The new year will start much better than this one finished!!! Not difficult!!!
Today I was making the deliveries in the oncology ward (xmas time means extra work) and I heard a nurse very worried because a new portuguese patient was there and she couldn't speak english!!
I was in the right place át the right time! (át least for her) so I acepted beeing the translator for the doctor!!
But what happened was that I had to give her allll the bad news... Now I know how doctors feel! There is no saddest thing To say To a person!
Át least I could tell the doctor she had a lot of pain and the painkiller she got will help her To enter the year more relaxed.
She has been living here for 20 years but doesn't speak a single english word!!! I don't know what has she been doing here all this time but I do know what she is going To be doing for the rest of her months....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday 31 December 2010
Thursday 30 December 2010
New year decisions!
Have you made your new year decisions? This is the question I hear frequently during the day. It seems that these guys give so much important to the end of the year that they make a plan for new year and share it with everyone.
I have to make up some new decisions to have something to answer. Need ideas!!!!
And u? Have u made your decisions like: " Para o ano vou fazer isto que este ano nao fiz porque..."
I have to make up some new decisions to have something to answer. Need ideas!!!!
And u? Have u made your decisions like: " Para o ano vou fazer isto que este ano nao fiz porque..."
Tuesday 28 December 2010
Our first away Xmas!!!! Cracker!!!!
And so it was, a Portuguese Xmas. Full of Portuguese around and with Bacalhau!!!! :D
It was a nice cosy event, with good hearted people and full of xmas spirit.
In the UK there is the Xmas tradition of using crackers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cracker) and inside beside a fortune teller there is a paper crown. That's what we can see in the pictures wearing.
It is also possible to see that Xmas was spiced with Capirinha spirit!!!! (me barganing a Boston Shaker in the Kitchen)
It was a nice cosy event, with good hearted people and full of xmas spirit.
In the UK there is the Xmas tradition of using crackers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cracker) and inside beside a fortune teller there is a paper crown. That's what we can see in the pictures wearing.
It is also possible to see that Xmas was spiced with Capirinha spirit!!!! (me barganing a Boston Shaker in the Kitchen)
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| Xmas toast with the Boss |
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| Manel showing some doubtful skills! |
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| Queen Sarah |
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| So we had a Druid! |
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| Kids playing with gifts! Noddy House!!! |
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| Too many Caipirinhas! |
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| How much for this Shaker??? |
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| Humm more food!!!! |
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| Celso Clan!! |
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| Next day recovery... |
Friday 24 December 2010
Merry Xmas
Hi Guys!!!
we just wanted to wish a great Xmas for the ones who celebrate it and a very nice Xmas Holydays for those who don't. Happy time for everyone.
Merry Xmas
we just wanted to wish a great Xmas for the ones who celebrate it and a very nice Xmas Holydays for those who don't. Happy time for everyone.
Merry Xmas
Thursday 23 December 2010
NHS 15 SNS 0
Has I said in a previous post, I'm working in the Hospital in this first phase with a team of two guys, one from Serra Leoa (Bobson) and a Jamaican (Clifford).
Well Bobson is used to arrive late, to leave before the hour and uses all the tricks available in the public sector. He is what I call, a Public Professional. Last week he called me he was not feeling very well and could not work, (a 5 year old kid would make a better sick voice than that) I was shocked when I was told that a public sector worker can call sick and stay at home to a maximum of 5 days, three times a year with full pay. Yes, full pay. So any NHS worker can have 3 times a year full weeks without having to prove anything. They don't need any medical evidence. Forget SNS, NHS is the real public heaven. Today he said e felt a pain when holding a box, so he went the rest of the day to the emergency of the hospital. Poor guy...
Clifford on the other hand is more keen to work, even though he gets confused with any changes in the work. But, and there is allways a but, today he was suspended because there is an accusation of theft (seen also in the cameras) in the hospital. No it was not my iPhone but police is involved.
Question: what can I do with a team like this????
PS- to make even a better day I got stuck inside a lift today. The stupidity of the situation was that the lift was working. What happened was that I had some cages (to take the products to the wards) and a guy with other cages entered the lift. There were so many cages that the doors closed and we could not reach the buttons. Unfortunately was a service lift so we had to wait 15 minutes for someone to call the lift....
