summer

Summer has come and with it - the need to listen to "light" music that makes my head airy :) I catch muself more and more often just giving into the music and not thinking of anything else at all (which happens very rarely to me. It is so nice...
Something mysrerious is happening - last week wherever I entered, I was chased by the Jai Ho! song from Slumdog Millionaire. Seems even after I let go of India, it is still after me :) (There is something utterly conforting in accepting that something is a part of you beyond a lifetime)
***
Anyways...
I am starting a new job, back in Sofia.Challenging and meaningful :)
Excited about some projects of my own I want to launch.
Lots of books to read, some tentative travel plans. (Would love to check out Serbia, Romania and Istanbul and why not Greece in the nearest future :))
In any case - this summer promises to be at least as exciting as the last two ones ;)
And I will plunge in it!

Just a perfect day...

Woke at around 4 in the morning.
I could hear my soul wailing somewhere far. Metaphorically. In fact it was only the street dogs.
Suddenly I felt at peace and happy.
Woke up and decided not to wait for the others but head for Delhi straight away.
Dressed. My Bulgarian tee, the favourite green and white duparta,the hat that is not exactly mine. And the black coiled earring. Just one. As a statement...
Went to Landmark and bought a thing i love for a person I love. I love giving presents :)
Got on the bus to medical. Listening to Ostava. Started reading "Shantaram" and loved the style.
Peeped into the book of the girl sitting next to me. Maths.
I had to meet Ricardo and Pauline at Dilli Haat. Was wondering where to go, then the idea just sprang up in my mind. Of course we should go to Dilli Haat.
Waiting for them in the sunlight, jotting some names in my gift-list for home...trying not to forget someone and visualizing the meeting with these people.
Then, Ricardo and Pauline came, we strolled around Dilli Haat. Devouring the variety of colours and shapes. Scarves, wood, fabrics, leather, kites,jewelery, paper...a see of beautiful items that have caught the spirit of India. I thought of how much I will miss India when I go...
We had lunch at one of the restaurants. Huge portions we couldn't finish though I shared mine with a very fat cat and a skinny dog. Remembered how Neeraj told me how he loves the place.*Inner smile:) Remembered how I went there first with Andre and was fascinated. *Inner smile :)We moved to Sarojini market...the familiar crowd and mess, and the memories of waiting for Julie to do her last minute shopping. Pauline bargained furiously for a pair of earrings.We saw a belly-dancer costume. Remembered Pondy trip and the hilarious "dancing night" at the hotel. I really need to learn Indian dances, I made a point to myself.
Then, we headed to CP...said goodbye to the guys. Knowing I will meet them someday...somehow:)
Walked on the road where we walked together last Sunday. Remembered how beautifully confused and excited u were...Indulged in the pain of the memory. Thought about what Vesi said..."let yourself be sad". Strolled around, listening to Niyaz, thinking of the time we will spend with Vladi when I am back. Simply being happy of where I am.
Got into a Coffee Day, ordered a latte and opened Shantaram again. Observed people around as I love doing...Saw that the B8ulgarian lady - Mariana had called me.
She happened to be in CP as well...so can we meet for coffee?
Thought how much I love accidential meetings. They just make my day :)
Mariana was with her husband - the Austrian diplomat and the two kids - a 9-year old girl and 12-year old boy. Pleasant surprise that they greeted me in Bulgarian:)
Then - the excitement of speaking my mother tongue to someone I meet for the first time, but I know I connect to. Conversations about life and love and India and Delhi. Where will I live next? Cairo? Istanbul? Funny I never thought of Istanbul in this way :) Sharing pleasant moments and a sinful chocolate cake with this amazing family that has lived here and there...
I had to go back to Gurgaon...so I got into an autorick...The driver was nice. Tried to explain me where the cabs stop in Hindi. I believe I should learn a bit of Hindi. As a part of my endeavour of digging deeper into the great Indian soul:) Would be nice to talk to people just like that...
Then, I was quite anxious if I will manage to catch the right bus but luckily it came very quickly :) Sat down and had a random (but pleasant) conversation with an Indian boy. I like conversations with strangers in buses and trains :)
Just a perfect day...and the happiness of the moments is still lingering in me...

My amazing life recently...

Ok...this is what happened to me in the last week...
On Saturday I was a model, ramp-walking in front of all Alcatel-Lucent in NCR employees and their families (around 2500 ppl). Being groomed, dressed up etc etc.
It was so much fun!:)
I had late conversations with what i believe is a God-sent ambassador. He saved me from ruining the happiness of someone that means a lot to me.Made me realize once again how hard it is to really love. And how far I can go for love...
Emo, my ex-team mate from the Bulgarian MC called in and we met and chatted for this and that. People we know and their lives around the world. Our own amazing lives...Feels good to meet someone that u have shared so much with in the past :)
I had a wild Friday night out with some colleagues. Almost went to extremes...I needed that!
Today I met Alcatel-Lucent global CEO - Ben Vervyaawen. Very energetic and charismatic man! Had breakfast with his wife who is so nice :)No star-attitude, very pleasant to talk to...
I also made a decision to move to Delhi. Try to shift my social circle a bit.
A friend of a friend from Bulgaria called. She is gonna live in Delhi for the next 4 years. And she seems quite a nice person. So exciting I am going to have someone that speaks my language here :)
All in all...pretty amazing :)
Now what is left - to get peace of mind...seems to hard at the current state of affairs. I am more and more learning how to use mind control over feelings...Let's see how long I will manage...

