Life in green... in Bucharest

Those who can, do; Those who can't teach.

2009-08-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

I was watching this afternoon a random movie (don't even know which) but I liked a lot the end of it, when a student tells his teacher (after receiving an invitation to be a speaker at one of its courses) the line from the title.

This line made me smile, because last year, during the exam there were discussions with the HR professor from University regarding the steps in recruitment. And although other books were stating differently, she didn't want to accept other ideas but the ones she had. At the end she told us that instead of trusting HR managers and others involved int he HR area, we should trust the teachers who are doing research and issuing theories. Of course, at that time being in the situation to almost fail the exam (because of my opinion), I couldn't tell her anything, but in my mind definitely there was something similar to the tile of this post.

I was positively surprised in the last month that some deans of universities in Romania had the good idea if inviting specialist from different fields to teach for the master degrees, admitting that it would be more useful to have the practical experience, rather than the theory especially for a masters' course which is not so general. Really a pleasant surprise. Now I only want to see it happen.

Despre ASE

2009-06-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

(un post frustrat, deci daca esti intr-o stare buna si vrei sa ramai asa, mai bine nu-l citi)

M-am hotarat, cel putin ca sa ma descarc, sa imi spun off-ul pe blog, pentru ca m-am saturat sa fiu tratata ca ultimul om intr-o institutie care se considera (pe nedrept) de prestigiu.

- m-am saturat sa mi se tranteasca usa in nas
- m-am saturat sa nu mi se dea informatii telefonic, sau mai rau sa mi se ridice telefonul si in doua secunde sa fie inchis la loc (ca vreo secretara frustrata e obosita) mai ales atunci cand nu exista informatii pe site
- m-am saturat sa stau la cozi si sa respect un program imbecil care eventual mai e si o data pe saptamana (studentii de la Masterul X au program la secretariat doar joi de la ora x la y)
- m-am saturat sa ma decid la fiecare inceput de semestru ca un anume curs nu merita atentia din cauza profesorului si a modului sau de predare (Se intampla mai mult decat frecvent)
- m-am saturat ca toti (ok, aproape toti) looser-ii care termina ASE-ul sa devina profesori (ma afecteaza in mod principal ca sunt profesorii mei).
- m-am saturat sa studiez materii care nu ma ajuta deloc doar pentru ca vreun taran care ar trebui sa lucreze pamantul (judecand dupa jeg-ul de sub unghii cu care s-a prezentat la examen, poate chiar asta face uneori) vrea sa devina mare cadru universitar in ASE.
- m-am saturat sa cersesc atentie, hartii, informatii etc

Oare cand va fi si ASE-ul asta o institutie care isi va trata cu respect studentii? Oare cand secretarele isi vor da seama ca sunt acolo pentru studenti si nu invers? Oare cand...? Oare cand...? Lista continua la infinit.

Stau si ma intreb, daca in mijlocul unui program ar trebui sa renunt sau ar trebui sa mai suport inca un an cu aceleasi atitudini...

Cred ca si speranta o sa moara inainte ca "fabrica de bani" ASE sa se schimbe.

Moru

p.s.: si totusi trebuie sa recunosc ca in 5 ani s-au schimbat doua lucruri (cam putine zic eu pentru 5 ani, da hai sa nu ii demotivam)

- nu mai exista taxele infernale de la fiecare inceput de semestru si din perioada restantelor. Si-au dat seama si academicienii ca in lumea reala (in care ei sigur nu traiesc) se pot face si plati on line, si la ghiseele bancilor si mai ales fara a fi nevoit sa fii client al bancii care probabil cotizeaza cel mai mult la ASE
- nu mai trebuie sa stai la coada la secretariat sa iei formularul de restante, pe care paoi sa il completezi, dupa care sa il duci la loc sa il semneze, dupa care sa platesti restantele, dupa care sa il aduci din nou la secretariat (v-am pierdut pe drum? asa se pierd si studentii pe coridoarele ASE-ului cand sunt trimisi de la un birou la altul)

Counting to "n"

2009-06-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

About two years ago I attended a sales training and not a lot of information remained in my mind since then, but a thing about sales and motivation of sales people definitely did (it is not exactly the quote but it is the general idea):

"You called/had a sales meeting once and the answer was no. You called/had a second sales meeting and the answer was no. You called/had a third sales meeting and the answer was no... think that until 100 there is a long way, and be prepared to get 99 "NOs", because the 100th will be a "YES"."

I want to think that 100 can be replaced by "n" and that "n" is 99,(9)% of the times much "<100".

Not all the times when you got a "NO" is the end of the world... you are just one step closer to YOUR "YES".

Moru

p.s.: special dedication to the part of THE TEAM that is not matched YET

Dreaming with the eyes wide open

2009-05-28T03:40:00.000-07:00

I'm still in Bucharest, with plenty of free time, and while reading other blogs I realized mine is not updated.

A lot of things cross my mind these days. Things about the present, and mostly about the future, in such a way that sometimes I feel I am not living the present but constantly making plans for the future.

Present

I'm not very comfortable with it but I am trying to make it as nice as possible. I will start today dancing classes and most probably I will have a lot of fun (or provide more fun for the others? :) ) At the same time I am trying to pass all my exams I have left, which is definitely not an easy job (I guess I am no longer used to learning for school and more than this I realized the courses that I'm taking are not really the ones that I want and like... important discovery, after all). The best thing about all this period is that I can meet more often dear people and some are even visiting Romania in the next few weeks (a good thing since I made a commitment to myself that I'm not going abroad anymore until I know what I will know my next final destination).

