Relation from Turkey

It was long time, but after coming back home from Turkey I was first very lazy (typical post-project syndrom for me) and since few days I'm very busy.

Turkey - it was very interesting and good time. And I'm sure I would like to go there more times in the future - to discover more things, new places, feel this country more. And I could write a lot, a lot about it, but I don't feel like writing about my impressions of Turkey now. Maybe later. Now - relation from those 2 weeks.

I came to Izmir at the evening, when I was picked up by friend of Serhan (main organizer) - Ferhat. He is working on the airport, so he was resposnbile for all people coming by plane to Izmir. After some minutes it appears that my suitcase didn't arrived! First time in my life! And what is quite funny - I was thinking in the plane that I never lost my luggage ;) But Ferhat was helping me in conversation with the officers, so I get it back after five hours - it seems it was in Istanbul. We met Serhan on the parking and went for a dinner in the city. After nice dinner we went to the pub for a beer and later we bought some sweets - to end nicely the evening. And went to the flat of Serhan, watched some photos, discuss and finally went to sleep at 3 AM!

Next day we're working on the program of the TC until the evening. At 8 PM we went to meet Ferhat and together went for a concert of El Pluma Band "William Cardoso Project", in the frame of 16. Jazz Festival in Izmir. It was sooooo cool! Great music! I enjoyed a lot! And all of them were great. Especially drumer/singer - looks so young (like 17 or 18) and was hyperactive and very funny :) They influenced even all those officials between audience ;) After this great concert we went for a looong night walk in the city centre and near the bay.

Next day we were working until 3 PM, then we went to the University of Serhan to excuse his absence in next days. Then we picked up Behrooz (third trainer) from the train station and went shopping - need to buy all those stuff needed for a TC. And went to Kusadasi. Finally, after 8 PM we were in the hotel. We checked the training room, had a dinner, talk some time and went to sleep.

Next day we're working on the program until the dinner. With a nice lunch break, when we met first two participants. With one of them - Kasia - I had my first (and last ;)) visit in the sea. It was very nice. We've met with almost all participants for a dinner and after it we started the welcome evening. It was nice :)

Next days were very intensive - group wasn't so experienced, but very energetic, motivated, willing to learn as much as possible and asking many questions. Because we were prepared for more experienced people, we changed quite much, especially during the first part of the training - related with Human Rights. We had very nice and interesting sessions, participants want to share a lot, discuss a lot. What also strongly influenced our decissions about timing ;)

I liked work with Behrooz and Serhan. It was good team work. I learned a lot from Behrooz. And I would be happy to work with them again in the future!

I've met again two of participants - lovely Polish girl Asia and great Dutch girl Maartje. It was so great to spend some time together again. And of course I've met very nice new people as well :)

We're very lucky with place - 5 star hotel with all included for youth training course! Amazing! Hotel is great, place is amazing! It's so wonderful that it was very difficult to go away. If our application form for a new training course in next year will be accepted - we are planning to do it in the same place. There was only positive feedback about it :) With all included we have also such a nice things like Turkish bath (recommend it!) and sauna. Was nice ;)

This training was very successful - we have only positive evaluations :) It's really amazing. They came out with 3 project ideas as a follow-up: 2 training courses and one exchange. 2 of them are under construction, planned to apply for 1st November. I'm crossing my fingers with them - to manage to apply in this deadline and to be acceptec. And one will be for 1st February, what is not so good, because new Programme Youth in Action will start in 2007 and it'll be first deadline, what means probably huge mess. But let's see. What is funny - seems that we did a good impression on participants, becase for both of training courses paricipants ask us to be trainers ;) It would be really interesting to do it with them, also because we could see how they developed in this time. But first they need to apply and to be accepted. Then we'll see.

After the training course we spent whole Friday on packing, visiting Kusadasi for arrangement with the travel office, way to Izmir, visiting shops and finally having dinner with Maartje and Elif. And at the end we went to the airport with Maartje and then driving with Elif to her place and finally home.
Saturday was a day of work - starting final report and writing almost whole application for this new training course. It looks good and I really hope we'll be accepted. Now Serhan need to translate it, finish the practical part, check all those parts III and go to the NA with it. Then we only may wait :/ At the evening we went for a dinner with Serhan and Ferhat. And then Serhan went home (he was flying to Bonn at the early morning), Ferhat to work on the airport and I was in his flat with his dad - chatting with friends :)
Sunday was a lazy day - sleeping long, slow breakfast. After breakfast we had a nice walk around the city and near the bay, we drunk Turkish coffee (then Ferhat was saying about my future from the rest of the coffee) and tea, then again walk, laying down on the grass near the sea and talking, eating a chocolate cake. Then Ferhat went to sleep a little bit before working again by night and I was waiting for Elif. Then we both went to the other side of the city and bay - by boat :) We had also nice cookies and tea on the boat. On the other side we're shopping a little bit ;) Also had a walk around and coming back also by boat. And after that walking a bit around the city centre. Then she went home, Ferhat went to work and I was again with his dad.
At the last day I woke up at 4 AM :/ Together with Ferhats' dad we went for a taxi stop, where he put me to a taxi, which took me for a airport bus station. I went for a domestic terminal by bus, where I was waiting about 2 hours for my plane to Istanbul. But everything went smoothly and without delays, I was on time in Warsaw. Then about 4,5 h (!) by train and I was home.

