So here is an interesting scoop. I am about to embark upon every womans dream opportunity to confront someone who has wronged them in a romantic situation. Detail, Details.....
I recently went through the agony of ending a relationship which wasn't going anywhere and wasn't good for me. Actually I think he wanted to break it off but was to much of a coward to do so and then he would drunk text me on a semi-regular basis. Thereby causing my emotions to fluctuate up and down like the proverbial yo-yo. Events came to a head this past weekend when he "drunk" texted me for two hours last Friday night saying all kinds of "I'm sorry", "I was an a**/pr***" etc. All the things I wish he would have said two months ago. But the clincher was his last text said "I'll call you tomorrow". Can you see the writing on the wall....I think its neon orange. Your right, the call never came.
So after a little bit of anxiety over the conversations and being a little ticked off cause he totally wrecked my sleep that night I decided to do a little test. I called him on Tuesday and told him that I was going to be in his neck of the woods on Saturday and if he wanted to get together for a late lunch or dinner to give me a shout. But if not then, hey, so be it. I was coolness personified.
But no, Thursday rolls around and still no text, no return phone call nothing. I'm thinking this guy really is something else to not even have the courtesy to give me a call and say "hey, I'm busy this weekend", or "Hey, its just not gonna happen so whats the point", or "I have to go to some BS top secret training this weekend but maybe next time (ie never)". But I am the adult in this situation so I didn't communicate any of those thoughts to him. I open up my email around 10pm and guess what I find...yup an email that says "What day are you going to be down here? I should be free...just let me know!"
So its off for a little righteous vindication. I'm going to head down to NC tomorrow morning....a nice casual drive. I have a hotel room in Fayetteville (which I'm stuck paying full price for...grrr) and when we get together for dinner, this poor boy isn't going to know what hit him. Cause I want some honest answers and the only way I'm going to get them is face to face. And closure will be achieved by the end of the evening.
So in essence this is every womans dream chance to confront an ex who has wronged them. I will be calm, cool and collected. I will keep my head on straight. I did nothing wrong within the realtionship...the issues present are actually all his. (A novel concept all on its own). I have my own place to stay. Non-sexy pj's packed and comfortable clothes for the drive. What more can anyone ask for.
So wish me luck!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Monday, May 01, 2006
Good Food
Okay everyone has one or two addictions and mine are unfortunately not cheap. I love champagne, good food, excellent wine, good gin, delectable desserts and silk. So concerning those items which I have had the pleasure of enjoying while in Columbus.
Good Food. This evenings culinary pleasure was a deli style roast beef sandwich with brie and a horseradish sauce on toasted ciabatta bread served with a side salad and the best peppercorn ranch dressing since Houston. The sangria was nothing to write home about but the sandwich....Mmmmmm who would have thought of roast beef, brie and horseradish....but it was so delicious!!
So now I'm waiting for Stephen to send my reports back to be with his inevitable revisions....its 10:30 here and I want to call it a night.....
Concerning wine....I would love a glass of an excellent pinot gris....or sauv. blanc. Its prob not a good thing that its monday and I want to drink...but I didn't drink at all---okay just a couple of drinks--over the weekend.
I'm sooooo bored......
Good Food. This evenings culinary pleasure was a deli style roast beef sandwich with brie and a horseradish sauce on toasted ciabatta bread served with a side salad and the best peppercorn ranch dressing since Houston. The sangria was nothing to write home about but the sandwich....Mmmmmm who would have thought of roast beef, brie and horseradish....but it was so delicious!!
So now I'm waiting for Stephen to send my reports back to be with his inevitable revisions....its 10:30 here and I want to call it a night.....
Concerning wine....I would love a glass of an excellent pinot gris....or sauv. blanc. Its prob not a good thing that its monday and I want to drink...but I didn't drink at all---okay just a couple of drinks--over the weekend.
I'm sooooo bored......
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Brrrrr!
Columbus Ohio has turned from beautiful and sunny to very chilly and rainy overnight. I don't know what I was thinking aside from the fact that the past 5 days have been sunny and warm but this afternoon I froze to death and to top it off it rained all afternoon and evening.
So what does that mean for the big picture.....well, it means that I can't go for a walk which in turn means I'm not going to be able to burn off my order of cheesy bread that I had for dinner. This is not a good situation. My body and I are waging a war against each other where I want to be healthy and look decent and my body is sooooo hungry and craving all the rotten junk food. There is supposed to be a reason for these cravings but aside from enjoying salt and cheese I have no idea what the reasons might be. I love how I feel when I work out. But it is really hard to be brave enough to run/walk on strange roads and parks in a different city each day. But then, once Stephen and I part paths again it will be much easier as I will walk before dinner and thus enjoy the remainder of the daylight hours outside as opposed to going out for dinner w/Stephen.
So wedding stuff.....the days are counting down and I'm so excited about the ceremony, the dresses, the food, the people, the wedding shower and the "girls" get together the weekend before the wedding. It is going to be a simply fantastic week filled with friends and family gathering to celebrate a fantastic event.
So aside from being in Ohio, life is trucking along. Nothing to exciting is going on. I'm still pissed at B. and think I deserve answers but then maybe I'm hanging onto the residual anger as I don't have anything positive with which to fill the void. I love dating, and falling for someone. But the aftermath is so messy. So instead I'm working crazy hours and trying to figure out what comes next.
But thats all the news that is news. If anything of interest comes my way, I'll keep you posted.
So what does that mean for the big picture.....well, it means that I can't go for a walk which in turn means I'm not going to be able to burn off my order of cheesy bread that I had for dinner. This is not a good situation. My body and I are waging a war against each other where I want to be healthy and look decent and my body is sooooo hungry and craving all the rotten junk food. There is supposed to be a reason for these cravings but aside from enjoying salt and cheese I have no idea what the reasons might be. I love how I feel when I work out. But it is really hard to be brave enough to run/walk on strange roads and parks in a different city each day. But then, once Stephen and I part paths again it will be much easier as I will walk before dinner and thus enjoy the remainder of the daylight hours outside as opposed to going out for dinner w/Stephen.
So wedding stuff.....the days are counting down and I'm so excited about the ceremony, the dresses, the food, the people, the wedding shower and the "girls" get together the weekend before the wedding. It is going to be a simply fantastic week filled with friends and family gathering to celebrate a fantastic event.
So aside from being in Ohio, life is trucking along. Nothing to exciting is going on. I'm still pissed at B. and think I deserve answers but then maybe I'm hanging onto the residual anger as I don't have anything positive with which to fill the void. I love dating, and falling for someone. But the aftermath is so messy. So instead I'm working crazy hours and trying to figure out what comes next.
But thats all the news that is news. If anything of interest comes my way, I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Back in Dallas and then gone again
So Life have been happening at a fast and furious pace. I flew back into Dallas on Wednesday Night...after many hours sitting in airport terminals I was FINALLY able to checkinto the motel only to realize that my body was still wired for CA time. So Thursday and Friday were office days and what busy days they were! I was preping for a 46 audit trip and it was time consuming. I oftentimes wonder how anything is accomplished in corp. America because there seems to be an awful lot of chit-chatting going on at the water coolers nowdays. But I stayed chained to the grindstone and logged some late nights. Finally on Friday night at 7pm I called it quits for the day and met up with a couple of people from work for a late dinner and then headed of to a very interesting place called "Billy Bob's" in Fort Worth for a little taste of Texas Country music/going away send-off for one of the Auditors who was returning to Paris on Saturday. All in all it was a good time. Although I have to admit we stuck out like sore thumbs at Billy Bob's. Marie, Morganne, Jacque and Pierre are VERY, VERY French and the comment was made that they never would have believed it (the country western bar/club/music hall) if they hadn't seen it with their own eyes. But some great pictures were taken, laughs had by all and then some heartfult goodbyes upon our return to Addison.