I guess I learned a lot of lessons lately, or at least I've been through interesting experiences. I got my first "no" (see Cata, I got it :) ), I made choices that had no way back and although I know I cannot turn back time, I am content with these choices. I guess it was time to assume risks.

Future

Still a question mark. I realized that I am applying for internships without being sure of what I really want and I'm waiting for the day when I will have to learn my lesson. I guess something that can satisfy all my requirements there isn't... yet or maybe there will never be. Sill, I am not sure if what I want is really what I need or what I should get. The only problem is that I get the feeling that soon I will be all alone here, because everybody seems to be leaving. So I am still searching and applying, but at least I am not tired yet.

Moru

A year in Provence

2009-03-12T02:53:00.001-07:00

Try an easy-to-read and "delicious" book about the daily life in Provence region. And if you see it anywhere in French please let me know :)

Happy and lucky

2009-02-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

Even in my last post I was complaining about my situation, feeling insecure about the future, abut my plans, about life in general. I guess my feelings were too negative in the last period because a stage in my life is going to change and changes never made me happy (yes, I don't like adventures, I don't like risks and I don't like changes... not that I don't accept them, I just don't like them. I can handle them, but I don't like them).

Still, talking to a dear friend today, I realized that everything that I ever wanted came true (and if it didn't than it means that I will still live until all my dreams will come true)... So why won't this happen now? And guess what, it's not that I am going to change my plans according to the events around me, but I am going to strive for what I wish the most: to do what I want, where I want. And even if this is not going to happen, I am still going to strive for it, and it's gonna happen one day, one way or another.

I realized that I am happy... Could be better, I won't deny it, but I am happy. So I am going to start showing this. And if anybody ever dares to question my decisions, I will take the time to explain them. Although I never made them public (why do that? just to show off? no thanks) my values and principles have always been the ones that guided me and I am feeling good because of that. And whenever I did something different, in the end I wasn't happy, I wasn't feeling more fulfilled, I wasn't feeling good at all. I can picture my life the way I want it to be, and there is no compromise that I am going to do. I don't believe in a lot of things the others believe in, but there are two things certainly I believe in: ME and MY DREAMS.

Thank you my dears (you know who you are) for everything: for questioning, for challenging, for believing. And thank you Nona for having trust in me and for helping me and more important, for standing me the way I am.

With love,
Moru

I make God laugh by telling him my plans

2009-02-01T03:10:00.000-08:00

I am going through a very tough period in which I am thinking about the different choices that I will have to make or that I might have to make (it's not tough only because of this but uncertainty makes it tougher). I use my free time to imagine the future, to see exactly how I want it to be, although I am convinced it will not look as I see it now (the title of the post says why) I had one of the best conversations yesterday... with myself... and it answered a lot of questions and dilemmas... Still not all. but it was a good start.

I am almost at the end of my term in the MC (yes, 3 more months, but I can call it almost at the end) and I have to decide upon the next steps. And the first choice was made: no more @ involvement... but now what? A job? Traineeship? Both? None? :) (I guess the last one is not an option although being a normal student again (was I ever?) would be as challenging as getting used to live in Africa :) )

A lot of people think that I have the clear image of my future... Do I? What if something is not as I want it to be? How do things change? What would be the image then? Still the same? I guess not..

Would I be happy to stay here and work? Can I find the internship that I want? Would be the country important? Would be the company? Would be the JD? Would be my friends? Would be my family? Would be my comfort? Would be feelings? A lot of questions without an answer. And still, I might have to give up some of these... But which ones?

Something has to change...
Moru

Some things about me

2008-12-23T00:35:00.000-08:00

I found this on Dey's blog and it seemed very interesting to go through it...

You can also use it on your blog and just bold the ones that suit you.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise (a lot of times)
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (a lot of times :( )
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (during high school it was a habit)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse (even overcame challenges to be allowed to see it)
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke (a lot of times)
50. Lounged around in bed all day (this is almost my favorite hobby :) )
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest (I was a clown, a butterfly, a ghost, a ladybird... long live primary school :D )
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy (not recently but at 15 I bought a baby doll and at 16 I was till buying clothes for it... now I stopped :D)
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing (I almost never sleep during flights, so definitely not))
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi (this is the last thing I do every time I leave Vienna)
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe (only 4??? :) )
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band (if school choir counts)
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz (in January I will waltz :) hopefully well enough)
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane (honestly I think this every time I have to fly by plane... but once I really believed the plane will crash)
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hotel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Falling in love... again

2008-10-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Since two years ago, each autumn, in the first half of October, I fall in love. Yesterday it happened again.

I have a very special relationship with a certain entity (I guess it sounds too tough to call it this way). No matter how upset I am, no matter how tired I am, no matter the way that I am, there is this special moment that makes my heart beat faster, makes me cry and makes me have butterflies in my stomach (because of the songs, because of the images, because of the memories, because of everything it means for me)

Yesterday I attended the Big Picture of @ BU again (surprisingly I didn't attend the one in the year when I was recruited)... And I fell in love again with @. I felt the chills, I felt excited and I was really happy that I was part of it again.

Happy,
Moru

2008-06-28T07:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday... What a day...

2008-06-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

...that started really early in the morning, because of the last exam in faculty.