Waiting again for a possiblity to go to Turkey... Really!

Waiting for the train and plains ;)

Ok, I know that last days were a bit crazy - only few relations from Cardiff and nothing more. But it were strange days - I was on the crossroads between Cardiff and Izmir. Besides that I felt very lazy and tired, couldn't concentrate properly on preparations for the TC in Izmir. I felt that time spent in Cardiff with such a great people was kind of 'magic' and it was difficult (still is!) to just stop to remind nice moments, people, places. And there are many people from my 'sub-group' using MSN/Yahoo, so I spent a lot of time on conversations with them - it was amazing: all the time we started conversation when someone was online, sometimes me, sometimes others, and spending a lot of time talking. There must be kind of special link between us :) Wonder why?
And what is also so nice - we already started to try to fix next meetings with few people. And some of those possibilities really looks quite easy to realise :) And not so far away in time... Would be soooo lovely! (Btw - lovely is a strong influence of visit in Cardiff ;))))

Yesterday I received from Biba a link to cool movie. I like this idea very much and I think it's worth to promote - even if almost nobody is reading this blog ;) So... HERE is a great movie!

I should go to sleep soon - I must get up at 6 AM :( I hate this hour. I must go to Warsaw first. Then I have my plane to Istanbul at 1:35 PM. I'll be in Istanbul after 5 PM and have a next plane - to Izmir at 7 PM. In Izmir I'll be finally at 8 PM. I'll meet my 'welcoming committee' on the airport. And from the airport for the shopping. And finally to Serhan's home, when I'll spend those 2 days before the TC. On Wednesday we'll pick up from the airport 3rd trainer and first participant and go together to this lovely hotel :) I hope our TC will be successful one. And also cool :) And I'll find a bit of time to use such nice possibilities like cool weather, sea, private beach, Turkish baths, massages, sauna etc. :) Would be great!
I'll go home on 23rd, early morning. I'll be in Warsaw between 12 and 1 PM. Then I should meet with Sylwia - Polish participant from EM 4 in Cardiff :) I'm planning to spend with her about 6 hours and go home. So, probably I'll be home very late - like midnight.

Then almost one week free ;) And Germany - I'll be on the way ;)

But I miss my friends already! And all those chatts :( Hugggs!

Great people!

And finally time to describe people from EM 4 a bit ;) Although I was a part of the team I've managed to quite nicely integrate with the group and to find my 'favourites'. Maybe also becasue of the fact that being a documentalist don't demand so much work during the training as being a trainer. Work is mostly during the sessions, and the 'real' work is now - after the Module. And thanks to that I had a wonderful week with great ppl :D Here is my 'subgroup' ;)


That's Sylwia - our participant from Poland. Lovely, nice and crazy girl :) Many nice ideas, huggy-girl :) I hope to meet her in Warsaw when I'll be going back from Izmir.

Guy from Belgium - Mathias. Very nice and warm person. I have an impression that he's a bit shy. But still - nice :)


Italian girl - Alessandra. The wormest and most gentle from all girls of the course in my opinion. Very sincere person and participant with one of the most interesting comments during the EM.


Great finish guy - Arttu. Gentelman and a 'real guy' in the same moment - seems to be still possible ;) Good dancer, nice actor, interesting person. Cool guy.

And that's Maartje - great girl form the Netherlands. Great sense of humour, very nice, huggy girl :) When I'll be visiting Rene next time - I want to meet her also. Especially that she is living close to him.

Marek - Czech guy. Meetings with him was quite complicated since the beginning to the end, but that's another story ;) In general - smart guy, very interesting comments during the Module. But also a crazy guy ;) Great animator - actor, nice dancer.

Jonathan from Germany. Great guy! Even he's very young (22 y.o.!) - he is very smart, with deep reflections and interesting comments. And also crazy guy, with a sharp tongue ;) Great dancer, good actor. Very huggy-pillow guy :)

That's the second part of the farewell party - already in Arttus' room, place more comfortable for 6 people, than a big party room. Photo made by Alessandra. In the blue T-shirt it's Pedro - great joker. A bit later Alessandra and Pedro went to sleep to their rooms and at the end we're only in 4 people. And we're talking, talking until we finally felt asleep together ;) And we're sleeping like that until 7 something ;) Then each 30 minutes we were a 'goodbye committee' for departing participants and in the meantime we had a nice breakfast. But unfortunatelly at 11 they also went to the airport :( End!

