Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

TO ALL MY READERS!!:-)

Thank you very much for reading my blog and posting the comments.

It is very important for me.

I hope next year my writing will still please you.

MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You are ALL fantastic!:-)

x

me:-)

Travelling

I've just found it:

"all travel has its advantages, if the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own and if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it"

Vienna - it seems - I will improve my own:-)

happiness, happiness, happiness

I've just told him - BUZZ OFF MAN!!!!!!:-)))))))))))))) meaning ciao forever - you aren't welcome anymore:-)

To all male readers:-)

is it really the truth that you - male part of mankind - suffer sometimes from kind of fundemental schizophrenia which

derives from a fact that you have a mind and a brain (it's a metaphore for your "best friend" - you

know which:-)

if so, do you think it is curable?

if not, please convince me with a good proof:-)

My mom, my car, Zuerich and me - to sum up - my magic story:-) - available here in January!!!!!

I hope it'll be funny for my readers!:-)

Friday morning:-))) - part 4 - the last one!!!:-)

Last day at work!!!!!!!!
:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I am flirting with him (not my ex) ........... - it makes me smile so much:-)))))))))

what a pleasant morning:-)))))

I love flirting:-)))

Final countdown:-) - part 3

Thursday!!!!

and Italian show at Italian Institute of Culture - I sing:-))))

Corporate X-mas party - dancing till 3 am:-)

Final countdown - part 2

Wednesday, wednesay, wednesday!!!:-)))))

Eventually cute pix

I don't know this little girl.

I hope her and her parents don't mind that I publish some pix.

I couldn't resist:-).

Pix preview of a next year post:-)

the pix are so cute:-)

I don't know this little angel:-)

The post will be dedicated to other issues than the children:-)

Due to some technical problems - the pix will be published later:-)!

Final countdown:-)

it's Tuesday!!!!!:-)))))

OMG:-))))))

I am the happiest person on earth now!!!!!:-)))

IT IS THE LAST MONDAY AT WORK!!!!

Soon vacation - lovely, wonderful, perfect!!!

:-)))))))))))))))))))))))))

?????

Why nobody answers my question re changing the objectivity - vide being a real smart ass post

Do I address too boring questions to my readers?:-))))

Attention, attention, attention

Next year - I hope in January - I will be happy to publish a good post:-)

I got a story on Saturday!

There is only one sad thing about my blog

there aren't as many comments as the readers:-((((((((

Xmas songs

ALL I WANT FOR XMAS is YOU:-)

News

I am waiting for news:-))))) from ............................................................................................................................................................................................:-)

Feel:-) - A gdy jest już ciemno:-)

cheerful song

Being a real smart ass:-)

yesterday I've heard that I am a real smart ass - it was a statement from another real smart ass:-) - by the way what a flirting match:-)

now a question arises - if I am a real smart ass in an objective way and I am still hesitating whether I want to be the one - can I change it when I decide that I don't want to be the one?

People please help! I don't know the answer!

Family time in Brussels

I had a lovely family time in Brussels!

We were talking a lot.

Borys loves "Living Colours", Willy - heavy metal, Agata loves her guys:-))).

We went for a concert - Apocalyptica - and afterwards a very lovely family dinner at a great Greek restaurant!

I was kind of flirting with the owner who knows my family very well.

He started - he was so charming that I couldn't refuse flirting with him in an innocent way - didn't want to be rude:-)))))))))).

He was very, very NICE to us:-))))).

I had tears in my eyes when saying a presto to Agata at the airport, she had them as well!

I don't have a sister, I feel she is like the one:-))) although she is only my cousin!

Vacation

I am tired - I need vacation very soon!

Flying

I adore flying!

The feeling of taking off is simply top wonderful yet it can't beat, you know what:-)))).

Even Nat should know now what I mean, right Nat?

Anyway flying makes me smile and very happy:-)

I am back to Warsaw

I am back to Warsaw and have so much to communicate and so little time:-(

Brussels was lovely

I did some writing on the plane!

Being in London

slept two hours:-)

dancing a lot, my feet hurt so much afterwards!

entered the hotel without shoes:-) and explained why with a huge smile on my face:-)

more about "the London nite" later:-)

Last Christmas:-)))) - Wham!!!

and my day is lovely!!!!!!!!!!:-)))))

X-mas, x-mas, x-mas

I am so happy!!!

X-mas is coming:-))))!!!

X-mas songs!!!

Wonderful atmosphere!!!

and the gifts......

who doesn't like receiving the gifts, right?:-)

We are both sweet Girls:-)

Oluś and Nikuś - are both sweet girls:-)

Nobody should forget:-)

Well I am not sure ...

whether I really want to be even a "small" smart ass...

still hesitating

decision making process - pending

Missing him - Part 3 - I hope the last one:-)

he is a real smart ass:-)

I love this type of people:-)

I hope that I am at least a "small" smart ass:-)

Missing him a bit - Part 2

it doesn't hurt anymore!:-))))

it is just a thought that he was cool:-) and I can make a right choice somehow:-).

Missing him a bit

I miss his mind, his eyes, sense of humour, smile, great flirting skills - simply charm:-).

He was sweet sometimes:-).

Does anybody know why it takes so much time to fall out of being in love in someone?

Sweet Ola:-)

Oluś - thank you for your support:-)

He wasn't a doc:-) but in general I like the docs for their sense of humour:-) so I don't mind!

Do I want him back?

it's a difficult question,

the answer is:

50% - yes - why? I fell in love and the feeling isn't completely dead yet:-)

50% - no - it's too late to apologise!

Driving in Poland

first conclusion from travelling to Łomża with Laura:

Polish drivers are simply insane! They don't respect their own and others' lives!

If it happens that I meet a Polish guy (which is by the way not so obvious in my case), he will need to pass a driving test before I take him into a slight consideration!

If he drives in a crazy way - he is absolutely OUT of THE GAME!!!!

They are fine:-)

Stefan and Frans are fine:-).

A nice pic from our "bye-bye" lunch!:-)

December, December, December!

this week November will finish:-))))))

FINALLY!!!

November sucks!!!!!

Travelling in December!

London, Brussels and Vienna

not bad?:-)

I have a feeling that after Vienna I will be 100% over HIM:-))))

am happy:-))))

Now I know why Grey's anatomy!

