.:: EPA2005 People ::.

EPA Reunion 2007!

2007-05-06T18:16:00.000+02:00

Beer tasting

CARNAVAL MAASTRICHT 2007

2007-02-20T10:55:00.000+01:00

Greetings from your Maastricht maven, "La Carnavala" to take you on this little tour!

The tipsy trio includes (l) Casey O'Dell, friend to Loren and Meghann and a few other EPAites; Krista Knopper, yes, our very first "Presentation Skills" tutor; and yours truly, "La Carnavala".

Each carnaval begins with the raising of the "Mooswief". Here she has two friends.

Near our dear Falstaff walks: Corked.

On the Vrijthof I spy: Quaffed.

At Onze Lievre Vrouw Plein: Pissed.

And every parade needs its: Sanits

And: Sinners!

Macedonia in Maastricht

2007-02-17T16:47:00.000+01:00

Well it's almost carnival time here in jolly old Maastricht and Bibi almost got to relive that tipsy time. Instead, she settled for a nice visit with Ingrid at Susan's new home.

Bibi agrees that this new home is certainly large enough to host our 2nd reunion. Any ideas?

2007-01-01T16:18:00.000+01:00

Hey, hey, hey. Happy New Year, Happy New Status for Rumi and Katya's homeland. Welcome to the EU. Hope it's good news.

Merry Christmas and Happy New 2007 Year!

2006-12-22T19:20:00.000+01:00

Just wanted to use this means of communication to wish you all, EPA people, happy holidays and best wishes for the upcoming year! May you all have a very successful and prosperous year.

Hope to see you soon.

Val

Verheugen's naked truth...

2006-12-08T12:11:00.000+01:00

Don't know if you already heard about this, but it appears that Herr Verheugen was caught naked in Lithuania with his mistress, aka as his chef du cabinet, on a Lithuanian nudist beach in August. These grotesque pictures will be published in Focus on Monday. But before that, you can update yourself on this lovely story here.

Another Mini-Reunion

2006-12-04T18:21:00.000+01:00

Hello dear friends,

It is so cool that we still keep in touch! I am very much hoping for a larger scale EPA Class Reunion eventually, yet meanwhile all those mini reunions are also fun!

Please, see the photos illustrating one of such reunions in Copenhagen, in Hamlet's misty land :-)

Have a Great Week! ;-)

Love and Hugs,

Nestan

@seven - Pre-Christmas Get Together

2006-12-04T10:08:00.000+01:00

Brussels EPAs and whichever EPAist happens to be in Brussels that day,

European Agenda is organizing a free networking event. Here are the details:

Thursday, 7 December 2006

18:45-20:30 hrs

The event will take place at:

@seven
Mirano Continental
Chaussée de Louvain 38
1210 Brussels

To participate, please fill in the form and send fax it to EA.

Let me know if you attend this event.

The World According to Borat

2006-11-02T15:55:00.000+01:00

Very funny. It remains to be seen if you lot think its funny though...

ON WOMEN

· MY wife, she is scared of men with chocolate face.

· My wife she is dead . . . she die in a field . . . she die from work, an accident. But is not important, I have a new wife.

· In America, women can vote but horse cannot. It is the other way around in my country.

· I want meet nice Western girlies for chitchat and sexytime — preference lady with yellow hairs, with plough experience and little or no history of retardation in family. I would like to meet you and make romance inside you.

· Why don’t you put wife in cage? They escape if you do not.

· This one I have to pay money for, but she worth it! Wawaweewa!”

ON FOOD & DRINK

· My favourite foods is toffee. It my ambition one day to eat a delicious hamborger! I am allergy to uncooked falcon.

· I like drink vodka and traditional Kazakh wine which make from fermented horse urine.

ON KAZAKHSTAN

· In Kazhakstan we have many hobbies: Disco dancing, archery, rape and table tennis.

· Kazakhstan is more civilised now. Women can now travel on inside of bus, and homosexuals no longer have to wear blue hat.

· America national sport is called baseballs. It very similar to our sport, shurik, where we take dogs, shoot them in a field and then have a party.

ON ENGLAND

· Every Englishman must have a hobby. Some like to collect the stamp, some like to make the jam, but the most fun is to a kill a little animal with a shotgun or rip them up with wild dog.

ON AMERICA

· There are many job opportunities in the US and A. For man, construction worker, taxi driver or accountant. For woman, prostitute.

· I was very surprise to learn it is now illegal to shoot at Red Indians. Once again, I would like apologise with all my heart to the staff of the Potawatomi Casino in Kansas. Sorry.

ON HORSES

· We have saying in Kazakhstan: “You find me woman with brain, I find you a horse with . . . wings.

ON HIS SISTER

· She is number four prostitute in all of Kazakhstan.”

ON HIS BROTHER

· I have brother. His name is Bilo. He once have a demon that live in his head so we open his head and place a dry fish inside to eat the demon. But the demon become angry and make Bilo a retard. He is sex crazy! All day long in his cage he look on porno!

Shocking ... Borat
Picture: REX

ON MASCULINITY

· IN Kazakhstan we say man who has never killed a man is like man with no khram.

· Jagshemash, do you have a big khram? Can I touch?

(Khram is Borat lingo for manhood.)

ON POLITICS

· I hope you kill every man, woman and child in Iraq, down to the lizards. And may George W Bush drink the blood of every man, woman and child in Iraq.

· We say that to give a woman power is like to give monkeys guns. Very dangerous. We have stopped do this ever since the 2001 Astana Zoo massacre.

· Most problems in region is caused by Uzbekistan — who as everyone knows is nosy people with a bone in the middle of their brains.

ON EDUCATION

· I was lucky to be from good family, so I stay on after school and do further educations. I study plague research at Astana University and create three new ones!

· One of them was sprayed on Uzbekistan and kill two millions goat! Then, after that, when I 13, I leave education and start workings.

ON MADONNA

· It was very courageous of MTV to start the show with a genuine transvestite, he was very convincing. It was only his hands and his testi satchels that gave it away.

PS [val] visual support to above examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFVN59sR4lY

Two things that made me laugh today

2006-10-19T15:49:00.000+02:00

(it didn't seem to work the first time)

1. Copyright Europe Information Service (EIS). La copie, la reproduction ou la dissemination de tout ou partie de ce document sans autorisation prealable et ecrite de EIS est strictement interdite.

(18/10/2006)

Tögethé® since 1957

Here is the logo that the Commission, the Parliament and all European institutions will henceforth use on all written or electronic documents and all events related to the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaty on 27 March 2007. The multicoloured logo will appear in the European Union's 22 languages, Bulgarian and Romanian included. National, regional and local authorities in the EU are encouraged to use the logo as much as possible. Commissioner Margot Wallström (Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy), commenting on the programme of festivities on 17 October, maintained that the logo «represents Europe's diversity and strength while also emphasising the desire for unity and solidarity which characterise our continent».

2. Council Regulation (EC) No 1544/2006 of 5 October 2006 laying down special measures to encourage silkworm rearing (Codified version)

mini-EPA reunion

2006-10-12T11:56:00.000+02:00

Dear all,

Here is the picture taken last Saturday at L & D's place when we all had great time seeing each other. Hope to see you all soon and I suggest that we start seriously thinking and planning for a maxi-EPA reunion in 2007. Any suggestions and ideas are welcomed!

EU's marketing efforts!

2006-10-09T14:51:00.000+02:00

Hello to all!

Check this out quickly if you have some time:

http://www.whathaseuropedone.org/

Ciao,
Natascha :)

Euopean Voice disserves Steinbruck!

2006-10-09T11:18:00.000+02:00

Hello gang. Keep your eyes peeled to see if the European Voice is brave enough to publish the letter to the editor I penned (see below). What a piece of crap writing. (Anne, even if you weren't in our group, I would have sent this letter.) Please remember, I owned and edited a Philadelphia newspaper for six years. We were very careful to try to separate opinion pieces from our journalistic selections. Anyway, what I saw was an article that told about a politican who is doing a great job written in a sarcastic and bitter tone. Here's my response:

Don’t shoot the messenger

Does Eric Culp hold a grudge against Peer Steinbrück? His profile of “the plain speaker” (EV 5-11 October 2006) is antagonistic towards Steinbrück’s authenticity, the very characteristic most Europeans have been clamoring for in their politicians. It’s the negative tone of this piece, given the facts, that is so curious. Culp maligns Steinbrück for calling the kettle black. Germany’s fiscal situation has been gravely underperforming and his job is to remedy that. By calling to raise its below average VAT, Steinbrück selected a natural source of revenue to raise funds. I do not have deeper knowledge regarding what government spending “cuts” could be (or are) also being made, but anyone living in “EuroWorld” knows that Germany took a big financial hit for its east/west reunification. Raising its VAT seems a fair way to spread the “pain”. So, what’s the back-story with this glum profile? Culp’s piece smacks of personal subjectivism masquerading as journalism. What the reader learns between the lines is that Steinbrück has attacked the root of Germany’s fiscal problem with an eye toward resolution, his job. He is berated for telling colleagues not to cheer too much or too prematurely for incremental success because “more work still has to be done”. He recommends to his countrymen that they save money (okay maybe targeting travel was a bit harsh). He has had a career in politics, (haven’t most politicians?) and oh, by the way, horrors, he has worked for his living even as a student. Even his “willingness to switch alliances” is pinned on the weak decision to change his alliance to a football club. It is a pity that the rather sarcastic tone of this profile obscures the content in order to raise eyebrows and hackles. It would make an interesting Euro Poll to ask citizens if they would prefer the scoundrels or those qualified like Steinbrück to collect a government pay cheque.

REVOLUTION BABY

2006-10-02T10:01:00.000+02:00

Hello all!
I don't know if anyone still reads this from time to time.. but I do and cos I loved so much last Rob's entry, also Chen's one of course, I decided to write this.
I suggest that if u are bored at work go and check the following video at www.levantatezp.blogspot.com
For those who can't read Spanish an introduction: ZP is our president (Zapatero) and the guys from the blog are called "4 cats", which is an expression that means " a few people". The building in the video is the Congres of Deputies here in Madrid (low chambre). And the chair they steal, the ZP one. I have been inside and I can tell u that the one they take is the real one, and they are in the plenary room. The rest.. u can decide on yourselfs.
P.S: the aim is to call attention upon the UN campaign against hunger, whit the logo for the October 16th "standind agains hunger", or similar.
Val, I know you will love these guys.
U can also find it in You Tube if you write "4 gatos"
Big kiss to all
and.. I will propably visit brussels in November!

Not tooooooooo late??

2006-09-25T04:10:00.000+02:00

Hi, everybody!

You may wonder whether Chen is still living in certain corner in the world, since he has never left a single trace in our blog. Fortunately, the answer is positive!!! Indira, Bibi and Giedre can be the testifiers. and just three weeks ago, I met Giedre and her Swiss friends in Beijing and tried some typical chinese food, they traveled lots of interesting places in China. and if any other people having the plan of visiting China, don't hesitate to contact me! my cell phone is: 008613718965522, email: junior_chin@hotmail.com.

this is the first time but i pledge you not the last time I present in our blog :)
Good luck!

From 'The Sun' today, as read by 4 million Brits

2006-09-04T16:06:00.000+02:00

Mad map to leave Britain in bits

By DAVID WOODING
September 04, 2006

GERMANY is plotting to wipe Britain off the map in their revived bid to create an EU superstate.

They want the 25 member states to scrap their national boundaries so England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland cease to exist.

They would be split up and merged with other countries to form new “trans-national” EU regions.

Kent and East Sussex would join northern France as part of a new land called “TransManche”.

Most of England and Scotland would be lumped with parts of Scandinavia, Germany, Belgium and Holland as the North Sea region.

Western England would be in the Atlantic region with chunks of France.

Wales and Ireland would become Ireland-Wales, while north-west Scotland would be in the “Northern Periphery”.

The masterplan will be put into action when Germany takes over the EU presidency in January and tries to revive the rejected EU constitution.

German minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said: “There is the great hope underlying the goal of a United Europe that we can overcome old borders.”

THE SUN SAYS (Rob says: I have not made this up - this is the most influential paper in the UK)

Wolf at the door

“THE Germans have a masterplan to redraw the map of Europe . . . ”

It seems we have heard those words before. And now we are hearing them again.

Next January, when the Germans begin a six-month EU presidency, they intend to “facilitate trans-European territorial integration”.

