Interning Internationally

Well, it is the last day of 2011 and I have pretty intense news...

I am moving to London on Jan 21st for at least 4 months!

The director that I am interning for is shooting in London next year and because the assistant in the office has some family troubles in LA, she could not make the commitment to travel with him.  So he asked me!!!  The intern!!! Can you believe it?  

I will get a little bit more money from his assistant's allocation in the budget and all I have to do is pay for my flights.  I have some family friends in London that are willing to put me up for a few months so I will be saving on rent as well!  I am subletting my room in LA to a good friend so I am all set.

I've never been to London!  I am f**king freaking out!!!  This the coolest thing to happen to me... ever!  And  Ophelia, you will be seeing a lot more of me!    Paris is just a train ride away!

2012 here we come!  May this year be the most prosperous yet for all of us!  Full of laughter and successes.

Cheers!

xxx Rose

I love NYC

Well Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year my friends!

How have your holidays been? How is it being home with the family?

I’ve been stuck in the city this holiday season…no vaca for me :( But to tell you the truth I don’t quite mind it. NY has been incredibly cozy and of all the places in the world, it’s the happiest place for me to be on Christmas!

My family was in town for the celebrations, and for the first time in such a long time we decided to take a carriage ride through Central Park. On any other day you have more horses waiting for a ride in the park than you have tourists ready to cash out for the expensive ride…But I couldn’t believe it! On Christmas day we literally had to wait over an hour to get a horse and carriage to take us for a stroll in the park! We waited in the cold…hot cocoa in hand…but it was well worth the fee and tip!

It was absolutely magical! You forget NY’s beauty, magic and Central Park’s serenity when you work in this city. You get so over consumed by everything: competition, money, positions, superficiality…you forget to open your eyes, stop a second, breath and see NY for what it really is! This was the highlight of my Xmas weekend and pretty much one of the best Xmas gifts I could have gotten!

Work started today again…but this time as I walked to work, down the park, past the zoo and the seals…I stopped…breathed…and savoured NY! I love this city!!

Happy holidays!

Flora xoxo

Intern Indiscretions

My darling girls,
I am so sorry for not writing sooner but I have been so so so swamped at work!  I got back from the most amazing trip to LA with the lovely Rose and I haven't stopped since!  Back to back to back meetings and endlessly long hours!  I have so much to catch you up on!  Remember how I said I would be working a weekend with Damien?  Well I did, and guess what... it was a disaster!  I will admit, Saturday started off well enough.  We got a lot done and then decided to reward ourselves by grabbing some dinner and wine at Cafe Ruc.  Well, wine turned into more wine and eventually Damien confessed to sleeping with one of the interns!  Yuck!  Is that even legal?! ha!

On Sunday, slightly hungover, we were back at it trying to finish up the presentation.  I guess Damien was a little embarrassed that he drunkenly confessed because he was back to being his usual jackass self!   He actually tried to blackmail me into not speaking about his little intern indiscretion!  He said if I mention it to again he would tell everyone about my relationship with the boss!  That was the last straw!  How dare he try even try that crap with me!  Not that there is anything to tell, but I really don't need him dragging my name through the mud... especially since my boss and his fiancée have finally set a wedding date!  Oh la la!  My life is getting awfully compliqué!

And so, the battle against Damien continues.  I really don't like him.  Grrrr!

But I love you girls!

Bisous xx Ophelia

2012 - Resolution #1 - Get Hobbies!

Ladies!

 I am officially starting to drive myself mad in Hollywood.  All my friends work in the industry and I spend all my free time thinking about writing and of getting ahead!  I need to find something to do in this city that does not involve the entertainment industry.

I would pick up Japanese classes again if I had the money, but I think it is more important to feed myself at this point!  Maybe I can find someone who wants to do a language exchange!  I really have to look into it asap.

When I was younger I played guitar, drew, read a lot of books... now I pat myself on the back for making a healthy home cooked meal!  I have no energy at all!  It's like all the youthful spark has been sucked out of me between the hours of 9am and 7pm.

OK that's it...  For the new year I am going to take up two activities outside of work that do not involve the film or tv industry.

Any ideas?

xxx

Rose

An Irresponsible Intern

Happy Belated Thanksgiving girls!!

How are u?! I headed down south this weekend to see my family, and I have to say I had enough Turkey to last a lifetime! I almost never thought I’d make it though! Wednesday morning I sat down with T, my intern who I have to say has turned into a real nightmare, to go over some last details for an event happening next week.

First of all, the prick gives me a ton of attitude since I asked him to come in early to ensure we get this down before the weekend.

Second, he arrives late.

Third, he comes striding in like there’s no problem at all and casually says hello to everyone in the office before coming over to impatient me waiting. Ahhhh! Already there I wanted to burst!

But wait….So he finally comes over. We start going over things…I stay calm, cool and collected…and then he has the nerve to tell me that he hasn’t finished everything yet. He says he needs the morning to go over a few things. What?!?!?! I exploded girls. The meeting room windows shook!! Every single thing I had asked him to do, he had fucked up on. From coming in on time, to getting his work done….nothing!! I would have never had the guts to do that when I was an intern.

I’ll spare you the details, but let me tell you, there’s a new Flora in the house, and this Flora won’t take any sh*t any longer!

T. the intern in fact spent Friday at the office finishing everything off as expected. Yes, this Friday after Thanksgiving T. had to learn his lesson and not taking his work, responsibilities and me for granted!

Flora

An Intern's Comic Relief

Flora, I feel your pain.  Hollywood is notorious for underpaying as well.  Sadly, I don't think the assistant in my office gets paid much more than me, the intern.  C'est la vie.

Speaking of the assistant... true story:

Yesterday at work she started to feel pains in her lower back and then it moved to her abs.  Over the following hour the pain grew to the point where she couldn't sit down at her desk anymore.  She literally fell to the floor in agonizing pain and was crouched over into the fetal position.  Then she started to panic and literally all the color from her face disappeared within seconds and she started to hyperventilate.  So I got her a glass of water, but it was no use.   We had to call an ambulance to the office.

It took the paramedic about 20 mins to get there!  She had caught her breath by the time they arrived, but they still took her to the hospital to get the pain checked out... The doctor had one feel around and gave her a diagnosis.  She had trapped gas!  I shit you not! (no pun intended)  OMG she was mortified.  How f**king embarrassing is that?!  The intern takes you to the hospital for some trapped gas?  I keep getting the visual from The Last King Of Scotland when James McAvoy has to push the fart right out of Forest Whitaker!