Saturday was a busy, busy morning. I was very proud of myself and made it into the office by 8am....worked till 12:45pm then took off for a couple of hours of R&R with Dali at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for the Spring flowers. They were absolutely breathtaking and so peaceful. The landscaping and design work that has gone into those gardens has turned spring flowers into works of art. There is a magnificent sculture in one of the gardens of a man and a women captured in a faire le bise---that breathless moment when all is right with the world and nothing exists except for the two people holding each other. It is a beautiful piece and the backdrop of the flowers, the green grass and the flowering dogwood trees accentuates the emotions evoked by the sculpture. (yeah I know everyone is going to say---once a romantic, always a romantic. But if you lose the ability to believe in passion and romance then life becomes so blah and pointless.....thus no matter what happens in my own life, I will always believe in the possibility of love).
Nonetheless it was a fantastic afternoon, filled with beautiful colors, balmy weather and good times with Dali. Unfortunately after we finished with the gardens I headed back to work for another 4 hours then rushed back to the motel to pack and finish prepping everything for an early morning flight on Sunday.
Whew.....All I can say now that I'm in Toledo is I'm glad that these large trips don't happen to often, either that or I need to plan an extra day in the office!
So I'm in northern Ohio---Toledo to be exact and once again I've changed time zones....But while I'm out here I'm planning on lots of exploring in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and of course W. Virginia. So if anyone has any hot spots to see----drop me a line :)
More later!!
Saturday was a busy, busy morning. I was very proud of myself and made it into the office by 8am....worked till 12:45pm then took off for a couple of hours of R&R with Dali at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for the Spring flowers. They were absolutely breathtaking and so peaceful. The landscaping and design work that has gone into those gardens has turned spring flowers into works of art. There is a magnificent sculture in one of the gardens of a man and a women captured in a faire le bise---that breathless moment when all is right with the world and nothing exists except for the two people holding each other. It is a beautiful piece and the backdrop of the flowers, the green grass and the flowering dogwood trees accentuates the emotions evoked by the sculpture. (yeah I know everyone is going to say---once a romantic, always a romantic. But if you lose the ability to believe in passion and romance then life becomes so blah and pointless.....thus no matter what happens in my own life, I will always believe in the possibility of love).
Nonetheless it was a fantastic afternoon, filled with beautiful colors, balmy weather and good times with Dali. Unfortunately after we finished with the gardens I headed back to work for another 4 hours then rushed back to the motel to pack and finish prepping everything for an early morning flight on Sunday.
Whew.....All I can say now that I'm in Toledo is I'm glad that these large trips don't happen to often, either that or I need to plan an extra day in the office!
So I'm in northern Ohio---Toledo to be exact and once again I've changed time zones....But while I'm out here I'm planning on lots of exploring in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and of course W. Virginia. So if anyone has any hot spots to see----drop me a line :)
More later!!
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Naked Chardonnay
Catchy isn't it.....Naked Chardonnay is a product of Four Vines vineyard which I found entirely by accident/partial recommnedation last weekend when I was wine tasting in Paso Robles, CA. Thus far CA has been a fantastic state to visit. The absolute variety of scenery, the fantastic food on the coast and the (of course) delectable wines make this an area simply delightful to visit/work within. Last weekend was a marathon of driving, wine tasting and enjoying the excellent cuisine presented by Hoppes restraunt in Cayuga, CA. The days began early and ended late--always pleasantly buzzed to be certain. Each day was looked forward with anticipation of the new sites, and scenes to take in. If anyone is ever in CA there must travel Hwy 1 along to coast at least from Paso Robles up to Monterey, CA. Its breathtaking with teh coastline on one side and the cliffs on the other side. I have so many fantastic pictures that I'm having trouble determining which ones I want to keep in the slide show on my computer!
On a more somber note....B. and I went through a rough patch following his visit to TX. Mother nature, nerves and who knows what else all conspired against us to make for a nice but not necessarily remarkable weekend. I was very nervous not only about seeing him again but because of other variables which I wanted but was unable to capitalize upon due to circumstances outside my control. Then by Wednesday I thought we were back on an even keel. Apparently I was wrong. The last two days have gone by without a word from the guy and I'm partially ticked of at myself for caring and significantly ticked off that he hasn't had the common courtesy to call.....its the least that could be done given the situation.
So I guess in part it has me guessing again. Why is is so difficult to meet people---I know that my job has a significant part in this equation, but aside from that, its not as easy as it once was to determine if you want to approach this other person for whatever reason....I'm not a fan of capitalizing on risk...my job is to eliminate or at least minimize risk in all its forms. Who know what will happen, but I'm NOT calling him....although I really want to if for no other reason than to demand acceptable answers.
But until that point in time, I'm going to figure out someway to enjoy life and the great states which I visit without being too hung up on some guy who won't even say we are dating. Life has more to offer than this.
More details to follow!
On a more somber note....B. and I went through a rough patch following his visit to TX. Mother nature, nerves and who knows what else all conspired against us to make for a nice but not necessarily remarkable weekend. I was very nervous not only about seeing him again but because of other variables which I wanted but was unable to capitalize upon due to circumstances outside my control. Then by Wednesday I thought we were back on an even keel. Apparently I was wrong. The last two days have gone by without a word from the guy and I'm partially ticked of at myself for caring and significantly ticked off that he hasn't had the common courtesy to call.....its the least that could be done given the situation.
So I guess in part it has me guessing again. Why is is so difficult to meet people---I know that my job has a significant part in this equation, but aside from that, its not as easy as it once was to determine if you want to approach this other person for whatever reason....I'm not a fan of capitalizing on risk...my job is to eliminate or at least minimize risk in all its forms. Who know what will happen, but I'm NOT calling him....although I really want to if for no other reason than to demand acceptable answers.
But until that point in time, I'm going to figure out someway to enjoy life and the great states which I visit without being too hung up on some guy who won't even say we are dating. Life has more to offer than this.
More details to follow!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Life in CA
So after a frightfully early wake up call this morning---ie 4:30am is NOT my time of the morning--we safely made it to DFW and on our respective planes without too much free time. About a zillion hours later and a long lay-over in Phoenix, AZ I arrived in Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield greeted me with sheets of rain and palm trees bent before the wind.
It is amazing the people whom you meet in airports and on the planes. I had an engaging conversation with an IBM programmer who recently returned from Moscow and we spent a fun two and a half hours discussing international travel, the wonders to be found when you get off the beaten path and the hotel business. It was really fun and yes he did ask me out for dinner while I'm in the Bakersfield and LA area. It was fun and reaffirming of my desireability factor at a time when I was really second guessing that issue. Sometimes I just wonder if all I am is a businessperson and not the whole "Hot/cute" girl who gets hit on occassionally. And the answer to that is a resounding "Yup I can play both roles" cause apparently some people still find me desireable.
But anywho...back to topic. I picked up my rental car and my bags----btw, I still can't pack lightly to save my life. I'm glad B. carried my bags this morning :) and lugged all my luggage and computer case and other assorted necessary items out to the car in pouring rain and proceeded to venture out on the CA roads.
After two car wrecks and a closed exit (which I needed to take) I safely manuvered my way to the Motel 6 in Bakersfield East and checked in. Once again I have been blessed with a recently renovated room---can anyone say glaring primary colors!--and thus far the staff all seem great.
