I was watching some old posts and I realized that as usual I go to Paris in March.
That time was to attend a competition to work for the French Foreign Ministry, I failed it last year for one examination. My overall feeling this year is that I will not fail for one examination, if I do, it would be that my average grade would not be sufficient enough to go to the Oral in June.
I had the feeling that the examination were easier than the year before. Anyway, time will say. I'm still waiting for the results of the European Commission competition I attended in January, it is going to happen shortly...
Building close to Lyon's Station
Old couple relaxing under the Old Lady
A young guy happy to be there again
Walk along La Seine
Paris 21 century !!!
Small boat from Britany
Another Porche along the Seine
Old woman watching at the Tower !!
American Church on Trip agency window
New kind of Scooter !! Weird or too modern !!
Champs Elysees Avenue
New Citroen Building (modern style)
The Obelisk & Eiffel Tower The Obelisk in the Place de la Concorde is from the Luxor temple in Egypt. It was a gift from the Egyptian Viceroy to Charles X. It was moved from Luxor to its new Parisian home in 1833.
The National Assembly is located in the Palais-Bourbon, across the Seine from the Place de la Concorde. The palace was built as a private residence in 1722, was later bought by King Louis XV, and changed hands several more times until the government reacquired it and converted it to legislative use in 1827. "It is also the place were MEP's sleep more than they speak"
This time, the last event of the season took place in St-Estève (PO).
It was a windy & cold day, as usual the competition was among Perpignan VS Girona VS Montpellier university teams.
Thanks "Welcome to our faithful fans !!!" Here are some pictures:
Montpellier Vs Perpi
Mika having good time in the gallery.
Third-half-time wiz Kristen (she is a rugby player from Montpellier)
Winner of the Tramuntana Cup: Montpellier Perpignan arrived second as last year but played much better and made it tough until the last minute of the game. Girona arrived Third (but as usual they played wiz a great spirit )
I took the TGV to Paris, then the Thalys to Bruxelles Midi. Louis Picked me up there and we walked to his place (20mn from the Station).
The Place & the people who get my future in theirs hands !!
Parc du Cinquaintenaire
Chilly morning after my Oral, chilling out in the Park close to the European Commission.
Louis, a french musician from Perpignan living in Bruxells I knew from High School who invited me at his place for a couple of days. He introduced me to new places I did not know in that fantastic city.
Centre de la Bande Dessinée (Cartoon Center) . For all the one who loves comics, cartoon,mangas : this is the place to visit. You will find out all your heroes !!!
I met by luck a small bar close to a bar I used to go when I go to Brussells called "la Mort Subite" but the next bar is cheaper and more lively, real people most of them talking flamish. Have a look at the prices, it is located in the very center of the capital.
Here is the entrance of the famous Delirium Café. The Café I did not find each time I go to Brussels but thanks to Louis, We did it.
In a 18th century basement, in the heart of the "Free town": the "Ilot Sacré", and only a 100 meters away from the "Grande Place" you'll find the "Delirium Café".
A decoration full of old enamelled ad-panels, posters from the past time and colourful light-ads will duck you behind a world of beers and Gins.
De big wooden barrels invite you to taste the different drinks: Belgian and foreign beers, on bottle or of the barrel. Old gins, fruit gins or even with chocolate taste.
The Beer Collection is impressive and composed of more than 2004 beers; Beers around the world, rare and collectors beers. For every taste, from starter to advanced amateur (like me). It was added to the Guinnes book of Records.
I made a promise to myself, if one day I'm lucky enought to work for the European Commission, after every single day, I will come there and have a different beer, chilling out and enjoying that fantastic place. Whatever might be the day, stressing, rainy, snowy, exhausting, does not matter, I will go there and invite a friend of mine to join (lol).
Magnificent House close to Louis' place
While I was walking around a park , lured by the European Flag lighted in a sunny day, Met that villa. (Catalan & French will get it)
The Little house & the crow (belgium new tale)
Destination Carcassone
What a fantastic day, It was the warmest day of the year !!! Perfect blue sky, clouds reappeared in south of France !! Time to flight back to France. Hope to see you soon Belgium.
