Over the Christmas holidays

We're back from Switzerland, where I spent 2 1/2 weeks and M joined me for the last 7 days. The skiing conditions were extraordinary this year with lots of snow, cold temperatures and a terrific blue sky. Too bad I couldn't enjoy them, skiing being too risky when pregnant. Instead, I met friends, spent time with my mother and Yaya, did lots of Christmas shopping and preparations, and grew a small belly in the meantime. That's it: can't close my pants any longer, although I still am able to wear them thanks to the discovery of the Belly Belt invention. I must say I can't wait till my gynecologist appointment next week when M will come with me for the first time and we should find out if it's a boy or a girl...

Acing and racing

For those of you who wonder, the perfect job opportunity in Zurich still exists. As a matter of fact, I have my second interview with them today. I am a bit nervous as it will take place with a HR VP, and I must honestly say I hate the typical HR interviews. Hopefully I'll ace this one as well and remain in the race.

Latest

Some of the latest news, some funny/good/positive (circle which fits best), some not...

• -remember two years ago, when I had asked for a transfer from Madrid to Zurich? I had to reject their offer, as it was clearly miserable. Well guess what? They are now looking to fill in the Zurich position and are asking me my conditions. Clearly hilarious if that ends up working out!
• -I finally received my salary for my two-week-record-job in January. Only that he only paid me for the two weeks and not for the entire month like he legally has to. I now need to inform myself whether it is worth pursuing this issue with a lawyer...
• -My gastro is finally receeding. I'll be able to eat normal food very soon, hopefully even tonight =)
• -We reserved the apartment we like yesterday. It's an altbau building, where all 11 apartments will be completely renovated. If it all works out (mainly financially) we'll have a beautiful 130 m2 flat, with high ceilings, 3 bedrooms, and a small balcony. The best of it all: we can choose all the finitions, layout, etc. =D

New year new outlook

It has been way too long since my last post, but what can I say: did not have the time nor the desire to write until today. Simply because I did not know where to start, as so many things have happened in the last month. So in as few words as possible: my Cuban trip was good but Cuba itself highly disappointing since my last visit, I spent Christmas in Switzerland and the equation lack of snow+ holiday crowd made skiing hard impossible to enjoy. Yup, that's all I want to say about it for now. Because my brain is slightly drunk with new everythings (ideas, names, people, projects, passwords, responsibilities, and I could go and on for paragraphs) as I sit in my office on my second day of work. I think am pretty sure I will love my new job.

PS: Happy New Year 2007!!!!!

On the road

I leave to Switzerland today. Of course I will spend quality time with my mother, grandmother, and childhood friends; but the actual purpose of my trip is driving around Switzerland, visiting hotels and restaurants all over the country in order to find THE place for our wedding party. Wish me luck!

Perfections and imperfections

The weekend was delightful, the party a huge success, and the site breath-taking (judge for yourself here). The sun and nice autumn weather also showed up, so we really have nothing to complain about.

Well, I take that back. I do have something to complain about, as when I attempted to return to Madrid on Sunday evening, Iberia had cancelled my flight. Uhu. Surprise surprise. So after two hours waiting in line at the Iberia Costumer Center desk, where of course only one person was taking care of rerouting all the passengers of my cancelled flight, I was given a cheap hotel voucher, and a boarding pass for the next day. I now have to write a letter to get the compensation I deserve according to my passengers rights, which reads very clearly minimum of 200 euros. Enough is enough, and in this case I really had too much. I hereby solemny vow to never fly with Iberia ever again (unless given no other choice that is.) Iberia, nunca mais!

Last but not least for today's post, tomorrow is the day when we FINALLY get the much expected confirmation about M getting the very perfect sounding job in Zurich for January.... Praying, wishing and hoping as always. Destiny will decide.

Never ending

The trip to Lausanne this weekend was never ending. Between all the train, airport and flights delays, I have spent approximately 20 hours in the above mentioned places. Evidently, I will send a very mean letter to Iberia today to get a much deserved compen-sation!

On the positive side, the short stay in the beautiful house overlooking the Lake Léman was wonderful: Summer temperatures, sun, pool, and delicious food surrounded by loved ones.

And on the excellent side, Marc's interview went extremely well, the conditions offered are close to sensational, and we should have a definite answer by the end of the week.

Today is the day

At 14h00 today (2pm for all ya Americans,) Marc will have his second and definite interview. This is it. It's now or never who knows when... Did I mention it was for a job at Mercedez Benz? I can totally see us driving a nice CLK Cabriolet or a SLK Roadster around Zurich ;-)

Cross your fingers! Inch'Allah!

Wish us luck

As I wrote in a previous post, I am still working on other options to work and move to Switzerland. I am still waiting on some companies' feedback but I do have a concrete and interesting offer on the table. A very appealing one as a matter of fact. It's risky but challenging and exciting.

In a nutshell, I would be launching and managing the Swiss branch of a mobile company. I wouldn't be earning a fixed salary every month but instead getting a share of the revenues. Which means not making any money in the first few months, until the deals with the operators are closed, the contracts signed and the services launched. But it also means making mad money afterwards. And I would also be managing 'my' company. Thrilling.

This option is only viable when Marc has a job with a fixed salary that enables us to pay the rent and our monthly bills. As it so happens, he is one of the two remaining candidates for a job opening in Zurich. Knock on wood, cross your fingers, light a candle, pray, wish us luck. That's certainly what I will be doing until next Friday, the day of his second interview.

THE situation

This is basically the situation: after confirmation of my transfer to Zurich a week ago, they are now playing games and lowering the conditions.

I keep telling myself that I need to be strong and patient and by all means not bulge, but man it's f***ing hard! The desire to simply send them to hell is growing by the minute.

New horizons

Life will never cease to amaze me! After two years in Madrid, it seems that events will soon be taking me to Zurich... I'm excited, I'm curious, I'm scared! This move means so much: it implicates a lot of BIG changes, personal as well as professional. I know, I asked and fought for this but now that it's 99% confirmed panick is what I'm starting to feel.

My impressions so far: Zurich has a lot to offer, my new job will be tough but exciting, and most of all we will finally move in together. My fear: even if it is the biggest city in Switzerland, it sure seems small, especially after Miami and Madrid!