The time change is going to trip me up for a while. I'm having a heck of a time remembering that Dallas is two hours ahead of me and that is actually three hours ahead of me. So if anyone gets emails and phone calls at really weird hours, all I can say is sorry and that by the end of the month. I'll have it down but then I'll be back in Dallas for three days and will have to readjust once again. The joys of travel.
But I'm off to actually do some work, so thats all for now and I'll keep everyone updated with the CA details as they happen.
It is amazing the people whom you meet in airports and on the planes. I had an engaging conversation with an IBM programmer who recently returned from Moscow and we spent a fun two and a half hours discussing international travel, the wonders to be found when you get off the beaten path and the hotel business. It was really fun and yes he did ask me out for dinner while I'm in the Bakersfield and LA area. It was fun and reaffirming of my desireability factor at a time when I was really second guessing that issue. Sometimes I just wonder if all I am is a businessperson and not the whole "Hot/cute" girl who gets hit on occassionally. And the answer to that is a resounding "Yup I can play both roles" cause apparently some people still find me desireable.
But anywho...back to topic. I picked up my rental car and my bags----btw, I still can't pack lightly to save my life. I'm glad B. carried my bags this morning :) and lugged all my luggage and computer case and other assorted necessary items out to the car in pouring rain and proceeded to venture out on the CA roads.
After two car wrecks and a closed exit (which I needed to take) I safely manuvered my way to the Motel 6 in Bakersfield East and checked in. Once again I have been blessed with a recently renovated room---can anyone say glaring primary colors!--and thus far the staff all seem great.
The time change is going to trip me up for a while. I'm having a heck of a time remembering that Dallas is two hours ahead of me and that is actually three hours ahead of me. So if anyone gets emails and phone calls at really weird hours, all I can say is sorry and that by the end of the month. I'll have it down but then I'll be back in Dallas for three days and will have to readjust once again. The joys of travel.
But I'm off to actually do some work, so thats all for now and I'll keep everyone updated with the CA details as they happen.
Weekend Update
And here is the news that is news. B. flew in on Thursday evening to see me for the weekend. It was great to see him and I simply must admit that he is still just as appealing in person as I remembered. And while I won't bore you with all the details I will say that overall the weekend was nice. Could it have been better. Yup. Could it have been worse. By far. But the naps were nice and the majority of the conversations were engaging. I'm going to mull over the events which transpired throughout the weekend and see what conclusions if any I come to but nontheless I guess it can easily be said that my nerves about seeing B. again have been put to rest and I survived the weekend with my dignity intact and at no point made a fool out of myself. To be honest I think I probably have more than my fair share of pride and so not making a fool out of myself is really important. But it was interesting to say the least.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Award winning news
So I'm in Houston for the Brand Meetings and it has been a very interesting couple of days. The Audit presentation was met with boo's and hisses from the crowd who argued semantics of the audit rather than focusing on the issues that give rise to financial risk. Following an uncomfortable 45 minutes of audit questions the meeting shifted to award recognition of managers of the year for Region 8. And shock of shocks I was named Manager of the Year for R8A6. I was totally shocked and even more shocked to find out that this award recognition was the whole reason I was brought to Houston in the first place. Apparently everyone at work has known about this for over a month but NO ONE breathed a word to me. I've never worked with a group of people that could actually keep a secret before. Its a very different feeling.
So tonight is the big formal dinner and awards ceremony where the food and wine will be plentiful and the awards will be presented. So after a minor clothing crisis because I didn't realize that I would be walking the stage this evening to receive an award I have resolved to fully enjoy this evening and to take away some good memories of my old area. Cause goodness knows the reception from the locations I've audited has been very, very mixed. So this is my moment in the sun....and I'm going to enjoy it!
Wish me luck, and I hope that I don't trip on my way to the stage!!
So tonight is the big formal dinner and awards ceremony where the food and wine will be plentiful and the awards will be presented. So after a minor clothing crisis because I didn't realize that I would be walking the stage this evening to receive an award I have resolved to fully enjoy this evening and to take away some good memories of my old area. Cause goodness knows the reception from the locations I've audited has been very, very mixed. So this is my moment in the sun....and I'm going to enjoy it!
Wish me luck, and I hope that I don't trip on my way to the stage!!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Strange and Wonderful news
Soooo Big things are happening here..... B. called tonight and we booked his flight out to Dallas for next weekend. Can I just say how surprised I am that the much anticipated/worried about event is actually going to happen! I don't know how things are going to turn out but at least I'm planning on having a fantastic time. If nothing else it will put to rest some of those questions which have been niggling at the back of my mind. So thats it----B. is flying out to see me!
Work related...I'm so excited for the CA trip. I received a confirmation email from one of the Regional Vice President's welcoming me to CA and expressing concern that I pack warm enough clothes as it is very likely to have snow in the mountains where we have several properties. So that was a very nice, warm and fuzzy email to receive. Otherwise, I have to work tomorrow which really is not fun, plus I need to get my executive opinion summary caught up so its not looming over me on Monday when its due. My last Texas audit is on Monday :( after that I'm off to Houston for a few days---Are you up for a late dinner on Tuesday Rachel??? Call me! Then the corporate awards program and formal dinner is on Wednesday. Always fun to hobnob with the big boys....actually when I think about it I am one of the big boys now.....how interesting. Then its back to Dallas on Thursday morning and into the office to begin preping the CA trip. B. will arrive at 11:30pm on Thursday and we actually fly out within 30 min of each other on Monday morning. This is going to be a very interesting week and a half to say the least.
So...I'll keep you posted with all the details (I know too much info) but thats just how it goes. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!
Work related...I'm so excited for the CA trip. I received a confirmation email from one of the Regional Vice President's welcoming me to CA and expressing concern that I pack warm enough clothes as it is very likely to have snow in the mountains where we have several properties. So that was a very nice, warm and fuzzy email to receive. Otherwise, I have to work tomorrow which really is not fun, plus I need to get my executive opinion summary caught up so its not looming over me on Monday when its due. My last Texas audit is on Monday :( after that I'm off to Houston for a few days---Are you up for a late dinner on Tuesday Rachel??? Call me! Then the corporate awards program and formal dinner is on Wednesday. Always fun to hobnob with the big boys....actually when I think about it I am one of the big boys now.....how interesting. Then its back to Dallas on Thursday morning and into the office to begin preping the CA trip. B. will arrive at 11:30pm on Thursday and we actually fly out within 30 min of each other on Monday morning. This is going to be a very interesting week and a half to say the least.
So...I'll keep you posted with all the details (I know too much info) but thats just how it goes. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Sex and the City
So its Wednesday evening and rather than working on the reservations for the CA Trip or the Audits for the Ohio/WV/KY trip I'm dawdling with one eye on a re-run of Sex and the City and the other flipping through today's newspaper looking for any items of interest. All in all its been a good day, the Audit went well even though the Mgr asked me out for dinner. Divorced men are a little creepy sometimes.
Remember the S&TC espisode where Berger has broken up with Carrie on the post-it note and she and the rest of the girls are at the "bed party" and Samatha realizes that she didn't like it when Smith went on TV and said that he was dating but not seeing anyone special---at her urging of course. I always like that episode cause I think it marks an important change in Samatha's personality.....perhaps this is where she begins to realize that Smith is more that just a pretty face. Don't you wonder how many lives of single females are impacted by this show. I know that I've watched the DVD's and the re-runs way to many times.
So I'm thinking of ideas for Sarah's bachelorette party and if anyone has any ideas or preferences just drop me a line....I'm thinking something fun and funky that will be remembered for years to come....
