This is me... Stella.

News

2011-06-13T16:13:00.004+02:00

It has been a while since I didn't write here.

Many things changed in my life. To begin with, I am now working in finance in Luxembourg. Back home. I am working for the investment funds industry. More I am afraid I cannot tell.

I just got my second salary, thinking of what I am going to buy.
But then again, money doesn't buy happiness, in the end, these are things only.

Busy!

2010-11-08T22:19:00.001+01:00

I am currently writing my Bachelor Thesis about investment funds in Luxembourg.

I already wrote 10 pages out of 40, yay!!

I just want to share this video:

7100 smiles

2010-10-02T23:08:00.004+02:00

I miss mango juices and shakes
Adobo
Frozen yoghourt
Republiq Club
My friends in Alabang
My friends in QC
My friends in Makati
Shopping
Bargaining
Massage
Spa
Taking a cab
Lazing at the mall
Hitting the beach on the week-end
Happy people
Smiles
Heat
I miss everything
You

I love the Philippines

2010-09-26T15:53:00.002+02:00

I just came back from the Philippines where I did a 3-month internship at Toyota Financial Services in Treasury and Risk Management. It was trully interesting and challenging!

Apart from working, I travelled quite a lot during week-ends. I went to Tagaytay and Pagsanjan falls with my family, we also went shopping at Greenhills and Divisoria.

I also went to Puerto Galera with friends, where we stayed at Sabang. We went to White Beach of course and also see the Tamaraw falls.

I've also been to La Iya in Batangas.

I really loved every moment spent there and can't wait to go back...

Should I continue this blog?

2010-02-25T17:50:00.002+01:00

I seem to never have the time to write here...

Anyway, I'm now in Frankfurt and I'll be moving out tomorrow to a new place which will be nearer to the city-centre. Can't wait!!!

I'm looking for a part-time student job in Investment Banking but it's actually harder than what I'd thought...

I'll do everything to have a good internship in this field this summer, may it be in Frankfurt, Luxembourg or in Asia.

Some news

2009-08-07T22:45:00.002+02:00

Wow! It's been a while since I didn't post anything here...

I really have to write several entries.

To begin with, I have to describe my fantastic 4 months in Frankfurt, as an Erasmus student. Then I have to talk about my decision to actually stay in Frankfurt, continuing my studies here, yes!

And also, I have to tell you about my new internship, I'm working here in Luxembourg (my home) as an intern in music moderation and artist's contact at Jamendo.

Well, that's pretty it! So, wait and see.. new articles are coming!

Been travelling

2009-06-06T12:47:00.004+02:00

Hey guys !
I've been busy as always.

Two weeks ago I spent the week-end in Paris with some friends, and last week-end I visited Hambourg. It was a trip organized by my school.

Hambourg is far more beautiful than Frankfurt!!!

The weather was great, the sun was shining, I could tan hehe.

Well now back to rainy Frankfurt, busy with lots of work for uni... It's my last month of school... Time flies!

News from Frankfurt Am Main

2009-05-03T23:17:00.002+02:00

Hi there!

I'm busy as always... I've just finished my chinese classes, which took place every Saturday mornings. But now, instead, I have other courses on Saturday... Will I ever experience a normal week-end again ?

Last Saturday, I had my first german presentation, which counts for a lot because there are no exams in this subject. I talked about Web 2.0 in a company's environnement regarding learning theories, E-Learning and Learning Communities.
Manye german people told me it was good, so I take that as a compliment coming from Germans haha. The only thing is that I was quite stressed so I forgot points and talked fast and apparently in a too low voice...

Other that, what have I been doing in Frankfurt ? Well, last Saturday (April 25th) was the Museum's Night, so I could visit many museums. The thing is, they were all crowded so you couldn't really "enjoy" what you visited. It was more like a 'marathon' of museums ! Museums of cinema and the one of Communication were interesting.

And last Thursday, David Guetta (one of the most famous french DJs) came to Frankfurt ! He mixed in one of the most famous clubs here, Cocoon. Of course, my french friends and me were there.

We had a good sight of him and were dancing like crazy on his music.
He of course played his latest song, "When love takes over". Check out my videos of that night!

Do you like digital art ?

2009-04-27T11:55:00.002+02:00

Let me introduce you my filipina's friend artworks page : mysticyuna.deviantart.com

She draws, paints, creates vector and likes anime.

If you are interested in her artwork, you could as well "buy" some of her work!

Discover Philippine Cuisine

2009-04-07T21:18:00.001+02:00

Found here.

Sunny Frankfurt

2009-04-02T17:38:00.003+02:00

The picture has nothing to do with this entry.

The sun shines in Frankfurt !!! Good weather is back.

Time to be happy !!!

My new life in Frankfurt

2009-03-24T23:01:00.003+01:00

I've been in Frankfurt for 3 weeks now, and I'm slowly adjusting and enjoying my life here.

The first 2 weeks, I had no Internet at home... so I was kinda spending my whole time studying and reading german. Well, yeah, nothing to do right !

I have two classes in German, at first I couldn't understand everything, but as I get more classes, the more I understand.

The rest is in English, no problem.