Happiness

I do not believe in happiness as a constanta...
Happiness is a fleeting sensation. You need a great skill to make it a state of mind.
Every day when I stop to think I realize how blessed I am to have what I have.
I realize that I have been to places for which people only dream about.
I am hanging aroud with a vibrant young crowd of amazing people from across the world.
Maybe I am a bit careless - not worrying too much about the future, not hurrying up the career ladder, not searching for the one to build a family with...not even sure what I want to do for a living.
Yet someone said - it is not important how you will feel in future, but how u feel now. Live for the moment!
The picture above is from the Indian ocean coast. Spent 3 days there with a bunch of very cool people.Some of them I might not meet again. But the happiness that I felt will linger on :)
When I turn back and explore these 9 last months in India...I see a string of such beads of happiness...And a circle of people, spread around the world that I know will always treasure and share this beads of happiness with me.
Thank you for being a part of my life!

I put my new shoes on...

The author in “Almost Single” said somewhere something like “Shoes are a blessing for women, cause no matter how many kilos u loose or gain they still fit you.:)”
I don't understand what it is about women and shoes.
I somehow do not seem to have that "fetish" for shoes that other girls do.
I am somehow unable to spend indecent amount of money just for a pair of beautiful shoes (which are in most cases very uncomfortable also)...
I do not have matching shoes for all my clothes.
And I usually break my shoes very very fast...
No, it is not that I do not like beautiful shoes.
I do!!!
My favourites are the ballet type and the very light strap sandals indeed.
But...I just am not crazy about shoes. Maybe every girl has a craziness of her own.
Mine is for accessories...
Or maybe I still haven’t found a Prince, Charming enough to buy me a pair of crystal slippers whenever I wish ;)
In any case - Paolo Nutini's "New Shoes" always gets me in the dancing-jumping-smiling mood :)As a pair of new shoes does, by the way...

laziest weekend ever...

Just spent the most amazingly lazy Sunday in my life so far.
Anca and me whent to Bisha's house for dinner yesterday...
Got totally high on wine (and a bit of Baileys).
Bulgarian rakia was the absolute hit, everyone taking shots (although i told them they should drink it slowly)...the alcohol in it being around 50 degree...it is easy to grasp that everyone was so happy and smiling and high in no time ;)
Then...after the alcoholic devastation, we woke up at around 1 and were about to leave...but then we had lunch...then chai and sweet conversations ranging from matrimonials to what are our plans for the near future and from Indian sweets to politics and Dracula (Anca is Romanian after all) and business plans.
Then, when I almost believed we are starting back for Gurgaon, we decided to have dinner...Ridz's cousin Suhil who is working in a hotel, made this amazing mutton with coconut juice...All in all this guy was pretty much spoiling us - making pancakes, tea, chicken soup :)
All in all - we did nothing but chill the whole day...
It was probably the first time that I have had such a lazy day...and I loved it :)

catch the fleeting moments

The colourful kites in the fading Jodhpur sky.
Freedom re-defined.
Marble as thin and subtle as a whisper.
Simple daal and rice eaten with fingers and thus so delicious.
Blissful mornings with coffee and meaningless conversations with meaningful people.
The colours of Rajastan.
Melancholy of fading splendour.
Being tired from too much beauty.
These people. Their smiles, their gestures,their words.
true moments of fleeting happiness I just managed to catch :)

Almost single...looking for a Punjabi ;)

Reading "Almsot single" has been enough fun, yet who knew that i could be involved in a husband-hunt in real life.
Today, after a very agitated discussion over lunch my two bosses decided that I am a true Punjabi girl.
I behave like a Pujabi (understand - make dramatic gestures and wobble my head)
I talk like Punjabi
I eat like Punjabi (tandoori chicken is among my favourites, yet i have heard that Punjabi food is generally very oily)
I dress like Punjabi
Well...I really have no clue ...I had to take their word for it for the sake of everyone's entertainment.
The most funny part was when they decided to get me a registration in one of these matrimonial sites , put a picture and get me a Punjabi husband :))))
Then, I could live in a big house, have a Mercedes and a washing machine to make lassie in (i couldn't actually believe it, but it turned out that these people really use washing machines to make lassie!)
So...that's the news...I am going to wait for my filthy rich and pretty hairy Punj prince to come on a white horse...or rather a white BMW :)))

Tonight...

Too much sex yet too little erotica...
So sad :(

Rickshaw on demand :)

Some time ago Peter was joking that he will start a business with rickshaws-on-demand.
You just dial a number and a luxurious rickshaw comes at your door!:)
Now, it seems that this brilliant business plan is already being realized by some people...
I want to try it as soon as possible ;)

Candy shop

He was so cute.
Like a kid in a candy shop.
Too many sweets, and no idea what to choose...

