Unfortunately, I woke up quite sick on Monday morning and had to stay in bed all day because of a high fever. Today, I had millions things to do (like checking my bank account) so I was at my computer almost all day. I still feel bad. My body aches, I should be in bed and rest but I will rest with a peaceful mind now that I have balanced my account and after picking up the kids at school.
They stayed at after-school program. It's only 1 hour but it's still cool as I avoid all the crowd of moms and dads and kids and toddlers and babies and cars at usual pick-up time. At 8 euros an hour for both, it's same as hiring a bb sitter and the oldest get to make her homework with the teacher. Sounds a tiny advantage but when you are sick, looks great !
About my switching operators, it didn't work that good. All my calls are rerouted immediately to voicemail but I hope to get it work by tomorrow.
Except from that, nothing new on the small business side, I am waiting from papers from the bank to get another paper from another company to be able to get finally my license. Same old, same old...
I am looking forward to Valentine's day this year. I already planned a cool dinner at home.
It might help me forget I lost my beloved cat one year ago this same day but I am not sure...
Anyway, got to go pick up the groceries : I found a great service like a drive-in for grocery store, order online, pick up 1h30 after without leaving your car !!
I hope my friend Susan (www.updatesfromsusan.blogspot.com) is feeling better !
Speaking of being better, I'll have my daughter checked by her doctor tomorrow, she is still very pale. Wish us luck !
Feb 3, 2009
Jan 29, 2009
Sunday is "Nothing Day"
I feel better today. I am not sure if the virus escaped my body or if the homeopathy medecine I took yesterday did the work but I am ok...for the moment. BTW, if you feel like having the flu, take 20 drops of L52 5 to 8 times a day, it's yucky but it's working !
About Sunday, I always miss the stores open on Sunday. An American woman told me that we were lucky in Europe to have that rule so people have at least one day to take care of themself and/or their family. She said "they don't have anything to do so at least, they have a good time off". I like the convenience as much as I hate doing my grocery shopping on Saturdays.
Anyway, I switched operators for my cell phone to get a Blackberry and a decent calling plan to call the US and Europe. My current plan goes until January 31st with another operator. So I asked them to start my new plan on February 1st. Logical. "I am sorry, Madam, we cannot possibly do that, the 1st is a Sunday." So I told her "So what ? How about telling your programm I want the 1st and I'll be good". No, it's like I was being rude to her ! So I have to wait until Monday. Then she told that it wouldn't be at 0:00 but around 3:30pm. All I have to do is turn on my phone around that time and wait ! I love technology in France !
Like for the modem, the guy told me : "turn on your modem, set up all the wires and wait around 7 to 14 days to get connected to internet "!!!!! Holly Molly ! How come we cannot have everything in the next coming hour ? Why ? Does the modem need a 10-day warming up ? Do we suffer from a lack of technology ? Is this because there is not enough competition ?
About Sunday, I always miss the stores open on Sunday. An American woman told me that we were lucky in Europe to have that rule so people have at least one day to take care of themself and/or their family. She said "they don't have anything to do so at least, they have a good time off". I like the convenience as much as I hate doing my grocery shopping on Saturdays.
Anyway, I switched operators for my cell phone to get a Blackberry and a decent calling plan to call the US and Europe. My current plan goes until January 31st with another operator. So I asked them to start my new plan on February 1st. Logical. "I am sorry, Madam, we cannot possibly do that, the 1st is a Sunday." So I told her "So what ? How about telling your programm I want the 1st and I'll be good". No, it's like I was being rude to her ! So I have to wait until Monday. Then she told that it wouldn't be at 0:00 but around 3:30pm. All I have to do is turn on my phone around that time and wait ! I love technology in France !
Like for the modem, the guy told me : "turn on your modem, set up all the wires and wait around 7 to 14 days to get connected to internet "!!!!! Holly Molly ! How come we cannot have everything in the next coming hour ? Why ? Does the modem need a 10-day warming up ? Do we suffer from a lack of technology ? Is this because there is not enough competition ?
Jan 28, 2009
Sick
My daughter and I are both sick. It looks like some kind of virus but it's weird because it lasts forever. In 4 weeks, we were sick 3-4 days each week except one. High fever (for her), fever symptoms and headaches for me.
Blood tests are fine and medical exams too so I guess we need rest, tylenol, vitamins and chicken soup !
So don't be surprised if I don't post for the moment.
I hope we'll feel better soon.
Blood tests are fine and medical exams too so I guess we need rest, tylenol, vitamins and chicken soup !
So don't be surprised if I don't post for the moment.
I hope we'll feel better soon.
Jan 20, 2009
Jan 16, 2009
Talking about The President-elect...
...at the local branch of my bank today. Not a long talk but I wanted to mention it, especially to my American readers. I dropped by before school pick-up to deposit a check. That check had our address in the US so the person in the bank asked me if I lived in the US (I was almost going to tell her "no, actually, this is a fake address so we can bragg !!"). So she asked me right away, really curious to hear my answer : "So what do you think of Barack Obama being elected ?". I wasn't prepared to have a talk about it, having spent the last 10 minutes driving around the block to find a spot. For the first time since we moved back, I ended parking almost illegally, almost careless of the traffic, very Frenchy !! Anyway, I was caught by surprise. I just said "It's great, I am very happy". Do you know what she said ? "Me too, I am really happy that he was elected. He has a lot on his plate and I am afraid he won't be able to succeed on all the battle fields but he knows that. I am confident about him. Did you hear about his letter to his daughters ?"...
