A Chat with Kat

It has been a very long time since I’ve posted on this blog. Between teaching Pilates, tutoring German, making friends and joining sports groups, life took over and my schedule rapidly filled up.

These past two years have been times of extreme growth and learning for me. To share what I have discovered and to develop this knowledge further, I’ve created a brand new blog:

A Chat with Kat 

Check it out! I hope ‘A Chat with Kat’ will be a vibrant community of people learning, discovering and sharing, both during and after the current lock-down.

Best wishes and good health to everyone!

Kathrin

When the Clients are Away …

Have you ever thought about what your Pilates or Fitness instructor does before you arrive for class? Probably not. Fact is, we mostly arrive just on time and jump straight into teaching. 

But since we work at the studio, we get to use all the equipment for free. And once in a while, on energy-filled early mornings, this happens: 

I love the perks this job comes with!!  

Side Note Nr 1: Don‘t try this at home! 

Side note Nr 2: I have been crazy busy lately  with work and searching for an apartment. Plus, my family came for a visit, so I‘ve been showing them around town. Stay tuned for some awesome pictures from the London Eye!

On Having 5 Different Jobs

Have you ever considered a freelance career? Or are you currently pursuing one? I’ve been at it for almost a month now, and so far it’s been exhaustingly awesome.

Growing up, I always thought I’d want to be a writer or a biologist. After high school, I went to college for secondary teacher training. During that time and for a year after, I pursued pre-professional ballet, thinking I’d want to be a dancer in a ballet company. In my enthusiasm, it seems that I overdid it, because after training for 40 hours a week for a year, my body and mind were worn out. I had a mini-burnout. But still I didn’t want to give up on dance because it had become such a huge part of my life. So, I enrolled in a part-time dance, part-time Pilates teacher training course in NYC.

With so many diverse interests and qualifications, a freelance career seemed the natural progression. Honestly, I think it’s what’s best suited to my personality. I like diversity, have a number of unrelated interests, and I thrive on doing the unexpected. So, although I never knew this was what I was headed for, it seems to be the perfect solution for me.

As the title of today’s post suggests, I will be working for up to five different businesses this coming month:

• My ‘regular’ Pilates studio, where I’ve been working for two weeks now. My shift is Mondays at the moment, and I also have some opportunities to cover classes for other teachers.

• Another Pilates studio near Blackfriars, where I’ll be covering classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays for 3 weeks.

• The dance company I joined, Random Transformations Dance Company. We rehearse on Saturdays. (Yay for this amazing opportunity! Great for my resume.)

• The nonprofit online magazine in Switzerland I write for.

• Another Pilates studio near King’s Cross. I may get a regular shift there, but this still has to be confirmed.

All in all, October is looking to be an exciting month. Besides avoiding the boredom of a 9-to-5 job, this type of freelancing has distinct benefits, especially for someone like me, who’s just moved to a new city. There are more opportunities to meet people when you work in several places, both coworkers and clients. You get to explore different parts of the city, and you experience a ton of new situations that people working in a more traditional setting may not encounter.

As a result, you develop unique skills. For example, the interview process and the first day at a new workpace are two generally daunting prospects. But when you go through both processes four times in one month, you lose a lot of that fear. By the time the fourth ‘first day on the job’ rolls around, you’re pretty much prepared for anything.

Thousands gather outside for the NFL game at Wembley Stadium, while I’m trying to concentrate on writing my article at Starbucks.

Nevertheless, there are certain drawbacks to this lifestyle, too. The biggest one for me is the financial insecurity. Although I’m pretty good at budgeting, my income will be different each month, which makes planning ahead hard. Since I’m working on an hourly basis, I don’t get paid if I take time off. However, if someone’s away or ill and I can cover for them, I might earn a lot more that month. At the moment, I’m still in the process of building up my clientele, so I won’t be working full-time yet and will have to use some of my savings.

Another major drawback is travel time. I don’t get paid for the hours riding on the underground from one job to another – and if it gets stuck, I might miss my shift.

So is it worth it? For me, at the moment, absolutely. Time will tell if this is a sustainable path or not, but for the moment, it is absolutely what I want to pursue. Happy October everyone!

 

 

Crossing Divides

‘In the next year, we should all invite someone into our home that makes us uncomfortabe.’ A quote from one of my best friends, a community leader and writer in the US. Does this statement seem bizzare to you? Let me explain through the recent events which reminded me of it.