India...4 months later

Well, here I am.
A little more than 4 months since my journey began.
It would be an understatement to say "I learned a lot".
Probably I will be able to understand how much I have learned after some time...
I also cannot say that I am able to understand India.This is a country so colourful and diverse, so full of contardictions and contrasts, that you cannot ever say you have figured it out.
My feelings for India are as contrast as that - there are things I love and things I hate, but for sure I feel strong for that country and for its future. I kind of feel it as a second home already:)
What happened in these 4 months...
I went to some places I have never imagined that I will go.
Udaipur, Jaipur, Rishikesh, Nainital, Agra, Kajiraho, McLeaod Ganj...
Done crazy things (like jumping into Ganges)and rafting.
Laughed a lot. Cried a bit.
Partied hard.
Met some amazing people.Made some friends maybe.
Got enchanted by people. Got dissapointed by people.
Made stupid mistakes. Forgave.
Learned a few Hindi words.
Almost got used to spicy food.
Been disturbed. Achieved peace of mind.
Got a few steps closer to happiness.
I have a tentative plan where I want to go. It might be changed overnight.
That's the beauty of it.
Now it is more important to live.
Cause it is, for sure, a pretty exciting life!

Cute doggie :)

One thing I really hate about Indian TV channels is that commercials are so much and so annoying you can never watch a movie properly without being interrupted.
However, lately I just love that Vodafone commercial.
Cute doggie, ain't it, yar ;)

Happy Holi :)

Yesterday we celebrated Holi or Festival of Colours.
It is a holiday all across North India that marks the beginning of spring and it is among the most colourful and amusing of all holidays in the country.
On Holi everyone here plays with the colours of the rainbow. Coloured powder is available for 10 rupees everywhere, so are water-guns that people fill with coloured water :)
To be prepared for the colourful war that was about to burst during the day, we put some old clothes and put some coconut oil on our bodies so the paint didn't stick ;) Unfortunately our landlord and his brother took us by surprise and ...you can see what we were like before we even left for the real party :)
The real party was in a farmhouse near Delhi...with a nice lawn and pool. We had drinks and food included in the entrance free and a DJ...so it was the party anyone could dream of. Of course it went mad at some point, after we had "bang" (lasie with marijuana) served. The pool was full of people dancing and the water had the incredible colour of...something indescribable :) (i don't dare to think what the chemical elements in the water were :) )
Well...I don't believe I am going to play with colours again...it is a bit too messy. Yet it was a life-time experience I would recommend to everyone :)

Gurgaon Malls crazy shopping day

You wouldn't expect me to write for such things while in India, would you ;) Well...truth is that I needed to buy some things, as I didn't take too many clothes from home. And you have to somehow fit into the local style, right:)
The "mall street" is rather close to my place, so I took a cycle-rikshaw and was there in 10 minutes.
I was just buying some Hindi-phrasebook in a large bookstore, when I saw two of the AIESEC trainees here - Natalia and Ania from Ukraine.
And...there it began - six (yep, you read it right) six hours of wild shopping. We managed to visit 3 of the malls. It was rather interesting for me, as although malls look the same all over the world, here there was a traditional Indian fabrics and dresses section in each of the garment stores. And it was so colourful and beautiful...And, unlike malls back home, prices were indeed quite reasonable :)
I bought some nice shirts and shalvars :) Scarves...of course...
I am strating to really fall in love with the place!

India...the beginning

It has been I long time since I haven't updated this blog. The reason is one – no time for blogging, as I am in India already.
I arrived in Gurgaon (some 20 minutes by car from Delhi) early on Thursday morning. My first adventure was getting to my place, as there was noone to pick me up at the airport. It was a bit scary to travel in a taxi in the dark, deserted streets of a completely unknown town. But – all's well that ends well and I reached safely and was met by Andre (I felt a bit guilty on waking him up), my collegue that will be working for Alcatel-Lucent in Bangalore. Honestly, he is really precious – helped me a lot in my first days...Just now it is that I fully realise how important it is to help someone integrate when on a traineeship. And this is, undoubtedly done best by other trainees, who have experienced that before.
I already had some taste of Delhi nightlife, as Friday night we went to a very nice club – Urban Pind. AIESEC interns seem to hang out there a lot...and there is always a bunsch of colourful expatriates I was told.
During the weekend we explored Delhi and went to a craft-festival in a nearby city – Faridhabad. It was so awesome – colourful, crowded and beautiful. And it was really huge – we were going around the place for 4 hours!
I am slowly starting to arrange things for my stay here and getting into daily work routine. It is really interesting – i already attended some of the meeting in the Corporate communications department. I still need to do so much reading, but I guess I will handle it fast. And the people at work are really positive and friendly, which makes learning easier :)
Well, this is about the end of my update. Actually, a strange melancholic mood is overcoming me the last two days – maybe because I am starting to miss home. Yet, I will get over it – a huge adventure lies ahead :)

What customers really want :)

One friend sent me this a while ago and I think it perfectly illustrates the miscommunication between a customer and the different departments of a company...:)
Note: I changed the template of my blog...it was too dark and gloomy, this one is quite better - lemon fresh ;)

My snobbish self

Not so many of us have a noble background. If you have ever dreamt of becoming a Duchess or a Vicount, but your family tree somehow doesn't allow it, visit this site.
Being an aristocrat has never been so easy, eh ;)

How do I look ;)

I had some fun making that avatar here.
Try it, it is cool!