I'm also learning chinese, which is easier than what I'd thought. Shanghai helped I guess.

Sometimes I get mixed up with all those languages, because I also get to speak spanish with my fellow spanish friends...

Actually it's great, I guess I'm kinda a language "geek", if that ever exists...

I'm also learning filipino by myself.

Frankfurt School is great, but there are some bad points.

Weather. And food.

It's been cold and grey and raining !

And there are too many potatoes !!!

Hahaha.

Manhattan

2009-03-11T19:44:00.002+01:00

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management

2009-03-11T19:42:00.000+01:00

Here I am, as an exchange student, at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. Thanks to my school in France (Inseec Bordeaux), I am now an Erasmus student for one semester! I am in a Bachelor’s degree in “International Economics and Management”.
All my courses are taught in English and some in German. It is a truly and completely cultural and linguistic experience that I am living every day. My classmates are Russian, Italian, german and French. I come to speak up to 4 languages a day, when meeting some Spanish Erasmus students for example.

The school is very modern and is well-equipped. A serious atmosphere reigns here. I hope I will enjoy my time in Germany!

NY

2009-02-19T13:37:00.004+01:00

Ok, I might have slightly exaggerated in my previous post talking about New York... It was great, really. I think the cold just got me, but hey, what do you expect, it's winter stupid!

I've watched a Broadway musical "Guys and Dolls" and it was just brilliant -awesome- !
I've walked on 5th Avenue and was amazed by all the luxury shops present there.
I've walked in Central Park, but here, found really nothing special, except maybe seeing squirrels, but even.
I've eaten in a cheap and delicious Vietnamese restaurant, thanks again to my friend Michelle!
I've bought more than a dozen postcards and it ruined me.
I've visited the Guggenheim Museum and would have liked to stayed longer.
I've seen the Statue of Liberty from afar only.
I've walked and got lost in the financial district.
I've visited Ground Zero Foundation and took a tour with a guide, whom husband died on 9/11.
I've listenned to her story and got sad.
I've taken the subway and found it old and outdated.
I heard the police alarm in the streets and felt like I was in a series.
I've walked all the stories of Macy's but don't think it is the biggest store of the world.
I've shot the Rockfeller Tower and the Empire State Building.
I've taken the plane back home, in business class, thanks to a big brother working in AirFrance.

One day out

2009-02-18T18:23:00.001+01:00

One of my days during "Discovery" at Virlanie.

Jade2
envoyé par alest88

New York, New York

2009-02-15T23:24:00.002+01:00

New York is big, huge, awesome, cold, windy, enormous, delightful, exciting.

New York is famous for the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Empire State Building, Macy's, and so on.

New York, is, just New York.

Disappointing.

I expected more.

News

2009-02-15T18:32:00.005+01:00

I've just came back from a 5-day visit trip in New York. Check out some pictures here.

Now in France

2009-02-02T16:19:00.000+01:00

I'm back.

Just came back from Manila last Saturday and I must say this is hard.

Will write more.

In the Philippines

2009-01-27T03:11:00.001+01:00

It's been a while since I didn't write anything here.

I've been in the Philippines for one month already, leaving in one week...

Working as a volunteer in a Foundation helping street kids.

An experience I will never forget.

Soon, soon

2008-11-24T20:29:00.002+01:00

I'll be in the country where the people always smile.
Where I can drink delicious mango shakes.
Where you eat pork sisig, adobo, halo-halo...
Where you laze on the beach on the week-ends...
Where you party like crazy.
Where you always have fun.

Philippines, my second home.

Inseec'Ond

2008-11-20T21:47:00.001+01:00

I am a member of the association which is the webradio of the school.
I've been working hard on it, so please, listen to it !!

www.inseecond.net

Unfortunately, it is french...

4 rules

2008-10-15T14:57:00.004+02:00

I've just had my first "Organizational Behavior" class today and I really enjoyed it! We talked about the business basics and how to be a good manager.

The teacher (who has graduated from Georgetown University and has worked for many companies eg National Geographics) gave us the 4 rules we have to respect in his class.

We don't have the right to say "I don't know" when asked something. If we do, we will be "dismissed" from the class! We can answer something like "I am not sure, but..." or "I will get back to you". Actually, the class is given in english to all french students, who for most of them, never had english lessons except for english classes.

The second rule is "no cellphones". If he sees us texting, checking the time, or using our mobile, he will confiscate it and we will have to pay 2 € to get it back! If we don't, he'll keep our mobile until the next lesson (and until we pay).

The third rule is respect. Respect each other and the teacher. People could laugh at other people whose english accent is bad, and those ones could be shy to talk. So, respect everybody! We are here to progress.

The fourth and last rule is to speak up. We have to talk loud when we answer, or if we want to make a point. This is - as he said- to prepare us to speak up our minds in future business meetings.

Interesting rules, aren't they ?

Hey there

2008-10-06T23:17:00.003+02:00

School has officially started one week ago... Which school is it ? It is Inseec Bordeaux, which is a business school. I have micro economy, law, accounting, etc lessons. For now, all my classes were interesting!

Starting over the process of making new friends... parties seem to be all around the corner so it will be easy haha.