Remember the S&TC espisode where Berger has broken up with Carrie on the post-it note and she and the rest of the girls are at the "bed party" and Samatha realizes that she didn't like it when Smith went on TV and said that he was dating but not seeing anyone special---at her urging of course. I always like that episode cause I think it marks an important change in Samatha's personality.....perhaps this is where she begins to realize that Smith is more that just a pretty face. Don't you wonder how many lives of single females are impacted by this show. I know that I've watched the DVD's and the re-runs way to many times.
So I'm thinking of ideas for Sarah's bachelorette party and if anyone has any ideas or preferences just drop me a line....I'm thinking something fun and funky that will be remembered for years to come....
Monday, February 20, 2006
Planning
After a great weekend of relaxation and rest I realized this morning that I have some serious work to do prior to the work week beginning again tomorrow. I honestly have no idea where the time goes. The job is progressing more and more smoothly. I have to admit that it is wonderful to be out on my own without worry or concern about someone elses time schedules, what they want to do, where they want to eat dinner and they myriad of other details that seem to pop up when traveling with a partner. The auidts have not been taking as long, which I see as a very positive sign. Not that anyone is passing but at least my speed in conducting the audits is showing a positive trend.
B. and I are so-so. We got into a tiff the other night when I was out at a wine tasting with Sarah, Ryan and a bunch of their friends in SA. The whole he was home and I was out issue came to light and there might have been a little bit of jealousy on his part that I was out socializing. That is the difficulty of new relationships/friendships. Just how far does the trust extend. Well, I know where I stand on that issue and many of you know my concerns so I won't bore you to death with them again. Needless to say on Sunday morning, he called and apologized for his behavior the previous evening, and while it wasn't a perfect apology, it was still an apology. Later that day there were several text msgs sent that in essence were making up for his lack of communication the previous week. Strange and bizarre. Supposedly he is trying to see if he can fly out to see me the first weekend in March....but this once again is a situation where I'm not holding my breath. Its amazing the things that could pop up at the last minute and cause havoc for whatever plans he is making. But then its also true that if I was trying to make plans to fly out to see him, the said plans would be sketchy at best just because of the nature of my job.
The CA trip is almost finalized after a frantic period of revisions. The layout of the trip is still fantastic but I won't be weekending at Mammoth Lakes like I had hoped. Nonetheless, the opportunity is still there to spend some quality time in the parks and I fully intend to take advantage of all the beautiful scenery while I'm out there.
So that all the news that is news. Life in the fast lane....kind of boring this week!
B. and I are so-so. We got into a tiff the other night when I was out at a wine tasting with Sarah, Ryan and a bunch of their friends in SA. The whole he was home and I was out issue came to light and there might have been a little bit of jealousy on his part that I was out socializing. That is the difficulty of new relationships/friendships. Just how far does the trust extend. Well, I know where I stand on that issue and many of you know my concerns so I won't bore you to death with them again. Needless to say on Sunday morning, he called and apologized for his behavior the previous evening, and while it wasn't a perfect apology, it was still an apology. Later that day there were several text msgs sent that in essence were making up for his lack of communication the previous week. Strange and bizarre. Supposedly he is trying to see if he can fly out to see me the first weekend in March....but this once again is a situation where I'm not holding my breath. Its amazing the things that could pop up at the last minute and cause havoc for whatever plans he is making. But then its also true that if I was trying to make plans to fly out to see him, the said plans would be sketchy at best just because of the nature of my job.
The CA trip is almost finalized after a frantic period of revisions. The layout of the trip is still fantastic but I won't be weekending at Mammoth Lakes like I had hoped. Nonetheless, the opportunity is still there to spend some quality time in the parks and I fully intend to take advantage of all the beautiful scenery while I'm out there.
So that all the news that is news. Life in the fast lane....kind of boring this week!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Valentine's Day
Why is it that reality never quite lives up to your hopes and expectations? I didn't get a phone call this morning from B. I thought it would have been the least he could have done considering the holiday and all. We spoke last night about V-Day just briefly and I told him that he needed to check his email today. It was only after that statement that he said he had thought about getting me flowers but didn't know where to send them. I'M IN THE OFFICE UNTIL WEDNESDAY! Is it just me or did that sound like a serious cop-out? If he really had wanted to send me flowers then he would have, right? Its not that hard, just look up Accor North America Hqtrs online and voila--an address appears. Or he could ask in a round-about fashion and thereby glean that desired knowledge. I'm just sick of myself for being hurt about it more than anything.
Last night B. told me that he is going to be out for a training exercise for the next few days (5 to be exact) and that means no cell phones, no txt msging, nothing. Its strange but maybe I need this time to get my head on straight. I have a great job, fantastic friends, a good life, I love to read, to visit wineries, travel internationally and stateside and in general think of myself as a fairly rounded individual. Yet I feel myself changing, and not for the better. Who is this desperate clinging person? I'm not a clinger by nature....at least I don't think I am. But there is this sense of my not meeting his expectations, of his wanting something else--a cross between a party girl and the keep-the-home fires-burning wife. And I'm just not that party girl. I like going out with my friends but I'm not "on the prowl" and I don't dress like a tramp, I'm not throw-it-in-your face sexy. I'm the girl next door who isn't rail thin, who likes to eat good food and laugh and talk. I love to mountain bike and road bike. I like to walk, hate to run. I'm smart but not brilliant. I think life should be lived and not endured. Yet I feel like I'm back in high school again and this time the captain of the football team has expressed an interest in me, the girl who always had her head stuck in a book. And I just don't know what to do. I can't lose myself, I worked to hard and struggled through some horrendous life lessons to become who I am today. Yet, I like him. He makes me laugh, he does things that I would never dare. But why don't I feel like a measure up....like we move in two different spheres and are speaking different languages. I value honor, committment, integrity and fidelity. I don't know if I'm comfortable with a certain someone going out and flirting with other women. Yet am I just being a prude? Some people flirt unintentionally, others with intent. Without being there to see firsthand the body language it is really difficult for me to determine which category these situations fall into. I do know that thus far its all been above-board. But where does it end. The statement has been made by him that when he is in a exclusive relationship then it is truly exclusive but that flirting is just part of his nature. Is he just biding time with me till seomething better comes around? For all we talk and laugh I still have no clear idea as to where I stand. I think that if your interested in someone you say so....you don't hedge around the issue. But who am I to talk...I can't make a relationship committment to save my life.
So I called my mom this morning cause I didn't want to rain on everyone's V-Day and my mom offers clear advice (sometimes). And she basically raked me over the coals for thinking that he is any better than me in any way shape or form. But perhaps its the past rearing its ugly head that has me stuck in such a loop of self-doubt. Kind of ties back to if he knew the real me, he would probably head for the hills faster than a deer. Cause I never was that popular girl in school---for Pete's sake I went to private school and didn't step foot in a public school system until college. So my social skills didn't develop on quite the same time line as others. Yet I think I've turned out okay....I have decent fashion sense, with a tendency to wear a lot of black, simply cause it looks good on me and is always slimming. I have a good job, great friends, a wonderful extended family. But the question still arises is it enough....and how long do I have to wait for my happy ending? This thing with B. could be good, could be great, could be real....but right now I'm just confused and am kind of blue that V-Day didn't turn out how I hoped with the one I hoped to share at least a part of it with. Gawd, listen to me gripe and moan....I almost make myself ill. Wishy-Washy has never been my style. Easy going to a certain degree, absolutely. Compulsive about other things, yup. But a whiney, moaney (I don't know if that even is a word), wimp....has never entered my vocabulary until now.
