The Expat lifestyle from start to finish

Follow my trials and tribulations as I begin my life in a new country, half way round the world.

Monday 16 August 2010

iPhones, girlfriends and flip-flops are all banned on planes


Did you know that among the list of things you’re not allowed to take on planes there’s lithium batteries (found in almost every Apple item since the first ever iPod), aerosol cans (just like the ones they sell in duty free before you fly) and sharp objects. Before you start asking if that includes pens, toothpicks, hair clips or just about a thousand other items you've probably carried onto a plane, it doesn’t. Apparently only knives and scissors are dangerous when it comes to airplanes.

What’s even stranger is that on Delta Airlines you are not allowed pocket knives, now does that mean you can take any knife that won't fit in your pocket? That leaves a lot of knives on the list. Confusing, no? Well, the real confusing thing is that there are several lesser known items that have been left off that really need to be added. I’ve compiled a short list of a few I think we can all agree should never be allowed on a plane.

For example; babies, which are a three fold problem on planes. They smell, they make loud noises and as soon as they reach 3 they end up kicking your seat for the duration of your flight. How about non in-ear headphones? You’ve all experienced this I am sure. There's that one guy with his music blasting way to loud for his own good, let alone the guy sitting 10 rows back from him. I mean the only positive note, sorry for the pun, is that he is going to lose his hearing within 2 years. So at least you can rest easy knowing that Karma is going to kick his ass. And these items are just the beginning. We might as well just throw the following in, after all, I’m sure we can all agree they should be banned; Flip-flops, smelly foods, flasks, FARTING (I mean come on, we’re all in a confined shared space, whoever it is just stop) BO (you know who you are) and last but def not least KELLY PESCOD. Yes that’s right, I've incriminated my own girlfriend, but then she's probably as bad as taking SARS or Uranium rods onto a plane. Even mentioning the word plane can set this poor girl off.

She’s the real reason I’m not so eager to travel back to the UK. It's not the weather, tax or Chavs that litter the streets, it’s the anguish of spending over a day locked in a 2x4 box with the world’s worst flyer.

So be aware when you next fly of the dangers that lurk at over 30,000 feet. The worst is blond, 5ft 5 and most likely popping sleeping pills. 

Tuesday 3 August 2010

The story so far.......


I'd like to say it's been easy and that you can leave Uni with a solid degree, or two, several years of experience and a pocket full of tenacity (what dreams are made of) to find yourself swamped with job offers. But this just isn't the case.

There are those that fall into jobs, but more often than not it’s because they know someone who knows someone or their Daddy's the boss. However, it's just not how the world works. And these folks never really last, trust me.

I've spent the last 7 months in Hong Kong, since the start of this blog, networking, interning, groveling, taking part in a world's greatest salesperson competition and even crying on occasion. And I can say with 100% conviction that I have not enjoyed every minute of it at all, far from it. I've enjoyed the majority of moments, but I've also never felt so lost and alone during several others.

Despite all that has happened though, I have made it and today I am more then happy.

I would encourage all those that have a dream to follow it no matter where it takes you or how hard the path is along the way. Reaching a goal, no matter how small, always makes up for the crap you’re undoubtedly going to have to face. As a great man once said "Being very good is no good. You have to be very, very, very, very, very good" (DO).

This is not the end of my blog, as the title states, "life begins at 23". I merely have the opening chapter to my memoirs.