Back to reality

04-30-07_1116.jpg
Originally uploaded by dino0477.

So I am so totally not motivated. I just keep looking at my phone - why you ask? Well there is a chance that the weekend was not a total bust. One of the coordinators there works for a CRO and as we rode down the elevator and checked out together we got to talking. By the time we split at the airport she had given me both her cards and taken mine and told me to call her if I don't hear from her office this week and she will go to the VP of HR and make them call me. She works in HR and if I get the job she'd be my boss. She was so confident that this would happen but I am being cautious. Now this is the type of job I want to do after school - well I'd do it now but I keep getting told I have to wait 'till my degree is finished. It would be awesome to get a start sooner or have a job lined up for after. I'd get a nice pay raise too. Plus they are a global company with lots of grow potential for moi and I'd work from home when not at a site.

On other news Grumpy told me we have Baby Bunnies. So cute, sadly when he mowed the grass they panicked and ran in the back yard. The dogs have killed 2 of the 4 that I know off. I was really sad. I hope the other two stay in the front yard where they are save from the doggies. That's where the other bunnies always hung out. Also when I got my water from the garage this morning there were 2 birdies and it sounded like they had a nest with baby birds inside. So it seems my house is turning into a zoo.

And Phos - NO YOU CAN NOT HAVE BUNNY STEW!

oh well

Tonight went pretty much as expected. We had a white party at Nikki Beach - apparently White Parties are the thing to do??? I much rather would have done a black party since I own a lot more black clothes than I do white but oh well

I know it looks cloudy but it really wasn't

and then dinner at Pearl. I have to say the set up is really cool and aparently they get quite a few celebs there. Some of the people that where at the Pearl side thought we were someone and started to take pictures of us I thought that was funny but then we all were wearing funny glasses and white outfits ...
So I know you are all dying to know if I won - well as these faces of the announcers tell you ... I lost! I didn't even make it in the first 4. I wasn't to surprised and as the evening went on I had people walking up to me and telling me how great my video was. The only reason I am not to upset about this is that none of the people I thought would win - did. The four winners were the boring ones made by LCC's that had been with the company for years and were located in big cities. So as I predicted people voted for who they know. Here is my what I got (and everyone that submitted a video)

My very own little oscar (or is it emmy not sure)

After dinner we moved inside for the "Spirit Awards" of course I didn't get one of those either. But then they only handed out 4 (there are over 600 of us). I did however let some of the important people know that if they need someone to go overseas and recruit au pairs to call me. I may also have found an AP for one of my families so it wasn't a total bust.

Oh and since there wont be any australia pictures for you guys I stuck around the fashion show at the club so I could give you something else to look at. Please note I tried to be fair so I took pictures of male and female models. Check out the abs!!
For more pictures click on my flickr icon on the left.

not happening

So after finally getting here yesterday and spending cash on a track phone that I had not counted on I was glad I had brought crackers and a noodle cup. See Grumpy and I never made it to breakfast so I was starving. Mhh there was only one thing I had not thought about - utensils. Mhhh what to do. So I settled on using the stir straws they give you for the coffee and used them as chop sticks. Of course I took a picture first!

I am such a loner its pathetic. I was so not into learning salsa or playing games last night at dinner. The food sucked big time - my dinner ended up being 2 rolls with butter. Aside from maybe 4 other people here I really could care less. So after taking some fabulous pictures for you and tipping my toes in the ocean I headed upstairs.

the water was nice and warm
Did homework made some follow up phone calls and went to bed at 10pm.

Pretty moon

Today went as expected the meeting was okay and they are working on some cool upgrades but we were also told that pretty much we have to move our websites over to the company issued one. That totally sucks because I have had my site for 4 years and worked hard on it. I really don't want to move it. Right before lunch we watched all the video finalist. If they vote by laughs I loose but then if they vote by the person and not the video I lose too. There are a few of the finalists (one of them the son of the coorporate office staff) that have done some heavy campaining - flyers and so forth. Like I said before the thing is rigged but I am trying to be positive about it since I did learn a lot and had fun making it but the unfairness of the whole thing just ticks me off.

Anyway its friggen hot outside and since I refuse to be seen by my "coworkers" in a swim suit I decided I will finish homework and work on a solution for the AP blog and website. I may venture out more later when its cooling down.

I am losing it!!!!

