Generation Brain Drain

Rants about the world, fashion, culture, music, jobs, dreams

[generationbraindrain-blog]

Unexplicable exhaustion

Unfortunately, hit counters don't lie : this space cannot boast many readers and it's probably my fault as I don't like to advertise it, not even among the people I know.

Nevertheless, I feel like I have to apologise for not writing recently. I have been cheating on this blog with another blog and the articles that I write there are more public friendly. It seems like I am mostly apologising to myself for not taking the time to sit back and write about my feelings and thoughts, which is a very much underrated stress release and it helps me put things into perspective, even when I don't talk about them specifically. Sometimes when I have a bad day, I'll just start focusing on something shallow and it does take my mind off the bad stuff. 

So what's my excuse for not taking care of my personal blog?

First I would have to say job interviews. I have literally had one every day for the past two weeks and for each of them I have had to prepare on a subject that I didn't know much about, ranging from trading to digital advertising to finance, covering a long list of varied topics. Although I am still waiting for updates it's been quite interesting to learn all that stuff.

Second, I have been writing on the new blog. I have only written three articles and one of those has won article of the week yesterday, which is great. I have also been trying to brush up on my Russian and French and German, reading newspapers and magazines in Italian and Spanish lest I forget them... and of course in English. Writing also takes up much of my time because I like researching what I'm talking about. If I write a fashion article, this means that I will look at tons of pictures and read lots of magazines and look at a lot of people on the street. 

I have also been taking some online courses and trying to do some networking by attending meetups and what not.

Also, me and my flatmates have been battling with mice in our flat and a blanking landlord. (still trying to get hold of him)

Today was a very tiring day and YES, I know I don't have a job, thank you, but it was a tiring day regardless. I had an assessment centre yesterday, got back and couldn't sleep all night because my bed is broken. This has obviously resulted in mental exhaustion and physical pain. I feel like I've been moshing all week at some metal concert!!

Despite that, I went to another kind of interview / trial day for a job today, where they explained so many things to me and in French and all of the time I just wanted to lie on the floor and stretch, then go get pizza. Jk, it was interesting actually. The people were nice and I love learning new things. I just wish I had a job offer from someone already...  The whole thing lasted about 2-3 hours. After that I waited around for a friend and soon felt like going home. Fashion Week has made the streets of London unbearable. It seems like everyone is dressing up in the hope of getting spotted or something. Either that or I'm just bitchy. Anyway, I spent the afternoon with my friend catching up, then had to walk all the way back in heels. Now that I'm home I've been on the phone to my mum telling her about the interviews, I've been doing some research for future article ideas, scouting events to go to, peparing for another interview I have tomorrow.

Something will come up eventually...I hope.

Love,

S.

[generationbraindrain-blog]

Trends of 2014, according to me

A couple of months ago, my sister was in the process of writing an article about current fashion trends for an Italian magazine. She asked my advice on picking the colours of summer 2014. I knew my answer straightaway : bright pink and white. This was my pre-summer idea and I still believe that I was right. 

However, there were some things I hadn't taken into account at the time. The first one was: my answer was based on mere market research that I had unawarely carried out while shopping around Manchester, which did not necessarily mean that such trends had set off in Italy as well. Secondly, summer had not started yet.

As summer went on, I realised that people (including me) were getting away with wearing leopard print  (!) and still rocked an all black look. Also, I noticed that the 60's were back and so were the 90's and the 80's and the 70's, which came in handy when choosing a festival outfit. Hello flared pants and mini dresses! 

VB already knew last year and she totally pulls off the 70's look. It almost makes me want to buy a pair of flared jeans!

(Antonio Berardi Spring Collection)

Fluo was still allowed and so was denim - even double denim - like a crazy Britney&Justin revival. I therefore drew the conclusion that summer 2014 would forever be remembered as the summer everything was allowed. Flats, high heels, boots, long skirts, boyfriend suits, mini skirts.. EVERYTHING. This also applied to hair and make up, although two crazes stood out: bleached eyebrows (again. So long scousebrows!! About time!) and crazy coloured hair à la Kylie Jenner or Nicole Richie. 

