Guy proposes to girl in 28 countries... (wait, wait, it gets better!)

So,

I came across this video (while I was supposed to be working).  Given the theme,  I deemed it blogworthy to this site (theexpatgirl).

So, this guy Jack likes a girl (who I guess remains nameless).  On their FIRST DATE he decides that he wants to marry her.  So he devises a plan which takes 4 years in the making--the ultimate proposal video, spanning 28 countries and I'm sure thousands of dollars in airline tickets.

'It's so sweet and thoughtful,' you say. ' What a nice guy,' you think.  Maybe this video invokes the jaded cat lady in me but I have a few problems with Jacks's strategies:

1. Firstly, he decides ON THE FIRST DATE he's going to marry this girl!  What if she's just not that into him.  What if she just wanted the free coffee or company for a walk.  Just reading this sentence makes me want more space (from everyone).
2. It sounds quite thoughtful, but he has the oddest timing.  Think about it.  Jack is on vacation with his homies, sitting on a balcony while all of his friends are probably in the background drinking beers.  He on the other hand has his Nikon out, lip syncing a pseudo-obscure 90's tune.  Maybe it's just me, but I say +100 for everyone else in the room.  -5, Jack.
3. Above actions happen 27 other times for four years.  I am not sure I want to plan any trips with Jack.
4. So, apparently these crazy kids stood the test of time.  Their relationship lasts the duration of their University experience.  They've made it to graduation day, which is probably one of the busiest, stressful, insane days of their lives.  Wait...Jack has decided not only will he compound Nameless Girl's anxiety levels by showing a slideshow of their relationship to people who were probably were quite content watching the other two PowerPoint presentations on their successes with academia, but he's also included the WORST pop quiz EVER as its conclusion.  Of course, there is only one way to answer this correctly.  Otherwise, epic failure and public humiliation will be endured by both parties.

Granted, I sound like such a pessimist.  This is not the case at all.  I love love.  Romantic gestures are greatly appreciate (in limited, feasible quantities of course).  However, I'm a staunch advocate for evaluating and assessing the timing and location of your activities.  I think, in theory (like in film or a Stephanie Meyer novel) this could have been a well executed and greatly appreciated plan.  In real life, I am having doubts.

If there are any guys travelling throughout Europe (or New Zealand, or Southeast Asia) and want to make a video for ME (because I am ever so inspirational), I prefer a nicely choreographed number to the songs of Mr. Timberlake.

Thanks in advance!

--TheExpatGirl 

Check This Out: The Midnight Sun Film Festival

The Midnight Sun Film Festival will be taking place 11 June-15 June in Sodankylä.  Founded by  Aki and Mika Kaurismaki and Peter von Bagh, it is considered one of the world’s most unusual yet delightful film festivals to attend.  The founders decided to take advantage of Finland’s never setting sun by creating the festival, which is now in its 28^th season.  The Midnight Sun Film Festival attracts international directors, actors, and attendees who not only want to screen some of the world’s best films, but also want to capture the essence of the Midnight Sun.  The sun does not set for seventy four days in Finland during the summer.  This can cause confusion to some moviegoers when exiting screenings.  However, their confusion usually changes to delight once they find some festival activities to attend.

 

There are no red carpets, no trophies, and no expensive gowns at this festival.  It is known for its informalities—instead of champagne and limousines, attendees can be seen drinking bottles of beer and dancing to traditional songs with friends.  Despite its quaint atmosphere, top industry names are always found at Midnight Sun Festival.  Milos Forman and Francis Ford Coppola are only a few of the festival’s past attendees.

Arthouse, Hollywood films, and silent era classics are some genres that can be screened during the festival.  There are also audience sing alongs with movies that have musical undertones.

Ticket and scheduling information for Midnight Film Festival can be found at http://www.msfilmfestival.fi/index.php/en/schedule.

So...you wanna be a freelancer?

You've finally decided that trying to swim upstream with the fishes just wasn't for you.  You are bright, talented, motivated, and have some sort of skill that sets you apart from everyone else.  Let's face it, you've been doing your job for so long that you could do it with your eyes closed.  In your sleep you think about how to improve X, Y, and Z.  You decide one day while driving to your office (or walking, or taking the tram) that you don't need the overhead or micromanagement.  Quite frankly, wearing pants while you work is overrated anyways.  So, you do what any self respecting person your age would do.  Leave your firm.  Henceforth, you shall be known as Freelancer.

