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A magic moment, and some random stuff
May. 28th, 2010 05:53 amThe magic moment was truly magic. I woke up today at 4.45 -- sounds horrible, but I'd slept like a stone for a little more than 6 hrs -- and dawn was just beginning. The birds were singing in the forest, and from far away the voice of the muezzin was wafting through that crazy chirping and singing. No other sound. So, so beautiful.
Yesterday, on the other hand, was anything but magic. Nothing makes me more tired and tense than a series of meetings, and that's what I got yesterday. It started with a presentation of the Austrian/Slovak proposal for a twinning project (1 h), continued with Schengen consular meeting (another hour), then back to the Embassy and, 30 minutes after I'd arrived there, 1,5 hrs of meeting between boss and the leader of a newly founded party. In Macedonian, and I had to take notes. It wasn't overly interesting but incredibly stressful. Then Macedonian lesson -- bliss! -- and then meeting with EVN representatives. This one took the biscuit. It took place at the Ambassador's office, and for some unfathomable reason nobody had bothered to open a window. The office faces south-west. I was a bit late, due to Macedonia lesson, and when I entered the room I thought I was going to faint: 25 square metres, at least 35°, 6 people in there, of wich 4 males. Like a locker room. Eurgh. I excused myself after half an hour, because I felt that, if I stayed a minute longer, I was going to vomit on somebody's shoes.
But then I went to play tennis at 6, and all was well. The temperature was still 30°, and I gulped 1,5 litres of water in only one hour. Yes, I sweat like a horse. And, much though I hate wearing anything around or on my head, I *must* get a bandanna, because sweat running into my eyes and burning like hell is even worse than wearing the bloody thing. After tennis, I walked half of the way home, so as to cool down. Despite the dry heat, I would've steamed up the windows of a taxi in no time (been there, done that).
After getting home I prepared a very large batch of pasta with green peppers, new garlic, new onion, new leeks and tomatoes. Unfit for human company afterwards, but it tasted great. People really should think twice before saying that healthy food can't be tasty. Bullshit.
I'm already looking forward to today: I'd planned to go to Thessaloniki, as an official, work-related trip, because I need to buy things I don't get here for the residence, but had completely forgotten that Blerim, the driver, needs a visa. So no trip today, but since I'd blocked the day on my diary, there aren't any appointments. Except the one I made yesterday with the tailor, who now ought to have the rest of my things ready.
Weekend looks good, too. If the forecast is correct the weather should be fine, which means tennis on Saturday and Sunday (at 1 p.m. -- will have to take two big bottles of water...), and going to see Ursula later on Saturday. Lots of Macedonian, since I was being a bad student last weekend and didn't do anything. Must not lose status of Best Student Ever with Dalibor. Yes, I'm competitive like that ;-)
Yesterday, on the other hand, was anything but magic. Nothing makes me more tired and tense than a series of meetings, and that's what I got yesterday. It started with a presentation of the Austrian/Slovak proposal for a twinning project (1 h), continued with Schengen consular meeting (another hour), then back to the Embassy and, 30 minutes after I'd arrived there, 1,5 hrs of meeting between boss and the leader of a newly founded party. In Macedonian, and I had to take notes. It wasn't overly interesting but incredibly stressful. Then Macedonian lesson -- bliss! -- and then meeting with EVN representatives. This one took the biscuit. It took place at the Ambassador's office, and for some unfathomable reason nobody had bothered to open a window. The office faces south-west. I was a bit late, due to Macedonia lesson, and when I entered the room I thought I was going to faint: 25 square metres, at least 35°, 6 people in there, of wich 4 males. Like a locker room. Eurgh. I excused myself after half an hour, because I felt that, if I stayed a minute longer, I was going to vomit on somebody's shoes.
But then I went to play tennis at 6, and all was well. The temperature was still 30°, and I gulped 1,5 litres of water in only one hour. Yes, I sweat like a horse. And, much though I hate wearing anything around or on my head, I *must* get a bandanna, because sweat running into my eyes and burning like hell is even worse than wearing the bloody thing. After tennis, I walked half of the way home, so as to cool down. Despite the dry heat, I would've steamed up the windows of a taxi in no time (been there, done that).
After getting home I prepared a very large batch of pasta with green peppers, new garlic, new onion, new leeks and tomatoes. Unfit for human company afterwards, but it tasted great. People really should think twice before saying that healthy food can't be tasty. Bullshit.
I'm already looking forward to today: I'd planned to go to Thessaloniki, as an official, work-related trip, because I need to buy things I don't get here for the residence, but had completely forgotten that Blerim, the driver, needs a visa. So no trip today, but since I'd blocked the day on my diary, there aren't any appointments. Except the one I made yesterday with the tailor, who now ought to have the rest of my things ready.
Weekend looks good, too. If the forecast is correct the weather should be fine, which means tennis on Saturday and Sunday (at 1 p.m. -- will have to take two big bottles of water...), and going to see Ursula later on Saturday. Lots of Macedonian, since I was being a bad student last weekend and didn't do anything. Must not lose status of Best Student Ever with Dalibor. Yes, I'm competitive like that ;-)