Well Bobson is used to arrive late, to leave before the hour and uses all the tricks available in the public sector. He is what I call, a Public Professional. Last week he called me he was not feeling very well and could not work, (a 5 year old kid would make a better sick voice than that) I was shocked when I was told that a public sector worker can call sick and stay at home to a maximum of 5 days, three times a year with full pay. Yes, full pay. So any NHS worker can have 3 times a year full weeks without having to prove anything. They don't need any medical evidence. Forget SNS, NHS is the real public heaven. Today he said e felt a pain when holding a box, so he went the rest of the day to the emergency of the hospital. Poor guy...
Clifford on the other hand is more keen to work, even though he gets confused with any changes in the work. But, and there is allways a but, today he was suspended because there is an accusation of theft (seen also in the cameras) in the hospital. No it was not my iPhone but police is involved.
Question: what can I do with a team like this????
PS- to make even a better day I got stuck inside a lift today. The stupidity of the situation was that the lift was working. What happened was that I had some cages (to take the products to the wards) and a guy with other cages entered the lift. There were so many cages that the doors closed and we could not reach the buttons. Unfortunately was a service lift so we had to wait 15 minutes for someone to call the lift....
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Christmas shopping! Hohoho!
One of the greatest things to do in London in Christmas time is to go shopping in the traditional street markets. So, yesterday, I went to the Old Spitalfields Market, in Commercial St., and was instantly affected by the consumer's fever. I was marvelled by the diversity and originality of the products sold: lots of vintage jewelry and clothing; old vinyl discs from the Beatles or the London Calling; hand made jewels from young artists (I also talked to one of them); and a stall where a woman had beautiful hand made hats in the 20's style. Loved it!
Not feeling completely satisfied, I also went to London's "Rua de Sta. Catarina", the ten times bigger Oxford St. :) But I chose the wrong time to do so... I felt like a sardine in a can, squeezed by a shopping eager crowd! At least, I was able to bye some presents.
Last but not least, I also made a quick visit to the german Market near London Eye, with it's wooden stalls and the smell of delicious food. They also have an ice rink! Good news: many of these markets are open the hole year, so it's always a good opportunity to visit while in London!
Not feeling completely satisfied, I also went to London's "Rua de Sta. Catarina", the ten times bigger Oxford St. :) But I chose the wrong time to do so... I felt like a sardine in a can, squeezed by a shopping eager crowd! At least, I was able to bye some presents.
Last but not least, I also made a quick visit to the german Market near London Eye, with it's wooden stalls and the smell of delicious food. They also have an ice rink! Good news: many of these markets are open the hole year, so it's always a good opportunity to visit while in London!
Monday 20 December 2010
Conflicting cultures!!!
The bad side of living abroad is when the habits of the country you live in conflict with your own. In the UK Christmas eve (24th night) is of no great interest because they mainly celebrate on the 25th.
Why is it conflicting? Because due to the fact above mentioned I'm working on 24th night in the bar. Most of businesses are open and we are not an exception.
This means no Christmas dinner, and for now we are planning to spend the late night at our new friend Celso. He works with me in the bar and he is an amazing person. He is 26 years old but has also lived in Spain and Canada, he has worked in construction, in factories, in hospitality, well we counted more than 20 different jobs in different countries. Beside that he is married and has 3 kids. Great guy and for sure will be a great Christmas host.
PS- It is snowing a lot, which may mean a transport disaster for tomorrow...
Why is it conflicting? Because due to the fact above mentioned I'm working on 24th night in the bar. Most of businesses are open and we are not an exception.
This means no Christmas dinner, and for now we are planning to spend the late night at our new friend Celso. He works with me in the bar and he is an amazing person. He is 26 years old but has also lived in Spain and Canada, he has worked in construction, in factories, in hospitality, well we counted more than 20 different jobs in different countries. Beside that he is married and has 3 kids. Great guy and for sure will be a great Christmas host.
PS- It is snowing a lot, which may mean a transport disaster for tomorrow...
Saturday 18 December 2010
Window View
Tuesday 14 December 2010
It's oficial! I'm a lucky bastard!!!
Last post I was surprised for finding money in the street in two consecutive days .
So you know what happened today? I found again.... and twice !!!!!!!!!
First in a stationery shop and the second in the metro entrance!!!
Does anybody knows the meaning of this? Should I play "EuroMilhoes"? :)
So you know what happened today? I found again.... and twice !!!!!!!!!
First in a stationery shop and the second in the metro entrance!!!
Does anybody knows the meaning of this? Should I play "EuroMilhoes"? :)
Monday 13 December 2010
Thursday 9 December 2010
Bartending and Waitering!!!!!