I hate Grey's anatomy!

The truth about the truth - am not 100% over HIM! But at least 90%:-)

..............

Sadness

I am a little bit sad today ...... cause of yesterday.......

It was very emotional....

Today - Funeral

I am a little bit nervous ....................

Sleep

Dutch socialising - not so much sleep

Watching Grey's anatomy during nights - not so much sleep

To sum up

a lot of "not so much sleep"

C'est la vie sometimes:-)

Funeral on Thursday

I will attend a funeral on Thursday.

I don't know a person who died but I need and want to be with my family then.

I will meet my parents there:-) - we live in the same city just 10 minutes from each other and we haven't met for the past three weeks.

I have my life and they have their life.

Thursday's funeral - so very typical of life ...... - am happy to meet my family but the occasion is so sad!

The sadness mixes with a joy!

Grey's anatomy

I wish I could leave home once I finish watching all the seasons of Grey's anatomy

Why???

I would get to know more about life - in my opinion

Just back from a different reality!

I'm just back from the trip to .... different Poland!

There are so many thoughts in my head. I need time to make a post or a few posts out of them!

Stefan:-))))

I had fun with Stefan but he didn't show his sensitive side when he was in Warsaw!

I've just read his comment and it is so beautiful!

I am happy I met him. He is a good and sensitive guy.

It takes time for him to show it but he does it eventually:-).

Stefan - I "love you" not this serious love you but you know how I love you, you got the point, right?:-))))

Thank you for the great time we had together!

Will try to make a nice post from the trip

it is fine with Laura - I checked with her!

Another help project confirmed:-)

On Sat am travelling to Łomża with an American friend of mine to "trace" her Polish relatives.

I bet it will be fun!

Now Roisin Murphy - Let me Know:-)

I love this song.

What I also love is the story how she picked up her guy with whom she created later Moloko - a great group by the way:-).

She asked him: do you like my tight sweater?:-)

That is also a name of the first Moloko's CD:-).

a SONG for the moment!

Edyta Górniak - Perfect Moment!

I love helping

if you didn't realise it yet - I love helping people!!!

I helped Frans and Stefan.

Perhaps I will have another exciting help project!

More news when it is confirmed!

I love when I am right about Frans:-)

I already wrote here that Frans is sweet. I need to repeat it as I love when I am right.

+

He just reconfirmed it with his post.

Frans - you are so sweet:-)))))

Now Joss Stone - Spoiled

:-)))

am I spoiled?:-)

Now - another song, today I have a song day:-)))

Roisin Murphy - The Closing of The Doors:-)

Another song of the day:-)

Ricky Astley - Together Forever:-)

Being involved in a start-up of Frans and Stefan's advertising campaign

am happy cause I am helping them and have a very important task to do:-)

After receiving an email from them, I need to send from Warsaw to Holland the enveloppes that they prepared before and handed over to me.

My task is to chose the beautiful stamps:-))))).

I like my charming task:-)).

I counted: I have 15 enveloppes so in my opinion I should chose 15 different stamps:-) in case people from different Dutch advertising agencies will meet and compare the envoloppes:-).

You never know what may happen:-).

Another song of today:-)

Damien Rice I can't take my eyes off of you!

Stefan and Frans

they are creative, they have great minds!

In my opinion a great mind means that a guy is sexy:-))).

so you know guys - yes, you Stefan and Frans, I know you read my blog:-):

YOU ARE SEXY, Guys:-)))

I keep my fingers crossed for their success.

They should get it. They deserve it.

Last lunch

we had a really enjoyable bye - bye lunch together!

there is a saying: only the mountains don't meet so ...

perhaps we are going to see each other again - who knows:-)

A song of the day

usually I pick one song a day and listen to it many times

today's song is: Leona Lewis Bleeding Love ....

No 1 in UK, it should be here as well!

They are leaving today

it is really sad that they need to leave, we got on well and had so much fun together!

We simply became good friends!:-)

Busy, busy, busy Monday

What a busy Monday!!!

I love to be busy sometimes:-)))

so am happy:-)))

Follow-up on Jacek Yerka

I dropped him an email saying that I fell in love with his paitnings and would like to know where I can see them in Warsaw. I got a reply:-).

I already paid a visit in this gallery. I ordered a giccle that I fell in love with but I need to wait for the confirmation from the lady who works in the gallery. She needs to talk to Jacek Yerka. I hope he says YES:-).

I also got a book with his works called "Mind fields the art of Jacek Yerka, the fiction of Harlan Ellison."

:-)))))

Amazing? Funny? Easy to expect? How to call it?

Stefan has lost again a coin of 5 PLN in my car, this time no effect on my car:-)

MY FLOWERS FROM THEM:-)

Stefan and Frans - their work in Warsaw

as you can see they have been working here

I think I haven't mentioned before that they are a creative team within an advertising industry

I like their pix

Frans is yellow, Stefan - dark blue

now it is obvious why I am having so much fun with them

they are not cliched

Being single

am single and I have a wonderful life:-)

Am lucky:-)

Who disagrees?

NOVEMBER!

November is such a difficult month to survive:-(.

The weather is so awful.

I already miss sun!!!

I need to invent the strategy how to survive it!

Vienna

we bought the tickets to Vienna:-)

New Year's Eve there:-)

Can't wait:-)

Two single girls will have an exciting end of this Year!!:-)

LOVE WILL FIND US:-) AM NOT SAYING THAT IN VIENNA:-)

What I want to say is only that one find love when one doesn't look for it:-)

I want true love in my life so what I do ...

I ENJOY MYSELF!

We have one life and it is so short!

I try to be proud of each day of my life

smile and happiness are the most important

Charlie Chaplin said: A DAY WITHOUT A SMILE IS A LOST DAY

how true:-)))

Stefan and his weird-magic stories:-) in Europe

I wrote that they broke my car but being more precise I need to add that it was Stefan not them:-).

Let's begin with his story from Norway.

He went there and visited a museum of ski where he could see an empty place within the exhibition. Above it there was a signature: a 80's missing snowboard from Norway.

A few months later he found a snowboard in Amsterdam, on the street during his lunch break. According to his judgement it was a snowboard from 80's. He claims it is the missing snowboard from Norwegian museum:-). What do you think?????