Although I like thinking about these things, I only wear clothes that I feel comfortable wearing, so I must say this ''everything is allowed'' malarkey did not affect my wardrobe too much. Still, you'd think it'd feel incredibly liberating but it kind of annoyed me instead. I could not wait for the Autumn-Winter collections and now that I see them I am absolutely in love with the upcoming trends!

From what I gathered, knitwear is back (think of huge knitted dress-like jumpers like Cara Delevigne for Stella McCartney)

Coats are imperatively long, whether slim fit or flared. I am in love with this Gucci outfit: 

And guess what! Pink is staying in our wardrobes this winter, which makes me extremely happy as I believe it looks good with every hair colour and it softens your complexion. It was a major trend of the Autumn-Winter 2014-2015 collections, embraced by pretty much everyone including Gucci, Fendi, Dior, Chanel, Givenchy and many more! And it comes in different shades ranging from purple-ish to peachy.

The pink power trend is also coupled with the 60's trend. I believe the best example of the 60's inspiration is Valentino 

Although different colours were chosen by designers, I am really looking forward to wearing grey and cognac brown. I think they look great on brunettes like me. However, if the 60's are back, I predict a return of black turtle necks. Let's wait and see! I have never been more excited about autumn approaching!

What were/are the trends of 2014 in your opinion? 

Love,

S.

[generationbraindrain-blog]

Things that I love and hate at the moment

LOVE / WANT:

Caffé Nero's Caramelatte. I know it's super sweet, but I don't care. My favourite morning drink, though, will always be Pret à Manger's Love Bar Latte. And my ex spanish flatmate Joaquin's coffee.

L'Oréal's Sunkiss

Veet Precision Wax and Care, created specifically for small areas

Waves in my hair like Hanna off Pretty Little Liars.

Pretty Little Liars

Lucy Hale off Pretty Little Liars

The new Glamour issue (although I am currently binging on Company, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. Still feels like something's missing)

A hoover.

Eastern European food (aka Lithuanian Šaltibarčiai ((it's a cold beet soup, you'll love it!)), salmon and dill etc)

Cooking for my boyfriend (never thought I'd see the day!)

A trench coat (I have lost my old one.)

A king size bed

A cool job

Going to the gym (I want to try yoga as well)

A Dachsund.

Italy

Cute babies. I don't know what's happening to me. 

DISLIKE:

Pervy men around the gym

The fact that literally anything is fashionable nowadays

Competency based interviews

Getting lost in London while looking for an interview venue

Shoes that hurt

My tumbledryer leaving my clothes all creased. Never thought I'd say this but I'm suddenly feeling the need to IRON. So much for making fun of my ironing obsessed Belgian friends

Working shifts

Job specs that don't state the salary. Doesn't matter who you are, it looks dodgy.

Not being in a shoegaze band

People who only talk about stupid stuff, or are not interested in hearing about things you like just because they don't like them

LADS and stag dos. Trying to look manly is the new black, FOR MEN. Women don't find this attractive AT ALL. It's the furthest thing from a man you can be.

Binge drinking. Gone are the days I used to enjoy drinking all night and clubbing. I'll still do it once in a while but I don't feel like I need to prove anything to anyone anymore. I am 24 and I know better than waking up the morning after in a stranger's bed and with a hangover. 

[generationbraindrain-blog]

My first week as a Londoner

On the 1st of July I packed my last suitcase amidst an array of mini nervous breakdowns and bad words. My new haircut and accidentally hurting my chin (it did not stop bleeding until 2 hours later!) did not help lighten up the mood either. Finally, I called a taxi and waved goodbye to what had been my room for the last 11 months. Some people do not get emotional about homes. I am not one of those people.

On the way to the station, the cabbie wanted to make conversation and I just wanted to cry. Luckily, he was adorable and I was wearing huge sunglasses in pure Olivia Palermo style. He gave me a plaster and a wipe for my chin. He also added that I would never meet anyone as nice and caring in London and that I should stay in Manchester. 