At noon I lost my faith that I will graduate this year... but still I could not imagine another year in my faculty.

After 4 hours spent in the University, just waiting and feeling that I am loosing my time, I found out that I am graduating... officially :) Yu-hu.

My final paper is almost ready, my exams are all ok... so yesterday evening I celebrated with EB 0607 (me as an intruder :) )

Can't believe it's actually finnishing :)

Happy,
Moru

Happiness

2008-06-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know exactly what happened but during the past days I felt really really good... and happy.

Maybe a lot of things contributed to this but I feel really excited about the next month and I had some really nice moments:

- I am planning a very nice surprise (and I just love this)
- I surprise myself every day by smiling more and more
- we are planning the New Years' Eve and apparently the plan will soon become reality
- I passed both my exams during this exam session and I feel really confident about the next ones
- next week I will have next to me some of my dearest people
- I had a chillaxing evening with my best friend, going out, drinking a delicious coffee and window shopping

If I look at all the things that happened in the last period and the things that are going to happen soon, I can say that all the things that make me happy are happening:

- nice surprises (for me or others)
- moments in which I surprise myself
- overcoming challenges
- having close to me dear people

Just happy,
Moru

Cultural night for @BU

2008-05-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

For me it was already the third edition of Museums' Night and it was a great joy to see that the number of participants has increased. In the past years the museums were not so full but this year we had to skip 2 museums because of the crowd.

The meeting point was the National Museum of History. A high number of members were there and inspite the heat inside the museum, we managed to see a "golden" part of the museum.

Looking forward to the next year's edition,
Moru

All four of us... together

2008-05-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

I could call it a week-end but it was not... There were only 2 relaxing and full of fun days.

A few days before going to Vienna I started missing the girls so much and being so anxious to go and see them. After a 3 hous trip by bus, another 5 by train, 2 hitchhike sessions, another hour by bus and then one hour and a half by plane I got to see them. Long trip, ha? Still it was not too much.

By the time I got to Vienna, te girls were almost asleep but the real fun was about to start the second day.

Sunny sunny day in Viena, perfect for walking and capturing all the sun in the world. Drinking wine on the banks of the Danube, chatting, making plans for the future, walking and in the end, becoming children again in Prater (you can see above one of the craziest things we've done), that's how my first day was and I enjoyed it at maximum.

Still, most of the second day we were divided into groups. The same groups. Two working and two still anjoying at full capacity the city. It was not the same.

I absolutelly loved these two days and I can't wait to meet again in Bucharest, again the four of us.

Wanting to press "repeat",
Moru

Silent Sunday and another story...

2008-04-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the book!

Moru

One year ago...

2008-04-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

... on the 16th of April, in the morning, I opened my eyes and found in my phone inbox a message: "it's sunny outside".

One year after, on the 16th of April 2008 in the morning, it was raining. A lot. I was in the taxi, passing by TNB and I realized: somebody, up there, in the skies, really loved us. Us, the ITC 2007 team.

It's going to be a long day. Last year it was the same. A lot of things have changed since than, but in the evening we will stop and remember last year and most probably shout again "say we are @Bu" on the stairs of TNB.

For a sunny 16th of April every year,
Moru

p.s.: thank you for the special moment last night. The messages are still on my fridge :) and thank you for what is going to happen tonight.

On my way to my crib...

2008-03-28T03:43:00.000-07:00

After 10 days in coldness, I finally returned home. And I am more than happy because of this... I'm not going anywhere where it is cold because I love the sun (although during summer you won't hear me saying this).

EuroXPro was nice... But I am not over excited because of it. It had good parts it had less good parts, so all in all it was ok (of course, there was new information, new people that I've met, people that I've met again). I would say the best thing was the fact that we got to know eachother (us, the team) and we spent a lot of time together.

But I had a very nice journey back home... Starting with the calm flight (like no other lately :) ) continuing with the delicious food and the 3 glasses of wine (too much I think) and ending with the two stops (in Vienna and in Bucharest).

I felt like "I" was flying... And the scenary was so beautiful... And after 2 hours and a half from our starting point (in St. Petersburg), something took my breath away... The center of Vienna seen from the plane... I was able to distinguish buildings, streets, details (yes yes... almost could see each and every one of my friends in Vienna :) )... and it was soooooo nice :) And right at the moment when I was planning my last visit for this year and saying that I will "break up" with it :) (so I will not return for at least one year) I fell in love again with it (I remember that during that flight I showed Topper a photo with an Austrian Airlines plane flying over Stephans Dom... I could say it was almost the same for our flight :) )

After another glass of wine I was landing in Bucharest. And I was so anxious to get home, but I was stopped... At the exit there were @ Bucharest members waiting for us (ok, most probably for Oana, but since nobody was waiting for the others we include ourselves in this category :) ). So the sleeping time got shorter because we went out to drink and returned back home at around midnight. But it was a very nice surprise. Very nice.

I loved this journey back home...

I feel so good. I feel. And I love this feeling.

Hugs,
Moru

One step closer...

2008-03-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

... to achieving the objectives for a life time :)

It is said that during your life, you have to (at least) plant a tree, have a baby and build a house (I hope I didn't forget anything).

