Projecting

I am getting fed up of so much procrastination and inaction. Waiting around for the right job is obviously not bringing me anywhere. Having decided to stay close to my husband, and therefore Hannover for the time being, means that I need to recycle myself. Doing what was the big question mark. Yes, was. Two projects, which are still at the pre-developpment phase, might change all that soon. I'll probably go ahead with both of them after the Summer holidays. Never know which one will pick up... Besides, one thing is for sure, I'll be able to work very well on both of these in my new office set up in our new bigger appartment =)

Es una gran putada

The headhunter called me today. As soon as she asked me what I thought about the interview on Monday, I knew. Indeed, she soon confirmed that the company had chosen the other candidate. One that already knows the swiss market and has an address book.

The truth is es una gran putada. But the truth also is, I know I did not get it because it was not meant to be. It was not the perfect job after all. There's something better for me out there.

Whether we'll move on to the baby project instead - or not, still has to be decided. For now, we will go on a nice sunny romantic honeymoon. Asap.

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.

Wait & see

I had my Berlin interview today. It went very well, although I don't think I will get the job. Maybe another one in the same company if lucky. Maybe not if also lucky. Nothing sounds perfect for the time being, although I must admit I would immediately say yes if given the opportunity. Wait and see.

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

Lost

I need to make choices. I simply cannot go on like this, waiting for it to happen, it being anything that will take me to the next phase of my life. Where to next? My choices are limited and none of them is perfect.

Should I focus on my career and look for a new interesting challenging job? Even if that means moving again, going back to a situation similar to Madrid, seeing M only on the weekends? Not exactly how I had envisioned my married life. And it does feel a bit like going backwards, throwing away what was achieved in the last year. Should I then prioritize my couple, stay in Hanover and recycle professionally, i.e. forget about my career, my experience, and do something totally new? Or should I rather fulfill my desire to have a child, although being in Hanover and living only on one salary is far from the perfect setting? Ni puta idea. I feel completely lost.

New Record

I am quite sure I broke a new record here. 12 days. Not a record to be proud of, certainly not, but it is actually better this way. It did not work out and it would have never worked out with his unrealistic expectations: 4 days to come up with a full market study and 10 for a full company strategy. Who is he kidding besides himself? There is only one thing we agreed on. Today. Ça ne colle pas. And so off I am, in the search of a job again.

Don't worry, I'll be fine. It's not a little gallego machista who is going to destroy my self-confidence and make me doubt about my skills. I know what I am worth and I will find something worth of me.

Prayer

Research baby!

My first "project" at work consist in researching the mobile market. I am therefore spending my days on the web - returning home with cube eyes as my hubby loves to say- searching for all kind of reports, studies, products, and services. Ideas if you will. And sometimes, I also stumble on something which completely grabs my full attention although having nothing to do with my research, thus providing me with a few minutes of break. Among my many discoveries today, I would like to share with you the chalkboard fridge, the catwalk, and the litter box hider. Simply because I will paint/build/purchase all those three items for the new apartment we are inches away to buy!

Oh, and if you wonder how on earth I landed on those webpages during my mobile market research, well, better don't ask! ;-)

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!!!!!

My life in bullet points

Did I mention that:

-the very simple self-designed invitations are printed and going out this week?

-I had a very good job interview last Friday and that I will most probably start working before the end of the year?

-I am leaving to Paris in 2 days to spend a girls' long weekend with Beanie and Nat?

-life is simply great? =)

New "handy"

After working two years in the mobile industry, I must say I got used to getting and testing the new mobile phones on the market. It wasn't only a toy, it became a tool for my work. So, as I am now applying for a job in a small local mobile company (and it is therefore important to be "in" for the interview next week,) and as part of this week's getting-busy-program (in addition to car trips to IKEA, the Italian market, Hornbach, etc.), I went on the quest for a new "handy", i.e. mobile phone in German. Meet my new handy, never better said as it fits in my small hand ;-)

currently

Currently busy with ... not in order of importance ;-)

1. applying to any interesting job offer I see
2. finding a wedding dress
3. looking for wedding rings
4. organising a girls' weekend in Paris next month
5. organising my trip to Switzerland on the 19th with visits to all possible wedding locations
6. getting prices for the invitations from the various printers
7. helping M with the honeymoon destination (although it is technically his job and it will ultimately be a surprise for me, hints can't hurt can they?)
8. biting my nails and pulling my hair several times a day out of despair

Who said not having a full-time job was tedious?????

