My first day at work and impressively there is a desk and computer for me. Ok, the computer is not connected and it takes a half day to get it ready for me to use, but after that all systems go! Slowly- it's a French keyboard!
June and I celebrated at a cute looking restaurant. Remember, never go into a restaurant with almost no-one in it! This one had 1 customer. True it was better than the one opposite with no-one. But this restaurant now holds the unenviable distinction of having a meal refused by June. The fish starter was raw, as it was supposed to be, but the pieces were too large to be palatable. The main dish was grizzled and burned and quite un-beef bourguignonne-like, being served on pasta. June left most of the first and all of the second. With some trepidation we ordered the nougat, it was off; so June bravely had the creme-brulle. It was perfect! When we left at 9:30, they locked up and went home. Very wise.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Friday, 25 February 2011
Busy- a news update!
There is a lot to do and arrange!
The job at Vitry was confirmed on Tuesday, I start on Wednesday 3rd March- our wedding anniversary! Which means that here we are preparing to move into an unfurnished flat (next week) whilst completing my old contract with the publicity.
Every day is busy.
On Monday, we hope to hear if we have the apartment. If so we pick up the keys on Thursday. Then we hire a van and collect the things we are preparing now to take them back to the flat. That will take up most of next weekend!
Our neighbour Soly is the custodian of our keys here, not to mention the cats. He has offered to drive the van, but that means hiring it here (logistically hard) and doubling our travel costs. So it would be nice to have his help, but easier to arrange from Virty.
Those on my email list will get our new address when we have the confirmation it is ours. We don't want to mess your address books up too much!
The job at Vitry was confirmed on Tuesday, I start on Wednesday 3rd March- our wedding anniversary! Which means that here we are preparing to move into an unfurnished flat (next week) whilst completing my old contract with the publicity.
Every day is busy.
On Monday, we hope to hear if we have the apartment. If so we pick up the keys on Thursday. Then we hire a van and collect the things we are preparing now to take them back to the flat. That will take up most of next weekend!
Our neighbour Soly is the custodian of our keys here, not to mention the cats. He has offered to drive the van, but that means hiring it here (logistically hard) and doubling our travel costs. So it would be nice to have his help, but easier to arrange from Virty.
Those on my email list will get our new address when we have the confirmation it is ours. We don't want to mess your address books up too much!
Friday, 18 February 2011
And so towards a job- step 2?
So after the Wednesday I was asked to stay for a second interview with the engineer who was absent on the day. The up side was I had a verbal offer of employment with Acthom so that they could present a commercial proposal.
Thursday came and passed without an interview.
Friday morning, we met to chat with the engineer. It went well. He would talk to the others in the afternoon. I would go to the offices in Nancy to sign on with Acthom. Meanwhile I tried to quit my scooter distribution job. "No I cannot let you" she complained. "There are legal issues preventing you", she insisted. I asked Acthom about this because she was right. "It amounts to 1 months wages" they told me- small beer with their pay being the minimum with part time hours. However, we compromised. I was offered a 2 week notice period, and Acthom agreed.
So I am signed up with Acthom, but still have not heard if I start work Wednesday with their customer.
Hence I am employed, but still wait to hear if I have a job!
On the way back to our hotel, June and I played tourist visiting Jean d'Arc's house. Too late for opening time. Too late for daylight! I am sure we will be back one hot sunny day.
Thursday came and passed without an interview.
Friday morning, we met to chat with the engineer. It went well. He would talk to the others in the afternoon. I would go to the offices in Nancy to sign on with Acthom. Meanwhile I tried to quit my scooter distribution job. "No I cannot let you" she complained. "There are legal issues preventing you", she insisted. I asked Acthom about this because she was right. "It amounts to 1 months wages" they told me- small beer with their pay being the minimum with part time hours. However, we compromised. I was offered a 2 week notice period, and Acthom agreed.
So I am signed up with Acthom, but still have not heard if I start work Wednesday with their customer.
Hence I am employed, but still wait to hear if I have a job!
On the way back to our hotel, June and I played tourist visiting Jean d'Arc's house. Too late for opening time. Too late for daylight! I am sure we will be back one hot sunny day.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Change your life- Totally!
So out of the blue I was asked for my CV on a company's format. "We have a client who may be interested in your profile". I have heard this before. I won't hold my breath.
Then the following Monday, June received a call whilst I was at work. "Can you make an interview on Wednesday at 10am?" Yes but where? "Vitry le Francois". We looked it up- about 6 hours away.
Thankfully the scooter work on Tuesday was unusually quick. We set out Tuesday evening and got as far as Troyes.
Wednesday was an easy drive to our rdv in Mc Donalds..... Not hopeful. My contact arrived, a young girl, very pleasant and helpful. "You would be working for us", she said, "we lend you out on short duration contracts". Ok. We went for the interview. One of their number could not be there so a question remained.
So I have to wait. But then we heard, the client wanted to have a commercial proposal. The hiring company wanted to respond so they needed me on their books. They offered me a contract with them right away. This was not expected. If the client company does want me, I start on Monday. Either way, I now have a job in engineering!