So when life hands you lemons, make lemonade right. I swung by Starbucks this morning for my necessary cup of coffee...(venti van. latte decaf), and picked up a little gift for Morgane, the french intern at our office. She is so sweet and so young that I know it must be difficult to be away from home, loved ones and friends especially when you are single in a strange city. So instead of both of us eating alone tonight....I was actually going to order in pizza...we are going to go somewhere fantastic for dinner and then go shopping at the Mall. It will be fun and def. better than staying holed up in my room for the remainder of the day. Life can be good....I just need to remember to look on the sunny side.
So in conclusion......
Nope, there really is nothing more to say aside from if you made it all the way through reading this blog, you really are a stong person.. Don't take any of it to seriously and I'm going to try not to take things to seriously too.
Last night B. told me that he is going to be out for a training exercise for the next few days (5 to be exact) and that means no cell phones, no txt msging, nothing. Its strange but maybe I need this time to get my head on straight. I have a great job, fantastic friends, a good life, I love to read, to visit wineries, travel internationally and stateside and in general think of myself as a fairly rounded individual. Yet I feel myself changing, and not for the better. Who is this desperate clinging person? I'm not a clinger by nature....at least I don't think I am. But there is this sense of my not meeting his expectations, of his wanting something else--a cross between a party girl and the keep-the-home fires-burning wife. And I'm just not that party girl. I like going out with my friends but I'm not "on the prowl" and I don't dress like a tramp, I'm not throw-it-in-your face sexy. I'm the girl next door who isn't rail thin, who likes to eat good food and laugh and talk. I love to mountain bike and road bike. I like to walk, hate to run. I'm smart but not brilliant. I think life should be lived and not endured. Yet I feel like I'm back in high school again and this time the captain of the football team has expressed an interest in me, the girl who always had her head stuck in a book. And I just don't know what to do. I can't lose myself, I worked to hard and struggled through some horrendous life lessons to become who I am today. Yet, I like him. He makes me laugh, he does things that I would never dare. But why don't I feel like a measure up....like we move in two different spheres and are speaking different languages. I value honor, committment, integrity and fidelity. I don't know if I'm comfortable with a certain someone going out and flirting with other women. Yet am I just being a prude? Some people flirt unintentionally, others with intent. Without being there to see firsthand the body language it is really difficult for me to determine which category these situations fall into. I do know that thus far its all been above-board. But where does it end. The statement has been made by him that when he is in a exclusive relationship then it is truly exclusive but that flirting is just part of his nature. Is he just biding time with me till seomething better comes around? For all we talk and laugh I still have no clear idea as to where I stand. I think that if your interested in someone you say so....you don't hedge around the issue. But who am I to talk...I can't make a relationship committment to save my life.
So I called my mom this morning cause I didn't want to rain on everyone's V-Day and my mom offers clear advice (sometimes). And she basically raked me over the coals for thinking that he is any better than me in any way shape or form. But perhaps its the past rearing its ugly head that has me stuck in such a loop of self-doubt. Kind of ties back to if he knew the real me, he would probably head for the hills faster than a deer. Cause I never was that popular girl in school---for Pete's sake I went to private school and didn't step foot in a public school system until college. So my social skills didn't develop on quite the same time line as others. Yet I think I've turned out okay....I have decent fashion sense, with a tendency to wear a lot of black, simply cause it looks good on me and is always slimming. I have a good job, great friends, a wonderful extended family. But the question still arises is it enough....and how long do I have to wait for my happy ending? This thing with B. could be good, could be great, could be real....but right now I'm just confused and am kind of blue that V-Day didn't turn out how I hoped with the one I hoped to share at least a part of it with. Gawd, listen to me gripe and moan....I almost make myself ill. Wishy-Washy has never been my style. Easy going to a certain degree, absolutely. Compulsive about other things, yup. But a whiney, moaney (I don't know if that even is a word), wimp....has never entered my vocabulary until now.
So when life hands you lemons, make lemonade right. I swung by Starbucks this morning for my necessary cup of coffee...(venti van. latte decaf), and picked up a little gift for Morgane, the french intern at our office. She is so sweet and so young that I know it must be difficult to be away from home, loved ones and friends especially when you are single in a strange city. So instead of both of us eating alone tonight....I was actually going to order in pizza...we are going to go somewhere fantastic for dinner and then go shopping at the Mall. It will be fun and def. better than staying holed up in my room for the remainder of the day. Life can be good....I just need to remember to look on the sunny side.
So in conclusion......
Nope, there really is nothing more to say aside from if you made it all the way through reading this blog, you really are a stong person.. Don't take any of it to seriously and I'm going to try not to take things to seriously too.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Lazy Saturdays
Life is good. I had the opportunity to sleep in this morning (at least as much as 8am is sleeping in) then had a pleasurable morning phone call. After working for a couple of hours I took a nap and then worked for another couple of hours. I then ventured out on the town to good old Target for some cheap clothes and misc supplies after which hunger was calling my name so I took an early dinner at my favorite Sushi Restraunt in Dallas. While it might not sound like a real exciting Saturday I must admit that it was fantastic. It sounds like Sarah and Ryan had a fantastic night last night and I know that Rachel had an amazing day today so all I can say it that there is just something about knowing life is going well for your close friends that increases ones own pleasure in life. Weekends.....if only they came more quickly than every 5 days!
Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday!!
Ps. Valentines Day is on Tuesday is everyone ready????
Ugg...I just heard that Dr. Phil was advertising on match.com. The tag line was that match.com will help with the who and Dr. Phil will help with the how of keeping them.....yuck!!
Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday!!
Ps. Valentines Day is on Tuesday is everyone ready????
Ugg...I just heard that Dr. Phil was advertising on match.com. The tag line was that match.com will help with the who and Dr. Phil will help with the how of keeping them.....yuck!!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Almost the end
Last evening I had the fantastic opportunity to cook dinner for Sarah and Ryan who drove up from San Antonio. The observation was made over dinner that even though I'm on the road, we are actually seeing more of each other than when we were in Joplin. Who knew that taking a job where I travel 99% of the time, I would actually be freeing myself up to spend more time with my friends? Its a wonderful feeling, and just amazing to know that Sarah and Ryan are just a hop and a skip away. Sarah brought a fantastic cheesecake for dessert and I made Beef Stroganoff for dinner with Fresh fruit for a side dish. As Sarah said, nothing beats good comfort food.
B. left this morning for North Carolina. Its great to know that he is excited about the new training program, his new house and his future. I still have no idea how I fit into any of it, if I even really do but we will wait and see what develops. We talk all the time, but there still is nothing concrete about what we are. Who knows, I think the whole Valentine's Day thing is beginning to bug me. I was fine with everything until Stephen started talking about what he was getting his "sig other" for V-Day. And I realized that B. and I have not even acknowledged the holiday much less talked about it. As ya'll know I'm not going to mention it so its up to him to say something. I would be happy with just a sappy phone call, lord knows that I won't be in a position for anything traditional like candy and flowers much less dinner. We will see what comes to light. But even though this V-Day is going to be very odd, I still love this holiday. There is something about being able to get all sappy and romantic without fear or hesitation...its the one day of the year that everyone wears goofy smiles for no reason and couples are openly affectionate. There is just something about couples, people in love, people falling in love and classic romantics that just make me happy even though I might or might not be in a relationship. Love makes the world go round and the sun to rise each day.
Tomorrow is the last day of training with Stephen. We leave after the franchise audit for Dallas where we will do the breakout of the sessions and officially say goodbye to each other. Its so strange to realize that I have been traveling with him since the beginning of January and here it is almost the middle of February. Time flies. I still love the position, and each day poses new challenges and opportunities. I can't wait to break out on my own and actually take control of my schedule but on the other hand its odd to know that there will no longer be anyone there to chit-chat with in the mornings or the evenings, I still have to send him all my reports for approval but the where to go for dinner questions are now mine to decide. This will be where the truth becomes known. Can I handle life on the road alone? Only time will tell.
