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