London Calling

 

The moment it sunk in that I am moving to London, my memory sent an electric shock down my spine. I vividly recalled my obsession with the Great Britain, Londinium, United Kingdom, Big Ben, high tea. I  remembered that from when I was 11 till I moved to Canada (where new elements started occurring to me), I was completely bonkers about Britain! I wanted to live there, I wanted to be British, I wanted to brandish the Union Jack everywhere I could.

 

Let’s face it. 

 

I am moving TO LONDON! This is happening. 

 

I am so absolutely excited about the possibilities of London. Of the busy and dynamic current of lives that it is, of the immense history, world class culture of all types, of the multicultural mix of people that I am delighted to meet, of the prime location and Heathrow, Heathrow, Heathrow that is the hub to everywhere else in the world. One of my most amazing friends (Kat!) is living there right now, and she loves the city. My other European friends are a stones throw away. This is it. THIS is the change I’ve been wanting, THIS is the godsent gift to my present situation. This is the fate grabbing me by the the collar and presenting me with the pearl of my twenties. Living in London in your twenties is probably one of the best things that can happen. 

 

I am immensely grateful to life. I am immensely grateful to my company that is moving me to work in our London office (in Camden, no less!). I am excited! 

I Hit the Jackpot, or Checkmark One of My Dreams

Four years ago I was sitting in the David Lam library at Sauder School of Business (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) and researched the “enemy” trenches. That is, I was looking at university programs in Toronto, Ontario.

Back then I realized that finance wasn’t for me. I mean, I could do it if I set my mind and heart to it, and I had flashes of success, but I also suffered from delusions. I kind of was lying to myself about financial sector being rewarding enough for me. I think I was doing the finance program to subconsciously appease dad because, really, he wanted to do it in Canada, but couldn’t for many reasons. Anybody who immigrated knows of potential career complications.

But to move to the brighter side: back in January 2006 I realized that I needed to get into advertising (and marketing). I always thought and daydreamed about it, always saw it as the right mix of creative and analytical… Advertising was the way. And since I worked pretty hard to get into west coast’s awesome business school, I didn’t want to give it all up and go into Arts at Ryerson (no offense, but those of you who dealt with either, or both, know what I mean) or start from scratch at OCAD’s Ad program. So I went for Marketing major and Finance minor at Ryerson.

…I got it with no problem, picked my courses, including hindrances like Stats 2 (I already did the whole year in the course of one semester at UBC), ITM 102 and other crap. But I had to suck it up.

In fall 2006 I moved to Toronto with only two suitcases, knew one person in the city well, and lived at a random house for a month. I set out some goals. I networked, I worked hard, I reached my academic goals (Deans list and Golden Key), I always worked part-time, I interned, I hustled and hustled and hustled. There were semesters where every week I only had one day off (and even then I had to study), or none at all. And yet I met the most people and partied harder than ever. I tried my hand at entrepreneurship and whatnot. I also learned as much as I could, asked difficult questions and always checked in with my inner self to make sure I was going the way I wanted to go.

In the past year I’ve steered in a general direction of where I wanted to go but I hadn’t quite hit the advertising agency jackpot. The biggest problem was me refusing to do internships for free. I put 3 hard years into communications, marketing, entrepreneurship, online marketing and social media jobs and positions. I simply can’t afford to not get paid. Who’s going to pay rent and bills; and the student loan? So I sucked it up and kept plowing, waiting for the perfect moment.

NO was not an answer.

Hard work was the way. Meeting people was the way. Marketing myself was the way. Sticking to my word was the way. Sticking to ethical practices was the way. Sticking to my heart was the way. Sticking to health and physical activity was the way. All of a sudden I had the most amazing vision of the future and the most fervor than ever before (recall my December and January posts).

This February I jumped the gun and got an interview at the raddest interactive agency (in my opinion) and wham bam I’m in their strategy team!!!! When I got the offer, I squealed like a piglet on the call with mom.

I worked so fucking hard for this. You guys have no idea how many all-nighters I pulled for business cases, for industry reports, for essays (btw, Philosophy Award, y’all), for all the stuff that I finished for myself or for group mates. Or how much personal life shit I went through in the first three years since my move. There’s a lot of blood that I shed for all this and I’m ready to give up even more, if needed.

Because I AM WHERE I WANT TO BE. All these years I had this vision. And today I am living in it. I have amazing opportunities ahead of me – international, national. Today, more than ever before, I am surrounded by inspiring, intelligent and interesting people. I have a chance to hit the gas pedal and shoot into infinity. Every morning I can’t wait to spring into action. I’m still just learning the ropes at this agency, and I’m thankful for that. Because soon I’ll be thrown into the water and it’s sink or swim from there.

