September. I am really looking forward to finish my degree off, and as I have good and valid work experience from my life before the UK - it might be as well to save one year by not doing a placement.
Another enlighting experience is that I probably match graduate requirements better than placement requirements. One respected tutor at the university told me that I would probably get bored on a placement. A well respected Dutch multinational rang and told me that I was "very interesting" and that they wanted me to re-apply after graduation.
There is still hope.
Today Simon has:
Listened to BBC 6 Music
Read some in Marketing Management by Kotler and Keller
Noticed that this may well be a confusing summer
But where are all the tourists? Potentially they all are in the US as you get more money for your money as a European. Most likely it is just because their holiday period has not begun yet.
I went to the local gym yesterday. A nice place which sadly has not performed well enough financially. Rumour has it that it will be sold to the owner of a local supermarked who will re-open it in the town centre.
Placement
I will be very surprised if I am anywhere but Northumbria when university starts in September. I am really looking forward to finish my degree off, and as I have good and valid work experience from my life before the UK - it might be as well to save one year by not doing a placement.
Another enlighting experience is that I probably match graduate requirements better than placement requirements. One respected tutor at the university told me that I would probably get bored on a placement. A well respected Dutch multinational rang and told me that I was "very interesting" and that they wanted me to re-apply after graduation.
There is still hope.
Today Simon has:
Listened to BBC 6 Music
Read some in Marketing Management by Kotler and Keller
Noticed that this may well be a confusing summer
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
My Itinerary/Summer Tour 2008
I am not sure if I can deliver on that headline, but I had to put it as title just because going on a tour sounds fancy!
I will be back in Åsele late Sunday night.
Newcastle - London on Friday night
London - Stockholm on Saturday afternoon
Stockholm - Sundsvall on Sunday afternoon
Sundsvall - Åsele on Sunday evening
You are all welcome to pop by and say hello to me at the Tourist Info Centre in Åsele where I will spend most of my summer. I really look forward to it as it is such a nice job!
I will not go on placement unless I get an offer from a company in München.
Now I have a couple of days to sort myself out. Tomorrow I am gonna hand in my last assignments which I just finished.
Today Simon has:
Listened to too much of Avril Lavigne's Let Go B-Sides
Read his own assignments
Noticed that he has lots of small things to sort out before the departure
I will be back in Åsele late Sunday night.
Newcastle - London on Friday night
London - Stockholm on Saturday afternoon
Stockholm - Sundsvall on Sunday afternoon
Sundsvall - Åsele on Sunday evening
You are all welcome to pop by and say hello to me at the Tourist Info Centre in Åsele where I will spend most of my summer. I really look forward to it as it is such a nice job!
I will not go on placement unless I get an offer from a company in München.
Now I have a couple of days to sort myself out. Tomorrow I am gonna hand in my last assignments which I just finished.
Today Simon has:
Listened to too much of Avril Lavigne's Let Go B-Sides
Read his own assignments
Noticed that he has lots of small things to sort out before the departure
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