Thursday, March 29, 2007

Mr. Chips

Did you ever read the book "Goodbye Mr. Chips"? I did, ages ago and don't remember much except the description of Mr. Chips, an older man with a fondness for tweed jackets.

Well my International management professor is Mr. Chips. He was wearing a tweed jacket and a pull over sweater and herringbone pants. It was just very traditional when you think of the word "professor" if he had a pipe then it would have all fit.

Yet, he was so interesting. He is from Belgium and taught in the Congo for a few years. His philosophy about teaching the class is that it is purely driven by what interests us and as such it is very research based. So it will be a different sort of class, he believes that he is not the keeper of all knowledge as some professors appear to be but he said he can learn from us just as we can learn from him. So participation is encouraged and we will each find our niche. Oh and he said that there may not be a mid-term nor a final because well, he does not like them and we don't like taking them.

So this is going to be a cool class. I love these type of classes because they are just very interesting and I take so much out of them.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Back to school

Today is the first class of my Spring quarter. After this quarter comes the summer quarter...so that basically means that for the next 20 weeks, I will have school! But on the up side I have 6 more classes to go then I am DONE and oh one more thing...I NEVER have to take finance again. Oh happy day!

We are going to move in about a month. Eeek! I hate moving as a general rule because it is stressful, costly and packing sucks. So to stay on top of the game I have started to pack. I figure if I do a box (at least) a day then it will all be okay. So far I have a few boxes done and tonight I will have one done. There seems to be so much to do but we are crossing things off our list. So far we've got the apt, boxes, movers and a move time. Not too bad to say the least.

Although, I have not taped up the boxes just yet. First reason is that I don't have packing tape yet and the second reason is that I like to inventory each of my boxes so that I know what is in each of them. The BF bought color coded stickers for us to use with the movers so that way, the boxes with the red (or whatever) color sticker goes in the kitchen etc. He is so awesome

I have this huge garbage bag in my dining room that is full of things to toss. I've kept some things that I really never used or needed. Most of them are things like expired coupons, GMAT related guides, old yellow pages etc. But I have been tossing them out as I find them and as of last night I could not lift the bag it is that packed with stuff! I've also shredded a lot of old things that I had lingering about. There is no need for me to take some old things with me. I was amazed how much junk I had lingering about.

The worst thing about packing is figuring out what you don't need vs. what you do need. I was speaking with my friend JT last night and he said that he picks out three pairs of pants and about 6 shirts and just does laundry every few days. That way his clothes are packed weeks ahead of time. Sorry darlin', that is so not going to work with me. I need options, yep I know I have a lot of black boots but sometimes it is a ankle boot stiletto day not a calf length boot day. Plus with the new company I can only wear jeans once a week rather than every day so I have to mix the wardrobe up. But the clothes that I wore when I worked in NYC a few years ago are a bit out dated. I have some high waisted dress pants of the 90's that don't fit and make me look dated. AT least I never had a blazer with shoulder pads and I threw out the pearl pink lip gloss last week (I am not kidding but the last time I wore it was well in the 90s). So to sum it up, I need to go pants shopping.

Well my parents are coming to visit next week and my mom is making discreet inquires at to what I will or will not be taking. So far she has called "dibbs" on my George Foreman grill and a few other things. But I am making a mom pile of clothes and items that she can keep or send to my fam in South America.

So, tonight is the first day of class...the fun begins!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Just a service charge....

So yesterday, I purchased two tickets to see The Police for the bf and I. I did not think that I would actually be successful but, I was able to get two tickets. I was so excited because I am very rarely successful, the last success was when Elton John was touring a few years ago and came back to Madison Square Garden after being away for so long. I managed to get tickets, my boss did not...that was the beginning of the end for me at that job!

So, I ordered the two tickets and I am doing my "I got Police tickets" moves in my chair then I get to the last screen the check out area. Those bastards charged a $15.00 service fee for each ticket plus $6.00 to print out the tickets. If I opted to have them mail it via snail mail, it would have just cost me $3.50! Oh and if I did opt for snail mail they would mail me the tickets a few days before the event!

