the art of gardening (prematurely, some might say) and I spend as much spare time as possible pottering around in it, talking to my plants and making sure that they are happy; and seeing the rich, full bloom that they so generously provide, I can only assume they are. It is hard to believe that such a spot can exist in the middle of this bustling city, far from the madding crowds. Our three dogs and cat - strays, originally - share the enjoyment of our oasis of peace and colour. They just have a different way of expressing it, such as competing for whoever can dig the deeper hole in the flowerbeds. And the competition is fierce...it gets even worse when Maya, the cat, is being chased by her best friend Lara (the youngest and naughtiest of the dogs). I grit my teeth, close my eyes and pray.
The parties that students throw in the dormitories next door only irregularly disturb the tranquility of our home; they are, however, quickly forgiven, as we remember occasions when we were equally boisterous. As long as we can remember, we are safe. This was until a few days ago, when I was sitting with my very good friend Ancuta, who had just returned from a holiday in Switzerland and was sharing her impressions. Just as I thought that the whole town had gone to sleep - it was after 22.00 - the calm of the evening was disturbed by the crashing of heavy machinery, hammering and shouting coming from the building site around the corner. I didn't think it was the students getting down to work so I went to investigate what turned out to be a frenzy of cement pouring, shifting of scaffolding and screamed orders. There were even more people working than supervising, which is unusual! I couldn't believe my eyes! Then it suddenly dawned on me: this was the shockwave of the latest of the controversial decisions of the Bucharest City Council and Mr Basescu, who a couple of weeks earlier had banned heavy traffic within the city between 7.00 and 21.00. While the city can certainly do with a clean, there are ways of doing it without people having to surrender their well-deserved rest after a day's work. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I have a few solutions to the issue, if Mr Basescu would find the time to listen.
Despite its many shortcomings, I love Bucharest: it is my home. One of my favourite pastimes on Saturday mornings is taking in one by one the consignatia shops in the old commercial centre in Lipscani, and watching the glass blowers at Curtea Sticlarilor. The objects that the Lipscani vendors sell never cease to surprise, and years of poking around has enabled us to build quite a collection that includes a Baba, a Bancila, a Baesu and the only self-portrait that Tia Peltz ever painted. While I am often the first to criticise, I can equally identify and cherish the numerous aspects Bucharest has going for it. For one thing, where else could you see a concert, a play or an opera for just a few bucks? For another, where else would you be processed, out of the airport and home in 45 minutes? No airport that I have travelled through can beat that.
Along the way though, I've learnt some great lessons, including the following: (1) It's so important to enjoy the moment, and to do as much as you can while you can. (2) I've learnt to really respect my pillow: it's amazing how a good night's sleep can change your approach. (3) Never say ''I can't'' or ''it's impossible'' before you try it - things often seem more difficult than they are. (4) Patience pays off in the end, and (5) Do as you would be done by - the world would be a better place.
I cannot remember how and when I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. As a student I had the chance to work for a British law firm, as a translator to begin with and progressively as legal assistant and lawyer. What I learnt at that firm gave me the professional foundations for what I am today. Then, after nine years of working for two foreign law firms, I turned over a new leaf in my career and moved to corporate life; I still think it is one of the best decisions I made. I worked first in the tobacco industry, at a time when the government was changing the foreign investors law, diluting many of its incentives and banning tobacco advertising on television and in cinemas. What a blow that was to cigarette companies, and what a fast learning curve that provided! It took working for a cigarette company to quit smoking for good.
It's difficult to believe that it is more than three years since I joined Interbrew. Being in charge of the legal and public affairs department there is never a dull moment in my life. If it's not the unreasonable provisions of the Labour Code, it's the vast Fiscal Code, or the overnight increase of excise duties, or new advertising regulations, or the formation of a professional association, or the harmonisation of Romanian legislation ahead of EU accession, or the celebration of ten years of Interbrew in Romania. The list is endless, but it is what makes the job so challenging. Being the only woman on the country management committee has its advantages and disadvantages that I won't go into, but I am having a great time. I am not only comfortable, but also confident with the contribution that I bring to the business. Most importantly I know that my efforts are appreciated.
It is Saturday afternoon and I am sitting in the attic of our country house in Moroieni, which overlooks the village and the superb green hills beyond. In true mountain fashion it rained cats and dogs until ten minutes ago but now, out of the blue the sun has taken over again. A beautiful rainbow embraces the whole village as if to bless it and I can imagine the elderly ladies telling stories to their grandchildren. There isn't much activity apart from the herds of cows slowly coming back home after a day in the hills, looking forward to being milked and some sleep. All that disturbs the tranquility of this idyllic setting is the river that flows at the bottom of the garden - noisy, monotonous, but absolutely soothing.
The attic is one of my favourite places in the house, but I don't have it all to myself: two enterprising squirrels seem to have taken up residence here, too. Somehow (we have not worked it out yet) they arrive at night and - judging by the noise they make - play football with walnuts that they collect from the tree in the garden and then probably have a feast. Each morning we find the floor scattered with broken walnut shells - proof that we have not been dreaming.
Marilen Popa is Legal and Public Affairs Director at Interbrew.