Lies! Lies! Lies!

So, you knew a guy who's brother's girlfriend's aunt does the SAME EXACT thing that you do.  She never has to worry about a paycheck.  She takes three week vacations yearly and her clients are happy.  She has never had a question about her taxes and she still has time to have dinner ready when her partner comes home.  No way! Sorry, but someone is a bold faced liar.  Freelancing, especially the first year, is difficult.  That my friend, is what we call in English, an understatement.

Crickets...

If you don't already have your client-base in tact, then you have to work to find one.  My personal rule of thumb is for every hour that I should be working, I need to be looking for work.  So, if I work for 8 hours in a day, I will be spending 8 hours doing something productive that will lead to my generating leads or promoting myself (and not spending a dime while doing so).

There will be days when you are under-worked.  Take advantage of the downtime but also don't forget about the "do you" time.

Friends With Benefits

Having a special friend is great.  Having a special, talented friend is even better.  Being that special, talented friend is the best thing in the world.  Every smidgen of talent and bubbliness that you have dies the second a friend asks for your opinion or advice regarding the field that you are in.  Never work with friends.  If you do decide to ignore this warning, think about all of the consequences before you sign on any dotted lines.  What if your friend doesn't like the quality of work that you produce.  Everyone knows that friends are supposed to stroke your ego, not stomp you into the ground.  Are you prepared for the criticism?  Will you do the 2nd, 3rd, and 15th draft without cursing his name and banishing his unborn children to hell?  What if your friend had an emergency and can't pay you for services rendered?  Raincheck?  Great!  But wait, how did she get money for those new heels???

Remember that you started freelancing for a reason.  The demarcation between constructive criticism and presumptuous opinions and advice are very fine once you add a personal relationship into the equation.

Which leads us to the next topic...

Hi, Haters!

When I tell people that I am freelance Writer and Language Consultant, the conversation usually shifts into one of the following scenarios:

• "Don't you wan't a real job?  How are you going to survive?"
• "I would do that too, except for (fill in the blank)
• Wait, so like, people really pay you for that?  No, really...what do you do?

This goes back to the age old theory of people hating things that they do not understand.  Yes, I sit at my computer for eight hours a day.  No, I'm not playing Angry-Birds or looking at sites that are typically blocked in a normal working environment.  Unfortunately, the general public tends to negate all of your hard work and ambition because of the fact that you don't have to get up and go to a brick and mortar building every day.

If you are just starting out and you  your bank account is looking slightly anorexic, whether you are "truly working" or not may be questioned when you pass up events due to time or money constraints.

Everyone will have an opinion about this and offer their suggestions.  Stay strong and focused.  Or, better yet, have the naysayers shadow you for a day.

Oh, My Ego...

Then there are the mornings that you wake up after an almost all nighter, check your emails and see the message from a client who says that your work was  not what they expected, not up to standard, not what they envisioned at all.  If you  are a perfectionist and pride yourself on your work, you are in for a ride.  If your self worth is dependent on your successes and your professional life, then just stop now.  Everyone gets these messages and letters at least once in their career.  You are not immune to it.  Your brain realises this, but you also start having thoughts of becoming a ditch digger or paper boy.

There will also be the days when you think that you are the ultimate Rock Star.  You keep getting new clients, you finish your projects on time, there is tangible evidence that you are successful (money!).  Don't let it go to your head.  Be careful and cautious.  Remember that there is a balance to everything.  These days, no matter how awesome they may be, cannot last forever.

At the end of the day, it's all you.

Don't get me wrong, freelancing is a wonderful opportunity.  Not only is it a test of your drive and ambition, but at the end of the day, everything that you do is for you and by you.  So, have fun with it.  Enjoy your independence, and don't forget to get out of your pyjamas every once in while for those video conferences.

10 Reasons to Give a Czech Guy (or His Slovak Brothers) a Chance

Living in a bigger city in the Czech Republic will introduce you to many different nationalities within the Expat community. 
Since the population of potential suitors originating from everywhere but Czech Republic has increased throughout the region, it seems that the ancestors of said West-Slavic tribes are becoming overlooked and depreciating within the dating market.

