A few job interviews

Since I turned down the offer in the Haut-Alpes, I have been a bit down as I wasn't sure I made the right decision.

I tried to think it was a right decision. 

'You don't live to work, you work to live.'

If you ended up somewhere where you have nothing but to work, then the life would become boring.

I enjoy living here, my hubby enjoys living here with me, fortunately a bit more than a few good friends around, we feel very lucky living this environment. (and the sun and the beach contribute to it too! )

Luckily I posted a few job offers in this region recently which seemed like good for me. I had an interviews, which seems like a slow process, but I am hoping to get a positive result.

On the side, I take on some translation work at home from time to time, but it doesn't motivate me much because

• The agency tends to negotiate the rate almost all the time. Some agencies always lower the rate, despite the speciality and the quality
• It's always tight schedule which resulted me to have a few sleepless nights.
• It's never a good return per hour despite the hours and efforts you spent
• Never get any feedback. 

The agency don't give a monkey about the quality of the outcomes. Nowadays with the internet, you can take some jobs that're outside of your country but on the other hand the agencies can find someone with the lower rate elsewhere - if you don't take it, they don't care, as there's always someone else who could do it.

I am getting tired of playing games with the agencies.  I'd simply say, [Tant pis(never mind)] I'd rather let someone do this complicated time consuming job.

Revolutionary Free mobilephone

http://mobile.free.fr/
I am writing about the new mobile network I changed recently.
In France, there hasn't been any competitions in mobile network prices. 
In January 10th, Free, Internet provider launched the mobile services. 


The new service by the Free is 19.99euro for the full package (unlimited calls, sms, mms and internet via mobilephone) This can be reduced to 15.99 euro if you're already a Free customer(only 1 user per house hold) . 
There's also another offer for 2 euro for 1 hour calls and 60 texts.  This can be reduced to free for the Free customer (1 user per house hold).


My previous network is done by the Orange and I've paid 17 euro per month for 1 hour communication (or equivalent texts) That goes very quickly when my husband is away and ended up buying some credit.  My tariff is a two year contract and normal price is 20euro for 12 months but 17 when 24 months.  Which means you are tied up until your contract is up. In France, they'd also give you points depending on the price of your contract and you'd collect them until you have enough points to exchange with a new mobile phone for a small fee.  With my petty contract, I waited for three years to get a LG Android phone last February.  However, once you exchange to a new phone, this means you got renewed your contract for whatever the duration. 


It's a naughty business...


I didn't want to continue paying for 17euro for only 1 hour communication, I would rather want to have the unlimited services by FREE. So I changed! 

• called 3179 from my mobile to get the RIO number. (together they'd send you the expiry date of your existing contract)
• unlock your SIM - so that my phone accepts any SIM card.

And I signed up over the online registration. We are already using Free internet so I am applying for the reduced subscription of 15.99 euro.  A few days later, I got a Text message from orange saying that my contract terminates on 17th Jan. I was hoping that my new SIM would arrive prior to the orange disconnects the phone but a day later than it's predicted, it's arrived and some simple configuration I am on Free network.

I now use internet and call anyone anywhere I go, even cheaper than what I used to pay which is just what I was looking for.  I even use GPS navigation system while driving. The phone battery gets used up very quickly but I think all in all the usability is very smooth and I don't have any problem so far.  

The bouygues has now a subsidiary for a cheaper mobile network called be-and you. 
They have launched very similar offer 19.99 euro for complete package same as the Free,also they have 9.99 euro for two hour mobile communication and unlimited texts and 20 mb internet communication(unlimited if it's Bouygue wifi hotspots). 
It's not the same offer as the Free but it's attractive enough.  This company, if you're bouygue customers, you can change it without any restriction on your contract.


