Ps. Paris is on

Just bought 2 tickets for Paris as N thought it was a great idea :))

In August only, so will have to wait another few months, but yeah - my mood went up several levels. I just realised that I'm a travel yunkie - just the thought of another travel makes me high ;)

travel dreams

Tired of work at the moment, completely demotivated after a discussion with my boss last week where it was clear that the promotion we discussed in December and which then seemed to be due in the first half of this year, might come at the end of the year - and not sure, all depending on criteria, finance etc... Which on itself wasn't really motivating, but worse was the feeling I got from my boss off a certain distance and coldness and not one single motivating word, as per example that he appreciates my work. Nope, nothing, nada, riente, ingenting.

So not very motivated, and of course, as always when the lack of motivation sets in I dream about travelling. About travelling the world as planned, although the lack of raise linked with the postponed or cancelled promotion will make saving money a little bit more difficult adding a month or two of obliged work. And in the meantime, about travelling around here. Just looked for train tickets for a weekend in Paris with my love. Could be fun! Only 3h away and total cost both ways of only 40 EUR. And Paris is so lovely!! Would be great to walk around and enjoying nice restaurants etc with N :)

So, travel dreams or demotivation - the first one sounded just a bit more optimistic and hence was allowed to become the title of this entry. Dreaming, dreaming, dreaming...

life is good

When I can put on my rollers and glide into work in the sun, down by the lake, just enjoying the morning with a smile plastered on my face.

Even having to walk down 4 flat of stairs with my rollers on couldn't erase my good mood, although I cannot help to wonder how difficult it can be to make sure the elevator door is closed.

Off to sit in the sun finishing a fun book for lunch. Life is indeed good :)

applications saga

Today I received the following e-mail (without any Dear Madame or even a Hi, and without any best regards and or a name at the end):

"I'm Indonesian. Can I join the essays since I'm not from the region in question? But I do interested in the police reform issues. In my country, this is hot issue. We often question the police roles in keeping citizens' safetiness/ "

very professional.... luckily for me, considering that the person is from the wrong region the answer was easy.

Didn't remember either how many laughs I got out of these applications :)

applications - wow sometimes I wonder...

I am organising an event in July for people from the region I work with, young people who are just entering the job market or about to finish their degrees, usually quite interesting people.

Well the final group of persons selected are usually interesting. However, I had completely forgotten about all the bizarre applications that go with such a selection procedure.

So far, my answers have been from an excellent but very pregnant lady who I already know, but who cannot actually make the event as she will be giving birth then but who is interested in writing an essay anyway (the basis of selection) to perhaps come to the follow-up event - which does not make sense at all. And that is the best applicant.

The second application came very quickly, which made me doubt the sincerity as potential participants have to write approx. 5 pages of essay answering some precise questions - not usually done in 3 days, and included both a CV and a paper. Looking quite promising at first, all things considering. Only that the paper was actually a 48! pages long thesis essay which has nothing to do with the subject of the conference. And the CV, not only really badly formatted, but also written in quite a horrible excuse for English (which still could be excused though), but mentioning as "profession" an MA in International Relations! etc....

The third and last application so far, only said "I will apply" as the subject of the mail, and then nothing inside the mail except for the name and title of the person. Very useful! NOT!

So, at the moment it is all a bit depressing. Hopefully the standard of applications will pick up as the deadline of submission approaches, set in a few weeks. In the meantime, I now have the pleasure to write back to these lovely applicants telling them to "get a grip" but in a nice, diplomatic way. Oh the joy of another working day... ;)