Finally, finally, finally! I am done with my exams. I am extremely tired. EXTREMELY. I have had some tough period in the last few weeks, especially because I was lagging behind with things that should be done - probably because of Model European Union - which was GREAT.

I still owe an (at least a brief) story about this prominent week. Well, let's see... We departed from Budapest (by car) on Sunday, 25 May, at 0.30 am (:o) and arrived to Strasbourg in the late afternoon. We met the organizers and other participants in the restaurant where we had dinner. From next day on we were "working" in the European Parliament (our plenary being the conference room of European Socialists). My role was to represent a Czech conservative member of the European Parliament, and although there were times when I got lost in the huge load of information (i.e. which amendment of us has passed, which hasn't, and generally in what phase the debate is), soon I found the necessary routine ;) We also had breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks in the European Parliament (the pastries were delicious! :)))). The evenings were even better :) I still remember the wonderful talks and crazy moments when we were visiting that nice bar in Kehl, Germany, having parties in La Java (or just hanging out without going any particular place) and discussed the agenda in an informal setting :) Wednesday was the last day we were acting like politicians/journalists/lobbyists - from Thursday we had workshops (like "Quo vadis EU-Russia?"), a meeting with a "real" MEP and some info sessions about AEGEE, JEF, Model European Union 2009 and Youth in Action Programme. I chose the last one and I must tell that I got really inspired to start a programme corresponding with European values and streghtening intercultural ties. I don't have an idea yet but I am sure that I want to be an active citizen in the future and MEU was kind of the first step to do that. :)

Thank you AEGEE and all the wonderful people I have met during this week.

P.S.: I have passed my English exam!!! So in a few weeks I will hold my Advanced level Business English certificate in my hands - it's a wonderful feeling :)

Childish, but today I decided to visit an event centered around Europe Day (9 May), and of course I stacked up with two plastic bags of entirely useless things: T-shirt with EU stars, mug, EU pen, European Parliament pen, beer opener combined with keychain (!!!), coin purse, mobile phone strip, EU-style umbrella... And as there were tents of some EU member states (and other countries, too, like Turkey... :o), I brought a Slovenia umbrella, 2 Slovenia pins, Slovenia sticker, Belgium pen, Belgium pencil, Malta poster and some tourist brochures - all these things being carried in a Malta and a Portugal plastic bag. The Portuguese guys also made me taste some Portuguese wine, and I must say it's really great :) Well, I admit that the event was more like a propaganda that a mental challenge, but it was still fun to look around :) AND I also saw our European Commissioner, but I didn't stay to listen him for too long, because he rather spoke about Schengen, the euro and many other things that everyone knows about (at least I hope)

The other part of my post centered around the European Union is maybe more interesting :) A few weeks ago I applied for the Model European Union simulation game taking place in the EP, Strasbourg. My application is accepted so between 25 and 31 May I'll do nothing else than representing a given fraction as the delegate of a given country in the European Parliament (I don't know my role yet - maybe I'll receive it in a few days). But the thing I know is that it will be a VERY challenging event and I better give all the abilities I have into this game :))))) You can learn more about this event here :)