To see much more also funny pictures ;) you must go to my online website - HERE There are 3 different subfolders: city, group and work and non-formal time with great people. I always recommend to start with the last photo on the last end and continue until the beginning ;) I don't really know why this system uploading photos in such way. But probably I'm kind of blondi ;) None of those folders is ready, they are still developing, but there are already some nice pics. Especially in the 3rd one. As far as I know you don't need to see any password to see them. In the case - contact me ;)

Novotel Centre Cardiff

I already knew earlier that I like Novotels. I had an opportunity to be a guest of the Novotel Centre in Warsaw and about half year later in Strasbourg. Nice stays, good level :)

And now was time for Novotel Centre Cardiff. On this website I recommend to see photos in the gallery. This hotel is... hm... amazing! Wonderful mixture of old warehouse and modern architecture, beautiful interior colors, interesting arrangements and furniture, beautiful paintings, great interior trim, a lot of glass and thanks to that - a lot of light. Just great! And besides that - good location: 10 minutes to the city centre and 15 minutes to the Bay - walking. Their employees that 12 different nationalities - if we'll splitt British and Welsh like they did ;) I've met 4 or 5 Polish. All very nice. Like everybody there. So 'crazy' helpful, nice, full of respect and interested employees I've never met in any company! Congratulations for management for selection and training of employees!

I had great, huge room, with a double, comfortable bed. And big bathroom with separated bath and shower. And of course standard - tv-sat, possibility to connect with internet, mini-bar, fridge, safe. And also something new for me - maybe because of the country ;) - electric cordless kettle, 2 cups, choice of tea and instant coffee. And each day fresh cookies ;) My room was partly similar to this one, but different colors and more space in mine.

Aha, for our disposal we had also leisure club - fittness centre, sauna, jacuzzi and swimming pool :D

I waaaant to go back there! Just now, right now! It would be great!

Seriously - I hope that I'll have a next opportunity to visit this place again in the future! At least once :)

PS. And this is second clear example that good quality of services cause a good commercial ;)

City of Cardiff

I thought I'll start with impressions about the city. In June (during the prep meeting) I didn't had time to see anything. And now - thanks to being earlier and staying longer than the rest of the people - I had 1,5 day before and 1 day after the European Module to do sightseeing :) I arrived to Cardiff on 23rd September, about 7 PM. When I get to my hotel and check in I only managed to unpack my luggage, make more-less order in my room and then I was doing nothing - only relaxing after this long travel. I was watching TV, reading a book.

Next day - after sleeping long :) - I went for a walk. First I was trying to find a Cardiff Bay, but I chosen bad way, thanks to what I was loosing time for non-effective way to get there ;) Afterwards I noticed that I was quite close, but it wasn't a pedestrian area, but more office-industrial part of the Bay. Then - resigned - I decided to visit the city centre. There is a really wonderful old city centre, in the style, which is such untypical for the 'continent'. Lovely churches. Beautiful castel, but unfortunately entrance fee is almost 7 pounds, so I postponed it to the next visit ;)

Near the castle is huuuge Bute Park, full of different trees, flowers etc. There is also circle of rocks, nice garden of monks, little castle (probably for lover or old wife ;))), river, channels... Wonderful place. And sooo huge! Part of this park is surrounded by so called wall of animals, with realistic sculptures of animals.

In general - whole Cardiff is full of different kinds of sculptures - because of different historical occasions, geography, nature and also those without any occasion (at least in theory). I've spent in this park few hours (and still didn't visit all places). Then I found Cathays Park.

Then I was walking around the city centre without any aim. I made some food shopping, sent 2 postcards ;) Then I was in the hotel for a lunch. Afterwards I decided again to find the Cardiff Bay. Now succesfully! The Bay and surroundings are just wonderful! Beautiful views, many different places to visit, places to sit and feel the atmosphere. Super! I like this part of the city very much :) You may find few great pictures of the Bay HERE There is also beautiful wetlands reserve - in the middle of the city! I've spent there many hours during those days - observing those great views, birds around, delighting in peace, thinking, remembering... Great place!

In general - whole Cardiff is worth to recommend! I didn't expect that it's so nice, interesting, beautiful and warm place :) I wish to come back there, 'leisurely', at least for the weekend. I even know WHERE I would like to spend it :p With a little 'but' - I think I can't afford for those 250 - 750 Euros per night :/ Well, there is nothing else to do - just find a very reach husband or boyfriend ;) :p

That's the end of pics from the Internet ;) I didn't managed to upload ours to the online album :( Until now only 3 pics!!!

Great pub which we had an opportunity to visit once (at least I did it once ;))

Monument - WWII

Impressive building of the Millenium Centre, also theatre.

It would be great if I would manage to upload more photos before I'll go to Izmir. Let's see!

It's the end for this moment! More great places on the way ;)

Times is passing so fast

I'm home since 1,5 day. But I didn't found any time to update my English blog. Those days are crazy busy for me and I should rather preparing myself for the TC in Izmir, than writing this post, but Rene asked me about updating so many times, that finally I'm doing it :p So.... let's start!

Waiting for the bus

So... I'm packed, just waiting until 1:10 to start my travel to Cardiff. I hope I'll survive it quite comfortably ;) Without loud people around, polices stopping us, delays etc. Especially delays - I must change my bus on London Victoria Coach Station. So, cross your fingers for my travel ;)

Huh, and also for this fact that it seems that only I'll be so early in Cardiff, so I hope I'll have my board and lodging for this 'additional' time and I'll not need to use any bridge around ;) I really hope so ;)

And also for fulfilling all my task in very good way and to leave a good impression of my work between the team, organizers, participants... To give them chance to invite me for future work ;)

Three wishes...