Oh man I need a vacation. So I finished most of my packing last night and got some sleep. I wanted Grumpy to take me to the airport and we could stop on the way there to get some breakfast. Well somehow it was 5am all of a sudden (the plane leaves at 5:25)! So we rush to leave the house and go to the airport - as we pull up (5:15am) I realize shit I forgot my phone. OMG this my lifelyhood I can not be without my phone. With all the AP drama and stuff. Well nothing to be done now - I run to security cut in line and make it to the gate just as they close the doors. Once on board I start thinking about my options - check my voice mail a lot, email everyone not to call but email or get a track phone. Mhh track phone - Grumpy and I had talked about getting one some time back for visitors but never got around to it. Once in Charlotte I go to the Palm store to see if they have one. And they did a virgin mobile one. SO I spend about an hour on the stores phone to set it up and activate it - they were so nice and since it was about 7am not busy. So now all my calls from my cell are forwarded to this number here. And sure enough by the time I get of the plane I had 5 voice mails. Arggggggg

So I arrive in Miami and get stuck on the same shuttle as the chick that submitted 2 videos - she tried to chat with me but I just ignored her as I would have totally bitten her head off for submitting 2 videos when it said "submit a video" a implying one!

Anyhow let me snack on my crackers and go to the beach here are some pictures from my room.

Looking to the left looking to the right.

More pictures will follow later I am sure. Oh and they will show the 8 videos tomorrow and then the winner will be announced Sunday.

Its contagious

I am telling you once it starts it spreads like wildfire. What am I talking about you ask ... - more AP drama that's it.

So last week I get a call from an AP saying she wants to leave the family. So I did the exit interview Saturday. The same week I get a call from another AP how appears to be very distressed (hysterical) about a dental issue. When I checked with her family later on I was told that THAT was a minor issue and they may just have to switch AP's. Then Sunday I have to calm down another AP because her dog bit the child of another AP. So now there are all these issues with her family which I need to look into. And then last night I get a call from another family telling me that their AP wants to leave - which I just confirmed today.

Damit can't I just enjoy my trip and potential winnings? No now I am going to spend my weekend trying to solve 2 potential families and find AP's/families for 2 others. I guess a weekend relaxing and hanging at the pool was to much to hope for.

Yeah - I am going to miami!

So I got the call - I am one of 8 finalists. So now I am packing my bags and go to Miami this Friday. There I still have 6 people to beat out for either the computer or trip to Australia. So wish me luck!

Weekend

So last week was chaotic as usual. The restaurant has been super busy the last few weeks and I made $100 or more each day I worked. Which is great especially this I am so busy this week that I only have one shift (Saturday) and if by a miracle I do have to got to Miami Friday I have to give that one up too.

So Thursday I get a call from the cook of the German Restaurant where I used to work. She wanted to tell me that she had some German Potato Soup that was left from the day before and also ask if I could talk to a guy. I am like what guy. That's when she put my old boss on the phone who told me apparently there was some guy at the restaurant asking them for help - he is German and wants to stay here. For whatever reason they thought I could help him and asked me to call him. As I am a nice person I did as asked but there is not much I could do in terms of helping him. I advised him to talk to an immigration lawyer and gave him the contact info of a good one and I told him he could always come back and work for Busch Gardens using their international program. Which is only during the season but at least he can work legally for several month while doing that program. We talked a little more about all that when he came by the restaurant Friday night. But again there isn't much I can do for him - he needs to find a job that will sponsor his work visa.

Saturday I had to go and do an exit interview for one of my girls it went pretty quick so afterwards I went by Busch Gardens to get all my free tickets (the poor lady couldn't get over how many I got) then it was home to make pasta salad and head out to a BBQ friends were having. The weather was just gorgeous and I really wished I could have stayed but ... at least were were busy and I made lots of money that night.

Sunday I met my girl friends for lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant. I hadn't seen my English friend in a while and hadn't really talked to her either since the thing with AJ happened her very best friend died a couple of years ago from cancer and all this has opened those wounds for her.

Anyhow after lunch I went and got some essentials for the AP meeting (cookies, chips, water and a volleyball). The meeting was fun. The trainer taught the girls all sorts of ways of getting out of trouble and I got a new toy. Mhh I bet I could do some damage with that if someone is stupid enough to attack me.

After the meeting I handed out the t-shirts that had finally gotten delivered. See now I can find my boy and girls anywhere I go - just look for the blue. Aren't they cute/handsome.
Oh and I figured out how to use the knowledge I gained making the video. I think I will make one for each year - adding all the AP pictures into it and make every AP do a mini interview. I'll put it on google video (not youtube) that way they can download it and burn it on CD's. I think it would be a cool keepsake for the AP's don't you think?