I was "bouche bee" as we say here (I used to say "J'etais scotchee").
Good news, my company exists legally and officially since Tuesday, I picked up the papers this morning. I have an interview on Tuesday to get financial guarantee and business insurance. I spent all day creating my business cards and brochure on the computer. It's funny but OMG, you should see the size of the pile of laundry waiting to be fold ! Not mentionning that my fridge is almost empty and that I didn't sat for more than half an hour this week !
There is a serious numbers of flu in the North and my son has 4 cases in his classroom today. I cross everything I can he won't get it !!
I'll keep you posted ! Enjoy your week-end.
I was "bouche bee" as we say here (I used to say "J'etais scotchee").
Good news, my company exists legally and officially since Tuesday, I picked up the papers this morning. I have an interview on Tuesday to get financial guarantee and business insurance. I spent all day creating my business cards and brochure on the computer. It's funny but OMG, you should see the size of the pile of laundry waiting to be fold ! Not mentionning that my fridge is almost empty and that I didn't sat for more than half an hour this week !
There is a serious numbers of flu in the North and my son has 4 cases in his classroom today. I cross everything I can he won't get it !!
I'll keep you posted ! Enjoy your week-end.
Jan 9, 2009
Jan 8, 2009
My Small Company
Well, it's almost official so it's time I talk about what kept me busy since December started.
I dropped off all my documents at that famous "guichet unique", one single-counter for setting up your company named "CFE (Centre de Formation des Entreprises)". I forgot how painful and stressful it could be going to an administration and hoping you haven't forgot anything. I was prepared but still...
I was like anxious when the women across the desk looked carefully at all my documents, comparing and reading while frowning her eyes. I was literally holding my breath. Then I thought, "something's missing, that can't be the end of the world"...except that I was freezing only by getting there. I was used to freeze in Boston for a few months every year but I guess the body gets used to warmth !! I couldn't imagine coming back for one paper...and there it was, she said there were 2 problems !
I was lucky with the first one, the "jurist of the house" was reachable (not mine, the CFE's), it was quickly solved. Besides, it shows I was right so that gave me a little confidence (not saying a little power !!). The second one was a mistake I made (by not double-checking a legal add I sent on Christmas week) but she still took all I brought saying my file was pending. It lasted around 10 minutes and it took me 1 hour to get there back and forth...Anyway, I am almost done now.
I just need to buy a laptop and a printer/fax machine/scanner, what I was going to do to today.
Then get my license as a real estate agent (still need to sign and gather lots of documents) but that's the last step.
Then, and that's the scary part, I am free to go...lucky me !!
The economic situation, even in France, is not at its very best. The first year I was out from "College", there was an economic crisis and it was really tough to get a job. I was supposed to work for a CPA to be able to do after a year my "3 year-internship" but couldn't.
We are protected in France and we don't realize that. We have insurance for all and preschools are free. We can also receive money just by having more than one kid and being a SAHM (not too much but still).
But it takes forever to set up a company and it can be very complicated if you don't know the legal part...
I can't stop comparing the US and France although I know it's not a healthy thing to do. I promise I'll do my best to be positive. I will try to infuse through my new job that customer attention and business-being-always-pro state of mind I appreciated so much there. That is how business have to be run. I believe in trying to change things around by starting little, one day at a time, being a role-model.
I have other battle-fields but that'll be a subject in a different post.
I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR. May 2009 be one of your best year, May 2009 bring joy and peace to your family and the friends you love.
I dropped off all my documents at that famous "guichet unique", one single-counter for setting up your company named "CFE (Centre de Formation des Entreprises)". I forgot how painful and stressful it could be going to an administration and hoping you haven't forgot anything. I was prepared but still...
I was like anxious when the women across the desk looked carefully at all my documents, comparing and reading while frowning her eyes. I was literally holding my breath. Then I thought, "something's missing, that can't be the end of the world"...except that I was freezing only by getting there. I was used to freeze in Boston for a few months every year but I guess the body gets used to warmth !! I couldn't imagine coming back for one paper...and there it was, she said there were 2 problems !
I was lucky with the first one, the "jurist of the house" was reachable (not mine, the CFE's), it was quickly solved. Besides, it shows I was right so that gave me a little confidence (not saying a little power !!). The second one was a mistake I made (by not double-checking a legal add I sent on Christmas week) but she still took all I brought saying my file was pending. It lasted around 10 minutes and it took me 1 hour to get there back and forth...Anyway, I am almost done now.
I just need to buy a laptop and a printer/fax machine/scanner, what I was going to do to today.
Then get my license as a real estate agent (still need to sign and gather lots of documents) but that's the last step.
Then, and that's the scary part, I am free to go...lucky me !!
The economic situation, even in France, is not at its very best. The first year I was out from "College", there was an economic crisis and it was really tough to get a job. I was supposed to work for a CPA to be able to do after a year my "3 year-internship" but couldn't.
We are protected in France and we don't realize that. We have insurance for all and preschools are free. We can also receive money just by having more than one kid and being a SAHM (not too much but still).
But it takes forever to set up a company and it can be very complicated if you don't know the legal part...
I can't stop comparing the US and France although I know it's not a healthy thing to do. I promise I'll do my best to be positive. I will try to infuse through my new job that customer attention and business-being-always-pro state of mind I appreciated so much there. That is how business have to be run. I believe in trying to change things around by starting little, one day at a time, being a role-model.