I have to say my overall feeling is that I won't be in the reserve list. Here is the story:
I did not feel stress until the door was shut !!! I look at the panel, in the eyes, and first mistake, I took the wrong sit and I have not noticed "because I was looking at the President of the Jury (I knew who He was before entering in the room) so I did not want to be in front of me" that there was a piece of paper and a bottle of water just next to the place I chose"
So he just nodded his head to indicate me the right place, as we say in France ' "Cela commence bien !! "= It begins quite well (ironia)
Then He explained me how the Examination will take place, and what surprises me is that he told me i will have to speak in the language the question will be asked.
So I was quite destabilized because I thought the Oral will be in my second language (I mean 80% of it, as many posts in that forum, mentionned it) and I learned a lot during 1 month, and read almost everything, Press, synthesis of my courses, possibles questions, vocabulary in english) and I was asked to present my CV & job experiences related to the Competition in French.
The night before, i learned by heart my presentation in english and i Could not find the rights words sometimes to describe my past!!!
But the "best" was to come, All the questions but 3 that is to say, 20 at least were in French mostly about situational questions.
I did not have any questions about WORD, EXCEL or whatever softwares.. shame
Neither did have questions on multicultural environment?? how will they assess my abilities to work in such an environment?
I did have : do you prefer to work alone in a room or with team?
How to plan a mission for your chief of unit?
How do you deal with a person who wait for your boss but he is on a meeting which takes more time than forecast ?
I was asked about filing?
I was not about my motivation?
In which DG's I would like to work?
what would I do If my boss was misadministrated money, 'instance of a german whose country gave in terms of UE contribuition more that the right amount of money he should give because of the high contribuition of his country in the past:!!!
i was asked what were the main institutions : I started to talk and with the stress i forgot the Court of Auditors, the Court of Justice, and concerning the EP, EC, Council forgot many things because of the stress
I was asked a question about environment (in english) and it was a good time , as for 10mns i was speaking french, i could not find the words, they did not come to my bloody mind, and as they were all stared at me, could not be silent, and I said : The UE was fighting against the environment (instead of Climate Change) and a guy told me really against, lol, sorry for the Environment, ....
Finally, When i was asked if i Had a question, As i felt my oral was not that good, I asked a question about the fact that the Lisbon Treaty was signed last December and that the last & only country to ratify it will be Ireland and all the pressure will be on the country, and that I wanted to know the panel's opinion about it, do they think it will pass or not (because in the last time they reject it) it sounded a good question: it sounded, lol, because the 2 guys of the jury told me, verbatim: You know we are European Civil servant, we have a right of reserve !!!
In a nutshell the 40mn went very fast, did not have 4 seconds to rest !!! Wanted to have a glass of water, but did not have time to open the bottle, did not feel interupting the ORAL.
NB: I was told the results for french will be on April normally. Overall feeling, could have done much much better, my english was pitiful "I'm normally really good especially when I talk" I studied too much (wanted to know everything about institutions, policies, people working there) In the end I was asked 3 general questions that i replied badly (could have done better 2 years ago) because of the stress!!
This month was very exciting !!! I met many English girls from Sheffield, Manchester & Liverpool who are studying at my university. I was able to practice my talking english by day & nite. Here are some pictures of those "lively" guys.
Copy of the letter I received from the European Personnel Selection Office (Brussels, 26/11/2007 )
Dear Mr XXX,
Further to my correspondence dated 7/11/2007, informing you that your results in the practical tests qualify you for admission to the oral test, I am pleased to inform you that this test will take place on 07/02/2008 at 11:15 , at the following address:
European Commission Waiting Room 7th floor Av. de Cortenbergh , 107 B-1040 Bruxells
The Final Countdown has started !!! For all the ones who might read that post : Wish me good luck !!!!
Last step before being on the Reserve List of the European Commission for AST competition.
I already booked my train to Bruxells and my flight back to Carcassonne. I am going to sleep at my friend's flat: Louis I knew from the High School who is a musician in Belgium for a few years.
I was really busy in burning the midnight oil to be ready for the D-day (dream day) but then I will be able to write more posts faster.
This afternoon I bought my first tie & 2 white shirts from Florentino after a fortnight of shopping. I bought last week my first Shaving machine.
I will keep you update and put my feedback of that special day.
