Time: 11:07pm
Mood: Happy
Song of the moment: New Kids On The Block - Summertime
It's been almost two months since my last entry, and so much has happend in that time. Two weeks after I got back from Costa Rica, I got a phone call on a Saturday - it was someone from a company that found my resume online, and was wondering if I wanted to come in for an interview. The way the guy described the job... it really sounded like my dream job. I thought, ok, I really have nothing to loose by going to the interview. So we agreed to meet on Friday over lunch.
The Monday before the interview, my boss decided to make me an example out of me by sending out an email to my department, pointing out that I made a mistake. It made me look like a complete dumbass - which made me furious. I was in Detroit, so I couldn't go in and say anything to him, but it ate at me all week. I was really looking forward to the interview b/c I was so pissed I wanted out. So the day of the interview, I walked into my boss' office in the morning and told him that he had crossed the line with me and that I expected more from him as a manager. After that, we had a really good conversation, and I left his office feeling a lot better about everything. So I went to my interview that afternoon with a "I have nothing to loose" mentality. The interview went really really well - I got the sense that they were impressed with me and I left the interview with a good feeling.
Needless to say, I got the job. They called me an hour after I left the interview and offered me the job! It was extremely hard to leave my job though because I've grown so attached to the people. I still keep in touch with my ex-coworkers - I actually saw some of them last week :) My new company's test facility is just around the corner from my old office, so it makes it convienient to see them :) I miss them though.
Also on a the new beginning list - Jimmy and I became a first time uncle and aunt :D Katie and Ray had a healthy baby boy :D He's so cute. But it made me realize I'm not ready for kids yet (I don't like holding babies... hahaha). Eh... kids are more fun when they're more responsive :)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
A Well Needed Vacay
Time: 8:48am
Mood: Tired
Song of the moment: Kyle Minogue - All I See
Every so often, usually once a year, I get bitten by the travelling bug. I get this uncontrollable urge to get on plane and leave the country. Last time I did this was in August for my honeymoon, so I figured I wouldn't get the itch until July.. but I was wrong! Around Feb. I knew I had to go on vacation soon. So I went out and booked a trip to Costa Rica. Jimmy and I just got back last week :)
We had a fabulous time! It was a 8 day Eco-tour, where the first half was spent exploring the northern province of Gunacaste, and the second half at an all-inclusive resort. I booked this tour because I wanted a mix of both adventure and beach time - I was in dire need of a tan. We started a the tour in Liberia, but we were quickly wisked into a bus for a 3 hr bumpy car ride to Monteverde - home of the cloud rain forest. There was only 4 of us on the tour, so it was nice. I was expecting 30 ppl. Less ppl meant we wouldn't be herded like cattle :) During our time in Monteverde Jimmy and I did a lot of hiking on nature trails, and we went on a zip-lining tour. We got to zip-line through the rainforest - it was awesome! From Monteverde we headed to the Arenal Volcano - which is the second most active volcano in the world. We got to hike around the base of the volcano, where we got to observe different species of birds, trees and monkeys. Oh yes the monkeys... one decided to have some fun and began to throw poo at us! It didn't hit me... but it hit my tour buddies... how awful! But it makes for a good story :) The last 3 nights were spent at an all-inclusive resort - this was where Jimmy and I concluded we are not resort people! haha! The resort was pretty bland - there really wasn't anything to do there. It consisted of a pool, a restaurant and a bar (notice all those things are singular). The beach wasn't that great either. On the plus side, we had an room with a great view! We stayed in a suite that had a kitchen (that we didn't use), and a deck with a small dipping pool that overlooked the bay. It was gorgeous! So Jimmy and I spent a lot of time hanging out on our deck and just baked in the sun :) I got the tan I was looking for!
