A bit of everything

Well, where do I start? I write posts in my head, daily, then I get home and don't write anything...

I've been working a lot. No news there. Times are hard, the company slashed our overtime. We're not authorized to do it, they won't pay for it. I end up doing it anyway, the work has to get done. I guess management did notice I was going above and beyond the call of duty and gave me a promotion. I was pretty happy about that!

Now hubbs and I are shopping for a new vehicle. His car payments ended in 07, mine in 08, so we did have a few extra bucks every month (which was nice considering there is a recession out there). I'm going to get an appraisal on my car tomorrow to see what we are able to afford.

T is his happy self, as usual. We traveled to WDW/Universal during memorial day week. He had a blast, rode 2 rollercoasters with his Dad (which means he cannot possibly be my son) and the splash mountain. The following week was his Pre-K graduation, the same day we met "his lovey girl who he's going to marry". He has very good taste, I must say.

BTW, he has decided the theme of his birthday parties in 2009, 2010 and 2011, which makes everything so much easier for me. 2009 and 2010 are practically ready. For 2011 I already have a few things - yes, I'm a planner!

I am still volunteering my time at the Bring Sean Home Foundation. Despite favorable court decisions, appeals after appeals have been filed. Add that to a slow judicial system... that really makes me mad. The Federal Judge wrote a brilliant, airtight 82-page sentence on this case (followed by a 2nd ruling concerning parental alienation). I feel really bad for this child, all this abuse. The family wants to cut all contact between him and his legitimate father. It makes me sick to my stomach...

I just realized I didn't write a single movie review this year. We've seen a few. There's also the TV series. LOST is more awesome than ever. I can't believe next season will be the last. Since we have a lot of time to kill before the next season, we've been watching it from inception? Who's we? Well, I attend a LOST roundtable every Friday at my friend's workplace (down the street from me). Well, now I'm also addicted to Fringe. I found the episodes from Season 1 online and I'm almost done. It's like the X Files, many conspiracies, twists and freaky stuff (and cutie Joshua Jackson). Lil Ole Nerdy me loves it.

Just wish I were in San Diego for the Comic-Con.

Just tired

The past week has been really busy with work and stuff...

- Tue, Nov 25th - T's birthday/get to work early/sit in traffic/pick up friend @ BWI
- Wed, Nov 26th - get off work early/go to Dave & Busters
- Thu, Nov 27th - drive to Arlington Cemetery, Iwo Jima, Freedom Park/Thanksgiving dinner
- Fri, Nov 28th - drive to Philly/run Rocky steps/eat cheese steak/meet friends/sighseeing/drive back to DC/shop @ Target
- Sat, Nov 28th - drive to Baltimore/lunch, sightseeing & Ace of Cakes/drive friend to BWI/stop @ Ikea for returns
- Sun, Nov 30th - attend Flamenco show @ Strathmore/hurt my knee
- Mon, Dec 1st - stay home from work/limp my way up and down/take son to pediatrician/take son for ice cream treat/take son to take photo with Santa/shop therapy @ VS
- Tue, Dec 2nd - son stays home with temperature/wacky morning @ work/knee still hurts a bit

I'm still alive!

Overwhelmed

With work... and we're having our close today. Not good...

Some things must come to an end (w/ Update)

Today I returned to work after a 2-week vacation - even though my ears are still crackling after the plane trip (the first time it ever happened to me).

After speaking to hubby and my parents, I have decided to turn in my resignation tomorrow.

I was actually suprised when my parents agreed I should quit my job. They would be the first ones to say *don't even think about it*.

I don't have anything lined up yet, just sent out a couple of resumes. But I am confident i will find something in a near future. Meanwhile, I can have time for myself - plus my house will be tidy and clean.

UPDATE: they didn't let me go. All of a sudden I'm the best employee in the department (riiiiiiiiight) and they will make a bunch of adjustments in the coming weeks. We'll see if the adjustments will pay off (especially if it includes $$$)

Overworked, exhausted and underpaid

Yesterday I worked from 7AM-8PM, which means I was out of the house from 6AM-9PM and didn't even see my son.

Today will likely be the same, just because I am going on vacation. BTW, I need 3 people to handle my work.

Enough said!

I know I talk about movies too much!

I'm sorry if I am boring everyone.

The truth is movies are a big part of my background. It's what I've always wanted to do. I do have a Bachelor's degree in film, a degree I didn't get to use for many different reasons. Mostly the timing was always off.

But, deep inside, I do hope my son becomes a Pixar animator/director LOL.