I was so appalled. I mean these ticket sellers can get away with it, they are like legalized scalpers. I have bought tickets to Broadway shows, museums, concerts and events and when I use Ticketmaster or any other ticket agent, I pay so much more. I am more of a going to the box office type of girl, at least I will pay a flat rate! If I use StubHub, I know that the prices may not be face value but depending on the event they are reasonable. (***Disclaimer, for sport events when the teams suck like the Cubs)

It pisses me off...

Monday, March 26, 2007

Out like a lamb

March has not been my month. It was one hell of a roller coaster, to recap:

-signed the lease to the new apt
-got in to a car accident the next day
-not feeling "great" after said accident
-Finance class
-Intl marketing project
-my company was sold
-Found out my company was sold about 15 minutes before my finance final
-My company screwed me out of severance
-New company wanted me pretty badly, they conceded and compromised some key terms!
-Had to buy a new car, added 5 years of new debt

So this weekend was the first weekend in ages that we had nothing, that is right...nada, zero, zilch, to do. And we did that so well. Saturday, the BF and I went to the American Science Surplus store so he could hit their sale. After that we went back to the apt where I took a nap. (I know, a nap) and he played with his head flashlight. Yesterday, we had breakfast, headed to Costco to see if we should join (nope we should not) and then came home. It was so beautiful that we took the dog for a long walk to the new apt and walked around the area. We were all pretty wiped out.

This week starts my wonderful Spring quarter of classes. I have a mid-term the day after I move, how sucky is that!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Taking the plunge

After much consideration, chats with friends and the fam and the all knowing magic 8 ball. I've decided to take the offer of employment.

The new company has been extremely generous and fair. They are going to grandfather in my vacation time permanently, they are going to help more with the insurance and they are very flexible with my hours so I can continue pursuing my MBA. A lot of the other people who were offered jobs, also decided to go so my favorite sales reps will be joining and I will still be working with them.

I just feel survivor guilt because today is the day when the former company is offering the packages and it is not easy.

Well at one time...Atlas shrugged!

Monday, March 19, 2007

Please sir, can I have another?

Here is the update on the past few days drama.

Car
It is a boy! I got a 2007 civic, black and with only a few miles on him. He has the moniker of Bogart and I got a decent deal with the financing. I am now uber-paranoid and I don't want anyone to park near him. I don't trust other drivers but then again, can you blame me?

Finance final:
Done and over with. Too bad that I found out about the M and A about 15 minutes before the final. So one can make a correct guess that my mind was not on WACC and debt and equity financing. I sold the book and in financial terms "incurred a loss". Textbook publishers are such monopolistic bastards!

Job:
Well, I meet with the buying company on Friday and we went on a tour and had a conference call with HR. She was such a bitch, she was expecting us to willingly sign some papers then and there but when I said no, I want to read them all, you could hear her eyes roll and her brain think "Why DON'T you want to work here?" Well the stick was so far up her ass and when we asked her questions she did not know the answers to and would get all uppity about it. It was quite smug and presumptuous of her to assume that we would jump immediately for joy.

If I take the position they will honor my salary but it would be a title demotion. I would also lose a week of vacation, (that is a HUGE deal for me) and they don't have a job description for me. Oh and they want an answer today. If I do not take the offer, my current pathetic rat ass of a company will only give me 4 weeks severance because I spoke to the other company and per my HR person, that was part of the "agreement". If I was not approached, I would get 2 weeks for ever year...I have been here for 7 years!

This is such a poorly planned M and A, the company we would be working here does not have the room for those that they want. They have no clue what to do with us and our new boss (in fairness does seem cool and had gone through this same thing years ago) was caught off guard as to what to do!

So right now, it is as clear as mud. But to put it mildly I am fucking pissed!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

M and A

Yep, we were acquired or rather our capital assets were acquired. The staff as a whole, was not. Tomorrow the new company is planning on doing the horse and pony show because "they want me".

I am not so sure I want them....

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

I want this merry-go-round to stop

Ok, I am going to whine now...it is my blog and I can whine if I want to. So brace yourselves....

