I have already been living in different places such as very small room with little light, huge room with a lot of light, shared room, single room, room with wonderful view on El Misti volcano, room with no view, nice and clean house, very dirty house, kot which reminds me a bit of shared flat, shared house hmm that's it probably. But I have never lived in a house with swimming pool heh till now :-))
Doris asked me again if I want to swim. So I put on my swimming suit and went downstairs. The swimming pool itself is quite small, it is maybe 10x4 meters. But there is this special BUTTON, which you push in order to have counter current. So actually, I was swimming on the same place. Seems weird, but it is really great. Oh, I think will go for that tomorrow as well. Really need some sport.
This is probably what makes the difference while talking about quality of life.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Different face of LLN
In January we spent quite a lot of time with Janka walking around LLN and discovering totally new places. It was part of the whole studying procedure heh sometimes, short breaks are necessary :-)) This actually turned out to be really interesting activity. Especially, once we walked around weird place, looked like a skvot (sorry, have no idea how to write this word). I would never imagine such a place in surroundings of LLN. Maybe some hippie students are living in there. Who knows?
Unfortunately, my photos are not really sharp... I took only my old camera.
Unfortunately, my photos are not really sharp... I took only my old camera.
Sweet kisses and football match
Oh, today I got two sweet kisses for good night, one from Jules and another one from Antoine. They are soooo sweet.
On the other hand, I lost in table football with Jules (ehm which is a bit shame as he is only 6 years old), but to compensate my previous defeat I won the second match heh So we are even at the moment. We will see, how the score will go on during the next days :-))
...Martin and Jules...
...Doris...
...Jules...
...Antoine - he is like the little sun, always smiling...in this photo surprised by my camera...
...Antoine - hiding in the buggy, look at those big eyes :-))
On the other hand, I lost in table football with Jules (ehm which is a bit shame as he is only 6 years old), but to compensate my previous defeat I won the second match heh So we are even at the moment. We will see, how the score will go on during the next days :-))
Some photos from trip to Lille:
...Martin and Jules...
...Doris...
...Jules...
...Antoine - he is like the little sun, always smiling...in this photo surprised by my camera...
...Antoine - hiding in the buggy, look at those big eyes :-))Brussels, Tournai, Lille (weekend)
On Saturday I went to Brussels quite early in the morning. I was supposed to have breakfast at Giuseppe's place, he left me the key from his apartment as he is in Korea during the whole week. I just love the place. It is in the very center of Brussels, which is simply the best :-) Moreover, the place itself is cozy, romantic and comfortable. It is some kind of old but bright apartment with gas fireplace, two spacious rooms, wooden floor, piano, and wonderful decoration (yes, it really seems that Giuseppe has a good taste).
Later on I went to Tournai. Even though it is closer from Enghien, I decided to benefit from the weather. I did not really stay long though.
I arranged with Laurence for the evening. It was nice to see her again. We went to Los Romanticos. I always feel so stupid while dancing salsa, just cannot feel the rhythm (have to work on that once back in Prague). Moreover, it is the place where Bernardo comes quite often and I was tired as I did not sleep a lot. For all these reasons I left quite early.
In the morning I took the train to Enghien. Martin came to pick me up and later in the day, we went to Lille. I really like the city. Center and Vieux Lille is beautiful, reminds me a bit of Bruges. We had nice lunch, walked a bit around and came back. I liked the day :-))
...main square in Lille...
...typical café resto...
...book market... heh I could spend hours there...
...Martin and Jules looking for some nice book...
...ehm not sure what kind of building is that, but is is nice, isn't it? :-)
...street in Vieux Lille...
Later on I went to Tournai. Even though it is closer from Enghien, I decided to benefit from the weather. I did not really stay long though.
I arranged with Laurence for the evening. It was nice to see her again. We went to Los Romanticos. I always feel so stupid while dancing salsa, just cannot feel the rhythm (have to work on that once back in Prague). Moreover, it is the place where Bernardo comes quite often and I was tired as I did not sleep a lot. For all these reasons I left quite early.
In the morning I took the train to Enghien. Martin came to pick me up and later in the day, we went to Lille. I really like the city. Center and Vieux Lille is beautiful, reminds me a bit of Bruges. We had nice lunch, walked a bit around and came back. I liked the day :-))
...main square in Lille...
...typical café resto...
...book market... heh I could spend hours there...
...Martin and Jules looking for some nice book...
