Today should be a good day, since it's payday!!! YEAH!
A little update of the series I am watching these days or watched recently:
Maou
Love Shuffle
Voice
Uta no oniisan
Let's hope I'll keep having the time to watch them this season.
PS: FOr some, this is a bloody day...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Rollercoaster
Today has been a bit eventful. I almost got an international assignment as a team leader in Geneva, if the 14 other applicants in Geneva did not exist. Nevertheless, I showed up on time this morning at 9:00, to see an email from the very pregnant team leader in Geneva asking me to book a Videoconferencing room for 10:00 for my interview.
Rewind.....
February 2nd we receive an email about some assignment in geneva, with an assessment scheduled on February 5th. On february 5th, I inquire about the details of the roles to my boss, who knows nothing more than I do. So he suggested I register my interest. So I agreed and told him 'yeah, well, to be interested, we also need the details right?'. So that was Thursday evening. Then the next day, Friday at 5PM, HR calls me and asks me to send a CV and motivation letter to very pregnant woman L. that is about 30min before I finish. Fortunately Mrs. L. asks me to send those on Monday instead as she is in a hurry to go on weekend. Which I sent first thing yesterday...
And this morning, I had to book a bloody videoconferencing room. Fortunately one boss was around so I just begged for a room and she made the booking. Then I had to find the room and make the damn thing work..so my boss came down with me and we tried to find the damn room in Geneva...he managed to connect to it, sat me down in the executive chair and left me panting for air...And so started the most unprepared job interview of my career so far:
-'what is your plan to improve performance and reach this year's objective?'
ah, a plan? hmmm...I surely said something plausible but since it was improvised I cannot remeber what i said
-'how do you go about working with product A and B?
Wait, as far as I know, my boss doesn't know anything about the products I am playing with so...'I'll obviously learn as much as I can on my own, using the resources available'..well that is the most obvious answer I gave...although I doubt it is feasible given the timeline
-'Are you confident to do sogiven that we are looking for someone to start at the end of february at the latest?'
welllll, see??This is why I asked for the bloody details!!! Nowhere in the announcement did it say that it would be so short notice (I am not a journalist so I am not used to being sent to the end of the world in the following minute). But hey, my suitcases are already done since I am moving house, might as well stay packed for Geneva.
Anyway, 1h later of almost jokingly answering all the questions to those 3 Swiss based bosses (2 pregnant ladies and a smily dude), I was told to book another room for this evening to announce their decision.
I had all afternoon to find out the deal about relocation packages and the international assignment policies. By the time I found and made a quick scan of it, it was time for the second videoconference......This time I was incapable of making video contact.
So I sat in the executive chair, looked at myself in the big flat screen in front of me and heard their decisions over the phone: 'I was brilliant, please apply again in June, etc...They'd prefer a plug n play person, who already knows all the stuff.' To be honest, unless the 14 other applicants from Geneva were total crap, it is cheaper for them to have someone local. BUT....I had my face out there and now they know who I am....
Little me is very proud, because I was almost in my pyjamas, in my head especially. Now I just have to apply to those other positions and get to know more people. Thi is like wearing sandwich boards in the streets with my name on it.
Last but not least, I am relieved I am not moving to Geneva for 12 months next week!!
Rewind.....
February 2nd we receive an email about some assignment in geneva, with an assessment scheduled on February 5th. On february 5th, I inquire about the details of the roles to my boss, who knows nothing more than I do. So he suggested I register my interest. So I agreed and told him 'yeah, well, to be interested, we also need the details right?'. So that was Thursday evening. Then the next day, Friday at 5PM, HR calls me and asks me to send a CV and motivation letter to very pregnant woman L. that is about 30min before I finish. Fortunately Mrs. L. asks me to send those on Monday instead as she is in a hurry to go on weekend. Which I sent first thing yesterday...