Yesterday I went to a Double Dutch fitness event at a community center in West London. When I got there, there was no one at the front desk, even though the phone was ringing.  The place looked inviting, but slightly run down, as if they didn’t have the funds to keep it in optimal shape. I went upstairs to the gym, where some people were setting up a volleyball net, and asked for the dance room. Nobody seemed able or willing to help me find it. So, I returned back downstairs and walked around until I found it, hidden behind the cafeteria. Music was playing, and through the window I saw three women of various ages stretching. On the door, there was a sign saying ‘Do not enter, a session is in progress.’

I was hesitant going inside – was this another session, unrelated to what I was here for? Or had they started early? But the main reason why I wasn’t comfortable just walking in was this: All three women were Black British. The fact is, whether we like it or not, people who are different intimidate us. It makes us uncomfortable to enter a group where we don’t seem to fit in.

When I eventually did enter, they were extremely friendly and welcoming. We had a truly wonderful class. The evening was one of the most fun ones here so far. Turns out that JUMP is London’s Double Dutch club, and they hold regular classes on Thursday evenings. I will absolutely go again and maybe even become a member. As a person who just moved here, I am so glad I found such a fun group to spend some time with.

Think about your friendship group. How many people are similar in age, gender, ethnicity and income bracket to you? How many are different?

Personally, I have an unusual number of different friends, ranging in age from 23 to 75: Americans, English people, Japanese, Swiss; about an equal amount of men and women; cleaners, art teachers, and one (above mentioned) executive director. I also have penfriends all over the world. And still, situations like this can make me uncomfortable. That means there’s still a lot to learn!

So when my friend says we should invite someone over who makes us uncomfortable, he doesn’t mean someone dangerous or creepy. He means someone who’s different, who we might not normally interact with. Someone who lives in the same town as us, but was born under completely different circumstances. How do they perceive the world around them?

 

The Up’s and Down’s of Expat Life

Until now this blog has been all about the wonderful things I do and the beautiful places I visit. Today I will talk about some of the realities of my current situation, as a new person in a different country. As the first excitement of being in London dies down, things are getting a bit more real. There are train delays, rainy days and even a recent terrorist attack to deal with. So far, there have been some awesome developments in my new life, but also some setbacks.

Good days or bad days, it sure is beautiful here!

Awesome Developments

• I got a job! I start on Monday teaching a private Pilates class. Will talk about this in a separate post, but it’s obviously a huge plus.

• I got to see the Changing of the Guards, as well as some beautiful historical sites. London is a gorgeous city, and you can find both skyscrapers and old, historical buildings. I like that a lot.

• I got to visit my friend from high school, whom I haven’t seen for over 6 years. She lives in New Addington, which is a somewhat lengthy, but manageable commute away. She’s married now, with three kids. It’s wonderful to already have her and her family to hang out with – that way I’m not alone.

• My phone arrived, today! I only ordered it yesterday, so this is wonderful. I now officially have a UK phone number.

Recent Setbacks

Recently I’ve been feeling a bit New York-sick. I miss the city and all the friends I made there last year, more so even than Switzerland. Maybe because I know it’ll be much harder to go back to NYC, since you have to fly. It’s hard having multiple homes and trying to stay in touch with everyone.

Also, my living situation is not as awesome as I’d originally thought. It’s still ok, but I will definitely have to look for a more permanent place for November. For starters, I’m only subletting, so I don’t have proof of residence. That means I’ve not been able to get a British bank account. It will be difficult getting paid if this situation doesn’t resolve itself!!

Then, there’s the water heater, which is inside my room and noisy some nights. I’ve resorted to listening to music on my phone while falling asleep. In addition, the water in the shower is much too hot, so every time I take a shower I have to do so in 30 seconds or less, or risk burning myself. There’s no way of turning it down, I asked on the first day. Finally, they said the housekeeper would come on Monday, and she still hasn’t come. It’s starting to get a bit messy, so I really hope she comes this Monday! I would do it myself, but there’s no vacuum cleaner. Guess if she doesn’t come this Monday I’ll have to ask for one.

Many of these are pretty common challenges of early expat life – life isn’t perfect, not even in this great new place. They really are little things though. In a few months, everything will be resolved. But for now, it’s good to rant.