The saga began 10 weeks ago when I started finance. I knew that the last class would culminate in a final. So for the past 10 weeks, I have dedicated at least 150 hours of blood sweat and a lot of tears in this class and today is that final. I spent the weekend studying and doing homework (yep the ass gave us hw!). I've spent time since Monday when it is slow at work reviewing, I was up until after midnight studying. Around 10 I realized that I was using an incorrect formula but could not figure out the difference, so I texted JT who was up and helped me out sooooo much. But I kept on keeping on and now I am tired and I just want this torture to be over. (Disclaimer, I know studying for finance is not necessary torture in the true sense of the word but again this is my blog and "torture' is an adequate word...I am sleep deprived and hungry, I forgot to mention, I forgot to eat dinner. Stress will do that to me)

Then it happened, I was told at 12:33 pm yesterday that I HAD to be in the NY office from Wednesday until Friday. Okay, that did not fit my schedule and oh yea I HAVE A FINAL. I am not taking this class EVER again. I am taking this bloody final and then selling my book! So I called the executive assistant who told me to call my VP and I called him and told him that I have a final and that I would not be able to be on a plane this morning at 6! Well he took it all in and said, "I can't argue with that reason, you don't have to come in, we'll figure something out."

Well CLA also got the email and pitched a fit about how she is not going and yammering on and on and on. She has a mouth that can catch rodents and because of her big mouth people ran to see if they had to fly in to the NY office tomorrow and quickly found out we were the only two. So set in panic mode among the office then she fuels the fire and it is all about her, and how dare they ask her to go tomorrow, she can't go, who will watch her kids(she is married and her mother watches her 3 year old twins and semi-weird 14 year old son), who will think of her babies? Well because she heard that I was permitted to stay here she pitched a fit and threw it in when she was speaking to my boss. Just to shut her up, they are letting her stay. Then she calls people inside the company saying how she will be fine she has been here for 18 years and she will get two weeks for every year. I just wanted to hurt her, visions of stapling stuff to her head ensued. But the thing she has not accounted for is that they do not have to offer severance and if they do they will cap it. But I did not want to rain on her "all about me parade". She will find out soon enough.

The reason that we are requested to go to NY is because today is announcement day. Finally senior management is going to tell us what the hell has been going on. Ironically, we all know what the hell is going on...we were either bought out or we will be in a JV. The thing is that the owner or new partner is a huge company and they don't need so many locations. So jobs will be lost or re-located.

After I got the email, I speculate that they want to keep me. I've been through this roller coaster for 7 years here now so I know their MO. However, I am speculating that because they want me, they want me to work in a different office....in the East coast. So I have been formulating my plan and have my answer. But who knows I may be wrong. At least we'll find out

Then last night, the mouse died. I guess I should explain that one. Well last week, after my accident I went into the kitchen and there was a mouse and I screamed and thus set in my crying fit. Well the wonderful BF set up traps and my super put mouse poison in some areas. Well, I had not seen the mouse so I suspected that it had already met its fate but, nope whilst studying it crawled into the middle of my kitchen floor squeaked and then died. I freaked out, it so freaked me out. I am a city girl but not the "sex in the city" type of girl, by no means am I equipped or capable of dealing with a mouse. Well after being calmed down by the bf. I swept it out the door. It was so sad because it was curled up and just looked like he was sleeping. So of course I feel an incredible amount of guilt. I know that they carry diseases and the bubonic plague (granted it has been a few hundred years since the black death) but it was sad to see this little thing whose only crime was trying to survive in my kitchen.

So today, I am racked with guilt about the mouse (thank you years of Catholic school), i will find out if I have a job, have my finance final and in 20 minutes have to hear the CLA complain about one thing or another because we all know...it is all about her.

At least tonight it will be over but I ran out of my favorite Ben and Jerry's ice cream...So rum it is.

But if anyone knows of anybody who has developed a way to fast foward the day, please let me know.

