Foreign Relations
Well, folks, we all knew it would come to this at some point–I finally had to do more than sit around plucking my eyebrows (one word: caterpillars) and messing around on my labtop all day writing posts on my blog. The reason: I got a job. I haven’t shared much about what was going on regarding the job situation, mostly because it was way more fun to post embarrassing photos of myself than to tell you every day that “we are still working out the details of my employment.”
Well, now that the deets have been worked out, I have a job! I’m working in a landscape architecture/architecture firm that has been doing some really amazing work here in Hungary and abroad. I am quite excited about it. The best thing about it is that their office is a 5 minute walk from our apartment. Every morning, I get up and leave about 6 minutes before 9:00 AM and arrive perfectly on time!
I would be lying if I told you that it’s been an easy transition. Not only have I been on what felt like a 2 month vacation, rendering my ability to sit still in a chair for any length of time nearly impossible, but working in a design firm where everyone speaks a different language has been difficult. While everyone there speaks at least a bit of English, for anything to get done it only makes sense for them to speak the language that offers them the biggest arsenal of adjectives and synonyms. That’s what I would do too. And what I wish I could do now. So, it’s been a challenging week, and I’m already working long hours, hence why I haven’t posted AT ALL.
In light of the fact that I didn’t take a single photo all week, I am going to share a bit about my week using images I found from random Google searches. I entered a word that summed up how I was feeling that day, then picked an image I found on the first two pages of the search results (I was going to use just the first page, but I just couldn’t help peeking on the next page). This is an experiment, folks, so bear with me. This could be slightly entertaining or a total disaster. So, here we go:
Monday I was feeling NERVOUS
I went to bed early on Sunday night to get a good night sleep for my first day on the job. Instead of sleeping, however, I simply lied awake waiting for morning to come. Lucky for me, it did. And the world was rainbow colored.
Tuesday I was feeling CONFIDENT
My first day on the job had been a success. I was feeling like a real working girl. In fishnet stockings.
Wednesday I was feeling DEFEATED
Working in a foreign country is hard. Especially when they don't give you archery training beforehand.
Thursday I was feeling OVERWHELMED
Do you ever get that feeling that you're in over your head? Like there's just too much for one person to handle? That you can't take one more animal-in-a-plucky-situation metaphor?
Friday I was feeling HOPEFUL
By Friday, I was feeling much more hopeful that I was going to figure out this new job. Maybe it was because I got to design an outdoor canteen. Or maybe it was because I felt like there was a "pastel rainbow on the horizon." I'll let you know if I see it.
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Laura! Wow! you are getting your act together at light speed compared to some of us back here in the motherland. p.s. miss you. was at bordertown the other day and kept hallucinating that i was seeing you and Chris. p.p.s. I definitely see pastel rainbows on your horizon.
Good luck with the new job – you’ll be a rock star once you get your bearings! I imagine that your Hungarian will now improve by leaps and bounds, and everyone else’s English will improve similarly. Will they help pay for language study?? hmmmm…
LB!
Wahoo, congrats and it looks/sounds like all is well! Week two coming up….or already there….or nearly there…have fun! CAC, DEH and I miss you!
Hi Laura! Congratulations on getting a job!! Boy I know how good it feels to have that piece in place. Sorta feels funny to be on an indefinite “perma-vacation” so I’m really excited for you! I’m sure the language thing will become less and less of a barrier. Who knows you may even become fluent!
I’ve been reading your posts all along and I am so grateful to be “with” you as you experience your adventure. I promise to comment in return more often in return so you know you have faithful readers back home. I look forward to hearing more my dear. Continue to rock the writing and have fun! 
xoxo.
Irritated because I swear I posted this whole response last Thursday, but I think I clicked it closed before I posted. Argh.
Let us know how week two goes!
Anyway, yay you…for everything…for the job, for getting through this last month without killing anyone (well, you haven’t blogged about it, at least), without packing up and coming home. Strong chick! The Bates way.
Have to run to a meeting…love you…miss you…
Oh, sorry about the phone call. I shouldn’t have tried to talk while driving in the middle of nowhere. But it was GREAT to hear your voice!!
Love the images…Do this everyday to see how many emotions and images you can find.
It was great talking to you guys on Saturday!
