It didn't occur to me that I have been here for 3 weeks, although I am getting very familiar with how things work in London already, but time flies so fast and I felt like I have accomplished so little in these 3 weeks. Today it's finally pay day, money in my bank account always feels great haha.
3 weeks ago I first arrived in London. At the airport waiting behind the yellow line, I have no idea what is waiting in front of me. Today, after being exhausted after an extremely long week, I stood in front of the same line, again, and honestly I still dont't know what is waiting in front of me.
Today I was talking to a colleague of mine, and he was telling me how he never realized that the company now is the only place he worked for. First in the New York office, where he met quite a few interns from Waterloo also (haha), and then he decided to move to the London office.
"When I was young I wanted to build huge buildings, sky scrapers, and when I found this firm as an intern I thought to myself, I will be staying here."
And so he did. Now he wants to design things in a small scale, and I told him I wanted to do the same too.
"Then KPF isn't the right choice for you" He said.
I always considered myself really lucky, and this is one of the huge number of occasions. Honestly as of right now, if you ask me what is my ambition in terms of architecture, I can tell you I have none. I am only here because this school is a place where I am enjoying what I am doing, and I see life in my work, even if they are not good at all. I never thought I would be a good designer, even till now. But I am lucky, because I have a dream that is reachable. I want to go to as many places as I can, and to experience the different culture in my own, quiet way.
Of course, things will be a lot greater if I stayed in Canada. I don't need to pay rent, I can save money and maybe buy a nice pair of headphones, a camera I always wanted to have, and afford my tuition with money to spare. Life abroad would be different. You have to save money, then you will have to live somewhere sketchy and cheap, eat just the right amount to make you not feel hungry anymore, and find the cheapest way to commute to places. Does that mean you are not making the best out of your time in another country? I don't think so, because that way you are really experience the real life in different levels, and maybe it will open your eyes more than visiting famous places over and over again. Compared to a big road that is well lit at night and filled with stores to shop in, I would rather walk in a sketchy alley going through the backdoor of restaurants.
Oh where was I... Right, I was lucky that I am able to live with a friend here for a really cheap price. It is not the best place to live in, but at least it is clean, and occasionally there is hot water for showering, no complains.
I feel like I am not making the best out of my time in London yet. Someday I would just hop on the subway, close off my senses, and then get off without knowing where I am at all. Let's see where that brings me.
-Jon
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