belginiangirl

Update on that job offer :

I got a mail to schedule an appointment for an interview. Yay! So I go to the school on the day to find out that there are 16 other librarians there!!! And as for an inteview, it was more an exam.

We had one hour to write a paper on the "place of the library in 2013's school and it's integration in a global education" Then we had one hour to write an overdue book letter and make an excel sheet with calulations!!! What the frak?

After the first hour, I was a little fed up with it. If this is their idea of the job, I don't really want it! They didn't ask us about our experience, they didn't test our foreign language skills, all they cared about was the "administration" part of the job. I agree that it is an important part but for me, it isn't the most important!

After the TWO HOURS, I talked with the other hopefulls (one of theme came from Morocco for this!) and we all agreed that it was a little weird. We also learned that they have a job offer for this position every 2-3 years which doesn't bode really well. Also, most of them are unemployed and I'm the only who has tenure-like contract.

Anyway, I was really bummed about this and frankly, I didn't want this job anymore. Good thing for me because they never called back (or even emailed me to say I didn't have the job)

I'm running a test to see who's reading my posts. So, if you read this, leave me a one-word comment about your day that starts with the third letter of your LJ USERNAME. Only one word please. Then repost so I can leave a word for you. Don't just post a word and not copy - that's not as much fun.

So, we finally, after more than a year know what's wrong with my mom! She's lost her writing (it looks like a little little squiggle when she signs her name), has difficulty speaking but more importantly, she keeps falling, all the time.

At first, her doctor said it was because she used to take a LOT of antidepressants (but that was 20 years ago!) so I think it's alot of BS! Then , he said it was because she's depressed now! That's why I don't like that doctor : he thinks there's one thing wrong with you and everytime you go see them, it's because of that! For me, it was because I'm oversized (but when I told him I wanted to start an aerobics class, he told me not to do it because it might kill me!!!!! Needless to say, I never went to see him again)

Anyway, after I told her numerous times (along with her mom, my brother, her brothers) to go see a neurologist, she finally did. And she found out that mom is in the very early stages of Parkinson. (I've been saying that for 6 months).

So now, she's taking dopamine and we'll see what's what. But she still fell on new year's day while carrying a tray of glasses so she started the trip to the emergency! AND the wound is now infected!

2012 is not starting well for her!

I just sent my resume for a dream job! It's at the European High school library. It's a full time job with a GREAT pay! If I get it, I'd earn 500 € more than I am right now!!!!!

And the schedule is soo much better : I'd finish every day at about 4:30 (instead of 6 now!).

But the best part is that the working languages at the school are french and english so I'd be able to work in an english environment.

It has all the tasks that a librarian is supposed to do : cataloguing, indexing, loan but also cmass visits and constant contact with teachers and classes.

The friend who gave me the ad said it's a job made for me and she's probably right!

The only problem is that it's starting in March and I have to give 3 months notice here to be able to leave my job without pay (one of the perks of my job : I can take a leave without pay for 6 months and work somewhere else that way I have a safety net if things don't go well at the other job!). I talked about it to one the higher ups of the library (in secret, I don't want everyone to know about it just yet) and she says that I might be able to negociate it.

Also in the less positive : When I get paid here, it's for the coming month so that means that I'll be a month without pay which sucks because I have rent and bills to pay. The few colleagues who are aware of this told me they'd be helping but I don't really like it!

BUT I couldn't not try because it seems like my dream job.

So; let's cross fingers, toes, burn candles to saints and pray for me to get an interviw, get the job and be able to leave here without too much problems ^_^

So yesterday was the world premiere!

We got to Trafalgar square at about 8hh30 but they were no more wristbands to get access to the square itself (someone told us it only took 1h30 to give them all out!) We were bummed but decided to go around and try to find a spot with a good view. We found one but security told us they would close it down at noon but that we could go accross the street where the view would be great since it's where the stars would get out of their cars!

So we park ourselves there and the wait started! At first, it was great but then, at about 10.30, it started raining really hard. Everything got really really wet in about 10 min! And it didn't stop until 2.30 pm!!!

Also, at one point, security told us that the area we were in was for wristband holders only but since we were already there and waiting for a long time (some were there sonce 9pm the night before!) he convinced the police to let us stay! Thank God for that 'cause we were in a prime spot!!!!

So after it stopped raining and at about 4 pm, the first car got there. It was Rupert Grint! Everyone started screaming and he came our way to sign autographs. I didn't get anything signed because it was all wet and I decided I'd better take pictures instead.

After him, they all started arriving and most of them came our way. Emma Watson is even prettier in person and her dress was amazing! Tom Felton is actually pretty hot when his hair is not bleached blonde ;)  They were all really really nice and took the time to sign before going on the red carpet. Some of them stayed accross the street (like Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham-Carter) but I still got to take pictures.

The only really bad thing is that people were pushing really really hard behind us! They were a couple of teenagers that were not only annoying in their comments (Oh I love hil so luch! You sexy beast to name a few and they said that about anyone!!!!), they were pushing really hard and one of her nearly strangled me with her camera cord! And when you complained, they would insult you! I got called called a fu*:%* bitch a few time for pushing back! They didn't seem to understand that we couldn't breathe at all and that some were even hurting real bad! And the thing is, they even insulted the stars for not giving them autographs on their hand! Anyway, it got so bad that security had to evacuate the girl in front of me and told JK Rowling not to come our way (so sadly, no pics of her).
I understand you want to take pics and get your things signed, I really do but sometimes, there was 5 min between arrivals and they wouldn't even step back then!!!

