Seven days - a week in the life of Katarzyna Wilk
by Katarzyna Wilk
24 January 2012
After Christmas in Australia the public affairs consultant's week is dominated by a trip to Brussels and client meetings before weekend yoga and a 10k run in Regent's Park
Monday
Today is my first day back in the office after a trip to see family in Australia over Christmas, although I'm still not quite back on British time. It turns out there's one Christmas present left for me when I get in: a very full inbox. Still, there is some good news in there, including details of progress on a new European Union proposal revising the legislative framework for dietetic foods that is now going through the European Parliament. I'm off to Brussels later in the week, and while we've already got meetings in the diary, next week will be the deadline for amendments to the proposal to be tabled, so there are still one or two additional meetings to organise so we can make sure that our clients' views are fully conveyed. As today is the first day back in the office, it also means a catch-up with the team to work out our priorities, followed by preparations for Thursday in Brussels and post-Christmas client updates. Tonight is a quiet night after a long couple of days travelling.
Tuesday
I'm up early this morning, but at least I'm now back – thankfully – on UK time and able to check the news over breakfast. My dual nationality means I always enjoy reading the French and Polish news, and it's always interesting to see how they both report events – which are rarely the same, particularly when it comes to anything EU-related. Once into the office, I've got a catch-up scheduled with the rest of the team and am then straight into the important task of chasing up a letter a client is waiting on from the European Commission regarding tariff classification rules. We quickly establish the letter is on its way and that the commission is investigating the issue, which is good news. I also have to speak to a couple of United States government departments that have an interest in this issue. It's then time to make sure that everything is finalised before Thursday's trip to Brussels. Before heading home, I'm off to a spin class at the gym – my favourite class and a great way to wind down after a long day.
Wednesday
Two important client meetings today – both of which go very well, and help set out what we are going to be doing to assist them over the coming weeks on a number of fronts in both Westminster and Brussels. Afterwards, it's back to my desk where I have to draft a number of letters for clients to send to MEPs, while also analysing the proposal revising the legislative framework for dietetic foods and our suggested amendments to it. I also have to reply to an MEP that a client and I are meeting tomorrow, and arrange for us to discuss a reception in Brussels we're planning to host in June regarding the Food Supplements Directive. Speaking of Brussels, I'm off there tomorrow, so need to make sure I've got everything I need before I leave the office. Then it's off to dinner with friends: we're able to catch a jazz concert, but it's an early night for me as tomorrow's going to be a long day.
Thursday
I'm up 4.30am – yes, really – to catch the first train to Brussels and, pint of coffee in hand, begin re-reading my meeting notes before the train grinds to a halt just outside the Belgian capital because of problems on the line ahead. Fortunately the train finally starts moving again, but it takes a sprint across the station concourse and a trip in a taxi – whose driver seems to be auditioning for Formula One – before I'm sat in meetings. Everything goes smoothly, and the meetings are extremely productive. I have time to grab a hot chocolate – early start or not, by this point I'm all caffeine-ed out – with the client to chat through how things went. While checking my emails on my Blackberry I also learn that the commission letter we've been waiting on has finally turned up, which is excellent news. Before heading back to London I have half an hour to catch up with friends – but then it's back on the Eurostar and I'm heading home. Fortunately, my boyfriend has cooked dinner and I'm able to call my parents, who live in France but are currently visiting my grandfather in Poland.
Friday
I'm back in the office, which allows me to write up the reports on yesterday's meetings and to work with the team on an update for clients on the EU activity pertaining to sports nutrition. My boyfriend goes to France tomorrow to visit his family so we spend the evening together. He works in a completely different field, finance, and we've long since gave up trying to understand each other's jobs. Our only mutual subject right now is probably the EU financial crisis – but even on that we do not agree.
Saturday
I'm up for a 10k run in Regent's Park followed by a yoga session and breakfast. Afterwards, I try to plan my next few weekends: I really feel the need to see friends and family regularly, although with my parents being in France, my grandfather in Poland and friends living across Europe it isn't always easy. After a visit from a friend for coffee I have time to make a Galette a Rois for a French dinner with friends that we organise every year.
Sunday
I'm up to clean my flat and unpack my luggage from Australia, which after a week has started to get in the way a bit. We took plenty of photos while we were there, so I decide to nip out to pick up a photo album to keep them in before going to brunch with a friend, followed by a walk in Regent's Park. The afternoon provides some time for rest and relaxation with newspapers and books before picking up my boyfriend at the Eurostar. Then it's back home for dinner and rented DVDs.
