A chi vuole, non mancano modi - Where there's a will, there's a way

Wow  the last 2 weeks have been CRAY CRAY. I wanted to share a little story with you about it all because I feel that "fate" really has played a part in the paths I chose to walk recently.

On Weds 5th Feb, I had an interview for a Teaching position and lets just say, it could've gone better. I felt that I didn't agree with the methodology of the school and that the man interviewing me was, simply, a money maker and did not have the compassion to be a teacher.
He simply played bad cop throughout and I left feeling deflated and wondering what the hell I am doing here. As soon as I walked out of the door I knew straight away that I would not hear from him and I told myself "Hannah, just write it off, you will get another interview with someone else but learn from what you feel you did wrong and apply it next time"

Despite me knowing that I should've taken my own advice, I still spent the rest of the day feeling rubbish and kept beating myself up. I had a tutoring lesson in the afternoon with some children and as I was walking to their house I came across the Wall Street Institute. I've heard of them before but wasn't sure where they were located and a little voice inside my head told me to go in and ask for an email address to send my CV to. I did just that because I believed that after something bad there will be something good and I believed that maybe I saw this place for a reason (that's just how I am!!)

The day after I received an invite to and interview from The Wall Street Institute. I went  the following day (Friday 7th) and tried to remember what I'd learned from the previous  interview and what I didn't want to do this time. I met a very helpful chap who told me all about the company and was really interested in my experience and me as a person, what I like to do in my spare time, why I love Italy etc. I walked away feeling better and thought that I'd done as much as I possibly could.

On Monday 10th Feb I received a call from someone else at the Wall Street Institute who invited me for a second interview. I went along on Weds 12th Feb and had my second interview where I was tasked with writing and teaching a mock lesson. (I was terrified!!!) I got some very constructive but positive feedback and I was told that they would call me with a decision the next day.

Later that afternoon I got a call and was offered the job.

I feel as though this is one of those stories which proves that, if something doesn't go your way to begin with, if you learn your lessons and apply what you've learned and keep trying, you will get there.

If you don't make that first step you will never make the 2nd 3rd and 4th steps either, you can try and skip but you'll just trip and end up right back where you were like a game of snakes and ladders.

My advice to anyone who feels they are in the wrong job or who feels passionate about doing something, JUST DO IT! - (rip off NIKE, soz)

If I can, you can!

Also today is Valentines day so spread your love and tell someone how amazing they make you feel xxx

Friendship Sabotage

Why is it that, as we begin new relationships/friendships, we often do more or go out of our way more for people we barely know than we often do for people who are supposed to be a significant part of our lives? I challenge you to reflect on that thought and apply it to all the relationships in your life, and be honest with your contribution in complacency and commit to getting back to the “bringing flowers” mindset (metaphorically speaking, of course). Because relationships are a two-way street.
Also, reflect on how you respond when people go out of their way for you and do thoughtful things, big and small. Are you grateful? Do you openly express gratitude, show appreciation, and inspire that person to want to do more? Expressing appreciation and gratitude through actions and words is the primary way to keep from falling into the complacency trap.

It's Monday, it's cold, make your friend or significant other smile and send them some sweet words or buy them some pretty flowers or do something small that you know they will love and be thankful for. These little gestures build long lasting friendships and long lasting relationships. If you become complacent your friend or partner will feel less valued and wonder where the person went who tried so hard to prove their worth in the first place! Its like false advertising but friendship doesn't come with a receipt and a 2 year guarantee!

Just something to think about xx

Mi Piace

Ciao

OMG we are on day 11 - feels like LOADS longer! I've been having a bit of an up and down week so far. I had an interview yesterday which was rubbish and made me feel rubbish all day but then after speaking to my lovely friend I felt loads better. Sometimes you just need a friend to remind you that you are ok and that its not a bad life It was just a bad day and to tell you to meditate because they know that it will help you focus!

I woke up this morning FULL of energy, before bed last night I meditated and woke up really focussed. I had a tutoring session for an hour this afternoon in which we just played UNO (surprisingly very educational! Colours, numbers etc) I pretended that I didn't know how to play so the boys had to try and explain in English, they spoke lots of Italian but I understood what they were trying to say and responded to them in English. It was a fun way of making some money anyway!

This morning I sent speculative CVs to lots of schools around the country, the list is huge so theres plenty more to go at! I got a call straight away from a school in Turin  which is about a hour away by train, I have an interview next Thursday with them, my CV seems to be doing its job! I haven't been to Turin before but I am happy to go and check it out, going to make a day of it and get as much out of it as possible.

Each day I feel something different, yesterday I wanted to leave and didn't want to be in Milan, I wanted to go to another city in Italy and try and live there instead. Today I feel less irrational but still interested in travelling to another place to see whats on offer. I don't want to waste this opportunity and leave having only been to Milan, so we shall see, I have another 2 weeks here so by the end of next week I need to have really decided where i'm going to spend March! - Florence is looking like a good option.