But I have long days, starting from 8.30 am to 8pm sometimes...

Anyway, apart from that... well I've watched a Marliyn Monroe's movie last week in theatre, and it was great! I only saw "Some like it hot" and I really wanted to know more about what Marilyn did, and why she is so praised until today. Well I better understand now! I watched Niagara and if you have the opportunity to see it, do so!

PS : you should read this!

Beautiful Paris

2008-09-18T16:16:00.006+02:00

Here are some pictures of my week :

Changes

2008-09-13T11:48:00.001+02:00

I would like to take another direction for this blog.

I will continue talking about my life, but not only. I would like to share cultural point of views from the countries I've experienced : the Philippines and China. I will also share my musical tastes and other views.

I hope I will have time to do it and that my blog will be more interesting hehe.

When in Paris

2008-09-11T16:41:00.003+02:00

Hey there !

I'm in Paris since Monday now, staying at my brother's appartment in the 13th.

I spend my days visiting, watching TV and playing piano. I still couldn't see the friends I wanted to...

So what did I do ? I walked on the Champs-Elysées until the Arc de Triomphe (sorry, too lazy to translate), then today I went to the chinese quarter, see the Tang Frere market, then I took the subway to the Tuilerie garden. I walked to the Louvres Museum and took pictures. It was so beautiful ! I sat in the garden and read a little. Unfortunately you will see the pictures later as I am not using my own laptop right now.
I also walked on the Rivoli Street, where I found a charming book store with english books. I didn't buy anything, though. Then I just took the subway home...

Paris is so beautiful but I still can't imagine myself live here one day...

Back in Bordeaux

2008-09-02T17:18:00.001+02:00

Alone in my appartment for the first time since... 4 months !

Tomorrow will be my internship defence... wish me luck...

A strange feeling

2008-08-27T15:53:00.002+02:00

Back in Europe after living an incredible experience in China... It's like everything is plain normal and boring, I don't know. When you are in Shanghai, there is always something to do.

Restaurants, bars, clubbing, hanging out, going to KTV, shopping... I kinda miss all that now.
I'm happy to be back, seeing family and friends, but it's like I'm feeling so empty.
I also recognize that I actually liked very much my internship which was very interesting. I've learned a lot more than expected. From concept to design to marketing. I really know better about what I want to do in my future life. I'd like to work more for branding... something like that...

I'm back...

2008-08-24T17:36:00.000+02:00

Long time no see !!!

I've been to the Philippines and to Beijing afer Shanghai.

I went back to France last week, and I am now in my "true" hometown : Luxembourg.

So glad to be back, but missing Asia somehow !

Will write more...

Summer heat

2008-07-06T14:01:00.002+02:00

Summer has trully arrived here in Shanghai. Temperature is rising, sun is shining... good news ! Hmm not really. It's really too hot... And walking outside than going inside in ACed building than going out in the heat is not really... good...

If only there were suitable beaches nearby, the weather would be perfect to sunbathe... The thing is chinese people hate the sun... Ladies walk with an umbrella, scared to be "black".

I want to tan !!! Hahaha.

Things you do or don't usually do in Shanghai

2008-07-01T09:44:00.004+02:00

You never wash, clean, or take out the garbage.
You never say "sorry" to anyone when you take the subway.

You do spend most of week-ends partying and shopping like crazy.
You bargain all the time for everything.(what, it doesn't work in H and M ?)
You suddenly find normal european shops expensive.
You do your hair, nails more often.
You take the taxi most of the time.
You eat for less than 3 €.
You have so many things to do that your appartment is like your hotel, you only sleep there.
You don't only go out on week-end, but also during weeks, as happy hours and ladies night are everywhere and everyday.

Useful chinese expressions

2008-06-30T07:53:00.005+02:00

One of the only ones I know...

Ni hao... How are you (but not as a question)

Wei ... Used when you answer the phone.(Wei, ni hao ?)

Bu yao ! ... I don't want (very useful, most of chinese will try to sell you anything)

Wo yao (Wo yao zhe ge) ... I want (I want this)

Bu zhi dao ... I don't know

De, due, hao de ... Yes, ok, good

Shi ... Yes

Bu shi ... No (I say it all the time !!!)

Faguo ... France (yes, taxi drivers always ask me where I'm from.. Wo xie faguo ren !!! )

Xie xie ... Thank you (pronounce she she)

Due bu shi ... I'm sorry (pronounce doue boo tche)

Zai jian ... Good bye

and.. that's all !! But with these few word, and body language, I manage to get what I want... and don't want !

Weird

2008-06-24T04:10:00.003+02:00

These days I never updated this blog, because first of all I didn't have time, and also because "blogger" is usually blocked here in China.

Today I suprisingly found it wasn't blocked so that's why I'm taking this opportunity to give some news.

I'm really enjoying Shanghai, more for the "expat life" than anything else. Because apart from shopping, restaurant, club, karaoke, etc. there is in fact not much to do once you have visited (what should be visited).

There are cities to see, but they are one hour or more from Shanghai (Hangzhou, Suzhou), and these days the weather is always bad on week-ends, especially on Sundays, days we usually plan to go visit one of these cities...