...ehm not sure what kind of building is that, but is is nice, isn't it? :-)
...street in Vieux Lille...Friday, January 25, 2008
My temporary home
Ok, I moved again. This time within Belgium. As I had no accommodation since today, Doris, my manager, proposed me to stay at her place. She told me that she has a big house with a swimming pool, if I want, I can even swim in there. I agreed, who would refuse such an offer.
Later on, I started to be a bit worried. Well, it is not so obvious to live at your manager's place. One never know... I arrived few hours ago. And it seems to be really nice and agreeable so far.
The name of the place is Enghien and it is approximately 30km far from Brussels. Not far at all. The only thing is that the house is around one hour far from the train station, which makes me dependent on Doris and her husband Martin a lot.
Well, but for three weeks it is perfect place to stay. I have not seen surroundings of the place yet as we arrived by night. But it seems to be quiet town. What I like the most about the house are children's toys everywhere. It gives the place such a cozy atmosphere.I have wonderful big room with huge bed and "table football" heh :-)) Moreover, I am sharing bathroom with the two cutest boys I have ever seen hihi one is 2 and the other one is 6 years old :-)) There is swimming pool and many things that I would hardly find in some other house.
Moreover, I have impression that we will all get on well. Doris told me that if I want to do something on my own, it is perfectly ok for them, they will not feel offended. And if I would like to do something with them, it will be their pleasure. For example, on Saturday evening they invited some friends as they thought that it might be good for me. But the thing is I have already arranged with Laurence. So I do not know, what to do grrrrrrr.
Later on, I started to be a bit worried. Well, it is not so obvious to live at your manager's place. One never know... I arrived few hours ago. And it seems to be really nice and agreeable so far.
The name of the place is Enghien and it is approximately 30km far from Brussels. Not far at all. The only thing is that the house is around one hour far from the train station, which makes me dependent on Doris and her husband Martin a lot.
Well, but for three weeks it is perfect place to stay. I have not seen surroundings of the place yet as we arrived by night. But it seems to be quiet town. What I like the most about the house are children's toys everywhere. It gives the place such a cozy atmosphere.I have wonderful big room with huge bed and "table football" heh :-)) Moreover, I am sharing bathroom with the two cutest boys I have ever seen hihi one is 2 and the other one is 6 years old :-)) There is swimming pool and many things that I would hardly find in some other house.
Moreover, I have impression that we will all get on well. Doris told me that if I want to do something on my own, it is perfectly ok for them, they will not feel offended. And if I would like to do something with them, it will be their pleasure. For example, on Saturday evening they invited some friends as they thought that it might be good for me. But the thing is I have already arranged with Laurence. So I do not know, what to do grrrrrrr.
Facebook torture
Since the beginning of January I am doing my internship in Pfizer in LLN at the department of Human Resources. Sometimes very interesting, sometimes less, I try to use my time in the most effective way. Either I work on the projects that I am responsible for, or, while waiting for approval from my manager, I read news, articles about different historical issues, photography or simply blogs of my friends.
During the first week I even signed once into my FB account to reply to some messages.
Few days ago I wanted to sign in again, and here is the result: "Pfizer has blocked myspace.com and facebook.com as a result of the proliferation of malicious software being distributed from each of these web sites. The Pfizer Information Security and Privacy Council (ISPC) understand the personal value some colleagues receive from this web site, but the business risk is unacceptable."
Pity, hm?? I have only notifications to my email, when somebody writes me nice message. BUT I cannot answer!!! I feel as if I was shown delicious cake (you know, how much I am keen on sweets), heh, but would tell me that I can have it only if I bake the same at my place, where the oven is not always working heh (well, maybe a bit complicated metaphor :-))) but the point is there :-))
During the first week I even signed once into my FB account to reply to some messages.
Few days ago I wanted to sign in again, and here is the result: "Pfizer has blocked myspace.com and facebook.com as a result of the proliferation of malicious software being distributed from each of these web sites. The Pfizer Information Security and Privacy Council (ISPC) understand the personal value some colleagues receive from this web site, but the business risk is unacceptable."Pity, hm?? I have only notifications to my email, when somebody writes me nice message. BUT I cannot answer!!! I feel as if I was shown delicious cake (you know, how much I am keen on sweets), heh, but would tell me that I can have it only if I bake the same at my place, where the oven is not always working heh (well, maybe a bit complicated metaphor :-))) but the point is there :-))
After 20 weeks in LLN
Yesterday I packed everything. I cleaned the whole room. Well, apart windo
ws, what I had to do today in the morning in order not to have any deduction from the guarantee. And I left my room after 20 weeks. Without any tears, without any special emotions. Nothing. How come?? There must be some reason. It is probably due to the fact that I am not leaving the place for good yet. I will be coming to LLN everyday, I will meet my kotmates and some other people that were part of my life here. And I will meet some friends in Brussels as well. It is not finished yet. Not at all. I still have some time left. Let's enjoy it!!!