I had to hold my laughter in until I got home!  I was dying!  Trapped gas!  I don't doubt that she was in horrible pain, but OMG... f**king brilliant!  That made my month!

xxx

Rose

A “full-time” deception

Hey Rose! And I was hoping you’d come by NY one of these days L

I’m a little in the same situation as you… I mean when I look at the work we put into our jobs and what we get out of them I just go crazy! The sad thing is that there is nothing I can do about it right now…and regardless of the fact that I’m now working and no longer an intern, the pay is still shit.

I’m still struggling at the end of the month to pay my rent. I’m still not going out to restaurants as much as I could have dreamed I would. I’m still not gonna be going on a Caribbean vaca this year (I don’t even have the days for it…)…My piggy bank is empty! 

It just seems  as though so much that I was looking forward to in a full-time position has been a deception. And yes, I’m talking about the money. I relate to the “Occupy” movement…no I haven’t gone down and protested myself, but I’m totally there in spirit.

Our entire generation is working their asses off and what do we get in return? We get to pay off the debt we accumulated all throughout college for the rest of our lives…yup, that’s pretty much it right now…

Ok, I guess you can tell I’m clearly not having a hunky dory day today….my ex-obsession hot intern has turned into a nightmare….

To be continued ladies…

Flora xoxo

The Broke Intern

O, so glad that you finally made it out to LA!  It was so nice to have such a good friend in town.  Definitely miss that in this city.   My boss absolutely loved you btw... a little odd that he keeps mentioning my 'lovely friend from Paris'... you made some impression for the few mins that he met you in the office!  Flora, how is NYC?

Well, I have just spent the last few dollars before my next paycheck on watching We Need To Talk About Kevin.  (I would put it on par with Blue Valentine.  Depressing and disturbing, but extremely well done!)  I know, I know... I need to get my priorities straight, but I was simply dying to see it! So now I have just over $5 to get through the week.


Any thoughts on how to make it through a weekend with no money in Los Angeles are welcome!  At least I have an almost full tank of gas!  I'm thinking I might just catch up on some television and buy a few bags of instant ramen!  Without a doubt, I will be suffering with cabin fever by Monday morning... not to mention starvation!

Thank god my internship is based from my boss's home!  The housekeeper always makes a little bit of extra food and slips it to me when no one is looking.  Haha I'm like the office dog begging for the leftovers to be slipped to me under the table!    

T minus 7 days until pay day!  Help!

xxx

Rose

Adventures in LA LA Land!

Hi girls!
How are things?  Rose, I have a few people to add to that list!  Flora, we missed you in LA last week!

Rose took me all over town, I had the quintessential LA experience!  A screening of The Muppets (loved it!)  Drinks at Beacher's Madhouse and Soho House!  Dinner at Matsuhisa with my amazing friend R and her adorable son O and many a breakfast at the Chateau Marmont (my fave!)! But it wasn't all play, of course there were my meetings.  I was there to work, remember!  Ha!

Now I am back in Paris where my situation has not changed.  My boss and Damien bonded even more while I was away and I continue to be a persona no grata on most business lunches and meetings.  It is actually fine as I cannot stand the pretentious, self-absorbed snob (Damien) anyway but way to bump me out!   As for the other "situation," that is most definitely in the past.  I'm over it.

Adding to my list of complaints, I am facing a working weekend with Damien this week.  How will I be able to spend all day Saturday and Sunday alone with him in the office?!  I can't even take 5 minutes with him!  Ugh!  He may be easy on the eyes but he is a pain in the ass!

Bisous xx Ophelia

The Eternally Growing List

Ophelia, I can't wait to see you!  Send me your flight details please!  I know that you can expense a taxi cab, but I won't have it.  I will be picking you up.  Just look for the hunk of sh*t, rusted car!  (I wish I were joking...)

You ladies know that I like lists.  I am an organization and control freak.  I like to make lists for everything.  It helps me calm down.  I even like to make lists of the lists.  Well, one of my lists keeps growing by the day in this city of sharks.  That would be my F**k You List.  This list is comprised of all the people that have either doubted me, back stabbed me, or in any way brought me down during my eternal intern adventures.

Well today the list has grown by 1.  Mr. Alexander.  I met him at the young hollywood party at CAA a few weeks ago and we got on brilliantly. I told him that I work for a director from the office pool house.  He assists a couple of lit agents.  He has been sending me job postings from his tracking boards every day and we have met up for 'work drinks' a few times as well.  Really great guy... until last night!

We went out with a few of his friends, which was great because I got to meet more assistants in the industry.  I looked great, he looked great, we were laughing and exchanging stories and then he said the four words that anyone in my position dreads the most when introducing what I do to his friends... "Still Just An Intern."  


"F**k you!" I thought.

And that is the story of how Mr. Alexander, within a few moments,  went from potential romance and good friend to the newest addition to my F**k You List.  

xxx

Rose

Taking the High Road

Hi my lovely girls,
Let me start by saying that I miss you both so much!  We need an Eternal Intern holiday somewhere warm and fabulous!  Flora, how funny that your intern is such a social butterfly!  Maybe he'll settle into his role and you two will have a long and happy (professional?) relationship together! hehe!  Rose, have I got news for you... I'm coming to LA!!   I will be there on FRIDAY!!  Can you believe it!?  I haven't been out to visit you in years and years and now it is finally happening!

While I am excited to be going on yet another business trip, I am a little concerned this time around.  Usually my boss goes on these trips and in recent history he has been taking me with him.  This time, however, I am being sent alone and I have a funny feeling it is because he wants me out of the picture!  Ever since that damn Damien started I have become the invisible woman.  Damien and the boss have started some ridiculous Ol' Boys Club and I have been excluded!

And have I mentioned just how much I hate Damien?  I don't trust him in the least.  He's too perfect, you know?  I am determined to find out exactly what is wrong with him (there must be something!).  And the worst part?  He doesn't fight fair.  He's a snake!  That's fine with me though, I'll take the high road... to LA!  Clear your schedule, Rose!  I'm staying at the Chateau Marmont and guess what... I'm expensing everything!  ha!