Until later!
B. left this morning for North Carolina. Its great to know that he is excited about the new training program, his new house and his future. I still have no idea how I fit into any of it, if I even really do but we will wait and see what develops. We talk all the time, but there still is nothing concrete about what we are. Who knows, I think the whole Valentine's Day thing is beginning to bug me. I was fine with everything until Stephen started talking about what he was getting his "sig other" for V-Day. And I realized that B. and I have not even acknowledged the holiday much less talked about it. As ya'll know I'm not going to mention it so its up to him to say something. I would be happy with just a sappy phone call, lord knows that I won't be in a position for anything traditional like candy and flowers much less dinner. We will see what comes to light. But even though this V-Day is going to be very odd, I still love this holiday. There is something about being able to get all sappy and romantic without fear or hesitation...its the one day of the year that everyone wears goofy smiles for no reason and couples are openly affectionate. There is just something about couples, people in love, people falling in love and classic romantics that just make me happy even though I might or might not be in a relationship. Love makes the world go round and the sun to rise each day.
Tomorrow is the last day of training with Stephen. We leave after the franchise audit for Dallas where we will do the breakout of the sessions and officially say goodbye to each other. Its so strange to realize that I have been traveling with him since the beginning of January and here it is almost the middle of February. Time flies. I still love the position, and each day poses new challenges and opportunities. I can't wait to break out on my own and actually take control of my schedule but on the other hand its odd to know that there will no longer be anyone there to chit-chat with in the mornings or the evenings, I still have to send him all my reports for approval but the where to go for dinner questions are now mine to decide. This will be where the truth becomes known. Can I handle life on the road alone? Only time will tell.
Until later!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Fun in Austin
So today ended up being the shortest Audit on record...Stephen and I both teamed up for the Audit and were able to finish by noon. By 2 we were in Austin and I had already made my much anticipated, longed for, hair appointment. Its just one of those things for me that when life gets a little wacky, I get my hair done. Not anything strange or bizarre, unless I feel like it, but just the time of papering. So my adventure began when I asked the front desk where the nearest mall was. Very important thing to know because when you are a stranger in a strange town, its no fun wandering all over town looking for a hairdresser. So thankfully the mall if just on the other side of the Interstate so I located the mall number and asked the very helpful customer service lady for recommendations of hair salons. Her response was and I quote "Visible Change seems to have a lot of people going there". Okay, not the worst review, but not the best either. But then I think, its in the mall how bad can it be? So I make my appointment for cut and color. I arrive on time, found a good parking spot, and found the salon without incident. Already this seems promising. When I enter the door of the salon I am assaulted by the images of "hairdressers". Okay, think New York snob, think LA style, think these people are all 10 years younger than me!!! That and the overflow of attitude coming from each stylist. When the phrase was coined that stylists are Divas, it was directly intended for this group. But I take my courage into my own hands, enter the black doorway into the black, chrome and mirrored salon and let the three people behind the reception desk know that I'm here for my appointment. Judgment ensues. I guess I just didn't have enough Pizzazz for them. But they were gracious enough and 5 min later someone calls my name. I'm taken to the back and led to this little room where I'm told to disrobe....okay I'm thinking someone messed up and thought I was there for a massage or something. But no apparently for colors in this place you disrobe and wear their black salon robes. Which were very comfortable actually.
After being appropriately gowned I'm turned over to a colorist. My mistake was in thinking that the individual doing my color was also going to do my cut. Apparently there are colorists, stylists, receptionists, shampoo girls, towel girl etc. And as I went through the process I have to admit it felt more like an assembly line than anything else. But on the flip side, my colorist and the shampoo girl were fantastic and very, very funny. My stylists was shorter than I, and weighed all of 90 pounds with messed up dyed red dreadlocked hair who wielded the scissors like a surgeons scaple and the blow dryer with the exaggerated movements of an actor, all the while never saying a word to me. It was one of the most bizarre afternoons of my life and it set be back a half a car payment. But all I can say is that I look fantastic. The highlights and lowlights are so subtle, yet my hair has such amazing color to it, the cut is incredible and I feel like a million dollars. So the moral of the story is although it might seem scary, sometimes trying something new can bring forth unexpeced benefits.
So tomorrow, its off to Waco for the Audit, I then bring Stephen back, input the data and its off to SA for a fantastic fun filled weekend!!
Looking forward to seeing everyone and for everyone to see my new do! :)
After being appropriately gowned I'm turned over to a colorist. My mistake was in thinking that the individual doing my color was also going to do my cut. Apparently there are colorists, stylists, receptionists, shampoo girls, towel girl etc. And as I went through the process I have to admit it felt more like an assembly line than anything else. But on the flip side, my colorist and the shampoo girl were fantastic and very, very funny. My stylists was shorter than I, and weighed all of 90 pounds with messed up dyed red dreadlocked hair who wielded the scissors like a surgeons scaple and the blow dryer with the exaggerated movements of an actor, all the while never saying a word to me. It was one of the most bizarre afternoons of my life and it set be back a half a car payment. But all I can say is that I look fantastic. The highlights and lowlights are so subtle, yet my hair has such amazing color to it, the cut is incredible and I feel like a million dollars. So the moral of the story is although it might seem scary, sometimes trying something new can bring forth unexpeced benefits.
So tomorrow, its off to Waco for the Audit, I then bring Stephen back, input the data and its off to SA for a fantastic fun filled weekend!!
Looking forward to seeing everyone and for everyone to see my new do! :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Regrets
I woke up this morning with the most awful feeling of regret and sorrow. Last night I pushed someone into a corner and surprise, surprise the information that was revealed was not what I wanted to hear. I knew better, I know better and I have no idea what stupid person took over my mind and mouth and asked the question that should never have been asked. It wasn't fair to the other person. The only thing I can say it that apparently I became more invested more quickly than the other person. Which is okay, its my issue and I will deal with it. I'm not prepared to lose what I have based upon my stupid inability to deal with my emotions and keep them under wraps. My deepest concern is that the conversation last night might have really changed something and that we won't be able to go back to where we were. I wish I had a flashing red warning light that would come on when I ventured into dangerous territory. I don't want things to change with this person, what we have now is fantastic and I'm happy. I don't need anything more that isn't willing given. And if it never is then so be it. But how do I get rid of this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach? The heaviness in my heart? I wish I could turn back the clock so badly and take back what I said....
Its going to be a long day today. In addition, Stephen is totally ticked off at me for sending my report to him late last night and he didn't send it back to me with the revisions so this means that the property is going to receive it later than promised....can this day get any worse....don't answer that, I already know the answer is yes. God, why does my heart hurt so bad!!!!!
