Professional Development for Women

For this book club, I’d like to suggest a story about a woman who is simply trying to live in a way that will make society leave her alone. As usual, it doesn’t quite work out. Convenience Store Woman has been described by The Guardian as “a deadpan Japanese tale of an oddball shop assistant that possesses a strange beauty”. What struck me, though, was not its strangeness but its calm. Unexpectedly, the book helped me find reassurance in routine itself—in small, unnoticed actions, and in the permission to exist sometimes as a function, sometimes as a fictional character. I hope you are intrigued by now. If not, I would still encourage you to pick up Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata— it is quite short! —and to join our discussion, where we will reflect together on questions of normality, meaning in work, and the fragile line between individuality and conformity. Links for inspiration: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata review – sublimely weird [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/07/convenience-store-woman-sayaka-murata-review](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/07/convenience-store-woman-sayaka-murata-review)

Ready to be productive this weekend? 😄 Join us for another **Weekend Hustle Club** session — a mix of focused work and relaxed social time. ### 🕘 Plan for the day **11:00 AM — Meet-up** We’ll meet in Golden Bean, grab a coffee or a quick breakfast, and get to know each other. **11:30 AM – 01:00 PM — Focus Session #1** Time to get into it: deep work, studying, side projects… whatever you’ve been meaning to do. **01:00 PM – 01:30 PM — Break / Lunch** We can have a light lunch together. **1:30 PM – 3:00 PM — Focus Session #2** Back to work for another productive session. ### 🌿 The vibe This is meant to be structured… but flexible. You’re free to leave earlier, or adapt the schedule to your needs. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s simply to show up, stay accountable, and make progress.

Learn to make authentic Chinese dumplings from scratch! Join us for a hands-on dumpling workshop, where you'll learn the art of Chinese dumpling making, from preparing the filling to folding techniques and cooking. No experience needed, just bring your appetite. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • How to prepare two classic fillings: chicken & vegetable • Traditional folding techniques • Pan-frying & boiling — two ways to cook your dumplings WHAT'S INCLUDED • All ingredients & equipment provided • Hands-on guidance in a small group setting • Eat your freshly cooked dumplings on the spot / take away Price: €35 per person Children: €19

Want to practise French 🇫🇷 German 🇩🇪 English 🇬🇧 Luxembourgish 🇱🇺 — or ANY language you can find a partner for? Then join our crew of friendly expats & locals for a night of chats, laughs & global energy 🎉 In Luxembourg, speaking multiple languages is basically a superpower 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ — but this meetup is all about connection, not perfection. Beginners, pros & “I understand but can’t speak” people — all welcome 😄 Don’t feel like practising a language? 😎 No worries — you’re STILL totally welcome! come hang out, meet people & enjoy the international vibes anyway 🥂✨ Come for the languages — stay for the laughter, friendships & drinks 🍹 ✨ What You’ll Find ✔ Super chill atmosphere 😌 ✔ Expats from everywhere 🌍 ✔ Zero pressure — just vibes ✨ ✔ “How do you say…?” moments 🤔😂 ✔ Old friends & new — ❤️ 🍹 AFTER-EXCHANGE APÉRO 🤩 Languages warm-up… Drinks cool-down… Balance restored 😌🍺 Most weeks we wander to another bar afterwards for beer, bites & bonus socialising. Just follow the organisers — they know the 🔥 hotspots 😉 🪧 HOW IT WORKS ➡️ Sit with the group for the language you want to practise ➡️ Look for the table signs 📍 ➡️ Switch groups anytime — totally chill ➡️ Rare language? Post in the group & find your match 💫 ➡️ Luxembourgish shows up too 🇱🇺 ⚠️ By attending, you agree organisers can’t be held liable for regulation violations (or accidental grammar crimes 😜)