Bisous xx Ophelia

Fooled by the Intern

Ophelia, Damien sounds like a real a**! You got there first, don’t forget it and keep protecting your territory!

Monday is the day my new intern started as well. And has he ever spiced things up in the office since he arrived! As I mentioned, he has clearly been gifted by nature in both the brains and looks department, and on top of it all he’s one of the only non-gay guys on the floor…meaning I’m gonna have to keep a very close watch on my new recruit! I thought a hot, smart, interesting intern was going to be the perfect aide – and eye candy to stare at as I get over el novio – and yet, it turns out all of these qualities I so admired in him have turned into his greatest faults!!

The other interns (all girls I may add…) are always hovering around his desk waiting to speak with him…the assistants are all taking him on coffee breaks…and his super personable personality has even gotten the mail guys to call him down for cigarette breaks….all in all it’s impossible to get him to do any work! Monday and Tuesday I was pretty cool and tolerant since he had just started but by Wednesday I was about to burst – I hired the guy to help me out and work with me, not be the social rep for the floor… 

Thursday came around and by the 5^th “break” he had taken, I pulled him aside for a “meeting” and sat him down. I was about to start laying down the law, when low and behold out of nowhere he asked me how my friend M. was….from last week!! Last week at Dorian’s…when we accidentally bumped into each other as I was accompanied by my friend M. and I was in a rather “unprofessional” state…OMG! And it doesn’t stop there…he asked me if I minded if he Facebooked her!

What?? Are you kidding?? 

Number 1, we are having a meeting since you are clearly not performing your job well (after less than a week) so this is not the time or place to bring this up... obviously!

Number 2, I’m SINGLE!! PICK ME!!

I sat there baffled, feeling totally fooled by this so-called “perfect” intern…who now shows one too many cracks. He clearly had gotten the point that he had f****d up yet again…

Let’s see what next week holds…

Flora xoxo

The Office Power Struggle

Hello my darling girls,
Rose, such optimism!  I almost didn't recognize you!   Flora, I'm sure the babe intern is telling all his friends that he has a babe boss!

As for moi, there is a new man in my world as of Monday and let me tell you, I am not happy about it.  As you know my company is expanding and my boss is keen on bringing in new, fresh talent.  Enter Damien Hinter, a smart, handsome, 29 -year-old New Yorker.  He's Ivy educated, fluent in French, has a killer CV, in short, he's perfect!  You'd think I'd be swooning (ok, maybe I am a little, he looks like a young Mark Ruffalo!)...  but I'm also fuming!  Damien may be a "catch," but he's also an ASSHOLE.   In his first three days we have clashed on just about everything.  We cannot agree on anything and he refuses to compromise!  Why should I have to compromise when I was here first?!  It is a classic office power struggle.  And the worst part?  My boss seems to love him more than he loves me!  He has a total man-crush and it is just plain sad!  Last weekend I was whisked away on a (secret) vacation and suddenly I'm excluded from business lunches?!  I'm livid.  Who does this guy think he is?!

Calm down, Ophelia!  This will all blow over when Darling Damien is no longer the flavor of the month.  Soon he'll be just another employee and things will go back to normal.  Right?  Tell me I'm right!

Argh, speak of the devil, Damien just sent me a rather condescending email.  This means war.  He has no clue who he is dealing with!  He will seriously regret the day he moved to Paris and crossed paths with me. Ha!

Bisous xx Ophelia

To Reach The Unreachable Star

With all this occupying of cities from Wall Street to Vancouver, I have been thinking a lot lately about the generational differences that have emerged.  To be perfectly honest, I have a hard time relating to the 99%, but at the same time don't really understand why because as an eternal intern, I have also fallen victim to bad policy and a crap economy at the worst possible time...upon graduation from uni.

Being an intern over the last few years has taught me a lot of things, but the thing that it has sparked inside me the most is the belief in the American dream.  I haven't given up hope and have never felt so close to accomplishing the things I have always desired the most.  In fact, sometimes I think that I am privileged for having to endure this crap economy because if it wasn't for that I might not be who I am today.  I have struggled with numerous jobs to support my dream of someday becoming a producer and I appreciate every opportunity all the more because of it.  

I am not bitter.  Maybe I should be.  Yes it's true that I am sometimes late on paying rent, and last week I had to ask my parents to help pay for my broken brakes on my clunk of shit car, but... without a dream, what is there to look forward to?

xxx

Rose

An Embarrassing Coincidence

Ophelia you were in London! You lucky thing, I want to go so badly!

Rose how are you doing mi amiga??

As for me, the most random/embarassing coincidence happened last night! I went out for a few drinks with a girlfriend to Dorians…we hadn’t seen each other since college, she was in town visiting (Ophelia do you remember M? She’s now living in Chicago for some big designer…forgot the name oooops!!) and we decided to go to Dorians for old time sake…I reassure you!!!

We got there…stood at the bar…I had a cider…then another…and another…I guess I just didn’t realize how much I was drinking since we were reminiscing so much, I fully went over the break up with el novio and we actually had a hilarious time – that is, however, until I hear a voice behind me say:

“Flora X.?”

I turned around and to my utter embarrassment of incredibly horrifying surprise…..it was my soon to be, hot as hell, INTERN!!!!!

OMG how had I not put Dorians on my “never go to on a Tuesday night bar” list?!?!!? Of course he would be there! He’s an ivy leaguer, lives on the UES, just graduated…..Dorians is the ONLY place he could be at on a Tuesday night!

On top of it all, I was clearly a little buzzed…and clearly a little off my rocker….so I let my guard down and very randomly started chatting with him…and complementing him…in front of him…to my friend!!!!

Sooooo embarrassing!! Soooooooooooooo embarrassing!! Luckily the conversation between us only lasted max 10 minutes…but still!!!

Have I mentioned his internship starts next Monday!?!?! Ahhhh!

 Flora

The Indifferent Intern

Darlings,

How are you?  Flora, I am jealous of your cute intern, I think I need one of those!  And Rose, dearest Rose!  You have so much to be proud of, this coming year will be sensational, I know it!  In other news, I cannot believe you ran into Julie KT.  What a bitch!  When you see her next be sure to tell her that Ophelia does NOT say hello still hates her guts!  ha!