So the good thing here is meeting people, networking, people from different countries, origins, cultures.

Well of course there are many things to do here in Shanghai, as long as you have money !!

News from Shanghai

2008-05-08T14:48:00.002+02:00

I'm still not getting used to the food here. I was sick, yet again, yesterday !
It's already been 2 weeks since I'm in Shanghai, and I feel like I've only been sick since I'm here. Plus I've lost 3 kilos, which is not really good news, I'm already thin enough !

Now, it is raining, and not only a little...

And also, blogspot is blocked here, which means I can write here, but I can't see my blog, nor others ! Sorry, I can't read you... Even some french blogs and sites I used to visit are blocked... Too bad.

My days are mostly like work, eat, watch dvd, sleep. Fascinating huh ? That's why I really hope to recover soon because there are so many parts of Shanghai I need to discover, and enjoy ! As I am weak and sick most of the time, I don't really enjoy many things...
Anyway, I'll write more.

Starting to get used to my new life

2008-05-01T12:43:00.002+02:00

I'm starting to enjoy my stay in Shanghai ! Jetlag, sickness, weakness and lack of sleep are almost history.
I went to have a haircut for just 3€. Could you imagine ?
I live 20 minutes away from the center by taxi, that's not too bad !

Pollution is a problem, it really stinks all the time though...

I now have 3 days holidays, yeah I work on Sunday...

Hello from Shanghai !

2008-04-25T09:27:00.005+02:00

Hey there ! I'm in Shanghai since Wednesday !
I'm still having problems with jetlag but otherwise everything is fine !!
The people are nice, the appartment is very big and not too noisy.
Here are different views from my appartment :

I'm in "holidays" !

2008-04-20T18:47:00.004+02:00

I've just finished my 2-year of IT and Communication course !!! I'm so happy, no more computing course ever ^^.

I've learned a lot about the Web during these 2 years, met interesting people, had interesting courses (video editing,...), had the opportunity to do my end of first year internship abroad (Philippines), had funny nights out, and... the list could go on and on.

I've spent much of my free time shopping, playing the piano, the guitar, browsing the Web, going to the cinema...

Next year, I'll be in a business school in Bordeaux, still 2 or 3 years to go !

Tuesday, I'm leaving to Shanghai, where I'm going to do a 3-month webdesign internship. So looking forward to it !!! But um... with what's happening between Chinese and French right now... I should maybe avoid telling my nationality (wo shi faguo ren in chinese)... haha.

To finish on a musical note, do you know the french band Cocoon ? Well, you should !!!
I especially love this song.

Temporary lack of concentration...

2008-04-03T15:22:00.006+02:00

It may happen to anyone...
These few days it looks like I'm unable to concentrate in classes... which are basically useless...
I mean, I have less than 3 weeks to go, huge projects to handle... and going to class is like... basic loss of time.

The real reason of all of this... is my departure to Shanghai... I'm already "in" Shanghai in my head...

I spend most of the time surfing the Web, looking for websites and forums talking about life in Shanghai... I learn a lot on what I can expect !!! Places to see, shopping, cost of life, nights out... So want to be there already !

By the way, the company where I'll work is a german company, vielleicht werde ich deutsch sprechen ? Kidding, it will all be in english, but imagine if I could catch up with my german, it would be great... speaking german in China... I've learnt german 6 years in high school, and read german news everyday. The thing is, I do understand everything I read or hear, but I never talk, so I never practice... Don't have any fellow german friend here haha. Na ja. I figured out I actually liked the german language and it even sounds good to my hears. I'm only saying that because the basic French thinks it sounds horrible and still caricatures german people speaking in a very harsh/cut tone (Nazi period ?), which I find completely stupid. I'm always trying to convice people it's not like that and it's actually beautiful, they never believe me.

Maybe just narrow-minded ? Yeah, dass denke ich.

Busy, busy, busy...

2008-04-02T14:26:00.002+02:00

As you can see, my blog isn't updated very frequently...
Many projects in school... and... in less than 3 weeks from now I'll finish school !

There are still big projects awaiting, and no motivation whatsoever to finish them...

In the past months I've been looking for an internship in Shanghai, and after having conference calls and mail exchanges, I finally found one and took my decision.

I'm going to do my internship in a web agency.

I'm so excited to leave, as Shanghai seems to be very appealing, and cheaper in some ways ! Great experience lies within a few weeks... can't wait to go !!!

My presentation

2008-03-19T17:12:00.004+01:00

Click here to see my video.
This is me... then.
Sometimes my accent is a bit weird...

You are the one that I want

2008-03-03T17:38:00.003+01:00

This is a video clip my class realized last friday. We had a lot of fun !
I'm the first girl you see.

Don't stop the music

2008-02-11T23:58:00.000+01:00

No, I'm not going to talk about the "oh-so-many-times" heard hit song from Rihanna.
No, I don't want to stop the music.
Yes, I love music.

Music is my life savior. Music is like love, it's universal. Music can't let you down, unless people. Music is always there when you feel lonely. Music makes you smile when you were sad.

