Wednesday, June 16, 2010

When the problems stays behind...

Play the soft music. Use your best headphones. Turn the volume up. Close your eyes and feel how your body lifts up above the bed.

Fly away from your room through the open window. Smell the freshness of the night and brighness of the star. Can you still hear the music? Excellent. Keep floating in the air till your problems appears behind.

Now. Start singing the song as it would be your magic mantra.



But! Be careful. Sunrise will come soon. You have to get back to your bed before the sun shine will kiss your eyes.
Good night!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

31 days


What a life!


31 days have passed since I entered to Lithuanian territory. I was going back and playing imagination in my head how I will be meeting my old friends whom I didn't see for more than 2 years, I was dreaming about Lithuanian food and drinks, places I used to visit for daily bases, Lithuanian radio station and all other things which I have mentioned in my previous blog post.

When I met my old fallows, one of the biggest concerns they had about me was: "can you still drink?" Funny, isn't it? I can proudly say that I proved to them and most importantly to myself, that I didn't loose that skill (actually it is a bad, very bad habit). Since the first day at home till yesterday I consumed approximately 20 liters of beer and ~2.5 liters of vodka or similar hard liquor... Now I stopped. But didn't quite. I managed to catch up with most of my friends and finally I settled down.

Now I have another headache. Job hunting. I knew that it won't be easy and I was ready for that. Being in Lithuania I realized that the mindset of employers slightly have changed. When I'm talking to a potential employer I have feeling that they expect from me to make magic things: boost sales starting from the first week (if not - don't even think about bonuses, be glad if we won't fire you).

Rewards or salary. Everybody is aware of fucking crisis in the country and taxes which are raising along with summer heat in the air... But! The harder you work, the higher award you should get. Isn't fair enough? I'm not surprised why companies are complaining about difficulties to find "good" employees. My respond to that is simple: if you want to by winter shoes for USD $5 - be ready to buy another pair of shoes in beginning of the season, because only good quality shoes keeps comfort for more than 1 or 2 years. I sincerely believe that if employer gives me higher salary, I take it as trust in me and I the least what I would like to do is to disappoint him/her and loose position. But I guess it will take time till both sides (employees and employers) will find balance and the market should align labor costs... sooner or later.

And finally - my biggest personal challenge which I can not over come. I went to Pakistan for one and a half year to challenge my worldview, gain professional experience and be recognized for my achievements. Even though I got all those things (more or less) in Pakistan, I find it very hard to sell myself in Lithuania. One thing didn't change in me for sure - it is my natural modesty. Or should I call it as personal complexes..? This one and crucial challenge stops me from getting job of my dream. Most of job offers in Lithuania are either for sales executives (the lowest level) or the top management positions. I don't want to go for the first option after all I have went through being in Lithuania and abroad and I can't apply for the second option because I don't feel being an 'expert' in a specific field: marketing, PR, communication, production, sales, finance, etc.

...but I'm positive and I believe I will get what I deserved at the end of the day. I won't let pressure to keep control on me and won't go for the job offer which I don't like or don't feel like I can do it if all my heart.

Summer came. It should bring positive changes : )