That time again

Many of you had told me so. And you were right. But I still needed some time off, relaxing and doing as little as possible. Now, after two months of it, I can farely say that I am ready to work again. Or better said, that I would like to start working again. Nothing long-term of course, as the Hannover experience in itself is not long-term, but ideally working on temporary projects and events.

Isn't Hannover known as the city of fairs after all? Well there's an idea right there... I sent my cv this week and hope to be able to start soon. Too bad I was too late for the CeBIT, which has invaded the city since yesterday!

Headhunted

Remember how just last week, I told you that I don't even think about restarting to work for now? Let me actually be more specific on that one: I will continue with my German classes until the end, meaning March 23rd. After that, I might be open for suggestions.

Well anyway, I guess life might have other plans for me; at least it's sort of winking at me: I got an email yesterday from a headhunter requesting a conference call with me asap. Of course I will listen to what he has to say. You never know, don't cha? Keep you posted =)

PS: Gotta say it feels pretty good being headhunted

More dirty games

As I happened to mention on Monday, I have some issues with my old job. On my last day, the 'finiquito' they showed me stated they owed me nothing, when the reality is that they do owe me vacation days and expenses (a grand total, mind you, of 1400 euros!) So I obviously refused to sign the damn paper and wrote my boss and HR an email demanding it to be corrected and faxed to me by Friday the 16th. That's today. And of course I still have not heard from my boss. I still did not receive any fax.

I am so tired of their dirty games. The funny thing is that I know for a fact that she expects me to come to the office today. She's not so bright you know, does not read very well. Meaning she read my email between the lines and is waiting for me this afternoon to sign the paper, return the mobile phone, and train my replacement for a few hours. But that ain't gonna happen. I am not going and I am keeping the phone until this issue is resolved. Besides, I really don't wanna see her fake face again in my life!

Last day

This is pretty much my face today, my last day in the office! The words are lacking to describe my happiness, but Garfield's face is self-explanatory don't cha think?

Last business trip

I am off to Lisbon. My very last business trip for the company will unfortunately happen with my boss, which I cannot say I am looking forward to. Three full days with her begging me to please work an extra week to train my substitute and once again save her ass. I know she'll use any weapons to try to convince me and I therefore dread this trip. I will however do my best to enjoy my last business trip in this city I have learned to enjoy and discover these past two years. Send me strength with a drop diplomacy, please!

Dirty games

Your butt is mine
gonna tell you right
Just show your face in broad daylight.
. . .
I'm giving you on count of three
To show your stuff or let it be.
I'm telling you
just watch your mouth
I know your game
what you're about.
Well
they say the sky's the limit
and to me that's really true
but
my friend
you have seen nothing
just wait 'til I get through -
Because I'm bad
I'm bad - come on
You know I'm bad
I'm bad - you know it!
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again who's bad!
The word is out
you're doin' wrong
Gonna lock you up before too long.
your lyin' eyes gonna tell you right
. . .

Couldn't resist in quoting Michael today! I feel 'bad' because I legally resigned, meaning my official last day at work is December 7th. So there is nothing she can do to make me work and train my replacement until the 23rd of Dec. But as my very wise mother says, I am not being bad or playing dirty. I am simply using the aces I finally have in my hand and putting an end to their dirty games.

In limbo

My life is a big question mark at the moment, consisting of uncertainties and undefined variables. Yes, it is obviously and logically due to the intermediate or transitional state I am going thru, the big move, but it's a bit disheartening. Especially when all I am trying to do is 'help' my boss by giving her the time to find my replacement, whom she then wants me to train for 2 entire weeks. It's all fine and dandy in theory, except for the fact that she's already had 12 days but hasn't arranged anything yet, and for the inevitability that I have to pack all my stuff, empty my flat and make all the necessary arrangements to leave Madrid before Christmas. It’s simply not going to be feasible, and frankly, I am sorry to say that I refuse to be the one suffering from it. I am gonna have to play dirty.