Oh, what a night!

This is just to give you a tiny hint of the crazy party I went to yesterday night. It was a double birthday party:) I think that maybe 30 or 40 people came and we were dancing like crazy :) Just great!

Popular songs Buena Vista style

Recently I came across a very nice compilation of popular songs.
But not just another boring "Best" CD, yet a very fresh one.
Cause all the songs are made in the style of Buena Vista :)
So, even the melancholic Coldplay might sound quite lively :)
Enjoy!

I am clever. It is proven ;)

Funny that I haven't taken the time to take an IQ test so far.
I decided to do it today, as tomorrow I will be going to an intervew for an International sales position which includes an intelligence test.
So, after two tests (sorry, I was too tired to do more) I scored somewhere between 115 and 122 points which, put into words, must mean that I am above the average intelligence level :)
However, I strongly believe emotional intelligence is also important, so I would also search for some EQ tests. Suggestions anyone?

The 200 post - It seems I am addicted to blogging after all :)

72%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Sacramento Singles from Mingle²

August press-clipping ;)

As you might know part of my job is to read newspapers. And look what I found - an article dedicated to me :) In case you feel as self-centred as me or just if you want to see how it feels to be a journalist - click here.
Enjoy and remember - do not manipulate the readers!

Friends in need are friends indeed :)

In that case the need was to drink some cocktails...
Thank you Reidi and Pe :)

My weekend in pictures: Saturday

Interesting food info in Borovetz

The Samokov hotel

The "You are not alone" campaign is well integrated in selling real estate

The jeeps for our extreme-safari

Picnic time ;)

Me (almost) on top of the world

Folklore festival in the Sofia centre

Today was a really wonderful day :)
After the Trabi show, I finally found time to read some papers (yes, I am working at a newspaper, but rarely have time to red one ;)).
Then, with my collegue Assya (a very talented designer by the way)we went to a folklore festival organized in the city centre.
It was rather cool, there were groups from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Italy, Venezuela, China, Korea, Armenia.
The guys from Venezuela really made me go crazy. I just feel I need to learn Spanish and all kinds of latin dances.
I love salsa ( although in the last month I haven't been to serious with my salsa lessons).
Then, after Chambao and Belen Maya I got so inspired to start with flamenco.
And with Gotan project - tango :)

Anyways - the stupid thing about the festival was again the organization. First - mineral water was sold at a double price. Second - nobody thought that someone from the 500 people gathered around the park might need a toilet. Or a bench to sit.
I wonder when we will learn to do things in the proper way in Bulgaria...

Trabi's 50th birthday

Today I went to a show, celebrating the 50th anniversary of this legendary East German car - The Trabi.
For those of you that know something - no need to explain.
For all the others who are seeing that "thing" for the first time - Wikipedia has some interesting stories to tell.
Who said small cars aren't in fashion ;)

The song that expresses my mood lately :)

Mika - Grace Kelly lyrics

In case you want to sing along.
Here is the video.

Chilling out

This weekend I really felt the summer for the first time here in Sofia.
I mean summer in its "chill out" sense.
I listened to nice music - Arabic chillout, Gotan project and Chambao.
I read two e -mails - from Emo (who is in Dubai) and from Mimka (that one reminded me so much of my visit to Krakow). They made me happy :)
I made a small present to a friend.
I met some friends and we went to the wonderful places like
Coffee house where I drank delicious Ice-vanilla.
I drank Mojito in the late afternoon.
I went to Mediterani and sat there, on the leather sofas, in the coolness of the cellar, listening to relaxing music.
I strolled to the park (Borisova garden) and walked barefooted on the grass. I found a bench and sat reading there. I was observing the people. Writing. Listening to music.
I went to drink mint and sprite with some friends at a very nice part of the park - Lodki. It was as if the time had stopped and I was not quite sure we are in Sofia, actually.
Then I took the long way home with Mitko. We walked for about 30 minutes through dusky and almost deserted Sofia boulevards.
Amazing :)

Gay bachelor's party - WTF?

Yesterday I was invited to a gay bachelor's party.
I dunno why immediately when I heard the invitation I pictured myself among 20 gays and lesbians and one stupid man-streaper.
It gave me the shivers just to imagine that:)
And I am not homo-fobic.
Let's just say - enough is enough for now with gay friends!

