Where’s Alex?

After 2 months in the US and with just over a year left on my visa, I decided to come back to the UK to give it a final go at looking for engineering work here. It’s been over a month now but at least I managed to land one interview with Ford, and might on the brink on landing another with a different company.

If all else fails, it’s back into the Chinese restaurant business after my week-long Paris trip starting tomorrow. Already had my mind set on looking for a job at a Chinese restaurant before yesterday’s interview was schedule.

And guess what. I’ve been offered my old job back!

The one after me left and her sister-in-law came to replace her. This “replacement’s replacement” somehow decided not to continue working at the Dartford take-away where I used to work. Don’t know why, hope I didn’t force her out of it. I was only doing the little that I could when they were busy during the peak hours. “Lady Boss” called me this afternoon to see if I would take my old job back unless I happen to be successful in my interview. Of course!

So it’s back to Plan A again, but thank God for answered prayers. See how God leads us back when we stray away from His plans?

Another trip coming up this weekend: Paris!

Leaving this Friday evening by Eurolines bus (£36 return) (not Eurostar train, double the price) and will return next Friday. A cousin is on a business trip there so I won’t have to worry about accomodation. Among some of the sights I have lined up are Arc de Triomphe, Champs de Elysees, Tour Eiffel, Musee de Louvre, Cathedrale de Notre Dame, Sainte Chappelle, Musee Georges Pompidou and Chateau de Versailles (not sure if I’ve spelt these correctly in French). If you’ll notice my previous entry on my plans to tour Europe by bike, I left Paris out on purpose so I don’t have to travel to the “centre of the circle” but just “follow the circumference”.

And just now, a surprise interview with Ford!

Got a call on Tuesday to attend an interview on Thursday at Ford’s Dagenham Diesel Centre (DDC) but had to reschedule to today. My lack of automotive experience was clearly exposed (I didn’t tell them otherwise) but they quickly moved on towards past experience of problem solving and stuff. Didn’t do too bad, I’ve had worse. There won’t be 2nd interviews so we’ll just have to see what God has planned. Have faith and pray…

A few years ago, I came across this Reggie Lee (Malaysian cartoonist) shirt clearly taking cues from Ford’s tagline at that time: Ford (logo). Driven one lately? Reggie’s was:

Lord. Spoken to Him lately?

I am currently planning a trip around Europe on a bicycle, or a touring bike to be specific, covering just over 4,500 km in about 3 months beginning May 2007. The pictures below shows the route that I’m taking.

Here are some expected highlights of my trip:
- 42 to 44 days worth of cycling between 60km to 100km.
- total number of days, including rest and city tours, is about 75 (maximum 90) days.
- 10 countries: Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and Belgium.
- major cities include Barcelona, Marseille, Monaco, Rome, Innsbruck, Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Amsterdam and Brussels.
- attractions (apart from those in cities) include Leaning Tower of Pisa, Vatican City, Carlsberg Brewery, Heineken Experience, world’s 1st IKEA store, Volvo Headquarters and Legoland.

P.S.: Tried proposing a sponsorship program to The Star in return for writing a weekly column during the trip but didn’t get any response. Any ideas?

I’ve been back in the United Kingdom for almost a month now.

I intended to give my job search another go since I have just under a year left on my visa. So far it has been both encouraging and discouraging. I’m getting a few more phone calls from recruitment agencies asking about my interest in their vacancies but each time will probably be the last I’ll ever hear from them again. But I had 3 cellgroup members mentioning my job search to God during group prayer last night so I’m really encouraged and believe that in His time, one will come. A cellgroup member is helping me forward my CV to his bosses so we’ll see what comes out of it. Rely on God’s contacts!!!

After spending the first week in a London hostel, my former employers at the Chinese take-away restaurant in Dartford has been kind enough to allow me to stay in my old room while I look for work, reimbursing them part of their utility bills (electricity, water, gas) when I do find one. I help out whenever I can: pack prawn crackers, pack dishes together for orders, even delivering one or two if it gets too busy for the one driver they have on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

I’ve also had the company of my college-mate, who has found engineering work here, every weekend since I’ve returned. His justification is to “keep the ball rolling”. So far, we’ve had ‘Nasi Lemak’ and Roast Duck Rice in London, Fish & Chips along the pebble beach of Brighton, and even a trip to Wales to see my cousins.

Sooner rather than later that streak is going to come to an end, maybe in 2 weeks time. Another cousin is going on a business trip to Paris, which means free accomodation for a week if I go! This will be the first jigsaw to my ‘Conquer Europe!’ puzzle, which I will write about soon, hopefully. I’m putting my French phrasebook to good use now.

Now this is what I call a holiday! I hope butterflies don’t come flying out of my wallet…