I have other battle-fields but that'll be a subject in a different post.
I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR. May 2009 be one of your best year, May 2009 bring joy and peace to your family and the friends you love.
Dec 29, 2008
Later again...
I'll post later, certainly not before tomorrow. I checked my daughter's temp and it rised since my last post, 104F now ! I so hate that, I am always really really worried when she reaches that mark. So I'll be taking care of her a lot from now.
I'll try to read your blogs in the meantime if I can.
I'll try to read your blogs in the meantime if I can.
Sorry for being so absent...
I have 3 good reasons :
- I tried to set up a company before the holidays (you can imagine how any administration and bank will celebrate the holidays in France !)
- I then had family over for Christmas
- In between, I was disconnected again 3 days but this time, I called Orange and they could fix definitely the problem.
So I'll post later, I just wanted to let you know that I am back on tracks !!
I hope you all enjoying the Holidays and are all ready to welcome 2009.
Happy Holidays !
- I tried to set up a company before the holidays (you can imagine how any administration and bank will celebrate the holidays in France !)
- I then had family over for Christmas
- In between, I was disconnected again 3 days but this time, I called Orange and they could fix definitely the problem.
So I'll post later, I just wanted to let you know that I am back on tracks !!
I hope you all enjoying the Holidays and are all ready to welcome 2009.
Happy Holidays !
Dec 8, 2008
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
I am not sure there is a special quote in English for spiders. Here we usually say (I don't know why) : " Araignee du matin, chagrin. Araignee du soir, espoir". I don't know why there is a difference in your life wether you meet the spider on the morning or on the evening !
Anyway, today it was "hope" although it could also be "mommy-I-am-so-freaking-I-can't-sleep".
Right after reading "If you give a mouse a cookie", I started making "action linked to a thought linked to an action, etc". My first idea was to tell you that I was going to post tonight and couldn't because my son freaked so much. I lost dozens of minutes trying to catch the spider and I didn't because she is stucked to the ceiling and I am really not that tall, even on a chair !
But, as you will read, I got caught into posting !!
I have a special link with spiders. I was telling my daughter that when I was around 7, when I was really really not behaving good, my mother will put me in time-out in the stairs of the cave. We were in a really old house so the cave was really scary. Dust everywhere, few light bulbs, and lots of spider webs and scary black huge spiders. Now that I look back with my eyes of adult and especially seeing my daughter's reaction (completely frozen with very round eyes !), I think that maybe my mom didn't read any book about positive discipline !
Besides these spooky times-out, I think I tried being really brave and making friend with spider. I tried...At least, I am not that scared of them now but still...if it's too big, I freak !
The two spiders (that might explain why he freaked so much) were tiny tiny little spiders. I said "She is a baby, she won't do any harm to you, just let her around". As he started rolling his eyes trying to see behind his back while I was brushing his teeths, I explained all about why spiders needed some warm places during winter. No success...
I explained him I didn't want to harm the tiny spider so I tried to catch her on a piece of paper to throw her out. That's how I lost some credibility because I thought I did but...I didn't.
While he was rolling his eyes, he saw her climbing up the spout again, I mean the door ! So I tried again, she just felt down with a piece of web ! I finally ejected her on the roof. I was feeling proud but I heard "mooooooomy, a spider again. There she was, the exact twin of the first one. Stuck on the ceiling. I tried to move her down with a towel but I couldn't. My son thought for a few minutes that I lured him and that she was back (and not outside on the roof). I explained myself but it was worse, it started to look like a spider invasion. Then, she wasn't moving so I said" we're good, I think I smashed her accidentally, she is so tiny". 5 minutes after, she had moved 5 cm !!! I was definitively not credible anymore ! I told him that she is moving since the beginning toward our bedroom and not his but he only heard "moving" !
With that kind of scary fellings, I guess you are not rational, you don't listen anymore...especially if you are under 5 !
Well, I am not sure we'll both a good night of sleep. He's like me and as a kid, I was capable not to sleep and keep the light on all night...I'll keep you posted !
Anyway, today it was "hope" although it could also be "mommy-I-am-so-freaking-I-can't-sleep".
Right after reading "If you give a mouse a cookie", I started making "action linked to a thought linked to an action, etc". My first idea was to tell you that I was going to post tonight and couldn't because my son freaked so much. I lost dozens of minutes trying to catch the spider and I didn't because she is stucked to the ceiling and I am really not that tall, even on a chair !
But, as you will read, I got caught into posting !!
I have a special link with spiders. I was telling my daughter that when I was around 7, when I was really really not behaving good, my mother will put me in time-out in the stairs of the cave. We were in a really old house so the cave was really scary. Dust everywhere, few light bulbs, and lots of spider webs and scary black huge spiders. Now that I look back with my eyes of adult and especially seeing my daughter's reaction (completely frozen with very round eyes !), I think that maybe my mom didn't read any book about positive discipline !
Besides these spooky times-out, I think I tried being really brave and making friend with spider. I tried...At least, I am not that scared of them now but still...if it's too big, I freak !
The two spiders (that might explain why he freaked so much) were tiny tiny little spiders. I said "She is a baby, she won't do any harm to you, just let her around". As he started rolling his eyes trying to see behind his back while I was brushing his teeths, I explained all about why spiders needed some warm places during winter. No success...
I explained him I didn't want to harm the tiny spider so I tried to catch her on a piece of paper to throw her out. That's how I lost some credibility because I thought I did but...I didn't.