Well that's all really, in conclusion I feel like i'm achieving my goals. I've been here 11 days and I have 3 different families to tutor and some interviews coming up!

Mustn't grumble!

x

Buona giornata

Day 5 in the Big Brother House, not really, I'm in MILANO.

What a crazy 5 days it's been, it's still not sunk in that I am not heading back to England any time soon - weird!
Day 1 I woke up full of alacrity, couldn't wait to get going and get started but it was a Sunday and in Italy Sunday really is a day of rest unless you are a shop located on the gold rectangle! I headed to the Duomo and walked for a few hours up and down main streets and back streets and found a little supermarket and a public park to sit and munch on my cherry tomato's and bread! yum. The sun was out and it was actually quite warm for winter!! - I spoke too soon and now Giorni della Merla is upon us and i'm hoping it really doesn't last any longer!!

Giorni della merla

An Italian legend says that the last three days of January are the coldest of the year and are called the “giorni della merla” (literally: days of the she-blackbird). Different versions of the story say that the “merla” was a bird, a cannon or even a noblewoman. Sometimes the days are stretched until the first of February, but if this period is very cold, spring will come soon and it will be warm.

 

Erika (my new temporary housemate) told me all about Giorni della merla whilst we were drinking tea sat next to the radiator! brrrr - I was telling her about my absolutely horrendous day. It started with some very sad news which made me distracted and I forgot to take my map out with me or charge my phone. I was going to an interview and it was pouring with rain. I knew I had to get on the metro and head to Porta Romana and walk from there but I only realised id forgotten my map when I got there. I got my phone out and it had died - oh how unorganised of me. I headed off in what I thought was the right direction, I was soaked already had rain in my shoes, my gloves were sodden and I just wanted to get to where I needed to be or at least find a news stand so I could buy a map. After walking around for 20 mins in the wrong direction I found a news stand and got a map - phew, I had 15 mins left until I had to be there and I looked on the map and realised I was so far away I didn't think I would make it, by now it was snowing my hair was wet and I had snowflakes on my nose and eyelashes. (Do Rae Mee) I wanted to cry because I was scared but remembered that book Kelly Cutrone wrote called "if you have to cry go outside" and realised crying wasn't going to get me to my interview so I took a deep breath and just walked as fast as I could. Went the wrong way again - HOW CAN I NOT READ A MAP????
I finally made it 15 mins late but put a smile on my soggy face and had the interview.
So I guess I now have a part time freelance tutoring job - its a start and its only day 5 (PROUD)
I have another interview on Tuesday for another job which may co-inside well with this one if I get it. Despite my mild panic and the horrendous weather of giorni della merla things are looking up.

Spring had better be warm and I hope i'm still here!!

xx

SAGs

Oh its Monday, worst day of the week, poor little fella gets so much stick! I don't get the Monday blues anymore because I'm self employed (but mainly just unemployed!) I have a tutee who gives me my food money every week for doing something that I LOVE!

Even though i'm not teaching today and I have no strict plans or places to be, its midday and i've been in the library for 2 hours writing a lesson plan and researching careers sites for information on interviews for a workshop i'm doing on Sunday. I'm not really earning any money right now so why oh why am I so happy?

I spent last week in a "deep rest", not depressed, DEEP REST. Some people think its the same thing, I disagree. I felt very heavy and wanted to sleep most of the time and when I did go out of the house I felt tired and not myself. Its so easy to just hibernate when you have no plans, no job and nothing to do in general so I can see how people get into a very dark state and begin to feel like they are just existing. A very wise friend of mine once introduced me to SAGs - Small Achievable Goals. These are very useful things to concentrate on. So to pull me out of my Deep Rest I set myself some SAGs for today.

1. Write a lesson plan for my lesson tomorrow
2. Research and begin the write up for my workshop on Sunday
3. Blog
4. Make a pea puree some humus and some flatbread
5. Smile at strangers!

So I may not be at "work" or "employed" and earning money today but I'm so busy doing things that I love and enjoy and making sure I do not spend the next 2 weeks in a deep rest.

Don't get me wrong we all need to do a job and make money to survive but when you get the opportunity to take some time out and really concentrate on you, take up a new hobby, read the paper, research a new career path, set SAGs  for your future, it is a blessing.

ENJOY YOUR DAY! set some SAGs :) xx

2014 "Heart Thoughts"

Hello Beauts! Super sorry I neglected the blog but been so busy trying to sort my life out I just haven't had time.

Since I last blogged I moved out of my house,  lovely Carlos moved to Manchester,  I had a temp job at a Jewellery shop and Christmas and New Year came and went very very fast! (Birthday next week though so celebrations still to be had!)

Anyway, I'm back and ready to share some wisdom /  inspiration with you in the form of Louise L Hay. If you haven't heard of her,  be sure to find out more about her and what she is all about!
www.louisehay.com

The story goes like this. Once upon a time I met a girl with glasses and blonde hair, she wore flip flops t-shirts and jeans on nights out and we became besties pretty quickly. 9 years on we talk every day (even though she lives in another country) and we share our thoughts about life, love, people, places and trivial things on a regular basis. This Christmas she bought me the most wonderful gift. A book called "Heart Thoughts" by Louise L Hay. I can't even begin to describe how positive,  alive and inspired this book makes me feel.