Sure, you can choose from the beautiful Italian programmer in Brno or the very hip and collective Australian who teaches English in Prague.  Before you rule out Stanislav, Petr, or Radek, keep the following things in mind:

 1. He  is Thoughtful 
When asked the question, "How are You?", Czech guys only ask this question if they really want to know the answer.  They remember the little things that you tell them and put forth much effort once they begin relationships.                              
                                
2. He Loves His Hobbies.
 Every Czech person has a hobby that they are awesome at. Most Americans think of extracurricular activities as something that you do after school.  Whether it's running or fishing or art, Czech men take their hobbies seriously and usually excel at one or two things outside of their certified professions.

3. You wont be stuck inside playing Halo for dates. 
Most guys in Czech Republic like some sort of outdoors something or other.  Now that the weather is warmer, you will find everyone outdoors.  Even in the winter, many Czech men take advantage of the natural beauty of the mountains by going skiing and snowboarding.   Finding a guy who prefers sitting at home and playing Wii or his guitar all day every day is quite rare.

4. They are a nation of pretty people.
Czechs are insanely attractive.  Let's face it.  Websites of a certain nature bank on the fact that they have symmetric faces
 (based on the Golden Ratio),  take pride in being fit, and never wearing baseball caps.

5. Most Czech guys, at the very least, can make toast.
Being invited for dinner by a  Czech man could end up with you being surprised with three course meals and recipes that have been passed down from this mother and grandmother.

6. ...and understand how to set a table for tea.
Gender roles do not limit tea and coffee etiquette in Czech Republic.  Being invited to a house for coffee or tea will mean that you will ACTUALLY be served coffee or tea (with various options of tea, of course) at a properly set table that includes teapots, teacups, saucers, and little snacks.

7.  He likes to time travel.
Slavic men are like gentlemen of yesteryear with their sentiments and behaviors.  It is not surprising to have a man help you put your coat on, hold the door for you, find it disrespectful to look at a watch or cell phone while in your company, and walk you home regardless of weather or time. 

8. He is supportive.
Like most men, he is eager to help.  If you have a hair brained idea, he will talk you through the steps that you need to do in order to make those dreams come true.  Is a language barrier a problem?  Don't worry.  Knowing that a "Foreigner" is interested in his language and culture will bring out his sympathetic side and earn you respect.  Within a few months time, you will have  the basics down with his thoughtful ways of helping you remember vocabulary.

9. They are direct.
This goes hand in hand with #1.  If they don't like something, Czech men will tell you.  There is no sparing of feelings when discussing sensitive topics.  If you ask a guy if your butt looks big and he responds with a "yes", you are probably dating a Czech dude.

10.  They have a strong sense of family.
It is not unusual to hear a 40 year old man ( or one in his twenties or thirties either) say he is leaving town for the weekend to spend time with his mother.   Holidays are spent with extended families.  If you are invited home, consider yourself lucky and appreciated enough to meet everyone whom he holds dear to his heart.

So, if you happen to turn the head of a Branislav or a Libor, you may want to answer with "Ano" when he asks you if he can buy you jednou pivo.

50 pounds or pay up...

Tonight I am preparing myself for yet another global expedition.  This time I am going "home".  Really I am not sure what this word even means.  Since birth, I've been a nohmad.  Whenever the chance to settle down comes, I get a bit jumpy and the itch to travel gets to my skin.

Tomorrow I return to the US for a little while.  This trip was a bit unexpected but long overdue.  I told myself that I would travel light but find myself attempting to stuff everything that I own into a blue rucksack and a red duffle bag with wheels.  Surprisingly, I still own too many things.  I spent the last two days downsizing my worldly possessions--dividing everything into keep, throwaway, and donate piles.  My flatmate's scale is broken so I cannot check, but I am pretty sure that my bags exceed the airline limits.

I know that I should be happy to see my parents and my friends from school, but for some reason a wave of sadness hit me a few hours ago.  Every time I leave I try to prepare myself mentally, as if it is the last time that I will see my flat, my friends, and my neighborhood.  It's always so hard to say goodbye--even if for a few weeks.  It should be so much easier for me.  After all, I've been doing this since birth basically.

It's icy out and the forecast predicts snow...truly wonderful weather to travel in.  The ironic thing is that I will be landing into a crazy winter wonderland.  I have no idea what to expect when I get there.  Everyone tells me that I should be excited.  America is wonderful and so much fun.  Yes, this is true.  For me however, I anticipate the high cost of everything and the lack of public transport and the calm way of life that I have grown accustomed to.  I really should be more positive about this trip and look on the bright side of it all.  

Back to packing and cleaning and then an early night in bed.  Tomorrow shall be a long day.

theExpatGirl.