And , to change the subject who's the broad in the posh 'at?
Low , for me, England out(sob!). High? Brazil out too, Yayayay!!

Personally, this is one of my favourite threads, where I visit regually! And coincidentally...same low as Ren, as well as the hot weather over in England! But high from last few days is booking some days trips out

Well on a World Cup theme I guess I have to be loyal to my adopted country and say it was good to see France go through to the semis, as my own country didn' teven make it to any of the matches....

However, I have had two seriously high highs today, and one majorly low low...and as I never contribute much here I thought it was a good way to join in for a change.

The first high is that I have been called for an interview tomorrow, which if it goes well, will result in me starting back working on Wednesday. One day a week for the month of July then the whole of August. It'll disrupt the kids summer holiday, but I can arrange something special for them instead, which would be great. Having not working in several years and never worked in France I am thrilled, excited and terrified all at once. I am definitely NOT looking forward to the interview...

The second high is that my husband has just had an unexpected hour long phone interview for a permanent job for himself. His current job finishes in a couple of weeks, so if something were to come of the interview it would be a load off our minds. The job would disrupt the family life for a while as it's a 2 hour drive to the place, but we could work something out.

The low low low low low...is the terrible news I got. A young girl I know pretty well here, just finishing her studies and with her whole life to look forward to...has been in Scotland visiting some other friends of mine. She's had a massive stroke and is in serious life-or-death situation. Her family here is shocked and feeling helpless, the Scots friends are rallying but also feeling frustrated with their limited language skills and I am translating seriously sad information between all groups. We are all trying to get her family over there as soon as possible as for now her young boyfriend (19 or 20 years old) is the only person from home with her. He must be feeling so lonely having to deal with everything on his own. Any and all good vibes and prayers welcome, thank you.

One last comment and I don't mean it to be overblown or anything. At times in the past I've come to this thread and said hello or mentioned something little. I guess I was too oversensitive to the fact no one commented. Sorry to be a negative poster here. I guess I don't always think or believe I can share and be heard. Sorry. Don't want to be a parade rainer or a whinner. I hope I can share this without people looking down on me. I'll let it (the worry) go now. Please understand I post this to explain my feelings. Nothing else.

Santana, I said a prayer for your friend. I'm sorry this happened, it's so startling. Let us know what happens.

I'm glad for your and hubby's interviews. That's wonderful! Congrats!

High again : I have just come in from the interview and have been offered the job, to start this afternoon. I'm even more thrilled, excited, sick with nerves, apprehensive than before...but I'm sure it'll work out.

Bravo, Santana !

Well done Santana!

Thanks you two. You are certainly on the ball.

I am shaking with mixed nerves and excitement. 10 years is such a long time to have been out of work, and starting back in a foreign country will be a real test of my language skills.

I feel terrible about it as the news on Audrey in Scotland is very bad. I would ask that anyone who can will pray that her family arrives before it's too late, and that she can hang on until after 11pm tonight.

I'll be sure to be back on here sometime tonight, to de-stress over how I found my first working experience. Be prepared for a boring monologue

Firstly, wonderful news about your job.

Oh heck, that is awful about that young girl. My stroke wasn't too serious and I know how scary it was, a major one must be terrifying the life out of them all. Pass my good wishes to her family.

Thanks, Sue, on both counts.

That is such sad news. My heart goes out to them.
Let us know all the minutest details about the new job. Wonderful!

Congrats Santana on your job offer! I'm sure that you are feeling apprehensive going back to work but it'll come together, everyone needs time to get settled into a new routine and your coworkers wouldn't expect you to be a dynamo the first day...

Best wishes for your friend's condition; she has a long road ahead.

Good for you, Santana! Just take it one day at a time and don't be overwhelmed the first day. That's easy to do, but soon things will be like you've been doing them forever.

I'll be praying for your friend in Scotland. Please keep us updated.

A high! See my post in Tips and Tricks regarding e-cycle, I have found homes for two items, I am so pleased.

I had a wonderful high today! My husband and I have been in Florida waiting for the shuttle to launch and today, July 4th, 2006 at 2:38 p.m. EDT the Shuttle Discovery launched from the Kennedy Space Station. We've been waiting here since last Tuesday when we delivered some material that was needed for the launch. We were asked to wait and so we did. After two scrubbed launches (Saturday and Sunday) due to inclement weather, we were afforded a beautiful sight today as it took off in clear skies. I took a whole bunch of pictures as it took off and kept snapping my digital until the shuttle disappeared into space and I could no longer see it. The noise was tremendous and you could feel the vibrations in the air. As it rose, you just can't imagine the feeling of freedom it gives you and you can't help but cheer (and I have to admit I shed more than a few tears). This is one holiday I'll never forget.

I've been following this story - hope they make it back safe and sound.

Wow, ClaraSue, sounds totally awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and congrats.

First afternoon went off pretty well, though a couple of hiccups with understanding accents. The Human Resources guy understood me to have said that I had 12 kids when in fact I'd said 2, which led to some giggles, and it was a bit tough getting everything right on the phone. However mostly people were willing to repeat when necessary and all-in-all it went off pretty smoothly. Tomorrow, however, I am going solo and won't have the comfort of the current assistant sitting next to me. I've been there before, so I know it can be overcome by keeping calm(ish) and dusting myself off after any little glitches. Still nerve-wracking, but with a little practice it should work out.

No further news from Scotland, though it's looking like the parents will get there before there's any further deterioration. It's not much, but under the circumstances it will be a relief to everyone when they can at least get to see her themselves, talk to her and just spend some time with her, for however long it takes.

Santana2002 Congrats on the job.
Your friend is in my prayers. How sad it is to be that young and have that happen.
I hope her family will gather strength knowing she has people sending god thoughts her way.
PF

Best wishes on the new job Santana. I bet tomorrow you'll do just fine and then afterwards wonder why you were worried.

I also am keeping your friend in my thoughts and prayers.

Very small variations in levels today, but here goes...

The low, I had a nice little trip set up on my bike to take some more photos, and it rained solidly till just after the garden centre closed. I can go tomorrow but it just seemed like I wanted to today.

The highs include the early arrival of my 100 latest photo prints, as they added a depot in England rather than sending them from Switzerland. The postage didn't go down though so they know what they're doing. Secondly I managed to fiddle with what has been officially confirmed as a slightly faulty version of Windows (though kosher I was pleased to discover) due to the rain and get it updating again as before it went funny. Though 99.9% of the time Windows updates show no new features I trust whatever it added (about 40mbs) has improved something as I really can't see a thing has changed.

Low, the fourth of July often depresses me because the festivities bring out the worst in the people where I live...I enjoy a bit of fireworks, but, I really hate the big drunken stuff and rowdies who come out of the woodwork.
We rarely did anything for it, because we stayed in the mountains all summer long.
My son loves this, but, I prefer the fourteenth of July in France.

High, got to show my house to a young teacher as we're selling the place, and she made the nicest comments. She said, 'gee that's nice the way you've left that little trowel there ready to work on flowers.'
And I could tell she'd be a good person to occupy this house.

Audrey's parents decided to turn off life support at lunchtime yesterday. Logically I know it is the right decision, but the hurt is almost unbearable. The solidarity of both the band in Scotland and the band here in France is amazing. I have almost never experienced such an emotional time while surrounded by a solid bank of mutual support and care.

As for work, I had so many other things on my mind that Day 1 went by without time to stress over it. Yeah I made a few slip-ups, but nothing major. It's going to work out.

Oh, my dear. I am so very sorry. God bless you all.

Santana2002, I am so very sorry to hear the sad news. It seems so unfair.

We're all thinking of your friend, and her family Santana