Now Poland:-)

I will try to make it short otherwise it will be deadly boring.

Stefan lost two coins of 5 PLN in my car and one coin blocked the front seat. Such a scenario disbaled me to use the security system.

When I told them what had happened they couldn't believe it. When they saw it, finally they recognised the issue. Fortunetely they fixed it:-). They said that only two guys would be able to do it:-)))).

It is amazing what a randomly dropped coin can cause:-)!!

It's so good to know I can still be amazed by our world:-)

A break from Dutch socialising

today am going to see a Polish friend, learn Italian etc.

Am I having kind of vacation when they are here?

Well, I would say so:-)

So tonite am back to non-holiday time in Warsaw:-)

Lovely dinner

we had lovely dinner yesterday.

I received two very beautiful roses, one from each guy - am so lucky:-))) (the pictures later) and Dutch stropwaffels that I do like:-)))).

They came earlier so they could help me with peeling off the potatoes.

They were chatting and I was creating my meal.

It took me some time so we ate rather late almost at the end of my beloved show - You Can Dance.

"My guy" in the show was excellent:-))))).

To be honest I am not so sad by a fact who dropped out from the show. All the people, whom I like, stayed.

Coming back to the story at the table:-):

I joked that singing a song after the meal is a Polish way to thank for it so they sang a nice song for us:-))))).

THEY REPAIRED MY CAR:-) BUT BECAUSE THEY HAD BROKE IT on SUNDAY.

IT IS KIND OF A MAGIC STORY - MORE DETAILS LATER:-))))).

Yes, it was REALLY a lovely evening.

Frans is a sweet guy. He was the only one to help me with the dishes:-).

Dutch and Polish connection:-)

I didn't join them for Latino Fever:-(. I didn't feel well:-(. I am kind of ill:-(.

Stefan has found his good match here:-).

His good match will come tonite to my place for dinner:-))).

Finally I feel relieved.

He is such a hunter and so far had no luck....

Fiji

I wish I was there.

The weather here is just awful!:-(

Tonite we plan .....

Latino Fever!!! @ Club 70:-)))......

Interview with Frans:-)

I forgot to mention that yesterday on Chlodna 25 after the concert Frans was interviewed by me. I used a spoon and was so tired that I said it is my mico not mic:-)))).

Suprisingly the spoon didn't manage to record anything:-) so I can't let you know what he said but it was very good. Frans knows a lot about Poland and is a very good observeur.

Polish vodka:-)

They called me. Tonite their plan is as follows:

DRINKING POLISH VODKA IN SAUNA - THEY KNOW HOW TO INTEGRATE WITH A NEW SOCIETY:-)))))

Yesterday I fell in love ......

with the paintings of Jacek Yerka!

I feel ashamed - he is a Polish painter - Jacek Kowalski from Torun.

I got to know him due to Stefan. No comments!

Soon some pictures!

:-)))

they've just called me and I've already started to cry cause of laughing

Tonite

Tonite we are going for a classical concert to my beloved Chlodna 25.

I hope I will again cry cause of laugh:-))).

Keep you posted.

Stefan and Frans in Warsaw:-)

Next 10 days will be great fun for me with two crazy Dutch guys.

Our first night:

Harlem (the dancers from the tv show that I love - you can dance - didn't show up:-() so we went to Klubo (haven't been there for a long while and I do love this venue!). We were dancing till 5 am afterwards we ate breakfast in Lemon Bar.

I AM HAVING SO MUCH FUN WITH THEM:-)))))).

They are crazy and funny.

Below our texts before we met up.

I was sitting with one of my friends in Muza - good spot. The guys were supposed to catch up with us there but I got a text:

S: Hiya, we can be there in half an hour. Is that ok? Or do you wanna meet in harlem.

Me: That's perfect here. It 's easier 4 u 2 find it than harlem, we don't want 2 make ur life difficult in a beautiful city called Warsaw

S: Well, aren't you the sweetest. See you in 34 min.

Me: OMG u r v precise, I've heard u r a huge party animal so an easy going guy n now 34 min, anyway c u (Stefan and Frans are the friends of my friend Jochem)

Of course they didn't appear in 34 min, after 50 min I texted Stefan.

Me: Mr 34 min r u both OK? We r downstairs

S:ok, ok, gives 6.3522 min more.

I've staterd to cry cause of laughing and it's just the beginning:-)

They didn't find the venue. They were lost so we decided to look for them. They texted me with the directions and a question:

how long?

Me: I think 8.128967431586 min

S:OK after 8.2 min we leave

Me: 2 Amsterdam?:-)

Of course we were late so we received a text on a way to reach them:

S: OK were leaving

Me: Ok, did u enjoy Warsaw, we are stuck in traffic...



We were driving. Will you believe in traffic after 23h in Warsaw:-))) ?????


IT WAS SO FUNNY. IT IS OBVIOUS WE GET ON WELL:-)))).

After 10 days of their stay I will need to sleep a lot:-) who cares - we have only one life:-).

Any doubts that I am back to "my real me". I don't have any doubts and it's the most important:-).

Why such true friends?

1. Ipod - a woman needs passion in her life
2. Hadbag - a woman needs to have by her side many useful itmes and always a suprise which is always in the handbag. I am almost always amazed by what I can find in my handbags:-).
3. Diamonds - cause a woman mustn't ever lose faith and hope in true love:-))))
4. You know what - cause your partner can have a headache and we need to understand and accept it:-)

With such friends women should be happy all the time:-).

A comment for Stefan:-) - I know one man who has headaches:-))))). I would even say that he is kind of macho:-).

True women's friends

In general women, in my opinion, have 4 true friends:
1. Ipod
2. Handbag
3. Diamonds
4. and you know what;-)

who disagrees?:-)))))

1st Nov

this day has already started to affect my mood a bit:-(.

:-))))

they, "POLISH BIRDS", lost:-)))!!!

:-))))

they, "POLISH BIRDS", lost:-))))!!!!