Ok, I am done whining for now. I am going to eat my granola bar.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Dust settling...sorta

Things are starting to calm down in a way. Not great but a wee bit manageable. The BF and I got a lot of errands done this weekend but we also had work to do. I have my final project due tonight and then on Wednesday is my much anticipated finance final. After Wednesday, I think I will be human again.

Next weekend, I have to get a car. I am not looking forward to that. I just have to make it thought the next few days...

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Ode to Paulo

It is official my darling Paulo (short for Apollo) can not be saved. He is heading to the great highway in the sky. So I memory of my darling Civic, I just wanted to share my memories...
*cue violins*

-He was my first ever car. When I lived with my parent's I used their car and then when I moved to Brooklyn, I did not need a car yet, moving here, it was a necessary. So I did my research and decided on a Civic and then did the whole car buying issue complete with haggling and a shaky signature when I signed the check. But he was mine!
-He was so shiny and new and I loved driving him. He was safe and secure and I had my radio stations tuned in.
-He was easy to maneuver into Chicago's famous tight parallel parking spots.
-He was small enough to get through traffic
-I bought him a gift when I was in Greece, I got him an evil eye talisman to protect him as well as me from the evil eye. It worked.
-He needed new breaks a few months ago that I was gladly more than willing to pay because well, he needed them
-I got his oil changed diligently and the only issue I had was with the windshield wipers.

Now, I have to go to get my personal effects from the car before he is sent somewhere. It is silly to personify a car but, he was mine. Thank you my friend for bearing the brunt of the impact, according to one of the insurance agents, I am lucky to have walked away from the impact. I am sorry that I have to let you go but thanks for the memories...

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Clingy like static cling

I am still a bit shaken up after the accident and have been clingy. I was at my boyfriend's until this morning. Yesterday he worked from home so he was around in case I needed him. Today he went to work and for some reason I started to cry. There was no reason for the tears but they came nonetheless, I guess it is the after affects of it all.

I am okay now but this accident really shook me up!

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Premonition

Did you ever have a feeling that something (good or bad) was going to happen and then it did?

Well yesterday afternoon, it happened to me. I was in a car accident. Here is what happened.

I was driving home from work and I decided to take an expressway because the radio said that it had good timing so I went that way thinking I would be able to get home and eat and go to class. So I was in the far left lane, when it happened. A truck from the far right land, cut and hit the car in the middle, he veered to the left and hit me. My car went spinning and rested on the median at the right facing the opposite direction. The first car, speed off.

It was surreal, I remember screaming and then once I stopped I was just in amazement that I was not bleeding. The impact totally damaged my fender (it is no longer on the car) my trunk is smashed in, the impact forced the sunroof divider to open as did my change area which flung coins that got stuck between the window of the driver door so it could not be open. The man who hit me had car damage on both sides of his bumper where he was hit and where he hit me.

He was very kind and was worried about me because I was in shock. A SUV stopped and a man got out to make sure we were okay. It took about 20 minutes before the police and fire came. I got a bump in the back of my head from hitting the headrest and after speaking to my insurance agent and my parents, I went to the ER to get checked out.

The boyfriend came to the hospital and was there when I got released. I was so glad to see him! We went to my apartment to get some clothes and then went to his place.

I am very grateful that I have him and so many others who were worried about me. Now I have a few days or weeks of work ahead of me to figure out what to do with the car.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Here I come to save the day!

My BF is the greatest. I mean it, I am so lucky. He just saved my arse! I was writing an email to my team to attach my portion of our market entry paper for international marketing and when I went to attach it, I could not find it on the desktop. I ran a search and it was not coming up. My head was spinning and I am in panic mode without actually losing it.

I was thinking: "Oh God, it was 10 pages of brilliance. I am not staying up till 2 am to finish it, I am tired. Okay, don't freak out. Nope, don't panic, computers save everything right?" Then the quiet panic set in...

Then I started to mumble "Oh no, oh God no". He and Yukon came running in and I explained my issue (trying not to freak out) and then had to walk away. He found my updated and saved portion of my paper. He saved the day!

