10/365 - Work is work!

September 2009

It had been three weeks since my arrival and Silviu was due to come in two weeks to stay. 

My friend was very kind to find us a room to rent in Fulham, about an hour walking distance to work so, I moved out of the hostel. We had three flatmates - two women from Philippines and a man from Pakistan, married to one of the two. 

I was on my second week at the restaurant and payment was decent because I was doing 40 hours a week, but when the main business owner returned from holiday she cut my hours to 20. In other words, my salary now was £120 and the rent was £150. We had some money from home, but that was meant to pay for the school that would allow us to get the visa.

“So, I got a bachelor’s degree, about a month ago I was working in a bank, dressed all nicely, with no financial problems, paying no rent,…. Bravo, Eliza, you did it again!”

On a warm September evening I picked up Silviu from Victoria Coach Station and I confidently told him to follow me, because I knew exactly how to get to the flat. Of course I got us lost, of course he had a big luggage with him that he dragged for hours and of course he was the one to figure out the way.

This was my third waitressing job, my second one was the best and I worked there for more than a year. I was in my first year at University when I started, the place was located opposite the Romanian National Opera, I was working 6 hours a day, but my wallet was so full sometimes it was hard to close it. Words got to my ears, that somehow Silviu was dating a lesser person that could only amount to being a waitress so, I went to a 9 to 6 job with less money as a secretary in the Engineering Department of a Building Development Company and then at the bank. Anyway, I arrogantly thought that I have accomplished something and the “small jobs” were behind me, but… slap!

Not my stance on this topic anymore.

Look, I am all for knowing your worth, aiming high, having a vision, setting a value for your time and having financial goals! But, when poop hits the fan, you have to think fast, do not sink! Refusing to work for ages because you believe it is beneath your standards, needs a bit of a reality check! Make a plan, get a job and when the time comes move on! If it is not immoral or illegal, get over yourself!

Adversity builds character and all the obstacles you had to overcome have made you stronger! This too shall pass!

You got this!