Am back to gloomy Warsaw

no comments

Swining London:-)

am so happy to be here!:-)

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallejujah!!!!!!:-)

I am able to create smth!!:-)))), any doubts???? Pls have a look below:

Szczotki Pędzle
ul. Tamka 45b,
www.szczotkipedzle.pl , Open daily: 10.00 – 21.00



Two sisters, who definitely wouldn’t be happy with a corporate full-time job, decided to have their own business. That is why they opened a Café – Szczotki Pedzle where previously there was a brushes’ shop. The young girls kept its name and the doors, making this cosy spot even more unusual. Currently instead of the brushes we may buy, for example, a delicious sandwich with mozzarella and dried tomatoes for 5 PLN. Don’t worry, be happy – there are other snacks but the nice prices remain and also commerce’s feng shui from the past. The posters are “hot products” in Szczotki, they are designed by a boyfriend of one of the sisters. Many people come back and communicate a strong will to buy them. Another level of the love to art there stems from the neighbourhood of Warsaw University and Warsaw Musical Academy. Soon its students will perform their first concerts and shows using their own instruments and we never know perhaps the brushes as well. Szczotki Pedzle also make friends with children, dogs and bicycles and help letting them in. In addition a good selection of Twinings tea can satisfy each Pole and a typical Polish breakfast, that will be very soon served, is going to make many Brits happy.
This café is so charming and interesting at the same time that everyone wishes to live close by and pop in on a way back home or meet a good friend or sit quietly and read a book or… There are so many ors which may be sum up to one simply be there!

A small note about me:

Italian - restarted to learn:-)

Conclusion: blue is over, am back to "my real myself":-)

Welcome back Nikuś:-)

It was a cool event - last year:-). My ex accompanied me there, hmmm - have I already "recovered" from this break-up?

Praga welcomes a recycling design

Project Praga, a former Polskie Zaklady Optyczne, Saturday and Sunday Dec, 16-17, more info at www.projectpraga.com

For those who care about the environment it is a must - the fourth edition of Project Praga. For those who do not want to commit to the movement it is a chance to convert into a correct religion.

On spot the artists will use their artistic skills and transform all the shabby look commodities into fancy gadgets and desirable items.

The project will also host fashion designers who will present their recycling collections at the end of this ecological feast.

Hesitating is a proof one does think yet in terms of environment it is a lack of sensitivity.

I do love Interconti:-))))))), it's so sad I am a VIP at Radisson:-(

7th Heaven at Interconti

RiverView Wellness Centre beats out all the fitness spots in town with its breathtaking view from 43th and 44th floors. At night while jacuzzing one dreams to sing after Sinatra : " I'm number one, top of the list, king of the hill, number one".

This club offers a wide range of fitness and wellness activities including stress management, weight loss and swim & fun academy for kids. The group trainings are divided into three categories: power, balance and inner energy. The instructors are well educated and experienced. A label of the equipment - Technogym - stands for high quality and additional fun like watching television or listening to music while exercising.

The fee may kill all the pockets of yours yet water and apples are served for free:-).

Some burning ecological issues:-)

Monika Kupiec: Is Poland dirty from ecological point of view?

Andrzej Jagusiewicz: Poland is not a dirty country ecologically; I can only admit that there are still a lot of discrepancies between the old EU-15 countries and the new members, so called EU-12, including Poland. They stem from the differences between market economy and centrally planned one. Poland has still some homework to do, which is explicitly mentioned in the Accession Treaty. The latter relate in first instance to such areas as water quality, waste management, air quality and industrial pollution.
But going back to your question, the state of the environment in Poland is quite satisfactory as compared to other EU member States, in certain aspects even better, which can be best explained by less intensive socialist economy and by a more environmentally friendly approach to spatial planning. Lower domestic income in the past has proved to be our environment's ally. What is really "dirty" is ecological behaviour from quite large part of our citizens. For example statistically we produce little domestic waste per capita, but if you compare the same quantity of waste to our income then we are the champions among the EU or OECD countries. So we must dispose them somewhere and quite often illegally making your question at least locally founded.

MK: Why Warsaw's inhabitants can't drink tap water? When it will be possible?

AJ: But you can...only it's not tasty, because it's chemically treated. Now seriously, there is a clear link between the quality of the Vistula River and that of the tap water. More pollution load to rivers means more effort to "produce" a tap water. So if we build waste-water treatment for all communes with more than 2.000 inhabitants (equivalent in terms of waste water volume) by 2012 according to the Accession Treaty, one of our homework, and if our rivers achieve according the EU Framework Water Directive a good ecological status by 2015, then I am sure a tap water will be drinkable.

MK: What needs to be done in order to enable Warsaw's inhabitants to separate garbage?

AJ: First of all, I am sure that they are completely unaware that the Warsaw Municipality is ready to fine them for non-compliance with the necessity not only to collect wastes, but to separate and to put them into the right containers (5 different colours for specific wastes). According to my interpretation of the Law on Self-Government and the Waste Act such containers are integral part of the pro-environmental infrastructure of the communes (collectivities) and must be widely available to the citizens. So far I have not seen one neither on the Warsaw streets nor inside the waste rooms of the blocks of flats. So first we are lacking a proper infrastructure to collect let's say separated wastes. Secondly, throwing waste at public places is quite popular and gets so far unpunished. Look at the surroundings of the shops selling beverages, which are polluted by empty cans or bottles, look at the bus or tram stops where you always find domestic garbage and look at the drivers throwing through the windows on the streets their cigarettes. So secondly we desperately need environmental education.
In addition Warsaw Municipality eliminates street containers accusing citizens of not using them properly. Let say differently, they have never been in Warsaw regularly emptied and their density is perhaps good for a small town, but not for the capital city. Another accusation can be addressed towards the cooperatives or collectivities managing the blocks of flats. It's their basic duty to make various containers available in the waste rooms or on the yards for their dwellers. Also numerous supermarkets could play a good educational role, particularly in the first stage of the compliance with the new law. Making shopping may be a good opportunity to dispose in the right way waste. We see a lot of slogans, untargeted campaigns, random billboards instead of target-oriented and educational effort through TV channels or radios. So to sum-up: information, education, proper infrastructure and only then punishment. This is my recipe.

MK: What do we breathe in Warsaw?

