50. Groupalia and James

Friday! I need a break. It has been a weird and surprising week with lots of good news and emotions at the same time. I need to have dinner with one of my best friends. Perhaps I relax in the sauna tomorrow and then I spend the afternoon and sunday with my girlfriend. I have to say that I feel really stressed, lots of new situations and I have fear toward what will happen in the next weeks. 

By the way, Spain has beel eliminated from the Worldcup.

Keep calm and enjoy :)

DaniR

49. Everybody knows.

Yesterday I told everyone my decision of changing my job position. Their answers were very helpful for me and I apreciate the words they gave me to support me and wishing me the best. So now definitely I have realized that my days in this company are arriving to its end. 

I feel a little bit sad in one hand and kind of afraid in the other. It will be the first time in 4 years that I break my routine and I feel also lazy about that. I haven't done anything important related with this project in some days because I have focused all my attention and energy into my new job. But I don't want to surrender! I must say that the main goal of this project was finding a new and better job, and I have reached that goal... But it is a project of life, to prove that I can do everything I purpose!

Lazy days will bring energy and strength.

DaniR

48. Resign is not easy

Today I have resigned at work. It has been a hard moment because I apreciate my boss however I had to look for the best for me and my family. I have told him the reasons why I have taken that decision and he has absolutely understood everything.

This morning I had stomach ache because of the nerves so I have done some bycicle training for 30 minutes. Afterwards I tried to relax and rest a little bit at home.

Tomorrow I will talk with my two bosses and my colleague because we will have to organize everything for the moment I quit. It wont be an easy task...

Once everything turns back into normality I will put all my energy in this project... I definetly have advanced :)

DaniR

47. Challenge accepted

What a day! What...a...day! I will say that in few words: I have been accepted to work at Michael Page!!! I have a mixture of feelings right now: happiness, joy, sadness, fear, nervousness, excitement and headache. The consultant called me this morning and told me this news when I was on board the train. I am starting the 14th of July and I will go to Paris next day to do training. Everything is so exciting, I still don't believe that. What worries me the most is that tomorrow I will have to resign, but I have to do it. 

No more words for today.

It's been a really strange and wonderful days. 

DaniR

44, 45 and 46. No light, no call

Today I have been waiting the whole day for a Michael Page phone call however in the end they phoned me at 20:00 because they were not able to find the contacts I gave them to recommend me. Perhaps tomorrow I know something else... I am a little bit nervous and everyday I have clearer that I want to work there.

This weekend I have run for 30 minutes and doing some working out as well. I have also started reading about market research statistics and central distribution data.

Today at work my partner has had to go to the dentist because of some teeth ache and what a coincidence that light turned off.

A strange day and way to start a week, tomorrow I will return to the Gym...

DaniR

43. International interview.

Today was the D-day. It was friday 13th and I had two important interviews in the morning with two directors in Michael Page Group. These two interviews have been great in my opinion, I have given lots of details about what I do in my current job, what I expect from a future job position and I have even give some recommendations to improve their performance. I have done it the best way I could and now I expect news from my recruitment consultant. He has asked me for references from other employees but I have had a problem, most of them don't work in the same company anymore so I do not know how to contact them! Hopefully in the end they will find them and that will not be an obstacle in that hiring process. 

The project seems really interesting, so I would help the Research Manager in Europe processing data from surveys done all around the world, as well as we will start new projects focusing in South Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy and Turkey). At the same time I would execute internal projects to evaluate Michael Page's performance, improve quality of life in the company and assessing in order to make a better environment in the company. 

Let's see what the result is.

Anyway, it doesn't matter if I am selected or not because I continue my life project. This afternoon I will start reading chapter 15, about frequencies distribution, crossed tabulation and hypothesis test. I want also go running tomorrow so this week I haven't done any exercise in the end... It has been a weird week actually. 

English:

Stand in: To take someone's place when they are absent.
I'm standing in for Kim at the office while she's away on holiday. 

Express:
I expressly told you not to open that letter until I got home. Why don't you listen?
He stood there completely expressionless. He didn't show his feelings at all.
I never really know what it is you want. You need to be more expressive. 

To catch your breath: It's so busy in my office. I don't get the chance to catch my breath after my long journey into the office. I have to get down to work as soon as I get in.

DaniR

42. Preparing the definitive interview.

Tomorrow I have one of the most important interviews in my whole life. Important because I will talk with two really important directors in Michael Page, everything will be driven in english and I will need to prove what I have been learning during these years working at MDK and studying at the University.