Watch this space!
Then the following Monday, June received a call whilst I was at work. "Can you make an interview on Wednesday at 10am?" Yes but where? "Vitry le Francois". We looked it up- about 6 hours away.
Thankfully the scooter work on Tuesday was unusually quick. We set out Tuesday evening and got as far as Troyes.
Wednesday was an easy drive to our rdv in Mc Donalds..... Not hopeful. My contact arrived, a young girl, very pleasant and helpful. "You would be working for us", she said, "we lend you out on short duration contracts". Ok. We went for the interview. One of their number could not be there so a question remained.
So I have to wait. But then we heard, the client wanted to have a commercial proposal. The hiring company wanted to respond so they needed me on their books. They offered me a contract with them right away. This was not expected. If the client company does want me, I start on Monday. Either way, I now have a job in engineering!
Watch this space!
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Celeriac
June's new vegetable is celeriac.
Today's roast included mashed celeriac and garlic with carrots and cabbage from the potager and chicken and potatoes from the supermarket. I am not sure where the gravy was sourced.
Delicious.
So much so I went back for seconds of everything.
Today's roast included mashed celeriac and garlic with carrots and cabbage from the potager and chicken and potatoes from the supermarket. I am not sure where the gravy was sourced.
Delicious.
So much so I went back for seconds of everything.
Communication day
Today has been marked by communications. In the morning I gave my first 'word' in the church at Jarnac. This church encourages the congregation to contribute prayers, prophesies and similar things during the worship. One aspect of this is the use of 'tongues' for which it is expected that there will be an 'interpretation'. Well I have taken part in these things before but here in France, I was reluctant to do so in the French language in front of a French congregation. Still, it is not usually just my choice anyway!
But to the point. This morning a tongue was given and the pastor specifically asked for the interpretation. I knew I had it, but only the first 2 words, "soit benis". It can be like that. You get the rest only after you start. I plucked up courage and went for it. A simple word and timorously given because I knew my grammatical errors would all be spotted immediately!
After the meeting, the man in front, who I have heard prophesy quite often, turned to me and encouraged me. The prophets judge the prophesy, and he told me I was in step with the Spirit of the meeting. He "was greatly encouraged" and so was I!
And the Jon's Skype was back on and we could talk at last. Quite important as he and Hina had planned to come over within a week. We had problems communicating for this reason and because his email was sending spam. So at last we could talk again- apparently a stoic work on Hina's part to restart the Skype aspect of the phone. They proposed coming later but the phone cut off before I could reply.
Before I could chat to June about Jon and Hina, my mother rang. She chatted until 'skating on ice' started. I took my chance and replied to Jon.
We had an email (via Facebook) from Sean. This, it appears, is a rare event. Good to hear from Thiland.
And now John Gasson, June's brother, called with news of her sister. Incredibly she has married an Egyptian waiter over 40 years her junior. I will wait for confirmation of this before I add it to the family tree! June is currently communicating this news to her son Andy.
John also told us he is planning a 3 day celebration for his 60th birthday.
But to the point. This morning a tongue was given and the pastor specifically asked for the interpretation. I knew I had it, but only the first 2 words, "soit benis". It can be like that. You get the rest only after you start. I plucked up courage and went for it. A simple word and timorously given because I knew my grammatical errors would all be spotted immediately!
After the meeting, the man in front, who I have heard prophesy quite often, turned to me and encouraged me. The prophets judge the prophesy, and he told me I was in step with the Spirit of the meeting. He "was greatly encouraged" and so was I!
And the Jon's Skype was back on and we could talk at last. Quite important as he and Hina had planned to come over within a week. We had problems communicating for this reason and because his email was sending spam. So at last we could talk again- apparently a stoic work on Hina's part to restart the Skype aspect of the phone. They proposed coming later but the phone cut off before I could reply.
Before I could chat to June about Jon and Hina, my mother rang. She chatted until 'skating on ice' started. I took my chance and replied to Jon.
We had an email (via Facebook) from Sean. This, it appears, is a rare event. Good to hear from Thiland.
And now John Gasson, June's brother, called with news of her sister. Incredibly she has married an Egyptian waiter over 40 years her junior. I will wait for confirmation of this before I add it to the family tree! June is currently communicating this news to her son Andy.
John also told us he is planning a 3 day celebration for his 60th birthday.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Rotavator Later Data
As a post-script, our neighbour was rotavating his plot next to ours today. His plot is larger and runs up and down the slope, so seeing him working with ease made me eager to see him up close. His rotavator was rather larger than mine, and with two large wheels, was clearly easy to use. But the main difference was that it was indeed a plough.
Jaquline, who lives down the road, also suggested I was using far too much effort. Time and experience will tell no doubt. Jaquline then asked why we have a light on all night. "For security" we answered. "But I am here to look out for you" she said.
It's a small village.
Jaquline, who lives down the road, also suggested I was using far too much effort. Time and experience will tell no doubt. Jaquline then asked why we have a light on all night. "For security" we answered. "But I am here to look out for you" she said.
It's a small village.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)