But seriously - I'm a bit stressed. It'll be first so 'serious' job for such 'important' institutions. So, I really hope that I'll do everythig perfectly. I know it's my first tasks like this one and may do some mistakes, don't know some things etc. But still would like to be great ;)

I'm trying to burn CD with documents etc., but something is not good :/ Sometimes my computer/program/burner has own opinion what it should do and what not ;) Grrrrr.... I hope I'll manage to do it soon without problems.

Ok, I don't have a feeling about writing more things. So, I'll only write that should be in Cardiff tomorrow at 5:40 PM :/ I'll stay there until 3rd October and I'll be home at 4rd October at midday. Ufff...

I'll miss chatts with my friends during those 2 weeks. I've managed to say goodbye to all of them besides Marcin, but I have still 2 hours, so maybe... ;)

Hugs!

PS. I can't comment on any blos on Blogger, which are not Beta, sorry.
PS2. Rene - poor Lara because of this salsa-night.

Unforgettable experience

I must admit that I love sweets. Fortunately or not, that's not important ;)

But from all sweets I love most chocolate :)))))))))

And from all chocolates (which I tasted) I love most "Pierre Marcolini"

"This creator of happiness has allowed us to discover flavours we would never have dreamed of!"

I remember - my frist time in Brussels. I thought "Ok, I'll buy some of those famous Belgian chocolates". When I shared this idea with my friend (whom invited me to visit him in BXL), he answered "You shouldn't buy those. I know a special place. Just wait and see."

He took me to a shop, which from outside looks as a jewlery and from inside as a mixture of jewlery and an art gallery. This atmosphere... And those incredible chocolates around... That's how I discovered a shop of "Pierre Marcolini" in Brussels, near Grand Sablon.

In reality it looks much better. Great place with great people working in it and - what is most important - wonderful chocolates!

I couldn't sober myself and of course I bought one chocolate bar and few single chocolates and I took it home. When I tried them...

"...placing a Pierre Marcolini creation into your mouth is an experience that often borders on the Absolute"

That's my feeling in this moment! Really... Long time aftet that I was just dreaming to taste them again. To experience this great feeling again...

And just few days ago I had this opportunity to visit the same place after more than one year! And I bought again one bar. And this is second day of my happiness... This taste is so amazing, that eating this chocolate is really strong feeling... Mixture of happiness for body and mind... maybe more mind even... Amazing! Now I think that there are only few things which cause such strong feeling of... I don't know - happiness? Delight?

My nowadays delight is made from chocolate coating, cane sugar, lecithin, vanilla pod from Tahiti, pieces of pistachios, hazelnuts and almonds. And all those words mean nothing in describing this incredible taste...

I just love them and I want to move to one of the places where he has his shops and also to earn much money (the only bad thing is that those chocolates are expensive - at least in mine and my friends opionion). That would be great :)

And guys - I'm not paid by him to make such commercial on my blog :p And such commercial wouldn't have much sense in it if my blog is visited only by very few friends of mine ;) I even bought this one bar with my last Euros! But I'll not conceal that if somebody working for him to make an Internet researches would find this post and 'award' me with some nice chocolate - I would be sooo happy ;) :p

Brussels time

Now there is finally time to write about my visit in Brussels. Way to hotel was not long and difficult, lady in the reception nice and helpful, so I was in my room still quite early. Unpacking things, taking shower and still have time for a walk and ice-creams ;) I was hungry and it was hot so I thought that two scoops would be nice. The guy gaves me two, but there were sooo huge, as 4 Polish scoops! And so good ;)