The other competitor would be the Orange, however they don't have any changes in terms of their pricing.  Last year they launched the cheaper subsidiary called Sosh and the service was quite attractive until the Free started their services.  
Their offer is currently 9.99 euro, 14.90 euro, 24.90 euro. My husband is using this and so far he does not have any problem.  Even on the TGV train, he set his mobile as tethering hub so I used internet on my mobile phone via his mobile.
The negative point to mention about the Sosh is that even if you're orange mobile customers, you cannnot switch to Sosh during your contract.  Which is a shame.....

Dillemma

I turned down the job offer. 
Although I was very interested in the position and I was willing to go but the area was very particular that didn't suit me and could potentially affect my health - as a result I had to turn down.


On top of that, we like living here in the south. 
We felt relieved not to leave this place, however, I am not sure whether my decision was right.


I felt lucky to make a visit the area before accepting the offer.  Had I not visited the area, I would have accepted the offer not knowing the situation.
I would never known whether I had made the right decision.... my job hunting continues.

Minitel

Minitel is the first home computer like in France before the internet. You'd have Yellow Page or train / flight information and many more.


This is the one my grand mother-in law has in her house, it's been there unused for quite sometimes, as she uses internet now.


I've always wanted to take a photo just to show, as I have never seen the kind before but the contents looks similar to the teletext on TV in the UK. Since the internet has become a norm for sometimes, apparently the Minitel services will be completely closed by the end of June this year... 

Happy new year!

Hope whoever read my blog continue reading it and finds it interesting.

2012's the year of Dragon.

I don't know what it signifies but i hope there won't be any natural disasters this year. And particularly those who'd been affected by the catastrophies, my thoughts are always with you and hope that everyone keep's their chin up and be positive despite the difficulties in lives.

There's always warm spring coming after the harsh cold winter.

My mum often told me this old saying.

Has anyone made this year's resolution? Me, i'd rather not to mention it here but leave it blank so that it reminds me l when I re-read it.

5th year in France this year! I should be proud of myself coping with French people and some systems but I'm beginning to feel much more comfortable here.

Somewhere out there ...Perfect life

This time the job interview in Lyon.

It's a great that i got a few job interviews in a month.

I paid the train tickets via polemploi for 10€ instead of 50€ return. The result was ... yes i've been offerred a good post which seems interesting but it involves a major relocation to a village in the middle of snowy mountains!

For the train ticket supply, looks like there's an annual limit you can use this benefit. It could be the number of time or amount you use but i don't know.  I say this as the consultant checked my account when i asked for second time and said something like 'that's ok you are still eligible'.

If you are mobile within the country, i'd suggest to make most out of this service.

Build a good relationship with the consultant. It's best if you meet the same person at the monthly meeting and show that you are seriously looking. Then they'd give you lots more information. They chose who should benefit as obviously there are many who take advantage of this.

Now, we knew it'd involve a major relocation when i applied in the first place but the question is where to? I need to consider the convenience of my hubby who makes monthly trip to paris and/or nice.

Choice a) a Fairly big city with high speed internet connection but me 1 hour +  trip (2hrs plus return) by car for work.

Choice b) a remote village with extra car to buy as each of us need a car and slow internet connection which may affect my hubby's work. Resulting more expence and the effort  for my hubby's trip. In return i have less time and cost to my commute..

Wonder if there's something in between?

Or something we both feel happy. i'm a bit confused as to what's best for our lives as a couple. Interesting job or good and happy life - can't we get both?

Joyeux Noël!

We're with my mum-in law for x'mas. We'll be going further north for a few days at gran.

We've had a great year as we were healthy and met many lovely people who inspire us alot.

Wish everyone a merry x'mas and a happy new year.

M&S's back in paris!

As I made a brief visit in Paris, I had to go and check the new Marks & Spencer shop on Champs Elyses.

It was smaller than i expected. Apparently the French liked their woman's clothes and food. If you know the UK shops, you'd be surprised to see the strange layout of the shop. All three levels are in woman's clothes and a small section on the ground floor there is a food corner they don't have much selection on food which i was very dissappointed.