I started with the begining: this week I planted 5 trees. 5 special trees planted with special people in my life (ok, in @ BU, nowadays , so that others don't feel excluded :) )

- my dear best friend, we already have 2 trees, at the shadow of which we will be able to rest with our grandchildren :) and gossip about our @ life (I guess we will stay there for a long time :) ) Regarding the house, I take officially the committment for the seaside house :)

- "always" upset girl :) I am happy that at least while we planted the tree you were smiling. You did a goos job with these events.

- Free girl, the first step was done. Now plan the other two achievements (yes yes, kid and house :) ) but only after you finish your responsabilities. I sorry for not planting with you the second tree also.

- my team colleagues, it was fun fun fun... I only wanted us all to be there. I guess showing my happiness about our own tree, would be equal to saying "Can we be a family?" or "I had a nightmare, can I sleep here under the tree with you?" :) (I love you, signed chipmunk Theodore) And no, I am not high lately, but I guess finishing this cycle really affects my brain, or my hearth.

I didn't feel any pain during that day... The day after I was questioning myself if planting 5 trees was the best idea... I was in terrible pain, but still we whistled all day long for a less polluted Bucharest.

Happy (and ready to leave for Expro)
Moru

Planning vs. surprises

2008-03-03T00:37:00.000-08:00

I had a wish... and it became reality.

Things might come out differently as planned, but I am always sure, that whatever happens, it is the best thing (although you might not realize it in the beginning).

Still, I have never considered planning, as my option for organizing my life. I did this only once... And this is the outcome.

During the past week-end I was in Vienna. If I had to compare the image I had in the beginning, when I was planning this trip, with the image of what it actually was, it might be a little different (ok, the time line also allowed these differences).

Still, I wanted to be during this week-end in Vienna. And I was. And it was a week-end like no other (in Vienna). It felt like I was at home (only that it was more than 1000 km away from my real home). At one point, a friend of mine told me, that for me, going to Vienna is like going to the mall. Not true at all. I don't go to the mall that often :)

This week-end meant for me only relaxing (eating, sleeping, watching movies, walking and doing sports (really???) ). And it was the right thing to be done at this moment. Although, I might say that the "shaking" from the end of my trip brought me back to reality.

So for me, it's over with planning... I'm expecting the surprises of life :)

Moru

p.s.: wishes change.. Have you ever visualised something that you really really want? With all the possible details? And then when you felt you will actually make it, you just got scared or changed your mind? It happened to me a lot of times, and this is why I don't like planning, because my dreams could be ruined either by me being scared and not doing the final step for my dreams either by me again, by not wanting the same thing anymore (yes, because when you want something really really badly and it's hard to achieve, it takes a lot of time until you are in that moment very very close to it).

Continous learning.... at over 50

2008-02-24T04:01:00.000-08:00

I had yesterday a conversation with my mom in which she was asking me "Who is leaving and where?" ... And I had no ideea what she was talking about... And then she continued: "I read that a friend of yours is leaving"...

And I realised that:

- 1 year and a half ago (whilw I was in CEED in Vienna) my mother used e-mail for the first time
- 1 month ago she surprised me by contacting me through gmail chat (and ever since then every night we chat instead of talk on the phone)
- yesterday she started reading my blog :)

I wonder what is next... Having her own blog? A facebook account? :)

Still, I have to admit that she is improving continously in the virtual world.

Proud,
Moru

This is the response that I received... Take it as a comment:

"blog-ul`il`citesc de la inceput de acum o luna . normal k incerc sa tin pasul sau sa ma informez cit pot (ca si volum si cit pot intelege)"

A special friend...

2008-02-23T02:11:00.000-08:00

.. that is leaving soon...

Again a close friend that is leaving.. Again the same destination..

But this is not the most important thing right now, because no matter the distance we will still be close.. We proved this to ourselves during the past months.

What made me start this post was a message that I received a few minutes ago.. And it comes from the same person, that for the last year has been a real support for me in different aspects of my life.. (and I still remember the first time I saw this person and my first impression :) which was not positive at all)

A message with "i trust you", "good luck", "i love you" or "congratulations" from this special person, always made the day. And today, another message came: "No man or woman in this world deserves your tears, and the person who deserves them, will never make you cry" - Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Thanks a lot! I never cried because of you :)

Moru

In time...

2008-02-23T01:37:00.000-08:00

I was thinking yestarday about this quote that I found in my inbox two years ago.. And I decided to loo for it and post it... for better decisions and for thoughts and feelings transmitted at the right moment.

Take advantage of it and whatever suits you, put it into practice.

Moru
____________________________________________________________________________________
"Dupa un anumit timp, omul invata sa perceapa diferenta subtila intre a
sustine o mana si a inlantui un suflet, si invata ca amorul nu inseamna a
te culca cu cineva si ca a avea pe cineva alaturi nu e sinonim cu starea
de siguranta, si asa, omul incepe sa invete... ca saruturile nu sunt
contracte si cadourile nu sunt promisiuni, si asa omul incepe sa-si
accepte caderile cu capul sus si ochii larg deschisi, si invata sa-si
construiasca toate drumurile bazate in astazi si acum, pentru ca terenul
lui "maine" este prea nesigur pentru a face planuri... si viitorul are mai
mereu o multime de variante care se opresc insa la jumatatea
drumului.