What was really cool - organizers decided to give us possibility to 'taste' interculturalism of Brussels, so each lunch and dinner we had in different restaurant, eg. Italian, Belgian, Maroccan, Thai etc. It was really cool to taste all those meals. My favourite meal was Maroccan, dessert was Belgian and drink again Maroccan mint tea. Mniam ;)
We had 2 trainers - Louise, English teacher living now in Brussels and Sylvain - French youth trainer.
The introductory evening was nice. All people were trying to speak with other, to get know people around etc. And slow evening, finished quite early.
First day started as usual - opening, hopes & fears, get to know each other. Then we had a session of 'intercultural speed-dating', for me a version of excercise called 'Carousel'. After lunch we had two sessions - defining 'culture' with Sylvain and defining 'international English' with Louise. And we finished our day with first session of work on the booklet. After Belgian dinner we went slowly to the Grand Place to see it by night. We're just on time ;) When we came the 'light and music show' started. It was really cool. Then we're walking around the centre. And finished this day with this long (3 hours?) walk :)
Second day we started with a cool role play related with intercultural conflict during the youth exchange. We had 3 groups, each group hade the same roles in the group and we're trying to find a solution, being observed by observers. Of course rest of the day was based on this play and it's evaluation. So, after this play we had evaluation and later theoretical input by Sylvain. And after lunch we had a session about misunderstanding and communication skills by Louise. And finishing the day again with work on the booklet. After Thai dinner some people went to buy some nice drinks and some to their rooms to take national drinks and we've met in little nice garden in our hotel. That was a really nice, slow evening with drinking delicious things, many great massages and funny conversations and jokes ;) My favourite drink was Slovenian one, made from bluebarries - I don't remember the name. I tried it already in Ljubljana year ago and I liked it a lot. This evening was little longer ;)
Third day we started with some nice excercises about transmitting and listening to informations. Louise made something, what we're calling 'dead phone' and Sylvain made an excercise which name I don't remember. But it looks like that: you have 5-6 volunteers outside the room, you read a story to the first person, whom must repeat it to the second, second to third etc. That's a cool excercise. And he used as a story 'Abigale' from T-kit 4, which is quite controversial, but he made it even 'worse' - not using genders, only names, what as you know is possible in English and then you can't say who is who ;) So, after that we had really long and interesting discussion about language, but also about stereotypes of genders, social roles etc.
After (or let's say during) the lunch we had voluntary meeting with Susie (British Council) about new Program 'Youth in Action'. There is still almost nothing clear and it'll start in January 2007! Lol... And after the lunch we're finishing our work on booklet. For the last session and coffee before we had few VIP-guests ;) For example: Erik Langbraten from DG EAC from the European Commission, Michał Rynkowski - the same institution, responsible for 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, Ali Fisher - Counterpoint, Dieta Sixt - Goethe Institut Brussels and so on. It was nice opportunity to meet them, introduce a bit ourselves ;) And of course at the end - evaluation of the seminar.
Last dinner and last evening we spent in the Karaoke Bar, which was a nice place with nice people working in it. After nice dinner we had a 'lucky dip' - each person took a little present from her/his country and we put them together to one box. Then each person was draw one thing, trying to guess what is it and from whom. That was really nice :) And in this way I'm owner of a nice bottle of French Beaujolais - Villages from Sylvain. That's a destiny - I love wines ;) After the dinner karaoke started and it was not only for us, what was also intersting. There were quite many people with a nice voice. And there was one guy with suuuuch great voice that we're wondering what he's doing in the karaoke bar. When he song 'One' U2 it was just amazing. And in the meantime he (with his friends) organized an amusement for our group - dansing, first on the floor and later on the bar ;) This evening was really nice also!
At the breakfast I've met only girls from British Council - Susie, Mono and intern Hanna. They were going back to London after 1 PM. After that I've packed my laguage and left it in the special room and I've met 2 girls from the group, so we decided to walk around the city together. And in the centre one guy from the group also joined us, so we had a nice coffee together near Galleries. And after that we went back to the hotel. I took a shower - nice opportunity in the sauna ;) and I went to the bus station. Bus was quite early and we started our travel to Poland on time.
It's hard to believe, but during this travel by bus I saw first time in my life a movie - 'Scent of a women' . I was amazed, it's so great movie. I would like to have it in my 'collection'. And Al Pacino was amazing...
We're on time on the borded (even if we're stopped in the middle of Germany by police - to check our identities). Directly after crossing border we're stopped again - this time by the customs service. But timing was still ok when we came to the meeting and transfering point. But there we're waiting for one delayed bus from the UK about 2 hours! So, finally I was later home - about 2,5 hour. But I survived ;)
And in 2 days I'll travel again by bus, even longer :p Crazy girl ;)

Rotterdam - photos

Because I don't have a digital camera, now I have a problem with photos. To publish them I must first finish my film, make copies and then find somebody who will scan nicely my photos. It'll take some time and I'm not sure if I'll manage to do this before my travel to Cardiff. So, I decided to publish here some photos of places which I visited during my stay, which I found in the net . I found them all on the Trekearth. Even there is similar weather on most of them ;) So, I could do the same of very similar one if I would have the digital camera :) So...

Very expensive apartment blocks and also place where my bus stops ;)

Old warehouse, where you may fidn description of trade places - make zoom for that ;)

Historical New York Hotel. Under those umbrellas we had our cofffee-tea break ;) Background - Montevideo, one of the most expensive sky raiser in Rotterdam View from this hotel 'terrace-garden'. There were no people laying there, but instead that we saw many brides and grooms making wedding photos ;)

Watertaxi - something normal in Rotterdam ;)

One of those fancy modern buildings ;)

Famous cubic houses and the Pencil ;)

Again :)

Comic statue - bench near those cubic houses

Statue 'City without a heart' - related with WWII

Both photos - famous Erasmus Bridge

Old Harbour, lovely place with many caffees and restaurants. Here with bad weather :( In my case - perfect one ;)

'Ordinary' house in Rotterdam ;)