I hardly remember my train journey but I do remember meeting my boyfriend at Euston station, feeling terribly confused and then later crying in his kitchen as I was making dinner. #DRAMA The following few days I was a guest and hated it. I didn't have much to do while he was at work, apart from looking for a flat and for a job. Luckily his cats kept me company, sleeping next to me and licking my hand. 

I saw a couple of rooms and they were mostly horrible. Finally, I found a relatively decent one and decided to take it straightaway. It's expensive, and the bed is too small, and there are mice in the building (classic.) and it's above a fish restaurant -.- but I quite like it. I love the area and like a month ago I had told my boyfriend that living on this road was my dream. The first few days I was really tempted to call Health & Safety for an inspection, but that's another story. 

Anyways, here's what I've learnt about London in a week:

1) The Real estate mafia. 1-a) Couples here move in together just to save money on rent. 2-a) People care about money, a lot. 2-b) It's because everything is actually really expensive here. 3) London in not as big as I thought. 4) The tube is not as scary as I thought and I have already found myself helping old people and tourists with directions. 5) You will learn to live with mice and, if you're particularly unlucky, cockroaches. 6) Cracks in the walls are decorative. 7) The temperatures here are milder, but it does rain quite often. 8) Chivalry is mainly dead but, when it's not, it's a huge surprise and smiles all round 9) Lots of dodgy people and people are not all supermodels as I'd heard 10) You can tell the social class of a neighbourhood by its supermarkets 11) Reading Glamour on the tube is great but it's not too great if you are easily moved to tears by articles 12) Recruitment is a huge field around here 13) People are friendlier than I thought 14) The majority of guys wear suits. 15) Guys in suits give me the creeps.  16) Everyone here gives you a chance 17) Ambitions are valued 18) You are nobody but you can make yourself stand out by working hard.

All in all, not bad, London, not bad. I am quite happy.

Love,

S.

[generationbraindrain-blog]

Quitting a job

You know, on TV, when people quit their jobs and it looks so liberating? Men loosening their ties, women letting their hair down, important documents snowing out of the windows.. Or even when they get fired and have to pack all their belongings in a small cardboard box. It all seemed so far away when I was a student and even when I started my first job. I saw it as a means to an end and would never imagine that I'd feel so bad quitting my first job one day!  

So yesterday was my last day at work and I mostly spent it being quiet, which is unsual, and feeling like crap. My colleagues got me a box of Ferrero Rocher and a supercute card 

One of my managers wrote me a note in 4 languages, which was funny. I spent my last Friday in Manchester (for the moment!) watching My name is Earl and sleeping. I literally could not keep my eyes open. Exciting, I know! 

And I'm spending today packing my life away in boxes :( 

Hope this is the start of something great for me!

Love,

S.

[generationbraindrain-blog]

Why Generation Brain Drain?

Brain drain, brain waste, brain circulation, human capital flight.

I didn't even know this expression until today. I always used the equivalent in my mother tongue to refer to this phenomenon, which can be translated literally as ''fleeting brains''. I think it's depressing.

Quoting Wikipedia: Brain drain, or flight of human capital, refers to the departure or emigration of individuals with technical skills or knowledge from organizations, industries and geographical regions. (...) As with other human migration, the social environment is considered to be a key reason for this population shift. In source countries, lack of opportunities, political instability or oppression, economic depression, health risks and more contribute to brain drain whereas host countries usually offer rich opportunities, political stability and freedom, a developed economy and better living conditions that attract talent.

I am not going to talk about my country yet. However, living in England has given me the opportunity to meet a huge number of young people who belong to this generation, of which I am -sadly- a member as well.

In the past year I have made some friends here and I've seen them leave, punctually, after a few months. These people have no idea where they are headed to in life and probably no one does. They mostly come to England to ''learn English''. Some of them can afford to attend a school, some of them think they will learn it by living here. Some others are simply leaving their countries because there are no prospects for young people whatsoever. They graduate and find themselves thinking: Now what.

