Today my manager came to Cécilia and me and said that she was invited to the TV Festival in Monaco and she wasn’t feeling like going. So she gave us her tickets adding that before the beginning of the show she was invited for a drink at the Meridien Beach Plaza, one of the most beautiful 4*hotels in Monaco and that we could go at her place. I looked at Cécilia and together we agreed that this was just awesome and we would spend one more unbelievable evening.

Straight after work, we both rushed home to get prepared. We had decided during the day what we would wear for the event and it didn’t take us long to get ready.

Cécilia came to pick me up and we drove towards Monaco to attend this special occasion.

When we arrived in Monaco, and introduce ourselves at the desk of the hotel, it was already late and the festival had already started since a while. We therefore agreed to go see it first and then to come back to have our free drink (how could we miss that?!).

The ceremony was presented by Tonya Kitzinger, the famous actress of the serie Sous le Soleil and Bernard Montiel, a TV animator. It was kind of impressive being there, among all those very well-dressed people and attending such event. Cécilia and I really felt like we were privileged (and we were indeed!!) and we decided to take the most of it, even though we could be ridiculous

at stages. We obviously took pictures: pics of the stage, of the magnificent theatre, of the people attending… We even were lucky cause we found two seats at the 5^th or 6^th raw and therefore could see perfectly the show.

Among the famous people there was Bruno Salomone, a French humorist and actor and Isabelle Adjani.

The show ended and we walked towards the hotel to get that drink. We sat at the terrace and thought of what was happening: we were in Monaco, at the terrace of a wonderful hotel near the beach, listening to the waves, all dressed up, we just attended a very select show and walked among famous people. We are 24! Who else can say he did such things at our age? I guess that’s the time we realized we were really privileged, not only to be there but to work for a company, and more than anything for a manager, who gives us such occasions.

Driving lessons...

Just back from the wedding in Paris, I had some plans.

Preparing our next trip to Portugal, we (meaning mum and I) faced some problems: as she wasn't feeling enough in shape to drive, my mother decided I'd be the driver for the week we'd plan to spend around Nothern Portugal. What mum had evidently forgotten is that I haven't been driving since I got my licence, i.e. 2006!!!!!!

Therefore I to ok some big decision: I rented a car for 3 days and asked Noémie to be my personnal coach.

On the day I came back from Paris, I've been working all day and the same evening I had to exercise myself again with this Citroen C3 we had rented.
Noémie drove us outside town and when there were less cars, she gave me the wheel.

I was so tensed, so afraid I'd commit some stupid move or any accident...
But after a couple of minutes things happened to be not that bad after all. Reactions were coming back little by little though I was still very clenched.

The first evening ended well and I was pretty proud of myself and way more confident to see I was still able to drive and I hadn't forgotten that much of all my driving lessons.

Second and third evening (I was driving exclusively after work) went way better (more or less). I wasn't tensed anymore and I gained fluency and confidence. Cécilia joined us in our little escapade the last day.

After those 3 days I felt I was more able to drive on my own, though I had some apprehension.
On the other hand I was so excited about our trip and I couldn't wait to be there.
Portugal here I come!!

Wedding time

Up to Paris again to ensure a special role: witness at Anne-Marie's wedding.
I have waited for this moment since quite a while and was very excited.

When the day arrived, I went there enough in advance to help Anne-Marie getting ready. She wore a beautiful white dress and had been maked up by her aunt. A couple of pictures already as I really wanted to have some special pix of this priviledged moment with her.

When everybody was there, we all left together for the city hall. There again some pictures and then time to stand in from of the mayor.
No one was sitting. All guests were in front of us, taking pictures of Anne-Marie, David and their two witnesses.

When the time came, the mayor asked us to sign the record. Two signatures that would mark thi special day forever. I felt so much pressure that I ruined the second signature!!! But anyway, what matters is to be there right?

We left the room and took hundreds of pictures outside the city hall. Our newly wife and husband were just perfect: all smily on every pic. They really seemed to be happy :)

From there it was time to go and celebrate. So in their appartment we cut the wedding cake and I had the chance to discover wedding traditions from Anne-Marie's family.
Awesome time together and loads of food! I ate sooooo much!! Anne-Marie and David had warned me: "don't ate too much we still have the retaurant later on". Damn! I had completely forgotten about it. So I stopped eating looking forward to the restaurant.

Arrived there, we had a lovely dinner. At the time of the wedding cake (yes, a second one!!) I stood and raised my glass of champagne. It was my turn to talk and make all my wishes to the new couple. I had done my best to personnalise my speech as much as possible and, to me, the internet field was what linked our two newly weds best. I spoke, my hands were shaking and my voice wasn't very assured but still, by seeing them smile at some funny sentences, I felt I had done the right thing and I was glad I had followed my intuition.

The dinner ended and I felt sick of having eaten so much! Anne-Marie and David told me that for the religious wedding that was planned for the 1st August it would be worse and that I'd better get used to big quantities.

All summed up, I had a great day and I was proud to be the witness of such a lovely and adorable couple.
Anne-Marie, David, even thought this was not the most important part of your commitment together, I wish you all the best in your marital life and sincerily hope you'll spend the rest of your life in the same joy as this special day.