And this morning, I had to book a bloody videoconferencing room. Fortunately one boss was around so I just begged for a room and she made the booking. Then I had to find the room and make the damn thing work..so my boss came down with me and we tried to find the damn room in Geneva...he managed to connect to it, sat me down in the executive chair and left me panting for air...And so started the most unprepared job interview of my career so far:
-'what is your plan to improve performance and reach this year's objective?'
ah, a plan? hmmm...I surely said something plausible but since it was improvised I cannot remeber what i said
-'how do you go about working with product A and B?
Wait, as far as I know, my boss doesn't know anything about the products I am playing with so...'I'll obviously learn as much as I can on my own, using the resources available'..well that is the most obvious answer I gave...although I doubt it is feasible given the timeline
-'Are you confident to do sogiven that we are looking for someone to start at the end of february at the latest?'
welllll, see??This is why I asked for the bloody details!!! Nowhere in the announcement did it say that it would be so short notice (I am not a journalist so I am not used to being sent to the end of the world in the following minute). But hey, my suitcases are already done since I am moving house, might as well stay packed for Geneva.
Anyway, 1h later of almost jokingly answering all the questions to those 3 Swiss based bosses (2 pregnant ladies and a smily dude), I was told to book another room for this evening to announce their decision.
I had all afternoon to find out the deal about relocation packages and the international assignment policies. By the time I found and made a quick scan of it, it was time for the second videoconference......This time I was incapable of making video contact.
So I sat in the executive chair, looked at myself in the big flat screen in front of me and heard their decisions over the phone: 'I was brilliant, please apply again in June, etc...They'd prefer a plug n play person, who already knows all the stuff.' To be honest, unless the 14 other applicants from Geneva were total crap, it is cheaper for them to have someone local. BUT....I had my face out there and now they know who I am....
Little me is very proud, because I was almost in my pyjamas, in my head especially. Now I just have to apply to those other positions and get to know more people. Thi is like wearing sandwich boards in the streets with my name on it.
Last but not least, I am relieved I am not moving to Geneva for 12 months next week!!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
Snowed in
15cm snow fell overnight and most train didnt work so i couldnt get to work. Ironically as well today is national sick day, ie most people would call in sick.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Old and beautiful
For half a day she tried on the life of a pampered woman : spending that half a day soaking in a hot bath till she wrinkled up, getting ready to walk in the cold to the hairdresser, enjoying a head massage and a new haircut (by a 'director' please! not just a stylist), then healthy dinner with sushi.
All in all though nothing else was done: no studying, no worrying..just magazine reading...kind of letting vacuum take hold of her brain.
Tomorrow, she'll be back as normal, filling up her head with kanji, information about her next trip, and worries about her future 'I'...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
MIdnight shuffle (Kondo Masahiko)
Rather than trying to live strongly
In order to truly become strong
On the edge of the rooftop
I let my wounded feathers tremble
I look up at the cool night sky
I drown in the thrill of frauds
I run into the intense knife blade
What is reality?
Where is the truth?
The blue sky seems further away the more I worry
A devilish smile like an angel
It is overwhelming this town
It seems like it could be broken, it seems it could be lost
But it will definitely go out and find
A true heart
If under the weight of the dream you carry
Your arms are becoming a little tired
It will be alright
Because I will support you
Don’t falter, just believe in that dream
A devilish voice like an angel
I can hear it in my chest
I haven’t sinned yet I am suffering
That heart is painfully
Continuing to call me…
What is reality?
Where is the truth?
The blue sky seems further away the more I worry
A devilish smile like an angel
It is overwhelming this town
A devilish voice like an angel
I can hear it in my chest
I haven’t sinned yet I am suffering
That heart is painfully
Continuing to call me…
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The meaning of one's life and hell
I am supposed ot review for my exam which is on Thursday 10am, but instead of reading the 500+ pages required, I watched this addictive series called Maou. For those who want to take a break from Pokemon island (evil laugh) or to watch a less bloddy version of Saw, this is quite a thriller.
What impressed me most were the character's take on vengeance, hell, and atonement. The emotions are pretty raw and poignant in the series, and each character is somewhat complex. It is a series in which it is pretty difficult to hate even the 'meanest' character.
Finally, it made me feel like hell is only a threat if one understands what it feels while alive: to loose one's loved ones, not to be believed in, to be rejected by society, for example. And that vengeance can take up your whole life, which can loose its meaning once vengeance is achieved.