While he was rolling his eyes, he saw her climbing up the spout again, I mean the door ! So I tried again, she just felt down with a piece of web ! I finally ejected her on the roof. I was feeling proud but I heard "mooooooomy, a spider again. There she was, the exact twin of the first one. Stuck on the ceiling. I tried to move her down with a towel but I couldn't. My son thought for a few minutes that I lured him and that she was back (and not outside on the roof). I explained myself but it was worse, it started to look like a spider invasion. Then, she wasn't moving so I said" we're good, I think I smashed her accidentally, she is so tiny". 5 minutes after, she had moved 5 cm !!! I was definitively not credible anymore ! I told him that she is moving since the beginning toward our bedroom and not his but he only heard "moving" !
With that kind of scary fellings, I guess you are not rational, you don't listen anymore...especially if you are under 5 !
Well, I am not sure we'll both a good night of sleep. He's like me and as a kid, I was capable not to sleep and keep the light on all night...I'll keep you posted !
Nov 26, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
I wanted to post today, while the kids are at home as it is my "homemaker day of the week" but it looks like I won't be able to. My daughter is the most unfocused person in the world I know and I got to watch her during her homework time. By the time they will be done, I have to take care of the laundry and sort the mail that piled up since the week-end (remember, homemaker day !). If I am lucky and my kids cooperative, I'll update Money and try to watch the only day "Pushing Daisies" first episode for free on the*Canal+* website.
Oh, I forgot dinner...and bathtime...
Anyway, I think daily about you my loyal readers and promise I'll catch up...soon !
Happy Thanksgiving !
Oh, I forgot dinner...and bathtime...
Anyway, I think daily about you my loyal readers and promise I'll catch up...soon !
Happy Thanksgiving !
Nov 16, 2008
Twitter or not twitter
En balade sur un des blogs americains que je frequente irregulierement mais fidelement (a moins que ce soit un blog canadien en anglais), j'ai decouvert *Twitter*. J'ai trouve ca super bizarre au debut mais tres vite marrant. J'ai voulu tout de suite le partager avec une copine du Maine a qui le concept de "je te parle en 140 signes" allait surement plaire !!
Finalement, c'etait encore quelques dizaines de signes de trop car l'experience s'est arretee la.
Je trouvais personnellement que ca ressemblait a une webcam mais sans l'image.
Mon twitter est du coup vite devenu "private", entre ma copine du Maine surbookee et moi-meme. Au bout de 2 jours, je n'y "jouais" plus...Jusqu'a ce que je tombe, en lisant des articles sur le site du *Monde* sur cet article du *Monde2* : Twitter média de l'ère Obama
Cela m'a apporte un nouveau eclairage sur *twitter* mais bon, je reste sceptique.
D'autant qu'on vous propose de regarder si parmi vos contacts, certains sont deja 'twitterises"...en donnant votre adresse email et (hallucinant) votre mot de passe correspondant a votre adresse email....
I was reading one American blog I read with loyalty but irregularity when I first heard of *Twitter* (or maybe it was a Canadian blog...in English).
First, it sounded pretty weird then I found the concept funny. I decided to share it immediately with a friend I have in Maine. I thought that she would really embraced the 140-sign only message as a brilliant concept she could use to stay in touch with me in just few minutes.
Anyway, the more I thought about it, the more it looks weird to me, like a webcam without images ! As I was reading articles on the *Le Monde* website, I found this article on *Le Monde2*, "Twitter, media de l'ere Obama". It was interesting but still, I am sceptical. Especially when I tried to use one of their features, find if any of your contacts are on *twitter*...by giving them away your email password...!!
Finalement, c'etait encore quelques dizaines de signes de trop car l'experience s'est arretee la.
Je trouvais personnellement que ca ressemblait a une webcam mais sans l'image.
Mon twitter est du coup vite devenu "private", entre ma copine du Maine surbookee et moi-meme. Au bout de 2 jours, je n'y "jouais" plus...Jusqu'a ce que je tombe, en lisant des articles sur le site du *Monde* sur cet article du *Monde2* : Twitter média de l'ère Obama
Cela m'a apporte un nouveau eclairage sur *twitter* mais bon, je reste sceptique.
D'autant qu'on vous propose de regarder si parmi vos contacts, certains sont deja 'twitterises"...en donnant votre adresse email et (hallucinant) votre mot de passe correspondant a votre adresse email....
I was reading one American blog I read with loyalty but irregularity when I first heard of *Twitter* (or maybe it was a Canadian blog...in English).
First, it sounded pretty weird then I found the concept funny. I decided to share it immediately with a friend I have in Maine. I thought that she would really embraced the 140-sign only message as a brilliant concept she could use to stay in touch with me in just few minutes.
Anyway, the more I thought about it, the more it looks weird to me, like a webcam without images ! As I was reading articles on the *Le Monde* website, I found this article on *Le Monde2*, "Twitter, media de l'ere Obama". It was interesting but still, I am sceptical. Especially when I tried to use one of their features, find if any of your contacts are on *twitter*...by giving them away your email password...!!
Nov 10, 2008
Disconnected
Hello !
Sorry for not keeping my blog updated. After the "Toussaint" vacations, I had problems with my internet connection. It's been on and off, mostly off, for a week now and it's getting on my nerves. I know it might sound silly but I just CAN'T be without internet...
Anyway, I'll make it short as I work at least 1 hour to re-connect my computer (luckily, I know more or less where to go and what to do) and just win a few hours of connection.