In other words they want to scrap national borders and wipe Britain off the map.

As luck would have it, EU officials in Brussels have drawn up a map splitting Britain into five “transnational” regions.

It’s just about as barmy as it can get — uniting bits of Kent and Sussex with France, combining Wales and Ireland, and throwing Cornwall in with Portugal.

The first reaction is, of course, to have a good laugh. But don’t.

The Germans are deadly serious. They want to bring back the dreaded European Constitution.

Their Federal Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee says: “There is great hope underlying the goal of a United Europe that we can permanently overcome old borders”.

Not if The Sun has anything to do with it, Wolfgang.

Links - http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006410088,00.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,31-2006410033,00.html

Finally!!!

2006-08-22T13:00:00.000+02:00

No, no this is not a voice from outer space is just a voice from almost outer space-Cyprus!! So guys I am still alive and going and...finally I can say that I AM a civil servant (well, starting September 1st)! Yes, it took something like 2 and a half years to complete the procedures but at the end we got there! Ministry of Interiors it will, be on structural funds most probably so maybe after a few months I will probably be visiting the Brussels crew!
Summer holiday was very good, some Spain, some Morocco and a lot of Cyprus and friends. Still very hot so there are some things yet to come.

That’s all folks!

Lots and lots of kisses and other similar staff!
CY

Verheugen as an intern in a SME company

2006-08-15T09:33:00.000+02:00

Hi guys,

check this out...DG Enterprise and Industry is planning on sending their top level civil servants as interns into SMEs - even Mr. Verheugen. They are supposed to learn more about "real business life" before bringing about any new directives / regulations.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/exp_prog/index.htm

Cheers, Meike

Yemen?

2006-08-10T15:00:00.000+02:00

Hello! It's been a while and lots has changed so I thought I'd send a small update from the other side of the pond. I start a new job in September, working for the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer. After they train me to be a diplomat for a year or so here in DC I'll be headed ... somewhere. At the end of October I'll find out where the government wants me to go live, but it's a good bet it won't be the Embassy or any U.S. Representations in Brussels - more like Ouagodougou or Bujumbura. I'm going to be starved for visitors, though, so I'll let you all know where I'm going so you can plan exotic vacations!

And speaking of exotic vacations, I'm leaving to go to Yemen in a week. I'll be in Sana'a for three weeks visiting a friend and taking some more Arabic. Should be a good chance to unwind, though sadly my respect for local customs will prevent me from working on my tan.

Hope every single one of you is doing fabulously! I think of you all often and certain days - like this rainy morning! :) - make me miss Maastricht tremendously.

Take care,
Alison

Sign this!

2006-08-07T17:56:00.000+02:00

Not that any one pays attention to the masses these days, but if you've got a second and believe that killing innocent civilians is not necessarily the best way to make friends and influence people, sign this worthy petition and feel good about yourself.

http://www.ceasefirecampaign.org

Updates

2006-08-07T17:09:00.000+02:00

Hi everybody,

Sorry for dissapearing for a while from the EPA blogosphere. I'm fine but busy. Lots of projects...

Recent developments - we bought an apartment in Brussels next to Koekelberg Cathedral (the one you can see from any point in Brussels). So in the upcoming months there's going to be lots of moving, painting, cleaning, decorating, etc. The good news is that we have much more space than we used, which means that we can accomodate any EPAist with much more comfort.

Other news - 3 weeks ago we were in Moldova and had our Orthodox wedding (the last one). For those curious to see the pictures of the event (+ Brussels apartment pictures [the state it was 2 month ago]) you can visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/popovici.

Work is fine, busy, but discovering lots of interesting things about organizational management & European affairs each day.

My side (hobby) project, called EuroBlog, is doing well too. For those of you who don't know about it, it's an information blog (in Romanian) containing articles from foreign media on Moldova. For those of you have access to The Economist, there is an article by Edward Lucas on Moldova there. Here is the link. Also, in last week's Economist I saw an article on German government, which mentioned Steinbrueck in it. I was pleased to see a name I could recognize (although it wasn't Anne).

That's it folks. Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Brussels. Our doors are always open to EPA guests.

Good luck with everything, and talk to you soon.

Lanaken Visit

2006-08-07T10:26:00.000+02:00

A simmering summer day. A quiet place. Our little cabin in the woods of Lanaken. An afternoon spent reconnecting with Jens fresh from his visit to the gang in Brussels. Memories, food and drink shared. A peaceful pause in a troubled world.

Hi from Germany!

2006-08-05T02:35:00.000+02:00

Hey there! So sorry it seemed I had been swallowed by the ground (do you say that in English for disappearing?). I was busy organising the Summer School that Michal particioated in last year and got extremely lucky to have the honour to participate in a wonderful, exciting delegation trip to Pakistan from which I just returned. I will leave for Spain next Wednesday where I will meet Carlota and Miguel! I am so happy. Hope all of you are enjoying the summer! Many kisses,

Kathrin

PS. Michal: Could you send me your postal address?

Yahoo Adventures!!!

2006-07-12T15:51:00.000+02:00

Guys you have to see this!!!!!

http://adventures.yahoo.com

and check the other days later on :)

Forza Italia!

2006-07-10T08:06:00.000+02:00

I just want to congratulate Italians, trying to avoid being controversial. Good in the group there is just one Italian.. and one French.. and both are the same person!!! (apart from Estelle, of course, who I consider part of us).
And I also want to congratulate Germans, for being the best host possible!!
I am very sorry for Rob, not only for the defeat of England but for the end of the Cup in general, that he enjoys so much!
I hope to see you all soon. (I am finally moving in to my new house this wendsday so you are all invited from now on!)
besos!

Macedonia avoids EU backlash following smooth elections

2006-07-06T13:38:00.000+02:00

06.07.2006 - 09:56 CET By Mark Beunderman

EU candidate state Macedonia passed an important litmus test for its membership goal on Wednesday (5 July) as elections in the country were generally peaceful and fair.

The social democrat prime minister of the Republic of Macedonia Vlado Buckovski conceded defeat early Thursday morning to the centre-right opposition, after a poll which had been closely watched by Brussels.

The election campaign had seen a series of incidents of violence and intimidation in the Balkan country which scooped official EU candidate membership status in December last year. But soothing EU fears that the election results would cause further trouble, Mr Buckovski was quick to congratulate the winning opposition.

"The opposition got the most votes and support of the citizens," he stated according to the BBC."But Macedonia is the main winner as the citizens showed that they could vote in free and fair elections," he said."We want to tell the citizens that we'll be in the parliament to continue to work for Macedonia to be part of the EU integration."

For its part, the opposition leader Nikola Gruevski declared that "the top priority of the government will be integration into the EU," according to AP. Contrary to the election campaign, which saw shooting and other incidents primarily between rival ethnic Albanian groups, no serious incidents were reported on polling day itself apart from some "irregularities reported by the electoral commission".

"I hope we will earn positive marks from Brussels," said Macedonia's president Branko Crvenkovski according to Reuters. The EU had made clear before the vote that in case of serious difficulties during voting, accession preparations could be delayed.

Preliminary results showed the centre-right VMRO-DPMNE party had 33 percent of the vote, while the ruling social democrats trailed at 24 percent, with further official results due on Thursday. The VMRO-DPMNE faces tough coalition talks with ethnic Albanian parties which could help the them to a majority.

Football and China........

2006-06-27T12:40:00.000+02:00

I didn’t tell you that all Macedonian students who studied in the Netherlands with Dutch funds formed Macedonian-Dutch-Alumni Association. The organization is pretty new and our first event was support for the Dutch national team for the Cup 2006 in one cafe in Skopje. This was supported by the Dutch Embassy in Macedonia and we made special t-shirts for the event. Almost all Dutch people who live in Skopje were there :)
However Sunday night was the end of it, we were very disappointed :(
Thanks to Val I made blog for the Alumni, and you can see some photos on the following link:
http://mkd-dutch-nuffic-alumni.blogspot.com

And, China was great, very beautiful, and very modern and clean, with tradition and spirit!! People are very hospital and nice, but to barging for every thing that you want to buy is very exhausting :) I saw Chen and his wife in Beijing, they are doing fine, Chen has lost weight, he said because of hot weather – it was 32-34 degrees than. Who is interested I will send him my photo album on-line!!

In Skopje is also around 35 degrees and going up and I am surviving in my air conditioned office!!!!

Have great time for the weeding guys!!!!

Bibi

A por ellos!

2006-06-26T08:58:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone!! Did you miss me??
So still alive in Madrid.. and still alive in the world cup!!
I am very sorry about The Netherlands yesterday.. I wanted them to pass! Spain is playing tomorrow agains France.. and I know we have little chances even if everbody is comenting on how badly they are doing.. But we always get to nervious when it comes to compete with the "loved" neibourgh!! Anyway.. at least we have Raul and Torres that are better looking! (you will live this comment, Rob!) Lorna.. I know your heart will be divided, but you are a bit spanish inside.. or just remember Sanfermines!! hehehe
on the other hand I have a lot of news. I've got a job and an appartment! I will be moving next weekend. It is not the best area of Madrid, but is very central and the appartment is fantastic (considering the 50 ones I saw before and the carzy prices!). So from July on you will all be wellcome. And I started working in a Consultancy called Euroquality, that deals with environmental and quality issues. Bad contract and not very weel paid.. but.. at least it's a begining!
I am also very sorry I didn't do it to the reunion, I mised you all. Vut at least I have had the chance to see some of you lately: Rob in Milan, Agni in Athens and Boudewinj in Madrid, speaking a very impresive Spanish and in Oranje to see the Dutch in an Irish pub! it was very exotic!
I hope to see many more of you soon.
and have fun in Polland!

The Dutch are the coolest soccer fans in the world!!!!!!

2006-06-19T11:31:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,
I wish I could have made it to the reunion, but I was stuck in Stuttgart...which makes me want to share memories of the greates party ever.
On Friday the Netherlands played the Ivory Coast in Stuttgart and the city was a sea of orange. Press wrote that there were more than 22,000 dutch people in the city :-) In memory of the great time I had in Maastricht, I wore my University of Maastricht shirt and watched the game in the city center with - it must have been at least 8,000 - dutch people. They were great, celebrating soccer with us Germans and all the other international folks here. Everything was so peaceful, no escalations...just pure fun.

The Netherlands rock...!!!! And I am not only saying that because I put money on them as one of the best teams in this world championship :-)

Meike

P.S.: I will get to see a game live in the stadium tonight :-) Spain-Tunesia. If I can get a close look at Raoul, I will tell you all about it :-) Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!

EPA 1 Year Mini-Reunion: June 9, 2006/UM 30th Anniversary: June 10, 2006

2006-06-16T14:09:00.000+02:00

A starry night, a rooftop terrace, and 11 original EPA2005ers mingle and make merry!

Early in the evening our favorite economist, Phedon, joins us!

Dutch Girls rock!

N&N: sweeter than candy

Susan presents the "EPA2005: Beyond Academics" tale in Speigelzaal at formal UM 30th Anniversary Event.

To get us in the Spirit of the World Cup in Deutschland!

2006-06-09T16:20:00.000+02:00

(Lorcan might recognise this as a rewrite of the Orangemen joke..)

A German family head out one Saturday to do some shopping.
While in the sports shop the son picks up an England football shirt
and says to his sister, "I've decided to be an England supporter and I
would like this for my birthday."

His big sister is outraged by this and promptly whacks him round the head and says, "Go talk to your mother."
So off goes the little lad with the white and red football shirt in hand and finds his mother.
"Mum?"
"Yes son?"
"I've decided I'm going to be an England supporter and I would like this shirt for my birthday".
The mother is outraged at this, promptly whacks him around the head twice and says, "Go talk to your father."
Off he goes with the football shirt in hand and finds his father.
"Dad?"
"Yes son?"
"I've decided I'm going to be an England supporter and I would like this shirt for my birthday."
The father is outraged and promptly whacks his son around the head 4 times and says:
"No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT!"
About half an hour later they're all back in the car and heading towards home.
The father turns to his son and says;
"Son, I hope you've learned something today?"
The son says,
"Yes dad I have."
"Good son, what is it?"
The son replies,
"I've only been an England supporter for an hour and already I hate you Germans!"

Back to the Netherlands

2006-06-05T12:22:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone, here are some impressions of our day in the Hague. We took a boattrip, presided over the selection commission for a South American art exhibition and finally attended a dinner at Balkenende's residence (see the last photo). Such a tiring day : - ).