Now, seriously, I have started thinking about a career change. I still don't know what's going to be, though - yes, here comes the work talk again.

Today I called my former manager - in the same company - and asked to have a chat with her. I was in her office for 45 min! I was open with her, I know I can trust her. I told her how miserable I was in my position, and ultimately was looking for something else and hoping to start interviewing soon. She was so incredibly supportive! To begin with, she asked me how much I was making to see if she could perhaps fit me in the department she manages, she said she'd love to have me back, but there was nothing. At this point I just want out of the company, and she understood.

I asked if it would be ok to put her down as a reference for a job. She immediately said yes and wished me all the best in my search. She even offered to help spice up my resume and to proof future cover letters. That's how cool she is. You must bs asking yourself how come I no longer work under her. When I took maternity leave with my son, they transferred my position in the firm. That's how I ended up where I am now.

During the last 15 min of the chat we discussed pain-in-the-neck co-workers, family, friends, and George Michael - because she was there too, with her entire department!

Then I had to go back to my desk to hear about the 0.5% of the job that had not been completed. I defintely need out.

Let's focus on good things, like 2 Wiggles concerts on the same day, in about 2 weeks!

Mayday, Mayday

The girl I had started to train decided the work was way too much for her and went back to her department. So, that means I will have to do my old job and whatever new I have inherited.

To make matters worse, my boss is out of the office on vacation. Which is OK, because she hasn't taken time off for the past 3 years. But usually something really bad happens when she's gone. Hope it's not my nervous breakdown.

It's what they always say: "after a calm, comes the storm".

Oh, wait a minute...

She works hard for the money

I've been ticked off about work for quite some time now. I just need to vent - sorry.

The job search must restart. I think it's truly time to get a new job. I've been stressed out and I need some peace of mind (plus I'm totally taking a week off for myself between jobs, once I get one.

I've been in this company for 5 and a half years now. The first year I was in a different department. Then I had to take time off - maternity leave - and when I came back I landed into billing. In the beginning it was okay. The thing is I learn incredibly fast. Within a week, I already knew the job by heart. Which means the workload increased astronomically too.

The lowest paid of the so-called senior employees in my department, make, at least, 10K more than I do. The only have a couple more years on their backs. I asked for a promotion on my first review, and I was told it was on the basis of seniority. However, I do the exactly same job. I don't think it's fair I get paid much less.

HR says they cannot pay me more. On the other hand, the firm keeps hiring more people - who make way more than I do, by the way - for useless jobs.

My manager is a wonderful person, but seldomly takes time off or vacations, which means she gets upset when we have to take ours. I have the leave, I will take vacation. Simple as that. I have 28 days of leave in a year. I take 10 days to go home and visit my family, then I like to take an extra 5 days to do whatever (locally, or go to WDW with the family, etc.). And I still have to hear "how come you take so much vacation?". I work weekends, for crying out loud.

I'm out of here, hopefully sooner than later.

Even the Lord rested on a Sunday

...but I must work.

What's wrong with people?

My parents taught me manners while I grew up. If someone greets you, you're supposed to greet them back. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, just a nod and/or a smile will do. That's the way things go. Courtesy goes both ways.

Of course there is a story coming. I have to blab, you know...

I came into work this morning. I ran into a guy coming out of the elevator. I did not know him personally, but I said "good morning". He didn't reply and just kept going. I thought "ok"... and kept going.

I stop by the cafeteria to get some breakfast, and then run into my friend from IT. She and I were talking. One guy walks by, I sayd good morning. No answer. Oh, detail: my IT friend's daughter and this guy's daughter are my son's age and they all played together, attended parties, etc. It's not like he doesn't know us.

Anyway, this other guy from the finance department walks by. He and I worked together many times. I said "good morning". No answer. So my IT friend looks at me, and we both exclaimed, together: "what's wrong with people?????".

It's not like I'm invisible, right?

Money makes the world go around

Yep, I got a 5% raise. It's not much, really, and I was expecting a lot more. One of my co-workers quit and I will be acumulating both positions until we hire a junior position to take some of the load off of me. My manager told me she asked HR for more, but that's all they were willing to give me now. Well, maybe when I take over the position they can give me more money.

I'm not greedy, but I know I have the lowest pay in my department, even though I do more work than everyone else. The others have "seniority", but the seniors are often asking me to solve the problems and clarify issues. Sounds like I'm the one with most experience, right?

Anyway, I told my boss it was nice to get a raise, that it would help with the rising gas prices :P