Again modern buildings in the centre

Stereotyping a bit ;) Windmill :p

Again Rotterdam

Yesterday I came back home after long bus jurney. It should be 20 hours and it was 23 hours :( We're waiting near the German - Polish border for delayed bus from the UK - to split passangers between buses going to different cities in Poland. And on the way we're stopped by German police (to check our ID?) and after border by Polish customs service to check our luggages. So, trip was quite interesting :p Yesterday I was relaxing, resting, talking with my uncle, watching tv, reading all those mails after few days offline etc. Now there is a time to share a bit with you my further Rotterdam visit and also Brussels stay :) But Rene wrote already a nice description of our meeting, so I'm not sure if I should do this or just give link to his version ;)

During our 'sightseeing' on Saturday we saw e.g. city hall, post office, church, statue of Erasmus... After that we went to 'feel' the Festival which took place on few streets in artistic part of the city. That was cool :D Especially all those pink spots on all building around :D In Rotterdam there are many interesting statues, with some of them I have even nice pics ;) And I liked one more church, where was different meetings, interesting design and cool music. On the way to have a coffee we had an opportunity to listen to really cool music on the street. We reached an Old Harour for a coffee and cola and then we decided about Italian dinner :) During nice dinner Rene's friend - Lara called us if she may join us for an evening. So, she appears during the dessert time ;) We decided to go for a movie. We saw "The Sentinel", I agree with Rene - it was interesting movie and not so "Hollywood-style" as I thought it will be ;) Then Lara went home to be back in next day (she is staying in the flat of Rene because of some missunderstanding about place of living until 1st October). And we had a nice walk near the river. Erasmus bridge by night is so wonderful!

On Sunday we started the day with a walk to see 2 windmills. I couldn't refused myself to fullfil my stereotype about Holland ;) Those windmills are located in beautifull park with lake. Day was warm and sunny, so it was just perfect place to visit. I didn't want to go from this place ;) But unfortunatelly my train to Brussels was on 13:24, so we couldn't stay there longer :( Rene went with me to the train station and wait with my for the train.

That's how my visit in Rotterdam finished. I really enjoyed it a lot and I'm happy that I had this opportunity! And I'm veeeery grateful Rene - only because of him I had a chance to 'taste' Rotterdam and to have this cool meeting :D Thank you dear!

Rotterdam story

Since yesterday I'm in Rotterdam, visitng Rene. It's really nice visit :) I came yesterday morning. After short and relaxing sleep I started to discover Rotterdam with Rene as a guide. That was really intersting walk around the city. I saw fameus and beautiful Erasmus bridge, cubic hauses, pencil-building, old harbour, New York Hotel (when we had a nice break with coffee and tea) and many more intersting places. And after nice dinner prepared by Rene (even with a nice dessert! :p) we spent rest of the night on the party for new students coming to Rotterdam for special program for all over the Europe. Rene was a DJ and I was trying to not disturb him too much ;) And also observing all those young people partying ;) I've met nice friends of Rene, whom are also members of AEGEE - like we are. We came home after 3 AM and sleep quite long. And now (after the Formula I ;)) rest of the sightseeing will start and after that we'll visit a place we are many concerts today. Maybe there will be again some friends. And tomorrow after 1 PM I'll start my travel to Brussels.

Almost on the way

In 20 minutes I'll start my travelling period ;) Today I'm going to Bydgoszcz and from Bydgoszcz to Rotterdam. I'll visit my anonymus friend ;) It'll be great to see him again after so long break and also to visit Rotterdam first time in my life!
On 10th I'll go from Rotterdam to Brussels to take a part in the Seminar about communication organized by the SALTO Cultural Diversity Centre. I will also meet some other people there - my friend Iza and probably a board member of AEGEE - Stefan (we'll discuss about possible new project for 2007). And I must eat those great hot wafels and buy wonderful chocolate ;) I'll be back home on 15th September.
And if everything will be alright I'll make a small party on 17th. It would be great :)
Have a nice week!

Words of the world

"Relationships are like Rome. Difficult to start out, incredible during the prosperity of the 'Golden Age', and unbearable during the fall. Then, a new kingdom will come along and the whole process will repeat itself until you come across a kingdom like Egypt.. that thrives, and continues to flourish. This kingdom will become your best friend, your soulmate, and your love."

Helen Adams Keller

"Love is for fools wise enough to take a chance."

Anonymus

"To love someone who does not love you, is like shaking a tree to make the dew drops fall."

Proverb

"Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions."

Woody Allen

"Gravity is not responsible for people falling in love."

Albert Einstein

"Sympathy constitutes friendship; but in love there is a sort of antipathy, or opposing passion. Each strives to be the other, and both together make up one whole."

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

William Shakespeare

"'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all."

Lord Tennyson

"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

Sam Keen

I need some energizer...

Almost whole this week was without energy. I don't know what happened, but it was not nice at all.

But it started to change 'under pression' - I must prepare some things for the TC in which I'll be trainer. So, we had some e-meetings in this week, reading application forms of candidates, splitting tasks, discussing about roles, methods etc. That was good, but we still have some parts of program to talk about. And then I will finally fully prepare myself for 'my' parts of program ;)

When I'll be back from Rotterdam I'll have only few days to prepare for my work as a documentalist in European Module 4 in Cardiff. That means also practical things, like buying tickects. And I'm still looking for a suitable and cheap connection. There are two options now: going directly from Bydgoszcz to Cardiff by bus (the cheapest and the longest option) and flying from Bydgoszcz to London Stansted by Ryanair and then changing for National Express coach to Cardiff via London Victoria (that's half price more but half of the time). But when I see this whole mess on airports, those new strange regulations, those delays (especially with cheap airlines) I'm not so optimistic about this connection. But I'll decide on Monday.