Here are some other BF worthy moments of the past few two days

-He got me a plastic tiara at CVS yesterday and he is letting me wear it in the house. It is silver with pink and purple "gems", truly befitting!
-He got me passion fruit tea at Argo's
-He made dinner so I could finish up my paper
-He invented a drink with mango-orange-peach juice, spirit and mango rum that is to die for
-He let me fall asleep on him and then tucked me into bed at 9:30 last night

Now for some exciting news....
We are moving in together. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I can't wait, we are both going to save a ton of money and we enjoy spending time with each other. It is a good move and we are ready for it. We know that there will be growing pains but we work well together and talk and are honest with each other, so even thought the rough patches we will be okay. The best part, we found a nice apartment and tomorrow we are going to sign the papers.

But shhhh don't tell the parental units...we are going to fill them in tomorrow. Wish us luck

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Ta da!

The BF did this on his blog and last night were were talking about it. so I decided to do mine, so hereeeeeeeeeee's Christina...

1. Do you like cheese?
-Yes Brie and Mozzarella are my favs

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
-Nope

3. Do you own a gun?
-Yes, you fill it with water and shoot

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
-Sometimes, depends on the doctor and how much pain they have inflicted on me in the past

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
-Only will eat Nathan's hot dogs, but Vienna beef are okay. Mustard only!

7. What's your favorite Christmas song?
-I have three "War is Over" and "I'll be home for Christmas" and "Oh Holy Night"

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
-Tea

9. Can you do push ups?
-Only if there is a gun to my head...nah I can do a few alone but why would I want to?

10. Is your bathroom clean?
-It is decent but hey when there are 27 hours in a day it will be spotless

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
-I love my necklaces and the earrings that my parent's gave me when I turned 30 and the earrings the BF gave me for Christmas.

12. What annoys you most?
-People who make decisions that directly affect me without consulting me! Pisses me off!

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
-My flirting skills are top secret :)

14. Do you have A.D.D.?
-Not clinically but at times especially when I have a lot of my plate my mind goes all over the place

16. Middle Name?
-Marie (where did 15 go?)

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
-I should be "working"
-Are my feet too warm in these boots?
-God it is only 10:18!

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought?
-Refilled my EL card
-Gas
-Two books on Amazon

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink
-Tea
-Diet Pepsi
-Water

20. Current worry?
Will I be laid off? This then leads to a bunch of more worries!

21. Current hate?
Finance class

22. Favorite place to be?
-With the BF

23.How did you bring in the New Year?
-Spend the afternoon in the theater watching "Mamma Mia" then the BF and I made steak in a red wine reduction sauce, we talked for hours and then at 11:58 we went to CNN online because the Bf's TV was out of commission about 10 minutes later we were asleep.

24. Where would you like to go?
Italy and Paris (again)

27. Do you own slippers?
-Yep, two pairs, one at my place and one at the BFs

28. What shirt are you wearing?
-Black V neck sweater

29. Do you burn or tan?
-Neither I lather sunscreen on

30. Favorite color?
-Purple

31. Would you be a pirate?
-Depends on the benefits...do they offer a 401(k)?

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
-Which ever ones are stuck in the head

35. What's in your pocket right now?
-A tissue

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
-My friend when I was on the phone with her this morning

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
-Sesame Street sheets

38. Worst injury you've ever had?
-When I split my forehead open when I tripped on the street...I needed stitches

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
-One

41. Who is your loudest friend
-JS

42. Who is your most silent friend?
-None of them really

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
-The BF

44. Do you wish on shooting stars?
-Yep, I do

45. What is your favorite book?
-Damn this is a hard one...The Alchemist, To Kill a Mockingbird, House of Spirits, Gone with the Wind, Marley and Me, Winnie the Pooh...I have too many to count

46. What is your favorite candy?
-Chocolate covered almonds, they are the candy crack!

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
-Beautiful night by Sir Paul McCartney

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
-Prayer of St. Francis and Amazing Grace

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Dreaming of being in "Annie Hall" I was and I have no idea why


50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
NOOOOOOOOOOO it can't be the alarm, no it is not fair, I hate the alarm...do I feel sick enough to call in....Damn no I don't...God I have to pee