Si dupa un timp, omul invata ca daca e prea mult, pana si caldura cea
datatoare de viata a soarelui, arde si calcineaza. Asa ca incepe sa-si
planteze propria gradina si-si impodobeste propriul suflet, in loc sa mai
astepte ca altcineva sa-i aduca flori, si invata ca intradevar poate
suporta, ca intradevar are forta, ca intradevar e valoros, si omul invata
si invata ... si cu fiecare zi invata.
Cu timpul inveti ca a sta alaturi de cineva pentru ca iti ofera un viitor
bun, inseamna ca mai devreme sau mai tarziu vei vrea sa te
intorci la trecut.
Cu timpul intelegi ca doar cel care e capabil sa te iubeasca cu
defectele tale, fara a pretinde sa te schimbe, iti poate aduce toata
fericirea pe care ti-o doresti. Iti dai seama cu timpul ca daca esti
alaturi de aceasta persoana doar pentru a-ti intovarasi singuratatea, in
mod inexorabil vei ajunge sa nu mai vrei sa o vezi.
Ajungi cu timpul sa intelegi ca adevaratii prieteni sunt numarati, si ca
cel care nu lupta pentru ei, mai devreme sau mai tarziu se va vedea
inconjurat doar de false prietenii.

Cu timpul inveti ca vorbele spuse intr-un moment de manie, pot continua
tot restul vietii sa faca rau celui ranit.
Cu timpul inveti ca a scuza e ceva ce poate face oricine, dar ca a ierta,
asta doar sufletele cu adevarat mari o pot face.
Cu timpul intelegi ca daca ai ranit grav un prieten, e foarte probabil ca
niciodata prietenia lui nu va mai fi la aceeasi intensitate.
Cu timpul iti dai seama ca desi poti fi fericit cu prietenii tai, intr-o
buna zi vei plange dupa cei pe care i-ai lasat sa plece.
Cu timpul iti dai seama ca fiecare experienta traita alaturi de fiecare
fiinta, nu se va mai repeta niciodata.
Cu timpul iti dai seama ca cel care umileste sau dispretuieste o fiinta
umana, mai devreme sau mai tarziu va suferi aceleasi umilinte si
dispret, dar multiplicate, ridicate la patrat.
Cu timpul inveti ca grabind sau fortand lucrurile sa se petreaca, asta va
determina ca in final, ele nu vor mai fi asa cum sperai.
Cu timpul iti dai seama ca in realitate, cel mai bine nu era viitorul, ci
momentul pe care-l traiai exact in acel moment.
Cu timpul vei vedea ca desi te simti fericit cu cei care-ti sunt
imprejur, iti vor lipsi teribil cei care mai ieri erau cu tine si acum
s-au dus si nu mai sunt...
Cu timpul vei invata ca incercand sa ierti sau sa ceri iertare, sa spui ca
iubesti, sa spui ca ti-e dor, sa spui ca ai nevoie, sa spui ca vrei sa fii
prieten, dinaintea unui mormant, nu mai are nici un sens.

Dar din pacate, se invata doar cu timpul..."

Jorge Luis Borges

2008 until now... and still going on

2008-02-12T05:16:00.000-08:00

No real post since December... But starting with yesterday I have my laptop again :) so I can post again...

So what happened from December 2007 until now?

Well finally I went home but it didn't feel like home because I had to finish my MC application until the 28th of December. Plus, on the Christmas Day my laptop crashed... So my stay at home was not the most pleasant one...

Still I had some beautiful moments with my friends while singing carols and exchanging presents. Plus I had other moments that made me smile or feel really happy.

And after only one week (even less) I had to leave Oradea again... and I went to spend my New Year's Eve in the North East of the country, with a lot of my @ colleagues. Fun, sleepless nights and most important, a big smile on my face at midnight (yes yes, just as I promised myself).

MCC 2008... My voice trembeling, my powerpoint presentation being upside down, me going to sleep at 6 o'clock in the morning and setting my alarm to ring at 6:30... What should I mention from this experience? Well, maybe the snow thrown on my head (which meant the vote of confidence) and the support I received from friends that were close or far away...

Vienna...

Again Vienna... with my EB colleagues (we started our term in Vienna and most probably we will all end it together in Vienna). In between we decided to go again to Vienna :) and it was fun, combined with sickness, coldness combined with hotness, happiness combined with disapopointment, good food combined with shopping :)

All in all I had a good time with all my colleagues and with my dear friend Ale, who standed me during my stay in Vienna and who even got sick because of me... Officially, forgive me :)

Final resulta from MCC. The team is : Mickey - MCP, Cata - MC VP Projects, Topper - MC VP ER and me, MC VP Finance (all of us in @ Romania for the term 2008-2009)... During the next two days we are expecting to find out who are our other 3 colleagues...

After a lot of fun and good moments, I had to have some unpleasant moments: school... Not so many details about my results but about my resolution: this semester school will be important)

And since, every day starts today, TODAY I went to school for the first time this semester (or should I say year, or should I say school year?? :) ) And it was very very nice and I will continue to go there for this semester until I graduate... THIS YEAR... and it's a must at this point!!!

Soon a school freak :)
Moru

Empty without you...

2008-01-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

... my dear laptop :)

I realised that in the last period there was no post on my blog. I will update it soon but due to some logistical problems (my laptop) it will still take a while.

Moru

Christmas is coming and I am strange :)

2007-12-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the silence. This is what I am doing now...

It's almost Christmas and I am in...tananana: Bucharest... I think I am the only non-Bucharest citizen who is still here... But tomorrow night I will finally leave... Actually it was my decision to stay here and to enjoy the silence (yes, if you can imagine, Bucharest is more silent than my home in Oradea). I didn't want to hurry up and not enjoy all the decorations and the empty city (yes, because today Bucharest was empty) and travel without being crowded by too many people.