Nothing new to report on my end.  The boss and I were in London for a few days last week (He had a meeting and I was dying for a trip to Liberty!).  It was wonderful!  A few days of work and then a weekend to play!  Have I mentioned I love my job?!  Well, that's not entirely true.  My job bores me but I love working for someone who just won't say no!  That said, everyone else in the office is definitely starting to dislike me, but what do I care?!  And Rose, I know you're concerned but relax... It will be fine!  The second he falls out of love with me I'll move on!  And I won't think twice about it!

And while on the subject, in case you're wondering, absolutely nothing is happening between the two of us!  I would tell you if it was anything more than an infatuation on his end.  As for me, I remain indifferent.  En plus, the man has a fiancée!  I may be many things but a home-wrecker is not one of them!

I'm in Paris this weekend so give me a shout if you're still not convinced!

Bisous xx Ophelia

Happily Ever After

Oh lord!  You are both debating work romances.  Snap out of it ladies!

As my bday approaches I am having my annual existential crisis.  I have literally been thinking about the meaning of life every day for the last week.  I wish it were as simple as me being satisfied with I think therefore I am...  But I wouldn't be an Eternal Intern if that was enough.

This time last year I had moved up to an assistant... how did I get back to interning?  Thank the lord that at least  my internship is paid at the moment!  I couldn't imagine having to go back to working at Trader Joe's and Urth Cafe to support my eternal intern life!

Perhaps I should have just started out in the mailroom of an agency and stuck it out and progressed within one company.    Perhaps I should have just endured that producer and his dogs that made my life a bit of a nightmare.  Perhaps, I should have taken some more time off to write.  I did finish my first feature script, but what good did that too? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...

Really wishing that life could be a beautiful Disney movie right about now.  Though I have enjoyed every minute of this roller coaster ride, on this birthday I will be wishing for my Happily Ever After... 

xxx Rose

Who Said Looks Don’t Count?

I have found him! Yes, me, ex-Eternal Intern has finally found her dream intern!

It’s been tough…long…fun! And now I have found him!

Not only is he totally qualified, has previous internship experience and has a great and fun personality, but he’s not gay (so rare in this industry and so good for me!!! just joking!!) and totally cute!

He came in for an interview last week and when I met him outside the elevator I nearly fainted….Clearly I was more nervous than him for the interview! He was super chill (but not too chill you know?) with a little touch of seriousness and seems super for the position, and as an office mate ;)

I don’t know what it is, but for the very first time since this f***ing break up, I’m finally starting to find happiness and joy again, and I gues the radar has started working again J

I reassure you this is strictly a professional hire ;) The cuteness only helped me make my decision to take him on…..

More news later…he starts next week!

Flora

Nightmare From The Past

Ophelia,  I'm glad you are having fun, but you have got to seriously be careful with this situation.  You are literally playing with fire here!  I really don't meant to rain on your parade at all babe.  I am just worried about you.  I'll give you a buzz later to chat, I love you and just want to see you happy!

Ladies, do you remember Julie KT? The really irritating know-it-all from college? The one that hooked up with Alex after you guys broke up, O!    She was always talking down to everyone and thinking that she was God's gift to the world.

Well... now she is back haunting my life!  She moved to f ***ing LA!  I ran into her while I was on a run to Whole Foods for work.  Turns out she moved and now wants  to become a script writer!  The part that kills me is that this girl has had a horseshoe up her f***ing ass her entire life and I bet you I will be begging her to be her assistant before too long!   The entire encounter was a nightmare... let's just hope that it doesn't become a reoccurring one!

xxx

Rose

The Sky's the Limit!

Girls!

I am so sorry for not writing sooner!  Rose, I can say from experience that you just might find that you have something in common with the girl and something special might come out of it.  I for one have learned that I actually quite enjoy my boss' company despite hating him for many many months!  What changed?  Our trip to the states!  We were supposed to spend one week working and then a week of holiday to visit but he ended up staying on to be with me and it was magical!   

Yes, I know I am supposed to loathe him and keep him at arms length but honestly girls my whole perspective has changed!  He is so carefree and he lives completely in the moment!  Just blew off our work responsibilities and hit the road!  A whirlwind tour of the USA... on a whim!   New York, Savannah, Miami, New Orleans, Chicago and Boston!  Oh the joys of having a wealthy boss who is completely in love with me!  Now I know you're thinking that I am being reckless and that this will only end badly, but I don't care how it ends... I am having too much fun!  

Now we're back in Paris and I suggested we do it all over again in Europe!  Then in Asia!  Or South America!   Who knows next week I could be in Barcelona, Lisbon, Ibiza, Rome!  He'll go wherever I want to go so the sky is the limit!  

I promise to send postcards!  Hehe! 

Bisous xx Ophelia 

Opposites Attract? Well....

Flora, I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better about things!  You go girl!   Things will only get easier from here.  I'm so jealous that the two of you got to see each other once again!   O, I expect you to get your ass to the west coast next time!

So the "Pool Side Productions" is going stellar!  I am literally having the time of my life and I feel like this is what I came to LA to do.  The perks are endless and I couldn't be happier to get up in the mornings.  I do a lot of his personal errands, but like I said in an earlier email, I also assist his assistant with a number of the diary and phone duties.

What's the catch?  Well there is isn't one!  Not really... I mean not one that is worth dwelling on... even though it is beginning to really get under my skin.... OK OK...  I'll tell you!

The other assistant is really great and has been extremely helpful, but we have absolutely nothing in common!  She like reality tv and I avoid it like the plague... she is a vegan and I live for burgers... she dresses up every single day of work and I can barely get myself to brush my teeth in the morning...  she loves angry girl music and I blast the Glee soundtrack whenever I can... the worst curse word I have ever heard her use is Fudge and I swear like a trucker!!!

So what does all of this lead to?  Very polite small talk.  We seriously can't have a proper conversation because we don't understand each other's references, tastes, jokes...

She is absolutely lovely though, so I am trying to look past her unfortunate taste in ... well... EVERYTHING!

xxx

Rose

Interview Central

O. it was amazing seeing you! You made the transition back to single life that much easier ;)

It’s still not super easy…and I have to admit that I’m still having a little trouble eating up my lunch, but I do feel 100x better!

Ironically so far another good therapy that’s been helping me find my smile again, is…believe it or not, interviewing candidates for a new intern position.

The interviews have been so unbelievably wacked out, that every time I walk in and out of one, I’m either smiling, laughing or crying (of laughter). It’s been like watching some good Comedy Central…or should I say Interview Central – the stand up comedy for job interviews.