I have this real addiction to music. I can't live one day without listenning to music. In the morning, I put my iPod's earphones in my ears and walk to school, same thing in the afternoon when coming home. When I'm at home, the radio, or music from my computer, is always on.

I also play the piano and the guitar. I've been playing piano for 12 years now. Once I've started playing, I can't stop. I like to play popular and pop piano, mainly from what I hear on the radio. I also play some classics as well.

I play the guitar everyday now. I just can't stop searching for songs on ultimate-guitar.com.
I like playing Incubus, Coldplay, Cranberries, Michelle Branch and Eagle Eyes Cherry's songs. The thing is, I learn new songs by myself, but I don't really progress. Strumming gets better, but not the technique. Lately, I also sing along. I've found out I could actually sing. I'm not saying I'm this big singer, but I remember all the times I would sing and enjoy karaoke times when in the Philippines.
Well, playing and singing is tough, but I kinda manage a few songs.
I'd really like to be part of a band someday... but at the moment, I'm too shy to sing to someone to know whether it's good or not.(well some privileged heard me... "how do you do to sing and play at the same time ?!")

Music is like a companion... In good and bad times, there will always be this good song which you will remember, which trully describes a precise moment in your life. Even when you party, there will always be the "party" song of a period.

Listenning to old songs can bring back the nostalgia and good memories of people and places... there are even songs you used to like that you will hate, because of this bad moment.

Well, I think you get the picture... Music is... life !

Long time no see

2008-02-10T20:37:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone !
I've been quite busy in my life lately.

I have to decide to which business school I will go next year, here in Bordeaux. I already have to pass an exam next Saturday. I think I'll be ready for it, well I have to obviously !

The good thing is that I am now entering my 4th and last semester of school ! I will all be done with at the end of April. Then will start my internship... so looking forward to it.

Taking chances

2008-01-29T12:29:00.001+01:00

Don't know much about your life
Don't know much about your world, but
Don't want to be alone tonight
On this planet they call earth

You don't know about my past, and
I don't have a future figured out
And maybe this is going too fast
And maybe it's not meant to last

Chorus :
But what do you say to taking chances
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay
What do you say ?
What do you say ?

I just wanna start again
And maybe you could show me how to try
Maybe you could take me in
Somewhere underneath your skin

Chorus

And I had my heart beating down
But I always come back for more, yeah
There's nothing like love to pull you up
When you're lying down on the floor there
So talk to me, talk to me
Like lovers do
Yeah walk with me, walk with me
Like lovers do
Like lovers do

Chorus

Don't know much about your life
And I don't know much about your world

Click.

Don't forget him...

2008-01-24T18:38:00.001+01:00

Everybody now knows Heath Ledger died last tuesday. This is very sad news for his family, friends and his fans.
The Brokeback Mountain cow-boy will be remembered, that is for sure.
Only 28 years old and already gone, may he rest in peace.

We never change (Coldplay)

2008-01-20T21:53:00.000+01:00

I wanna live life, never be cruel,
I wanna live life, be good to you.

I wanna fly, never come down,
And live my life,
And have friends around.

We never change, do we?
We never learned to leave,
So I wanna live in a wooden house,
I wanna live life, always be true,
I wanna live life, and be good to you,
I wanna fly, and never come down,
And I live my life, and have friends around.

We never change do we? No, no,
We never learned to bleed,
So I wanna live in a wooden house,
Making more friends would be easy.

O I don't have a show to say,
Yes, and I sing of a single day,
We never change do we?
We never learned to leave.

So, I wanna live life in a wooden house,
Making more friends would be easy,
I wanna live where the sun comes out.

Indeed I really think that we never really change. Of course, we evoluate, we take decisions, we change but not in that way. You will always go back to the real person you are, if ever you have found who you are.
I changed, but deep inside I'm still the same person. My tastes grew, but what I liked before, I still like. Purple was my favorite colour in high school, and still is, and the list can go on.
The Mariah Carey number one album I received for my 9th birthday, well the other day I listenned to it, and still liked all the songs. Weird.

End of the holidays...

2008-01-06T18:09:00.000+01:00

This picture doesn't quite sum up my holidays (you can also find it on my french blog), but almost. Some reading, some Christmas gifts (I've become a "Heroes" addict, that's for sure), some chocolate, some shopping (I love MNG Jeans !) and some visiting. That's for the fun part ! I spent last week in Luxembourg.

I've also been looking for my internship in Shanghai or Luxembourg... I've been to so many websites and sent so many emails and applications... Gosh. And almost no answers... I hope I will find it in time.

And now, the sad part. End of the holidays. What, are you saying going back to class tomorrow ? Oh noooo. Time passes so quickly, which is a bad thing under these circumstances, but it is also a good thing. (the end of the year is near !!!). The end not's near, it's here. (Band of Horses, fools ! Excellent song by the way)

Belated...

2008-01-03T17:42:00.001+01:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008 !
May this new year be better than 2007 !!!

Eating disorders ?!