And another reason is because Ale came today and we had a meeting with all the girls, exchanged presents and talked for a while before Olivia and Cata went to their hometowns. And it was very nice to be back again all 4 of us.

I realised that I have no wish for Christmas, no letter to Santa, nothing... Will Santa surprise me this year? :) I hope so...

I'm still in a very good mood: I am looking forward to Christmas (with my friends, my mom and my dog - most important because we celebrate it every year since it was my gift 5 years ago) to the New Year's Eve (in the other part of the country, in the middle of nowhere, but with dear people close to me), to the elections (although I have to admit I am nervous), to my trip to Vienna (yes, again, and it's not even the only one planned :) ) to the new year that is in front of me...

Positive (unusual),
Moru

p.s.: Happy holidays!

Heaven and hell on Earth...

2007-12-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

... both in the same week.

In the beginning of the week I realised how short life can be, and how your days are counted backwards from the moment you are born.

Although you can dream yourself being old, with your grandchildren in your hands (for example), it can change in only one minute... And my question is "why people are punished without having any fault?"

I visited a hospital this week... A hospital for children... Children who are dieing and who were not even given the change to be guilty for something in their life.. And it is terrible how your days can be counted not in decades but in years or even months or days, from the moment you are born because of a cruel disease.

At the same time, this week, I saw children who were given other chances, due to my colleague, Diana, who is part of a children choir and she invited us to a concert and the first feeling I had was that I was in heaven... Crystal clear voices started the magic moments and I was amazed during the whole concert. I remembered the moments when I was also singing in the choir and I remembered the feelings I had back then. Congratulations Diana for being passionate about music and for not giving up no matter what.

I am at home and I am still thinking about the chances each child has, about how not fair is life sometimes... And all I can say is "thank you" for being given the chance to live my life, my dreams... for being healthy.

Moru

NPS 2007...

2007-12-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

I don't even know what to say and I don't even know what to start with.. So although this should have been a huge post, it will be a short one :)

It was great, great, great :)

I had a lot of fun, I met new people and I got the change to get to know better the newies from Bucharest (and not only).

I slept only a few hours per night but I didn't feel tired (except for the last night when I was very very random and I felt I could not keep myself together at all). I started with my Red Bull collection but in the end it was only me and my desire to stay awake :)

I had a challenging home group but I managed to adapt to their needs and wishes and it was fun. Different people, but very very nice, as a whole. People from @ BU but also from Iasi, Brasov, Oradea, Cluj, Pitesti and other LCs.

I relised that I love @BU and actually it was even painfull when during the FISH session I had to stay with another LC, because my first instinct was to go to @ BU delegation.

I remembered my first NPS and all the cool moments and memories that I have since then... I never forgot the wine on the roof, the FISH session, me skipping the "Single beggar, double beggar session", me sleeping during the whole night :) , "say we are @Bu" shouted with all my heart, the roll call, the journey to Amara, the badge and the map of Macedonia, the burning chocolate candies, the "wow" and many many other feelings that I had back then. And of course I never forgot my favourite picture :)

I am happy and this can be seen on my face :)

Moru

NPS 2007 - before leaving

2007-11-25T02:54:00.000-08:00

I'm on my way to the National Conference... Actually I will leave tomorrow but I am about to leave my appartment "armed" with my huge luggage :)

I cannot wait to see how it's going to be.

Wish me luck.

Moru

PwC, new members , LTS and confusion...

2007-11-19T12:38:00.001-08:00

The past weeks have been full...

Two week-ends before I was in Warsaw, at the conference I was telling you about before with PwC and it was really really cool... I don't even know what to rank first: being delivered trainings by PwC, meeting a lot of Finance people or the fact that I enjoyed travelling alone again :) (I might skip the travelling part because again I had a plane phobia, with all the medicines that I took before the trip). Yes, so what to choose? I cannot say, but all in all, it was a good experience that I really needed. I had a lot of fun, I met new people and I met people that I knew before but did not expected to see them there (Dan, ex-LCP of @ Timisoara - whom although I did recognise I thought it is only a coincidence :) and Ahmed - delegate at ITC 2007 in Bucharest)

Returning back to Bucharest I went straight to the new members' final selection and although I was tired and felt pretty weird I decided to be there... You can see the "result" in the picture attached: the new members from the Finance team: Alina, Constantin, Diana B, Diana T and Patricia. Today we had our first meeting together and it was really cool :)

LTS 2007... I could call it a conference full of surprises: from myself... I finally got to know all the members from my team (because I was not present at the final interviews), had some nice sessions with them (with the help of Olivia) and experienced for the first time in my life (I think, or at least I don't remember another time) sleeping one hour during the night (but I will never do it again) and sleeping in the most weird place until now (I usually sleep wherever I feel I am sleepy - office, concert, meeting- but this time I slept during a working group... shame on me, but luckily there were only 5 minutes)... So I will never do the same mistake again. I promise :)

But with all these interesting past two week I still have no ideea what I wish at this moment... and I feel really confused: by people around me, by feelings, by wishes and especially by the future...

Should I follow my heart? Should I follow my mind? Should I be adventurous? Should I choose something "secure"? Should I stop asking myself? Should I talk? Should I shut up? Should I write? Should I keep this for me?