Firstly I hope that my laptop doesn't turn off because sometimes it appears an strange message and it restores again. Anyway I have an As under my sleeve and I will have my cellphone closed so I can connect to Skype if something happens. 

Then I think I will have to explain the same thing twice because I have one interview at 9:00 and the other one at 10:00. I don't know how many candidates for that position are still in the process, but I don't think that too many because it is not efective disturbing these directors too much. 

Tomorrow afternoon I will explain my feeling about these interviews. I hope that I will do it great and then I can not feel guilty if I'm not selected because it will mean that I wasn't the best candidate for that position. 

Something I have clear is: I must give them examples of everything I have done!

Let's get this party started!

English:

Burn someone out: To exhaust oneself through too much work. 
If she doesn't slow down a bit at work she's going to burn herself out.

Illustrate:
I have been asked to do some illustrations for a children's story book.
He has a job as an illustrator for a graphic design company.
Here's a piece of his work that is very illustrative. It is a perfect example of his style of painting.

To set an example: His outstanding performance in the Olympics sets an example to all those who hope to achieve greatness themselves. 

DaniR

41. The Interview

Finally I have done the interview at Michael Page office. It has been better than I expected, they told me that my profile filled into the position and on friday I have another Skype interview with the Marketing Director. I have lots of hopes in that project (however I can not tell which is the recruiting company). I would work into an international environment with people from other countries who barely speak spanish or catalan. I would participate in an international project, using the skills and experience I have gained during all these years and I could even have the chance to learn languages. Let's see how the process continues but I am really optimist about it. 

I haven't done so much this week because of this interview and the long weekend but I guess that tomorrow I will run a little bit before going to work.

I let some pictures from my superweekend:

DaniR

37, 38, 39 and 40. Long weekend and Interview training.

When I have time I promise I will explain what have I done this weekend as well as how the interview has been done. I feel a bit nervous but with lot of curiosity about this job position and the kind of role we will talk about. Wish me good luck! 

Marketing: I have read chapter 13 about processing Data in Market Research.

Exercice: Spinning class on the weekend with David and afterwards: Sauna and Jacuzzi. 

English: 

Make up: To compensate somebody for something.
I'm taking Steve out for a meal tonight to make up for forgetting his birthday last week.

Decorate:
Her jewellery isn't valuable. It's purely decorative.
We haven't put any Christmas decorations up at home yet. We just haven't had the time.
He's at night school at the moment. He's studying to be a painter and decorator.

To speak your mind: She's certainly not afraid of giving her opinion. She always speaks her mind. 

DaniR

36. 47/50

This title corresponds with my mark in today's German exam. Actually I have had the best mark among all the students, so I am really proud. It has been our last day as well and I am kind of sad because I do not know whether I will see some of my colleagues next year or not. However we will organize a meeting to have a drink together and share our course opinions and feelings about next year. My teacher (Pedro) has told us that next level (B1) is completely harder than what we have done so far and that scares me a little. 

Yesterday night I sent my english resume to a Michael Page consultant in order to prepare our interview next wednesday. He has asked me several times what my english level was and, of course, I have said that I speak fluently and without problems. Perhaps I need more vocabulary and a better knowledge of phrasal verbs and some specific grammar rules. Actually one of the goals of this "Year I Advanced" project is improve this aspect. 

In the end I have seen my parents new car and it's amazing. It has a bright black color with huge lights and a sophisticated on board computer. The wheel was smaller than I expected but I hope I will get used quickly. I am really looking forward trying it and check the differences between this and our older car. 

English:

To make out: To give the impression that something is true when in fact it isn't. 
You never wanted to take that job. Don't make out you're disappointed you failed the interview.

Practice:
You can't do three jobs at one. That's totally impractical.
You're practically old enough to drive. Why don't you think about saving up for lessons?
You need to practise regularly if you want to improve.

To draw the curtains: Could you draw the courtains? The sun is shining in my eyes.

And tomorrow: Duatlon... 

DaniR

35. Dani is rising.

Today has been a great day for several reasons. Firstly I have been convoked to do the interview I talked about in my last post, in Michael Page office in Barcelona. It will be a great opportunity to train my skills in job interviews, as well as practice some english because they ask for a very high level of this language. I will also ask them to tell me what my weaknesses are in order to know how to improve my professional profile to face future interviews. Secondly I have beaten the first final boss in Metal Gear Rising. I'm playing at the hardest mode so I feel very proud of myself, however once you know how the character works everything become easier and simple. 