2007-12-05T22:31:00.000+01:00

I'm going to talk to you about food.
Being half french, half philippino have made that I have 2 ranges of tastes. On the one hand, I like "french cuisine", fine and delicate, foie gras, oysters, champagne, you get it. I love having a dinner and finishing it on a sweet taste. Dessert is very important for me.
On the other hand, I love mixed tastes and flavors. Sweet and sour, spicy, very sweet. Having everything mixed in one dish (aka adobo), eating without thinking about the order, just mixing everything in the plate. The sauce, the meat, the vegetables, everything. May sound weird. I love japanese, chinese and philippino food. Japanese is my favorite. It's also delicate !

Most of all, I can't have dinner/lunch without rice and/or chocolate. I don't know, I realized rice has entered my diet. I cook rice everyday. I figured out I needed it. It would be weird for 100 % french people. I even bought a mini rice cooker here in my apartment !
Then... chocolate. Yes, I kind of have an addiction to it. Dark chocolate, or any cake or cookie but made of/with chocolate ! I have to eat that everyday.

I don't have eating disorders, but as you can see, I have some special kind of cravings...

Thoughts

2007-11-30T13:23:00.000+01:00

Sometimes, I do think a lot.. I begin to philosophize about life...

Actually I needed to come and write my thoughts here, because since yesterday, I am thinking in english in my head. It happens to me sometimes, and I can't explain why. Although I'm french, I have thinking language disorders, if we can call it that way... Everyday I speak and think in french, but when I come to be alone, I start thinking in english. I don't know if it ever happened to you. I'm not telling my english is perfect, but I even come to speak to myself in english...

So yesterday I started thinking about my future life, as I am considering my further studies. The choice is hard and I realized that until now I don't know what I want. That's why a lot of questions arroused in my head. Would I rather have an easy job, and be happy with it and have time for myself ? Or a hard but fulfilling job, which would be time consumming, letting me less time with my loved ones ? (family, friends...)
What is more important in life, aside from happiness and health, love and friendship or personal success, meaning money ? Come to think of it, my motivation would be money... But combining success and money can be possible no ?

So here came my big thought : choice. Yes, life is made of choices. All along the path to happiness, you have to make decisions, which can change the whole thing.
I was thinking about going to a business top school, then I realized, if I'd do that, it was only for the further possibilites... good job, good pay. But do I really like that ? My first love is music, but it can't be my life. So I started looking, and I realized I liked languages and culture. Journalism studies, translator studies ? I think I'll apply in the 3... But this does not answer my question, what do I want in life ? I want to spend time with the loved ones, I want to party, I want to travel, I want to discover, I want to learn, I want to think... I want to have fun, without thinking back.

I'm 19

2007-11-28T17:21:00.000+01:00

I don't usually talk about my life in full details here, as this blog is linked to my more of a "professional" blog (the french one), but talking about my birthday is... I think important.

So apparently, yesterday I turned 19. What ? Do you mean this is my last "teen" year ? Oh no... time passes so fast. I invited some people in my place, then we went to a bar where there was karaoke night... but karaokes here are not as good as karaokes in the Philippines ! Philippinos have a tendency to sing like superstars, whereas french like... ok I won't name it, you just guess. Reminded me good times though.

So far, my eighteenth year was my best year of my life, so I shall hope my nineteenth one will be even better. I'm up to many things anyway. Firstly, my internship... Australia, China, London... Where, I don't know ? i'm working on it. Then, next year's studies. I'm going to pass an exam to go in a top business school, hope it will work !

To go back to my birthday, I didn't mention gifts. So far, I didn't receive much yet, apart for Marshmallows (sweet !). I treated myself though. I bought myself a guitar, and also the new whole season of the OC, and the OC soundtrack (OC Mix 6). Yeah, more music for me !!! Guitar time in my appartement, that's just going to be cool.

Oh man, I hope I didn't bore you with these facts... anyway, this is my blog !

See you.

Help !

2007-11-25T15:31:00.000+01:00

I completely forgot to mention something. I am currently looking for my internship, which I have to do in order to have my diploma.

I want to do an internship in webdesign/IT/communication/video editing, in Australia (Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne). I am looking on the Internet but if ever you have tips or webistes where I could look for it, I would appreciate it ! I have family in Sydney, so accomodation is not a problem.

Besides, I am aso willing to do my internship in other countries, like the Philippines, China or London, Spain or Germany.

I am willing to learn and I am a hard worker. Any help or tips would do...

Extra free time

2007-11-22T15:54:00.000+01:00

France is definitely the number one country of strikes !
Started all with angry fishermen, than angry railway workers and now angry students...

Seems like the french are never happy, and always ready to let the others know when they're unhappy. Stereotype ? Maybe, but sometimes it is just so true. Proud, noisy and ... lazy.

Of course it is our right to protest, and show our discontentment, but I think it's going too far.
For exemple, my Technical College is on strike until Monday 12am, mainly for solidarity with the others. (and yes it was democratic vote)

Sooner on a week-end... but lost lessons, too.

On holiday, for only one week though.

2007-10-25T21:30:00.000+02:00

I'm so happy, I'm going to be able to have a propper rest.
I also wanted to do things I don't usually do, like walking outside, reading, chilling, and being away, yes very far from any computer. But it seems like it's not going to be possible, due to the amount of work given. Several projects, which all have to be handed in or presented in November, or start of December. Gosh.