Yesterday I received an info that I'm registered for the Evaluation Seminar of all European Modules 2006. It will be held in Bonn on 1st and 2nd November. And on 31st October there will be also an informational day about new Youth in Action Program. It will be good to hear about it more in details. And for the period od this seminar (1,5 day ;))) we'll be also hired, so means some additional money. At least something ;) That's good news.

Tomorrow I'll go to Bydgoszcz for a short training related with action in which 'my' local foundation is taking part and which is called "You have a voice - you have a choice" and which is aimed to promote participation and voting in local elections (which will take a place in November this year). It'll be interesting, we'll talk for example about leading debates with candidates. And maybe I'll also meet some friends there :) Let's wait and see.

Now I'm relaxing, writting posts on my blogs and listen to the internet radio of my friends ;) There were just greetings from Marcin to me :)) That's nice, even if it's kind of private radio - with maybe 100 listeners ;) Or something like that.

Night life ;)

A bit longer breake. For more than 4 days I didn't had an Internet connection :/ But nothing important happened, so not much to write about ;)

This month is 'full' of memories: already three meetings with friends - 2 friends from high school and 1 from my studies. That's really cool - to meet with them after some months, even more than a year! I hope that now it will be shorter break ;)

Finally I bought a ticket for my first trip during this fall. So, on 7th October I'll start my travel and on 8th I'm going to visit René in Rotterdam and then on 10th September I'm going for a seminar to Brussels. I'll stay there until 14th September. It will be my first time in Rotterdam, so it will be nice visit :) And I like Brussels very much, so I'm happy to be there again. I hope only that weather will be nice :p

Bad news is that tickets to Cardiff are more expensive that they were in July this year :( That's even a very bad news for me. And I still don't have this last reimbursement and those 2 other delayed transfers :/ Difficult life...

And now I'm watching a world premier of "Ça Ira" - an opera composed by Roger Waters (Pink Floyd). The main idea of it it's a French Revolution and revolutions in general as a 'movement of the world". Between this main revolution you may see also eg. so called "Springtime of Nations", Polish fights with communism etc. Btw - it's organized in Poznań :) As a symbolic thing - city so strongly related with fights for freedom during the communism. About the Poznań 1956 protests (sometimes called Poznań insurrection 1956) you may read here and here. If you'll be interested of course ;)
But coming back to this opera. It's directed by Polish artist - Janusz Józefowicz. He is quite unique artist in Poland - he's director, producer, choreographer, actor and artistic director of Theatre "Buffo" in Warsaw. Besides that he likes also sing a bit, dance a bit and even tap dancing ;) What I must admitt - he's doing all shows in a very professional way, but also full of colours, interesting clothes, props, in innovative ways, with innovative methods etc. And when Roger Waters selected Poland for world premiere of his opera - I'm not surprised that he decided to have Janusz Józefowicz as a coworker :) Good for us. And one plus for our public TV - they have live broadcast :) Something not really usual in this TV, to show 'artistic, cultural' and new things ;)

Ok, I don't have creative vein today, so better to not write long, but stupid posts ;) Sometimes silence is gold... ;)

Bittersweet day

Today I was reading new posts on my linked blogs. And I found a wonderful post on Adelines' blog - specially for me! This is sooo sweet - wonderful poem and a poster from a great movie "Life is beautiful" :))) Cool! Thank you very much Adeline!

That's a good moment of today :)

Day in general was quite ok. It was very lazy morning and noon- long sleep, slow breakfast and coffee with cakes. Then we thought that it would be nice to go to the nearest town - go around and maybe a bit shopping. So, we did it ;) And my uncle with aunt decided to buy first some small things like fruits and a film for my old camera (to have some nice pics from this visit ;)) But after that they decided about two things more - a coffeeset for 6 people (for my parents) and a nice 'sporty' handbag (for me). That's very nice, specially for me - when I'm travelling I often didn't had anything small to put only my wallet, camera and mobile phone ;) So, nice presents :) And then we have a nice ice-creams :)

But at the evening there was not really nice situation - when I told my mother about the seminar in Brussels, she get a bit angry. They borrowed money for my last tickets and I still didn't get my reimbursement, so they can't give them back :( And now new ticket arrived :( And she decided not to borrow next money from other people, so I don't know how I'll solve this situation. And I must go! I have already problems with my final seminar of TATEM in Morocco - crazy costs of tickets :( Now this, and this is just a beginning of my travelling during the autumn. Ufff... It's so stupid, that people must lost their energy, time and even health (yes, too much stress is not good at all for our health!) for getting money all the time :/
Ok, stop thinking about it for now...