We will tell you all about it at Susan's party.

See you soon,

Nestan and Indira
the Hague

Celebrating Michal & Lauren & other EPA2005 Couples

2006-05-30T15:42:00.000+02:00

Let's raise a toast to another EPA wedding! Congratulations to Michal and Lauren. May health, happiness, respect and prosperity consecrate your marriage. Thanks for sharing your happiness with our entire class. Here's to a wonderful party in Poland in July. Hopefully the celebration will serve double duty by reuniting many members of EPA2005 as well.

Here is a photo essay of some of EPA2005's illustrious couples. Can you find the doctored photo? (Hint, my apologies to Giedre who has gone "undercover", or should I say, under Lorna?) To all of the other couples whose photos I simply don't have, and to all our singles...here's to love wherever and whenever it finds you.

Polish wedding

2006-05-27T05:13:00.000+02:00

Hey guys!! Well, I’m a married man writing from Hawaii! Everything is great, and so far the honeymoon has been perfect. Last Saturday Lauren and I had a beautiful wedding ceremony at her family’s ranch in Texas and an awesome party. As many of you know we are gonna do it again on July 1 in Warsaw and you all are invited. It is getting close and we need a final count of who to expect.
If you are going to come, will you please send me an e-mail telling us (ex. if you’re bringing a date or something). Looking forward to seeing you guys, it should be really fun! Contact Meghann if you want to find out about a good hostel. Now, back to the beach…

Polish wedding

2006-05-26T23:31:00.000+02:00

mmmmm Maastricht

2006-05-16T17:22:00.000+02:00

Well I didn’t have time to write earlier and to transfer the photos from camera but still…..

mmmmm I enjoyed my time in Maastricht again, and I was so happy seeing all of you guys in Maastricht and Brussels, I just hope that there will be possibilities to see each other more often!!!

Here are some photos :)

Cheers!!!!

BIBI

Ph.D. grants at ULB - European Studies

2006-05-08T09:07:00.000+02:00

The Institute for European Studies of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) invites application for 4 Ph.D. grants in political sciences or contemporary history on the topic "Resisting to Europe".

The grants (1150 euros per month) are offered for a 4-year period, and must lead to the completion of a Ph. D. Applicants must have a fluent knowledge of both English and French and be ready to reside in Brussels on a permanent basis for the whole duration of the contract.

Further information on the project, coordinated by prof. J.-M. De Waele, J. Lacroix, P. Lagrou et P. Magnette, is available here.

Applications(CV and a 1000-words research project) must be sent simultaneously to: pmagnet@ulb.ac.be et anoppen@ulb.ac.be before 25 June 2006. A first selection will be made in July and selected applicants will be invited to an audition at the end of August, early
September. Contracts can take course as of 01 October 2006.

Bibi Does Maastricht!

2006-04-21T19:34:00.000+02:00

Well folks, here we are enjoying Bibi's all too short return visit to the place where it all happened. Note the EPA hands in background. Bibi says: Maastricht is not the same without all of you! I saw Mariska, old places and the university coffee, at least, stays the same. Next stop Brussels! Can't wait. Bye from me, bye from Suze

Spotted!

2006-04-18T13:48:00.000+02:00

...Beatrice Vaccari buying toothpaste in my local supermarket. I wonder what comitology procedure she was using to choose the brand?

I'm an Aquafresh man myself. Its the stripes...

Essen announced European Cultural Capital 2010!

2006-04-11T14:36:00.000+02:00

Today an international jury appointed by the EU bodies has announced that Essen (Ruhrarea) will be the European Cultural Capital 2010! I am very proud of my hometown and hope to see you all in Essen in 2010 :-)

Cheers, Meike

P.S.: As I don't post bloggs very often I would like to take this opportunity and thank Pieter van Nispen and Hans van Mierlo for what they have taught us. In the past two weeks I have been able to impress my boss with an evaluation a la van Mierlo of a project we are currently working on and I was able to give him some good advice on what literature to look at when it comes to understanding business behaviour in different cultures...thank you Maastricht EPA!!

New Bulgarian to join the EU!!!

2006-04-04T18:42:00.000+02:00

I am a messenger (again) for Lorna this time. Here's what she asked me to post.

On behalf of the very busy but smiling Rumi and Nikki, I am happy to announce that there is a new Bulgarian on the planet. He is called Christian - or Kikki -and was born on the 8th of March.

Congratulations and all the best to the three of you!!!

Lorna

Rumi - on behalf of Popovicis -- CONGRATULATIONS!!! We want pictures now, preferably on the blog :))

How could you keep that secret from us, girl? Cheers! We are all very happy for you and your family!

Val

Maastricht

2006-04-03T14:33:00.000+02:00

Guys! I will be in Maastricht part of the day on Friday and most of Saturday and Sunday. Anyone who is around and would like to go for a coffee (especially on Sunday) let me know. I'd be very happy if I had the chance of seeing you! Tomorrow I will sign the contract for a small, but very nice apartment in one of Berlin's nicest areas and it even has a balcony!

Kiss, Kathrin

last chanceeeeeeeee

2006-03-22T17:22:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!
I see many things are moving these days.. So just to add one more: April will be your last chance to visit Milan with free accomodation and city guide. I am moving back to Spain in May! Val's blog about our generation was the last drop that made me take the decision. ;)
I wanted to come back with a new job in my pocket but nothing is sure yet, I am waiting for the answer of a consultancy. However, I got fed up and felt that had to make a move since my job here is getting too boring and the possibility of getting a possition in EIPA Barcelona was too small. And no way I spend another June with the Milanese mosquitos!!!!!! So I may take a month off to visit some of you in the meantime!
So wish me luck, friends! And don't tell I am cazy for leaving a well paid job in the public administration, I heard that too many times already, and I know it!
However I gave myself a deadline (4 months) and if by then I am not happy with my professional life I will start looking for something in Brussels or maybe London. And my boyfriend will come with me, what makes things nicer.
So if any of you wants to visit Spain this summer, you are all welcome!
Big kiss, take care!

Next PubAffairs Event, March 22nd

2006-03-19T18:53:00.000+01:00

Dear EPAists (especially those from Brussels),

Let me introduce you to PubAffairs, a professional network with members from across the range of lobbying/consulting activities in Brussels (in-house, consultancies, regions and trade associations) as well as from the EU institutions, Member States, press and academia...

PubAffairs is the network for the Brussels based EU public policy community, drawing its members from the EU institutions, journalists, think-tanks, trade federations and policy consultants.

PubAffairs organizes monthly meeting of its members at various pubs in Brussels (mostly around Place Luxembourg). To find out more or to join the e-mail network visit www.pubaffairs.org or send an email to PubAffairs-Brussels@brutele.be

The next PubAffairs Brussels event on Wednesday March 22nd, at Deep Fusion - just next to Place Luxembourg by the European Parliament.

Florina Laura Neculai has kindly accepted our invitation to attend the PubAffairs event on 22 March in order to speak about the book she has just published « What Would a Federal Europe Look Like? ». This essay, targeted at people aged 15-30, was financed by the European Commission Youth Programme and was welcomed by Prof. Giuliano AMATO (former Vice-President of the European Convention) among other famous names. Florina is Romanian and is currently doing a doctorship at the Catholic University of Leuven. The book can be downloaded in 13 languages on the Union of European Federalists (UEF) on http://web0.p15150546.pureserver.info/index.php?id=3905

Florina will also bring a few copies of her book that she will sign on March 22nd. Enjoy the reading and do not hesitate to send your comments to the author on bookonfederalism@yahoo.com

Appetisers will be provided by Deep Fusion and we kick off at 18h30, Rue d'Idalie 6 (http://www.deepfusion.be).

To join this event, please send your RSVP to PubAffairs-Brussels@brutele.be.

Let me know if you plan to go so that we can organize together our EPA representation.

Europe United

2006-03-19T18:41:00.000+01:00

Dear EPAists,

I forward you an email received from Michele Bondesan, an Italian member of a newly created pan-European political party. Europe United's goal is to create a united federal Europe. Below is the message I received. If you feel you belong to this party's ideals you are welcome to join it.

Do you believe that Europe should have a vision, - a forceful, ambitious and optimistic vision? A vision of a Europe, which has a dynamic economy, cleanest environment, best education, common defence, front line science, grandest culture and which commands respect around the world. If yes, we want you to become member of Europe United at:

www.europeunited.org

Europe United is a new pro-European and European-wide political party which advocates for further integration and establishment of a United Europe.

News from Berlin

2006-03-16T18:42:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't written in such a long time, but I was a bit stressed as I had two part-time jobs and had the crazy idea of taking an Intensive Arabic course every day after work for three hours. I don't know what I was thinking...;-)
But: Things have changed...TODAY. I had a job interview yesterday in the DGAP (German Council on Foreign Relations), where I did my internship in December and then started as Assistant. Today I received a phone call from the Director offering me the position as resident fellow. I am so happy. It is 20 hours, better paid than I was thus far with two jobs and allows me to write my PhD in the rest of the time.
This in consequence of course means that I am staying in Berlin and am happy about visitors (once I have found a permanent flat, that's the next thing on the list ;-))

Kiss to all of you and hopefully see you in June. I think that is a great idea!

Kathrin

To The Netherlands!

2006-03-16T16:56:00.000+01:00

Dutch immigration kit offers revealing view
By Gregory Crouch The New York Times
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006

NIJMEGEN, the Netherlands This is not exactly a run-of-the-mill homework assignment: watch a film clip of an attractive woman sunbathing topless and try not to be shocked.

"People do not make a fuss about nudity," the narrator explains.

That lesson, about the Netherlands' nude beaches, is followed by another: homosexuals have the same rights here as heterosexuals do, including the chance to marry.

Just to make sure everyone gets the message, two men are shown kissing in a meadow.

The scenes are brief parts of a two- hour film the Dutch government has compiled to help potential immigrants, many of them from Islamic countries, meet the demands of a new entrance examination that went into effect Wednesday. In the exam, candidates must prove they can speak some Dutch and are at least aware of the Netherlands' liberal values, even if they do not agree with all of them.

Opponents of the tightening immigration policies have pointed to the film - a DVD contained in a package of study materials for the new exam - as an attempt by the government to discourage applicants from Islamic countries who may be offended by its content.

Dutch politicians and immigration officials have dismissed those accusations, saying that the film, blandly titled "To The Netherlands," is a study aid that will give potential immigrants an honest look at the way life is lived here.

"The film is meant for people not yet in Holland to take note that this is normal here and not be shocked and awed by it once they arrive," said Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born member of the Dutch Parliament.

But Abdou Menebhi, chairman of Emcemo, a Moroccan interest group in Amsterdam, said the film was just another example of how the Netherlands was trying to limit immigration from Muslim countries.

"This isn't education, it's provocation," Menebhi said. "The new law has one goal: to stop the flow of immigrants, especially by Muslims from countries like Morocco and Turkey."

Citizens of some countries, in fact, are exempt from the examination, including those from the United States and European Union nations.

The Netherlands now has some of the strictest immigration policies in Europe, drafted in part during a period of rising societal tension after the killings of Pim Fortuyn, the anti-immigrant politician, and Theo van Gogh, the filmmaker who with Hirsi Ali made a movie critical of Islam.

In recent years, the government has increased age and income requirements for certain groups of immigrants, specifically as an effort to cut down on an influx of young Muslim women bound for arranged marriages here. Policy makers say they are concerned about an estimated 600,000 immigrants already in the Netherlands who do not speak proper Dutch. Poor housing and high unemployment among minority groups is contributing to ethnic tensions in some of the country's largest cities, where incidents of violence against Jews and homosexuals have raised new concerns.

Dutch officials deny that the film "To the Netherlands" - or the new law for that matter - is intended to discourage further Muslim immigration. But they insist that they want all applicants to wonder whether they would fit into one of the world's most permissive societies.

"This notion that we want to shock Muslims, that is complete nonsense," said Maud Bredero, a spokeswoman for Rita Verdonk, the immigration minister. "They don't need to agree in their hearts with homosexuality, but we ask them to respect other people's rights. This is a free country."

The film indulges in a dose of Dutch frankness. Besides the snippets on homosexuality and nudity, it features a run-down neighborhood largely populated by foreigners, plus interviews with immigrants who do not always describe the Dutch in flattering terms, calling them at one point "cold" and "distant."

