From Thursday to Sunday
I went to the interview today. Since I had that bad experience with NS, I decided to head out earlier and enjoy a nice cup of tea at the station cafe while waiting for the bus. When I thought everything was peachy, bad luck approached again. I broke out in a cold sweat when the 10.12 bus did not show up. Thank god I'm such a paranoiac that I planned to take the 10.12 bus to arrive 15 minutes earlier. So then I waited for the next bus which, according to the 9292ov site, would leave me exactly 5 minutes to walk to the location and arrive "right on time".While I was keeping my fingers crossed and hoping against hope that the bus would arrive on time, I went to check out where the train taxi stand was, just in case if the bus's a no-show and I needa cab it. Waiting and waiting and waiting. THE BUS IS HERE!! Got on the bus, stared at the clock, and hoped the driver would take off according to schedule. THE BUS TOOK OFF RIGHT ON TIME!! When I was weeping for joy, the bus slowed down. Guess what?? The bridge was up and the red light was on. WE WERE STUCK!! The 3-minute wait was sheer torture. When the bus finally moved again, guess what next?? Two red lights in a row!! What the heck?? I was so close to have a nervous breakdown right there, I kid you not. One more turn, and there - I ARRIVED!!
Checked the time and I had only 2 minutes to walk the 5-minute distance (I needed to walk around the car park to get to the main entrance). I missed the interview last time because of the retarded NS delay, I couldn't and shouldn't be late this time. So I started running. It was not that easy to take to my heels when my heels were like 2.5-inch high!! So what I meant by "running" is - did a bit of "granny jogging" then walked a bit then jogged again. While I was running like a headless chicken, I looked up and saw the security camera staring right at me. Yes, the little red light was blinking. I could sooooo see the security guys pointing at the monitor and laughing their heads off. But hell, I couldn't bother that much. I need to get there at 11 sharp!! When I was 10 feet away from the main entrance, I started walking properly again and tried to catch my breath. I walked to the receptionist and the clock said...11.00AM!! YAY!! Now, do I still need to explain to you why I tend to get in a sweat about taking public transportation in the Netherlands??
The rest of the interview?? It went alright. I felt happy after the interview, because the two interviewers were very nice and friendly. They seemed pretty satisfied with my answers and responses. They even gave me a grand tour of the building. Now just gotta wait and see. I have another interview tomorrow. Yea, the companies seem to have some sorta agreement - they would both either ask me for an interview in the same week or not invite me at all. I have already read the job description again, made some jottings about what must be emphasized or mentioned during the interview, tried to predict some difficult questions and to answer them, and picked the clothes and heels. I think I'm all set.
You wanna wish me good luck with the travel tomorrow?? That's okay, I bet I don't need much luck this time. Because the only transportation I need tomorrow would be my feet. The place is only a 10 to 15 minute walk away, so I don't have to pace up and down all morning worrying if there would be delays. I am so very looking forward to tomorrow night, because I am meeting one of my very best friends in Antwerp!! She's now on her 5-day business trip and would spend a night in Antwerp before heading off to London and Paris. Since the last train from Antwerp to Rotterdam is 21.40, my man and I would crash at a hotel tomorrow so I could chat away with my friend. My best friend, Mexican dinner, Frozen margarita's, and Breakfast buffet the next morning. How can I not look forward to it?? Then back on Saturday late afternoon or night (would like to visit the Antwerp zoo if the weather is good), and have a Dutch birthday bash to crash on Sunday. What a busy weekend!!
posted by Miss Bad Penny at
22:48
3 comment(s):
I know it shouldn't be necessary, but don't you think you'd be better off if you left a margin a little longer than 15 minutes? Like an hour? You'll probably be way early but you won't give yourself a nervous break-down and you won't risk breaking a pair of expensive heels :)
Anyway, I hope that you got one of the jobs and won't need to heed my wise advise :P When do you find out?
By
Lisa, at
3:36 PM, March 18, 2006
I did consider to be more safe. But since the location is practically in the middle of nowhere, if I arrived like an hour earlier, I would be freezing my ass off fighting against the fierce wind.
But anyway, let's hope I won't be that "lucky" again next time. And I should seriously consider learning how to drive again (tried that in Canada, but my absolute no sense of direction was not helping).
By
Miss Bad Penny, at
8:43 PM, March 18, 2006
This is why I am always super early, walking around strange neighborhoods. I give myself at least 1/2 hour margin when taking NS or the Busses anywhere...
As for driving in this country - are you nuts! I took one look at all the crazys on bikes, the trams, the busses, the tailgaters and weavers on the freeway and decided even crappy public transport is better than giving myself a heart attack every time I get in the drivers seat. The fact that the Dutch governemnt insisted I pay an outragous amount to do lessons and a driving test again, even though I have had a licence since 16, and even though people from England, who drive on the OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD can drive here on their English licence - I can't on my American one...
By
Laura, at
10:05 AM, March 20, 2006
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