Yes, Adeline - I'm from Poland and I still live here :) But I'm starting to be more and more surprised how I may live here with so stupid political situation ;) But who knows, maybe in the future I'll live for some years in different countries, eg. France :)

Correction: this Anonymus in my comments it is (in 95% of time) my friend Rene. I don't understand why he's avoiding writing his name there :p

Fruition

From some time I love songs of Polish singer - Michał Bajor, he has really interesting and poetic lyrics. I felt that I would like to publish some of them here, but I coulnd't find any English translation of it. So, I decided to translate it by myself ;) Few minutes after the start I was angry, that I decided so ;) But I decided to finish it :p So, this is very amateur translation, be gentle with me :p

"Fruition

You don't even know how much I would give
For one night, for one day
Of being loved by you
So close you even through a dream

Touch of your hands, taste of your lips and whisper
Don't rush ourselves, let's wait
It's so difficult for me to understand your each gesture
Which was unknown for my heart until now

Dream, my dream
Live the whole eternity in me
Last here to spin this wonderful fairytale
Dream, my dream
Give me know a new depths
Reach for coronas of all stars

Again whisper, touch, your smell
Your breath tore by happieness
The biggest glamor, inmost secret of souls and bodies
Insted for days when you weren't here

Already don't know which body is whose
The soul forfeit its owner
There is no transe, because it is the top
There is already no way to rise above

Dream, my dream
Live the whole eternity in me
Last here to spin this wonderful fairytale
Dream, my dream
Give me know new depths
Reach for coronas of all stars

You don't even know how much I would give..."

Thanks to M. and new mail of Arthur ;)

Update

I need some change, so at least changing coulour of the font ;)

I know (somewhere deep in my heart or brain) that probably you're right with your comments. But with my strange mood since some time I don't believe you :p But I still believe that it'll change somwhere in the future. Besides, my friend from Polish blog believes strongly that dreams come true and she is trying to convince me ;) If some of my night dreams could come true it would be so incredible :)

When I was last time in Toruń (yes, with you Biba :))) there was a beginning of the Festival called "Summer of movies". During this opening we 'discovered' a great French band called Taraf Dékalé. I liked them a lot even after those few songs, which we've heard. So, since few days I have a pleasure to listen one of their albums "Vieille machine". It's a cool music, I recommend it :)

Today I have a nice guests. My friend from highschool visited me. Together with her kids :) My god-daughter is 3 years old, she loves laughing and don't want to talk much :) Her older brother (6 years old) is a clever and nice thinker-talker :) They are very nice :)

Amazing is a fact that girl, with whom I was sitting in one desk has already 2 kids, third in November and the oldest will start the reception class in September! In comparision with that my life still is definitely hm... "childlish?" and empty. Our world is strange...

Yesterday I received an invitation for a reunion of graduates of my department. Am I so old?? But seriously, there are 4 reasons for this reunion: 10 years of department, 15 years of the European Studies (speciality), 80 years of my uni, 50 years of work of my promoter. It looks very interesting. But on 20th of October I'll be in Izmir, having an evaluation meeting of our training course. A bit pity, next opportunity will be probably in 10 years - when there will be 90 years of my uni.

It looks that we'll not meet during this long weekend with Eva and guys, but in the next one. Long weekend because of bank holiday on 15th, so whole Poland is relaxing ;) So, guys promissed to visit Eva in next Saturday, so after one month we will (maybe) see each other. Maybe there will be also Johannes, Biba :) He still has his volunteering time in Toruń. Should I convey a piece of news for him from you? Or maybe take his e-mail address?

It would be great to meet 'my small group' again :) I miss them a lot...

Crisis?

I'm not sure if I should continue this blog. I'm up to date in my Polish one and it's not so good idea to write similar things on both. I thought that it'll be a place for my friends - to be updated with my life. But it seems it don't work so well. So, maybe I should leave it. I must think about it.

I have a strange period in my life. Very unstable emotionally and because of that rest is also not so good. I can't concentrate on my work, I'm lazy and must 'push' myself to work, I'm not creative at all and not efficient :/ And it doesn't seems that it'll change soon - my personal life seems not change in the nearest future. And if yes - probably it'll be not for good, at least if I may judge the situation. Eh...

I should prepare myself for the nearest projects, but as I wrote already - it doesn't work good. But I MUST. I want to be professional during them. Cross your fingers for that (if anyone will read it ;))

It seems that my autumn will be travelling time. Starting in September - (probably) Rotterdam, Brussels, Cardiff. Then will come October with still Cardiff at the beginning then Izmir, probably Hungary (sorry Biba, I can't remember this name of the town :/). Then on the turn of October and November will be Bonn (probably) and after it - Essaouira in Morocco. And I think it'll be all for this year, but never know... But all those travels are under the question mark, because of money - I alway must buy ticket first and then will be reimubrsed. And it's very expensive if you will count all of them! And if it comes to participation - most of the they are paying during projects, so it's quite ok. But e.g. with Cardiff I don't know how it will looks. Preparatory meeting was in the first part of June and I'm still waiting for my money :( And the most expensive will be Turkey and Morocco. I hope that I'll solve this problem somehow, but I'm not sure :(

Ehhh...