Speaking of, it's amazing how many women I talked to recently that don't take full advantages of internet. Few examples :
* One just told me (she is a dentist) : "if I just need to hit the reply button, I am fine but don't ask me to send you an email or click on a link"...
* Another said "I wasn't raised with internet, I didn't study with internet, I didn't work with internet. I am 48, my kids know how to use internet and help me if needed so I don't want spend time learning about it".
* Last one, and my guess is that she is in her mid-40's , "I don't understand computer and just can do basics things like starting it, type my notes on Word, check my emails, reply or send and order books trough *Amazon*. For the rest, my kids can help me or do it for me".
I don't judge them but jeez, how can you knowingly put yourself on the side like this ?
Maybe I am wrong, maybe I am idealizing internet but to my opinion, getting to know how to use a great technology as internet is vital. When you see how many things you can do, find and share through the web, you get hooked !
To finish on a special note, one innocent and sincere comment my daughter made during the week-end made me smile and I still think about it. We were grocery shopping like almost everyone in France on Saturday (lunch time is less crowded). At the cash register, we had a very nice lady. She was pleasant and had a beautiful smile. She even talked while scanning our articles with my daughter. For American people, this won't sound so special but in France, grown-ups don't talk with kids. I don't know why but I suppose it's because they are just kids. When we lived in the US, everybody was talking to my kids in grocery stores, from baby to kindergartener ! And they liked it !
Anyway, when we left the cash register, my daughter told me " Mommy, she was a very nice lady. Considering the fact that she has *dark skin*, do you think she'll become one day president of France ? ".....
Sorry for not keeping my blog updated. After the "Toussaint" vacations, I had problems with my internet connection. It's been on and off, mostly off, for a week now and it's getting on my nerves. I know it might sound silly but I just CAN'T be without internet...
Anyway, I'll make it short as I work at least 1 hour to re-connect my computer (luckily, I know more or less where to go and what to do) and just win a few hours of connection.
Speaking of, it's amazing how many women I talked to recently that don't take full advantages of internet. Few examples :
* One just told me (she is a dentist) : "if I just need to hit the reply button, I am fine but don't ask me to send you an email or click on a link"...
* Another said "I wasn't raised with internet, I didn't study with internet, I didn't work with internet. I am 48, my kids know how to use internet and help me if needed so I don't want spend time learning about it".
* Last one, and my guess is that she is in her mid-40's , "I don't understand computer and just can do basics things like starting it, type my notes on Word, check my emails, reply or send and order books trough *Amazon*. For the rest, my kids can help me or do it for me".
I don't judge them but jeez, how can you knowingly put yourself on the side like this ?
Maybe I am wrong, maybe I am idealizing internet but to my opinion, getting to know how to use a great technology as internet is vital. When you see how many things you can do, find and share through the web, you get hooked !
To finish on a special note, one innocent and sincere comment my daughter made during the week-end made me smile and I still think about it. We were grocery shopping like almost everyone in France on Saturday (lunch time is less crowded). At the cash register, we had a very nice lady. She was pleasant and had a beautiful smile. She even talked while scanning our articles with my daughter. For American people, this won't sound so special but in France, grown-ups don't talk with kids. I don't know why but I suppose it's because they are just kids. When we lived in the US, everybody was talking to my kids in grocery stores, from baby to kindergartener ! And they liked it !
Anyway, when we left the cash register, my daughter told me " Mommy, she was a very nice lady. Considering the fact that she has *dark skin*, do you think she'll become one day president of France ? ".....
Nov 5, 2008
Barack Obama est le 44eme president des Etats-Unis / Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of United States
Un seul mot : Bravo !
Bravo au nouveau President et bravo aux Americains !
Je suis impressionnee par le resultat de cette election !
Bravo au nouveau President et bravo aux Americains !
Je suis impressionnee par le resultat de cette election !
Oct 27, 2008
Etat d'esprit
Je suis allee fouiner a la librairie histoire de lire autre chose que mon habituel ELLE (que j'apprecie beaucoup). Quels titres !! Meme en essayant differents bords politiques...
- Le Monde2 : "La fin d'un monde"
- Le Nouvel Observateur (Nouvel Obs) : "Les speculateurs s'enrichissent, les contribuables paient...Ou va le capitalisme ?"
- L'Express : "Ce que va nous couter la crise"
Ouh la la...Je les lis quand meme cette semaine dans un but purement informatif. Comme disent les Americains, pour "m'eduquer".
Je crois finalement que je vais faire un saut a la Maison de la Presse du coin (tant pis si les enfants pleurnichent devant tous les magazines qu'ils n'auront pas !) et acheter ELLE si la couverture est interessante ! Non pas que j'aie besoin de lire autre chose mais au moins, je changerai de sujet pour quelques instants.
Time Magazine est dans le meme etat d'esprit. L'edition Europeenne titre "Un ocean de dettes" et ajoute d'autres entrees allechantes comme "La vie sans credit/Life without credit" (puisque beaucoup de credits a la consommation arrivent a echeance et ne se renouvelleront pas) ou bien "Les USA ne sont plus le leader du monde / America : The Lost leader".
Ici la Une du Time Magazine (Europe)
Un article different attire l'oeil du lecteur, Sarah Palin aurait depense $150,000 en vetements dit "de campagne". Le journaliste explique ici pourquoi c'est choquant...et on a meme droit a une galerie de photos avec en legende les noms des createurs !! Finalement, tout le monde a besoin de se detendre, non ?