Anyway, once it was all over, it was well worth the bruises fo seeing the stars so close ^_^

They are so many pics that I give you a link to my photobucket album so you can see them all (I hope you have the time because they are about 130 of them)

s353.photobucket.com/albums/r363/belginiangirl/Harry%20Potter%207%20part%202%20world%20premiere/

Sorry sorry sorry for being MIA for so long! Blame it on Facebook!

But I have great stuff to share with you guys today!

As you all know, I'm a big Harry Potter fan and the final installment is almost here. Which means the actors are all on a promotional tour. And for once, Belgium wasn't let out!

Jason Isaacs and Evanna Lynch came to Antwerp today to officially open a picture exhibition happening in the train station! And of course, I HAD to be there.

At first, I wasn't sure if I could take the day off from work since we only heard about it last week but after some negociating with the colleagues who handle the planning, my friend/colleague Isabelle and I could get it! Wouhou!!!
( cut to the pics heavy post! )

Got this from Voldemort's twitter! So so so funny...

In other news, mom is doing well, she doesn't have a cast anymore but is still a little unstable on crutches ^_^

This year is starting on a very bad note for us! If you put aside the money problems that seem to plague my family, mom is on the operating table right now!

She's been falling all the time for quite some time and this morning, she fell down the stairs and broke her fibula! They have to put a metal plate and screws on it so she'll not be able to move for 3 months!!!! I'm very worried right now and am just waiting for news. Good thing my broter lives close and that my sister in law promised me she'll spend as much time as possible with mom!

Besides that, I'm not the youth section chief anymore. I've been for the last 6 months and I have to say that I actually quite liked it. So I eat my words and sing that song from Fievel "never say never"! I'm actually thinking of passing the exams to become a chief of section now! It's really encouraging when one of the big chiefs tell you you HAVE to do it because you're good at it.
Also, I'm now responsible of the cultural aspect of the library : publishing a monthly little paper and making the posters for all the activities!

What else? I saw Lori and Chris before Christmas. I went to see them where Chris lives in Germany. It was so good to see them again and to meet his wife Melbeth (she's a sweetie). The only thing is that the actual travelling was a nigtmare due to the snow. I had to stay the night at a hotel in Munich (paid for by Lufthansa) and then I didn't get my bag once I got to Nuremberg. It's actually still at Chris's now, I'm just waiting for him to mail it to me!!!

Well, that's it on my side. I wish you all a good year 2011 and ask you to say a little prayer for my mom!

I can't believe I haven't written anything in 6 months! So what's been happening in my life? Not a whole lot!

* Still single...unfortunatly

* The library is in the middle of a big move (we've been at it since april and still have until the end of september!). In that time, we've had : many mice, one rat, 4 burglaries (ranging from a very professional one where they took all the computer, to stupid kids who just broke stuff); a piece of the front of the building bursting through a window, sand in all the rooms (they started sanding the building while we were still in!!!) ; pieces of 2 ceilings falling down (one from the room where we do story time! Good thing it was in july) ; water seeping into the new parts of the building! and the old part too because they took the tiles off the roof but didn't protect it with anything and since we had a very very wet summer...
And I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something! Needless to say, I needed a vacation!

* Travel wise, I went back to London for 3 days and finally got to visit Rome! I went with my mom. We stayed 4 days and by the end, I couldn't walk anymore my feet hurt so much! I got to see my favorite painting by Tiziano ( www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/eamor.htm ) where I started crying! I never had that reaction to a piece of art but this had been my favorite for close to 15 years so to finally see it was very emotional for me) Rome is a great city and I really loved seeing all the old buildings. I'm a true history buff so it was close to heaven for me :)

* I'm now the new chief of the youth section and will be until January (where the real chief comes back from maternity kleave). I have to say I don't really like it.  I don't like the responsabilities that go with it. I don't like writing endless letters to the teachers (who don't even bother answering). I don't like to have to decide who will be doing story time and when. I don't like to be responsible for putting on expos and animations. I always said I wasn't interested in that job and this just confirmed it!

* Fudji is doing good! He's now 6 months old (which means he'll get neutered pretty soon. Mwah haha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) He's escaped twice already but I managed to get him back both time eventhough I was a wreck! He's getting very big. He's the same size that Booboo was at 1 year old!

I guess that's it for now. I'll try not get it go on that long anymore ^_^

Last week, I went to spend the week end at my mom's. And, incredibly, my brother and sister in law allowed us to take the girls for the day AND take them to the movies!!!! They are 7 and 6 and FINALLY, we could take them somewhere!

So we did a little bit of window shopping where we treated them to wafels and ice cream. Also, Hello Kitty shirts and I bought a Kitty headband for my goddaughter Dharma. Then we ate at Pizza Hut where India was really cute because she didn't want to eat : she was afraid that if she ate, we would miss the beginning of the movie! We explained to her that we wouldn't and she finally agreed to eat ;)

Then we went to the movies : Mom had paid for lunch so I paid for it. My God it's expensive! I have no idea of the price since I only pay 17 € a month to see any movies I want! Now, for 2 adults and 2 kids, I paid 28 €!!!! Anyway, we saw Nanny McPhee and the big bang. The girls loved it! At one point, Dhama lifted her arm at the same time as Nanny McPhee was doing it. It was way too cute! At intermission (I hate those!!!!), I bought them popcorn and candy.

All in all, we had a great time and Sarah said we could do it again! Yay for a small victory.

Anyway, here are some pictures of our day :
( Read more... )




And yes, I realise our family is weird, making faces all the time when a picture is being taken!