Some of the AP's stayed around to talk to me and one of them it took me about 30min to calm down. She is relatively new to my area - came from a family in NY state. Her new family has 3 "nice" dogs that the kids play with. At one of the play dates she had with another AP at her house (family was okay with that) the little girl visiting was bitten in the face by one of the dogs. She needed 5 stitches. The AP whose house this happened at is so upset that it seems the family is blaming her - making all these new rules including that she can't see/play with other AP's and kids while working. Now I understand why you'd not want to have the kids over to that house but in general thats a bit drastic. I tried to get her to understand the things the family was worrying about and I think I got through to her in some aspects. Fun Fun - talk about a tough first week - seeing the kid you are to take care off on the floor crying and bleeding ...

Tonight I got to finish my simulation paper - I did finish the simulation and wrote it up so its just a matter typing those notes up so they make sense to anyone :). Hopefully I wont take me all night. This week should be fairly relaxed. I had to tell the restaurant I couldn't work Tuesday and Wednesday which resulted in only getting one shift (Saturday) - so I am off most of the week yeahhhhhh.

I also got my employee night tickets to ride. Click on the picture to get pictures and videos from the official site

I got a ticket for all three nights but most likely I will only go once but I can't wait.

See there would be no way in hell I'd ride it this year unless its on employee night where hopefully the lines are going to be much shorter.

It's rigged

So I feel petty bitching about the stupid video contest again especially in light of this weeks events.
But I swear the damn contest is totally rigged. So the finalists have to go to Miami 27-29 and where to be announced tonight right? Okay no biggy a week is enough notice for those that where not originally going to the meeting. So I just got an email saying

Due to popular demand, we have decided to extend the YouTube Video VOTING deadline through the weekend. Please make sure to vote for your favorite videos by Monday, April 23rd at 9 AM EST.

And the winner will be announced Monday night?!?!?!?!

So I guess they are hoping that people can't come to the meeting (they have to pay for the attendance) if they keep delaying it. Honestly how many people can get a flight and get off to go in a matter of 3 days? Tell you what even IF I have to drive, if I win I will show up just to despite them, this is bull! I am so mad I can hardly type

OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
(listening to deep forest)
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Okay I am calmer now. Sorry about my pity party I think I am just really high strung these days - with all the stress. Between new AP drama, working at the office and restaurant and facing AJ's situation its taking a lot out of me. I told Grumpy that I want to go to the mountains in a few weeks just to catch my breath and relax a little bit. But sadly not this weekend. Tonight I work at the restaurant. I was to be off tomorrow but my Scottish friend had thought I wanted her shift - so I ended up with it but then there is a reservation requesting me too. In the AM I got to go and do an exit interview for a family. The AP wants a different family the the family is leaving the program (for now). Sunday I have the AP meeting and after that I got to go take one of the AP's home and do a 2 week interview with her family. I think I just need a weekend off. I tell you.

I am screwed

So I get this email tonight

Dear LCCs and Staff,

Vote NOW for your favorite YouTube LCC Best Practices videos! Click on the link below for instructions on how to view the videos and vote for the finalists. Voting begins immediately and closes at 9am EST on Friday, April 20th. Voting is open to all active LCCs and CCAP staff. Only one vote per household...or cubicle for that matter.

Finalists will be announced by the end of the night on Friday, April 20th!

Damn so much for a shot. They divided the videos in 4 categories and mine has 7 others in it. The 2 in each category with the most votes go to Miami where there they will vote for the winners. What sucks about this? Its totally objective if you like someone you gonna vote for them not the video. I don't know many other LCC's because the area I am in does not have many LCC's. So my chances are pretty low. But thanks for hoping with me I'll know by Friday night if I go to Miami.

And I can't even go to you tube to vote and see the competition!

Adendum 9:54pm

I just went through the voting process and noticed 2 LCC had 2 videos up. That just sucks I had 2 copies up because you tube was being a pain and was told I can't do that so why can they???? I also checked my stats and noone has seen my video yet so I guess its save to say I haven't gotten any votes despite mine.

done!

Here it is. Thank you everyone for your help - be it telling me what video editor you use (Sony rocked once I figured it out!), finding me the music video so I can download it or helping me by answering my constant annoying questions (poor Hippo I think he was ready to scream at me in the end).