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Not a moment before and not a moment later. You need to trust in the perfection of life, and know that everything is in Divine Right Order at all times." Louise L Hay

If you are lucky enough to have it all figured out,  you are happy all the time and you haven't a care in the world YOU ARE LIEING! we are all friends here,  its ok to put your hand up and say "I'm unhappy and I don't know how to change  it"  Been there,  and will probably be  there again at some point, it is called being human!

The book is a collection of affirmations and snippets of wisdom and inspiration for lots of different aspects of your life, whether you have difficulty finding love,  opening up to love, forgiving people who have hurt you, building strong relationships with your parents or changing your path. The words have meaning and they are truly effective.

A friend of mine told me that they aren't happy in their  job, they are bored of what they are doing and they need a change. I have given her this book to borrow! The main lesson I have learned from it is that I am in charge of me, my choices, my decisions and only I can make myself truly happy by doing what I need to do. (The support and encouragement of loved ones helps of course!)
Here are a few snippets from Louise L Hays book. "Heart Thoughts"

"If you are going to listen to people, listen to the winners. Listen to those who know what they are doing and who prove what they are doing"

"If you do not love yourself,  totally, wholly and fully, somewhere along the way you learned not to. You can unlearn it. Start being kind to yourself now."

Change requires you to start from within.  you cannot change your outer world without clearing your inner mind, working it all out in your head and then setting goals and putting these into action. Its the beginning of a new year, where do you want  to be this time next year? and what do you need to do to get there? If you don't have all of the answers yet, be open to possibilities and if your mind starts trying to trick you with restrictions, know that there is ALWAYS a way around them.

I have a few goals for the year ahead,  some may be  a bit too ambitious, others  probably more reachable and realistic but i'll share them with you anyway!

- Move to  Italy to live and work as an English Teacher (already actioned this,  i'm flying on 25th January)
- Learn to speak Italian
- Fall in love, or at least be more open to it.
- Sign up to and start a culinary course.
- Do an Open Mic night in Milan

What are yours?

Wake me up when September ends

Oh goodness me what a month it's been so far. Started off very exciting had lots of events to go to, lots of birthday celebrations and the start of a new term volunteering at Refugee Action York. I have always seen September as a 2nd "New Year." Growing up it was the start of a new school year, the opportunity to set goals and plan the year ahead and make it a really good one. The change in season from summer to autumn  also gives me a boost and makes me want to change.  So with that in mind I handed in my notice and i'm leaving my job on 1st November.

A bit of a scary and quick decision, but it needed to be done. When I took the job, I did it for "Job security" because I had been made redundant twice by the time I was 27 and I just wanted a job I wasn't going to get kicked out of! It's served its purpose, I have spent the last year working towards becoming an EFL teacher and got myself some great experience thanks to a good connection I had with an old friend. Now I want to continue down this path and really make a go of it so I have "bitten the bullet" and now i'm frantically trying to get somewhere with it all!

I'm not going to lie, I am stressed out underneath my "ahh well its just a job, i'll get another until I manage to get a contract at a school abroad" exterior! BUT this is definitely the best way to be for me, the pressure is a kick up the bum! I'm quite surprised at how many people have said they wish they were as brave as me. My theory is, the worst that could happen in any situation is death! I'm not going to die because I left my job!!

Sooooo, other than quitting my job and throwing my life in the air and waiting to see where it lands, I've been lucky enough to see my best friend after just over a year. She came to visit me along with her sister whilst she was over in England on holiday. I speak to her every day but seeing her and being in her presence is such a wonderful feeling, its as though life is complete again just for a few days! I'm very inspired by her and I think I needed to see her to help me make my decision about my job. We had a lovely few days catching up and mooching around, eating French food and drinking lovely French vin rouge! If you have never been to Cote Brasserie, you are missing out! get a table booked! www.cote-restaurants.co.uk

I've spent this weekend having a couple of friends over watching movies and eating too much!
I watched "The perks of being a wallflower" yesterday and my friend told me the only way he could describe it was "Beautiful" and he was spot on. It really was a beautiful film and I can see why he likes it so much. He loves the Rocky Horror Picture Show which features in the film and there were a lot of other parts of the film which made me think of him. If you haven't seen it, make sure you get it on your list! It reminded me of Moonrise Kingdom and Almost Famous, both great films!

Next weekend I am going to London with my lovely friend Carl. We have rented an apartment which will mean we can cook and eat in (save money!!) and it will be a nice base to relax in after a long busy day of exploring. Looking forward to Borough Market and the V&A but not looking forward to the 6am train! I'm sure it will be worth it!

So, if you are reading this and thinking that you want a new start and you are looking for a new path, DO IT!! Change is good, and if it doesn't work, you will become wise. Wisdom is a gift! WISH ME LUCK!!

Lots of Love,  Happiness always x