I am lucky, yes. But I also made my luck my whole life.

I also realized that I can do anything I want. I could always have done anything I wanted. With my personality, passion, ideas and drive – the world is seriously my oyster, and crab, and lobster and all kinds of shrimp. Some people fall back on business and other “solid” professions because they’re scared. Or because they’re pressured into it. Or what-ever. Doesn’t matter. Other people are afraid to do something creative or risky because, well, it’s really risky. I can go into anything (well, except medicine) and succeed. This wonderful development in my life just proved that. And made me tad bit more ambitious. Actually, a lot more ambitious.

On that note, my personal development goals now revolve around artistic pursuits. Stay tuned to hear about creative successes.

I’m just gaining speed. I’m just gaining speed.

Lactose-Free Milk or Gratitude

I was in the kitchen at work, washing my dishes, and started spacing out when I noticed a carton of lactose-free milk (organic, too) sitting on the counter, well, standing on the counter (we’ll talk about my semantic hangups with the “sitting” expression some other day), and I thought, my god, in this society we have so much to choose from, so much to  please us, we are free to align ourselves with any belief, any brand, movement and organization and so many take it for granted or absolutely don’t realize that in almost any other part of the world things are not the same way.

I thought back to my Eastern European days, and my country men’s love of sour cream and other dairy. There was no lactose free milk there (but then again, I never met a lactose-intolerant person back there, either), no talk of veganism, gluten-free food and other gastronomic curiosities, self- or doctor-prescribed. What would a vegan do in Sarajevo? Heck, there would be no vegan in the first place, or there would be serious health problems after 1-3 years of veganism. And what about Africa, dare you even mention spelt bread or organic, sustainable, wild/farmed salmon?

I’m not condoning those things, these are great additions to our wonderfully cushioned life in the West, but they are things that a lot of those born here take for granted. Things that don’t even exist in the majority of the world, or for the majority of people. I suppose I’m saying that people should be a little more grateful, or not scorn the poor barista for over/underheating their venti skinny half-sweet hazelnut latte with extra foam. Bitch less about the excess of what you have and instead be grateful for all the wonderful opportunities under your nose.

There’s a Russian expression which applies perfetly: [Они ]с жиру бесятся.

Coco Avant Chanel

Yesterday I cast in stone a decision to really do things my way and not to settle for pebbles. You see, tiny doubts and bad idea bears have crept around my cozy crypt (for alliteration’s sake), but not anymore. Do you even know how difficult it is to remain oneself in the world that is constantly harassing you to be a caricature of yourself? Dear Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Gabrielle Chanel did exactly that.

The first thing I did after watching Coco Avant Chanel is go to The Auteurs and add the film to my profile. There I saw 2-3 reviews by self-proclaimed cinephiles, saying they were disappointed about the lack of flair, flashy fashion and epicocity that the Paris fashion was then. What? Did you even read the title of the film!? The execution was subtle, and increasingly Chanelesque in composition and tone. Look what some idiot wrote: “Was expecting much more nuance and flair in the filmmaking, but all it contained were overdetermined references to Chanelesque style points: black & white, pearls, lace, and whatnot. Riveting?”  Gosh.

I viewed the whole story as a non-stop series of transformations; about the men and women, her surroundings and other elements that influenced her. Subtle, a little slow, but always emotionally vibrant. It’s also about true love, inspiration, determination and support. It’s not about how cool it must’ve been to be mademoiselle Chanel. It’s about being a strong woman going against the current. At least in my opinion.

In fact, what people labeled “plainliness”, I called elegance. Where some were looking for color and fluff, I was sensing the weight and texture, to somewhat speak in fashion terms. I loved Audrey Tautou; in my world she is on par with Anouk Aimee and Anna Karina. I think we all fell for Alessandro Nivola’s  (Yale grad btw) character a little too. But my favorite part is that it was not a rags to riches via marriage (thus complete denial of Gabrielle’s self) story, but a rags to riches via unrestrained imagination, hard work and daring to be different.

New Horizons

Felt a little guilty about not providing any updates on what’s been happening with me since May 24th. I’ve left Agent Wildfire for a geographically closer, more upbeat and growing Cyberplex. I love what I’m doing. I work with determined, creative and excited people and every hour that I am here, I feel energized, empowered and challenged. There is a project, Shop Causes, that I am currently working on – my task is to release it from its incubator and relinquish it into the market. I want to tell you more as I hope that is something you would get into.