AJ: I am sorry to say but we breathe air of a bad quality. Warsaw is a "red city", which means that it exceeds of the EU air standards almost everywhere. The situation is particularly critical with respect to particulate matter of less than 10 microns diameter (PMıo). These particles are directly inhaled to our lungs and can do a lot of harm to our respiratory system. Moreover, they are extremely toxic, because they can carry dioxins, heavy metals and hydrocarbons emitted by combustion processes and transport. The most striking example is the monitoring station located at the crossroad of Aleje Niepodleglości/Nowowiejska where for almost half of a year the air exceeds of EU daily PMıo standards. Warsaw needs urgently an air protection programme. To take seriously the new EU challenge the Warsaw Municipality must do much more to its citizens. In first instance it has to manage better city traffic, introduce clean and silent public transport e.g. buses running on CNG (compressed natural gas), restrict access for private cars to the city center through pay-toll system, establish the pedestrian areas and finally ban coal as fuel for heating and cars not meeting the recent EU emission standards.

Will I ever write smth better than this????!!!!!!!

TOLERANCE AND LAW

"Tolerance. That is what Poland needs to improve" says Elmi Abdil, a refugee from Somalia. "Tolerance ... for people to have more tolerance for people who have a different skin colour, a different culture. It is very important" says Elmi's friend and compatriot, Abba M.Shair.

Elmi arrived in Poland in 1996 after a long and complicated voyage. He jumped on a boat in Somalia and together with some friends reached Dubai. His next stop was Syria. He finally came to Poland after three years of living in Moscow, a time he refers to as "a nightmare". The perpetual smile on his face flickers, but does not die. We are talking in his falt in a four-storey building in Warsaw's city center. " I am so slim because I walk the whole flight of stairs every day", he jokes and points to his stomach.

According to opinion polls conducted by TNS OBOP - just two weeks after last year's International Refugee Day - most Poles didn't understand how to define a refugee. And even with the word's negative connotation, according to the authors of the Global Language Monitor website, the word refugee, although politically incorrect in the USA, is widely used with other understones. It has started to mean a lucky person who managed to save his/her life from a global catastrophe, like the recent tsunami or hurricane Katrina. It is also frequently applied to the likes of Albert Einstein, Marlene Dietrich, Czesław Miłosz, Thomas Mann and Josif Brodski.

Elmi, of course, is not of that kind stature. His first home in Poland was Dębak refugee centre near Warsaw - the biggest and at the same time the most important institution of its kind in the country. Elmi did not mind. "It was quiet and I had a bed to sleep in" he recalls.

Residents at a refugee centre get shelter, food, medical care, travel expenses needed to finalise the legal procedure for obtaining refugee status, a Polish language course and even a little pocket money. The refugee status all of them must obtain to remain in the country is very difficult to get. In 2000, only 335 of 6 860 applicants actually received it. Elmi waited nine months for his decision. Many other foreigners are not so lucky - epecially Chechens, who are by far the largest ethnic group among Poland's refugees. In fact, in 2005 they made 91 percent of Poland's registered refugees, up from 81 percent in 2003. As much as they would like to continue their flight to Germany, Austria and beyond, European Union regulations prevent them from doing so, and they are, often forcibly, returned to Poland.

Elmi, however, is content with his life here. He smiles as he tells his story. He has lost nothing of his good humour and openness, continues to make new friends, often by doing favours to people he barely knows.

The Polish Humanitarian Organisation helped him find his first job - washing dishes at the Tam Tam restaurant.

"It is a pity" he says. " I work, and sometimes a Pole comes and says "Look, they employed an African and we do not have the work". We've been hearing this all the time, it's very sad".

According to the TNS OBOP study, 67 percent of Poles believe that refugees increase unemployment.

"What we miss is tolerance" Abba cuts in. "If you make 600 zlotys, you can manage if there is tolerance. What it's all about is to accept another human being and not to say "Shit, some African's come to our country."

Official recognition and a job do not end a refugee's problems. Doctor Maria Siwiak-Kobayashi, a psychologist who has been working with refugees in the Centre for Personality Support and Development points out that refugees often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a severe psychological problem that often affects those who have experienced a tragic event in their lives, such as a war. Many children and adults continue to sleep on the floor under their alloted beds for months after arrival to their new country, as they are afraid of shootings in the night.

"Everywhere we go, our suitcase goes with us and in it we carry ourselves" says Siwiak-Kobayashi. "Leaving one country does not mean we leave our emotional problems, we simply take them with us."

Being a refugee always means living in a crisis situation. Their legal situation is one problem. For whose who get official refugee status, the next challenge is to intergrate into their new society. For whose who fail, a nightmare begins.

Doctor Siwiak-Kobayashi says that a critical phase takes place four to five months after arriving in a new country. After an initial period of relief, the stress returns. This is the time when they need professional help the most.

Nowadays, Elmi feels great. However, things weren't always as rosy as his sunny countenance would suggest.

"The most painful bit was when I started to understand what people were saying in Polish" he says.

For an instant, the smile fades and there are tears in his eyes. Other Somalis he met at the Dębak centre have left Poland and gone to live in the West. He visits them sometimes.

"When I go abroad on holiday, I miss Poland, I do not know what made me stay in Poland. I feel I have to be here" he says.

Today he is in between jobs, but says he is not worried.

"We arrived in Poland as refugees and the Polish stae has to accept us, you don't have to give ( a man) money, give him a paper so he can look for a job" he says.

Tellingly, one of his former jobs was at the Quo Vadis club. Quo vadis? Where are you going?

I've changed my mind

my yesterday's "blog strategy" doesn't seem to be so wicked today:-(, it has some potential and that's all:-(.

Life couldn't be better:-))))))

I am so happy cause I have found out an excellent, perfect, wonderful, lovely, fascinating ect.:-) subject for my blog!!!!:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

This subject can be even a reason to live for:-))).

Soon my first post within this beautiful "blog strategy":-)

Even I can't wait:-)

Guys to be interviewed:-)

Wade Robson and Jude Law - two first people who are on my list to be interviewed:-)

It is freezing here!

It is freezing here and my blog sucks comparing to a blog of Chlodna 25. I need to find out a solution that my blog will be more fun for me and also a good tool to express my thoughts!

A handbag - the best girls' friend:-)

I completely forgot that I have a subject to write about:-)))))) - girlie bag:-))).

Am happy!:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Oriana Fallaci

of course I don't have the ambition to be "real political Polish Oriana Fallaci", I simply want to interview great personalities of our times, they can be of any kind, my choice would follow my heart:-)

Mondays suck!!!

well today isn't so bad, don't feel overloaded with my work:-) and I can add the posts at work:-) but at the moment I don't have anything interesting to communicate,

to be honest I think that I am going through a sort of writing crisis

a dream to be Polish Oriana Fallaci fades away

why I have a crisis?????:-(

Should I change my job???