A little international afternoon :)

Today I accidentially decided to go out for coffee with Stassy. Should have guessed that she is going to bring some Erasmus students along...
So here we were - me, Stassy, Galya , Jasmina (Austria), Sebastian (Germany) and a Spanish girl (whose name I forgot, but she was sweet).
We went to Apart:mental - it was rather nice, seemed that the teens don't go there so much already. I drank coffee with some liqueur - I do not know what do they do - but it is always marvelous!
We talked a lot about traveling, well...let's say already I have some kind of ideas for travel plans for the summer...Istanbul, Budapest and Belgrade were the first three destination. No it is all a matter of organizing ourselves.Which...indeed is not so easy, but we have to manage!
Then, we went into the nearby garden of "Ugo" where we met Mareike with two other Germans. The girl happened to write a thesis on Media issues and she had met two of my collegues!The world is really so small:)
Then, Vladi promised to drive us home with his car. Yet, he is not a very experienced driver and not without the help of Stassy we got lost 2 times:) It was great fun though!
Tomorrow I am leaving for Turnovo:) I intend to explore some of the streets of the old part of the town I haven't been to...Keep fingers crossed for good weather and expect pictures :)

Truffels extermination :)

Today we made an improvised visit to Bonjour shop and Stel4eto bought a box of chocolate truffels.
I love chocolate, and truffels are one very nice way to consume chocolate...
Obviously - it was the same with Sevi and Stel4eto - so in less than 5 minutes the truffles were gone and we were covered with chocolate :)
Here is a short photo-story of this notable event!

Let us see what is in the box...


Sevi: "I hope this doesn't have too much calories in it..."


Well, who cares anyway ...


How come they disappeared so fast? :)

Hoops and Yoyo

Yes yes yes
I know that you may know these guys pretty well, but I found them yesterday.
I love the e-cards with these well ...I don't really know what to call them...hm...Creatures "Hoops and YoYo".
I first came upon the "A million thanks" card. I was rolling on the floor with laughter (especially when they are taking a breath).
And yesterday, the toughest day of the week (as we are puting the paper together) was just a Sarcastic Wednesday, pardon Thursday.
I still dind't have time to browse the website but I really like these guys - they are annoyingly sweet or sweetly annoying...
Well, whatever :)

Planning and random weekend ideas :P

Well, I admit that I have never been so good in planning.
But some plans (or just random weekend ideas) are starting to form in my mind...
Let's see:

This weekend - I have to clean my room, which will take a bit of time...i guess.Then, I will most probably stay home. Maybe visit Koprivshtica on Sunday.

Next weekend ...hm, 21st is a full-time working day.But I might take it off, as I didn't have time to rest at Easter. There is at least to good reasons to visit Varna this weekend. 1st one - there is a Salsa festival, 2nd (more important) - Mury is coming back from the ship...Lots of things we have to share...

Then, comes the 28-29th weekend. No plan for then...except maybe going to see the guys from Capital playing football. Would be great fun:)

The first of weekend of May is a national holiday again (Gergiovden). Megan suggested going to Rodopi mountains. I would love to...

May is not very well planned, but for June i have quite a plan!

1st june (children's day;P) - INXS concert in Sofia

The week after - visit to Krakow to see Mimka and have some rest from work

18th june - PLACEBO concert. I missed the first one, I am definitely NOT missing that one!

Now, in the meantime I accept all kinds of fresh ideas for spending the little free time I have :)

le monde fou ( random examples that the world has gon crazy:) )

And I like it indeed :)
A pinch of madness brings spice to the daily routine...
So let's see:

My roomate Radi decided to get a new haircut. It was around 2 a.m..So - she just pretended to be a harirdresser and cut her hair off:) I wouldn't risk:)

***
At work, we have those water dispensing machines.The rule is that at each floor a certain amount of water is consumed weekly, otherwise they do not install a machine.And yesterday I saw one of my collegues to pour water from the machine and then - out of the window!She had to do it, otherwise - no water machine. Yet I still consider this a bit irresponsible:)

***
Yesterday in the morning I just decided that I want to go to Plovdiv. Thanks to the sweet Angel who agreed to host me for a night...I have packed my bag and I am leaving in les than 10 hours. Yupeeee :)

Funny videos on youtube

Yesterday, while searching for the "Happy feet" trailer on YouTude, I accidentially came accross The Brothers McLeod Show.
These guys have some really funny pieces - at some points of The M man I was laughing out loud.
Other personal favourites are A history of Rock and Fuggy Fuggy 1.
Enjoy:)

Happy feet

Yep :)
I just watched the movie.
And this video is literally "breaking the ice"
Hihi

Potty training

I just love this Reuters picture called "potty training" - it makes me laugh so much:)
Enjoy the teamwork and have a very sunny weekend!

Just a glimpse of the beauty

I just had to post some pictures from the Ice show...
Ain't it amazing?!

One amazing week in one post

Well, I have been a bit lazy this week in blogging.But I will try to sum it up in one post.
It has been quite a strange week for me - without a proper desire to work- i guess there are times like that that you can heardly concentrate. Yet, seems it was good in terms of my job - as I understood from my boss my salary is rising (just a bit:P) and this - in a way - means they are satisfied with my work. I also understood that in future I will have to write extensively in the i-net isssue and keep a real estate blog. Seems like a great challenge to me, so I am gonna give it a try. I was a bit disappointed with some stuff happening in the office, but, as I talked to friends they all told me that it is like that everywhere...
But, my word was not for work though.

