capitale de Noël

for the next half year

Ce soir, je me suis promenée à la station du tram après la messe dans l'Eglise St. Paterne. Je me suis réfléchie que je vais vivre en France pour 6 mois plus. Je ne suis pas triste. Je suis prête à relever le challenge.  Jakarta, attendez-moi!

behind the door

I have just sent a rejection email for the internship offer from one small company in Paris. I was accepted to two companies at almost the same time. It was a suprising because the whole world knows that finding an internship here is hell way difficult. 

Last Monday, I went for an interview in Paris, and on my way to that office, I received a call from another company who would like to have an interview as well. So I said, I would be available in the afternoon.  Then I went to the interview, and it went well. I didn't expect much because I had several interviews before and the result was not good.  Then I did the phone interview with the second company in McDonald near Versailles Château. =D. I was really not in a comfortable place to have an interview, but I did it. Then we continued for another interview on the next 2 days. 

So I got news that I was accepted to join the first company. At the same time, the second one was inviting me for another interview. In my head, I was thinking 'nothing to lose. I wanna see how was the result of the first interview with them.'  I was kinda try to figure out how people value myself as an intern. I definitely need it because after several rejection from other companies, I started to underestimate myself and my ability.  I am not the smartest ass, nor the brightest student. I am an idealist one who always try my best in every chances I have, simply to not regret it in the future. I am really sorry that I have to send that rejection email. I feel really bad about this kind of thing. I know for them it's a normal thing, but for me, I really don't feel good about rejecting something/someone.

As you can imagine, I got the two offers and I was so not sure which one I like better. From the title, I love both of them. Months ago, I have decided that those are the 2 areas that I want to start my career with. And voilà, I suddenly have them both. I am extremely happy, but I know I have to choose. So I chose the first one. I feel so bad about rejecting the second one because the bosses were so nice there. Eventhough they pay higher, I choose the first one because I am thinking for a long-term career.  I need to be well-planned as well as flexible for my future career.

I realize one common thing that always happens to me. I have always got accepted and I have always been accepting the offer of my 5 previous working places from the first face-to-face interview.  And this is gonna be my sixth one. Beginner's luck? I hope so!

I am still wandering if the one I chose will really meet my expectations or not. I know I put myself into trouble. I'll have difficulties in French language in such big companies with a lot of people. But I will survive and God and Virgin Mary will be with me always. You'll never know what is behind the door.

au revoir!

Sarolta's farewell party

last class of master

I was L.A.M.E between 2012-2014. It was COOL =)

Yesterday was one of many emotional days in my life. It was the very last class for our master, the one I have been pursuing for the last 1.5 year.  We haven't officially finished the master, as we still have to do an internship for the next half year, but we officially finish with the courses, sitting in the class, listening to the teacher, debating between us, laughing at surprising news from certain countries, etc.  I still remember the very first weeks of this master, I couldn't understand their debates in class about European matters. I was quite scared at that time because everyone seems to know and understand by heart what was going on in the European Union, and I didn't even know who Angela Merkel and Herman van Rompuy were.   

I learn a lot from this master, not particularly from the master itself, but from the environment.  It has broaden my point of view of analyzing cases, understanding political and economic decision, how things run in many countries, things which are not written in any school books.

So 1.5 years has flown away.  No more European law classes. No more French classes with Marvin, Erika, Ale, etc., no more Business English with Mr. Casquet, no more Mme. Marambat's office, no more signing to Campus' internet, no more lunch at Le Forum canteen, no more break and coffee machine, no more of many things that I will definitely miss.
We have made our plan for the next 6 months, either in France or outside the country.  Some of us will do the internship in Paris, some other in the southern part of the country, and some other will stay in Orléans. It's a sad moment, but I do believe that people meet twice in life. So I'll meet them again in the near future.

En fin, I am happy to join this master in 2012.  (There was time I was thinking how if I took the master in 2013, so I would be better prepared with my French level).  After a while, I didn't regret it at all. I know it was the best time to start, back in 2012.  As our European Law teacher said, we're the best and most interesting group ever.

p.s: no more English discussion, and it'll be French everywhere starting from now.

univ d'Orléans

my angel snow!

Today I am being very sentimental the whole day. Today I decided to have a walk around the University with Sarolta. She is leaving by the 23rd, that's in 7 days! I will miss her a lot. I suddenly realize that I will not only miss her as a person, but I will miss our time together that will never happen again. Even if I meet her in the future, it'll be in different place and different situation. She is the one who told me about the angel snow!

I will also miss the university, especially the view around the lake.  This is not the most perfect university ever, but I do learn a lot and experience many things here after 1.5 year. 

Things I don't want to forget about my university:

- my favorite room is the Peguy Amphitheatre because when you are there, you can see people sitting around the lake, chatting, laying down, reading, studying, kissing, having lunch, etc.

- second favorite is the 258, sitting next to the window. It has always been successful taking my attention away from the teacher. From there, I can see people walking outside under the trees, the falling leaves, the snowy path, snow fighting, the rainy days, the sunny weather

- whenever I see somebody comes out from the door downstair, I will definitely run so that I can get in. The door was so hard to open from outside

- the library is always noisy and they kicked us out at 7.45 pm while it's officially close at 8 pm

- there is no mirror in ladies' toilet! (there are in man's toilet). How come?