Never mind, I'll have to spend some time on my computer then... :(
What, am I saying I don't like it ? Well, I don't want to turn into a real Geek, spending my whole days on a computer. I'm almost doing that for the moment, being on my computer from morning (in school) til dawn.(slightly exaggerated)

Haha, anyway.

Some news

2007-10-21T17:48:00.000+02:00

Exactly one month has passed since my last post. Many things happened !
Firstly, I could meet up with some of my objectives. I do play piano everyday, go out more, and work for the company. Understand how busy I am !

We are having so many projects to work on for school, too.

That will be all... if you understand french, go to my other blog here. There are more updates there.

Start of a new year

2007-09-21T13:00:00.000+02:00

School ("college") started last thursday... It seems like we are going to have many big projects this year !
I am now a "2nd year", funny to think that, while the new first years arrived yesterday.

I took resolutions for this year, as I should organize myself more, in order to do more ! Eventhough 3rd semester looks real tough, I :
- am now working few hours per week for the company where I did my internship
- am planning to continue the guitar (buy one ?)
- will practice piano everyday
- will read... more !!!
- want to take theatre or guitar or danse lesson (but that will depend on my schedule...having no free afternoons at all)
- am learning tagalog online (I'm also listenning to philippino songs and trying to memorize them)
- am planning to have good grades... in as many subjects as possible
- want to go out... more !

Yeah, what a program huh... I'll see how it goes !

You want to see more pictures ?

2007-09-12T22:00:00.000+02:00

Well, here you go. I created another blog, specially made for my stay in the Philippines. Click here.

Back from the Philippines...

2007-08-30T11:48:00.000+02:00

Well yes, here I am back in France. I've returned last saturday... It's just soo weird being back here, after having lived 3 months in the Philippines. 3 excellent months would I say. An experience that I shall remember all my life. Work and human experience... I already miss everybody back there, my friends, the trainees, the philippinos, my family...
From now on, I won't look at things the same way as before... And also, I will enjoy each and every moment !

I'll write more. Some other time.

Random facts (interesting and...less interesting)

2007-07-31T03:00:00.000+02:00

Not being able to go for trips and visit on week-ends (a week-end is really too short if you want to fully enjoy), the direct consequence is a "full" social life. Ok, I won't detail my nights out, but there are some episodes I would like to share.
14th of July (hey yeah, French National Day) was organised by the french ambassador at the Sofitel Plazza Hotel. All french workers were invited. Tuxedos, dresses and french buffet would sum up this "oh so" enjoying night.
The fliming team (actors and producer) of the french film "OSS 117" was there, promoting the film in the Philippines (without main actor Jean Dujardin).

Last week-end, I was able (thanks to my aunt) to go to Dolphy's birthday party. Who's Dolphy ? One of the most famous comedian in the Philippines. He turned 79 and is still acting !
I shook hands with him and have a picture (I'll blog as soon as I can). Most philippinos celebrities were there, but hum sorry I didn't recognize them. I basically shook hands and nodded. There was a buffet and the theme of the night was the 20's. Everybody was dressed up !

Being in the Philippines made me live funny moments. I talked in german to a half-philippino, half-swiss guy in a bar ! Speaking german... in the Philippines. Who would have thought of that knowing I didn't speak german for a year.

And now, the sad part. I won't be able to make any visits anymore, or only very few, because I'm very limited at the moment. I actually broke 2 bones in my left foot. I'm walking around with crutches and sometimes it's really hard !

Philippines

2007-07-13T03:19:00.000+02:00

Sorry I didn't blog before... I had almost forgotten about this blog.
I will add pictures as soon as I can.

So, I've been in the Philippines for a little more than a month, and it's a totally new experience.
Very poor parts and wealthy cities. You wouldn't believe how developped it is. Big buildings, banks, enormous malls, cinema complexes and advertisements everywhere, at some point you would think you're in America. Communication is amazing. Everybody has a (or more) phone and texting is like the national sport. Text messages are very cheap, and the Philippines is the number one country for text messages sent per day...
Besides, poverty...Children selling flowers, people selling anything, from bottled water to sponges or hankerchieves. Waiting on the street to tap on the window of the cars, waiting at crossroads, following you... Doing anything to help, like helping you park you car just to receive a "tip".
Lifestyle here is so different. No stress, take your time, enjoy ! Yes really, what I appreciate here is that you enjoy, you should enjoy every moment. Enjoy your meal, your stay... If you want to do something or go somewhere, OK, let's do it ! Nothing is really planned (except for trips or things like that). Live your day and just see what will happen. Spontaneity, surprises, etc.

Ok, that's it for now...
I really like it here, I almost feel at home !!

Well...

2007-04-16T14:18:00.000+02:00

Hey everybody... I don't really know what to do about this blog... I suppose my life doesn't interest much people... and I have almost no comments...
Either I close this blog, either I translate and put the articles that I publish on my french blog... Either I write, or begin to write "interesting" articles... Don't really know... Please tell me !! I think no one will tell me because no one comes here... Catch 22...