So far, 2 candidates have arrived asking for a job (it’s an interview for an internship!!), another has asked where he can find job postings for the company (hmmm buddy you’re interviewing with me for an internship at the very company, shouldn’t you focus on that?), one asked for a coffee as he walked in the door (is that proper interview etiquette? Shouldn’t you wait to see if I ask you if you want one?), another spilled her glass of water she was so nervous (she had said one of her qualities was resistance to stress...hmmmm not quite...) and a last one ran out of the room at one point to use the bathroom (I guess it was an emergency!).

The good news, I’m feeling better! My sense of humour is back and so is my smile! The bad news, I’m having a hell of a hard time finding an intern! Today candidates are either far too qualified or too under-qualified!!

OMG! Now is when I wish I was still an intern and didn’t have all these responsibilities!!

Flora xoxo

He Loves Me, I Love Him Not

Dearest girls,
Rose, congrats on the new gig!  You deserve it, sweetheart!  Flora, my love, I'm in NYC... Two single girls out on the town?!  I made it in just before they closed the airports!  Boy oh boy!  This trip was already set to be dramatic but a hurricane makes it even crazier!

I traveled with my boss today and arrived at JFK first thing this morning.  It was an intense trip to say the least but at least I am staying on for an extra week after he leaves.  I don't know how I am going to survive with him!  Since he professed his love last week things have been weird to say the least:

Exhibit A: I arrived at work on Monday and there was a note on my desk asking to speak to me privately.  He announced to the office that we were stepping out to a cafe to discuss "a project" where he assured me that his unrequited feelings would not affect my job or our office environment.  As if!

Exhibit B: We have had way too many "business lunches" (Costes yesterday, Alain Ducasse today!) and this evening he asked if I wanted to continue working over drinks at the Ritz.

Exhibit C:  He hinted at a "massive fight" with his girlfriend, Marianne, implying that they were on the verge of a breakup!  So awkward!

Flora, I hope you have a lot of things planned for us so I have an escape route!  hehe!

Bisous xx Ophelia

Pool Side Productions

Ladies, I'm sorry about the current state of your love lives, but I am sorrier for myeslf that I don't even have one!  However, I have some fun news... I have a new, paid, kick-ass internship!

So a few weeks ago I met a director that came in to do an episode of the show that I was working on and I was designated to be his intern.  Well, things went really well and he asked me if I wanted to come and get some experience at his office... which happens to be located in his pool house!  He lives in Beverly Hills in a beautiful house off of Sunset Blvd.  This make my commute much more enjoyable as well because I can completely avoid the freeway and just drive over one of the Canyons! 

I am basically working in the office covering the phones and screening calls.  I have also been helping him with diary arrangements and setting up meetings with various producers.  He does have a full time assistant and she seems to be really fabulous and is not threatened by my prescence so she has really been amazing with the induction process. 

Sometimes when I look outside the window and see the sun shining on his peanut shaped pool, I seriously think back to growing up in sub-zero weather in Toronto and I feel truly blessed! 

Lots of love.

xxx Rose

P.S.  My pay hasn't gone up from previous internship, but it hasn't gone down either!

The Eternal Betrayal

Hola O and R,

OGM O. are you serious?? That is unreal…so what happened yesterday?

Was it an awkward Monday back at the office? How do you feel?? Wait I can’t even believe I just asked that question – he’s your boss! Haha, well if you get a promotion anytime soon we’ll know why ;) just joking!

I don’t want to always be the bearer of bad news, but I may have to change the subject to a more sour note for a second…I’ve got a little more news about what went down with el novio. Yes after nearly 2 weeks I’ve finally been able to speak with el novio. He sounds shaken up as well….Why did he disappear, abandon, break up with me?

Allegedly, things were going to fast for him….bullshit.

After his internship in London he realized how much there is to life and how there is so much he has yet to see and discover. He loves me he says…bullshit….but he can’t be with me right now because he wants to experience so much more before he settles down…can you believe it??? Oh but he did end the conversation by saying that he hoped that in a few years I would still be around for him, because at that point he would finally be able to get married, have kids, settle down…..WTF?!!?!?!?!?

I heard that and hung up. I hung up about 10 minutes ago and since then I’ve been siting immobilized at my desk. I can’t believe it. How selfish. How egocentrical. How incredibly mean.

Ok I don’t know what to do. I think I may go out for some air…I think I am seriously going to start crying now….How the hell can I focus let alone work with all this bullshit going on?? 

When did break ups ever become so hurtful?? It literally feels as though my heart is being shred into slivers…

Guys, again, I’m so sorry to bore you with this…this is my last rant….I’m so sorry….

O. at least your story made me laugh and smile J I’m thankful to have such good friends! And Rose, keep it up and you'll be running down the beach like a Baywatch babe ;)

I’ll keep you guys posted... Right now I am fueling with anger like a crazy bull ahhhhhh!!!

Flora

Love is in the Air

Hi Girls,
I have a problem and I need your expert opinion.  I didn't mention it when I got back from Milan because I wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation, but now I see that I am in a bit of a predicament!  One night in Milan, after many hours of work, we went out to dinner with the Italian team.  Always the playboy, my boss ordered numerous bottles of champagne and wine for the table.  After dinner, we decided to head to great local spot for more drinks. Eventually everyone else went home, but my boss and I stayed on and made a night of it.  Needless to say, I was a MESS the next day!  I don't really remember what we talked about it must have been something special because apparently my boss has not forgotten that night.  I have no recollection!

Well, the plot thickens!  Last night, after a company dinner, I was walking home through the Tuileries with my boss (he is my neighbor don't forget!).  With the Eiffel tower sparkling behind me, he stopped me, took my hands and told me that he is in LOVE with me!  Yes, you heard correctly, my boss professed his feelings for me!  Granted he had had a lot to drink, but the man is convinced that we are meant to be... and it all stems from that night in Milan!  Oh my god.  What am I going to do!?  1.  He's my boss.  2.  He has a girlfriend who after 8 years is expecting a proposal and 3.  HE'S MY BOSS!  Why me?!  I am dreading Monday like the plague.  What if he fires me because he is too embarrassed to work with me again?  Or worse, what if he makes things really uncomfortable by trying to "win me over"?

Oh la la, things just got mighty complicated in la vie d'Ophelia!

