In which I land my first job in Denmark

The final move into my permanent digs was swiftly followed by a new job and a wave of new faces, energies and priorities. Life really can turn on a dime. A phone call or two, an informal interview and suddenly I’m working a Sunday night after-party and getting home and in bed at 6.30am?

I’ve been thinking about getting part-time work for a while. I was worried that having only basic Danish under my belt that I might really struggle to find something as it is the case that the vast majority of businesses here will demand a good handle of the language. It makes sense, but being a fairly tricky language to master, it can mean options are limited for relative newcomers like me.

So how happy was I to find out that a world-class cocktail bar in town was seeking a part-timer. As noted earlier, your network counts for a lot here in this small city and I found myself with accidental links to this place from a variety of angles. RG has long been a peripheral member of the ‘industry’ having nurtured solid friendships amongst its colourful membership in London. Bartenders slash mixologists extraordinaire make up a good percentage of my circle, and are unquestionably some of the hardest working people I know. They also tend to be passionate, personable, imaginative and incredibly fun. Having the opportunity to work alongside these people (as a server, not a bartender which I would need considerable training for) is part serendipity, part miracle and part epiphany.

It’s serendipitous for having skirted the industry for so many years that to finally join the ranks is somewhat appropriate. Miraculous for being the first job opportunity I stumbled across, at a time when I needed it, in an industry that interests me, in a place that is so highly regarded (and beautiful!), and for a decent pay packet. The epiphany comes when discovering in my first week just how much I enjoy working in this environment and how kind of suited to it I am! (So far so good anyway, knock on wood :)

As a result of the above, I have committed myself wholly to this opportunity. It fulfils my love of interaction, making people smile and promoting something done well. It’s been a while since I felt so happy about my job and my focus has been redirected to learning the massive amount of information required to do this job properly. Make no assumptions, there is a lot for me to learn. Along with my Danish studies, which have also intensified for my impending ‘module two’ exams, I have filled my walls with multicoloured post-its listing drink titles, their ingredients and what makes each one unique. This is not simply about a G+T or a rum and coke; it’s about what type of gin, why and what could enhance the drink for the customer. It’s about a high level of customer service tempered with warmth and sincerity over status and ego, which is a lovely (not to mention effective) approach to this type of business.

I had never considered the option in London as the relative pay vs cost of living didn’t really add up for me. The UK is renowned for its low paid service industry, which sees those I do know in the industry work incredibly long hours to get their just rewards. Here, I have found that people tend to do jobs they like, before worrying about what will simply ‘make ends meet’ - mostly because they can. It’s a general observation, but I think it (generally!) holds. Certainly, that’s a big part of what I like about life here.

In short, I love my new job, the people I get to work with, and the way the place is managed. There is a strong team ethos and smiles galore while everyone works incredibly hard, both for the customers and each other. It’s inspirational and is potentially carving a new direction for me. How lucky am I? INCREDIBLY lucky! The added bonus is that they don’t mind that my default language is English and the customers don’t seem to mind either...phew!

So here in my sixth month in Copenhagen, I’ve fallen into a job that is [gasp] compelling to me!! While still fully intending to write, I am invigorated by this new wave of creativity being injected into my life. Cocktail waitress, you say? Really? Well, I see it as a good time ambassador (baby!). It’s about the place and its ideals, which align with my own. For all that, it’s been a pleasure so far, even for its long hours and late nights. It makes me smile.

There’s no question that this affects my quality of life in Copenhagen from here on in. The topsy-turvy hours keep me on my toes, but in a good way. I’ve got a lot to do and it is really hard work, but if it means that I’m putting my energy into something I care about, then there is no debate on whether I should or should not. I love the feeling of knowing that this accidental job actually inspires me. You know what they say: do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life! I gotta say, it feels good!

Random Girl

Abundance and other sweet things

A jar of Lakrids Chocolate Coated Liquorice goes a long way. Grab the jar marked with an ‘A’. The first time I tried one, I couldn’t speak; I could only chew. Chew and wonder where the heck I’d been all this time that I’d never tasted one before. Chew and consider how many more I would absolutely need to ingest in the immediate future and how many other people I knew would need to try one as well. I bought two jars: one for me, and another for a friend who reportedly ate most of hers in one sitting. I myself opted to savour a few at a time, making them last. Share them around and watch people’s faces as they try them. It’s priceless.