Mais la ou ca devient carrement moins fun, c'est lorsqu'un article explique que la crise va toucher les mariages..."Will the market kill your marriage ?"
Bonne lecture et a bientot pour d'autres nouvelles !
I'llwrite the English post as soon as I finish my errands !
Ok here I am. I tried to read something else than my usual weekly ELLE (but I do like most of the issues) and went to the library to check out some magazines and start to be educated in economics and finance. After reading only the covers, I think I am going to get that ELLE !
Even with different "political" points of vue like :
-- Le Monde2 : "The end of a certain Time" (left wing)
- Le Nouvel Observateur (Nouvel Obs) : "Speculators get rich, tax payers pay, where Capitalism is aiming to ?" (left wing)
- L'Express : "How much is going to cost us that crisis" (right wing)
Time Magazine is not so different. The European issue cover says : "A sea of debt" has some attractive headlines like "Life without credit (what deleveraging really means)" or "America : the lost leader".
Here is the Cover of Time Magazine (Europe)
A different type of topic though in an article about Sarah Palin's new wardrobe. She had quite a nice budget ($150,000) but here you can read why the journalist didn't like her spendings. You can even view a whole gallery of her new outfits !!
Looks like we can still enjoy some entertainment !
But where it can be seriously ironic or just realistic, it's when you read the article about marriages in the crisis : "Will the market kill your marriage ?"
- Le Monde2 : "La fin d'un monde"
- Le Nouvel Observateur (Nouvel Obs) : "Les speculateurs s'enrichissent, les contribuables paient...Ou va le capitalisme ?"
- L'Express : "Ce que va nous couter la crise"
Ouh la la...Je les lis quand meme cette semaine dans un but purement informatif. Comme disent les Americains, pour "m'eduquer".
Je crois finalement que je vais faire un saut a la Maison de la Presse du coin (tant pis si les enfants pleurnichent devant tous les magazines qu'ils n'auront pas !) et acheter ELLE si la couverture est interessante ! Non pas que j'aie besoin de lire autre chose mais au moins, je changerai de sujet pour quelques instants.
Time Magazine est dans le meme etat d'esprit. L'edition Europeenne titre "Un ocean de dettes" et ajoute d'autres entrees allechantes comme "La vie sans credit/Life without credit" (puisque beaucoup de credits a la consommation arrivent a echeance et ne se renouvelleront pas) ou bien "Les USA ne sont plus le leader du monde / America : The Lost leader".
Ici la Une du Time Magazine (Europe)
Un article different attire l'oeil du lecteur, Sarah Palin aurait depense $150,000 en vetements dit "de campagne". Le journaliste explique ici pourquoi c'est choquant...et on a meme droit a une galerie de photos avec en legende les noms des createurs !! Finalement, tout le monde a besoin de se detendre, non ?
Mais la ou ca devient carrement moins fun, c'est lorsqu'un article explique que la crise va toucher les mariages..."Will the market kill your marriage ?"
Bonne lecture et a bientot pour d'autres nouvelles !
I'llwrite the English post as soon as I finish my errands !
Ok here I am. I tried to read something else than my usual weekly ELLE (but I do like most of the issues) and went to the library to check out some magazines and start to be educated in economics and finance. After reading only the covers, I think I am going to get that ELLE !
Even with different "political" points of vue like :
-- Le Monde2 : "The end of a certain Time" (left wing)
- Le Nouvel Observateur (Nouvel Obs) : "Speculators get rich, tax payers pay, where Capitalism is aiming to ?" (left wing)
- L'Express : "How much is going to cost us that crisis" (right wing)
Time Magazine is not so different. The European issue cover says : "A sea of debt" has some attractive headlines like "Life without credit (what deleveraging really means)" or "America : the lost leader".
Here is the Cover of Time Magazine (Europe)
A different type of topic though in an article about Sarah Palin's new wardrobe. She had quite a nice budget ($150,000) but here you can read why the journalist didn't like her spendings. You can even view a whole gallery of her new outfits !!
Looks like we can still enjoy some entertainment !
But where it can be seriously ironic or just realistic, it's when you read the article about marriages in the crisis : "Will the market kill your marriage ?"
Oct 21, 2008
Je reviens...I'll be back soon
Je ne savais pas a quel point organiser son retour a la vie active etait aussi prenant ! Je suis donc un peu debordee depuis 1 semaine mais je compte rattraper mon retard rapidement.
Restez en ligne !
I didn't expected my back-to-work preparations to take so much of my *free* time. So I am a little bit overwhelmed right now but I'll be back very soon to catch up with you guys ! Some bloggers have a Wordless Wednesday. As it is a day off for preschool, primary and middle school students in France, I can't do the same (well, I could...but not my kids !!)
Please stay tuned !!
Restez en ligne !
I didn't expected my back-to-work preparations to take so much of my *free* time. So I am a little bit overwhelmed right now but I'll be back very soon to catch up with you guys ! Some bloggers have a Wordless Wednesday. As it is a day off for preschool, primary and middle school students in France, I can't do the same (well, I could...but not my kids !!)
Please stay tuned !!
Oct 14, 2008
La poste...The Post Office
J'ai du aller deux fois a la Poste en quelques jours et j'avais oublie a quel point c'est plus stressant que d'aller au supermarche le samedi !