Even though I already have a day job (I won't call it normal because it always depends on the perspective! and mine has changed a lot!) I'm still enjoying a lot my hospitality experience! So today I'm showing were I work and what I do.
It is not a big Restaurant Bar, but is nice and cosy. It's called Brazil Point because the Portuguese owner (Jose Reis as my father) is married with a Brazilian. So we serve mainly Brazilian food, in other words rodizio.
The food is the cheapest the boss can find, with no flavour and sometimes recooked many times, but the English love it. It is so greasy that it shines in dark, but I see all these English tipping the staff as if they had the meal of their life.
The location is very good because Putney is across the street from Fulham and Chelsea which are top areas of London, and this is why we get so wealthy customers.
But we also have some Brazilian and South American customers that are on a very saving mood. One couple the other day wanted a Rodizio to share.... how smart!!! Imagine bringing all the family and ordering ONE rodizio until all the family was satisfied! Well it was veryyyy difficult to explain those guys they couldn't share the dish. But, that's the beauty of public attending isn't it? :D
The pictures are of the restaurant bar and me in action, bartending and waitering. The are a little blur because my boss (fat guy in the pic I'm serving the table) was mumbling a lot for taking those pictures. Well mumbling is his official sport... mine, is just having fun!!!
It is not a big Restaurant Bar, but is nice and cosy. It's called Brazil Point because the Portuguese owner (Jose Reis as my father) is married with a Brazilian. So we serve mainly Brazilian food, in other words rodizio.
The food is the cheapest the boss can find, with no flavour and sometimes recooked many times, but the English love it. It is so greasy that it shines in dark, but I see all these English tipping the staff as if they had the meal of their life.
The location is very good because Putney is across the street from Fulham and Chelsea which are top areas of London, and this is why we get so wealthy customers.
But we also have some Brazilian and South American customers that are on a very saving mood. One couple the other day wanted a Rodizio to share.... how smart!!! Imagine bringing all the family and ordering ONE rodizio until all the family was satisfied! Well it was veryyyy difficult to explain those guys they couldn't share the dish. But, that's the beauty of public attending isn't it? :D
The pictures are of the restaurant bar and me in action, bartending and waitering. The are a little blur because my boss (fat guy in the pic I'm serving the table) was mumbling a lot for taking those pictures. Well mumbling is his official sport... mine, is just having fun!!!
Wednesday 8 December 2010
November Monthly Report
So it is time to get to ground terms which in this case means how much we spent and how much we saved or lost. We were not expecting to save in the first month, specially coming here with no work. We had for the first month investments, like the house and gym deposit, some furniture, etc. Hopefully December will start to be a saving month.
Expenses - Budget 1800 Pounds - Reality 2950 Pounds
Income - Budget 1400 Pounds - Reality 1000 Pounds
Result- Budget -400 - Reality -1950 Pounds
Status = - 1950 Pounds
Some details would be:
500 pounds of furniture or appliances to make our new home more comfortable. The budget was 50.
290 pounds of groceries, instead of the 200 budgeted
314 pounds of transport instead of 200 budget, mainly due to 2 taxi trips
110 pounds of mobile phone instead of the 60 budgeted
Harsh beginning, but hopefully this may help people planning a new life in UK.
Expenses - Budget 1800 Pounds - Reality 2950 Pounds
Income - Budget 1400 Pounds - Reality 1000 Pounds
Result- Budget -400 - Reality -1950 Pounds
Status = - 1950 Pounds
Some details would be:
500 pounds of furniture or appliances to make our new home more comfortable. The budget was 50.
290 pounds of groceries, instead of the 200 budgeted
314 pounds of transport instead of 200 budget, mainly due to 2 taxi trips
110 pounds of mobile phone instead of the 60 budgeted
Harsh beginning, but hopefully this may help people planning a new life in UK.
Monday 6 December 2010
Snow Friends
This last week our friends Tiago, Joana and Rui came to London to see two great concerts: The National and Arcade Fire. ( not to visit us of course!!! ;)) We were also at the National concert as Sara already posted and it was a magnificent concert.
Enjoying the opportunity of their stay, Gabriela who is a old mate from the time I worked in Coelima gathered all of us at her house. She lives with her recent English husband future father of their 8 months baby.
It was nice to meet Nick and also to see again an old chap from my time of crazy IRC, Tiago Mota aka TM. Yes that time were we did not sleep just to be chatting around with people around the world.
A very cosy dinner.