Anyways... About the "life" part... I'm going to the Philippines !!! So looking forward to it. It will be for a webdesign internship. 3 months... it's gonna be so cool, plus seeing my family, that I haven't seen for 12 years ! Gosh.

Hey everybody!

2007-04-02T20:50:00.000+02:00

How are you ? Well me I'm fine although a little tired. One week left and I'm in holidays...so looking forward to it !

I have an internship in New Romney, Kent, but tomorrow I'm gonna have an interview for an internship in the Philipines! I'll tell you more about it. My mother is philipino but I didn't get any help, believe me.

Paris

2007-03-10T15:40:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, I went to Paris for an interview. I visited a little, but unfortunately the weather wasn't friendly... It's so funny to walk with all those people around you who are in such a hurry, when you're taking all your time. I guess I must have bothered some, when stopping to shoot the Eiffel Tower.

For my interview, I'll know next week if I'm taken or not, I hope the answer is positive !

Hello everybody

2007-03-01T19:07:00.000+01:00

I'm sooo tired... I'm doing my internship in a printing house (office ?), and eventhough I'm not doing much I feel so exhausted at the end of the day...

Working on old Macs (OS 9.2) has somehow made me more confident about using them now, it seems better to use a Mac now. I was so used to Windows that I didn't like using Macs, but now it's quite the same after all. Wow sorry, for Mac users this must sound quite offensive, as for them Mac is better...!

Okay so I found out about how everything works in a printing house, from designing to final printing. I also had small jobs to do like scanning or making advertisements with Photoshop...

Work conditions weren't the best though, working on a very slow Mac, with old softwares (Photoshop 5, InDesign 2), and only one network wire for 3 computers !! At least it has tought me how to adapt myself...

(later)
Internship done !!!
Although I learnt many interesting things, I didn't like this week.

I know that I won't work in this domain later !!!

Blood Diamond

2007-02-11T18:41:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I went to the cinema with a friend and we watched "Blood Diamond".
Violent and shocking yet excellent ! I really liked it. Of course it's a big production film, of course there is Leonardo di Caprio, of course there is action, but the film does not leave you indifferent. The film shows the horrors of the civil war, of children being forced to become soldiers, of poverty. After seeing this film, you'll never see diamonds the same way...

It's have been a while !

2007-01-28T14:34:00.000+01:00

Hey everybody out there !!! Long time no see... But I didn't remember my password nor my account anymore... Oops !
So even though I know there is almost nobody reading me here, or even no one, it just happened that I felt the need to write here, or at least the need to write in english. English misses me so much, and laziness took possession of my tongue, which direct consequence is that I speak more french than english with my mother... Shame on me I know... Hopefully I find hundreds of very interesting websites in english ! Otherwise, what can I say ? Well first of all, as you already probably know, it has snowed here in Bordeaux !!! Amazing, isn't it ? The problem is that now it is freezing cold ! I remember now that I HATE the cold... White landscapes are beautiful though. Other very interesting fact, I've bought a keyboard for my small appartment in Bordeaux ! It is just so nice to be allowed to play whenever I want to. Music plays a very important part in my life, I am even thinking about retaking piano lessons...
Anyway it was just to let you know that I am not dead... I'll be coming back soon !

Changes...

2006-10-06T17:10:00.000+02:00

Have important changes occurred in my life so far ?? Oh dear yes.
Some changes :
- I live alone, for the first time
- Bordeaux is not at all like Luxembourg ( I have difficulties to find the english and german magazines I want to read !!!)
- I know more french people than I've ever known before
- I do not hear all these different languages around me, which somehow misses me
- My older friends are no longer my friends, expect for some rare ones
- I walk to almost everywhere, before I lived far from the city and had to take the bus, than the train, than the bus, than walk
- People are more friendly here (...)
- I'm not at school anymore

Well, yes, significant changes have occurred in my life lately.

No title

2006-10-04T12:27:00.000+02:00

Finally, it works again... I think that Blogger is not very practical, it takes time and all... But at least, it's easy and simple... I should think about putting some pictures... So that it becomes more lively (livelier ???)... Random info : today is my mum's birthday !!!!

SRC Powah

2006-09-28T11:37:00.000+02:00

Apparently I have to do an english blog. Have to ? Sounds like an obligation. Well I'm supposed to tell my life. I'm gonna introduce myself first. I'm actually studying at Bordeaux, in NCS (SRC in french) Networks and Communicaion Services. So I'm not gonna say that I love multimedia...!

What I like, besides normal things that evreybody likes (eating, sleeping ?) :
- creating websites
- webdesign
- going out with friends
- going to the cinema
- listening to music
- reading (sometimes !)
- going to SRC (what ?!)

What I don't like :
- hypocrisy
- random things I just can't think at the moment

I was born in Paris, at Eaubonne in the Val d'Oise. Then I (or my parents, since I was a child) moved to Luxembourg. I went to the European School, from 4 to 17 years old. So I just had my bac, an european bac. What about my origins ? My father is French and my mother is Philipino. Yes, so I'm bilingual, due to the fact that I've spoken english with my mother ever since I was born (hum). That's it for today !