ws, what I had to do today in the morning in order not to have any deduction from the guarantee. And I left my room after 20 weeks. Without any tears, without any special emotions. Nothing. How come?? There must be some reason. It is probably due to the fact that I am not leaving the place for good yet. I will be coming to LLN everyday, I will meet my kotmates and some other people that were part of my life here. And I will meet some friends in Brussels as well. It is not finished yet. Not at all. I still have some time left. Let's enjoy it!!!Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Crossroad
A week and half ago I found myself on the crossroad. I was standing there, looking once to the right another time to the left, thinking which direction would be better choice for me. Which one would represent bigger challenge, would provide me with more satisfaction and inner happiness, more self-esteeme and personal development. Yesterday, I crossed the road. There was red light on one side and the green one on the other one. It was not really me, who has made the choice. But circumstancies that I could not change at this moment.
Standing there, in the middle of something unknown, gave me opportunity or maybe forced me to really think about both directions. To assess my motivation for pursuing one or the another. I managed to make it clear in my head. And the best about it is that now I am able to see even more opportunities ahead.
As once Tomek wrote me, the world is ours, we will get as much as we want :-))
Standing there, in the middle of something unknown, gave me opportunity or maybe forced me to really think about both directions. To assess my motivation for pursuing one or the another. I managed to make it clear in my head. And the best about it is that now I am able to see even more opportunities ahead.
As once Tomek wrote me, the world is ours, we will get as much as we want :-))
Monday, January 21, 2008
My birthday 2008
As my birthday is in January, exactly in the middle of exam period in Prague, there is no opportunity for preparing any kind of special evening or party.
This year, being finished with exams before, I enjoyed the day a lot. I got such a nice present - the practical one as I was said. Two cute "worry people", small figures made out of matches. In case of any worries it is necessary to share those worries with these puppets, place them under the pillow, and in the morning worries are gone. And it works!!!! :-) Moreover, we tasted snails with Janka. It was a bit challenge, as snails are not the most cutest animals ever heh. But in the end, it was quite good lol ;-)) Later on, Spanish people sang Cumpleanos feliz for me and we had fun at the party. I was so happy about all messages, emails, phone calls, facebook and ICQ wishes that I got.
THANKS A LOT, YOU ALL MADE MY DAY!!! :-)
(snails ... yamiiiii ;-))
(looks delicious, hm?)
(happy about eating and even more about having finished it lol ;-)
This year, being finished with exams before, I enjoyed the day a lot. I got such a nice present - the practical one as I was said. Two cute "worry people", small figures made out of matches. In case of any worries it is necessary to share those worries with these puppets, place them under the pillow, and in the morning worries are gone. And it works!!!! :-) Moreover, we tasted snails with Janka. It was a bit challenge, as snails are not the most cutest animals ever heh. But in the end, it was quite good lol ;-)) Later on, Spanish people sang Cumpleanos feliz for me and we had fun at the party. I was so happy about all messages, emails, phone calls, facebook and ICQ wishes that I got.
THANKS A LOT, YOU ALL MADE MY DAY!!! :-)
(snails ... yamiiiii ;-))
(looks delicious, hm?)
(happy about eating and even more about having finished it lol ;-)Sunday, January 20, 2008
My favorite café and resto in LLN
Cedric was in Brussels this weekend. As I had the birthday on Friday, we went for a dinner today. Oh, but this was THE DINNER.
Firstly, we had an appetizer at my place. Wonderful champagne from real champagne glasses :-) And afterwards, we chose "Empreintes nomades" as a resto for dinner. It is very agreeable place for having a coffee (they prepare wonderful lait russe and cappuccino, and always add small piece of Toblerone chocolate yamiiiii ;-) and food is delicious (based on today's experience). Moreover, from time to time there is one server who reminds me of Brad Pitt (hehe if Janka read this, she would definitely laugh a lot :-)) 'cause she does not really share my opinion hehehehe).
Well, back to the topic :-)) I took tajine and Cedric had mezzo. Ooooooooh, it was for the first time that I ate tajine, but it was sooooo gooooood. Moreover, I really like chatting with Cedric. He has interesting point of view on different issues.
