"Always Look on the Bright Side of Death" and other stories

Week 1: Cardiff

Hello everyone. As you know, I am currently sitting in my new bedroom in my old home, enjoying the fresh layout and perspective. I am actually in love with my new bedroom. It's got white brick, with contrasting blue walls, and more white walls. It actually looks like the preceding tenant just gave up painting the blue, but it's still a cool touch and matches the details on my comforter. This is home, and a good one it is.

Since arriving and moving all my things, I've done a lot of job hunting. And thus, we come to the title of this blog (Always Look on the Bright Side of Death).

I didn't coin the expression, as I'm not that clever. "Always look on the bright side of death" comes from the musical Spamelot, which I saw once in New York City with +Caitlin Roberts. Good story, bro!

And thus we begin. My job searching. Initially, I was looking at three sites, perusing all their entries, submitting a few online applications, etc, etc. And then I began getting desperate. Every day when I checked the sites, the same jobs I've already applied for came popping up. I started applying to things only if they had been posted in the last three hours. I found a store that was advertising in the window, but the position would only be opening in March! My research extended from job hunting, to refreshing "freecycle", a website in which people getting rid of their junk posted what junk they had to get rid of. I biked two hours to pick up some gluten free pasta and a gift box of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, conveniently advertised on freecycle. And I'm not even joking!!!! I also looked up schedules and prices of different dance studios, and loathed the fact that a class was the cost of one hour's work at your local minimum wage job. 

Well... let's just say Sal gets a bit stir crazy with nothing to do and nowhere to go. My agent was busy with a handful of contracts to write up, so she wouldn't be able to meet until next week! So what do I do? I sew a pocket into my jumper and film it.

I called up my favourite tea shop (Whittard's of Chelsea) and asked if they had any openings. They had one, yes, a six hour slot. Well, what did I do? I wrote the most elaborate cover letter of all time. Here's a snippet:

When I first arrived in Cardiff in 2014, I had two suitcases of clothes and nothing to furnish my home. I knew, though, that in order to get through the transition, I needed a tea strainer! Someone directed me to Whittard's, and I am so grateful for that day. My tea strainer helped me get through the difficulties of moving to a new country and the rigours of my degree. Let's just say, I know the importance of beginning your day with a good cuppa!

Literally not even joking. It goes on, but I'll stop there. HA!

On top of that, I applied to be a football (soccer) coach, a social media editor, and ... wait for it... a funeral homes administrator (thus, the title). 

I really hope you all are laughing as much as I am. Life is a funny thing, and it makes you do funny things. But I figured it would be an absolutely bizarre (albeit depressing) experience. Turns out, though, they only accept applicants who have full UK licenses. Boo, you !!!

Well, here's the bright side.

Although paying for dance classes seems illogical when I have no income, I found a studio that is providing free lessons in January. Plus, I have a resident yoga teacher!

Look up: Feline Finesse!

I finally de-robed from the onesie and jumper and got some proper clothes on, but it was so cold I re-adorned my jumper anyway.

Before.

After. Spot No Onesie.

I called up my three top jobs and enquired if they'd filled their positions; they hadn't, they were just busy shortlisting applicants. Surely, that means there's still a chance for me? Positive Number 3.

And Positive Number 4? I found a recent job ad on gumtree, and rather than sending my CV electronically, I typed up a cover letter, slapped on some makeup, biked on over, and was forthright in my demand to see the manager.

I'm Freaking Snow White! I Get What I WANT!

An hour later, I had signed all the paperwork, had been given my briefing on how to do Silver Service Dining (fancy shmancy Member's only Club), and had been given two shifts for next week.

All for the local minimum wage.

Am I winning or what?! Hehehehe.

Oh, and I have a job interview next week, plus will be seeing my agent. And I bought a "tea for one" teapot from your local charity shop. It's brand new, hand painted and from Whittard, for £2.50 (85% off retail prices).

Whittard better freaking employ me....


Best Positive of All? The fact that Phil and Baby Charlie are snowed in in Boston, so they were home, ready to FaceTime.

And if I'm Snow White, she's the more intelligent, future president princess.