EPSO Exam

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar."

~ Raymond Lindquist

I think this is going to be a year of experimenting. I decree thus 2012 as a "trying the water with the tip of my toe" year :)

Today I took my first EPSO exam for the position of Communication Officer for the European Institutions Not because I'm looking for a job, but because I love challenging myself.

I think everybody should try it. Not necessarily because it offers the opportunity to work abroad for a EU body, but because the test is really fun. Before taking it I read a lot of things about it and was a bit scared. They were saying that there are special courses and books training you for this. But shhh you don't need that if you still got your 6th grade math skills with you and a bit of common sense. But, if I pass I am officially a genius :)

The test has 6 levels - verbal, numerical, abstract reasoning and professional capabilities (accuracy and precision, prioritizing and organizing and situational judgment). The difficulty stands mostly in the fact that each of them has to be solved in a certain period of time. For example in the verbal reasoning you have 20 questions (texts that need to be read) in 35 minutes. I did feel the pressure and in the numerical section I failed to answer a question because I was out of time.

There is nothing difficult in the questions per se. As I was saying the numerical are 6th grade - calculating percentage mostly. In the abstract reasoning you have to continue a raw of figures with the missing one. This is my favorite game, though I mostly fail :) but it was fun to remember the Mickey Mouse magazines I used to collect which had this type of exercises.

I'll get my results in about a month, hope I don't forget by then.

My Blonde Experience

So, I am blonde. A short haired blonde and not just any. It's not going to last for sure, I am not the type of girly girl going to the salon to dye her hair every month...I am way to lazy for that. But until I go back to my roots I am definitely enjoying my blonde days. The Wella Trend Vision 2012 show was an experience. It is hard being a model and I think this has been my first and last time on stage :)

Opinions are split. Some say that I look better and more radiant like this, even less evil :P. Others think that I look ok, but I am better as a brunette. I don't know what to say, I kinda got used to being a blonde and I sometimes feel better. We went out last Friday and I was among the few blondes there and I felt so good. Blonde definitely makes you stand out of the crowed.

The down side is that roots grow faster than I thought, I have to take care that my face is always fresh because any blemish looks like a huge pimple and make up is absolutely mandatory (at least eyeliner). I've been told about this and I always thought it's just blonde people whining around, but now I take all that back.

I love my blonde days and am extremely happy to have had this opportunity.

My Blonde Day(aries)

Never say never!

That's one lesson for me to learn at the beginning of 2012. You will not believe it (I still don't) but I am....wait for it....BLONDE.

I am attending the Wella Trend Vision 2012 show with Cristina, my (our) hairstylist. I am in the Grace - Trend Vision - Haute Couture section. This means that starting today and until Wednesday when we have the final presentation I have to pretend that I'm a model, a graceful one.

Today, I spent my whole day between bleaching and coloring my hair and eyebrows, and learning the choreography for the stage. I also chose my dress...and the belt for it (great belt by the way, I hope I get to keep it as a souvenir). After my photo modeling for Radu and the hair modeling for Cristina, I can tell you that being a model is not an easy job.