Katarzyna Wilk is a public affairs consultant at The Whitehouse Consultancy, based in London
Monday
Today is my first day back in the office after a trip to see family in Australia over Christmas, although I'm still not quite back on British time. It turns out there's one Christmas present left for me when I get in: a very full inbox. Still, there is some good news in there, including details of progress on a new European Union proposal revising the legislative framework for dietetic foods that is now going through the European Parliament. I'm off to Brussels later in the week, and while we've already got meetings in the diary, next week will be the deadline for amendments to the proposal to be tabled, so there are still one or two additional meetings to organise so we can make sure that our clients' views are fully conveyed. As today is the first day back in the office, it also means a catch-up with the team to work out our priorities, followed by preparations for Thursday in Brussels and post-Christmas client updates. Tonight is a quiet night after a long couple of days travelling.
I'm up early this morning, but at least I'm now back – thankfully – on UK time and able to check the news over breakfast. My dual nationality means I always enjoy reading the French and Polish news, and it's always interesting to see how they both report events – which are rarely the same, particularly when it comes to anything EU-related. Once into the office, I've got a catch-up scheduled with the rest of the team and am then straight into the important task of chasing up a letter a client is waiting on from the European Commission regarding tariff classification rules. We quickly establish the letter is on its way and that the commission is investigating the issue, which is good news. I also have to speak to a couple of United States government departments that have an interest in this issue. It's then time to make sure that everything is finalised before Thursday's trip to Brussels. Before heading home, I'm off to a spin class at the gym – my favourite class and a great way to wind down after a long day.
Two important client meetings today – both of which go very well, and help set out what we are going to be doing to assist them over the coming weeks on a number of fronts in both Westminster and Brussels. Afterwards, it's back to my desk where I have to draft a number of letters for clients to send to MEPs, while also analysing the proposal revising the legislative framework for dietetic foods and our suggested amendments to it. I also have to reply to an MEP that a client and I are meeting tomorrow, and arrange for us to discuss a reception in Brussels we're planning to host in June regarding the Food Supplements Directive. Speaking of Brussels, I'm off there tomorrow, so need to make sure I've got everything I need before I leave the office. Then it's off to dinner with friends: we're able to catch a jazz concert, but it's an early night for me as tomorrow's going to be a long day.
I'm up 4.30am – yes, really – to catch the first train to Brussels and, pint of coffee in hand, begin re-reading my meeting notes before the train grinds to a halt just outside the Belgian capital because of problems on the line ahead. Fortunately the train finally starts moving again, but it takes a sprint across the station concourse and a trip in a taxi – whose driver seems to be auditioning for Formula One – before I'm sat in meetings. Everything goes smoothly, and the meetings are extremely productive. I have time to grab a hot chocolate – early start or not, by this point I'm all caffeine-ed out – with the client to chat through how things went. While checking my emails on my Blackberry I also learn that the commission letter we've been waiting on has finally turned up, which is excellent news. Before heading back to London I have half an hour to catch up with friends – but then it's back on the Eurostar and I'm heading home. Fortunately, my boyfriend has cooked dinner and I'm able to call my parents, who live in France but are currently visiting my grandfather in Poland.
I'm back in the office, which allows me to write up the reports on yesterday's meetings and to work with the team on an update for clients on the EU activity pertaining to sports nutrition. My boyfriend goes to France tomorrow to visit his family so we spend the evening together. He works in a completely different field, finance, and we've long since gave up trying to understand each other's jobs. Our only mutual subject right now is probably the EU financial crisis – but even on that we do not agree.
I'm up for a 10k run in Regent's Park followed by a yoga session and breakfast. Afterwards, I try to plan my next few weekends: I really feel the need to see friends and family regularly, although with my parents being in France, my grandfather in Poland and friends living across Europe it isn't always easy. After a visit from a friend for coffee I have time to make a Galette a Rois for a French dinner with friends that we organise every year.
I'm up to clean my flat and unpack my luggage from Australia, which after a week has started to get in the way a bit. We took plenty of photos while we were there, so I decide to nip out to pick up a photo album to keep them in before going to brunch with a friend, followed by a walk in Regent's Park. The afternoon provides some time for rest and relaxation with newspapers and books before picking up my boyfriend at the Eurostar. Then it's back home for dinner and rented DVDs.
Katarzyna Wilk is a public affairs consultant at The Whitehouse Consultancy, based in London
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