But just to enjoy what i missed for ages, i picked a few things which shown on the photo. The scotch eggs! I haven't thought about this could be made at home! Luckly i didn't get caught at the airport security because of the strikes. It was yummy. My hubby who never ate one and seemed like it. All the packagings are in English and there will be more shops in the coming year. Hope they'll open one around cote d'azur.

Pole emploi - if you are prepared to relocate elsewhere...

Job hunting has been even more difficult in certain region if there're not enough posts available. I have discovered that the pole emploi provides the discounted tickets for trains (SNCF) or flights (Air France) for travels for job interviews.

All you have to do, is to bring the job interview confirmation (in French of course) to your registered pole emploi office at earliest time.  They will give you the form and you take it to the local SNCF and ask for the train tickets. 

I've got the TGV tickets return to Paris. I paid surprise surprise 3 euro for the reservation charge only. The special deal for pole emploi for this trip was 55 euro return, that's really low compared to the normal fare, this is charged directly to pole emploi and all I had to pay was the reservation charge for 3 euro! 

That would make everyone to travel for cheap rate, but you must make sure you bring the [proof document ] signed by the job interviewer (or agency) and return to pole emploi after the job interview.

They also have the access to the cheaper accommodation if you ask for it.
This time I didn't but I am interested to find out what's like....
It's a great support to increase your chance to get a job you want.  

Temp work and Ticket Resto

It's been a month since I worked at a local lux boutique and it was my last day on Sunday.  It's a replacement for someone who went on holiday for 3 weeks and I worked as a multilingual sales person.

The job involves liaise with customers, checking and sorting the delivery.  It's my first experience working as a sales but I must say it was a great opportunity for gaining skills like presentation and direct contact with customers.

The great thing about the lux boutique was that their collections are limited and as I personally love things like that, I managed to remember most of the collections by the end of 2day.  When you know what to explain to the clients, then you need to know HOW to explain so I'd copy how my colleagues are doing. If it was high street shops, the volume of the collections are so large, that I wouldn't have remembered.

Just a month working at the boutique, but I feel like I gained alot.
On top of that I've got Ticket Resto from them.  It's a voucher you can use at a restaurant.  Usually employers sibsidise some percentages and employee also contributes a small portion.  The amount per ticket is depending on the company you work for.  Mine is 8.50 euro.  When using it, it's best to buy / eat a bit more to the amount shown, as you don't get change back. 
There're no such system in England. When I worked in London, I used at the canteen most of time, you pay credits in your ID card to pay for drinks and food which are slightly cheaper than eating elsewhere.  Also there were times where I took my lunch box with me. Even when I worked at Sophia two years ago, the agency didn't provide this system. 
Well, to celebrate my first ticket resto, I invited my hubby to go to Wazakura for sushi!

 

pole emploi - regular meeting

Just had a phone call from a friend of mine who has just signed up for the ememployement benefit (chomage) and is due to have the first meeting (convocation) with them. She was asking me what to do, so for those who don't know how to do it, here is what I did over the year.

The monthly meeting with pole emploi is a mandatory.  While you receive your benefit, you either attend a training (formation professionnel) acknowledged by the pole emploi or you have a monthly meeting with them. 
The meeting is to find out what kind of job hunting activities you do and what can you do until the next meeting.  I'd advise you to list all the companies you applied (with dates applied and receive reply) so that way they know what you do.



Within the extend of your existing professional experience, you can ask for a training if it's available. It's worth asking, as they are more reactive, they don't suggest you otherwise.

I've asked for two trainings ; French language and reviewing CV to apply French culture - it was worth it, as they contacted them straight away and I got registered immediately. 


While you receive your benefit or not, you must log in to pole emploi website to declare your current status(L'Actualisation) -(period varies each month).  If you want to take time off (summer / X'mas holiday), you must tell them that you are away from job hunting and ask for the approval from the pole emploi. If you can't attend the regular meeting, you must let them know to reschedule it. 

The facility at the pole emploi is great, there are computers dedicated to pole emploi search website and print if necessary,  the photo copy machine, telephones.