In April I wrote that I am going to add a new post in April:-), today is September!!

What's wrong? Is it me or my job?

Since April in NWE I've published only one preview of Aga Zaryan's concert and eventually my interview with the ecologist.

BUT

I didn't have time for my burnout piece!!

I miss writing so much but I don't have time for that!:(((((((((((((((((

Being in London

I don't have time to take care of my blog. As soon as I get back home which is 20th April I will add some new posts. One of them will be, definitely, an interview with an ecologist - my neighbour. Although NWE wanted it, eventually they didn't publish it. Soo till later in Warsaw!:-)

Feng shui text

As NWE produced a Chinese supplement I decided to write about feng shui. The article was not published, perhaps it will be included to a supplement about the DESIGN. We will see. Anyway my blog is always the best way to get my things published. Enjoy reading.

Happy at work and home??

The humans always tried to find a way to make themselves happy where they live and work. Feng shui can definitely help.

"Feng shui meaning wind and water is an ancient Chinese science and art of space's improving" says Mr Jacek Kryg - an expert and a member of International Feng Shui Society in Singapore.

Primary feng shui was connected with creation of family tombs. Next step covered the cities. Currently the most typical and worldwide understanding of feng shui is a help to arrange houses and offices' interior.

" Feng shui is a science because at very beginning a consultant needs to collect all required data e.g. a date of birth, feng shui is also an art because there can be as many ideas how to arrange the space as the number of consultants" adds Mr Kryg. Feng shui is not an ideaology with one valid truth. There are the schools and their masters.

" Feng shui in Poland is a very sensitive issue like politics" explains Mr Kryg. There was an idea that Warsaw after London could be another capital of European feng shui school" comments Mr Kryg. "Unfortunetely it was only an idea" - he continues.

According to Mr Kryg a book of Sarah Rosbach "Interior desing with feng shui" in 1996 can be taken as a kickoff of feng shui in Poland.
After that date many eagers took part in the trainings about feng shui. Presently more people prefer to invite a consultant to their houses and offices. "Many well-known people and companies ask me for a help in arranging their interior but they do not want to have any obvious elements connected to feng shui like Chinese painting or bells". I guess they feel ashamed to be considered as non-rationalists" says Mr Kryg.

It seems Poles want to be happy and ask for help in order to achieve it but they are not open enough to say how it was obtained - it is very interesting.

Some pictures from the interview

With a delay I published some pictures from the interview.

My first interview with a STAR

Yesterday I got a copy of the current NWE issue and I was extremely disappointed as my interview with Michael Moritz had been limited to a few lines!!!! That is why I want to publish here the whole version.

Michael Moritz hosts a regular show on Radio PIN. It’s called “After hours” – weekdays between 6 and 9 pm.

NWE’s Monika Kupiec caught up with the American-born DJ after one of his shows to find out more about the man behind the mic.

Monika Kupiec: How was the show tonight?

Michael Moritz: OK. I was a little tired, slept three hours, went to a mega party yesterday.

MK: Cool, let's back to more historic times. When did you arrive in Poland?

MM: It was eight years ago. I come from Detroit, Michigan -- I had a rock band there; we recorded two CDs. As we had a disagreement over money and my woman left me, I decided to come to Poland, to do something different. My Dad’s Polish and he had his own company at that time. I started working there, at his company, dealing with parcelling.

MK: Did you know any Polish when you first arrived?

MM: Yes. I used to come here for two months every summer. Basically I know Polish from the sand box. I went to school here for one year in 1983. So it wasn’t that I came here and started to learn Polish.

MK: What about broadcasting? Have did you have any DJ-ing experience before you came?

MM: When I was 12 years old I took part in a programme, "Be a DJ". That was lessons and I did it for three months. I forgot to bring the pictures from that time. I forgot about the whole interview!

MK: No problem.

MM: I didn’t shave -- this party yesterday.

MK: It’s good. You look natural.

MM: Yeah, I could do the Don Johnson thing... When you are 12 years old you don’t really remember anything so I don’t know whether it helped me.

MK: How come you do this very interactive style of DJ-ing? Did you learn it in the US?

MM: You know the whole idea of me being a DJ started at a club called "Aquarium". My brother said to me, “maybe you should try doing something in the media --you have an interesting accent”. And Mariusz Adamiak - the owner of Jazz Radio - at that time said, “yeah it sounds like a good idea”. So radio in Poland. At the beginning I would never have though I would do it; it just happened. I was a musician so I know a lot about music, and that really helped me in radio. I never really try to be a DJ. I believe that if you want to do something, don't try do it, simply do it.

MK: Do you still compose music or play in any bands here?

MM: No, I stopped doing that when I came to Poland, but I wouldn’t mind doing it again. But you know I work in radio, in television, I do a lot of partying so I don't have lots of time for that.

MK: Perhaps you can restart when you retire? Many people say they will do something unusual when they retire.

MM: Yeah, when I am 60 years old and I don't have teeth, I will sing.

MK: I know you have received an email saying that you can not speak Polish and why the hell do you work in radio. Did you feel hurt when you read that?

MM: No, I was thinking that perhaps I am not understood, that actually people don't know what I am talking about, don't find it funny or amusing. Yet for many people the fact that I don't speak perfect Polish is an advantage. People like it.

MK: Have you ever received an email saying that you steal work from Poles?

MM: No, but I know this patriotic kind of people who believe that only Poles should work in Poland. For these people I have an easy answer: if you think somebody else could do my job better, just let him do it. Anyway for me radio is a hobby. You know at the beginning I wasn't taken for my name, I was every Joe. That’s also important.

MK: Is it true that you’re the owner of Subway?

MM: Yeah.

MK: Is it because of money, or do you like cooking?

MM: I can only cook spaghetti. Subway was my idea -- to have something aside to make money. It’s an easy business. I also have a farm. People don't talk about it, they know me from radio, television.

MK: Are you happy at Radio PIN?

MM: Yeah, but I’d like to do more stuff.

MK: So I wish you more happiness and good music.