**NO RIDER LEFT BEHIND.** **What we will do together** **1.** Cycle from Luxembourg gare **(front of Police station)** to Diekirch (about 41km). **2.** Have a picnic at Diekirch (river side). Those who wish to do the shorter distance, can take the train from Diekirch back to Luxembourg Gare. **3.** Cycle from Diekirch to Wasserbillig (about 51km). If we maintain an average speed of about 18 km/hour and have a total stop time of 90 minutes (including 1 hour picnic at Diekirch), we can finish the ride in 6 hours and 30 minutes. **How to prepare** Do carbohydrate loading for 1 to 2 days before the event. **Getting home from the finishing point (Waserbillig gare)** There are frequent **trains** and buses to Luxembourg gare and other directions. **What to bring** 1\. Your bike in tip top condition\. 2\. Energy snacks\. 3\. Lots of fluids to stay hydrated\. 4. **Packed food** for the picnic. **Disclaimer** If you decide to participate in this event, you are responsible for your own property and health. This distance (**41 km or 92 km**) requires ***high exercise tolerance/endurance/fitness.*** The organizer will **NOT BE RESPONSIBLE** for damages to the property or the health (including cycling injuries) of the participants. The organizer will be responsible for navigating the cycle route from the start point to the finish point. **Weather conditions.** Updated on 13/05/2026 ( https://www.accuweather.com/en/lu/luxembourg/228714/daily-weather-forecast/228714?day=7 ) Partly sunny/cloudy, **13** degree Celsius and **52%** chance of rain. Total rain forecast is **0.6mm.** If the forecast becomes worse, the organizer **may** cancel the event 6 hours before the start time or earlier. The **terrain** is 99% asphalt/paved, 77km of which is cycle path. **Komoot route:** https://www.komoot.com/tour/2554676452?ref=aso&share_token=a04omx7i6xtdcHVWzwktiFozmNBOoHlzMlLpoPtIUR5m87vAX6 **Want to join our WhatsApp group? Use this link:** https://chat.whatsapp.com/LmB9eTUkPb918blGeGaqZy?mode=ac_t

Outdoor calisthenics workouts are a fantastic way to build strength, improve fitness, and enjoy the great outdoors 😁🦾 Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses the resistance of your body and gravity to help strengthen your muscles and improve your coordination, endurance, and mobility. It’s a workout that relies on body weight with little or no equipment. In fact, almost all common bodyweight exercises are considered calisthenics exercises. Some examples include: - airsquats - pushups - pullups - frogstand -handstand -musclup -backlever aso 😁 Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete, calisthenics provides a holistic approach to fitness. 🏋️‍♂️💪

⚡ **AI & Coffee — Luxembourg's In-Person AI Community** AI is moving faster than any of us can keep up with alone. The best way to make sense of it — and stay ahead of it — is by getting in the same room as people who are just as obsessed with it as you are. That is exactly what AI & Coffee is about. We are bringing together Luxembourg's most curious, creative and driven minds for an afternoon of open, honest and energising conversations about artificial intelligence — not in theory, but in practice. No slides. No pitches. No pressure. Just real people, real ideas and real connections over great coffee. ☕🤖 *** 📅 **Sunday 17 May \| 15:00 – 17:00** 📍 Cafe Bora, 4 rue du Fossé · Luxembourg *** ☕ **What we will talk about** AI & Coffee is an open conversation — guided by curiosity and driven by the people in the room. Expect discussions around: * What is actually happening in AI right now — the real breakthroughs, the real hype * Tools, projects and experiments people are building and testing * Practical AI use cases across industries — finance, marketing, tech, healthcare and more * Ideas, feedback and fresh perspectives from people at different stages of their AI journey Feel free to bring your laptop if you want to show something you are working on. Some of the best conversations at our last event started with someone sharing their screen. 💡 *** 👥 **Who is this for?** Developers and engineers building with AI Founders and entrepreneurs exploring AI for their business Investors and mentors looking to understand what is coming Researchers and students at the forefront of AI Creatives experimenting with AI tools Corporate professionals curious about AI's impact on their industry And anyone who simply cannot stop thinking about where AI is heading If AI excites, challenges or intrigues you — you belong here. *** ✨ **What to expect** A warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where everyone has a seat at the table. Our host will kick things off with a few conversation sparks and the latest AI highlights — then the rest is yours. Meet, talk, connect and exchange freely. No commitment. No agenda. No pressure. Just the kind of afternoon that leaves you energised, inspired and already looking forward to the next one. *** 🎉 **The only cost is your own coffee or drink.** Bring your curiosity, your ideas and an open mind — and let's keep building one of the most exciting AI communities in Luxembourg. 🇱🇺 👉 Register now — spots are limited and they go fast!

## Stand up Comedy Live - Dark Comedy Night Get ready for a night full of laughs and some seriously dark humor! This in-person event brings you edgy jokes and sharp wit that'll keep you hooked all evening. Whether you're a fan of clever twists or just love the unexpected, this comedy night is the place to be. Come hang out, enjoy some live stand-up, and share some laughs with fellow comedy lovers!