I found they are very supportive as long as you show that you are seriously looking. Indeed, I have come across a few issues (mostly the paper got losts..) with them, but that's a problem in process. I've seen some people shouting at them at the pole emploi office, but that won't solve anything.. 


For foreigners who have to renew their carte de sejour every year, you need to send them a copy of the renewed card to avoid being cancelled of your registration.  If the valid date is expired while on benefit, they'll stop it - mine did and I had to send the copy several times until they re-activate my ID. That also happened after I finished my training, assuming that I got a job - not as easy as they think.

Any questions, please drop me a comment.

G20 preparation - latest info

Here's the latest info after the local meeting with Cannes mayor office.

There are two controled zones around the palais des festivals. For people who live or work within the zones require the special access badges. (this can be applied at the Cannes mayor office)


Zone 1 (Blue) : Access restricted from 23:59 31/10/2011 to 16:00 - 18:00 4/11/2011 
The palais des festivals and sourrounding areas - only the residents and the people works in the area and G20 people will have the access - with the ID.  No cars are allowed.


Zone 2 (Red) : Access restricted from 23:59 01/11/2011 to 16:00 - 18:00 4/11/2011
Other sourrounding areas - only the Zone 1 / 2 badge holders, G20 people will have the access - with the ID. Access with Cars with the relevant security authorisation - apply with the badges, same applies with taxis.  No public access into Zone 2 unless relevant badges with ID.


The Cannes station is open to public during this period - however, the bus route may be different to normal working days.


Approx. 40,000 people from over 25 countries, 7 official organisations and medias, journalists are expected to gather in small town of Cannes during this period.  The businesses within these areas are expected to be open as usual for those visitors.

Pre-G20 Cannes

 

This is just a headsup, for anyone around the world who are planning to make a visit to Cannes or surrounding area in early November, please note that the G20 is due to take place 3 -4 November that the heavy security control and restrictions are to be expected.  I've heard that many local shops within the security zone are considering to close their businesses during this period. 

As a local resident, we had to apply for some kind of ID to enter the zone.  I've never come across this but it looks like a big preparation for the host country.

I would advise you to check the tourist board info prior to your departure or avoid to come here during this period.

Chicken Kievs - missing food from England??

When I was in England, I used to be far too lazy to cook myself so I often eat out or buy ready made food.....particularly this "Chicken Kievs".  Yes, as the name tells, It's origin must be from Eastern Europe but I've seen this Kiev with different versions every major supermarkets in England(Usually buy1 get 1 free deal). I often took this classic version - garlic butter.

It's a deep fried checken breasts rolled with garlic butter. There're other versions like tomato sauce etc, I tried almosts everything but ended up buying the classic one.

There's similar one in France, called Cordon blue - with ham and cheese. I hardly eat this, as I don't get the same yummy excitement. 


My hubby says that the garlic butter in the chicken kievs taste just like the butter used in the escargot. I don't eat escargot, but I suppose the escargots need loads of garlic butter so that it doesn't taste escargot - has anyone seen any other flavour in escargot cuisine?  While with chicken kievs, I found the combination is just perfect....even better with Soya sauce!


Oh... I must make one for myself.. perhaps not so healthy food but it's yummy. 

Let's check the recipe from BBC Food

Pole emploi

While I was taking the accounting training, I was supposed to receive some daily allowance - the guy at the pole emploi told me at the beginning but nothing had happened until towards the end of the training, I found an electronic message on the official website. 

Had I not checked my page on their website, I wouldn't have known that all documents was about to be verified and the amount of money that's expected to be received. However, the end of training means that you SHOULD find a job somewhere, so they automatically disabled my account.

I then had to re-activate my account, saying that I am still looking. Meanwhile, the money that I was supposed to receive, hadn't reached me yet.  I contacted the Pole emploi what to do. They told me to send the relevant papers so I did. They said all papers have been verified so they should send my allowance shortly.............