What impressed me most were the character's take on vengeance, hell, and atonement. The emotions are pretty raw and poignant in the series, and each character is somewhat complex. It is a series in which it is pretty difficult to hate even the 'meanest' character.
Finally, it made me feel like hell is only a threat if one understands what it feels while alive: to loose one's loved ones, not to be believed in, to be rejected by society, for example. And that vengeance can take up your whole life, which can loose its meaning once vengeance is achieved.
Tokyo, here I come
After many long months of debating and searching for a decent ticket for Japan, I finally decided on using my £250 voucher from AF (thanks striking pilots!), and booked my economy, non changeable ticket to the far east.
My month of May should be quite interesting indeed. I even have the possibility to participate in a homestay program for a week, and experience what it is to be ina Japanese family. Part of the attraction is to eat homecooking food! And maybe to learn some as well.
The only scary and appalling part? I only have 20kg checked luggage allowed!!! Hopefully it will be a warm spring season, though I'll miss the cherry blossom viewing (unless I go north to Hokkaido). But I guess I won't be carrying to heavy souvenirs on my way back.
Counting the days (and counting the calories not to eat, as I don't wanna be the fattest person there)...asian people are so thin, even my arm would give them a heart attack. It will be a full culture shock for me, but I do not want to shock them either by being foreign, dar skinned, AND fat...grrrrr..at least I'd liek to fit in my nice clothes...from 3 years ago. resolution? no...necessity.
My month of May should be quite interesting indeed. I even have the possibility to participate in a homestay program for a week, and experience what it is to be ina Japanese family. Part of the attraction is to eat homecooking food! And maybe to learn some as well.
The only scary and appalling part? I only have 20kg checked luggage allowed!!! Hopefully it will be a warm spring season, though I'll miss the cherry blossom viewing (unless I go north to Hokkaido). But I guess I won't be carrying to heavy souvenirs on my way back.
Counting the days (and counting the calories not to eat, as I don't wanna be the fattest person there)...asian people are so thin, even my arm would give them a heart attack. It will be a full culture shock for me, but I do not want to shock them either by being foreign, dar skinned, AND fat...grrrrr..at least I'd liek to fit in my nice clothes...from 3 years ago. resolution? no...necessity.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Babble, babble, babel...?
So how many of my friends have kids now? And how many of them are already trillingual by birth? Just imagine, in 20 years, with everyone moving and expatriating all over the place, most kids will be trillingual...maybe the percentage is already close to 50% in some areas?
I remember something about most Europeans being billingual nowadays: local language and the native one, or the local language and English.
I wonder, will the left brain take over the right brain then? Or will it grow bigger? Mind you, there are already so many right handed people already, it shouldn't change much..but I wonder still..would you become left handed to relieve your left brain???
And so while looking for lateralization of brain function, I stumbled on NLP, which is used in managerial training, and which seems to be some bullshit disguised as a formula for success...but! Everyone believes in it and get NLP certified....interesting...
I remember something about most Europeans being billingual nowadays: local language and the native one, or the local language and English.
I wonder, will the left brain take over the right brain then? Or will it grow bigger? Mind you, there are already so many right handed people already, it shouldn't change much..but I wonder still..would you become left handed to relieve your left brain???
And so while looking for lateralization of brain function, I stumbled on NLP, which is used in managerial training, and which seems to be some bullshit disguised as a formula for success...but! Everyone believes in it and get NLP certified....interesting...
Thursday, January 01, 2009
In with the new year
I finally saw the fireworks on the Thames....from my bedroom window! As the chimes rang on Big Ben on the BBC, the horizon lit up with a kaleidoskope of lights, silently spilling upward. There must be thousands of people huddled underneath those lights, freezing blue and cheering the new born year, trying hard to believe in hope and new starts.
As nine replaces eight, a second later than usual, a certain bitterness stays: an after taste of ways of doing things better or wasted opportunities? Or is this just the feeling of time passing by? Why are the uneasy times better remembered than the happy times?
