Now you are thinking "he proposed a major project that will save his company several thousand dollars per year" or "he optimized a business process making it 50% quicker"... not really, but let me tell you the whole story to make you suffer a bit.
On Monday I talked with my manager for the first time since I joined the team and we started with some casual conversation. He asked me how was to be back in Portugal after having worked in London. I explained to him some of the professional and cultural differences like having long lunches (essentially eating away from your desk) during weekdays.
Today, on the street, as I was walking to get my takeaway lunch I bumped into him walking the opposite direction (with his takeaway lunch). He asked me what I was going to get and then, to my surprise, he pulled Monday's topic and asked if I didn't miss the Portuguese lunches and Portuguese food. An obvious YES was my reply but I added "we should do a team lunch now and then to improve team bonding". He said "good idea" but I thought he was just being polite.
Some hours later I receive a calendar invite for a team lunch next week! He was serious :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Back to London
After 7 months here I am again, not my original plans but life is unpredictable... :)
This time I planned my farewell to Portugal very well. On Friday I spent the morning at Galapos beach with my parents. Afterwards we went for some grilled fish in one of Setúbal's typical neighbourhoods, Fonte Nova. Then said goodbye to my grandmother, our family's authority. The night was spent in Palmela during Festa das Vindimas. A lot of people showed up to say goodbye and offer me a glass of Moscatel, thanks everyone! I think I arrived home at 6 or 7 am...
A few hour later my brother took me to the airport. During check-in I found out I got the executive seat upgrade I asked a few days before (to use my expiring miles) :) Spend some time in TAP Lounge eating and drinking... Unfortunately I didn't have much appetite for the alcoholic beverages which were available with a good variety... Later at the boarding gate we had to wait a long time before actually getting on-board and we ended up arriving one hour late. From there, straight to my assigned accommodation near Bethnal Green (where I am now) and then a little drinks event with old friends and new colleagues :)
The place where I am now temporarily is quite nice, it's a very compact studio but very functional. Here are some photos:
My ironing board:
The smallest dishwasher ever:
And the bathroom:
Today is cloudy for a change, but the temperature is not bad.
This time I planned my farewell to Portugal very well. On Friday I spent the morning at Galapos beach with my parents. Afterwards we went for some grilled fish in one of Setúbal's typical neighbourhoods, Fonte Nova. Then said goodbye to my grandmother, our family's authority. The night was spent in Palmela during Festa das Vindimas. A lot of people showed up to say goodbye and offer me a glass of Moscatel, thanks everyone! I think I arrived home at 6 or 7 am...
A few hour later my brother took me to the airport. During check-in I found out I got the executive seat upgrade I asked a few days before (to use my expiring miles) :) Spend some time in TAP Lounge eating and drinking... Unfortunately I didn't have much appetite for the alcoholic beverages which were available with a good variety... Later at the boarding gate we had to wait a long time before actually getting on-board and we ended up arriving one hour late. From there, straight to my assigned accommodation near Bethnal Green (where I am now) and then a little drinks event with old friends and new colleagues :)
The place where I am now temporarily is quite nice, it's a very compact studio but very functional. Here are some photos:
My ironing board:
The smallest dishwasher ever:
And the bathroom:
Today is cloudy for a change, but the temperature is not bad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)