People who don't know better, often argue that young people are lazy or won't settle for just any job. I resent that. Of all the people I have met, the majority have a good degree and come here and decide to work as waiters or cleaners or whatever they can find. Nothing wrong with that, I did it too (for a total of 3 days) and those jobs are just as dignified as any others. However, don't we have the right to dream and have ambitions anymore? After investing in a 3 year (if not longer) degree in something, is it wrong to expect and want to work in that field and get paid well? Where are the jobs?

I was lucky enough to already speak English, as well as other languages. When I came here I thought: "This is temporary. I will find a decent job, work for a while, save some money, then go back home or study again or take it from there. The main thing is that I am bored here and I want to live in an environment where I can thrive. And I want to be able to pay for rent and everything without asking my parents for money. If anything, I want to be able to give them money back for all they have done for me''.

After my graduation, I packed my stuff and flew back to Manchester. I knew people here and I had lived here before and missed it. I found old friends and new friends, unexpectedly a new love. But I couldn't seem to find a job, or maybe I was too picky? In December I finally did get a job, which was also the one that I wanted the most, out of all the positions I had applied for. I loved it in the beginning as I was always learning new things, but after a while it became dull and repetitive and I knew I wasn't using my whole brain or feeling too happy about it. I felt really bad for feeling like this. I like my colleagues, the location is great, life here is cheap and nice etc etc. But I decided to take the plunge and move to London.

In the mean time, I have really missed studying and I feel like it's a slippery slope where I will just have to stick with jobs that I don't love in order to make money and live and I'll ultimately end up being stuck in the rat race like everyone else. So now I'm trying to understand whether it would make sense to invest in further education or if it's possible to get experience in certain fields without having to spend 23000bloodyK plus living costs and other years of your life before. I mean I would if I could, believe me.

I also want to work my arse off and build something and learn and learn and learn.

I have two weeks left at my current job, which is emotional per se. But the most emotional thing is leaving this city that I love so much and starting a new life, alone. I still feel like the anxious small town girl I was when I first left my country (for 5 months) in January 2011. Yet so many things have changed. I just hope to do the right thing and achieve something great. I demand and choose to have ambitions again!

Love,

S.

[generationbraindrain-blog]

A little about today and about myself, today

As I sit and write this, I am lying on my bed and eating salt licorice. My head is filled with potential plans and notions and my muscles ache terribly after my Sunday morning gym sesh and lack of sleep. I casually look up and notice all the tabs I have open on Google Chrome. 

Goes without saying..Facebook, 

My email inbox, full of pending job applications (most of them unanswered) and jobseeker email alerts,

Twitter,

Patent Magazine. Could I ever land an internship with them?

LinkedIn - trying to find jobs or talk to people about jobs,

College of Fashion. I start looking at courses as studying fashion is one of my dreams and am immediately put off by the fees. I could afford it, I guess, but how would I afford living in London? Would it be worth it? Would it give me solid knowledge and experience and allow me to get a glamourous job? Would it be a good investment? Would I be good at it? Depressed by the financial side of it all, I just find myself closing this tab.

A magazine with an internship offer, but for certain minorities only. This tab gets closed as well. 

Tumblr. Just decided to start a blog (with words!) again. 

Wikipedia 

Lots of ads for flats and houses in London. How am I going to find a place in 2 weeks? How am I going to commute? Who will I live with? Will they be nice? Will we be friends? Will I be happy or will I miss Manchester too much?  

Google maps, to decide if I'd like to live in certain areas. But what do I know, after all!  

Fashion editorial shots from the 90's. Love them!       

At the same time, I am trying to learn how to code for dummies (Thanks Codecademy, I love you :) ) and I am doing German exercises on Duolingo. Later I am going to study Russian and SLEEP for a thousand hours.

I have a former flatmate visiting from Spain, so I'm going to go spend some time with him. I don't know why I am writing this but I felt like I should make some sort of introduction. 

Love,

S.