The film warns of traffic jams, integration problems, unemployment and even possible flooding in a country largely below sea level. Some immigrant success stories are showcased, but one newspaper joked that the tourist board would give the whole production a thumbs down.

"This is not meant to make fun of ourselves or the people who want to come here," Bredero said. "But people do need to know what kind of country they are coming to. You have to know a little about the values here, like the fact that men and women have the same rights."

Well aware that simply watching a naked woman on film, for example, is prohibited by law in some countries, the Dutch authorities have created a second version of the film, minus bare breasts and gay kisses.

"Someone from Iran doesn't need to order the tape with the gays and the topless woman," Bredero explained. "They'll get an edited version."

For her part, Hirsi Ali says she cannot understand why the film has become controversial, comparing it to all of the consumer warning signs one finds in the United States.

"When I was at Barney's in New York recently, there was a little board in front of the escalator, 'Watch out, you might fall.' This film has that kind of message," she said, explaining that some have probably never met a homosexual or seen a nude beach. "It's for those who don't know."

Our generation

2006-03-09T17:43:00.000+01:00

"Tribal workers"
(Borrowed from today's Financial Times, European Edition - please don't sue me)

Today's generation of high-earning professionals maintain that their personal fulfillment comes from their jobs and the hours they work. They should grow up, says Thomas Barlow.

A friend of mine recently met a young American woman who was studying on a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford. She already had two degrees from top US universities, had worked as a lawyer and as a social worker in the US, and somewhere along the way had acquired a black belt in kung fu.

Now, however, her course at Oxford was coming to an end and she was thoroughly angst-ridden about what to do next.

Her problem was no ordinary one. She couldn't decide whether she should make a lot of money as a corporate lawyer/management consultant, devote herself to charity work helping battered wives in disadvantaged communities, or go to Hollywood to work as a stunt double in kung fu films.

What most struck my friend was not the disparity of this woman's choices, but the earnestness and bad grace with which she ruminated on them. It was almost as though she begrudged her own talents, opportunities and freedom - as though the world had treated her unkindly by forcing her to make such a hard choice.

Her case is symptomatic of our times. In recent years, there has grown up a culture of discontent among the highly educated young, something that seems to flare up, especially, when people reach their late 20s and early 30s. It arises not from frustration caused by lack of opportunity, as may have been true in the past, but from an excess of possibilities.

Most theories of adult developmental psychology have a special category for those in their late 20s and early 30s. Whereas the early to mid-20s are seen as a time to establish one's mode of living, the late 20s to early 30s are often considered a period of reappraisal.

In a society where people marry and have children young, where financial burdens accumulate early, and where job markets are inflexible, such reappraisals may not last long. But when people manage to remain free of financial or family burdens, and where the perceived opportunities for alternative careers are many, the reappraisal is likely to be angst-ridden and long lasting.

Among no social group is this more true than the modern, international, professional elite: that tribe of young bankers, lawyers, consultants and managers for whom financial, familial, personal, corporate and (increasingly) national ties have become irrelevant.

Often they grew up in one country, were educated in another, and are now working in a third. They are independent, well paid, and enriched by experiences that many of their parents could only dream of. Yet, by their late 20s, many carry a sense of disappointment: that for all their opportunities, freedoms and achievements, life has not delivered quite what they had hoped.

At the heart of this disillusionment lies a new attitude towards work. The idea has grown up, in recent years, that work should not be just a means to an end a way to make money, support a family, or gain social prestige - but should provide a rich and fulfilling experience in and of itself.

Jobs are no longer just jobs; they are lifestyle options.

Recruiters at financial companies, consultancies and law firms have promoted this conception of work. Job advertisements promise challenge, wide experiences, opportunities for travel and relentless personal development.

Michael is a 33-year-old management consultant who has bought into this vision of late-20th century work. Intelligent and well-educated - with three degrees, including a doctorate - he works in Munich, and has a "stable, long-distance relationship" with a woman living in California. He takes 140 flights a year and works an average of 80 hours a week. Some weeks he works more than 100 hours.

When asked if he likes his job, he will say: "I enjoy what I'm doing in terms of the intellectual challenges."

Although he earns a lot, he doesn't spend much. He rents a small apartment, though he is rarely there, and has accumulated very few possessions. He justifies the long hours not in terms of wealth-acquisition, but solely as part of a "learning experience".

This attitude to work has several interesting implications, mostly to do with the shifting balance between work and non-work, employment and leisure.

Because fulfilling and engrossing work - the sort that is thought to provide the most intense learning experience - often requires long hours or captivates the imagination for long periods of time, it is easy to slip into the idea that the converse is also true: that just by working long hours, one is also engaging in fulfilling and engrossing work.

This leads to the popular fallacy that you can measure the value of your job and, therefore, the amount you are learning from it) by the amount of time you spend on it. And, incidentally, when a premium is placed on learning rather than earning, people are particularly susceptible to this form of self-deceit.

Thus, whereas in the past, when people in their 20s or 30s spoke disparagingly about nine-to-five jobs it was invariably because they were seen as too routine, too unimaginative, or too bourgeois. Now, it is simply because they don't contain enough hours.

Young professionals have not suddenly developed a distaste for leisure, but they have solidly bought into the belief that a 45-hour week necessarily signifies an unfulfilling job.

Jane, a 29-year-old corporate lawyer who works in the City of London, tells a story about working on a deal with another lawyer, a young man in his early 30s. At about 3am, he leant over the boardroom desk and said: Isn't this great? This is when I really love my job."

What most struck her about the remark was that the work was irrelevant (she says it was actually rather boring); her colleague simply liked the idea of working late. "It's as though he was validated, or making his life important by this," she says.

Unfortunately, when people can convince themselves that all they need do in order to lead fulfilled and happy lives is to work long hours, they can quickly start to lose reasons for their existence.

As they start to think of their employment as a lifestyle, fulfilling and rewarding of itself - and in which the reward is proportional to hours worked - people rapidly begin to substitute work for other aspects of their lives.

Michael, the management consultant, is a good example of this phenomenon. He is prepared to trade (his word) not just goods and time for the experience afforded by his work, but also a substantial measure of commitment in his personal relationships. In a few months, he is being transferred to San Francisco, where he will move in with his girlfriend. But he's not sure that living in the same house is actually going to change the amount of time he spends on his relationship. "Once I move over, my time involvement on my relationship will not change significantly. My job takes up most of my time and pretty much dominates what I do, when, where and how I do it," he says.

Moreover, the reluctance to commit time to a relationship because they are learning so much, and having such an intense and fulfilling time at work is compounded, for some young professionals, by a reluctance to have a long-term relationship at all. Today, by the time someone reaches 30, they could easily have had three or four jobs in as many different cities - which is not, as it is often portrayed, a function of an insecure global job-market, but of choice.

Robert is 30 years old. He has three degrees and has worked on three continents. He is currently working for the United Nations in Geneva. For him, the most significant deterrent when deciding whether to enter into a relationship is the likely transient nature of the rest of his life.

"What is the point in investing all this emotional energy and exposing myself in a relationship, if I am leaving in two months, or if I do not know what I am doing next year?" he says.

Such is the character of the modern, international professional, at least throughout his or her 20s. Spare time, goods and relationships, these are all willingly traded for the exigencies of work. Nothing is valued so highly as accumulated experience. Nothing is neglected so much as commitment.

With this work ethic - or perhaps one should call it a professional development ethic" - becoming so powerful, the globally mobile generation now in its late 20s and early 30s has garnered considerable professional success.

At what point, though, does the experience-seeking end? Kathryn is a successful American academic, 29, who bucked the trend of her generation: she recently turned her life round for someone else. She moved to the UK, specifically, to be with a man, a decision that she says few of her contemporaries understood.

"We're not meant to say: 'I made this decision for this person. Today, you're meant to do things for yourself. If you're willing to make sacrifices for others - especially if you're a woman - that's seen as a kind of weakness. I wonder, though, is doing things for yourself really empowerment, or is liberty a kind of trap?" she says.

For many, it is a trap that is difficult to break out of, not least because they are so caught up in a culture of professional development. And spoilt for choice, some like the American Rhodes Scholar no doubt become paralysed by their opportunities, unable to do much else in their lives, because they are so determined not to let a single one of their chances slip.

If that means minimal personal commitments well into their 30s, so be it. "Loneliness is better than boredom" is Jane's philosophy. And, although she knows "a lot of professional single women who would give it all up if they met a "rich man to marry", she remains far more concerned herself about finding fulfilment at work.

"I am constantly questioning whether I am doing the right thing here," she says. "There's an eternal search for a more challenging and satisfying option, a better lifestyle. You always feel you're not doing the right thing, always feel as if you should be striving for another goal," she says.

Jane, Michael, Robert and Kathryn grew up as part of a generation with fewer social constraints determining their futures than has been true for probably any other generation in history. They were taught at school that when they grew up they could "do anything", "be anything". It was an idea that was reinforced by popular culture, in films, books and television.

The notion that one can do anything is clearly liberating. But life without constraints has also proved a recipe for endless searching, endless questioning of aspirations. It has made this generation obsessed with self-development and determined, for as long as possible, to minimise personal commitments in order to maximise the options open to them.

One might see this as a sign of extended adolescence. Eventually, they will be forced to realise that living is as much about closing possibilities as it is about creating them.

Nestan's greetings from Georgia

2006-03-08T14:59:00.000+01:00

Following Bibi's example, Nestan has requested to post her greetings on the blog and some pictures from gorgeous rocky Georgia. Nestan - I kept my promise!

and Jens - I'm still employed, and I still post - the secret is that I type quickly and email my posts directly to the blog. Thanks for your recent concern :)

Cheers,

Val

Meeting the new EPAists

2006-03-08T14:45:00.000+01:00

Greetings amigos and amigas!

Being in contact with a current EPA student, I was informed that Christine Neuhold suggested that a meeting of EPA2005 and EPA2006 be organized in June 2006. She suggested to have this meeting during a dinner or drinks on 9 June prior to the officla UM Alumni Day on 10 June. However no final decision has been taken so far. I will keep you all updated regarding this opportunity (depending how I'm being updated by Maastricht contact).

And to boost your EPA2005 pride, our class of '05 is still very much praised for its solidarity and unity.

Cheers to you all - it's almost weekend, peeps!

Direct from rainy and grey Brussels,

Val

More pics from the Meghann's party

2006-03-04T07:51:00.000+01:00

Yes, it's been almost 2 months since the fabulous party, what a good time it was. I have plenty of excuses why it took me so long to post them, but I don't want to bore you. If you miss seeing your EPA fellows a bit tipsy, to put it mildly, click on the link below (in the top right corner of the album there is a slide show option).

Take care,

Michal

Meghann's party album
or
Michal's photo album

For those who want to be Eurocrats...

2006-02-22T17:47:00.000+01:00

by San Shopanza

In 2004 the EPSO (European Personal Selection Office) announced the recruitment of "administrators" from my home country. So I applied for the job.

Almost a year after I had sent my application file (the preparation of which took me 3 months since they obviously needed everything, from my birth certificate to my life permit), I received the good news...I couldn't believe it! My application had passed the pre-selection procedure! And with only 53.678 competitors left!

The 'concours'
So I prepared myself for the written selection test, the so-called 'concours'. I bought all the books and learned everything by heart.

When I say everything, I mean everything. I knew all about the EU, its history, its policies, its personalities. I knew all the European leaders, the Commissioners, the heads of the European institutions. I knew about their tasks, their past, their families, their friends. I knew their favourite food and their sexual preferences. So I was ready!

And then came the day of the 'concours'. Since we were so many, the exam took place in Brussels' Heysel Stadium. We had to arrive 2 hours before because of the registration. I had to queue in an enormous line for 1 hour and then I had another hour to find my place. Not an easy task with 53.678 seats.

Meanwhile, a guy on a podium was yelling rules of conduct down on us. He had a megaphone and told us what we were not allowed to do. Since we were not allowed to do anything I decided to name him 'Concentration-Camp-Erhard'.

It seemed surreal: Concentration-Camp-Erhard yelling at 49.999 competitors (3.679 didn't come, which made me really happy - my chances of success had increased without my doing anything). He was also yelling at around 50.000 spectators on the tribune (many family members and friends had come to cheer and support those close to them). All this intermingled into an incredibly loud, but indistinct noise. Above the stadium an airy mist was forming from our body heats.