Happy times there were: a smile here and there, warming the gloomy mood. Laughs and cheers during family and friends reunions. A sense of small achievements upon a pay rise.
No matter how poignant the hard times are though, the short lived happiness that comes before is what I am looking forward to living again.
As nine replaces eight, a second later than usual, a certain bitterness stays: an after taste of ways of doing things better or wasted opportunities? Or is this just the feeling of time passing by? Why are the uneasy times better remembered than the happy times?
Happy times there were: a smile here and there, warming the gloomy mood. Laughs and cheers during family and friends reunions. A sense of small achievements upon a pay rise.
No matter how poignant the hard times are though, the short lived happiness that comes before is what I am looking forward to living again.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Do you have enough socks?
Winter is gnawing at your bones and taking your breath away in a fit of coughs? Have you eaten so much your bellybutton has popped out of its socket? Or are the numbers on your credit cards so unreadable from overusing it that you can't buy anything online anymore?
The holidays period brings its shares of denial attitude: I can buy as many pair of lively colored socks, I can eat all the chocolate I got for Christmas, I can run. But the truth is, I am broke, indigestion is lurking behind that piece of chocolate, and my throat and cough hasn#t dissapeared since 23rd November.
What is worth looking forward to?
-Definetely not the new year resolutions. They will only last about 3 weeks.
-A promotion at work? that is as uncertain as my weight next year
-A new flat or room? I have about 3 weeks of rummaging through the ads online to find a cheap decent one.
-My trip to Japan in May? Only if I decide to buy the plane ticket soon, after I realize there won't be any international assignment during that period.
For now, I am in pure denial and enjoying good company in my friend Zab, who I initiated in the lifewasting task of watching Japanese JDrama (mwahahahahaha). Sharing a passion is always very satisfying...
The holidays period brings its shares of denial attitude: I can buy as many pair of lively colored socks, I can eat all the chocolate I got for Christmas, I can run. But the truth is, I am broke, indigestion is lurking behind that piece of chocolate, and my throat and cough hasn#t dissapeared since 23rd November.
What is worth looking forward to?
-Definetely not the new year resolutions. They will only last about 3 weeks.
-A promotion at work? that is as uncertain as my weight next year
-A new flat or room? I have about 3 weeks of rummaging through the ads online to find a cheap decent one.
-My trip to Japan in May? Only if I decide to buy the plane ticket soon, after I realize there won't be any international assignment during that period.
For now, I am in pure denial and enjoying good company in my friend Zab, who I initiated in the lifewasting task of watching Japanese JDrama (mwahahahahaha). Sharing a passion is always very satisfying...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Coup de coeur: Ikimono gakari (いきものがかり)
Koisuru Otome
つのる思いを打ち明けた
大きくうなづいてくれた
初めて握る左手は
あたしよりもふるえていた
恥ずかしがり屋のあなたは
いつもやたらと早足で
スキがあればじゃれつこうと
たくらむあたし悩ませた
「運命の人よ」「白馬の王子様よ」
あなたはまた照れて 聞き流すけど
カンジンなことは ちゃんと伝えて欲しいんだ
どうしようもないくらいに 好きだから
ゆっくりと ゆっくりと あたしを抱きしめて
微笑む あなたの 鼓動はリズム
好きだよ 大好きだよ いつまでもいっしょ
恋する あなたには あたしだけなの
いつしかあなたの横顔
のぞくことが好きになって
気付いて赤らむあなたに
キスをねだると怒られた
ほんとうはたまに ギュッと褒めて欲しいんだ
あたしまたはしゃいで 舞い上がるけど