Social life:) This week seems to be quite full, compared to previous one. And really nice.

On tuesday, I went to a very pleasant Cuban night in one new place - Tea house. It was like a dream come true - Cuban music (not only salsa),Cuban food ( i ate ham with caramel and pineapple:) ) and ...of course RUM! No pics of course, I was too busy to enjoy!Just one, made by my collegue - to give u an idea of what the place feels like.
Then, to skip the working week ...friday night was an experience - we went with a friends to eat Chineese. I once again thought how much I love the Chineese people for that wonderful food:)After, we moved to a place that I cannot call exactly a bar, as it is a bit too underground. It is called "Hambara" (something like a "Barn)and it lit only by candles. I met some people I haven't seen for a long time.And we had a few nice drinks and talks.


Later, we moved to a disco - "Alcohol". It was cool, though crowded and the music was strange - too much techno.However - we really had a good time there as well.
Saturday was tres legere - again walking around, shopping, eating sweet stuf ...mmm:)
And today - a wonderful ending of the week. I went to drink coffee at one of my favourate places - ONDA. Met a friend there,whom I thought gone abroad.
The evening was full of beauty, as we went to watch the Bulgarian ice-skating champions - Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavisky. They were marvelous!So much beauty and grace...it was as if I was in another world. Besides them there were some other couples - an Italian one (these guys, I can bet, were born on ice!), a Russsian one (he was swinging the girl in such a dangerous way...I couldn't watch), an Ukrainian one ( they did amazing acrobatics, I have never imagined that someone can balance on ice like that). There were also some other Bulgarian skater - they were also pretty talented. And two funny French guys. One of them danced pretending to be a 3-year old girl.He had this pink ballet skirt - so funny:)
Of course, my camer was not good enough to make proper pictures, but soon I hope to receive some from friends I was with. But just if you have some time...and to give you a very little idea of the experience I had - see Albena and Maxim perform their free dance at the 2006 olympics. Enjoy!
And have an inspired week, full of beauty:)

Deadlines...

Do you keep your deadlines.
I think I know very few people who always manage to stick to them.
So - this is for all of us, who have sometimes missed a deadline (even if it is only for an hour or two) - if I have to paraphrase the famous saying - Life is what happens while we are struggling to meet deadlines.

La vie en rose...or some reasons for me to be happy

No, I am not in love, as supposed by the Edith Piaf lyrics :)
But I have some reasons to be happy:
-I have a french exam tomorrow. Don't ask.Not so much prepared as I should be. Yet I am not giving up the French, not because everyone is mocking me "what is that special interest in French" and "are you studying oral French only":)

- After the exam I might go to a "Cuban night" at a very nice bar - tea house. I heard some interesting things about the event. Will put some pics on flikr if I go:)



- On sunday - I have a ticket for the Ice-skating show by the Bulgarian star-couple - Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavinski. They just came back with a bronze medal from the European championship ( I heard it was not a very fair decision for the Russians to win the silver, but I would rather not comment, as I really do not understand the criteria and besides - haven't watched the competition). I cannot wait to see the show - promises to be really beautiful.

- There is an exhibition of Leaonardo Da Vinci's works - presenting him not as an artis,but as a scientist. I will find some time and visit it.

And...well, it seems finally the winter is here. The cold wind is blowing. No snow yet:(I hope it will soon come, though my shoes just let me down yesterday:)

Warholise Me

I found this sweet application (made again by guess who - Google of course:) )
And decided to worholise myself - the result is rather funny:)

The truth about dinosaurs :)

Bulgaria-trying to brand itself as a country - not very successful so far...

I have been to at least 10 discussions (including university, specialised tourism conferences, private conversations etc.) where the vague image of Bulgaria was commented.So I was really happy when I heard of a website, givving the opportunity to young people to show there image of Bulgaria, to change something if they do not like it.
I was really curious and inspired...Until I found this video. It has the ambition to show the country from a different angle, it is really funny indeed, yet I am not sure what I would think for that country if I was a foreigner...
For sure I will think "what a strange place"...and feel a pity for the people living there...
There are, of course, some "PR clips" of the country - like this one.
Yet...they seem to me a bit too artificial.
As are the Bulgarian EU accession videos - like this - I like the beginning,but at the end it really skrews up the whole thing...Why do I, as a Bulgarian, need someone to place a huge dot in the middle of Europe and tell me that "I am there" (that is what the words in the dot mean in Bulgarian).Will this make me feel "more" European.
I doubt it...especially when I can see such scenes in my country...
Doesn't it look a bit more Oriental to you :)

Good reasons to visit Bulgaria

According to the Bulgarian news site Novinite, foreigners are going to flock to Bulgaria to buy the magic breast-growing "boza" drink.
Well, for those who don't know - it usually goes with the "banichka" (a kind of traditional and very oily pastry).
The survival test for trainees coming to Bulgaria is having "banichka" and "boza". If thew do not puke, they will survive...