After coming back from the vacay I realized it was much needed. I really needed a mental break from work! I'm enjoying a job a little more now - I feel more on top of things and I've been so productive the past couple of day\s. But ask me in a week's time - this will most likely change! LoL :)
Zip-lining through the cloud rainforest:
The town of La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano
The view from our room
Mood: Tired
Song of the moment: Kyle Minogue - All I See
Every so often, usually once a year, I get bitten by the travelling bug. I get this uncontrollable urge to get on plane and leave the country. Last time I did this was in August for my honeymoon, so I figured I wouldn't get the itch until July.. but I was wrong! Around Feb. I knew I had to go on vacation soon. So I went out and booked a trip to Costa Rica. Jimmy and I just got back last week :)
We had a fabulous time! It was a 8 day Eco-tour, where the first half was spent exploring the northern province of Gunacaste, and the second half at an all-inclusive resort. I booked this tour because I wanted a mix of both adventure and beach time - I was in dire need of a tan. We started a the tour in Liberia, but we were quickly wisked into a bus for a 3 hr bumpy car ride to Monteverde - home of the cloud rain forest. There was only 4 of us on the tour, so it was nice. I was expecting 30 ppl. Less ppl meant we wouldn't be herded like cattle :) During our time in Monteverde Jimmy and I did a lot of hiking on nature trails, and we went on a zip-lining tour. We got to zip-line through the rainforest - it was awesome! From Monteverde we headed to the Arenal Volcano - which is the second most active volcano in the world. We got to hike around the base of the volcano, where we got to observe different species of birds, trees and monkeys. Oh yes the monkeys... one decided to have some fun and began to throw poo at us! It didn't hit me... but it hit my tour buddies... how awful! But it makes for a good story :) The last 3 nights were spent at an all-inclusive resort - this was where Jimmy and I concluded we are not resort people! haha! The resort was pretty bland - there really wasn't anything to do there. It consisted of a pool, a restaurant and a bar (notice all those things are singular). The beach wasn't that great either. On the plus side, we had an room with a great view! We stayed in a suite that had a kitchen (that we didn't use), and a deck with a small dipping pool that overlooked the bay. It was gorgeous! So Jimmy and I spent a lot of time hanging out on our deck and just baked in the sun :) I got the tan I was looking for!
After coming back from the vacay I realized it was much needed. I really needed a mental break from work! I'm enjoying a job a little more now - I feel more on top of things and I've been so productive the past couple of day\s. But ask me in a week's time - this will most likely change! LoL :)
Zip-lining through the cloud rainforest:
The town of La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano
The view from our room
Monday, March 10, 2008
Too Much Snow!
Time: 8:12pm
Mood: Sleepy
Song of the moment: OneRepublic - Stop & Stare
Here's a photo during the snow storm (this was after shoveling trip #3):
And the day after (after shoveling trip #6):
My poor tree it's completely covered!
Mood: Sleepy
Song of the moment: OneRepublic - Stop & Stare
Toronto got blasted with another winter snow storm this weekend and let me tell you - it was brutal! We have so much snow piled up in front of our house, it's taller than me! Not only did we have to put up with the storm, it was daylights savings - so all our clocks moved forward an hour. This is why i'm so tired!!
Here's a photo during the snow storm (this was after shoveling trip #3):
My poor tree it's completely covered!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Cancelled Long Weekend
Time: 11:50pm
Mood: Pissed (but in love! It's V-day after all!)
Song of the moment: Fergie - Clumsy
A couple of months ago, the Canadian gov't decided to add another statituory holiday to their list - Family Day. This was to promote time spent with family.
When my coworkers and I turned on our computers and checked our emails this morning, we were greeted with this note from our executives:
"It has recently come to our attention that the majority of *company name* customers will be working on Family Day (February 18, 2008). Knowing that we need to fulfill our customer requirements and meet customer demand, we have made a decision to remain open on Family Day (February 18th) and substitute this public holiday for another day.