Most probably, I should stop asking myself because I realised that this is the only thing that harms me... I questioned myself a lot during the past month(s) and the only thing I succeeded in is being more confused, and each answer leaded to another question... And I don't see the end of this circle that stops me from going in the right direction.

I hope tomorrow will be better...

Moru

Outdoor weekend in Brasov

2007-11-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

This weekend was the second one in the probation period for the future newies of @ BU and although I drove them crazy with "we are going to Moeciu" actually we spent it in Brasov...

Being there meda me think about my probabtion period and some memories came to my mind during the weekend while things happened just the same way...

During the party two years ago I remember I called Ale (VP Finance at that time) outside to talk about the budget for the event I was organizing as a task in the probation period... I don't remember her exact words but she told me something like "relax, we can talk tomorrow.. now it's a party"... and I was upset :)

This year: the same situation with the girls are organizing this year Alumni Party... And during the party we were doing the budget :)

It was a nice weekend althogh I freezed because I had to stay the whole afternoon in the dark at one of their tasks in order to find the "treasure"... But it was funny to see how people acted during that day... We saw fights, we saq frustration but also we saw people who enjoyed everything...

During the evening I was sooooo sleepy that yes, as usual I went to bed early... just that not in my bed (which was 15 minutes away)...

I realised that I have these moments when I just feel I need to do something... And it also happened that night.. Did it ever happen to you to wake up before the clock started to ring? Well, something like that. At 4:15 on saturday night I just woke up... I might have scared all the people in the room, but headed straight to the door and went downstairs, where... all my colleagues were ready to leave for our sleeping location... Strange that I felt that, especially during sleep...

Another strange moment like this was last year during a party when I switched off my mobile and put it in my jacket in another room... And at a given moment just headed to the mobile, turned it on and there it was a message for me... A message that made my day because I read it at the right moment... although I was planning to keep my mobile switched off and enjoy the party...

Although the weekend was very exhausting and at the same time very empowering, I came back home with a headache... And although I slept last night 11 hours, I went to bed again, because I was not feeling right.. And guess what? The phone started ringing like crazy, but it did not matter... Still a phone woke me up and ruined my sleep and now I cannot sleep anymore (it shouldn't be a tragedy because it is 10:30 but still...)

I hope that finally the week will start with a good sleep...

Moru

Karaoke session... and good news...

2007-10-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a funny day... in the end...

Although I start each application form when it is released, I usually finish right before the dead line... but last week it was wore that I could imagine :)

I had to tape a 2:30 minutes movie... Simple right? Not when the words "2006 and 2007" don't come out right :) And not when you have to do this alone... It was like "on".... "Hello, bla bla bla.... mistake... shit"..."off"... For a long period of time just like this... And the movie turned out too be very dark... Why? Well I tried to get rid of the curtains from my window, but... I forgot to turn on the light :) In the end, the output was a 137 MB movie... 2:30 minutes... How can I send this? In no way... I spent 20 minutes on youtube and still it was not ready... 10 minutes until deadline... In the end.. 10 km trip was easier and faster for the movie to arrive saftely at its destination...

The lesson? Everybody knows it: do things in time... Very easy in theory and very hard in practice..

In the end this morning started with a good news: I will be facilitator at the National Preparation Seminar at the track for newies :) (aka "membrisori") And not only me but also Cata (haha... we can sleep again in the same room, since we're both facis), Topper and Oana (she is the leader :) so she will be at the leadership track)

So after such a news how can you be, but happy? So in the office, in the morning, me and Raluca started a karaoke session which we are going to continue tonight in Coyote... We sang for at least 5 times "Tell Him" (Celine Dion) and so the other people who were in the office were already with headphones in their ears :) I wonder why... :)

I am still enjoying the simple things (although today were some hard "face the truth" moments).. And I will still dream (not in the proper meaning, because I am already sick and tired of dreaming every night) but in the sense of making wishes and seeing the future as pink (or green) as I want.. And in this way, it will actually be like that :)

Moru

p.s.: I attached two pictures: one with Raluca (and no, we were not planning since then the karaoke session :) ) and one with the girls (the latest picture).

3 more...

2007-10-27T08:57:00.000-07:00

... to go abroad through the Exchange Program...

Ale, Beb and Cosmin (in alphabetical order :) )will soon leave in Austria, UK and Belgium... And it seems like people started to leave (I am talking about the first persons that I met in @ and a lot of them are or are about to go in another country).

Although we are preparing for the bye bye party for Ale (and Cosmin) and we are laughing I think it's going to be a little difficult because I cannot imagine that in a week she will leave...

But I am happy happy for her... I'm sure in the end everything is going to be allright (for us, the ones that still stay here) but now, there is this feeling before she is leaving... But we are already preparing the first visit :)

And there is this strange feeling inside... I don't even know if I can describe it... Though it's good that some persons are still here and there is a little bit of stability because this is a vital thing for me>>>

Moru

Sex and the city night...

2007-10-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Today was a girls' night out... Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda decided to go out and enjoy the evening...

We gossipped a lot, we made plans and we ate a delicious dinner... and all of these inspired us...

Output of the evening? We decided to have a lunch in September 2017 in Manhattan, New York City... Until then of course we will have other lunches and dinners together, but you know, we have a vision: Sex and the city 2017 :)

After that, at home, a quick photoshoot was directed by Charlotte... Only some of the pictures will be displayed... The rest... dessert :)

"Carrie"

An evening like all the evenings are in the "real life"

2007-10-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Today was a very "real life" day... and I enjoyed it a lot...