Je ne sais pas si c'est pareil dans d'autres villes mais dans la mienne, il n'y a que 2 bureaux de poste : un grand et un petit. Le grand est facile d'acces en voiture donc tout le monde y va. Il ya presque toujours une enorme file d'attente. Ils ont donc decide de mettre en place un nouveau systeme pour fluidifier l'attente : vous prenez un ticket en fonction de votre besoin (comme a la Prefecture de Lille). Quand il y a beaucoup de monde, les gens se plaignent toujours a voix haute du temps passe a attendre et combien le syteme est injuste. Le systeme....La derniere fois, une dame s'est enervee. Elle disait etre la depuis une eternite et ne comprenait pas pourquoi une dame qui venait d'arriver passait avant elle. Cette dame chanceuse s'excusa du regard. "Ce n'est pas vous, madame", lui repondit la dame fachee, "c'est le systeme !". Tout le monde hocha la tete en signe d'accord. C'est a ce moment-la que je realisa que je n'avais pas utilise "le systeme" et devais prendre un ticket. "Hors Service". Je demanda autour de moi :"comment fait-on quand le systeme ne marche plus ?". On me repondit " on a demande mais on ne nous a pas repondu". Tout le monde commenta "quel systeme !!".
Ceci dit, j'ai attendu hier 10 minutes pour recuperer une lettre recommandee (avec plein de monde) mais ce matin, je n'ai eu que 2 minutes d'attente pour en enregistrer une (avec 3 fois moins de personnes a attendre)...je pense aussi que malheureusement, contrairement a sa fonction premiere, le systeme est foireux quand il y a du monde !!
I had to go twice to the Post Office in a few days and it's like being on a crazy mission ! Worse that grocery shopping a Saturday ! I don't know in others towns but in my town, there is only one central Post Office and a small one. It's easy to park around the Main Post Office so everybody goes there. The lines are usually pretty long so they decided to put a new system. You now have to get a number depending on what you need (like in the Prefecture de Lille). When it's crowded, people always complain loudly about how long they have been waiting and how unfair is that system. The system...Last time, a woman told everybody how frustrated she was about waiting so long and how upset she was because someone that just arrived got hes turn before she did. The lucky woman felt somehow sorry for her (the way she looked at her in response at her frustration). That's when "the system" arrived in the conversation. The unlucky woman said "it's not your fault, it's the system !". And eveybody nodded silently. At that very moment, I realized I forgot to take a number at the machine. I was going to but it said "Out of Service". "What system do we use when this system is not working ?" I asked. Someone responded "I asked but they didn't answer me, they don't know". Almost everybody commented "what a system !!" (is that a very French way of criticizing ??)
Anyway, I was on line 10 minutes yesterday only to pick up a registered letter (get it and sign : 1 minute) and it was crowded. This morning, 3 time less people waiting, I had a 2-minute wait to send a registered letter (5 minutes of work)...the system doesn't work correctly when it's crowded !!
Not having to go to the Post Office....priceless !!!!
Je ne sais pas si c'est pareil dans d'autres villes mais dans la mienne, il n'y a que 2 bureaux de poste : un grand et un petit. Le grand est facile d'acces en voiture donc tout le monde y va. Il ya presque toujours une enorme file d'attente. Ils ont donc decide de mettre en place un nouveau systeme pour fluidifier l'attente : vous prenez un ticket en fonction de votre besoin (comme a la Prefecture de Lille). Quand il y a beaucoup de monde, les gens se plaignent toujours a voix haute du temps passe a attendre et combien le syteme est injuste. Le systeme....La derniere fois, une dame s'est enervee. Elle disait etre la depuis une eternite et ne comprenait pas pourquoi une dame qui venait d'arriver passait avant elle. Cette dame chanceuse s'excusa du regard. "Ce n'est pas vous, madame", lui repondit la dame fachee, "c'est le systeme !". Tout le monde hocha la tete en signe d'accord. C'est a ce moment-la que je realisa que je n'avais pas utilise "le systeme" et devais prendre un ticket. "Hors Service". Je demanda autour de moi :"comment fait-on quand le systeme ne marche plus ?". On me repondit " on a demande mais on ne nous a pas repondu". Tout le monde commenta "quel systeme !!".
Ceci dit, j'ai attendu hier 10 minutes pour recuperer une lettre recommandee (avec plein de monde) mais ce matin, je n'ai eu que 2 minutes d'attente pour en enregistrer une (avec 3 fois moins de personnes a attendre)...je pense aussi que malheureusement, contrairement a sa fonction premiere, le systeme est foireux quand il y a du monde !!
I had to go twice to the Post Office in a few days and it's like being on a crazy mission ! Worse that grocery shopping a Saturday ! I don't know in others towns but in my town, there is only one central Post Office and a small one. It's easy to park around the Main Post Office so everybody goes there. The lines are usually pretty long so they decided to put a new system. You now have to get a number depending on what you need (like in the Prefecture de Lille). When it's crowded, people always complain loudly about how long they have been waiting and how unfair is that system. The system...Last time, a woman told everybody how frustrated she was about waiting so long and how upset she was because someone that just arrived got hes turn before she did. The lucky woman felt somehow sorry for her (the way she looked at her in response at her frustration). That's when "the system" arrived in the conversation. The unlucky woman said "it's not your fault, it's the system !". And eveybody nodded silently. At that very moment, I realized I forgot to take a number at the machine. I was going to but it said "Out of Service". "What system do we use when this system is not working ?" I asked. Someone responded "I asked but they didn't answer me, they don't know". Almost everybody commented "what a system !!" (is that a very French way of criticizing ??)