MM: Thanks.

Monika Kupiec

Revolution

I've been silent for some time as my flat is going through a revolution. It also affects and stops me from taking care of my blog to the extent I dream about.

Till later

Diamond engagement

Hunting for a diamond engagement ring is a next step after a decision making process whether a man wants to wed or bed a woman.

"If a man proposes to you with a diamond ring the chances he wants to get divorce very quickly after honey moon decrease" says each reasonable mother to her daughter.

A diamond as the hardest gemstone in the world is a symbol of love - THE ONE LOVE. The diamond - a pure creation of nature - manifestates the most important features of love: being unbreakable and natural.

"Recently in Poland there is a growing trend to come back to a traditional purchase of a diamond ring for proporsals" says Mr Tomasz Sobczak - a Warsaw based diamond expert. The prices are much cheaper than in the West. A difference levels up tp 100% even" he adds.
Beautiful Polish women and a bargain of diamond rings.

Do you need more?????

Beethoven changed music reality, what will Masecki do????

"While playing I will try to pass on to the listeners what was happening in a head of Beethoven and that was so unusual for the time, this man revolutionized music" says Marcin Masecki before his first performance of classical music in a funky place - Chlodna 25.

The event is a must for whose who are not cliched."Interesting people that's who change world and they are not boring, that's why Beethoven" says this young musician - a cultural melting Potter. Marcin was born in Warsaw, when he was a child he moved to Columbia, a few years later landed in San Fransisco, next back to Poland, left it again for Boston where he studied for two years in Berklee College of Music. He also traveled toArgentina, he got married there and finally back to Poland for some time. "Soon we plan to move to London" confesses Marcin. He already managed to give some concerts all over Europe and in autumn he will perform in New York. To end up his culturally diverse environment his manager is a Japanese lady. "I was in the places where you meet a whole world" - adds modest Marcin.

As a way to show the respect to the audience the artist needs some preparation. In case of the last three Beethoven's sonatas it was a researching job. When Beethoven was 30 years old, he started to lose his hearing so he communicated with his writing. He left some notes and Marcin read many of them. " A few days before the concert I need to be a little bit like Beethoven, try to enter his mind" says Marcin. Thursday's recital is a challenge - " Beethoven is technically very difficult to perform, he didn't take into account the basic rules of physics" - explains Marcin. What will happen on 26th July at 20:00 onChlodna 25 - still a mystery - so come and find out.

"Diamonds - the greatest value on the smallest surface"

a common sense says. " Diamonds are a girls best friend" Marlyn Monroe was singing. " Because of my sex and profession I am not crazy about diamonds, but it is true, they are the most precious gemstones" says Mr Stanislaw Krzystof Jacobson - a diamond expert from Gdansk. Sean Connery as James Bond knew that "Diamonds are forever". " A diamond is the most beautiful gemstone, it enjoys the eyes" says a Warsaw craftsman - Mr Andrzej Koprowski - who has been in the business since 1965.

The name “diamond” derives from the ancient Greek adamas and means invincible. The name covers the main feature of these gemstones - hardness. "Diamonds can be scratched only by other diamonds as they are so hard" says Mr Pawel Szcześniak a diamond expert from Warsaw. The diamonds are formed by the prolonged exposure of carbon bearing materials to high pressure and temperature. They are the hardest known naturally occurring material. "A diamond is the hardest thing in the world. There is no harder element" confirms Mr Szczesniak.

Because of its extraordinary physical properties, diamonds have been used symbolically since near the time of their first discovery, dated around 296 BCE. It is said the Greeks believed diamonds were tears of the gods, the Romans believed they were splinters of fallen stars. " Diamonds are not magic stones, above all it is promoted" states Mr Jacobson.

Leaving the occultist issue and supernatural powers of the diamonds open, nobody argues with the financial aspect of them. " In the long-term perspective the purchase of diamonds is a good investment because the physical features that define their value don't change with time" explains Mr Tomasz Sobczak - a diamond expert with a family tradition in the field. "Diamonds – are the most simple way to pass family property between generations without paying the required taxes" adds Mr Sobczak. "Diamonds are a luxury product but they are everywhere. They are not a delicacy anymore. You simply need to want them" says Mr Szczesniak. There is no doubt that diamonds are business. Diamonds which have been prepared as gemstones are sold on diamond exchanges called bourses. There are 24 registered diamond bourses. According to the authors of Rio Tinto Group, in 2002 the diamonds produced and released to the market were valued at US$9 billion as rough diamonds, US$14 billion after being cut and polished, US$28 billion in wholesale diamond jewelry, and retail sales of US$57 billion.

A key role in the diamond business is the estimation of a gemstone’s value. "In order to know the value of a diamond we need to evaluate the 4 C's" says Mr Sobczak. The first C stands for Carat - heaviness. The special diamond weight measures the mass of diamond - shows Mr Sobczak. " In Poland people buy engagement rings with diamonds between 0,15 - 0,20 carat" says Mr Szczesniak. The second C is Clarity. It is the measurement of the internal defects of a diamond called inclusions. The less inclusions a diamond has the better it is. "An inclusion can be black. It means that carbon atoms didn't transform properly" demonstrates Mr Szczesniak. The third C is Colour. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is perfectly transparent with no hue or colour. The connoisseurs check the colour only in the case of white diamonds. They need to estimate their whiteness. They do their job by using a special set of the diamonds. It is either called a master colour set or a colour grading set. The experts gathered at GIA - Gemological Institute of America , the most important authority in gemology - mark the best whiteness of a diamond with a letter D. According to the RAL scale it is called River. The names derives from a diamonds' famous mine. The fourth C is a cut that is the art and science of creating a gem-quality diamond out of mined rough. When the 4 C's are evaluated, the experts use the Rapaport Diamond Report as a retail price baseline to calculate and next communicate the price of a diamond to customers. "It takes 40 minutes for a beginner to estimate the value of a diamond, it takes me 2 minutes, I have everything in my mind" states Mr Sobczak - the author of 13 books about these gemstones.

The diamond industry can be divided into two categories: one dealing with gem-grade diamonds and another with industrial-grade diamonds. It derives from a fact that only 5% of mined diamonds are suitable for use as gemstones, the rest - 95% - known as bort are destined for industrial use.

