lovely day in Luxembourg - beautiful weather and once again I walked it to work.  I am still feeling determined about my weight loss effort and quite happy with how I managed yesterday food wise. Today I did 2 salmon sandwiches with tomatoes and cucumber again  - it may be repetitive but I love the salmon.  I don't put much salmon because it is very expensive here to buy, like everything else.  But I love it and I do without butter or any other spread - the bread is brown as well - so I'm figuring it is pretty healthy. Today I forgot my work badge so I have a temporary day badge which means that I can't go to any other institution's canteen. One has to specify that in terms of food we have  a choice of 4 canteens. Ours is the Commission's canteen which is in everyone's opinion is the worse in choice and quality. Then there is the Court of Auditor's canteen which I like - very reasonable, good quality food, nothing wow but good and dependable. Then there is the European Parliament's canteen which is of a higher quality and finally there is the Court of Justice which in my opinion is the best.  One can have salads but as usual, the healthiest choice is the most expensive by quite a bit!!! 

I have an IT course this morning and some work to cover.  I'm not stressed with any deadlines and I'm expecting more translation work to come in today. I'm trying to study because I have my half-way through the course French test next week on Tuesday and the concours interview on Thursday. I should say something about the concours - I am here on a temporary 18 month contract which can be renewed once - so right now I'm here to a maximum of 3 years.  However, I'm also going through the competition (that's how it's called - concours in French) for a permanent job.  Not that I see myself staying here for ever but doing it for a few years would help me pay off the flat in Malta and give me some financial security - also it would give me other advantages amongst which might be a transfer to Brussels from where I need only one flight to get to Malta (over here it's either 2  expensive flights or coaches/trains and then a flight).  This competition process is very very long and has 4 stages.  Each stage means a shortlisting of candidates for the coveted places.  We started this competition in March 08 and now, April/May 09 we are at the 4th stage, so far I have made it through the first 3 stages and I'm in the final 4th oral interview stage.  Stumbling at this stage would be devestating cause once someone is at this stage it's as if there is a foot inside a permanent office already but we'll see. If I fail I know there are other things waiting for me. But obviously I do not want to fail. A week later I leave to go to Malta to do my diploma in computing final exams. Maybe some more info about that in another post. In the meantime I'm just going to try and do some work before my IT half-day starts in an hour - at least the lab is right in front of my office. Good day everyone and stay strong.