All employees are asked to report to work as usual on Monday Feb. 18th, and instead observe Monday March 24th as a paid holiday when *company name* will be closed. We realize that this is a late decision on the company’s part, and therefore this is not “mandatory”. All employees have the following options:
1) Observe the holiday substitution on March 24th as outlined above, OR
2) Take Feb. 18th as a paid holiday; however March 24th will be an unpaid day off as *company name* will be closed on this day"
Now this pisses me off for several reasons. First of all - isn't it a little late to tell us to come into work on Monday, after everyone has made long weekend plans? Secondly, they're making us choose between coming in on Monday, or to dock a day's pay if we do take it off. And lastly, they're missing the whole point of this holiday. It's called Family Day because we're supposed to spend it with family (even though most of us wouldn't, that's still not the point). Ok fine we are still getting a day off later in the year, but my other family members don't get the same day off as me - how am I going to spend time with them?!
This shows me exactly what my company thinks about where family should fit into life. I hope I never absorb that mentality - please shoot me if I do.
Mood: Pissed (but in love! It's V-day after all!)
Song of the moment: Fergie - Clumsy
A couple of months ago, the Canadian gov't decided to add another statituory holiday to their list - Family Day. This was to promote time spent with family.
When my coworkers and I turned on our computers and checked our emails this morning, we were greeted with this note from our executives:
"It has recently come to our attention that the majority of *company name* customers will be working on Family Day (February 18, 2008). Knowing that we need to fulfill our customer requirements and meet customer demand, we have made a decision to remain open on Family Day (February 18th) and substitute this public holiday for another day.
All employees are asked to report to work as usual on Monday Feb. 18th, and instead observe Monday March 24th as a paid holiday when *company name* will be closed. We realize that this is a late decision on the company’s part, and therefore this is not “mandatory”. All employees have the following options:
1) Observe the holiday substitution on March 24th as outlined above, OR
2) Take Feb. 18th as a paid holiday; however March 24th will be an unpaid day off as *company name* will be closed on this day"
Now this pisses me off for several reasons. First of all - isn't it a little late to tell us to come into work on Monday, after everyone has made long weekend plans? Secondly, they're making us choose between coming in on Monday, or to dock a day's pay if we do take it off. And lastly, they're missing the whole point of this holiday. It's called Family Day because we're supposed to spend it with family (even though most of us wouldn't, that's still not the point). Ok fine we are still getting a day off later in the year, but my other family members don't get the same day off as me - how am I going to spend time with them?!
This shows me exactly what my company thinks about where family should fit into life. I hope I never absorb that mentality - please shoot me if I do.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Luck On My Side
Time: 12:38pm
Mood: Relieved
Song of the moment: Dragonette - I Get Around
I've taken a snow day today, and I feel like such a wimp because most of the people in my office (including the people that live near me) made it in. And I was supposed to have my annual performance review at work today with my supervisor (one of the few people that live near me - he made it in! lol). So yeah.. perfect day to take a day off huh? LoL :D
So I went through an emotional rollercoaster yesterday. It all started yesterday afternoon, as I was leaving Detroit. The hotel room I stayed in this week was incredibly dry, and it left my hands so dry it started to crack and bleed. I took off my wedding band and engagement ring to put cream on my hands (I always take them off... cream tends to guck up the ring) and I placed it on my lap.
We pulled into the Detroit Duty Free shop and we went in because my coworker wanted to buy some stuff. He got his stuff... we left... half way across the bridge I look at my hands and realize my rings are missing. I freaked a little, began to check my pockets, and when I realize they were in there I went into full-out freak mode. I frantically searched my purse - nothing. By the time we got to the Canadian border guard I was sobbing uncontrollably. Looking back, it was a little funny, because while we were at the booth, I was still frantically looking for the rings. I had my seatbelt off, I was sobbing, and I was out of my seat, with my back to the windshield. The border guard said nothing!!