And finally my parent's new car is placed in their garage and I will probably try it today or tomorrow night. 

My last Saxo's picture

As I told you it has been a wonderful day. 

I spent the whole morning playing Metal Gear, I had some pain in my arms and chest after yesterday's training. But this Saturday morning I will do a Duathlon with a friend, doing a spinning class and running afterwards 8 or 9 kilometers. I think that training with someone and sharing activities with others motivate yourself and help you to achieve your goals. 

On the train I have read the whole chapter 13 about Fieldwork coordination. 

English: 

Break down: When a car stops working.
We really do need to get another car. This one keeps breaking down.

Operate:
Despite the initial problems, the machine is now fully operational.
Having looked at your X-ray I'm afraid to say your condition is inoperable. You will just have to live with the pain.
The patient is in a stable condition and is now on the operating table. 

To plant a bomb: The rebel soldiers planted the bomb in the town centre. 

DaniR

34. Michael Page calls you.

This morning I received a phone call from Michael Page headquarters. They asked me to arrange a meeting in order to interview me. In the end we didn't find any gap in our agendas so, so far, everything remains in stand by. I have been a long time without being in a job interview and I would like to participate in some because I want to check what recruiters expect about me.

Yesterday afternoon I finished the second part of the Market Research Book. So, this evening I would like to start the third one. These chapters explain everything related with collecting and analyzing data (more or less what I do at work). I hope having everything underlined before June ends and write a summary about the whole Market Research process, so I can include that in my Marketing Blog. 

Run: 15 minutes running and general workout. 

English: 

Snap something up: To buy something quickly.
This is a real bargain. You should snap it up while you have the chance.

Impress:
She made a very good impression during her visit and hopes to create closer links with the company.
He's a very impressionable young man who is easily influenced by others.
The team played really well and the captain was particularly impressive. 

To do something on impulse: He's not very careful with money and often buy things on impulse. 

DaniR

33. New car.

Perhaps today my parents receive their new car, after driving an old and tiny Citroen Saxo for more than 16 years. Actually I think that tomorrow they will have it, anyway I am really excited today about it. They have decided to buy a Peugeot 208 that seems a modern and easy to drive car. 

My lovely Citroen Saxo

This morning I have run for 30 minutes and I have done some push ups, leg training and abdominals. After one month of official training, I have not problem by running more than 30 minutes at a normal speed. Now comes summer, which I consider is the worst season to train because of the extreme temperature outdoors. I will add some swimming training and I will try to go running earlier in the morning, in order to avoid the hot. 

On the train I have started reading a deutsch book about making wishes lists. It seems to be a different and hilarious book and so far I have been able to understand the most part of words and sentences.

English:

Tear somebody apart: To make someone feel upset of unhappy.
It's tearing me apart to see my two best friends arguing so much. I wish they'd sort their differences out and start being friendly with each other again.

Technical:
The judge was forced to call the trial to an end and let the accused go free because of a legal technicality.
Well, technically speaking, I shouldn't allow you to leave the room during and examination.
Can you call the technician and ask him to come up and have a look at my computer?

In principle: I agree with you in principle but I'm not sure your idea would work in practice. 

DaniR

32. 10 months

Today I dedicate this post to my darling because we have been dating for 10 months. I do not know whether she will ever read this blog or not, anyway I want to thank her for being at my side, supporting me and giving me energy and motivation in order to accomplish my purposes. I think she is the origin and the reason why I do all that after all. When you find a person you love this way your life starts to have another meaning, another reason to fight day by day. Nowadays I have to take care not only of me, but of her as well. 

I want to be the best person and professional I can be because she deserves that and I want to know which my limitations are. If you know you can fly, don't stay tied to the floor. 

On the train I have started reading chapter 12 about quantifying the sample size. 

English: 

To live up: To be as good as people expect something to be. The film was OK but it didn't really live up to all the hype.

Measure:
I can't thank you enough. The support you've given us both has been immeasurable.
Politicians must always ensure they give a measured response to any sensitive questions.
The designer came and took lots of measurements around the office.

To pluck up the courage. I finally plucked up the courage to go and see the Manager about a pay rise.

I love you Damaris,

DaniR

31.Rest, Rice and Rayden.

Sunday equals resting. After a nice Sunday I stayed at home with my couple and my family. We just rested during the morning, eat a tasty paella and played Metal Gear Rising (starred by Rayden).

Nothing else to say, tomorrow let's go back to work.

DaniR