The chain of the gemstone diamond industry starts with mining. The next steps are wholesale trade and diamond cutting. They are worldwide and also exist in Poland yet only a few locations count as major players like New York, Antwerpen, London, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam and Surat.

Today the most known diamond deposits being actively mined are located in Africa, Canada, Siberia, Brazil and Australia. In some of the more politically unstable central African and west Africa an countries, revolutionary groups have taken control of diamond mines, using proceeds from diamond sales to finance their operations. Diamonds sold through this process are known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and human rights abuses in central Africa and west Africa, the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the Kimberely Process in 2002, which is aimed at ensuring that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups. The Kimberley Process provides documentation and certification of diamond exports from producing countries to ensure that the proceeds of sale are not being used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities. Poland has already signed this Act.

The Kimberely Process isn't required in the case of synthetic diamonds as they are created by technological actions. Furthermore synthetic colourful diamonds enable consumers to be en vogue at reasonable price. Natural colourful diamonds are extremely expensive. Only Hollywood stars and the most well off can afford a bargain of a few million like Ben Affleck who proposed to Jennifer Lopez with an engagement ring with a natural pink diamond. The price of this simple ring is cosmic. In Poland there is one company that sells the synthetic diamonds imported from Belarus.

The Polish market of diamonds seems to be rather small. "People aren't rich"says Mr Marian Makieła - a Warsaw diamond expert who entered into the diamond business during a diplomatic stay in India. "I believe the market will increase as our society is getting richer and richer" he says. Things were completely different some time ago. "After the 2nd world war one could go to jail because of a diamond" says Mr Sobczak. " A diamond was tabu in Poland" adds Mr Jacobson. The first wind of a change was in 1989 with the collapse of an ancient regime. The market started to be open. Joining European Union has helped Poland to regulate the procedures and obtain financial help in order to create a national training system within Polish Gemological Association (Polskie Towarzystwo Gemmologiczne) and Association of Jewelry Experts (Stowarzyszenie Rzeczoznawcow Jubilerskich).

Each country has its particular features, top experts etc. yet "there are no two identical diamonds. Each diamond is unique" says Mr Sobczak and perfectly sums up a phenomenon of the diamonds that in western cultures symbolize never - ending love.

A joke as a funny illustration to the article.

Friday afternoon, New York, Fifth Avenue, a couple enters the most luxurious jewelry shop on the street. The woman looks like a top model. One can see the relationship is at the first stage of picking -up. "Can you show me the most beautiful diamond ring" the man asks the shop assistant. "Yes, of course" - answers the shop assistant. The customer isn't satisfied so the shop assistant shows him the most expensive ring in the shop. " Try" says the man to the woman. She does. "Are you happy" asks the man. "Of course" says the woman and almost wants to jump on him. The activity of a payment arrives. " I have only a cheque" says the man. "So we have a problem" says the shop assistant. "Hmmm you know, just take my cheque and verify it, I'll come back on Monday" says the man and the couple leave the shop. Monday passed, Tuesday and Wednesday passed and the man didn't appear in the shop. On Thursday the shop assistant meets the man by accident on the street. " Why did you give me a false cheque, are you crazy???" asks the shop assistant. " Listen, you had a good weekend, I had a good weekend, everybody was happy so where's the problem??" asks the man.

Diamonds - my love

Diamonds are a girls best friend. Perhaps some of you know this is a song, performed by Marlyn Monroe, Nicole Kidnam, Frank Sinatra and many other singers . The song is written by T-Bone Burnett.

Have you ever asked yourself what is all about these diamonds that some people write songs about them, other people sing them and all of them seem to be very passionate about them. Why people are crazy about them? Why the diamonds are so magic and wicked?

Me, I asked myself this question. It was when my friend told me that he was bored waiting at the airport and he bought two diamonds. Afterwards he has studied the history of diamonds its structures and other complicated issues he managed to pass a special exam and got the certificate of being an expert of the diamonds.

For sure diamonds is a great business. Do you know that there are 21 I repeat 21 stock exchange markets of the diamonds. There are 1 500 companies dealing with diamonds. These companies employ 30 000 people. There is a capital of that business and it is not New York and not it even Warsaw although I bet Polish people would love to have Warsaw for the capital of the diamonds, it is Antwerpen. The most famous diamond was insured for 100 mio of USD.

Is it the whole truth about diamonds??? No, diamonds is also art with its particular technique in this case is a cut. I would like to tell you about one a very famous diamonds artist whose name sounds Polish but is not Polish - Marcel Tolkovsky. He invented the ideal cut. Apart from this one there 350 registered cuts. One of a famous cutters said that cutting a diamond is like a composing music, it never gets boring. Within the art of diamonds there are four holly C that play a vital role: Carat, Colour, Clarity and above mentioned Cut.

Is it the whole truth of the diamonds??? No, diamonds is pure chemistry and in details carbon and carbon atoms that are captured in a certain crystal layer. A colour of diamonds is a game between carbon atoms and nitrogen ones. The key issue is a replacement and absorption. When I have heard that Ben Afleck bought for Jennifer Lopez a ring with a pink diamond, I asked my friend why pink is pink I got a long email with all the details, I know now diamonds are chemistry. So we have business, art chemistry is it all that make diamonds so special. I was convinced that it is to little so I kept on searching. Socio-culture aspects of the diamonds are quite heavy in a metaphorical way. Diamonds means richness, luxury, prestige. A diamond is a symbol of being posh. All these characteristics are very superficial. It has no link to magic and being unique.

So why the hell diamonds are so special???? Why the hell they sing the songs about them??? Why the hell these ones who have them have show off them.

Finally I found the answer!

The diamond is a symbol of the love – this one the most important and the most true. A diamond the hardest stone in the world, a pure creation of nature shows the most important characteristics of love – that on one hand it is unbreakable and on the other that it is natural. Gabi Tolkovsky a son of great Marcel Tolkowsky that I have mentioned before says that his favourite form to cut of a diamond is a heart. At the same time it is the most difficult one. Now I know why the diamonds are a girls best friend.

Why a blog???

I've created my own blog as I want my writing needs to be met.

I also would like to receive feedback on my speeches and articles as with time perhaps will convert my hobby - journalism - into a profession.

I hope net surfers will enjoy what I wrote. In addition would like them to share their opinions with me.