Anyway, I was on line 10 minutes yesterday only to pick up a registered letter (get it and sign : 1 minute) and it was crowded. This morning, 3 time less people waiting, I had a 2-minute wait to send a registered letter (5 minutes of work)...the system doesn't work correctly when it's crowded !!
Not having to go to the Post Office....priceless !!!!
Oct 7, 2008
De retour...back on tracks !
Hello, hello !
Mon deuxieme coup de coeur
Desolee d'avoir ete aussi absente mais impossible de consacrer plus de 5 minutes a ce blog. Je me suis concentree sur la preparation aux entretiens. Le dernier remonte a plus de 10 ans et j'aimerai beaucoup ne pas etre prise au depourvu, piegee par une question que je n'attendais pas. Meme si ca fait partie du jeu...!! Je me fais peut-etre des idees mais j'ai l'impression qu'apres avoir quitte la vie active plusieurs annees, nous perdons le reflexe de nous concentrer sur nous-memes...Donc j'ai annonce officiellement a mon cheri que je ne faisais plus rien dans la maison...dans la semaine, de 9h a 17h ! Ca va mieux depuis !!!! Dur de prendre ses marques mais rafraichissant !
Je trouve la situation economique actuelle particulierement preoccupante. C'est la premiere fois qu'on en parle autant sur la seule radio que je peux ecouter *nrj*. Ce matin, j'ai entendu le mot "krach boursier" et plus inquietant "les banques ne se pretent plus entre elles". Je me demande si en ecoutant ce genre de nouvelles, on n'a pas envie d'aller retirer ses economies et les coller sous son matelas...
Anyway, je me demande si mon retour a la vie active ne va pas etre un peu compromis !! Ceci dit, j'ai rencontre recemment beaucoup de mamans qui repartent au travail. Par necessite ?
Hello and sorry for being so absent from that blog.
I couldn't even find 5 minutes to post, I was literally obsessed by preparing job interviews. Last one I had was (more than) 10 years ago and I couldn't stand the idea of being destabilized by a tricky question...even if it's part of the fun of job interviews. I don't know if I should think so but because I didn't work for many years, I feel like I lost the ability of focusing on myself., focusing on a job situation...so I announced officially to my hubby that I'd stop taking care of the house...during the week, between 9 and 5 pm. I am feeling better focused now !! Although finding a new organization is still a little bit tricky...but it is SO refreshing !!
Today the World Economy is really worrying me. It's the first time I hear on the news of the only good radio I can get in the car (*nrj*) : "financial crisis" and "banks are no more lending money to each others". I am wondering how do you feel listening to that kind of news. Do you feel like running to your bank and withdrawing all youe savings ?
Yesterday, my husband came back from working saying in French (because he's French !) "c'est chaud !" meaning "it's really bad"...(and he works in finance).
Anyway, I am not sure I'll get back to work anytime soon. I recently met a lot of moms going back to work. Out of economic necessity ?
Mon deuxieme coup de coeur
Desolee d'avoir ete aussi absente mais impossible de consacrer plus de 5 minutes a ce blog. Je me suis concentree sur la preparation aux entretiens. Le dernier remonte a plus de 10 ans et j'aimerai beaucoup ne pas etre prise au depourvu, piegee par une question que je n'attendais pas. Meme si ca fait partie du jeu...!! Je me fais peut-etre des idees mais j'ai l'impression qu'apres avoir quitte la vie active plusieurs annees, nous perdons le reflexe de nous concentrer sur nous-memes...Donc j'ai annonce officiellement a mon cheri que je ne faisais plus rien dans la maison...dans la semaine, de 9h a 17h ! Ca va mieux depuis !!!! Dur de prendre ses marques mais rafraichissant !
Je trouve la situation economique actuelle particulierement preoccupante. C'est la premiere fois qu'on en parle autant sur la seule radio que je peux ecouter *nrj*. Ce matin, j'ai entendu le mot "krach boursier" et plus inquietant "les banques ne se pretent plus entre elles". Je me demande si en ecoutant ce genre de nouvelles, on n'a pas envie d'aller retirer ses economies et les coller sous son matelas...
Anyway, je me demande si mon retour a la vie active ne va pas etre un peu compromis !! Ceci dit, j'ai rencontre recemment beaucoup de mamans qui repartent au travail. Par necessite ?
Hello and sorry for being so absent from that blog.
I couldn't even find 5 minutes to post, I was literally obsessed by preparing job interviews. Last one I had was (more than) 10 years ago and I couldn't stand the idea of being destabilized by a tricky question...even if it's part of the fun of job interviews. I don't know if I should think so but because I didn't work for many years, I feel like I lost the ability of focusing on myself., focusing on a job situation...so I announced officially to my hubby that I'd stop taking care of the house...during the week, between 9 and 5 pm. I am feeling better focused now !! Although finding a new organization is still a little bit tricky...but it is SO refreshing !!
Today the World Economy is really worrying me. It's the first time I hear on the news of the only good radio I can get in the car (*nrj*) : "financial crisis" and "banks are no more lending money to each others". I am wondering how do you feel listening to that kind of news. Do you feel like running to your bank and withdrawing all youe savings ?
Yesterday, my husband came back from working saying in French (because he's French !) "c'est chaud !" meaning "it's really bad"...(and he works in finance).
Anyway, I am not sure I'll get back to work anytime soon. I recently met a lot of moms going back to work. Out of economic necessity ?
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