Bisous xx Ophelia

California Girls

Hey ladies,

Flora, don't worry about being a bit out of it lately.  100% understandable!  You will bounce back.

O, sounds like working life is agreeing with you!

My internship is still going great.  I am starting to get a little bit bored of my routine, so I have spoken to the production assistant about the possibility of helping out another department for a couple of months (potentially casting or wardrobe?) and she seemed to be quite receptive to it.  It has been about a week since I brought it up to her so I think it is worth having another chat with her.  Or do you guys think that is too pushy? Help!

On a personal note, I have been loving this summer!  I have been hiking so much that I literally have developed buns of steel.  I have never been in better shape in my life and have never gotten so much attention before either.  I am also nicely tanned and I have to say I feeling like quite the California Girl... daisy dukes and bikinis on top!

xxx

Rose

The Abandoned Intern

Hey O, thanks so much for your support. I’m so happy to hear you had a great trip, and your weekend sounds like it was a real blast! I can’t wait for you to come over this side of the pond – maybe we can go to Montauk for the weekend?

I’ll admit that things are still tough…I’m not much closer to knowing exactly what happened…

I mean I’ve never really been broken up with like this…. abandoned really. I really feel lost and alone - alone in the sea of people that is NYC.

From one day to the next, the life I had been planning has just completely dissolved before me. All of the plans I had, the dreams and fantasies, they have all just evaporated into thin air.

How are you coping O? I don’t know, I just can’t seem to think about anything else right now. My mind, my thoughts, my energy are all consumed by this eternal longing for el novio…. I know he can’t be worth my time if he’s able to do this to me, but I do miss him…terribly!

Saturday night some friends from work took me out for drinks at Dorians…Dorians of all places!! I was surrounded by 21 year old frat boys, grinding around anything in their surroundings…it was fun…a good laugh…a nice hangover this morning…but I woke up with one thing of my mind: el novio.

I’m now also getting a little worried about work…all I think of is him and I’ve been incredibly absent minded at work. I hope I’m not going to mess up big time!

Flora wake up!!! Ahhhhh!!

Boyfriends and Bonfires

Ciao Ragazze,

Flora, cara mia, I am so sorry to hear about the breakup!  I cannot believe el novio would disappear like that!  I'm going to be in NYC on business in two weeks so we can commiserate together!  Sending you all my love until our reunion.  Rose, I am sorry for your "breakup" as well!  We need an Eternal Intern weekend to feel sorry for ourselves over copious bottles of champagne!  The good news is that things always get better.  Flora, our broken hearts will mend and Rose, a new office treat will come around!  I am sure of it!

In business news, I have had the most insane week.  Work work work!  When I wasn't working I was stuffing my face with pasta, gelato and cotoletta alla milanese!  I think I put on 100 lbs!  Adding to the madness was my last minute decision to attend a party on the Ile de Ré!  I left Milan on Friday afternoon, landed in Paris and hoped on a train to the Ile de Ré.  Kurt was hosting a fabulous birthday party on the beach and I couldn't miss it!  Needless to say I arrived exhausted and looking a little rough, but there is nothing like an American-style beach bonfire to lift anyone's spirits!  Honestly, if you had seen this party you would have thought you were in Montauk, not France!

Now I'm back in Paris and back to work.  I feel like I have been away for 100 years!

What a whirlwind!

Bisous xx Ophelia

A Rude Awakening

Ophelia, you are so lucky to be in Milan!

L.A was indeed a ton of fun Rose! I have to say, I wish I were back right now.

I’m back in NY and things could not be any worse…

I got home last Sunday night at 10pm expecting to go out for a quick bite to eat with el novio at our favourite Argentinian, El Libertador up around 89^th…only to find the apartment empty...

All I found was a note on my desk saying:

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry”.

What the fuck?!?! I mean come on what the hell is happening??

I started hyperventilating…I could feel a panic attack coming…I looked around to make sure that I wasn’t being filmed like they do on Candid Camera. Nothing. No camera. Nothing.

I haven’t spoken to you girls about this yet, because I was hoping he may show up by now… but still nada. I’ve called. I’ve emailed. I’ve stalked madly. But nothing. All I’ve gotten is a lousy text saying: “It’s not you, it’s me. I’m so sorry.”

The most peculiar thing is that things were going really well. He had just finished his internship in London….and now this? There were no signs of this coming…none… NADA!!

Ok, I can’t bare writing anymore, Ophelia can I give you a call? I think you must know how I feel.

Ttyl. Flora xoxo

Nothing Good Is Eternal

Ophelia!  How is Milan?  I couldn't be more jealous if I tried.  Any delicious men showing you around?

Flora, it was so flippin' nice to see you on the West Coast last week.  Thanks for the party invite ;)  I had a fantabulous time, although I wish we got to spend more time together!

My intern life just got a lot bleaker.  My BFF at work, my confidant, my partner in crime is leaving!  He gave his notice on Friday and he leaves in 3 weeks.  I actually don't know what to do with myself.  What is work without that person?  Who do I replace him with?  Ugh! 

This is the same guy that I went on a couple of dates with a few months ago.  I'm sure I mentioned it to you guys... but we agreed to just be friends.  My god did we make each other laugh...  I seriously used to look forward to going into work and sitting in traffic on the 405!  

He was my office crush, and now he is gone :'(

XXX

Rose

Ciao Milano!

Dearest girls,
Rose, I am sorry to hear Romeo and Juliet are getting on your nerves!  There is nothing worse than PDA!  Yuck!  Flora, what's the latest with you?

I wanted to write quickly to tell you that I will be MIA for the next week and a half because I am heading back to Milan for work!  Our last Milan trip was very successful and now my boss is considering opening a permanent Milan office!  While I am thrilled to be going on the trip (Corso Como anyone?), I am praying that he doesn't ask me to move to Milan permanently!  Imagine having to choose between Paris and my job!?  I couldn't handle it!

Anyway, I am going to try to make the best of this trip.  I have never been particularly fond of Milan, having visited four times now, but my boss has rented me an apartment (!!) for my stay so I'll pretend I'm a local and make the most of it!   Who knows, maybe I'll even be wined and dined by a dashing Italian during my trip!  

I'll try to write you from my little appartamento milanese with updates!