So what do you think? I don't know how long the voting process will be - but it should not be to long since the top 3 have to go to the Miami meeting April 27-29.

my video

so since I have seen some of my competition I felt I needed some more to my video - a great sound track. Okay here we go I don't remember songs and stuff so I called my friend Paul. He told me to go check out Crazy Frog. He said their song Alex F. may work and to check out the video (for a clearer version go to yahoo music).





Mhhh love it, its fun upbeat and goofy. Now I want to include it. So I am playing with a few ideas either have it run in the background and have slides appear in front of it or have it go small in the corner while my stuff plays over it. However since I have no idea on how to get the video, how to use it legally and how to integrate it you all have to help pleasssssse. I am competing against cute cats and 4 year old princesses.

still here - Australia here I come!

I am still around, I know its been almost a week.

I have been working a lot and nights that I didn't work I am over at my friends AJ's place. Then last week I decided to participate in this contest the AP agency has for us coordinators - first price a trip for 2 to the land down under. All I have to do is submit a video about AP stuff by this Sunday. Easier said than done. It has to be funny, smart and helpful and I have no clue about video editing. So I went and bugged all those I know. Hippo has been super helpful thank god. We have been on the computer back and forth nights on end tying to come up with a cute, funny short video. I will post it when its done. Wish me luck. A more detailed post shall follow one of these days when I have more time - I promise!

ABC meme

So Jin tagged me to do the ABC meme. I haven't had much to post and really don't want to bitch about last night at the restaurant (check U). I may write about last night later today and I am making Potatoe salad later for the BBQ we are having for AJ I will take pictures and post the recipe over at Blogger World Cooking.


A- Available or Single?
- I am always available to friends (often to Grumpy's dismay as that takes time away from him)

B- Best Friend?
- there are quite a few

C- Cake or Pie?
- mhh the question would be Kuchen or Torte and the answer is both!

D- Drink of Choice?
- generally water but one of my favs is Pushkin Red

E- Essential Item?
- a book, I always have one in my purse

F- Favourite Colour?
- purple (any shade), black and white

G- Gummi Bears or worms?
- Bears but only if they are Haribo Gummi Bears

H- Hometown?
- Zwickau

I- Indulgence?
- Food, Friends and bubble baths

J- January or February?
- February because that is when Fasching is.

K- Kids?
- can't wait to have them, lets hope mother nature will give them to me soon

L- Life is incomplete without?
- Friends. Friends are the the Family we choose.

M- Marriage date?
- this time around? 05.05.05 (since I have a hard time remembering dates)

N- Number of siblings?
- Technically 1 younger sister. That's for another post

O- Oranges or apples?
- I like both but tend to eat more apples since I don't have to peel them first.

P- Phobias/fears?
- mhh I don't think I have a phobia per se, but there are things I dislike more than others

Q- Favorite Quote?
- "Religion is Opium of the Masses" by Karl Marx

R- Reasons to smile?
- my "babies"

S- Season?
- I love them all, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter (but only if its cold and has snow)

T- Tag
- Anyone that wished to do this

U- Unknown fact about me
- I have a temper but rarely let it come out.

V- Vegetable you hate?
- Ocra, Peppers, Collard Greens

W- Worst habit?
- I am copying Jins Answer on this "Expectation.
I continually expect other people to be as thorough, decent, respectful, honest & competent as I am."

X- X-rays you've had?
- a couple: chest, dental ...

Y- Your favourite foods?
- Mhh how much time do you have. I mean yes I am picky but there are a lot. Lets do favorite ethinc cuisine okay? Indian, German, Thai, Italian, Chinese, Spanish (not Mexican!) Czech, Austrian, Swiss, French. Note except for German Cuisine the rest is all vegetarian dishes I like.

Z- Zodiac?
- Libra to the core.

Woman should...

Thank you all for your thoughts and wishes for my friend. I will go see her this afternoon. I made some potato soup for her which I will take. In case anyone is curious I will post it over at the Blogger World Cooking. The cliff note version is

1. cook potatoes, carrots, onion, celery with beef and chicken broth until soft
2. mash

So my manager sent me this forward today a poem by Maya Angelou and I think its worth a post.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
to or needs to...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
dreams wants to see her in an hour...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a youth she's content to leave behind....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black
lace bra...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who
lets her cry...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
else in her family...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a feeling of control over her destiny...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

HOW TO QUIT A JOB,
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER,
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its
over...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
; and why she shouldn't
take it personally...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...