I had a feeling they were in the parking lot at the duty free shop. My coworker managed to get the phone number of the duty free shop, and called to see if anyone found the rings. The man that picked up the phone graciously agreed to go out and look for them, and told us he would call us back if he found anything. Immediately we turned around (after dropping off 2 other coworkers in the car + our purchases we accured over the course of our stay) and got back on the bridge. I was certain my rings were lost forever... and I was so sad. How could I have been so stupid?! Why did I put it on my lap? I usually put my mitts on my lap in the car, and they always fall when I get out of the car (I lose a lot of mitts that way) - so why would I do that with my precious rings?! Mitts are replaceable - my rings are not.
As we were on the bridge we get a phonecall from the duty free shop - they found my wedding band!! But still no e-ring. I was slightly relieved, but still distraught. As we approached the US border guard we get another phone call - they found my e-ring!! Seriously it must have been like finding a needle in a haystack - it was dark and there were cars driving around that area... I couldn't beleive he found it!!! When I got my rings back I gave that man a big hug and thanked him a gazillion times.
My rings always have a way of finding their way back to me. A couple of months ago I lost my iron ring, and I was so sure it was gone forever. Turns out it was in the trunk of of my coworker's car! It slipped off when I was removing my luggage from his car after a trip to Detroit.
Thank GOD I got my rings back... I donno what I would have done if that man didn't find them. To Ken, who works at the Detroit Duty Free shop - thank you SO much.. no words can express how thankful I am!!!
Mood: Relieved
Song of the moment: Dragonette - I Get Around
I've taken a snow day today, and I feel like such a wimp because most of the people in my office (including the people that live near me) made it in. And I was supposed to have my annual performance review at work today with my supervisor (one of the few people that live near me - he made it in! lol). So yeah.. perfect day to take a day off huh? LoL :D
So I went through an emotional rollercoaster yesterday. It all started yesterday afternoon, as I was leaving Detroit. The hotel room I stayed in this week was incredibly dry, and it left my hands so dry it started to crack and bleed. I took off my wedding band and engagement ring to put cream on my hands (I always take them off... cream tends to guck up the ring) and I placed it on my lap.
We pulled into the Detroit Duty Free shop and we went in because my coworker wanted to buy some stuff. He got his stuff... we left... half way across the bridge I look at my hands and realize my rings are missing. I freaked a little, began to check my pockets, and when I realize they were in there I went into full-out freak mode. I frantically searched my purse - nothing. By the time we got to the Canadian border guard I was sobbing uncontrollably. Looking back, it was a little funny, because while we were at the booth, I was still frantically looking for the rings. I had my seatbelt off, I was sobbing, and I was out of my seat, with my back to the windshield. The border guard said nothing!!
I had a feeling they were in the parking lot at the duty free shop. My coworker managed to get the phone number of the duty free shop, and called to see if anyone found the rings. The man that picked up the phone graciously agreed to go out and look for them, and told us he would call us back if he found anything. Immediately we turned around (after dropping off 2 other coworkers in the car + our purchases we accured over the course of our stay) and got back on the bridge. I was certain my rings were lost forever... and I was so sad. How could I have been so stupid?! Why did I put it on my lap? I usually put my mitts on my lap in the car, and they always fall when I get out of the car (I lose a lot of mitts that way) - so why would I do that with my precious rings?! Mitts are replaceable - my rings are not.
As we were on the bridge we get a phonecall from the duty free shop - they found my wedding band!! But still no e-ring. I was slightly relieved, but still distraught. As we approached the US border guard we get another phone call - they found my e-ring!! Seriously it must have been like finding a needle in a haystack - it was dark and there were cars driving around that area... I couldn't beleive he found it!!! When I got my rings back I gave that man a big hug and thanked him a gazillion times.
My rings always have a way of finding their way back to me. A couple of months ago I lost my iron ring, and I was so sure it was gone forever. Turns out it was in the trunk of of my coworker's car! It slipped off when I was removing my luggage from his car after a trip to Detroit.
Thank GOD I got my rings back... I donno what I would have done if that man didn't find them. To Ken, who works at the Detroit Duty Free shop - thank you SO much.. no words can express how thankful I am!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