Some fun on the internet...

Here are two nice things I found on the internet:)
The first one is a website called "kawaii not", which I learned means something like "not sweet". It has some really cute cartoons, with some really nasty ideas behind them.Check it out:)
The second site is of the conceptual photographer Dave Nitsche. A bit freaky, yet I like it:)

Freaky stuff

Today I received two rather freaky offers:

I was invited to go to a trans-sexual party on Saturday with a gay and some guy I do not even know

Yet, that was not all

I was offered by a gay to become a mother of his in-vitro child as soon as possible!

I am reaaaaly starting to think things are getting out of control here:)

New Year's Eve Party

This New Year's eve celebration proved once more the fact that the best parties come when you do not plan them:) I had no idea exactly with whom I am going to spend the night between 31 December 2006 and the 1 January 2007. A very memorable night for the Bulgarians indeed, as the country is entering the EU.

At the end, I found myself in a very nice apartment in an old apartment building in the very centre of Sofia. The place reminded me of some 60-ies club, or as a friend said "a party from the old bulgarian movies". It was rather hippie-like and cool. I didn't know the hosts,yet we met and the wine easily broke the ice between (if there was any ice). The music was what I can summarize as "alternative", which brought me at least 6 years back to a place in Veliko Turnovo - Spider club - where we used to go and listen to our favourite music ( it's a pity it does not exist any more).

At around 11 p.m. we went to the Batemberg square to watch the lights show that was to celebrate Bulgaria's entry to the Eu.There were around 100 000 at the square - everyone cheerful, drinking wine or champaigne and expecting the final countdown of the last minutes of the year.

Beautiful firewors and lazer lights beamed in the sky - I bet it was the biggest show of its kind ever to be done in Bulgaria.

You might try and have a look at some videos of it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyOQ_9XFqaI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IliWkak1tXY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7JeKE2bikE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEtnBdsIGmU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht2_AZu5RXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi2B_Nm6-jc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yYa5y6FqTo

It is a pity that the sounds were not as good as the lights and we could not hear almost anything

:(

On our way back we went to a friend and drank a bottle of wine, just "by the way"...

Actually the pictures speak for themselves:)

Parle vous...?

On Monday I went to the French Institute to join a French class (beginner level of course). It was an awful experience for several reasons:
- the girls at the Intsitute were very impolite - behaving as if we ( I was with one collegue) owed them something
- they charged us 10 levs for the so called "entry test", meant to check our entry level so we are able to join the appropriate group ( sadly, nothing was said for the price of the test on the website:( )
- I had to pass through the above mentioned test, and I felt really really stupid, not knowing how to compose a very simple sentence in French. Excuse-moi:(
- finally, when we paid for the course, they gave us cards...and 5 minutes after I realised I had already lost mine
And, I am finally so happy that two of my evenings will be full of French classess.Almost no free time left...
Anyways, I like the idea of starting something new, as I feel a bit stuck at the moment.
Why French - everyone has been trying to explain that I don't need it, that I will forget it if I do not practice...but - I just like it:) Do I need more reasons for studying?

Make the world a better place:)

In case you are wondering how to do it...
These guys have already come up with a fresh idea:)
And don't wait till 22nd December:)
The world needs URGENT action:P

Sushi XP

I had a very nice Sushi XP with Boris and Angel :)
I had a chat some time ago with Angel and he promised he will cook for me. To my surprise, he kept his promise and on coming to Sofia this weekend announced "I will teach u how to prepare sushi"
And then, I was sent for products (it was too good to be true - a guy cooking and having all the products ready :P)I had to buy cucumbers, salmon and avocado. I went through the whole ciry centre without finding the avocado (and reseived a solid reproach from the cook afterwards).
Then, the preparation was cool. Angel had brought with him some sticks and taought us how to eat with them ( my favourite part was me, dropping the food in the soya sause, as Boris didn't stop bulshitting:)- it wasn't a very elegant way of eating, anyway...)
Indeed, what I think is needed for a good sushi might be the following:
rice (special type)
fish
cucumbers
special seaweed to stuff the rice in
avocado (if u can find)
a nice guy, willing to teach u how to cook (REQUIRED)
another nice guy, doing nothing but making u laugh (PREFERRED)
Well, I guess the "sushi" lovers already have 1000 reasons to hate me, so I will stop here.
Just before I leave - a HUGE THANK YOU , guys, for the sushi XP ( better than AIESEC XP maybe :) ). I hope u enjoyed it as much as I did!

That's why I hate logic :P

WEll, if we are following logic in our lives, see what happens:

***
Human=Dining+Sleep+Work+Play

Pig=Dining+Sleep

According to above: Human=Pig+Work+Play
So:Human-Play=Pig+Work

Conclusion: Human without play=Pig with work!