After lunch and a meeting a had to go to University Square and after solving some problems I decided to walk instead of taking the subway or a bus (the other reason was because my monthly ticket is not valid anymore..)... And it was a good decision...

It was the middle of the day and I was taking a walk on the main street in Bucharest... People were in a hurry but I was very calm... On my way I bought a book that I am vey anxious to read (Aurora Liiceanu and Alice Nastase - Dinscolo de bine, dincoace de rau: despre iubire). I already read some pages during the 5th edition of the @ BU event calld "Access to Leadership"..

Also on my way back to the office I decided to spoil myslef... Most of the times, for me, spending money on clothes or accessories hides a frustration (or at least I was told so.. And it is kind of true.. I spend money on this kind of things only when I am angry).. Might be the case also now, but I entered one of my favourite shops and found a beautiful dress... I decided not to buy it because I needed another advice (it is a little bit shiny so not quite my style)... But still I was pretty in it..

So after "Access to Leadership" me and Oana decided to go to drink something like nothing in this world would have been planned (no other tasks, no returning home hour, no early wake up the next day)... Topper also joined us... So on our way to the coffee, we stopped again for the dress.. I already had to whom to ask for advice... But the dress was gone..

Still I am happy because I booked the same dress my size in another shop so tomorrow evening I will be trying my new dress with my high heels shoes that I wore only once :) I don't have yet any event planned for wearing them for real, but does it matter for me? NO!

As I said in a prevoius post, I spend money on junk, but on the spot, I am very happy and excited ...

So I spent the evening with Oana and Topper drinking a tea and chatting and it was soooo nice that I even forgot I should have had a skype conversation (sorry Petra)... Laughing and getting fatter (since I was told lately that I lost a lot of weight) with some yummy cakes :)

And instead of sleeping alone (which is something that I hate lately) Oana joined me at my place and we cooked and continued chatting... and at the moment she is reading (she just told me that she likes the fact that I have a lot of magazines at home) and I am writing this post but preparing to read also my new book :)

It was an incredible day... Actually, an ordinary day in which all my attention was towards only one person: ME :) And I will do this again for sure... But I will not plan it... Although for this week there is already planned a "sex and the city" getaway at a fancy restaurant :) (we still have some issues in deciding who is going to be each character from the movie :) )

Life is full of surprises and I adore the positive ones :) And I started to enjoy more and more the simple things...

Sad days in Macedonia and not only

2007-10-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

Two days ago I received a very sad news...

I still remember the first roll call I learned in @ (couldn't dance it at all because I'm not that good at dancing and it took me a while to learn it)... And it is still my favourite ever... Tose Proeski - Pogletaj u mene...

I was talking to Martina at You Can about it and I started singing it (the way I could) and she was surprised I knew the lyrics (in Macedonian)... And the first day at You Can was full of joy because we started it by dancing and singing this roll call..

Unfortunatelly, the sad news is that Tose Proesky died at the age of 26 in a car crash in Croatia...

Lite a candle for him at the following link:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=tose

Moru

New Year's Eve Resolution

2007-10-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Although there are still 2 months and a half left until the New Year's Eve and I have no ideea what I am going to do for that party, I already decided what I want to do at 00:00 a.m. : I want to laugh with all my heart...

Last year I was crying exactly at 00:00 a.m. and I realised that the whole year I've been crying even for the most stupid reasons.... So I don't want to make the same mistake for the next year.. Although I might be alone, although I might be with my friends, although I might be with my colleagues... it does not matter that much... And mostly, I don't even care where I will be for the New Year's Eve... as long as I will laugh :)

So if you see me on New Year's Eve, make me SMILE :)

Moru

First blog entry ... Not an ordinary week...

2007-10-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

My first blog ever...

Actually it is the second one but I never got to post on that one. But now, I promise I will update it... And as they say "the beginning is more difficult".

I don't even know what made me start posting exactly today. Maybe the fact that I caught myself talking by myself at home :) Or maybe because that I had an unsual week..

This week was full of good news and it all started with the fortune cookie I chose on facebook some weeks ago that said: "good news is coming to you"... And they arrived...

This week started with a very cool news: I am going to Poland. Not only that I am going to Poland but I will attend a conference for MC VPs Finance from CEE (yes, I addmit, I don't fit the profile) that will be delivered by PWC. So you can imagine I started jumping like a ball ever since I received the news. But people are happy around me because I am happy, although I think I drove them crazy with this news (thanks to them for stll standing me :) ) And so I realized that after storm comes the sun... and it is very bright. So, thank you, Malina...

And then I attended a teambuiding as a facilitator. "Big news" you might say... But this time it was in the corporate sector and it was different but still the same, and I met different people (when I say different I mean different from me... ) and earned my first money. And although they might disappear in two days on all kinds of not important things it is a new thing for me. And anyway I would have accepted to do this even for free because it was a lot of fun (of course during the sessions because during the parties I was sleeping, as usual). I felt very tired at the end although the schedule was not that tight, and I still don't have the answer "why". But it was very very nice... And I really enjoyed it mostly because I wanted to do something different, something that was not planned for ths period...

This is it for today... Tomorow I will have a post about my New Year Resolution...

Happy happy
Moru