Firstly, we had an appetizer at my place. Wonderful champagne from real champagne glasses :-) And afterwards, we chose "Empreintes nomades" as a resto for dinner. It is very agreeable place for having a coffee (they prepare wonderful lait russe and cappuccino, and always add small piece of Toblerone chocolate yamiiiii ;-) and food is delicious (based on today's experience). Moreover, from time to time there is one server who reminds me of Brad Pitt (hehe if Janka read this, she would definitely laugh a lot :-)) 'cause she does not really share my opinion hehehehe).
Well, back to the topic :-)) I took tajine and Cedric had mezzo. Ooooooooh, it was for the first time that I ate tajine, but it was sooooo gooooood. Moreover, I really like chatting with Cedric. He has interesting point of view on different issues.
Such a cultural weekend
Apart Rubens's exhibition with Janka I joined Giuseppe and his friends for exhibition of Arab world. Interesting, a bit abstract, but definitely original approach to the topic :-)
On Sunday I joined Šaňo and Katka for baroque concert. It took place in small chapel in Brussels and even though it was for free, Šaňo had to book places for us. It was baroque opera, musicians played the special ancient baroque musical instruments. I loved it. After a good movie I always leave cinema with wonderful feeling. I had exactly the same feeling after this concert. Oh, hard to describe it. Such an experience, being really into the music, do not thing about anything else, just live it.
On Sunday I joined Šaňo and Katka for baroque concert. It took place in small chapel in Brussels and even though it was for free, Šaňo had to book places for us. It was baroque opera, musicians played the special ancient baroque musical instruments. I loved it. After a good movie I always leave cinema with wonderful feeling. I had exactly the same feeling after this concert. Oh, hard to describe it. Such an experience, being really into the music, do not thing about anything else, just live it.
When there are no exams...
...weekends are full of different activities :-))
On Saturday, we went with Janka to see exhibition of Rubens's paintings in Bozarts museum in Brussels. I enjoyed being in Brussels a lot. It is a city that provides quite a lot of nice surprises while walking in the streets. This time it was nice concert in Ravenstein passage. Afterwards, we wanted to do some shopping, but because of huge mass of people we decided to let it be and instead, enjoyed one glass of "vin aromatisé" in Goupile le Fol.
Later on, I met Giuseppe and some of his friends. It was really agreeable evening in their company. Hope to catch up with them soon again.
There was party at Miguel's place that night in LLN. Hehe there is always quite a lot of fun at Miguel's place :-)) I was a bit tired and sad about saying good bye or maybe adios... Who knows. At some point, Erasmus people started to spill beer all around the kot and all around the people. Some of them were totally wet. I really liked the comment of one Belgian guy: "Heh they have adopted Louvain la Neuve." It could not be said in more precise way :-))
On Saturday, we went with Janka to see exhibition of Rubens's paintings in Bozarts museum in Brussels. I enjoyed being in Brussels a lot. It is a city that provides quite a lot of nice surprises while walking in the streets. This time it was nice concert in Ravenstein passage. Afterwards, we wanted to do some shopping, but because of huge mass of people we decided to let it be and instead, enjoyed one glass of "vin aromatisé" in Goupile le Fol.
Later on, I met Giuseppe and some of his friends. It was really agreeable evening in their company. Hope to catch up with them soon again.
There was party at Miguel's place that night in LLN. Hehe there is always quite a lot of fun at Miguel's place :-)) I was a bit tired and sad about saying good bye or maybe adios... Who knows. At some point, Erasmus people started to spill beer all around the kot and all around the people. Some of them were totally wet. I really liked the comment of one Belgian guy: "Heh they have adopted Louvain la Neuve." It could not be said in more precise way :-))
The bottle of wine
Today, very unexpectedly, I got a present. It was a cork. Very simple one. Red wine. Chateau Verite 2005. There was just the name and phone number (not the Belgian one) written on it.
Oh, gosh, how I hate saying goodbye...
I still have the label of that bottle.
Oh, gosh, how I hate saying goodbye...
I still have the label of that bottle.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Fňuk
We arranged with my kot-mates to have bye bye dinner together, once all of us are done with exams. It was supposed to be this Wednesday and we wanted to go to Piano, as I have not been there yet and it is one of those "musts" in LLN. But lately, my two kot-mates argued and the evolution of the situation is not really in the right direction. Of course, the reason is so stupid. Everything began when we told Justine to wash her dishes more often than once per two weeks. Later on, Justine accused Joy of having burnt her microwave. Etc etc etc...