Concentration-Camp-Erhard opened the 'concours' by shooting in the air with a real gun. The crowd started howling and we, the competitors, opened our envelopes containing the questions.

I must say it went quite well for me, compared to those who had to give up: many fainted ( 49.978); one shot himself on the podium with Concentration-Camp-Erhard's gun (49.977 - I still think he wanted to bluff and assumed the gun was not real).

Yet what really disturbed me was that incredible noise coming from the spectators, together with the continuous wailing of the ambulance sirens. I have had slight audition problems since that day.

It also became a little chaotic with the thunderstorm. We and the papers were totally soaked by the pouring rain and one of the competitors got hit by a lightning bolt (49.976). This caused a certain panic. 20 were trampled to death ( 49.956) and Concentration-Camp-Erhard had to shoot 5 to restore order (49.951). My chances were increasing by the minute.

The test was easier than I thought. The only 2 questions I couldn't answer were the date of Commissioner Verheugen's plastic surgeon's conviction for alcoholism at work, and the name of Commission President Barroso's pet guinea pig. Damn it! I thought the guinea pig's name was 'Snoopy'. In fact it was 'Pooky'. (As to the plastic surgeon, I honestly didn't know he had been convicted. I have never understood what he had done wrong.)

Imagining becoming a European civil servant
In the following months after the exam, I couldn't stop imagining what would happen if I passed the 'concours'. My name, I dreamed, would be added to that famous EPSO-list, and I would be ready to be employed by any Head of Unit in one of the institutions.

Yet in order to be recruited, I would have to get the attention of at least one Head of Unit. So I would have to stalk around his office in flashy clothes, call him at home in the middle of the night, jump before his car, run naked through his garden... It could be a long wait. And one would have to stick one's head and swirl it around deep inside.

But then I imagined the day I would be hired. Me becoming a European civil servant! Wow!

I saw myself in a huge office surrounded by beautiful East and South European female colleagues all looking either like Carmen Kass or Penelope Cruz. And I would be responsible for something great, like protection of the environment. I would be some kind of hero, some kind of 'environment Frodo' fighting against the industrial 'Saurons'. And I would become the most famous civil servant of my unit, of my department, of my Directorate General.

I imagined how I would even become a Director General. No, not a Commissioner, but a Director General. Commissioners still have to pretend they are nice. Not Directors General. Have you ever seen a Director General? It is difficult to spot one because they are as rare as Komodo dragons. And they look like dragons too. Like them, Directors General don't have natural enemies; they become very big, very self-confident and even dangerous to humans.

Broken dreams
But then, a sudden answer from EPSO abruptly ended my dreams. I had failed the 'concours'. I had missed it for 'Pooky'.

I must admit, it almost destroyed me. I started drinking over night and in the mornings. Unable to give up my civil servant dreams, I went to cafés close to EU buildings to watch the elite, those who would know Barroso's Guinea pig's name, walking to their offices.

You can't imagine how I envied them. "Why couldn't I be one of them? Bloody, bloody 'Pooky'!" I thought.

After a while however, when I was about to turn into a Guinea pig killer, I noticed that many of the civil servants, who went to work in the morning, didn't really look happy. On the contrary, most of them actually really seemed depressed with empty faces. How could it be? They worked in an international environment, earned loads of money and drove the standard European-civil-servants-cars, the Volvos. "You must be endlessly happy with that!" I internally screamed.

The true meaning of being a European civil servant
But continuing my daily observations, I slowly began to understand:
European civil servants didn't have huge offices; they had tiny little Guinea pigs' cages.
European civil servants were not 'environment Frodos'; they worked on the harmonisation of Guinea pigs' sizes.
European civil servants didn't get rightly promoted; they had either the wrong nationality or the wrong friends.
European civil servants didn't have interesting lives; they were eternally exposed to non-danger and couldn't even die in car crashes; they were driving Volvos.
European civil servants didn't have the fundamental freedom to choose another occupation; they needed European civil servants' salaries to keep up with huge house loans and Volvos.
Female European civil servants didn't look like Kass or Cruz; they looked like that Komodo-dragon-lady from the show 'The Weakest Link'.

This understanding made me free and alive again. I was happy, stopped drinking and found a job as a postman. "Who the hell wants to become a European civil servant?" I thought...

It was totally unintended when, recently, I had another glimpse at European civil servants' salaries and allowances.

Instantly, I started studying for next year's 'concours'.

Hey, hey!!!!!!!!!

2006-02-21T10:17:00.000+01:00

Nice of you guys for taking the test on Macedonia :) I hope that you will come here some day, well Jens has already visited Skopje, but I don’t know about Ohrid. Axxx, yes Indira has been in Ohrid as little :) And for the others here are some pictures from Ohrid Lake, the oldest lake in Europe (if they appear)!!

Hugsss to all!!!

Bibi

Are we slaves of our companies?

2006-02-20T17:48:00.000+01:00

I found this interesting article (Non-billable hour...) on Knowledge Workers (us) and the attitude of companies towards them. It's a bit long so please don't read it during your work hours and then blame me for being fired because of me :)

cheers.

Human Capital (not Cattle) by guest blogger Ron Baker.

In the knowledge society, the most probable assumption for organizations--and certainly the assumption on which they have to conduct their affairs--is that they need knowledge workers far more than knowledge workers need them.
-Peter Drucker

The term human capital was first used by Nobel Price-winning economist Theodore W. Schultz in a 1961 article in American Economic Review. His basic thesis was that investments in human capital should be accounted for in the same manner as investments in plant and machinery.

The obvious challenge is that investments in tangible, physical assets can be counted and comprehended, but those in people cannot. It is as if accountants would value the average human being at $50 since that is the approximate worth of our various chemical components. Human capital is like the dark matter of the cosmos, we know it's out there but we can't measure it.

Once again, Peter Drucker was at the forefront of thought when he coined both the terms knowledge society and knowledge worker in 1961 and positing it was the G.I. Bill of Rights--which made available higher education to some 2,332,000 veterans and was certainly the largest single investment in human capital up to that time--which caused the shift to a knowledge society.

Presently, less than one-fifth of the labor force is employed in blue collar occupations, and approximately two-fifths are "knowledge workers"--those who work with their heads, not their hands.

Knowledge Workers Have Nothing to Lose but Their Chains

Knowledge workers are not like workers from the Industrial Revolution who were dependent on the employing organization providing the means of production (factories and machines). Today, knowledge workers themselves own the firm's means of production in their heads. This has been a tectonic shift in our economy, the ramifications of which we are still trying to comprehend.

For example, how does one measure the productivity of knowledge workers when what goes on inside their heads cannot be observed, let alone objectively measured?

In a factory, the worker serves the system; in a knowledge environment, the system should serve the worker. Knowledge work can only be designed by the knowledge worker, not for them. Unlike work on an assembly line, knowledge work is not defined by quantity but by quality. It is also not defined by its costs, but by its results.

It may be possible in a widget factory to work harder, but in a knowledge factory working smarter is the only option. The traditional metrics of productivity need to be replaced by judgment, and there is an enormous difference between a measurement and a judgment: a measurement requires only a stick; a judgment requires knowledge, insight, wisdom and discernment.

Knowledge Workers are Volunteers

There is a Chinese Proverb that teaches the beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. Your people are not assets, resources, or inventory, but human capital investors seeking a decent return on their investment.

In fact, your people are actually volunteers, since whether or not they return to work on any given day is completely based on their own volition. Consider for a moment how people decide which volunteer organizations to contribute some of their talent. It's usually based on a desire to contribute to something larger than themselves. They work hard--some would say harder than at their jobs--for these organizations because they are dedicated to the cause, they have the passion, the desire and the dream to make a difference in the lives of others. All for zero pay. Why?

This is not just an economic decision, it is a psychological and emotional decision. With all this evidence of human behavior, many firms still treat their people as if they will slack off if they're not held accountable for every six minutes of every day. Is this any way to inspire people to be their best? Is this any way to instill a spirit of service, creativity and innovation?

Or is this nothing but antiquated thinking about the nature of man being lazy and slothful unless forced to work, redolent of Frederick Taylor's time-and-motion studies? Your people may hang their hat at your firm, but where is their heart?

Becoming A Lightning Rod for Talent

It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do. – Steve Jobs, Founder, Apple Computer

Attracting, hiring, developing and retaining talent are the most important jobs to which everyone in the firm can contribute input and ideas. Partners spend more of their time--or at least they should--making people decisions than any other. No other decisions have as many repercussions throughout the firm, or have lasting significant effects than who to hire.

Typically, a firm is batting 0.333 on its hiring decisions--that is, one-third turn out to be good decisions, one-third are minimally effective, and one-third are abject failures. It is rare in any other area that firm leaders would accept this level of performance.

The issue of attracting Human Capital investors is a marketing issue. As in all marketing, it does not look inward and ask, "What do we want and need?" On the contrary, it looks outward and asks, "What do you want and need?" There is an enormous difference between these two approaches.

In effect, firms have to do the same to win over people as they do to gain new customers--show them why the firm is their best competitive alternative.

Because knowledge workers are investing their Intellectual Capital with firms that will pay a fair return, the question should not be, "How much is this person worth to the firm?" The real questions are: "How much is the firm worth to this knowledge worker? How can the firm add to this person's Intellectual Capital, and develop it even further?"

A New Order of the Ages

Characteristics like passion, desire, obsession, motivation, innovation, creativity and knowledge may not show up anywhere on a firm's financial statements or timesheets, but they are the traits that will ultimately determine the fate of your firm. Knowledge work is non-linear and not subject to the cadences and rhythms of an assembly line; rather it moves by iteration and reiteration, a process of the mind.

My favorite one dimensional test for creating a culture worthy of the respect and dignity of the people you are trying to attract is simply this: Would you want your son or daughter to work in your firm?

My colleague Dan Morris flies a flag over his firm's office building with its name and logo in three colors. It is interesting to me because when I first saw it, I recalled those who first called themselves liberals--in the classical definition of the word--had in mind three liberations (which explains why the appropriate liberal flag is always tricolore).

They intended, first, to liberate humans from tyranny and torture; second, to liberate humans from poverty; and, third, to liberate humans from censorship and other oppressions of conscience, intellect, and art.

It is time we hoist a new flag over The Firm of the Future and usher in a new order of the ages, one that respects the dignity, and earns the rewards, of its Human Capital investors.

Finally

2006-02-16T17:40:00.000+01:00

Test yourself on this link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4687276.stm

even if you don’t know the answer, later on, the answers will be given and you can learn something new

Cheers,

P.S. Val sorry again, I will not forget the beer or vodka or……..

Cartoons debate...

2006-02-16T17:26:00.000+01:00

I expect some hot discussions here...

SPIEGEL ONLINE - February 4, 2006, 09:30 PM
URL: www.spiegel.de

Opinion

European Arrogance Versus Muslim Fanaticism

By Jürgen Gottschlich in Istanbul

The cartoon battle touches on one of the most important questions of our time -- freedom of expression, Ibn Warraq wrote Friday on SPIEGEL ONLINE. Jürgen Gottschlich, a journalist living in Istanbul offers his rebuttal: Many Muslims are sick and tired of being unfairly labeled as bin Laden sympathizers.

In the beginning, everything seemed simple. An author had trouble finding artists willing to create a few humorous drawings to illustrate a book he was writing about the Prophet Muhammad. Taking its cue from Germany's tabloid Bild -- infamous for launching populist crusades of its own -- Denmark's largest-circulation newspaper Jyllands-Posten took on the challenge. It called on Danish cartoonists to find the cajones to finally take on the dim-witted mullahs, potential honor killers and "goat fuckers" and tell them what they really thought.

Graphically, of course, so that these illiterates could understand.

After all, this is beautiful Denmark, where, thankfully, for the past few years we've stopped letting these people sponge off our social system. The policy was a total success. The intended recipients of the message got it loud and clear. And they even responded with the expected howls of indignation. They ran to the government and to the courts -- just so they could be officially told: This is how things work around here in Denmark. Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen was thrilled and saw no reason whatsoever to rebuke the heroic free speech champions at Jyllands-Posten. For their part, the courts essentially ruled that Denmark should have the freedom of opinion necessary to finally show the Muslims who really has the upper hand.