The family portrait, from left to right: Tiago Mota, Tiago Vieira, Rui, Joana, I, Nick, Gabriela and Sara
Enjoying the opportunity of their stay, Gabriela who is a old mate from the time I worked in Coelima gathered all of us at her house. She lives with her recent English husband future father of their 8 months baby.
It was nice to meet Nick and also to see again an old chap from my time of crazy IRC, Tiago Mota aka TM. Yes that time were we did not sleep just to be chatting around with people around the world.
A very cosy dinner.
The family portrait, from left to right: Tiago Mota, Tiago Vieira, Rui, Joana, I, Nick, Gabriela and Sara
Sunday 5 December 2010
And on the first month I was robbed!!!!!
It is very likely that we'll get robbed during our world trip, maybe more than once!!!
But like all statistics that everyone is afraid of, they ruin when you are robbed at your working place in the very safe city of London.
My Iphone disappeared from my desk. As simple as that.
A very strange environment was build because I'm a newcomer, nobody really knows/trusts me!!! But facts are facts, I lost my phone.
But, I have a Nigerian General Boss!!! (she's nice, but she knows how to boss around warehouse guys!!! )
And she started almost an inquisition!!! It was a cinematic show that at the end culminated with a threat to everyone:
"I've seen the security cameras, I know who it was. The phone has to show up until Tuesday otherwise I'll call the police "
As simple as that and 5 hours later my phone showed up in my jacket left pocket. Nice....
Just a detail... we just have cameras in the warehouse, not in the office!!! But who cares... she's the Nigerian Boss!!!!
But like all statistics that everyone is afraid of, they ruin when you are robbed at your working place in the very safe city of London.
My Iphone disappeared from my desk. As simple as that.
A very strange environment was build because I'm a newcomer, nobody really knows/trusts me!!! But facts are facts, I lost my phone.
But, I have a Nigerian General Boss!!! (she's nice, but she knows how to boss around warehouse guys!!! )
And she started almost an inquisition!!! It was a cinematic show that at the end culminated with a threat to everyone:
"I've seen the security cameras, I know who it was. The phone has to show up until Tuesday otherwise I'll call the police "
As simple as that and 5 hours later my phone showed up in my jacket left pocket. Nice....
Just a detail... we just have cameras in the warehouse, not in the office!!! But who cares... she's the Nigerian Boss!!!!
Saturday 4 December 2010
Squeeze Me Please!!!!
The snow is amazing!!! But the consequences and disruptions are complicated to bare!!!
A normal day I'm ate 7.30 in metro station and when the train comes I have to squeeze myself inside! I've developed same skills now:
1- You put your feet inside and push people around
2- People tend to adjust a little, then you start to mingle between them
3- wait for the noise of doors closing and you incline the head inside
4-the doors are closing so use the smack of the door to go deeper inside
5- be careful with trapped clothes in the door
That's it. After this instructions you can go and use the metro at traffic hours.
But what happened with the snow yesterday is that even with this skills I have for squeezing in inside metros I tried from 7.30 on 11!!!!! of them! Yes, 11!! And I could not squeeze in!
The rule is that if the door hits half of your body (if your ass is outside basically) then you should jump out!!
A 15 min trip was transformed in one amazing squeezing hour!! :D
Here you have some pics of what is like...first one you can see the black guy breaking the rule if the door starts to close. Others just have the heads out so they are ok. Second picture is a view from behind after a very well done squeeze process. I wouldn't do better. Last picture is how much the London tube still has to develop to achieve the best squeezers in the world, the Taiwanese metro.
A normal day I'm ate 7.30 in metro station and when the train comes I have to squeeze myself inside! I've developed same skills now:
1- You put your feet inside and push people around
2- People tend to adjust a little, then you start to mingle between them
3- wait for the noise of doors closing and you incline the head inside
4-the doors are closing so use the smack of the door to go deeper inside
5- be careful with trapped clothes in the door
That's it. After this instructions you can go and use the metro at traffic hours.
But what happened with the snow yesterday is that even with this skills I have for squeezing in inside metros I tried from 7.30 on 11!!!!! of them! Yes, 11!! And I could not squeeze in!
The rule is that if the door hits half of your body (if your ass is outside basically) then you should jump out!!
A 15 min trip was transformed in one amazing squeezing hour!! :D
Here you have some pics of what is like...first one you can see the black guy breaking the rule if the door starts to close. Others just have the heads out so they are ok. Second picture is a view from behind after a very well done squeeze process. I wouldn't do better. Last picture is how much the London tube still has to develop to achieve the best squeezers in the world, the Taiwanese metro.
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