コイスルことが 素直にわかってくる
くやしくなるくらいに 好きだから
ゆっくりと ゆっくりと この手を導いて
あたしと あなたの 素敵なメロディ
好きだよ 大好きだよ どこまでもいっしょ
恋する あたしには あなただけなの
ゆっくりと ゆっくりと 両手を突き上げて
愛しい あなたに 届くよメロディ
好きだよ 大好きだよ 何度でも言うよ
あなたに そうあなたに コイしてるの
ゆっくりと… 届くよメロディー
好きだよ 大好きだよ いつまでもいっしょ
恋する あなたには あたしだけなの
あたしだけなの
==============
I told you about my growing love
And you gave me a big nod
When I held your left hand for the first time
You were trembling more than me
You're so shy
You always run too fast
It worried me, because I was plotting
"If we're in love, let's fool around"
"My soul mate" "My prince on the white horse"
Embarrassed, you pay no attention
I want you to tell me what matters to you
I love you so much I can't help it
You slowly, slowly hold me
As you smile, your heartbeat is my rhythm
I love you, I love you so much, we'll be together forever
I'm the only one for you, my love
At some point, I've come to look
Looking at your profile
When I noticed that you were blushing
And begged you for a kiss, you got mad at me
To be honest, sometimes I want you to give me a big compliment
I'm having fun, floating again
But I know without a doubt that I love you
I love you so much it's embarrassing
Slowly, slowly, it guides our hands
Our wonderful melody
I love you, I love you so much, we'll be together forever
You're the only one for me, my love
Slowly, slowly, hold up your hands
The melody will reach you, my love
I love you, I love you so much, I'll say it again and again
I love you, yeah, you
Slowly...the melody will reach you
I love you, I love you so much, we'll be together forever
I'm the only one for you, my love
I'm the only one
Kaeritaku Nattayo
心の穴を埋めたいから 優しいフリして笑った
出会いと別れがせわしく 僕の肩を駆けていくよ
ダメな自分が悔しいほど わかってしまうから損だ
強くはなりきれないから ただ目をつぶって耐えてた
ほら 見えてくるよ
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ街へ
大きく手を振ってくれたら 何度でも振り返すから
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ家に
聞いて欲しい話があるよ 笑ってくれたら嬉しいな
たいせつなことは数えるほど あるわけじゃないんだ きっと
くじけてしまう日もあるけど 泣き出すことなんて もうない
ほら 見えてくるよ
伝えたくなったよ 僕が見る明日を
大丈夫だよってそう言うから 何度でも繰り返すから
伝えたくなったよ 変わらない夢を
聞いて欲しい話があるよ うなずいてくれたら嬉しいな
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ街へ
かけがえのないその手に今 もう一度伝えたいから
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ家に
聞いて欲しい話があるよ 笑ってくれたら嬉しいな
========================
I wanted to fill the hole in my heart so I pretended to be nice and smiled
First meetings and final farewells restlessly pile up on my shoulder
I realize regrettably how hopeless I am and that’s my loss
I can’t be stronger so I closed my eyes and put up with it
Look, I can see it now
I want to go home now, back to the city where you wait for me
Give me a big wave hello and I’ll return it just as big
I want to go home now, back to the house where you wait for me
I’ve got a story I want you to hear and I’ll be glad if it makes you smile
I’m sure I can’t count everything that’s precious to me
There might be days when I stumble but I won’t cry anymore
Look, I can see it now
I want to tell you now, all about the tomorrow I see
I’m doing just fine, I’ll keep telling you as long as it takes
I want to tell you now, all about my steadfast dream
I’ve got a story I want you to hear and I’ll be glad if you nod your approval
I want to go home now, back to the city where you wait for me
I’ll grab that irreplaceable hand now and tell you once more
I want to go home now, back to the house where you wait for me
I’ve got a story I want you to hear and I’ll be glad if it makes you smile
つのる思いを打ち明けた
大きくうなづいてくれた
初めて握る左手は
あたしよりもふるえていた
恥ずかしがり屋のあなたは
いつもやたらと早足で
スキがあればじゃれつこうと
たくらむあたし悩ませた
「運命の人よ」「白馬の王子様よ」
あなたはまた照れて 聞き流すけど
カンジンなことは ちゃんと伝えて欲しいんだ
どうしようもないくらいに 好きだから