Europe's most xenophobic government

Indeed, since taking office the motto of Denmark's right-leaning government has essentially been: If you don't fit into to our society, then go back where you came from. No other European government operates with such open xenophobia as the Danish. Voters like it, too. After all, they say to themselves, we're talking about immigrants who are really just freeloaders who don't share "our values."

Danish Muslims, who have had this message pounded into their heads for far too long, finally got it. And they went "home." They couldn't find anyone in Denmark who would listen to them, so they left and sought support at the powerful Al-Aqsa mosque in Cairo, a major doctrinal center in Islam. Since then, the heroes of free speech have been shaking in their boots. No longer is the issue merely that of belittling an immigrant group. Now it's time for feigned apologies.

A number of free speech heroes in Europe saw a chance to profit from the situation and quickly postured as lighthouses of freedom. Nevertheless, Jyllands-Posten and Rasmussen are in a pinch -- they have no idea how to defuse the situation and escape it unscathed. Who knew, they must be asking themselves, that Muslims around the world would suddenly grow irate, boycott Danish products and commit acts of violence against Danish and -- thanks to the other heroes of free speech -- other European institutions. No, there's no way we could have expected that -- it's totally surreal. Over a few caricatures? This can't be real! We have to be allowed to draw cartoons. Of course, anything is allowed if people are stupid enough to cross the line.

In a short interview on the German public broadcaster ZDF, Al-Jazeera's German correspondent got straight to the point. For many years, Europe's Muslim immigrants have had the feeling, that they are constantly being criticized and that they no longer enjoy any respect whatsoever. This powder keg of frustration and anger is overflowing and any action could set it off. And that's just how Muslim immigrants in Europe feel. And that's also how Muslims elsewhere feel. There's a general feeling among Muslims that they are regarded by the West as Osama bin Laden's secret sympathizers.

Poverty vs. arrogance?

Even in a secular Muslim country like Turkey, where only a few members of hardcore religious parties demonstrated at the Danish embassy in Istanbul, frustration with "the West" has grown in recent years. A lot of that has to do with the reaction of a large part of Europe to Turkey's desire to join the European Union. And it also has to do with the way in which the West's leading power has acted in Iraq. But while Turkey may have kept its composure, the Danes have sent sparks flying in many other Muslim countries. Just as there are heroes of free speech in Denmark, there are also heroes -- from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa to Indonesia -- who are ready to take to the barricades to defend their prophet's dignity.

THE CARTOON JIHAD: THE ARAB WORLD PROTESTS

Click on a picture to launch the image gallery (10 Photos).

So have we reached the long talked about clash of civilizations? If we keep working at it, we may soon enough. On the one side, you have religious fanaticism and poverty -- on the other you have arrogance and people who fear for their own prosperity. Taken together, it's a highly explosive mix. Instead of participating in a disingenuous battle for free speech, it is high time for some in Europe to return to the virtues of Enlightenment to help them find reason. The situation is difficult enough already and there are idiots on all sides. Indeed, neither is free of guilt.

One can only hope that people will listen to the voice of reason that came from the United Nations headquarters on Friday. Secretary General Kofi Annan urged Arabs to accept the apology given by the editors of Jyllands-Posten and said: "I share the distress of the Muslim friends who feel that the cartoon offends their religion. I also respect the right of freedom of speech. But of course freedom of speech is never absolute. It entails responsibility and judgment."

Both have been seriously lacking of late.

Verheugen gives Cabbage Speech

2006-02-16T16:14:00.000+01:00

Speech by Günter Verheugen : "Für eine europäische Grünkohlpolitik" at the Oldenburger Grünkohlessen (15/02, Berlin)

Verheugen was today elected the Oldenburgian Green Cabbage King and outlined the Commission Green Cabbage Action Plan, e.g. the development of a European Green Cabbage Agency, the implications of green cabbages for Turkey’s accession and the structural funds, green cabbage in the context of the Lisbon Stratefy, as well as making green cabbage one of the priorities of the German Presidency.

Inspired by the Irish Winter Olympics team

2006-02-16T12:24:00.000+01:00

Paddy and Mick were at the top of the slalom slope having a team talk:

Paddy: Roight Mick, you go down de hill, "zig-zag-zig-zag-zig-zag". Dat's how you do it.

Mick: Are ye sure it isn't "zag-zig-zag-zig-zag-zig" ?

Paddy: No, it's "zig-zag-zig-zag-zig-zag", sure as me name's Paddy Murphy.

Mick: I swear to yer, it's "zag-zig-zag-zig-zag-zig" !

Paddy: No, I tell yer, it's "zig-zag-zig-zag-zig-zag"!!

Mick: I tell you what. Let's ask dat fella over dere. Maybe he'll know.

Paddy: OK den. Hey! Mister! Dis slalom. It is "zig-zag-zig-zag-zig-zag" or "zag-zig-zag-zig-zag-zig"?

Man: Don't ask me, I'm a tobogganist.

Mick: Well in dat case I'll have 20 Bensons and a box of matches, please.

Truly inspired.

1 year of Cyberville

2006-02-16T10:31:00.000+01:00

It's almost a year since Agni Papageorgiou was re-elected as mayor of Cyberville. Can Mayor Papageorgiou comment on the progress and results in this year?

Please visit Cyberville's official website: http://cyberville.atspace.com

cheers!

We have 100... hits!

2006-02-15T17:01:00.000+01:00

Three days passed since a web counter was set on our blog. And in only 3 days we have already over 100 hits! [again, I'm getting excited about some nerdy stuff]

So, please keep it alive and keep on visiting and posting!

Cheers.

PS For those in Brussels - we'll celebrate our 100th hit tomorrow night chez Lorna, Dominik, and Rob's.

Get to know Moldova...

2006-02-15T15:05:00.000+01:00

Even though you all studied with a Moldova, it does not mean that you know Moldova, as I am not a very good representative of my true homeland. I found today a blog of an American Peace Corps volunteer who teaches Health Education in a village somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Moldova in which he describes different stories of his day-to-day life there. Here is story where he describes the differences between the US and Moldova (for more stories, please visit: http://baladofthesunrising.blogspot.com).

Moldovan life has brought many Americans here to accept numerous aspects of existence, which in the US would either be intolerable or something you cannot stop staring at, to be everyday and normal. On special request from an avid reader I have compiled a list of some of these things:

On Food:

In the US food is amazingly available: what you want, when you want it, and it tastes good. In Moldova: if you want cookies you have to wait for the cow to come home; if you are in the mood for a flavorsome burrito you have to spend half of your living allowance and wait until you are in Chisinau; if cereal is what you desire, it would be who of you to learn karate and take your host mom out before fixing a bowl (this is after you have made a two hour trip to Chisinau to buy the product, and then waited until the cow came home); if ice-cream is what you had in mind you are in luck if you were wanting an individually wrapped drumstick; and most everything you wish to buy is done in the open-air market, in sub-zero temperatures, while arguing with a woman, in a foreign language, who outweighs you by 150 lbs and has a mustache.

In the US they generally put red sauce on your pizza, not mayonnaise and potatoes.

Here, corn is delicacy.

In the US, you typically do not have to be on the lookout for animal organs in your meal.

In Moldova Sour Cream and/or Mayonnaise go with everything.

In the States a particular pie is one of symbols of our country, large, round, filled with goodness, and more often than not tasty. In Moldova, Pie is also a symbol of their country, but it is usually the shape and size of small finger sandwiches, filled with lettuce, potatoes, or cheese and has the reputation of being a hit or miss on the deliciousness scale.

And apparently the greatest invention the US has created/embraced, until the next thing that seems very useful, has not been adopted in Moldova; there is no sliced bread here.

General:

In the states alcoholics are generally the only ones who drink before noon. Here, you drink before noon to have good health.

In the US the automobile is considered par for the course. In Moldova the automobile is not standard, neither are rubber tires on bikes or horse pulled carriages.

For those who do drive a car in Moldova, you will notice lacking upon the roads are useful traffic signs; those particularly involved with telling those operating the vehicle when to STOP and the speed of traffic.

In the US the thirty chickens you walk through on your way to the front gate do not really exist.

One thing you do realize while living in Moldova, is that other countries exist beyond the United States and Iraq. You can also here about them on the news, something unavailable in the great fifty.

White teeth are a common attribute lacking in Moldova, but the occasional or extremely prevalent all gold smile makes up for this lack of white shine.

Everything is done in the metric system.

In the states the police are our common defender against those who wish to break the law. Here, police are generally your biggest threat to safety.

Nobody speaks English

In most of our states your vote is counted, here you can generally assume the Communist candidate will win a majority of the votes, whether or not anyone voted.

To stay warm in the winter you do not have to rely on your ability to start a fire nor the quality of the coal you bought.

If you are hungry and want to eat something good you can order it, go out and pick it up, or cook it. Here, you must wait two years until you can go home.

Science and Technology:

In the US, science is looked at as a reasonable platform for basing an argument. Here science is the enemy, and to be viewed with caution. But nobody is upset about watching satellite TV and using internet cafes for porn.

In America when you turn the knob on the faucet, water comes out. Here, faucets and sinks are for show, and in anticipation of the possibility that someday they may get running water. (My host family has been waiting 15 years)

On Ethnicity:

Here all Asians are referred to as Korean or Vietnamese.

A person with black skin is "African" (no matter where they live), if the person saying the ethnicity is trying to be politically correct "African American" (no matter where they live); either way the person will definitely be pointed out and the color of their skin mentioned.

On Age:

In America someone my age is treated like an adult. The children here are under there parents supervision, they can go to college but are not allowed to make decisions without their parents, until Married. Therefore, being unmarried, Volunteers are treated like children as well. (by their host families)

On the Phone:

In the US, conversations on the phone do not usually take three to fifty attempts due to dropped calls.

The rotary dial is still in fashion.

Cell phones do not charge you by the second, and your monthly living allowance (in the US) is rarely spent on one phone call to two friends, who are in the same city, directing them to meet you at McDonalds after they left the city because they thought you wouldn't call, and then took an extremly long amount of time to make the decision on whether to return, but eventually doing so because they were drunk.

On Reaching Your Destination:

In America, people do not ask you, after you have arrived home and they are looking directly at you, if you have come home yet.

On Relieving Oneself:

On the other side of the pond one often takes the time to sit down while attempting the daily poop. In Moldova, you have to aim your shit while in sub-zero weather with a crosswind of 40 km/hr.

Finally... last graduation movie

2006-02-13T22:55:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Upon the requests of the many, with a very long delay, find under this
link Susan's movie of the EPA 2005's class presented during our
graduation ceremony last July.

To download the movie click this link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UWX9O62Q

Once on the website, on the upper right corner you'll see 'Wait 45
seconds' with a clock counting down. After you wait these 45 seconds
the screen will be covered by an add banner. Close this banner (don't
click on the banner itself by on the cross in the upper right corner
of the banner). Then click on 'Click here to download' and voila!

My apologies for making some of you wait for so long. I hope you'll
like it and you'll have a good flash back to the good times.

Cheers,

Val

MSGOG

2006-02-13T16:11:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody,

Jens was wondering what the MSGOG and suggested a new flash!

So the MSGOG is the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance - at which I am currently doing the MSc in Public Policy and Human Development (MPP). Hope be finished by Jan 2007 :-)

I just started as there were some problems with the MSGOG getting the subsidies needed to fund the program (that otherwise would have ended up costing 16 000 per student).
We are with 24 students of which 7 are Dutch, which is nice, but the workload is overwhelming!!!
EPA was a very easy ride compared to this - I haven't seen the inside of KOKO for at least a month :-(

I received my new EPA Diploma last friday so I would think that yours will be arriving soon too!!!

This year I will also take part in the parade of Carnaval - Sorry to dissappoint you Suzy - but the parade would not have passed your window :-( It will pass around the corner.

NO chicken this time, but I will be a Marijuna plant - just like me 10 fellow chickens from last year. Reason being, we would like to support our major and his policy. As he has been in the news a lot lately and the muncipalities' elections will be in the first week of March.

Well that is all for now

x mariska

New improvements on our blog

2006-02-13T13:23:00.000+01:00

Dear fellow EPAists,

Just wanted to let you know that during my today's lunch time I added 2 new features to our blog:
1. NeoCounter - a tool that shows who's visiting our blog at the moment (country), how many are visiting it, and history of those who visited it. I thought it's a neat feature as you can see if Bibi, Marija, Agni, or anyone else from exotic locations are visiting our blog.
2. Web counter - a tool (on the bottom of the page) that shows how many people in total have visited our blog since today.