Bisous xx Ophelia

Another Kind Of Intern Hell

Ophelia,  welcome to life as a single woman.   To be honest sometimes it is good to just be alone and remember who you are without your other half.  Still tough though...

Speaking of all things relationship, there are two people at my work who just started dating and they literally make me want to throw up!  I mean, I am happy for them and all that jazz.... but for f***s sake they are all about PDA and I find it so uncomfortable to be around.

They think it is ok to be kissing at work, after work, when we are out for drinks, when we are at a friend's house...  it is just too intense for me.

 Unfortunately, it makes me not want to hang out with them anymore. Also, somehow their fun levels have just drastically dropped since they hooked up.  Why is it that that happens?!  They are soooo boring now!

Oh well, I better get back to work and try avoid the happy couple.

O, I'll give you a call later on today so that we can chat.  I'm here if you need anything.

xxx

Rose

The Single Intern

Well girls, it is official:  I am single.  Le Boyfriend and I decided to go our separate ways after almost three years.  Three years, can you believe it!?  He is off on a new adventure in distant lands (Toronto) but this adopted Parisienne just couldn't bring herself to leave!  Fear not, darling interns, it was amicable.  No need to curse his name or plot his demise!  ha!  That said, I am definitely feeling his absence.  There is no one to talk to when I come home.  No one asks me about my day.   I was so settled, everything was so comfortable and now there's a hole.  Sniff!  I guess I'm not feeling as magnifique as I thought I was!  Time to change the subject before I cry!

My new relationship status has me thinking about my current living situation.  I am getting a little sick of my neighborhood and my neighbor (aka my boss) and I'm ready to shake things up a bit.  New life, new arrondissement!  Le 6ieme has treated me well, but I am ready to make the move... to the 7ieme!  haha!  Rue de Bac, Rue de Grenelle, Rue Cler...  Flora, what do you think?  I know how you love the 7th!  Rose, if you would come visit me you would know what I'm talking about!  Malheureusement, I am setting myself up for the horror of apartment hunting in Paris (for every gem you also see countless dumps!), but I think a change of scenery will do me a world of good.  Plus, I have a wild card up my sleeve:  I'm no longer an intern!  Remember the trouble I had last year?

Bisous xx Ophelia

Eternally Stuck

Flora, I am definitely in town and can't wait to catch up on the West Coast !   What are your dates exactly?

Ladies, my car finally broke down last week and I was in the middle of the flippin freeway!  This has been my nightmare since moving to Los Angeles.  It was such a hot day as well and there I was in the middle of the 101 on my way to Los Feliz to meet a friend, and my stupid hunk of junk just died on me !  I had to wait for a AAA for an hour without any air con so just sat in my car and tried to hide my face from all the people driving by.

I am going to meet a friend of a friend today who is selling his old car for an amazing price and guess what? It is a convertible!  It may be ancient as f***k, but I have never owned a convertible before!

I really hope that getting rid of that horrid car is a sign that there are new and exciting things headed my way.  I am so jealous of you guys with your fancy meetings, and here I am, a true Eternal Intern striving to one day move up to the position of Assistant!  How pathetic does that sound?  Haha, oh well, at least I can now drive onto the studio lot without trying to hide my rusted ride from my coworkers!  It's something I suppose!

BTW, Flora, no arguments I am absolutely picking you up from LAX (in my new car!).  Send me your flight details!

Lots of love,

xxx

Rose

East Coast, West Coast!

Rose! Huge news!! Huge huge news!

I’m coming to L.A. my friend! Sofia just sent me a bbm telling me that I’m confirmed to head out next week!
I’m gonna be working on an event at a private home in Beverly Hills…the home of some very wealthy philanthropist couple…he’s in the movie industry and she’s apparently your typical “real housewife of Beverly hills” ;) I can’t wait!

Anyways, they’re hosting this event in partnership with our magazine to raise money for a Cali-based children’s charity. It’s not a huge event, logistics-wise (we’re more there simply for the image), but it’s huge visibility and apparently there is going to be “la creme de la creme” in Hollywood society!

My role in all of this: make sure everything goes smoothly! I’ll be coordinating the event with an event-planning company that’s already there - less work and more fun for me! - and basically just boss people around! And…..yes….the secret “and”…I will be attending the party in lieu of my boss!

This is a huge opportunity for me to make my mark, show my skills and prove how capable I am…and how I need that deserved raise ;)

Rose - you’ll be in town right?? Please say yes! They are putting me up in the Beverly Hills Hotel…yes this is crazy and still just sinking in….and I’ll def be working around the clock, but I shoud be free for coffee!! Annnndddd if all goes well I can try and score you an invite to the party…good networking for you, no?

Ok enough with email! I’ll call you lates to plan! Ophelia I wish you could be there too!!

Bisousssss!!

Flora xoxo

The Weekender

Hello my darling girls,
Flora, glad to hear you're keeping cool in the city!  I, on the other hand, have become a weekender on the beautiful Ile de Ré.  I was there last weekend and the weekend before (and two weekends before that!).  I have fallen in love with the place and my friend Kurt has kindly opened his house to me for the summer!  It is like the Hamptons of France!  Three hours from Paris and I am on the beach... how can a girl say no?  And after last week, I needed to get away!  Mélanie, the intern from hell (no, she hasn't been fired yet!), was her typically difficult self every day last week.  I should start a column called  "Mélanie the Monster's Weekly Shenanigans":

Monday:  Melissa is 45 minutes late for work.  No explanation.

Tuesday:  My boss and I left for meeting and Mélanie took a two hour lunch (or so my colleagues report)

Wednesday:  I sent her out to buy lunch for the boss and she complained that it was too sunny and she had forgotten her sunglasses.

Thursday:  She was asked to send emails to five separate business associates, each email containing personal, sensitive information.  To "save time" the Monster cc'd them all in the same email.  You can only imagine how that went over with our associates.

Friday:  Mélanie arrives an hour late (It was her best friend's birthday the night before!); she has her head on the desk for most of the morning.  The boss send her to buy lunch and she loses the receipt.  She is generally rude and disagreeable.  She asks to leave early because she is not feeling well.

Now, you must be wondering WHY the girl hasn't been fired... because I am!  Well, it turns out my boss used to work with her uncle so the "family connection" is stopping him from showing her the door!  I don't care if she's his sister, the girl has to go!