Here are some pictures to prove that it really was worth the move:

 

Travel Tip Tuesday: City Trip Hiking

Welcome to my new Travel Tip Tuesday series! I will be sharing my travelling experience – both in the UK and internationally. TTT posts will appear weekly or bi-weekly.

Are you planning on a longer city trip in the future? Or are you working in a foreign city and craving some greenery? Then this is the tip for you. Get out into the countryside for a day (or half-day, or weekend trip) and hike. Often, it only takes 30-50 minutes to get away from the city, and there are plenty of opportunities to hike with groups.

 

Deer in Knole Park, Sevenoaks – 30 minutes outside of Central London. 

This activity is especially suited to people who:

• Enjoy nature.

• Enjoy hiking and are physically fit.

• Like to meet the locals on trips abroad.

• Want to do something active while on vacation.

• Are travelling alone.

You will need:

• Backpack

• Hiking boots or sneakers

• Long pants, a shirt, a raincoat depending on the country

• Water and snacks

• Camera!

What I Did

I found this 25K hike from Sevenoaks to Oxted via a Meetup group. If you don’t know Meetup yet, it’s an amazing platform to meet other people and do fun activities together. There’s something for everyone – meetups range from knitting circles over gaming conventions to outdoor adventures. There are many hiking groups in London, and I’m sure in other large cities as well. I would personally recommend one with fewer members – our leader told us that sometimes there are 40 people on one hike. We were only three, and it was a perfect way to see more of the country I now find myself in.

On Meetup, you can choose between half-day, full-day and multiple-day trips according to your preference. There are also different groups for people of differing fitness levels. Have a look – you might be surprised at what you find.

 

A traditional English oast house. 

 

 

Expat Life: The Job Search and Getting a National Insurance Number

My first week in London draws to a close!A lot has happened all at once. On my first day (Tuesday), I took a ballet class at the studio Danceworks, where I found out about free classes being held in Shepherd’s Bush. New ballet pianists were being trained, so they held the class for free while the apprentice pianists played.

So, I went to those classes for the rest of the week. I was surprised mainly by the wonderful team spirit of everyone involved. The other dancers seemed so genuine and nice, not competitive at all. In fact, everyone in London has been super kind! Even in the US, people weren’t this friendly.

On the same day, I also applied for two Pilates teaching jobs. I got the names from the directors of my New York studio, where I did my teacher training. Both replied on Wednesday, and I have already met one director. His studio is in Kentish Town. Usually, Pilates job interviews consist of the prospective teacher taking a class from the owner. In this case, I can say that the studio director seems like a really knowledgeable teacher. I’m going back on Monday to discuss employment possibilities, and on Wednesday, I’m going to meet the director of the other studio I applied to.

The King’s Head: Beautiful restaurant near the Tooting Job Centre. 

I also had to go to the Job Centre in Tooting, where they hold National Insurance Number interviews. My interview was at 1:35, and I got there at 1:30. I was immediately called up after registering, and told to go upstairs and ask for an employee called Ramesh. Upstairs there’s another waiting area, but again, it only took a few minutes for them to call my name. Ramesh filled out the application form for me and looked at my documents to verify my identity. He was helpful, answering all my questions and taking care to get the information correct. Then he told me that within 2-4 weeks I should get a letter from them. All in all a very pleasant experience. I was surprised at the high level of orgnization and efficiency of the Tooting Job Centre.

And on Saturday … well, here’s a little preview:

Stay tuned for a new article series, starting on Tuesday and starring these lovely guys!

First Impressions

When you first meet someone new, it’s wonderful and exciting. Everything they do is unexpected and makes your heart beat faster. They’re funny, smart, attractive and awe-inspiring.

It’s similar when you meet a new city. Everything is different and unusual. There are wonderful landmarks, beautiful buildings and awesome parks. Only later will you get to know the ugly sides, the annoying bits of day-to-day life. You’ll figure out that whether it’s a subway or a tube, the Thames or the Hudson River, life still reverts to a steady rhythm.

But for now, I’m in the exploratory stage of this new home. Here are my four first impressions of this new home.

St Pancras! I made it!!

• Everything’s red! I dare you to find a building in London that doesn’t consist of at least one red brick. It’s awesome, but at the same time slightly confusing. Just imagine trying to describe the way to someone!!

• Red double decker buses and black taxi cabs really do exist, just like in the movies. I even rode on such a bus, although I couldn’t go to the upper deck because of all my luggage.

