Week of let downs

If you think of a week from hell, what comes up to your mind?

Lots of work,

Lots of problematic situations,

Lots of conflicts,

Lots of stress,

Lots of crying,

Lots of let downs,

Lots of unbelievable things, like neighbours complaining to the landlord about how noisy are our barefeet,

Lots of all this and more, that's what I'm having in these last few days.

It's been so stressful, also besides the fact that we still don't know anything about us, basically. We don't know the final day of work in the office, we don't know exactly what's being offered to go to Brussels, we haven't had a single email from any superior showing that they're sorrow 5 people will be unemployed in a few months...

To top things up, we know that today the big sharks got together in a meeting here in Madrid but in a salesman's house...They didn't have the decency to come to the office and show their faces. They rather hide than give some sort of explanation or excuse...

It's such frustration and awe between us that I had to explode and started crying like a baby this afternoon. This week has been providing a number of things that are so disappointing, that all I feel like is to leave them stranded and the hell with it. I didn't want to leave on a bad foot, but it's been quite bad. And some attitudes have been quite disappointing.

But hey, the world isn't lost, I guess.

We have till the 15th of February to indicate whether we are or aren't interested in going. I must make up my mind in the days to come, but based on the initial proposals they're considering, it might be a 'NO' rather than a 'YES'. I'd prefer to stay, but maybe a change is what I need...

Moving....again!

My company establishes Western Europe as a Business Area, of which Portugal, Spain, France and Benelux are part of. Now, following the restructuring programme my company is taking into effect since October 06, each country's office is to be centralized in one, representing each BA. This means relocation of offices. In my case, to Belgium, to Brussels in particular.

This came as a shock, but decisions are taken and there's no going back. It's not making much sense to us, if we look at the country they decided upon - it's very costly and the fiscal burden is huge on companies. In terms of savings, Brussels doesn't seem to fit the bill. But, hey, who are we to have a say?


In practical terms, our department of 11 people will have to, either moving to Brussels or leave the company. Out of these 11, 4 will work from home, so they're saved. The rest will be fired, if moving to Brussels doesn't please them. I'm the only one who seems to be in the conditions to accept the deal, as I'm the youngest and have no strings attached in Spain. Basically, they're counting on me. So, the scales seem to be on my side and it's my moment to ask.


The move will take place by the end of June, so we have nearly 6 months to clear all the mess, teach the new Belgians and all of this with a smile. I'm the only one who's actually smiling, but can't show it out of respect for my colleagues. It's a crap place to be for them, as they have kids and their houses to pay.


Conclusion: another country to live and work - it will be the 5th, if I don't count my own, Portugal. Oh dear, just the thought of packing everything again.....

Nano

Here's the cheapest car in the world, and I quite like it. Especially the concept of wanting to change the world by 1,700 €... Ultralow cost, to try and make a change in the emerging countries. Thanks, Mr Tata!

Relocation

Well, the start of the year couldn’t be more auspicious (I’m using this word often, what’s the matter with me?). Apparently, a change of office is on the works, an international change, I mean. So, and if the rumour is confirmed, the change is to a less sunny country…This weekend, you can guess what my homework will be, no? Internet wise…

Meanwhile, this is a photo of the city that I'm talking about. Do you know what is it?

50 reasons why we might be single

From The Times. Might be accurate in some lines, actually....

50 reasons why you’re still single
Do you wonder why everyone else is coupled up, apart from you?

MEN because you...
1 Wear side-buckle shoes
2 Use the word “chillax”, as in “chillax, babe”
3 Use the word “babe”
4 Have glow-in-the-dark stars above your bed
5 Have nothing but a broken sandwich toaster, a camp bed and a 60in plasma screen in your flat 6 Believe that certain things are self-cleaning
7 Wear short-sleeved shirts in the summer, but are not a postman
8 Wear a duffel coat in the winter, but are not Paddington Bear
9 Have “Thug Life” tattooed across the back of your neck
10 Have sold your forehead to an internet advertising agency
11 Affectionately address your friends as “stinker”
12 Prefer the “fist bump” when meeting strangers, and always insist they “lock it in”
13 Have knees that chafe
14 Regard the in-flight meal as the highlight of any flight, or holiday, for that matter
15 Own a pair of Crocs
16 Are only gay when you’re drunk
17 Stand for the national anthem
18 Refuse to remove your Bluetooth headset before making love
19 Throw baked beans at people who tease you
20 Shave your legs “for sporting purposes”
21 Have ever taken more than one mobile-phone photograph of your genitals
22 Have telephoned in a late-night radio dedication
23 Have a stuffed parrot on your shoulder
24 Believe all worthwhile women are under 25
25 Have a name for it

WOMEN because you...
1 Have a calendar stuck to your wall with pictures of babies in plant pots
2 Have a “lucky” thong
3 Have more than zero stuffed animals on your bed
4 Still use scrunchies
5 Are described by your friends as “mad!”
6 Are described by your friends as “Samantha”
7 Know all the words to Mariah Carey’s Hero
8 Have written poetry in Costa Coffee
9 Use the expression “defo”
10 Have an extremely long nail on one of your little fingers
11 Have ever got corn rows on holiday
12 Get visibly angry if people don’t get what you’re trying to mime in charades
13 Spell your name with a “y”, where there should really be an “i”, as in “Clayre”
14 Dot your “i”s with a circle
15 Posed with your cat for your Facebook profile photo
16 Have a five o’clock shadow
17 Have bought yourself a Ginsters All Day Breakfast Roll
18 Write in coloured ink and/or use smiley faces in handwritten letters
19 Think the energy crisis can be solved with crystals
20 Will not relinquish control
21 Spend all your time with your best friend and her husband
22 Own 27 volumes of Now That’s What I Call Music!
23 Have mistakenly given yourself “wedding hair”, thanks to overzealous use of curling tongs
24 Have said, “Oh my God, you’re a Gemini?”
25 Own a pair of leather trousers

Have you ever thought about this? :)

Sick

There, there, there, 2008 is already here for a week and I haven't noticed it yet. Been sick for the last 5 days with all the flu symptoms you can think of. Maybe this start of the year isn't auspicious, but, what the heck, what can I do about it? I've been on my bed for longer than I recall, I'm sick of being sick. My family doctor smiles when I step in his office, knowing beforehand that Ibuprofen is the medicine for me. I'm sick of him too. At least, he gave me 2 sick days to stay at home and not going to work (by the way, I'm supposed to be enjoying holidays!). Arghh, I swear I'll be thankful of my good days.