We are happy to extend our invitation to one and all to join the Luxembourg Shivyog Forum events every Sunday from 9.00 am to 11.15 am. Shivyog Forum is a platform of positive and like-minded people, interested in spiritual growth, self-healing and self-awareness. Every week, through virtual videos, Avdhoot Baba Shivanand ji blesses and shares the Divine sacred secrets and knowledge through discourses, guided sacred meditations, chanting of Mantras and Bhajans for overall life transformation. This helps the Forum members to progress in their spiritual journey, in establishing deeper connection with one’s inner being, in ability to forgive and love others, in improved emotional and physical health, mental peace, healthy relationship leading to the awakening and purification of the body mind and soul. If you wish to get connected with the Avdhoota and practice deep healing meditations, kriyas and bhajans that can change your life, you are warmly welcome to become a member and join us! Yearly membership fee is a nominal US$ 50 to be paid directly to India to the Shivyog Ashram but your are welcome to attend the first Forum event free.

Outdoor calisthenics workouts are a fantastic way to build strength, improve fitness, and enjoy the great outdoors 😁🦾 Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses the resistance of your body and gravity to help strengthen your muscles and improve your coordination, endurance, and mobility. It’s a workout that relies on body weight with little or no equipment. In fact, almost all common bodyweight exercises are considered calisthenics exercises. Some examples include: - airsquats - pushups - pullups - frogstand -handstand -musclup -backlever aso 😁 Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete, calisthenics provides a holistic approach to fitness. 🏋️‍♂️💪

Join us for a deep dive discussion into *A Clockwork Orange* by Anthony Burgess comparing it with the iconic film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick. We’ll explore themes of free will, morality, violence and how differently the story unfolds on page vs. screen. VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: To keep the group meaningful and avoid no-shows, I’ll ask everyone who signs up to reconfirm via private message before the event. You will be automatically added to the waiting list and upon confirmation I will add you to the participation list. The exact location will be shared once your participation is confirmed a bit closer to the event date. Looking forward to a thoughtful discussion! Kate

An ink painting workshop, an ancient art practiced on rice paper or silk, which combines elegance, tradition, and artistic expression through slow and meditative gestures. You will be guided by Yemin Yin, a recognized artist trained in London and Canton. Her ink paintings are found in collections worldwide. This experience includes: • A guided 2-hour workshop to discover the timeless elegance of ink painting in a small group • With all the materials provided (ink, brushes, rice paper) • A premium floral tea served throughout the session • Chinese pastries (light dim sum style) • Your artwork to take home €49 / person No experience required.

**Building a great product is one thing—building momentum behind it is another.** Join **Senior Product Manager Adam Solaiman** and **User Experience Manager Tyson Smith** for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn complex ideas into scalable products inside large organizations. In this session, they’ll share how teams move from ambiguity to execution—navigating organizational complexity, aligning stakeholders, and continuously evolving products after launch. You’ll walk away with insights on how to: * Build and sustain momentum across teams * Adapt to changing priorities without losing direction * Scale products thoughtfully in complex environments Whether you're driving a new initiative or growing an existing product, this conversation will give you practical strategies to keep things moving forward. Come connect, learn, and swap stories with fellow product professionals. \-\-\- Food and drinks will be provided by Switchbox, our generous host. Free parking will be available at the front and back sides of the Switchbox Office.

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our very 1st Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 1st event and are doing a soft launch with limited attendance. 1st come 1st serve. If you want to be there and we fill up, please email me at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) and I'll be in touch. All street parking is free on Sundays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at info@thecogg.com with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)

Who’s up for a fun night out? Get your boots on, grab your cowboy hat, and let’s have some fun! Thinking about checking out PBR Cowboy Bar & Smokehouse for a lively evening to unwind, connect, and enjoy the night together. • Lively atmosphere with country vibes • Delicious food + drinks • Music, dancing, and lots of laughs • Great conversation and new connections

Have a small business? Ever wish you could just ask some questions around how to grow your business, get more customers or just know what the freak you are doing with sales? Now is your chance!! Every month we are hosting the "Ask an Expert" at the Columbus Metro Library, Main campus. I will be there to answer your Sales related questions. Drop-in for sales coaching designed to help small business owners, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals sharpen their sales approach. Whether you have questions on how to refine your pitch, are looking to close deals more quickly, or are working on building better client relationships, Smashing Your Sales Goals Coaches are here to help. Drop-in to get expert insights, actionable strategies and real-time solutions to grow your business and generate higher profits. Drop-In Sales Coaching is FREE + OPEN to the public. No appointment needed. First come, first served. EPIC Learning created. Accelerate Columbus supported.

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

**Our May novel is: *The Quiet Librarian* by Allen Eskens** **This month’s book is set in the 20th century and mixes historical fiction with suspense and thriller elements. It also centers on women’s stories and relationships. The novel is 368 pages in print or 8 hours and 12 minutes on audiobook.** Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head\*\*.\*\*