It is a free Facebook Application through which you can do your online shopping and support a cause of your choice (any). For example, after having added the application, I first selected Sick Kids Foundation (most popular cause on the app), then opted out for PETA. Then I browsed 200+ online retailers whose stores I can browse, make purchases and then see them donate a percentage to my chosen cause. I lose nothing here. I also shop online very often.

I’m very excited about this project because as a 1) generation Y young bird wanting to change the world; 2) online shopper 3) recessionista, I can help  myself and others here without having to take a lot of my own hard-earned and sometimes uninexistent disposable income to donate to charities of my chosing. Pass the word along, guys, I think together we can really make a difference here by doing nothing more than what we do already – shop and spread the word.

PS. I’m also managing the Twitter account, find us @ShopCauses. Check out developments there and tweet your purchases and we’ll add $0.25 to your cause.

High Achievements & Still Highs

Ibiza, Aug 2008. Rocking out with my socks out...

…on life Been hustlin’ and hustlin’ and hustlin’.

When I was at BBDO on Monday, the HR lady practically interviewed me right there and then. One of the many questions she asked me, “What was your greatest achievement?” Or the achievement I was most proud about. Historically, my victories have all been academic, as I haven’t actually embarked on that up-the-ladder journey (I’ll more likely be hopping up two or three ladders simultaneously) yet.

So, an achievement that I am most proud of so far is the one relating to me having gone from a B/B- GPA at the University of British Columbia (my finance dark days) to an A average, which then led to a Golden Key Society Membership. I have always been a straight A student, but some things happened at the university level and I had a lot of ground to cover to reach a Golden Key level. And I did.

Another achievement that I always think about took place in 1997 when my family just moved back to Russia (Magadan city) from Czech Republic (Prague). I was 11 and I forgot Russian at that point. But I quickly got it back. I was placed in grade 3, and our homeroom teacher presented us with a mathematical problem from the grade 6 curriculum. I did not have the math backing to solve the problem, but since all 40 of us 11 year olds had to present some kind of a solution to our teacher, I struggled. I struggled for 48 hours and couldn’t figure it out. I couldn’t figure it out until 2 hours before the class, when a strike of genius commanded my hand to write some grade 6 math gibberish (grade 8 by Western standards), and et voila – the satisfied and respectful face of my teacher always appears in my head when I do something amazing.

September’s Developments

I haven’t written all the posts about Europe, but I will continue to post more about my tour as I keep a to-do list of blog posts and I’m back (unfortunately). While I am hesitating to start reading Michael Porter’s Competitive Strategy, which is the big bang book in bussines strategy, I will write a little about what’s going on, especially since Hans pointed that studies have shown that blogging is quite good for you. Agreed.

The first week is so far very hectic. I straightened everything out with with my bank, Ryerson and work, signed up for the gym (to play squash, do cardio, swim), for pilates (let’s try this out), and cross-training group classes. Having paid $30 for the latter, I can go to as many classes – which include Cardio Camp, Spinning, Yoga, Abs & Butt, Boxing and Cardio Kickbox, – as I can, every week. First session tomorrow. I’m also doing a major health check this semester, it’s long overdue.

I’ve become a big proponent of cooking at home, and have a well-stocked fridge at the moment. After fabulous excesses of European food, I’m switching to lighter choices, and eliminating meats from my diet; let’s see how it goes. I compiled a weekly menu for myself to make sure I get all the recommended daily servings of various foods, that I prepare certain products earlier on to avoid spoilage, and to save the time spent on meal contemplation in front of the fridge.

One is more likely to get into a habit of doing particular things if one has a schedule, and since I want to improve time management skills and accomplish more in this busy time of my life, I set one up. Incorporating time for classes, studying, work, exercise, leisure, self-development, online tasks, it will go in effect starting next week.

PlanetEye – where I intern

Well, well, well!

Rock Band Set Up in the Media Room

PlanetEye Inc., the company for which I am interning this summer, moved to a new office, which delights me! Until now, me and two other interns used to work from an office down the hall, thus being apart from the team. However, now we’re all together like a big family that we are, and I must say my productivity shoots through the roof as a result of that!

Today I’ve been very busy and also brimming over the top with all sorts of ideas. Lotsa good things are in store!

By the way, one of the raddest new additions to our office is Rock Band in the new media room. I’ve never played the game before, and got my first chance last night. I’m gonna be the guitar rocker in the office. I’m going to be obsessed with this video game in no time.

Moreover, PlanetEye is running a new contest – win a $2,000 travel voucher for Travelocity Last Minute Deals – all you have to do is sign up for a free account at this awesome travel site. Contest closes August 11, 2008. Go for it!