Its going to be a long day today. In addition, Stephen is totally ticked off at me for sending my report to him late last night and he didn't send it back to me with the revisions so this means that the property is going to receive it later than promised....can this day get any worse....don't answer that, I already know the answer is yes. God, why does my heart hurt so bad!!!!!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Friday Nights
What a ride these past two weeks have been! The travel, the work, the hours, the new experiences and most of all the realization that no matter what my friends and family will still be there to chit-chat with no matter what time of the day or night it is. Last week Stephen, my trainer, and I were in the southern part of Texas. We spent the weekend in the Galveston area where I saw the Bay for the first time....really impressive. While in Galveston I hooked up with Rachel for a great evening of laughter, a glass of wine, a couple of beers, an art showing and some great seafood. It was a fantastic time with a funny and witty friend. That Sunday was spent recovering from the horrific cold I caught from Stephen earlier that week and after I took an afternoon nap while Stephen watched the football game in his room we took off for Beaumont. Now I don't know if any of you have ever been there but as B. said "there's nothing there." Truer words have never been spoken. My cold finally broke enough on Tuesday so I could finally smell the interesting scent of the oil refineries---Uggg, I simply cannot imagine willing living in such an area. We worked on Monday at a M6---long, long day and then on Tuesday began the interesting process of training on Franchise properties. The fantastic thing about Franchise properties is that they are a cinch to do! So we were able to cut out a little early on Tuesday, finish up the reporting and just in general relax and call it an early work day....that is if 12 hours can be counted an early work day. Wednesday we only had 1 Franchise location to Audit. After an eventful trip to the location via Louisiana (not my fault although I was navigating) we arrived in Port Arthur and finished up the Franchise in short order. That afternoon we played hooky and went to the Fort Travis Seawall Beach which is actually an old military fort. It was wonderful to walk to the edge and look into the Gulf, and then to look at the remaining Fort structures that were used not only in the late 1800's but also modified and utilized during WWI and WWII. All in all a fantastic mid-afternoon break in the middle of the week.
Thursday was a stresser, it was my first solo audit without Stephen anywhere around (he audited a Franchise then came back to the Hotel for the rest of the afternoon). Needless to say it was a learning experience. There are some people that I have a wonderful time with but know-it-all, self-centered, ostentatious jerks, who think they are god's gift to all women are not a category that I typically get along with. Apart from his ***ing about how long the process was taking he essentially tried to hit on me during the audit....GRRRRRR. I was in a foul mood by the time we were done, which did take an extraordinarily long time because he was not doing his daily managerial job of controling the financial risks at his property. So after he essentially gripped me out over and over again, of which I am not allowed to confront anyone in any way shape or form during the audit, I then had the additional happy occassion of listening to Stephen chew me out concerning my first "bad" client survey. It wouldn't have been such an issue except for the fact that what was said was filled with partial truths that made me sound like the wicked witch of the west. This is what happens when a manager doesn't do their job and we go in bust them on it and them they get all crabby about the fact they got caught so they go to the most petty gripes about the auditor in an effort to turn some of the corp. attention away from themselves. I hope he feels terrible for the things he said!
So Thursday sucked but today, Friday simply was fantastic. The audit was great, I finished by 4:30, and then came back to the Hotel to work on the data entry and the Executive Opinion Summary for the Executive IC Committee. So now I'm taking a break and catching everyone up on my life. How fun! :)
Tomorrow I have to do a Studio 6 Audit during the day but I hope to be done no later than 7pm and Rachel is possibly coming up and we are either going to go out or stay in, watch chick flicks, drink appletini's and just have some fun. So that's the news that is news and I hope that ya'll have a great weekend and enjoy this great Texas weather. (you should have heard the THICK accents in Beaumount, I couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably when I heard it from the guys next door to my room, the waiter and waitress at J. Carinos and the hotel managers). Made me wonder what they thought of my not so northern "Northern" accent.
Thursday was a stresser, it was my first solo audit without Stephen anywhere around (he audited a Franchise then came back to the Hotel for the rest of the afternoon). Needless to say it was a learning experience. There are some people that I have a wonderful time with but know-it-all, self-centered, ostentatious jerks, who think they are god's gift to all women are not a category that I typically get along with. Apart from his ***ing about how long the process was taking he essentially tried to hit on me during the audit....GRRRRRR. I was in a foul mood by the time we were done, which did take an extraordinarily long time because he was not doing his daily managerial job of controling the financial risks at his property. So after he essentially gripped me out over and over again, of which I am not allowed to confront anyone in any way shape or form during the audit, I then had the additional happy occassion of listening to Stephen chew me out concerning my first "bad" client survey. It wouldn't have been such an issue except for the fact that what was said was filled with partial truths that made me sound like the wicked witch of the west. This is what happens when a manager doesn't do their job and we go in bust them on it and them they get all crabby about the fact they got caught so they go to the most petty gripes about the auditor in an effort to turn some of the corp. attention away from themselves. I hope he feels terrible for the things he said!
So Thursday sucked but today, Friday simply was fantastic. The audit was great, I finished by 4:30, and then came back to the Hotel to work on the data entry and the Executive Opinion Summary for the Executive IC Committee. So now I'm taking a break and catching everyone up on my life. How fun! :)
Tomorrow I have to do a Studio 6 Audit during the day but I hope to be done no later than 7pm and Rachel is possibly coming up and we are either going to go out or stay in, watch chick flicks, drink appletini's and just have some fun. So that's the news that is news and I hope that ya'll have a great weekend and enjoy this great Texas weather. (you should have heard the THICK accents in Beaumount, I couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably when I heard it from the guys next door to my room, the waiter and waitress at J. Carinos and the hotel managers). Made me wonder what they thought of my not so northern "Northern" accent.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
long days and longer nights
I'm dropping everyone a quick line to let you know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Rather I've been working 16 hour days and it just feels like I've lost touch with everyone and everything. Work is still good but it has its ups and downs. At this point in time the most serious down is the incredible amount of time it takes to perform the audit, drive to the next location and then input the data from that days work. This job is not for the faint of heart, or anyone who wants to have some vague form of a life. Its 100% work.
So I'm off to bed because guess what, I have to be back up at 5:30 to finish all the stuff I didn't get done tonight.....I cannot wait for the weekend.
So I'm off to bed because guess what, I have to be back up at 5:30 to finish all the stuff I didn't get done tonight.....I cannot wait for the weekend.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Pop-ups
Just a general FYI to everyone. The network system for Accor has VERY strong firewalls and things of that nature, thus all pop-ups are blocked which includes Spell check and emoticons. So until further notice spelling errors and syntax errors might appear from time to time. Due to the goofy schedule which I have been keeping and its appearance of continuing, the majority of my blogging will be taking place late at night. Thereby creating an even greater possibility of spelling errors and run-on sentences. So if things of that nature bother you, don't read my blog! And if you can live with it, read on. So its not that I've lost all grammatical skill and have regressed but rather there are other factors at work that open the door for ridiculous mistakes. Such is life!!!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Catching up 2
Packing was finished in a mad rush of late nights and early mornings. On December 28th Pam, Nelly and I embarked on the adventurous trip to San Antonio. We got started a little later than anticipated, okay a couple of hours later, due to once again very tearful goodbyes as I said farewell to my staff and friends at M6 Joplin, MO. As I left the city limits of Joplin, I was equal parts filled with anticipation over the new job and reluctance at leaving that which was familiar and comfortable even though I knew my days of being happy as a property level manager were over.
Enroute to San Antonio we stopped in Dallas to deliver my most precious possession into the hands of a new friend, Dali. I left Tiffany in the capable hands of Dali and I must admit that I totally lost it for about the next half hour. I really had no sorrow, regrets or reluctance over leaving Joplin, but leaving Tiffany was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I took picts of Tiffany the last night we were in Joplin and have to admit that she was one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen. So Dali is now spoiling her rotten, which is as it should be, and apparently Tiffany is being her usual antisocial self.
After visiting with Dali and having a great supper with her, her husband James, their son and Nelli and Dali's mother we embarked on our trip again with an additional passanger riding with Nelli. We dropped Nelli's mom off with Nelli's brother outside of Kearney and around 2am we arrived in San Antonio.
