Anděl: červenec 2006

Are we happy?

The New Economics Foundation's new global measure of progress, the "Happy Planet Index", reveals for the first time that happiness doesn't have to cost the Earth. It shows that people can live long, happy lives without using more than their fair share of the Earth's resources. The new international ranking of the environmental impact and well-being reveals a very different picture of the wealth, and poverty, of nations. (NEF Publications)

By the calculation method of the Index, Vanuatu comes out on top. Cheers to the happiest country on Earth!

China ranks 31th out of the 178 countries on the list… I'm feeling pretty happy about that right now! Czech Republic 128th… well, somehow I'm not surprised, but me still thinks Czechs can do better than that. Anyway we've got cheap and good beer here, which contributes to two of the three indicators - life expectancy and life satisfaction, in two opposite directions. Which one trumps the other? You elaborate that, prosim!

“We can all decamp to Vanuatu, which would no doubt thrill the islanders and totally screw up paradise. Or we can heed the words of Lowen, stay where we are, and learn to be satisfied with a little bit less.” (Wired)

Wider Access

One more item to the list of the useful websites for new comers in the Czech Republic!

In a much-needed effort to bolster the Czech Republic's online exposure to foreign business people and tourists, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is launching a comprehensive interactive portal at www.czech.cz July 13. (The Prague Post)

It's summer, share!

Upon popular public request (yeah, literally, it’s now the common greeting to me. “Hi Jenny, how’re the pictures?”), here are the party photos from the past few weeks (a few of them are from the past year, too!) A few choice cuts from Claire’s camera are added as well. Here’s to the sweet memories, Na zdravi!

BTW, this photo below is officially voted the Photo of the Weekend. Well done, Kristoffer!

[Followup] Drama II

Saturday night, Al said goodbye to everyone and left the party early right after the World Cup game, because he planned to catch the early train next day to Berlin for the final. Fair enough, so we let him go.

Sunday afternoon, us chilling at the beer garden, sipping pivo and waiting for the game to begin, Al shows up. "Hehe, missed the train, twice… tried to rent a car, I'm the only one in the group that has a valid driver license… but I've never driven on the right side of the road…"

Monday morning, Lukasz emailed:

"...our friend the Dutch girl forgot today her passport to the airport and didn't go home…hehe…sweet…oh my god Rapha has a big influence on everybody…:)"

Look, people, I know everyone was thrilled when Wednesday night Raphael walked in to the beer garden and immediately won more cheers than the game did on the screen, and it must be good to be yelled at "XXX, you are the legend!" as Raphael was. But please,

A, we have limited quota for legends;
B, one more night in Praha means one more night of pivo consumption, good for the economy, but bad for your liver; and
C, if you think missing a train to Germany or a flight to the Netherlands can beat a flight to Australia, aka the wrong side of the world, you need a world map.

So stop trying and pull yourself out of your bed already!

On that note, Al moved in last night, following Claire to finally be an official Andeler for a few days after 9 months wandering around the town, peeking into our lives and bringing us beers and endless fun. Welcome, lad… and don't lose the keys!

No way:

In the Lone Star State of Texas, Czech is the third most spoken language after English and Spanish. More Czechs live here than in any other American state.
Compiled by Mindy Bricker

Fakt yo?!

Thanks Christian!

Drama

So, it's public holiday today, so is tomorrow. I'm chilling in Kava Kava Kava, surfing, still sick, trying to put myself together, and also still a bit sad that I didn't manage to go out after the Andel party last night with Rapha and the gang because I was too sick... Browsing blogs, I see Michela's comment, laughing... Right at this moment, someone walks in the room. I look up, and here is Mr. Speyer standing in front of me, with his luggage in his hands, smiling awkwardly...

My jaws dropped, "WTF, mate?!"
"Ur, I missed the bus."
"You left home early enough!"
"Yeah, and then I went to pick up my suitcase at Hana's place... next thing I woke up at 9 with the alarm beeping..."

So Michela, sorry, too late. The reunion organizer is now sitting next to me, already read the comment, and is freaking out; and Devrim, I'm going to feed Rapha lots of tofu tonight, enough for him to puke it on you no matter when you guys meet; and dear all, this just proved the truth that you can't get rid of this Mr. Life-of-the-Party so easily, try harder. Well, I'll make sure he gets on the bus on time tomorrow so he can make it back to the land "down under, where people walk on their head".... if we don't go out tonight, that is.

A farewell and see you soon in Hawaii!

Well, my friends, it's time at last for me to say goodbye.
After nigh on a year here, and roaming around the countryside
I'm heading home.

A chapter that opened for me a year and a half ago is coming to a close.

But I feel that much of what grew out of it is only at the beginning.
Friendships gained, developed.
Views shared, exchanged.

A passion for investigation, for seeing another side, from the inside.
A passion for exploration. The world now seems very small to me!
Seas and borders are merely a technical barrier, always surmountable with a little vision, a little planning, and sometimes a little guanxi. :-)

I'll be glad to see my family and friends in Australia again, but I know really going to miss all you guys, and the fantastic international atmosphere that Anděl and this traineeship has been for me.

So, on that note, I hereby officially announce the Anděl Reunion!

Time: New Year's Eve 2010/2011
Place: Hawaii
Who: All Andělers and other Prague trainees, past, present and future, and their friends.
Other details: To be worked out...

See that ticking countdown on the right? That's how long you have left until the Anděl Reunion New Year's Eve Party reaches that sweet spot. So, be ready.

If your in, send an email to andelers@gmail.com . We'll keep you updated on what's being organised. If you have ideas, suggestions or want to help organise this thing, you're also more than welcome. Send us an email and we'll get you in the know...

In fact the only case in which you shouldn't send us an email, is if you don't want to be there, and don't care about what happens.

Alright fellows, thank you all for being part of an amazing experience here, and I wish you all the best of everything in the future. I hope to see you again sooner or later, here, or there or somewhere else.

Čau,
Rapha

Anděler, indeed

After 9 months of living on the wrong side of the town, Claire finally moved in to become an official Andel player, even only for 4 nights. She came, she left, and she’ll be back... Safe trip home, Claireski! Always remember that it’s legal to be a loser. See you pretty soon in Prahahaha. Yo yo yo!