Missing Sarmale

Part 7 - Life beyond the stage

I had this post as draft for quite a while, but I forgot to put it on. So let's get this over with.

First of all just to announce a photo update for my ski post. If you still doubt I ever put skis on, go have a look.

Then, of course there was (some) life beyond the stage. I did need some escape moments, and I got them from time to time.

Lisbon, November 9-13 - PRIME congress

Days off are always good, especially when you come back more tired than you left. I went back to experience the joy of being a student, with almost falling asleep in lectures after a long night out. It was worth seeing Lisbon too. It's far colder than you would normally expect, but really nice, quite cheap shopping, cheap taxis, rather goodlooking men. I am a bit (a lot?...) disappointed by what went on around in the association, but well, I guess every generation wants its own revolution, and it's not my generation ruling anymore. PRIME being the European Association of Public Relations and Communicaiton Students, formerly called CERP Students.

December 1, European Parliament, conference about Romanian justice system

I was part of the organizers of a one-day conference at the EP, where we had the Romanian minister of justice coming, some MEPs, embassy and mission to the EU people, lots of Romanians working in Brussels. It's quite nice to do things like this out of the usual work schedule. You get to know people better, you network even more, and in the end there's always an evening in the pub across.
It was also on the national holiday of Romania. Nothing else spectacular happened on that day (except our conference), but the evening before there was the usual embassy reception. Quite interesting, as usually, I had no invitation, but that does not seem to stop quality people from getting in. You just need your attitude. Of course, I could've just said "tell the ambassador I'm here" :-)

Christmas holidays

No escape to hot lands or so, just my parents coming over. And eating quite some sarmale, so for a while I didn't miss them. We went with my husband's family to the Ardennes (refered to as "the mountains" in this country) and enjoyed another not-white Christmas. Of course, a few days ago even it snowed, but that is irrelevant now.

Still on the lower side of the 20s

Of course I had my birthday on the 9th. It happens every year, so I got used to it. I am still enjoying being totally younger than most of my friends (not that the age difference will ever change, but still, while my age still begins with a 2, and theirs starts to begin with a 3, there is a difference).

Future PRIME Brussels Gathering

Of course, by mentioning the Lisbon congress, I avoided mentioning that even if it is not my generation ruling anymore, they still owe me big time. I am organising at the end of March the spring event, and I'm enjoying it quite a lot. I could actually see now what my network is worth. Strange how it is the third time when I get involved in organising a PRIME congress. First time, it was in Romania about 3 years ago, with a team of 20 people. Then we organised one in Amsterdam with 3 people. And now I am organising it alone (of course with the active support of my husband who also used to be a member... those were the days). But still, imagine which of the organising systems I liked best :-) Pfff, and I put in my CV that I am a team-player. Yeah right, when I'm the boss of the team maybe.

posted by Dana @ 10:41 am