The next few days were filled were relaxation and fun as I settled into my new place in San Antonio and caught up with Sarah and Ryan. New Years Day--Sarah, Jeff, Veronica and I embarked on the adventure of wedding dress shopping for Sarah and searching for the perfect bridesmaid dreses for those of us in the wedding party. With Veronica as the matron of honor and myself as maid of honor we were determined that Sarah find the perfect dress in which to marry the love of her life, and dresses that would suit the wide range of body types and more importantly the differing heights which her bridesmaids have. The search was very successful and I'll say nothing more about either our dresses or Sarah's than the fact that the dresses are fantastic, Sarah will be a vision and I'll have the perfect dress which I would not be afraid to wear out to a special event such as a black and white ball.
Tuesday January 3rd I went to work in Addision, TX as a Process Analyst/Internal Auditor for Accor Hotels-North America, Accor Economy Lodging division.:) The week was packed with corporate meetings, review and calibration of the entire Audit Team to the 2006 AEL Audit which encompases all Corporately owned and Franchise Red Roof Inn, Sudio 6 and Motel 6 properties. But while the days were long, the evenings were filled with company dinners which integrated the Business and Leisure division, the Audit Team, the heads of finance, and other extremely important people!! A hockey game between the Dallas Stars and the Mighty Ducks was attended by the Audit team and of course a poker game night was held during the week, although it was "funded" by the company it was not "sponsored" by the company. If nothing else we know how to redefine technicalities and take each others money! The last weekend in Dallas was spent working with a brief adjournment to the local movie theater for two hours of reality avoidance. By the way the movie "Rumor has it" is great!!
Monday was spent once again in the office working on Audit prep, and trying to absorb as much information as possible before leaving for the first of the Audit trips. Stephen and I will be together as a team for the next 30 days although beginning next week we will be splitting off from each other as each of us takes on our own trips. And we review and discuss the different audits in the evenings after the report generation and submittals are completed. It has been an incredibly long week with multiple nights lasting until 10pm or 11pm and one late nighter lasted till 1:30am. But this to shall end and as we continue on with the Audits the process continues to smooth out and the length of the days is very dependent upon teh performance of the property auditied. If the property does well on the Audit the day ends up more like a normal 8 hour work day. If the property does not do well, then its best just to prepare yourself for a 10-12 hour day if not much, much longer depending upon the amount and variety of discrepancies. But even though the days are long, I can still say that I love what I do. Thus far, there have been no real challenges to my understanding and application of company policy to the individual properties. The challenges as I percieve them will lie in the Red Roof Inn side of operations as that process and and computer system is completely different from the Innsure reporting system which is used by M6 and Studio 6. Red Roof Inn uses Fidelio which is not as sophisticated as Innsure. So it will be a lot like revisiting the stone age of paper ledgers and handwritten guest receipts! I know that there are some individuals out there who have never seen a handwritten hotel ledger but trust me they do exist and yes they are just as filled with errors as you might think.
So Stephen and I finished this evening around 9ish and thats it, I'm free for the next two days and trust me I'm going to enjoy them. I actually am leaving tomorrow morning for San Antonio and am going to visit with Sarah and Ryan for a day or two, visit one of my favorite Sushi bars and am going to kick back and have some fun. There might even be time for a visit to my favorite winery. We will see what time allows.
Well folks, that all for now. And I simply must apologize for the lengthy silence all I can say is that it is great to have a functioning laptop with an internet connection even though it is dial-up right now. Thankfully by the time I arrive back in Dallas I will have my new computer with the Wi-Fi card already installed and funtioning. So be certain, there will be more fun Auditing stories later.
Enroute to San Antonio we stopped in Dallas to deliver my most precious possession into the hands of a new friend, Dali. I left Tiffany in the capable hands of Dali and I must admit that I totally lost it for about the next half hour. I really had no sorrow, regrets or reluctance over leaving Joplin, but leaving Tiffany was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I took picts of Tiffany the last night we were in Joplin and have to admit that she was one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen. So Dali is now spoiling her rotten, which is as it should be, and apparently Tiffany is being her usual antisocial self.
After visiting with Dali and having a great supper with her, her husband James, their son and Nelli and Dali's mother we embarked on our trip again with an additional passanger riding with Nelli. We dropped Nelli's mom off with Nelli's brother outside of Kearney and around 2am we arrived in San Antonio.
The next few days were filled were relaxation and fun as I settled into my new place in San Antonio and caught up with Sarah and Ryan. New Years Day--Sarah, Jeff, Veronica and I embarked on the adventure of wedding dress shopping for Sarah and searching for the perfect bridesmaid dreses for those of us in the wedding party. With Veronica as the matron of honor and myself as maid of honor we were determined that Sarah find the perfect dress in which to marry the love of her life, and dresses that would suit the wide range of body types and more importantly the differing heights which her bridesmaids have. The search was very successful and I'll say nothing more about either our dresses or Sarah's than the fact that the dresses are fantastic, Sarah will be a vision and I'll have the perfect dress which I would not be afraid to wear out to a special event such as a black and white ball.
Tuesday January 3rd I went to work in Addision, TX as a Process Analyst/Internal Auditor for Accor Hotels-North America, Accor Economy Lodging division.:) The week was packed with corporate meetings, review and calibration of the entire Audit Team to the 2006 AEL Audit which encompases all Corporately owned and Franchise Red Roof Inn, Sudio 6 and Motel 6 properties. But while the days were long, the evenings were filled with company dinners which integrated the Business and Leisure division, the Audit Team, the heads of finance, and other extremely important people!! A hockey game between the Dallas Stars and the Mighty Ducks was attended by the Audit team and of course a poker game night was held during the week, although it was "funded" by the company it was not "sponsored" by the company. If nothing else we know how to redefine technicalities and take each others money! The last weekend in Dallas was spent working with a brief adjournment to the local movie theater for two hours of reality avoidance. By the way the movie "Rumor has it" is great!!
Monday was spent once again in the office working on Audit prep, and trying to absorb as much information as possible before leaving for the first of the Audit trips. Stephen and I will be together as a team for the next 30 days although beginning next week we will be splitting off from each other as each of us takes on our own trips. And we review and discuss the different audits in the evenings after the report generation and submittals are completed. It has been an incredibly long week with multiple nights lasting until 10pm or 11pm and one late nighter lasted till 1:30am. But this to shall end and as we continue on with the Audits the process continues to smooth out and the length of the days is very dependent upon teh performance of the property auditied. If the property does well on the Audit the day ends up more like a normal 8 hour work day. If the property does not do well, then its best just to prepare yourself for a 10-12 hour day if not much, much longer depending upon the amount and variety of discrepancies. But even though the days are long, I can still say that I love what I do. Thus far, there have been no real challenges to my understanding and application of company policy to the individual properties. The challenges as I percieve them will lie in the Red Roof Inn side of operations as that process and and computer system is completely different from the Innsure reporting system which is used by M6 and Studio 6. Red Roof Inn uses Fidelio which is not as sophisticated as Innsure. So it will be a lot like revisiting the stone age of paper ledgers and handwritten guest receipts! I know that there are some individuals out there who have never seen a handwritten hotel ledger but trust me they do exist and yes they are just as filled with errors as you might think.
So Stephen and I finished this evening around 9ish and thats it, I'm free for the next two days and trust me I'm going to enjoy them. I actually am leaving tomorrow morning for San Antonio and am going to visit with Sarah and Ryan for a day or two, visit one of my favorite Sushi bars and am going to kick back and have some fun. There might even be time for a visit to my favorite winery. We will see what time allows.
Well folks, that all for now. And I simply must apologize for the lengthy silence all I can say is that it is great to have a functioning laptop with an internet connection even though it is dial-up right now. Thankfully by the time I arrive back in Dallas I will have my new computer with the Wi-Fi card already installed and funtioning. So be certain, there will be more fun Auditing stories later.
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