Oh how I enjoyed two Mélanie-free days!  A gorgeous weekend relaxing on the beach, lunches on the terrace at Kurt's house, drinks at adorable local spots!  Another perfect weekend!  I think I need to buy my own house and move there full-time!

Bisous xx Ophelia

Hot Child in the City

Rose how inspiring!! That's so courageous and brave! Good for her!!

On a total tangent!! Girls! I’ve solved my air conditoning conundrum. I finally have cool air and I can finally sleep! Last week I never imagined I would ever complain about air conditioning…the sticky, humid, ny air was just too much…but…as with all luxuries we get used to… I have simply one complaint….

No, not about my air conditioning at home…but about that at work.

There is a veritable paradox in NYC regarding how one should dress during the two focal seasons of the city: winter and summer.

In the winter, heat rises profusely through the offices. In the summer, air conditioner is blasted on every level. This leads to a psyzophrenic wardrobe dilemna.

In the winter one must dress down. Sleeveless tops, light cardigans…offices get incredibly warm, employees are often unable to open windows, and thus one resorts to removing layers and layers of clothes.
In the summer, however, the opposite is apparent. The air conditionning is programmed at such a level that the most common accessory one can notice in our office, for instance, are cashmere pashminas!
I’m telling you, this is insane!

Just yesterday morning, H, my hilarious PR intern, came in the cutest Liliy Pulitzer dress. She sat at her desk…opened her drawer and pulled out this huge wool turtleneck that she slipped on! I turned my head and I noticed the department secretary with her pashmina around her neck, and then behind me, the same thing…
It’s hilarious, outside people are removing layer after layer of clothing to stay cool in the NY heat, and yet indoor the air is so cool we’re all covering up, catching colds and sipping hot tea!!

Speaking of tea, I drank 5 yesterday I was so cold ;)

Besitos!

Flora

Cheers To A New Intern

Hey ladies.

Flora, the weather in LA has been odd and inconsistent, but at the moment I am boiling!  I still can't get enough of the sunshine!  What a nice difference from the Toronto weather I grew up with for over 20 years!

Ophelia, I just met up with your friend Tara from NYC.  What an inspiration! We caught up over some divine Mexican cuisine in West Hollywood.  Nothing like a slow-cooked pork burrito!

Tara, at the age of 26, has decided to leave behind her cushy government job and pursue a career in public relations.  She is interning at one of the most  exciting firms in LA and she has never been happier.  She actually is motivated to get out of bed in the mornings!  No regrets!  Onwards to bigger and better for her.

The life of an intern is full of hope, dreams, and courage!

So here is to you, Tara, and all the other Eternal Interns out there!  Cheers!

XXX

Rose

The Eternal Freelancer

Hi girls,
I hope you're both well.  I was away for the weekend (I went back to Ile de Ré!) but am now back to the grind.  Work work work!  I just stepped in the door following an early apéro with a girlfriend of mine and we ended up having a fascinating discussion about "the new kind of intern"!  It seems that my friend Robin has fallen into the "adult version" of interning:  She is an eternal freelancer!  The poor girl was in such a state, she feels like she has been freelancing forever and apparently this weekend she snapped!  She pointed out that sure, the freedom and flexibility is great, but freelancers are denied all the benefits afforded to full-time employees.  Robin has been freelancing for years and although she has a wonderful life, she was starting to feel the strain of her permanently temporary situation!

Freelancers must have been the topic du jour because at work today my colleague suggested we hire a "perma-lancer" for a project we are working on.  I didn't realize you could be permanent and freelance.. but then again what do I know?  She recommended using the same freelance person consistently but never actually bringing them on staff.  I guess the very definition of freelancing is that you are not on staff, but wouldn't that get frustrating after a while!?   As an intern I yearned to belong, to be a permanent member of the team but I guess some people really thrive in a "come in and save the day" capacity!  haha!

Well, I successfully talked my freelancing friend off the ledge and reminded her that the freedom and flexibilty of her job has allowed to the time to go to yoga retreats in India and trekking in South America.  What "lifer" can say that when he/she is chained to a desk?  There's nothing like a Ricard and a dose of rationality when you start to lose perspective!  I get what she's saying though, the grass is always greener on the other side!

Bisous xx Ophelia

NY Summer Heat!

Hola! How are you girls?

Rose, how is the heat over there in L.A.? NY is roasting!

Last year I survived with simply a fan…but this summer I have decided to change things up and not suffer…oh no…no more grueling nights up until 4 am trying to battle the NYC humid, hot and sticky summer heat!

I had literally tried everything in the book last summer…and again up to last week…

Home Depot purchased turbo fan – only inches away from bed: fail…and radically noisy.

Frozen water bottles placed under pillow and at feet: fail…almost caught hypothermia and got my toes stuck on the overly frozen bottle…ouch.

Cold showers to cool off at midnight…and 2 am…and 2:30am…and 3am…: fail…but I’ve never had so many showers in such a short period of time!

So this weekend I decided to invest…invest in a real air conditioner!

El novio helped me pick it out and then install it…and let me tell you, that was a feat in itself…

The thing almost fell out my window last night as we were putting it in…a lawsuit waiting to happen… Luckily, it didn’t fall. It also however, unluckily, didn’t work…

Yes, after all that pondering on purchasing one…research to find the best one on consumers’ reports and work getting the friggin machine home and affixed….the air conditioner doesn’t even work!

And get this: it will be another week before I can get a working one!!

Ahhhhh a week more of heat?? Luckily rain is in the forecast ;)

Flora xoxo

Painting The Day Away

Ok so as I am writing you girls, I am starring over at the cubicle across from mine, currently occupied by a PR intern…

I am in utter awe at what she is doing: painting her nails!

Yes, you heard me right…H. has apparently taken a break from filling her news clippings and has decided to polish her nails instead…Un-friggin-believable!

It’s actually the singular and pungent smell of her OPI ruby red polish that attracted my attention…and then the colour…Oh my! Come on, you’re at work!

I’m actually stunned….I would have never had the gusts to “take a break” and “chill” when I was an intern…let alone take a break and paint my nails! In front of everyone!

When I was an intern, my sole focus was on hiding any type of semi-break or quick Facebook check….to ensure my bosses and those around me had the upmost opinion of me!

What the hell!!

Although you know what, this reminds me, I should head for a manicure soon…my nails need it!

Ok back to work!

Besitos!

Flora xoxo