Time to wish you as well a Fantastic New Year !!! Best Wishes & Greetings from France.
Almost one year ago, Bulgaria & Romania joined the European Union. Now I'll be able to visit one more friend without Visa (but wiz my credit card)
Kodi Annan was replaced by South Korea's Ban Ki-moon and became the new United Nations Secretary General.
Russian oil supplies to Poland, Germany & Ukraine are cut as the Russia-Belarus energy dispute escalates; restored 3 days later.
February
Smoking in public and work places is banned in France (high school,colleges, compagnies); in one week (2008) it will banned in restaurant, pubs & discos.
March
Sydney (31) turns off its lights for 1 hour between 7:30pm and 8:30pm as a political statement for Global Climate Change.
April
The TGV (French for "high-speed train") holds a series of world speed records achieved in the context of an active research and development program. The high speed trials are intended to expand the limits of high speed rail technology, increasing speed and comfort without compromising safety. The speed record for the TGV is currently 574.8 km/h on the EST European line.
Retired chess champion Garry Kasparov is detained in Moscow for participating in a banned march.
The first round of the French presidential election of 2007 takes place. Russians riot in Tallinn (Estonia), about moving the Bronze Soldier ( a Soviet WW II war memorial). Two nights of rioting leave one dead.
May
Nicolas Sarkozy is elected President of my Country (France), defeating Ségolène Royal with 53% of the vote in the French Presidential Election. His speech was interesting, let's tell future if he does what he said.
June
Tony Blair resigns as Prime Minister of UK; New Labour Party leader Gordon Brown is appointed Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II.
In the aftermath of Greece's worst heatwave in a century, at least 11 people are reported dead from heatstroke, approximately 200 wildfires break out nationwide, and the country's electricity grid nearly collapses due to record breaking demand.
July
Portugal takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Germany.
Smoking in public and work places is banned in England and in pubs and clubs in New South Wales & Victoria (Australia)
August
I visited my Friend Mika in Narbonne and François in Montpellier and discovered some places in Languedoc Roussillon (see past posts)
September
The Rugby World Cup 2007 starts in France.
First confirmed deaths resulting from the Myanma military's crackdown on weeks long anti-government protest. Buddhist monks are arrested and Internet access is cut from the public
October
Track and field star Marion Jones surrenders her five Olympic medals she won in the 2000 Sydney Games after admitting to doping. What a shame !! I admired her !!
South Africa defeats England at the Rugby World Cup 2007 final in Stade de France. Too bad that Oz team lost again the Rosbeefs. In the final, the best team won.
November
Australian Labour Party wins the federal election in Australia ; Labour leader Kevin Rudd is elected to succeed John Howard as Prime Minister of Australia.
December
European leaders sign the Treaty of Lisbon in Lisbon. Hope it will change the Institutions working.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, is announced as Time magazine's 2007 Person of the Year. What a crazy world!!
The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the Schengen border-free zone. Nice be able to visit more friends without visa.
Death:
Abbé Pierre, French priest. He founded in 1949 the Emmaus movement, which has the goal of helping poor and homeless people and refugees. A great loss for humanity (especially in France) "mais, c'est pa pottible, malheureusement SI"
Anna Nicole Smith, American model and television personality.She first gained popularity in Playboy, becoming the 1993 Playmate of the Year. She modeled for clothing companies (one of the hottest pieces of ass on the planet when she modeled for Guess jeans) . She starred in her own reality TV show. In the months before her death, she was the focus of renewed press coverage surrounding the death of her son. She died at the age of 39. Rest in piece, Anna. You will be missed.
Boris Yeltsin, first President of the Russian Federation serving from 1991 to 1999. I will remembe 4ver, one of the best laugh on TV:
On 31 December 1999, in a surprise announcement made live on Russian television, Yeltsin said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would take over as acting president. Yeltsin asked for forgiveness for what he acknowledged were errors of his rule, and said Russia needed to enter the new century with new political leaders. Yeltsin said: "I want to beg forgiveness for your dreams that never came true. And also I would like to beg forgiveness not to have justified your hopes."
Grégory Lemarchal was a French singer and winner of the fourth series of the reality TV programme Star Academy. A new French duet version of the British singer Lucie Silvas' ' hit single "What You're Made Of" went to number two in the singles chart. Too young to die, I really enjoyed that song. Rest In Peace.