A week or so later, while walking along Jægersborggade with a friend, we passed the window of ‘Karamelleriet’ where the magic of caramel making was in full flow (oh yeah!). We dove into the shop and didn’t leave for about 45 minutes while P enlightened us with all things caramelly. It was fascinating (as well as a good laugh) and provided RG with yet more to – ahem - chew over. Copenhagen being what it is, it was not too surprising to find P and I shared acquaintances, or that it is in fact his cousin who had introduced the aforementioned heavenly chocolate coated liquorice to the world, and my taste buds. I am one degree of separation from the kings of Danish confectionery. It’s cool knowing they are just part of the web of people who criss-cross this city (or country for that matter), doing what they love doing. It’s also cool knowing I’m now a part of that web and have been cordially invited back to Karamelleriet for another chat and/or more ‘sugar’. Thanks P!

Building my little community here has been wholesome and healthy. It's been a considered and patient process, rather like pruning a bonsai tree. Meanwhile, this tiny network has provided a wealth of abundance. If there is truth to any of the information on Denmark you can read elsewhere on the internet, it is that word of mouth and networks really carry weight here. Meeting the people I have met so far may have been down to luck, but then again, RG invests a lot in friendship (as opposed to just ‘contacts’). My network has been fundamental in helping me settle in, find accommodation, get involved and, most recently, source jobs that could have easily slipped passed me. While it’s been on the back of RG’s mind to start looking for part-time work, I had yet to officially hit the pavement with a pile of CVs. A call out to friends has however borne fruit, at least in the form of a few prime prospects for which I am both qualified and enthusiastic for. Watch this space. I have never been one for networking for the sake of networking, but investing in people as a lover of people can still mean a share in the abundance the collective brings. Now all I have to do is not take it for granted and rise to the challenge of making it happen, for the sake of my friends who have helped, if nothing else.

Meanwhile, RG has settled into her news digs and is diggin’ it! Whereas a month or so ago, I felt those pangs of doubt – needing reassurance that this active life-changing exercise was worthwhile – I have now refreshed my perspective, motives and incentives and subsequently, my sense of empowerment. A brief sojourn back to London reminded me of the greater world and spectrum of people my life actually incorporates. It also reminded me of why I came here in the first place. Having taken the time to regroup, I have come to recognise the value of this time on a much larger scale than I originally envisioned. I have had a lot of time to reflect on what it is I am seeking from this experience only to stumble across a cluster of other valuable conclusions about my life here and now that I wasn’t even looking for. Focusing on the present has, in many ways, resolved aspects of my past and my future. This alone has made me embrace this adventure all the more.

As of today, the detritus of the practical issues cluttering my road is now almost clear. My new home feels like home. My language classes are still expanding my horizons and also reinforcing my confidence in my ability to learn. My friendships are evolving and growing richer. My financial situation looks promising with some work prospects on the horizon. As we are heading into the darker months of the year, I am honestly amazed by the amount of energy and optimism I am carrying with me and I'm incredibly excited (yes, excited!) about the wintry road that lies ahead. Of course, my new heavy-duty, everything-proof parka also boosts my confidence...it's so warmmmm.

As an aside, for those out there who are contemplating change or doubting their ability to do so, I would highly recommend watching Tony Robbins’ recent television programme ‘Breakthrough’. I challenge anyone to watch it (sceptics included) and not be moved. Actually, I am positive the perspectives it offers will change your outlook on life completely. The whole programme reinforces how much fear hinders people from realising their potential and demonstrates how readily true change can come about if you are willing to confront the real issues head on. If you’re unsure of your lot in life, just check out the programme and see what some of the people in the programme have endured, survived and evolved from. They have all experienced some form of crisis/trauma, in its numerous permutations, and gone from losing everything, to discovering within themselves that sense of true abundance (removed from the material things), which actually makes them incredibly productive, creating further abundance. 

I'm learning that the sweetest life is waiting for all of us and that we all have it in us to design it for ourselves and live it; to wake up every morning believing in it. As such, I feel it's important to keep exploring what defines that for you individually, for what you find sets the standard for your life. That said, I hope everyone who is exploring discovers more than what they think they are looking for - surprising you like that piece of chocolate covered liquorice surprised me. Even more, I hope to catch the expression on your face when you try it.

Random Girl