Two months later, still nothing happened. I hesitated to ask for the money as I didn't want to sound too often or desparate, though it's always nice to have something extra which I would have received 4 months ago so eventually I did contact them.  They said no papers received. But you said it on the last email.....well but never mind.

Yet again, I said no problem, I will drop you the copy. 
Finally, the documents reached the relevant personnel and he rang me and said it should be dealt shortly.  Let's wait and see...

un petit tour du musée de Louvre

Click here for TF1 site video (only valid for 7 days)

I saw a very interesting reportage yesterday about Paris' musee Louvre - the world's most visited museum of 8.5 million visitors per year.  Just over 15 mins reportage shows some hindsights about the back of the Louvre, only 10% of its collections are on display, the restoration of paintings, rare film when the Mona lisa came back to France after its stolen, the dedicated firemen who are on daily training and checking.

I visited there once long time ago and it was indeed pack with people (including me of course) who wanted to see the most famous painting in the world and I was also thrilled to see the beautiful statue- the Wingled victory of Samothrace.  There are still many areas I didn't see and I would like to spend more time to visit again.....it'll be worth taking a long queue.

Auto entrepreneur

Since Feburary, my unemployement benefit has been terminated. I'm still registered on pole emploi and have regular meetings with them, also took 2 months paid training on French accounting.

Meanwhile, I take on some odd translation jobs but this industry is very grey and don't get paid well. Thanks to the internet and electronic settlement like paypals, you can do this kind of job, literally anywhere in the world which means the company can select translators at a cheap rate.


I've got some experiences working on translation in the past - finance, IT, automobile and cultural domains and I also do some volunteering job in health and medical domains however, quality, translation skills and the amount of hours spend on the project don't seem to reflect on the rate.  As I am dubious about this work, I still can't invest myself on the translation software which converts repetitive words and memorise the translated words and phrases to save time and eventuarlly allow you to work more.

Yet,I got myself the auto entrepreneur title, hoping to get the opportunity. You can select types of declarations: simple or detailed.  I declare every 3 months which only declare intakes. Depending on the type of the job, the contribution rate for the social security differs.  My title is for the service provider, so 18.3% of intake would go towards social security and then 0.2% goes to the training. 


When I told the guy at the pole emploi that I got the auto entrepreneur title, he warned me to check the regularation from time to time, as they could impact the amount of contributions and exemption. And if you have the title while you receive the benefit and got the actual business, that impacts the amount of benefit you receive.....you'll have to deduct the days you worked.

want a chewing gum?

Well, that's great, but only if you didn't throw me an empty chewing gum paper....

Yes, it's the end of German occupation in France after the second world war. The dates are different depending on the region and here in cote d'azur, it's around 24th August. You'd see this kind of parades pretty much everywhere in France.

I didn't see the person(woman) who did this, but I'd appreciate whoever got on the jeep with a right attitude.  They might have been a hero at THAT time, but you are nobody!

Do you get headaches with frozen drink?

Frozen drinks give me headaches... around my temples. Does this occur to anyone?

Thought this is quite normal in Japan, but apparently my hubby and mom in law don't get it.

REALLY HOT HERE.....................................

Ideal for funny gift from France - les coucougnettes du vert galant

My hubby got a packet of this 'coucougnettes du vert galant' when we had a short outings to a beautiful village called 'Gourdon'.  We've found this by chance, but my hubby and my mother in law were laughing, as they saw the package title.  It means the balls of Henri IV (Vert Galant = Henri IV).  This is about the Henry IV who is perhaps famous for wearing a pair of green tights and apparently had 54 mistresses and 24 children!

It's got an almond in the centre and chocolate and almond cream with rasberries and a touch of armagnac. I'm sure the name attracts many customers.....
I've checked the maker's website, and ohh lala, there're some more interestings names like Les Tétons de La Reine Margot, Les Prunes de Monsieur,Les Galipettes etc..(Sorry, please check the meaning by yourselves)... I think they have pretty good sense of humour.