I hope you'll apreciate these new features with equal excitement as I do although not all of you share the passion of IT and internet as I do :)))

Have a great week and remember - Monday is almost weekend!

Ciao!

February musings

2006-02-11T19:56:00.000+01:00

Hello all. Hope everyone is feeling chipper and having a nice February. We are off to the states on Wednesday to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. This is our yearly pilgrimage back to Minnesota for relentless partying then to Florida, this time, sadly, to say goodbye to my beloved Auntie Ada, who at 91 seems to have decided to make her next really BIG transition from this small planet to hopefully somewhere glorious. We will be gone two weeks and will miss - Carnival!

Too bad, really, since the parade literally passes below our window. So knwoing how many of you enjoyed all the yellow, green and red trappings last year, as well as the libations that went with it - here's a little preview of rehersals. Spring is in the air!

Fete a Anvers (pix)

2006-02-11T14:34:00.000+01:00

For those interested to see the pictures from Meghann's party in Antwerp from last month, you can download the zipped photos from here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JA6AVYR0

Oh, Macedonia...

2006-02-10T08:49:00.000+01:00

A lion and a llama died of cold in a zoo in southern Macedonia this week as polar temperatures gripped the country, zoo authorities said on Thursday.

For more read here: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/35011/story.htm

NEW EPA DIPLOMAS READY

2006-02-08T16:01:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody,

I was asked to forward an email to all of you (see below), please respond to Lucie via email and provide her with your current address.

Dear student,

Maybe you already heard that the faculty and the printing office have finally reached an agreement with regards to your diploma. The new certificates are ready and can be sent to your current addresses.

Could you please inform me via email of your new address?
We will then send the certificates by registered mail.

Kind regards,
Lucie van Gastel
Secretary Board of Examiners FdCW
E-mail: Lucie.vangastel@FdCW.unimaas.nl

Hope you are all well :-)

Warm regards,

Mariska

Human Dynamics

2006-02-07T15:41:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!
I am afraid this is a boring messege. In my job search (for Spain) I have seen this public sector consultant called Human Dynamics that looks quite nice. The headquarters are in Vienna, so I don't know if I will apply finally (after NL and this Milan/Siberia I need a sunny place) but they have office also in Sofia and other places. Some of you may be interested. I also want to know if any of you has ever heard of them to know if it would be worth moving to Austria. The website is www.humandynamics.org
Take care!
Love

It's finally working!

2006-02-07T12:52:00.000+01:00

Finally, some joy in this boring and grey Belgian day. Email posting is working!

:)))

2006-02-07T12:20:00.000+01:00

Dear All,

Thanks to Val - I'm trying to publish my post via e-mail :)
And the message is: since the 1 February I am a full-time consultant in Andersen Business Consulting, which soon will merge with Deloitte :)
So finally, I have a nice and interesting job :)
Apart from this, things are going just fine.
Hope you're all fine!

Take care

Outsourcing Presidency

2006-02-01T10:48:00.000+01:00

US Congress today announced that the office of President of the United States of America will be outsourced to India as of January 22, 2006.

The move is being made to save the President's $400,000 yearly salary, and also a record $521 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead the office has incurred during the last 5 years.

"We believe this is a wise move financially. The cost savings should be significant," stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-WA). Reynolds, with the aid of the Government Accounting Office, has studied outsourcing of American jobs extensively. "We cannot expect to remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Reynolds noted.

Mr. Bush was informed by email this morning of his termination. Preparations for the job move have been underway for sometime. Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India, will be assuming the office of President as of January 22nd. Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls, thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month but with no health coverage or other benefits.

It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without a support staff. Due to the time difference between the US and India, he will be working primarily at night, when few offices of the US Government will be open. "Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the American Express call center, "stated

Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview." I am excited about this position. I always hoped I would be President someday."

A Congressional spokesperson noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President, this should not be a problem cause Bush was not familiar with the issues either. Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern. Using these canned responses, he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issues at all. "We know these scripting tools work," stated the spokesperson. "President Bush has used them successfully for years." Mr. Singh may have problems with the Texas drawl, but lately Bush has abandoned the "down home" persona in his effort to appear intelligent and on top of the Katrina situation.

Bush will receive health coverage, expenses, and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two week waiting period, he will be eligible for $240 a week unemployment for 13 weeks. Unfortunately he will not be eligible for Medicaid, as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit. Mr. Bush has been provided the outplacement services of Manpower, Inc. to help him write a resume and prepare for his upcoming job transition. According to Manpower, Mr. Bush may have difficulties in securing a new position due to limited practical work experience. A Greeter position at Wal-Mart was suggested due to Bush's extensive experience shaking hands and phony smile. Another possibility is Bush's re-enlistment in the Texas Air National Guard. His prior records are conspicuously vague but should he choose this option, he would likely be stationed in Waco, TX for a month, before being sent to Iraq, a country he has visited. "I've been there, I know all about Iraq," stated Mr. Bush, who gained invaluable knowledge of the country in a visit to the Baghdad Airport's terminal and gift shop. Sources in Baghdad and Falluja say Mr. Bush would receive a warm reception from local Iraqis. They have asked to be provided with details of his arrival so that they might arrange an appropriate welcome.

Happy New Chinese Year!!!

2006-01-27T15:18:00.000+01:00

Nihau-ma Chen,

On behalf of all your European colleagues and friends, allow me to wish you a happy new doggy year! May you have lots of 'bones' and no 'barks' at all this year!

Cheers to Beijing!

v

Congratulations to Dominik!

2006-01-25T10:03:00.000+01:00

with his new job! we need to celebrate that, ha?

For Rob: Being British...so true?

2006-01-23T10:04:00.000+01:00

One of the British national daily newspapers is asking readers "what it means to be British" Some of the emails are hilarious but this is one from a chap in Switzerland...

"Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, and then travelling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV.

And the most British thing of all? Suspicion of anything foreign."

NEW EPA DIPLOMAS

2006-01-20T13:53:00.000+01:00

Hi Everybody,

Just wanted to let you know that we will no longer be receiving a new back-page and an erratum. But we will all get a new diploma - which will contain the correct info.

I think I might be the only one that even ever received the new back-page (what a laugh), it was handed to me by Ingrid but they never actually made the erratum. Ingrid did do her best but it was out of her hands - so that is why I contacted the Exam board.

They will inform the rest of you when they have them finished.
I am not sure how long this will take as they need to be reprinted and signed.

I know not many off you were really bothered by the mess up but I thought it was the least they could do! And finally 7 months later I received the email I was hoping for :-)

I offered to help them to get in contact with everybody when they had the diploma's finished as some of you have moved and have new email addresses etc.

x mariska

A little help from my friends

2006-01-11T11:30:00.000+01:00

Holas chicos/as!!
First, happy new year!
Second, I need some help (work-related) from you, my dear european experts!
There is a grup of researches here in Lombardy (in the field of spinal cord research) that are trying to create the European Spinal Cord Research Institute (ESCRI). They have become a limited company and have contacts already with reasearches from Spain, Germany and Lithuania. They also have the support of an european center in Rome (can't remember what for) and the collaboration of a nobel prize in medicine. Of course, they want some financing from the EU, but the idea doesn't fit in the FP6 or the coming FP7 (Framework Programmes for research). Does any of you have an idea of what procedure can they follow to get it, or to have some contacts in brussels? I am loooking to all the ERA initiatives but I have no clue of how can the European dimension be recognised and so on.. Maybe someone know who can I contact in Brussels to ask at least...
Thank you!!
and have a lot of fun in Antwerp! I will be green of envy!

Silly news...

2006-01-10T14:08:00.000+01:00

Puppy Boom in Wake of Katrina
AP
Animal welfare officials working in the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast have noted an alarming spike in the number of puppies being born. When residents fled the region, many were forced to leave their pets behind, and many surviving pets that weren’t rescued have been breeding rapidly. The puppy boom is straining already overstretched resources, and new animals arrive daily. Says one animal control officer, “I’ve never seen so many puppies in my life.” (for more follow the link below)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060104/ap_on_re_us/katrina_puppy_boom_1

Happy New Year, peeps!!!

2006-01-02T11:57:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the late posting - just wanted to wish you very successful new year, professionally and personally, lots of health and strength to deal with the day-to-day issues!

I hope to see most of you this upcoming year. Cheers to all and best of luck!

Val

The World Cup starts here!

2005-12-13T10:30:00.000+01:00

GROUP A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

GROUP B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

GROUP C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

GROUP D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

GROUP E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

GROUP G
France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

GROUP H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Fête à Anvers!

2005-12-09T15:57:00.000+01:00

That's right, ladies and gentlemen! It's about time for another cocktail party! We'd like to invite everyone and their partners to join us in Antwerp on Saturday, 14 January 2006. I guess you could call it a "Welcome 2006" party.

We'll give more details as the date approaches. Save the Date!

Meghann & Koen

Congratulations Meghann!!!

2005-12-07T13:08:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

Allow me to be the first one to congratulate Meghann on her new job!

Cheers.

v

Newropeans Magazine full of ex-EPAist

2005-12-05T13:42:00.000+01:00

I just found recently about the Newropeans Magazine (www.newropeans-magazine.org) an online information portal about various European Union policy issues. And guess what? All the Romanian journalists writing for this magazine studied at EIPA-UniMaas, including Oana Uiorean who most of you know/met.

Internship in Bonn

2005-12-05T10:43:00.000+01:00

Global Policy Forum in Bonn -Internship

Job Location: Germany, Bonn

Description:

Global Policy Forum Europe welcomes applications for internships. We encourage qualified undergraduates to apply, as well as graduate students and those between degrees. We welcome students who have studied the United Nations and international organizations, but we consider specialized academic training less important than dedication, intelligence and enthusiasm for learning.

What We are Looking For

GPF gets many applications for internships and only well-qualified, highly-motivated applicants are chosen. We are looking for one or two full-time interns for a minimum period of 12 weeks.

GPF Europe is looking for applicants who are students of Political Science/International Law, Political Economy or International Public Policy Studies. We especially encourage applications from those with international travel and work experience and those with a progressive, egalitarian and global outlook.

We look for those who are highly talented and able to do serious thinking but who are also ready to do more ordinary tasks with a spirit of enthusiasm and cooperation. We also look for those who have shown the most active engagement on policy issues parallel to our interests.

Excellent English and German language skills are required.
Intern Responsibilities

Depending on GPF's priorities and interns' capacities, interns are asked to participate in special thematic projects.

Currently, there are three issue areas:

• International development policy/Financing for Development
• Corporate accountability
• Global Governance/UN reform

Each intern specializes in one or more of these issue areas. Interns may also take up specialized topics such as MDGs, Global Taxes, Natural Resources & Conflict.

Interns are engaged in preparing background information on international policy processes, participating in the preparation of workshops and conferences, writing articles and working papers, and contributing to the GPF Website.

Interns also devote some time to office tasks, such as preparing mailings, helping organize meetings, ordering supplies, or just keeping the printer stocked with paper.

Interns work in close cooperation with the director of GPF's European office and in collaboration with the GPF head office in New York, with other German and European NGOs and international NGO networks.

The European Office of GPF

GPF's European office is located in the centre of Bonn, close to the river Rhine. We share our office space with several development consultants and journalists, the Bonn office of WEED and the office of a German network of women's groups.

Time Commitment and Costs

GPF Europe expects an intern to stay several months. Those that stay for longer periods of time learn more and have a richer overall experience.

We estimate that monthly subsistence expenses (lodging, transport and food) in Bonn run about 650 Euro.

In general, GPF internships are unpaid . Some interns arrange for subsistence funding from their universities or from foundations.

We try to respond quickly to inquiries. If you do not receive a reply within two weeks, please feel free to follow-up. Those seriously interested can simply forward a full application (see application guidelines ), but a preliminary inquiry may save preparation time, in case places are already taken, or your qualifications do not match our needs.

The next available position will open in early January 2006. Applicants should send their full applications by mid October 2005. (We will not process applications before the end of September)

We look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more about this opportunity.

Company Name:

Global Policy Forum

Company Website:

http://www.globalpolicy.org

Azerbaijan, candlelight showers and other stories...