- Coffee machine is everyone's favorite during the break

- Le Lac is the restaurant with the best view of all

- I went to the library of Law just once

- I always pass the lake whenever I go to the sports building. That's a very nice direction.

- I fell over in the bridge during last winter

- I went to the chateau of the president once only! and it was very nice and warm inside

- the grass around the lake is a special place for me. We walked around when it was snowing and we sat down and enjoy the sun during summer

- I always wonder how all the swan go when the lake is freezing?

- Autumn last year, Florina, Hang and I had lunch together near the lake.  Another time with Stacey and Karina as well.

- yesterday I saw for the first time that the lake was turning into ice and it cracked during the day

- There are a lot of small forests around the university, let's say, they have larger area for grass and trees than buildings

- I like that they don't have high buildings here

- Some rooms can be really warm and the others are very cold. How should I dress up?

- Last 2 semesters, we did morning walk on Saturday around the university

- when it was summer, you can really see through the water there

You might realize, it's all about the lake. It was not the most beautiful lake, but I do like it. It's something I will never find in any university in my country. And especially if the weather is nice, that's really a good day to sit by the lake, or near the bridge.

These days, I really live my life to the fullest which means enjoying every single and simple moment. The fact that everything will change very soon, in one week, I wanna enjoy everything and plase as much memories as possible in my head.  

So this is how it feels when you live your life to the max everyday. It feels great!

uring-uringan

I have been wandering around for the last 3 hours doing nothing useful.  Since last night, I started to have this worriness in mind about my life in the near future (after January 8, 2014). Yes, this is me when I have to face such situation or if I have to decide something for myself.  I will have my last exams on the January 8, and after that, I really do not know what I am going to do. I'll go crazy if by the 8th of January, I have nothing to do, because at that time, I'll have finished all the exams and actually be free to return home and find a job. I am still searching for an internship in France, but it's really difficult to find one.  I think I have been sending more than 60 CVs to companies in France and in some other countries so far, and it keeps on going. 

2 days ago, I wasn't worried at all, but suddenly I realize that it's already 1/3 of the month, and time really flies! 

Business Law exam is tomorrow morning and I can hardly concentrate now. =(

I need to pray and make myself calm. 

encourage each other

I am worried about Mele at the moment. She is currently looking for a job but she has not successful yet. I am sure she will find one anytime soon because she is capable of it. I am just worried that she will be so stressful 'til the time she finds the new job. I keep on reminding her that she doesn't have to be stressful about it as her life is nice and smooth. I know she likes teaching but she also needs a job. I am really against the way if she chooses a job that she doesn't like just because of the salary.  I don't want her to be not happy afterwards.  

Eventhough I am also at the moment stress about the same thing. lol. It's funny that we both face more or less same situation where we're both looking for a job for our near future.  Sometimes it's funny that we try to encourage each other eventhough we're both not sure about it.  

I fully realized that working is (not) about the money, it's about the feeling and things I wanna achieve through career that we build up. The result will be between low/average salary and happiness of doing things you like.  I hope she finds her new job soon, the one that she likes the most.  I am sorry I can't be there next to you, but I will try to be accompany you eventhough we're far away. Be strong!

officially an aunty

I am officially an aunty since a week ago, of a very cute boy namely Derick Tan. It's a strange feeling. =D.. I haven't seen him directly, just through skype, but I know that I don't want to miss his first, second, third and so on birthdays.  

It's another chapter for my sister and her little family. There was a moment I felt that now my sisters have their own families, and me, will I be lonely?  I still have my brother, but it won't be the same. I was close with my sister, especially the second one. And in the (near) future, when I return home, I will not be able to sleep with her anymore. We had always slept in the same room since high school. I spent 3 years in high school sharing a room with her, 4 years during university.  I know that life goes on, and this is not something I should be sad about, but still, I am a bit afraid. How if I feel lonely by the time I am there? Because I know nothing remains the same forever except the love in our heart. 

Anyway, I talked with my mom and dad, congratulated them for being a grandpa and grandma for the very first time. They're so extremely happy and grateful. My mom kept on sending me updates about Derick =).  I am so grateful to know that my parents are so happy there. They deserve it. They are the best parents in the world.

My birthday card!

My 25th birthday card arrived a week ago from the my best-and-only Mele.  I am so extremely happy. Okay, it's a bit unfair because I did asked her to send me my bday card. It was so sad that I didn't receive any birthday card from any of them. =(

I love receiving cards, let say postcards, birthday cards, greeting cards, anything. So I finally got the card, and it really made my day. En plus, I really loved the quotes written in the card. I realize that only someone who understands myself well can choose this phrase for me.  So thank you so much Mele! This card is now standing nicely next to my laptop. When days are tough, I always look at it and reread the phrase, especially in the day like today - I did my interview last week and the company said they will inform me today, but there was no call from them. I am still hoping. =)

"Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." - Philippians 4:6

Mes camarads

Vous me mangez!