Grégory's family founded Association Grégory Lemarchal, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people and the families of people with cystic fibrosis, on June 7, a week after Grégory's death : http://www.association-gregorylemarchal.com/accueil.html
Raymond Barre was professor of economics at Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po).
In 1967, President De Gaulle chose him as vice-president of the European Commission for Economic & Financial Affairs. He stayed in Brussels until January 1973. Having come back to France, he joined the cabinet as minister of the External Trade in January 1976.
Barre's 1st Government , 1976 -30 March 1977. Second government from 30 March 1977 to 5 April 1978. Third government from 5 April 1978 to 22 May 1981.
Barre retired from active politics in June, 2002. He was being treated at a hospital for a heart condition since April, 2007 when he died on August 25, 2007
Luciano Pavarotti was one the most famous tenor in opera music, who crossed into popular music and became one of the most beloved vocal performers. He was one of The 3 Tenors and was well known for his televised concerts and media appearances One of his famous song: Nessun Dorma. Rest in Peace Luciano and thank you !!!
Colin McRae, was a Scottish world rally driver champion. He was the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Champion and, in 1995, became the first of only two Britons to date to have won the World Rally Championship Driver's title. McRae helped lead Subary to the constructors' title three times in succession in 1995,1996, 1997. After a three year spell with Ford, which saw McRae win nine events, he moved to Citroen in 2003, where, despite not winning an event, he helped them win the first of their three consecutive manufacturers' titles. He became more famous with his video game in 1998.
Movies:
- My Blueberry Nights directed by Wong Kar Wai - The Fountain directed by Darren Aronofsky
I am pleased to inform you that your results in the practical tests qualify you for admission to the oral examination.
We can already inform you that the oral tests will most likely start in January 2008 and will be held in Brussels. Further information regarding the organisation of this stage of the competition, including your date/time of examination will be sent to you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
For the chairman of the Selection Board...
The countdown is on!!! I'm studying as much as possible to be ready for the D-day !!! Who could have imagined I would go to the Oral one year ago !! But I did it and now I must believe I might achieve my goal to work as a European Servant !!! Time will say... I will keep you update asap.
Xmas is coming very soon as well as new year's eve but I have not planned anything until now.
Last friday, I went to Barcelona to take my exam to work for the European Commission.
I must admit it was quite difficult, more than I expected. I do not think I will go to the Oral ( last stage before being on the reserve list), but time will say, life is full of surprises...
Every year in the end of September, Barcelona is prepared to celebrate its Major Party and commemorates the festivity of Mare de Déu de la Mercè, mistress of the city. This is a religious and popular party that gathers activities, among which we emphasize the popular "correfuegos" (fireworks), castellers, sardanas and the traditional piromusical.
It is necessary to emphasize that, according to the tradition, Mare de Déu de la Mercè set free Barcelona from a plague of lobsters and in gratitude she was nominated mistress of the city in 1637. The worship to the Mare de Déu de la Mercè spread, during the Middle Ages, over the Mediterranean sea and nowadays it has spread over Hispanic and American lands.
The fire, symbol of Mediterranean celebrations, is present in this party. This way, we find the traditional "correfuego" (type of fireworks) where stand out the figures of dragons and devils. Another one of the classics in Merce's party is el Piromusical. As grand finale, el Piromusical or spectacle of fireworks takes place in Montjuïc's fountains illuminating Barcelona's sky with the most current music that comes from all five continents.
I got the opportunity to attend severals concerts around the city. I enjoyed especially " El sueño de Morfeo" in Cataluña place, there were more or less 35000 people.
I saw the Castellers in the Town Hall place, it was full of people. I will always remember it, during my life I thought many Castellers on TV but never on live. It was fantastic, really moving, stressing, hard to describe that special feeling. One must see them to get that special feeling.
A castellis a human tower traditionally built during festivals in many places in Catalonia, Spain. At these festivals, several colles castelleres (teams) meet and try to build the most impressive towers they can.
I will probably put some pictures and a video asap.
I stayed at Remi's flat and met with Miguel on Sunday nite. The weather was set free. Hope you will come to this event once in your life, it really worth it.