2005-11-28T16:41:00.000+01:00

Dear "EPAists" (very nice titel, Val)

While other people were working hard, I have been spending a nice, warm and interesting week with OSCE in Azerbaijan (you know, this oily strip of land east (= left on a globe) of Georgia (Caucasus, guys !). Whoever doesn’t know yet where to go for next spring holidays, could consider Baku and a few other places there. It’s really quite nice if you have good weather (like in Brussels). And on the way back, you can visit Nestan …
Don’t worry about the circumstances too much, the President himself has written “101 reasons to visit Azerbaijan” a little book in support of the national tourist board (probably run by his sister or cousin or grandmother…), at least a few may apply…
Any complementary information you can find easily on OSCE, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group or Eurasianet websites. The latter also has a very nice blog with pictures of the elections days (http://www.eurasianet.org/azerbaijan/blog/index.html ).
And my luggage, which apparently had found somebody else in favour for it, - inside the hotel(!), and just 15 min before we left to the airport at 4am, believe it or not – suddenly it has appeared on the doorstep of the German Embassy in Baku !
Now they seriously asked me when I could come around to pick it up !!!

After coming back form Baku, I tried to meet the Brussels gang in Brussels, but due to an unknown public holiday (de Flaamse part of Belgium still celebrates a ceasefire with something called Germany today that took place about a 1,000 years ago) that helped making a long weekend, so that only poor Rob and Dominik were left behind (and the latter also left alone with loads of work). But that’s how I met (in a pub with Rob) our famous EPA alumni and his colleague Ouana from Romania.
On same evening Val tried to excuse Estelle and him for not being available by using my German Red Cross mobile phone number which is for Kosovo (instead of my Belgian one). That made me count how many SIM cards I have at time being and came to four, the old Dutch one not counted. However, my father topped this when trying to contact me in Azerbaijan (!) i.a. by using landline number from 3 years ago in Düsseldorf …

Meanwhile, the colder season had finally started in Kosovo with all the side effects and details we love so much: Muddy sidewalks and parkings, energy cuts and shortages, cafés closed for renovation and so on.
If you have never tried taking a candlelight shower, do it once, but make sure that you have a warm water boiler at least. The energy deliveries can be quite short (like four hours “on” and 2 “off”), but really annoying is a reduced voltage (160 instead of 220 Volt): Satellite receivers can’t deal with that and therefore produce only an audio-visual equivalent to Rob’s Russian language skills: tedajsbjgscgsjbckjnkjygdfvffsk.
(Don’t laugh too loud, all repair works on the Kosovo power plants, most of the coal and energy production and all the energy imports are paid by EU tax payer’s (= your) money - I really appreciate your support ! :-).)

The really serious part for everyone in the Balkans, the talks on the future status of Kosovo, has started a few days ago. The atmosphere of the last days and weeks before was of course quite tense, full of high hopes, expectations and also with fears. We outsiders don’t see this in everyday life so much, you have more to listen carefully to your local contacts, but UN and local police cars were repeatedly targeted with small explosive devices, with no casualties so far. And the negotiating parties have already marked their claims before a commencement of the talks, accompanied by some extremely helpful resolutions in their respective assemblies in Belgrad, Prishtina and Mitrovica.
It is remarkable that all parties behave exactly the way as one could have predicted already a year ago: The K-Albanian politicians, more or less united by their wish for full independence, stumble into the talks with their quite typical mixture of pride, stubbornness and ignorance of realities (although this attitude also delivered - probably unwanted – some of the world’s most eclectic pieces of architecture …), while Serbian Government officials again and again insist arrogantly on provisions of international law which protect the integrity of states – as if they had invented it once (and never violated…).
Has any of the parties ever mentioned European integration, pooling sovereignty, being a member of regional networks and organisations (everything the ruling class has already agreed to deal with) when “informing” their people ? Well…
As I haven’t found a job in Brussels yet, I will probably stay for a while and will discuss this with Bibi and Marija on one of the next weekends, yeh.

Where I am at the moment ? Let me have a look out of the window….

Jens

Birthday Calendar

2005-11-24T18:12:00.000+01:00

January

3rd: Giedre
15th: Robert
31st: Damian

February

4th: Biljana
15th: Alison
26th: Carlota

March

20th: Rumi

April

5th: Susan
9th: Boudewijn
13th: Meike
22nd: Dominik
25th: Kathrin
27th: Indira

May

22nd: Michal

June

6th: Meghann

July

3rd: Mariska
4th: Marija

August

7th: Nestan
24th: Magda
29th: Agni

September

3rd: Natascha

October

5th: Chen
6th: Val
24th: Lorna
29th: Jens

November

14th: Lorcan

December

6th: Anne

Download your EPA graduation presentation

2005-11-22T20:52:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

If you are still interested in having Carlota's version of the graduation presentation you can download it from the following link (as opposed to the option of me sending you all CDs - I thought it could be faster and cheaper). Please accept my apologies for this change in plans.

To download, copy-paste this link into a web-browser and hit Enter (Save when it pops up) - I hope that this is not too confusing:
http://www.filefactory.com/get/f.php?f=fd04f6db973da764ee9627e2

Susan's presentation is coming in the next post.

Regards,

Val

2005-11-15T11:24:00.000+01:00

Here is a picture of some of the EPA's crew in Soest visiting Kathrin.

UN Blockade Vote - Results Update

2005-11-10T15:54:00.000+01:00

This is the thirteenth year that the UN has voted on a resolution to condemn the blockade against Cuba and calling for it to be IMMEDIATELY lifted.

Every year so far, the resolution has been carried but the United States has ignored it completely - as it does ANY UN resolution that doesn't suit it.

Here are this year's results hot off the press....

AGAINST THE RESOLUTION:-

United States of America
Israel
Marshall Islands
Palau

Happy Birthday Lorna!!!

2005-10-24T13:16:00.000+02:00

Caro Lorna,

Buon compleanno e lotti di felicità e di amore! Maggio il lustro del sole per tu che ogni giorno come esso fa in Italia:)

Baci grandi.

Val

Translation provided by Babelfish :)))))

JESUS PEOPLE AND I THOUGHT I WAS BORED!!!!

2005-10-18T14:03:00.000+02:00

:)
CY

Especially for Rob

2005-10-18T09:35:00.000+02:00

Hello everybody!
First, say that I am very happy and impressed about the success of the German delegation (I had no doubt anyway) and I hope that you all are doing so fine as well.
I send now a link for Mr. Francis, I found it quite interesting and maybe you do too, although it probably says nothing new to you: BRITAIN’S PRESIDENCY OF THE EU: ALL CHANGE OR PLUS ÇA CHANGE...?

http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/analisis/814.asp

Take care people, miss you a lot (especially now that cold is starting here... I don't know why...)
Carlota

Hoi!

2005-10-16T13:18:00.000+02:00

Hello friends all around the world!

I really felt like writing after all this cataclism of good news! Turtle power!! Oh, sorry, German power!!! Good job(s), girls!!
I, for the moment am enjoying the five drops of rain that we had today and other than that I have general duties of cook, cleaning-lady,nurse, baby-sitter, driver etc, etc in my house! So, I am exploring the dangerous paths of family life!

Need to hear news or see posts from Polish, Bulgarian, Serbian, Lithuanian, American, Georgean and Chinese delagations soon!

Hoi, hoi!
CY

A job - a real one - and a paid one, too :-)

2005-10-16T11:17:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

this is my first "blog"... as I also wanted to share with you that I was offered a job on friday, too... almost the same day that Anne and Kathrin also received their good news!

On December 1st, I will start a job as the coordinator for international projects with the second largest Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Stuttgart (way down south). I could not believe it when I got the phone call as it cost me one stress-interview (a very German thing I think - they interview you for about 1 1/2 hours and ask you questions about your personality, but no matter how good your answer may be they never let you look good) and another 1 hour contract negotiations to get the job.
I am so happy! The job I wanted, good pay, incredible benefits and a nice boss - at least from what I got to know of him after I had "passed" the stress interview!!

I hope you all are doing well. The EPA Master seems so long ago, but it is so great to constantly hear from all of you and I think that our homepage is a really great thing!!!

Take care and keep "blogging"!

Love, Meike

Breakdown of concours applicants

2005-10-14T12:28:00.000+02:00

APPLICATIONS BY CITIZENSHIP AD-COMPETITIONS EPSO/AD/25--29/05 (Administrators) AST-COMPETITION EPSO/AST/7/05 (Assistants)

Austria 1642
Belgium 4770
Cyprus 234
Czech Republic 499
Germany 4245
Denmark 1461
Spain 4438
Estonia 123
Finland 642
France 6557
United Kingdom 1092 (1 from Coventry)
Greece 3551
Hungary 812
Ireland 342
Italy 9344
Lithuania 426
Luxembourg 125
Latvia 176
Malta 207
Netherlands 965
Poland 1309
Portugal 2236
Slovakia 467
Slovenia 255
Sweden 1204

Men 21235 Women 25877

Berlin

2005-10-13T10:16:00.000+02:00

I just got a phone call from the Institute of European Politics here in Berlin, that I can start the job on 1 November. Well, the job is extremely interesting, but paid really bad, And it's only part-time. However, I couldn't resist, because it's a project on the current "constitutional crisis" in Europe and on what is going to happen with that treaty. (Thought lots about our debate lately)
It gives me the opportunity to have some articles published and to meet interesting people. Conclusion: I will stay in Berlin for a bit longer than expected! Now, go Anne go!

US Supreme Court Seeks EPA Grad!

2005-10-12T10:00:00.000+02:00

In a surprise move, the US administration realizing that it needed to match and balance events in Germany (Berlin included) recruited European Public Affairs expert and graduate of the prestigious EPA programme based in ever so famous Maastricht, yes, where so much began. In asking drs. Schaefer, with an ever so German sounding name, to consider the Supreme Court position, the current administration assured her that having "absolutely no experience as a judge" wouldn't matter. After all, she's a female.

Schaefer, however, stated that her preference is deciding issues based on their merit, rather than upon biased party lines, and believing that "some experience may be helplful, niet war?", demurred. Plus, she admitted, she loves wearing really large hats and that would conflict greatly with those dreadful frumpy black robes, "don't you agree"?

More importantly, she added, "my husband and I have a wonderful new flat right here in Maastricht where we expect the distinguished members of the 2005 graduating class of EPA to descend for riotous evenings". Being falling distance from the infamous Cafe Zondag AND Mullins Irish Pub, Schaefer worries the media might interfere too darn much if she were a Supreme Court judge. Instead, she has taken this occasion to offer her new flat as an outpost for her "future" famous colleagues when they return to the scene of their past crimes, oops, she meant to say to the place where they always conducted themselves with such decorum as young scholars of EU Public Policy. Heh, heh, heh. See you soon?

the long forgotten

2005-10-11T10:01:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone

Just thought I should let you know I am still alive and kicking :-). I am still in Berlin, but without knowing if this is going to be the final destination or not: on Thursday this week I will have my chat with the guy from the personel-department. Ironically, the fact that my dad is being discussed as new member of the government (which by the way is not definite and by thursday might have proved completely wrong) might pave my way into the job as far as I can tell. I dont really know what these people expect - that I will call daddy as soon as we need a speaker for an event or maybe get us great deals with the ministery...? It's not like they dont see me as anything else than daughter Steinbrück, but it is a bit too many people asking regularly about what's new. But appart from that I really like it here - the job is OK, partly even interesting, and the location is great. I would just love to stay in Berlin. I counted that by now i lived (counting as well places where I stayed only ~ two months) in about 11 cities and this is the first time that I really would like to stay somewhere for an indefinite time! So fingers crossed for thursday that they take me in - I'll tell you then!
So long, I hope you are all well - if I shall stay here, you are all dearly invited to the incredibly luxurious loft that i will own with my own pool, roof-garden and billard-salon ;-)!
Take care!
Anne

Hej!!!!!!

2005-10-10T16:29:00.000+02:00

Hej, hej,

Finally I managed to log in on blog after 100 and more attempts, and this time the application was on French!!!!!!! :))

Just to say hi to all!! Nothing new in Skopje, keep up with new thing on blog and hope to see you some day!

If you are coming somewhere close here just write!!!!

Hugssss!!!!!!!!

Bibi

Here comes Merkel

2005-10-10T12:19:00.000+02:00

Hi guys, some news from Berlin. Finally things are moving. Your heads of state and government will have to deal with Angie for the next few years. This is what has been confirmed by SPD and CDU an hour ago.