Man=Dining+Sleep+Make money
Pig=Dining+Sleep
According to above: Man=Pig+Make Money
Pig=Man-Make Money
Conclusion: Man without make money=Pig

Woman=Dining+Sleep+Spend money
Pig=Dining+Sleep

According to above: Woman=Pig+Spend money or Woman - Spend money=Pig

Conclusion: Women without spending money =Pig

Final conclusion:
To make woman not become a pig, Man make money！
To make man not become a pig, woman spend money！
Man+Woman=2 pigs

FINAL CONCLUSION: Do not be TOO LOGICAL :)

Tagged, or whatever it is called:)

Well, as I seem to be tagged (or whatever it is called - i will be really thankful if someone explains me this:)as I am a new blogger)by Geri...so I guess I have to continue :)
So, without further ado:
I am thinking about... something I just read…

I said...to the person I really love in such a crazy way "Here is the lyrics of Post Blue by Placebo, just to let u know how I feel, just in case u care"

I want to...get rid of the part of myself that makes me too melancolic and prone to depressions and crying at times.

I wish....people took more time to get to know each other on a personal level.

I miss...my childhood days.

I hear... the lamps in the office whispering, my collegue arranging a beer with his friend on the phone.

I wonder...if I will soon meet someone that will be able to love at least with the half of the love I could give.

I regret…...that sometimes I am thinking too much for stupid stuff.

I am... just Sve - a whole tiny little world to be discovered. Anyone interested?

I dance...sometimes at home, sometimes in the office, on the streets when I listen to cuban music...and in discos.I usually go crazy. I was meant to be a dancer.Too bad I do not have the figure for that:)

I sing...in the shower of course. And on the streets. And love singing - it is a gift of God.


I cry...too much. And often, when I cry, I feel something just breaks in me.In a way that my soul hurts.

I am not always...sure I am a person that you would call "normal"

I write...to understand myself and the world around me. To ease the pain.

I confuse...well, last thing I confused was the name of a very important guy and his secretary called and shouted at me.

I need...a long break with the things that are part of my world. New and interesting people to know.

I should try...being more bitchy:)
I finish...this post with the hope that I will be able to post interesting posts soon (no time...:()

My new office with a smile:)

The sign says "editor's office" in Bulgarian. I found it in one bar, where this is actually the entrance to the toilet:)

OMG:P

What age are we living in...

Ice cream cemetery

and
Advice how to make bloggers notice your ad:)

11th Balkan Youth Festival

A little more than a month left to the start of the 11th Balkan Youth Festival.
I have taken part in the 9th one (which was the last to be held in Gabrovo) as a facilitator and I have very sweet memories from there:
...using my creativity to make a group of 45-year-old ladies and 18-year-old teenagers reach one conclusion on the role of young people in the media
...preparing a presentation on Johnny's laptop that didn't have Bulgarian phonetic and I had to learn BDS overnight:)
...being a roommate with Mimka and having great fun (while discussing the guys from the Italian metal band), building a friendship that is going to last
...meeting about a hundred crazy volunteers, scouts and hanging around with them
...having great parties at "Hot Spot"
...meeting (completely by chance) Emo from PIF - oh, these beautiful eyes:)
...getting to know "KariZma" and seeing Miro dance on a bar and waiting with a crazy teenager girl for him to be announced a scout in 7.30 in the morn:P
And the trip to Sokolovo monastery and "Etara" ethnographic museum of course...
And then, previous year - 2005, the first festival in Sandanski.
...the first business meeting with Emi that lasted...i don't know how many hours but at the end I was wondering how this thing is going to happen when this woman is so chaotic
...the dilema - to go or not to go to Sandanski. I had to prepare a national seminar, one week before it we didn't have a chair, and a huge conflict was growing within my team.AI visit was ahead. Maybe some people considered my decision irresponsible, yet I do not regret it.
...getting to Sandanski and Vladi meeting me in front of the office - we haven't seen each other after India and he asked me so many questions.
...the office, the frustrated Plami and Stassy, that had expected to come on a holiday and were really stressed that they have to really facilitate
...the night walks and the rope-bridges.Not knowing if this is a reality or a dream.It was so wonderful
...the "Nekerman" (this is how we jokingly called it) hotel and the mineral fountain in front, good that I managed to prevent Vladi to get inside, yet I remember me,Manola and Maya getting in to one other fountain to cool our feet:)
...sprankling my ankle just before the trip to Melnik and Rojen monastery.Manola giving me first aid:)
...climing the hills to reach "Shestaka's cellar" where we drank the best red wine I have ever tasted and sang Bulgarian traditional songs
...the picnic at Rojen monastery.The incredible beauty and atmosphere of the place.The silence in the coridoors and me sitting in what used to be the monastery kitchen, crying over my broken heart and wishing I could capsulate the moments of happines forever.
...the nights with the fire-jugglers "Youth in Fire", the smell of gasoline at the stage and the crazy party at the night before I left with them singing, drinking, drumming.
...Doni and his wonderful voice and how he chased Stassy, how desperate he was and how in love she was with another guy...
...Ece getting a bit drunk and us all going to bed together along with Emo - one of the volonteers as it was too late for him to go back to where he was staying.
And so much more...
This year - me translating the festival invitation at my birthday:)
Wish I knew what is awaiting me at the 11th festival:)