ゆっくりと ゆっくりと あたしを抱きしめて
微笑む あなたの 鼓動はリズム
好きだよ 大好きだよ いつまでもいっしょ
恋する あなたには あたしだけなの
いつしかあなたの横顔
のぞくことが好きになって
気付いて赤らむあなたに
キスをねだると怒られた
ほんとうはたまに ギュッと褒めて欲しいんだ
あたしまたはしゃいで 舞い上がるけど
コイスルことが 素直にわかってくる
くやしくなるくらいに 好きだから
ゆっくりと ゆっくりと この手を導いて
あたしと あなたの 素敵なメロディ
好きだよ 大好きだよ どこまでもいっしょ
恋する あたしには あなただけなの
ゆっくりと ゆっくりと 両手を突き上げて
愛しい あなたに 届くよメロディ
好きだよ 大好きだよ 何度でも言うよ
あなたに そうあなたに コイしてるの
ゆっくりと… 届くよメロディー
好きだよ 大好きだよ いつまでもいっしょ
恋する あなたには あたしだけなの
あたしだけなの
==============
I told you about my growing love
And you gave me a big nod
When I held your left hand for the first time
You were trembling more than me
You're so shy
You always run too fast
It worried me, because I was plotting
"If we're in love, let's fool around"
"My soul mate" "My prince on the white horse"
Embarrassed, you pay no attention
I want you to tell me what matters to you
I love you so much I can't help it
You slowly, slowly hold me
As you smile, your heartbeat is my rhythm
I love you, I love you so much, we'll be together forever
I'm the only one for you, my love
At some point, I've come to look
Looking at your profile
When I noticed that you were blushing
And begged you for a kiss, you got mad at me
To be honest, sometimes I want you to give me a big compliment
I'm having fun, floating again
But I know without a doubt that I love you
I love you so much it's embarrassing
Slowly, slowly, it guides our hands
Our wonderful melody
I love you, I love you so much, we'll be together forever
You're the only one for me, my love
Slowly, slowly, hold up your hands
The melody will reach you, my love
I love you, I love you so much, I'll say it again and again
I love you, yeah, you
Slowly...the melody will reach you
I love you, I love you so much, we'll be together forever
I'm the only one for you, my love
I'm the only one
Kaeritaku Nattayo
心の穴を埋めたいから 優しいフリして笑った
出会いと別れがせわしく 僕の肩を駆けていくよ
ダメな自分が悔しいほど わかってしまうから損だ
強くはなりきれないから ただ目をつぶって耐えてた
ほら 見えてくるよ
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ街へ
大きく手を振ってくれたら 何度でも振り返すから
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ家に
聞いて欲しい話があるよ 笑ってくれたら嬉しいな
たいせつなことは数えるほど あるわけじゃないんだ きっと
くじけてしまう日もあるけど 泣き出すことなんて もうない
ほら 見えてくるよ
伝えたくなったよ 僕が見る明日を
大丈夫だよってそう言うから 何度でも繰り返すから
伝えたくなったよ 変わらない夢を
聞いて欲しい話があるよ うなずいてくれたら嬉しいな
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ街へ
かけがえのないその手に今 もう一度伝えたいから
帰りたくなったよ 君が待つ家に
聞いて欲しい話があるよ 笑ってくれたら嬉しいな
========================
I wanted to fill the hole in my heart so I pretended to be nice and smiled
First meetings and final farewells restlessly pile up on my shoulder
I realize regrettably how hopeless I am and that’s my loss
I can’t be stronger so I closed my eyes and put up with it
Look, I can see it now
I want to go home now, back to the city where you wait for me
Give me a big wave hello and I’ll return it just as big
I want to go home now, back to the house where you wait for me
I’ve got a story I want you to hear and I’ll be glad if it makes you smile
I’m sure I can’t count everything that’s precious to me
There might be days when I stumble but I won’t cry anymore
Look, I can see it now
I want to tell you now, all about the tomorrow I see
I’m doing just fine, I’ll keep telling you as long as it takes
I want to tell you now, all about my steadfast dream
I’ve got a story I want you to hear and I’ll be glad if you nod your approval
I want to go home now, back to the city where you wait for me
I’ll grab that irreplaceable hand now and tell you once more
I want to go home now, back to the house where you wait for me
I’ve got a story I want you to hear and I’ll be glad if it makes you smile
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