Honestly, I may as well be a frog. My voice is barely functioning and when I do let out the odd noise, it’s a croak.

Yours truly has managed to get ill in Dubai. From out of the blue, I woke up a few days ago feeling awful, my throat hurt, I was coughing and wheezing and just bleurgh (that must be a real word by now!).

Fortunately for the lovely people who watch my YouTube Vlogs (which can be found here) and my family, you can enjoy some peace and quiet as I will be using my voice as little as possible. For those of you that know me, you would understand how this is a nice change!

But enough complaining, I’ve got no excuse but to blog in bed now. It’s been a few days since I last blogged but I’ve been lacking inspiration and my mood has been quite up and down!

However, I should’ve blogged sooner because I’ve realised that when typing my thoughts and emotions on here, it allows me to rationally think through each issue and action.

You see, I’ve been feeling a little lost and left behind. Having graduated from university in October 2012, I’d have thought that I would be in my dream job by now (mid-January 2013). Yet, what little Surena didn’t realise, was that you actually have to apply to jobs to get them rather than this little fantasy in your head that believed it would be handed to you on a silver platter.

It sounds stupid but I’ve always been ambitious, however, sometimes my head gets lost in the clouds!

I’ve been looking at people I went to uni with and it seems as though everyone’s living the dream. Travelling, in an amazing job, getting numerous interviews etc.

What I hadn’t realised, until very recently, was that people show you what they want you to see, which isn’t necessarily the whole truth. I was reading a blog by Hannah Gale (which can be found here) and it put a lot of things into perspective for me.

I could also potentially be working in my dream company/companies but a lot of them would only make it possible by interning there. I remember my tutors at university telling us not to do any more internships because we’ve now, finally, reached a level where we should be paid for our work.

I’m beginning to consider doing an internship, however, but that is an absolute last resort.

In Dubai, a lot of the chances of finding a job heavily rely upon who you know. Fortunately, when I was younger (well, 15/16/17) I carried out work experience and internships in Dubai. This allowed me to make contacts and network. My very first experience of Journalism was in Dubai at just 15 (see my first post), this experience was what made me pursue a career in Journalism and where better to continue with that dream than in Dubai, where it all began.

Last Thursday, I decided to use my initiative and contact the Associate Editor of the leading national paper in Dubai, Gulf News, as I had interviewed him for one of my modules at University. At the end of the interview, I mentioned that I would love to one-day work at the paper when I had graduated. He kindly said I was welcome back at any time and to get in touch once I had completed university. When I phoned him, I reminded him who I was, to which he responded: “You kept my number all this time, you’re a very good journalist!”, I then mentioned that I was now back in Dubai and looking for a job, which he responded to by kindly inviting me to meet him on Sunday (the beginning of the Dubai working week-Friday and Saturday are our weekends here!), at any time in the afternoon.

I spent the weekend anxiously but excitedly preparing for this interview, I even did a bit of shopping in order to prepare for it (check out my latest Vlog to see what I bought). Sunday came round and I finally ordered my taxi, which ordered half an hour late, cue Surena muttering abuse, calling the taxi company seven times and vowing to learn to drive next week!

This was my makeup/face for the interview i.e. the same as every other day!

Sorry for the slight duck-face, I genuinely didn’t mean to pout!

I arrived at the Gulf News head offices and was shortly greeted by the Associate Editor, who informed me that he couldn’t see me for long as his deputy was off. I was still grateful to be there as he could have cancelled! The interview/meeting itself lasted about two minutes as he had a look at my CV and was going to email me to let me know what he could do. I’m still waiting to hear from him but he has been busy and I feel positive about hearing something back from him.

I’m not expecting a job straight away, but even him considering to read my CV and potentially find me a job was good enough for me!

So that’s what’s been happening lately.

I’m sorry this is an essay of the post but I hope you enjoyed reading it! Let me know if you’re currently job hunting, or about to start/leave a job.

Surena x