The result is that Joy told me today in the morning that it does not really fit her to come for the dinner. But well, she will do her best and try to come. Later on, Justine came and told me that because of some problems she definitely has to go home tomorrow. But if I want, we can go for the dinner during the next semester when I am still here. Blah blah blah...
I feel sad. Because I was really looking forward to it soooo much... I know, it is not the end of the world. But it is really pity that we managed to live together without any serious problems and now, when I am about to leave the place, everything is going wrong.
The result is that Joy told me today in the morning that it does not really fit her to come for the dinner. But well, she will do her best and try to come. Later on, Justine came and told me that because of some problems she definitely has to go home tomorrow. But if I want, we can go for the dinner during the next semester when I am still here. Blah blah blah...
I feel sad. Because I was really looking forward to it soooo much... I know, it is not the end of the world. But it is really pity that we managed to live together without any serious problems and now, when I am about to leave the place, everything is going wrong.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Puzzle
Life is a puzzle built from different pieces that can eventually change the whole shape of final jigsaw. Pieces represent choices that we have to make, moments when we have to decide which path we will pursue in the future. Seems like a cliché?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2007
At the end of the year I always make the evaluation of those past 365 days.
I wanted 2006 to finish so much! And when it was over, on the 1st January 2007 at 00:00 while watching wonderful fireworks over Danube river, I made a deal with myself. I will try to enjoy every single minute of the next year, and leave all negative thoughts in 2006, will try to travel and to get to know new place where I have not been before. Simply said, I will try to do everything that I missed in 2006 and skip everything that bothered me so much.
And now, at the beginning of 2008, I am happy to look back. Really HAPPY and SATISFIED. I did my best and I know that I could do even a bit better. But there is always space for continuous improvement :-)
I visited so many places (Milan, Paris, all around Belgium - Leuven, Atwerpen, Ghent, Knokke, Osteende, Bruges, Blankenberge, Brussels, Namur, Dinant, Hasselt, part of Wallonie - then Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Trier, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, Berlin, several times MY Strasbourg ... ). I got accepted to CEMS what I dreamed about since my first year at the university. I did my traineeship in European Parliament. I spent wonderful week at Rhodos with my Mum. I finished my Bc. degree. I passed my Erasmus semester in Louvain la Neuve (which is really specific place, probably unique :-) And what is the most important, I met many wonderful people, pieces from their souls are still living in me.
One thing that I regret a lot is that while being so much abroad I lost contact with some friends from Prague. Have not heard from them for a while... Moreover, I could not go to Santiago de Compostela during the summer and apart those four wonderful days in Tatras at the end of August, I did not spent much time in the mountains or generally, in the nature.
This year was full of experience, fun, experiences, personal and professional development, new motivation and ideas. I learned a lot from my own mistakes.
I simply LOVED it!!! And I would like to thank all of you for being part of it and making it as beautiful as it was.
I wanted 2006 to finish so much! And when it was over, on the 1st January 2007 at 00:00 while watching wonderful fireworks over Danube river, I made a deal with myself. I will try to enjoy every single minute of the next year, and leave all negative thoughts in 2006, will try to travel and to get to know new place where I have not been before. Simply said, I will try to do everything that I missed in 2006 and skip everything that bothered me so much.
And now, at the beginning of 2008, I am happy to look back. Really HAPPY and SATISFIED. I did my best and I know that I could do even a bit better. But there is always space for continuous improvement :-)
I visited so many places (Milan, Paris, all around Belgium - Leuven, Atwerpen, Ghent, Knokke, Osteende, Bruges, Blankenberge, Brussels, Namur, Dinant, Hasselt, part of Wallonie - then Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Trier, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, Berlin, several times MY Strasbourg ... ). I got accepted to CEMS what I dreamed about since my first year at the university. I did my traineeship in European Parliament. I spent wonderful week at Rhodos with my Mum. I finished my Bc. degree. I passed my Erasmus semester in Louvain la Neuve (which is really specific place, probably unique :-) And what is the most important, I met many wonderful people, pieces from their souls are still living in me.
One thing that I regret a lot is that while being so much abroad I lost contact with some friends from Prague. Have not heard from them for a while... Moreover, I could not go to Santiago de Compostela during the summer and apart those four wonderful days in Tatras at the end of August, I did not spent much time in the mountains or generally, in the nature.
This year was full of experience, fun, experiences, personal and professional development, new motivation and ideas. I learned a lot from my own mistakes.
I simply LOVED it!!! And I would like to thank all of you for being part of it and making it as beautiful as it was.
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