• People are really friendly and outgoing, and try their best to be helpful. How encouraging!

• It sure does rain a lot in London.

My little place is just as described, I love it. It’s wonderful to have a space all my own, but still connected to the main house. The people living here are lovely.

The red brick house I live in

Lovely church near where I live.

Moving to a Different Country: Living on a Budget CAN be fun!

5, 4, 3 … only 2 days until my move to London. I’ve been so busy I haven’t even had the time to do a proper count down. These past three weeks, I’ve been substitute teaching Math, Biology and Physical Education at secondary schools in Switzerland. The jobs just kept coming – who knew that so many teachers got sick or injured within the first few weeks of school?

Packing!!

It was great to be able to make some last-minute money. I’m so glad my parents pushed me to finish my college degree now, since this allows me to substitute teach in schools all over Switzerland. Unlike some other countries, the government here pays their teachers quite well. Depending on which canton (state) you go to, you can earn up to $85 USD per 45-minute lesson. My Bachelor’s degree gives me a lot of stability, since I know that if all else fails, I can go back and teach in a school. This allows me to focus on my dreams, knowing that if things don’t work out, I have a solid Plan B in place.

Aren’t the British five pound notes beautiful? 

I don’t have a steady job lined up in London yet, so I’ll be relying on my savings for a while. Being a person who worries a lot, this is quite stressful for me. I don’t like spending money when none or little is coming in. The thing that has helped me the most is making a solid plan of my expenses. I break it up as follows:

• Housing. This is one of my largest expenses, and it takes up around 25% of my total monthly budget.

• Train fares. I will be living in London’s Zone 4, so the fare is around £180 GBP per month.

• Dance classes. With a maximum budget of £20 per day (6 days a week), this is my biggest ‘splurge’. Makes sense though, because it’s what’s keeping my body in shape. Without regular classes, I’d soon be so out of shape that I wouldn’t find any dance job at all.

• Insurance. I’m keeping my Swiss insurance for the time being, until I know whether I’ll be staying in London longer-term.

• Food, phone (in case I get an English one), shopping, single-ride bus fares, leisure activities. This’ll make up one third of my total budget.

Having a plan in place and knowing that I can live on my savings for a certain amount of time really helps not to be too stressed about expenses. This way I can set myself a limit to how much I want to spend on that last category each day. I did the same thing last year in the US.

Now, how will I make this sort of budgeting fun?

It’s quite simple: I make a game out of saving up. I have a little yellow book, where I record everything I spend. At the end of the week, I total it up and compare it to my weekly limit. With this system, I am very aware of what I spend, and I usually end up spending way less than my upper limit. Over the weeks, I add up this surplus, and soon, I’ve saved up a considerable amount.

Although some of this money will go into a savings account, I’ll sometimes take a bit of it out and treat myself to something special. These objects – clothes, a special type of food I love, or sports gear – have a lot more meaning, because I worked hard saving up for them.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This post is meant in a light-hearted way and aimed at young college students/ professionals, who are just starting out and saving up. I realize that some people have true financial problems, and for them, being on a budget is not fun at all. 

The view from my window in Switzerland. I’ll miss my beautiful room! 

Struggling with UTI: Any tips?

It’s a week before my move to London – and I’m struggling with a recurring UTI. This started about 2 months ago, when I got back to Switzerland from New York. I eventually went to a doctor and got prescribed antibiotics. They worked for about a week – then it came back, this time a different type of bacteria. Now I’m on another round of antibiotics.

It’s not painful, just annoying, and I would really prefer not to take this problem with me to England. Do you have any experience with this? If so, what did you do to make it go away?

So far I’ve tried:

• Antibiotics
• Cranberry juice and tablets
• Herbal tea

No luck! I’m still feeling like this:

Any other ideas?

 

On a happier note, here’s a list of exciting preparations I’ve done for my trip:

• I’ve booked the train ticket. It’s an 8-hour train trip with one change in Paris. Lots of opportunities for taking pictures!
• I’ve looked into banks and how to set up a new account. The only trouble is, you need proof of residence in the UK to get an English credit card, and to get proof of residence you need a job (for which you need a credit card …) I’ll have to figure something out. Maybe a prepaid card is the way to go.
• I’ve found several dance studios and projects. They sound really great and classes aren’t too expensive in London, so I’m really excited.