I've been Hibernating

It's easy to do here. It's cold outside. You don't want to go anywhere. The couch is so comfy. Plus what is there to do but go to the movies in the horrible cold weather. Nothing really. It sometimes feels like the city shuts down in the winter. Or that everyone is in the pubs drinking. But this weekend was the first real hint of Spring and it's made me feel a bit invigorated. I went outside. I went to yoga. Later I wore a dress. We did some shopping at an event that was all about local designers. And it's like everyone else came out of their caves as well. The trams were packed and not only were all the people out but they brought their dogs too. It was a good weekend to be in Prague. That doesn't mean that I want to go to work tomorrow but I'm feeling a bit less lazy than normal.

I'm also getting super excited because in 11 days G Unit and I leave for Thailand. It's our first trip to Asia. Score! And we get to spend time with our good friends Jade and Toby who we haven't seen in almost two years. Double Score! And spend time on a beach. And snorkel. And ride an elephant. And maybe pet a tiger. First I have to make it through the 11 days before our flight leaves. And then participate a pesky thing called a conference in Bangkok (which is the reason this trip came up in the first place). And then I get to do all that other stuff.

So the weather is getting better, a trip is on the horizon and there are brownies in the kitchen to eat. All and all a good outlook. I hope things are as bright and shiny in your part of the world too.

No.Time.To.Breathe.

My unofficial goal earlier this year was to post twice a week. And then I went to Paris. And then the Fishers came to visit. And then I went to London. And then well work got insane. Good thing it was an unofficial goal.

And then. Then I was going to catch up on some posts I'd been meaning to write. Go all the way back to my trip to Paris and tell you about a few things. Show you some pictures. And I started a entry. And then before I could finish it our computer died. Crash. Burn. It's at the Apple doctor now. We haven't heard anything. G Unit is pretty worried that when we try to go back to the shop they'll be gone. Empty office. Absconded with our laptop. Like thieves in the night. I think they just left work early.

So now here I am using my cough*work*cough laptop to do a catch up post. G Unit is at the store with Kristy while I'm recovering from a hellish two weeks at work while Tony surfs the internet. Who are Kristy and Tony you ask? Our current houseguests. Garren grew up with Kristy across the street and her parents and his parents are still very good friends. They are doing a 5 week worldwind tour of Europe. They just came from London and are leaving for Rome tomorrow and then it's off to Germany and France after that.

And G Unit and I are leaving for Italy one week from tomorrow. Bring. It. On. But that's in a week. For those of you who might be wondering how my trip to London was a few weeks ago. I thought I'd tell you. It was work. Honestly I didn't get out much. I went to my training. I did some work in the evenings....That was about it.

Except I did get to go to Bar Boulud at the hotel one night. Man that was tasty. Charcuterie made on site. Yummy. I had the piggy burger. Which had BBQ pulled pork on top of the paddy. Oh good god. I felt very American getting the burger. Totally worth the stereotype. My sister should take note to try the place out as Chef Boulud is a native of Lyon and the menu has some traditional dishes from that area.

I was not staying at the hotel chain I work for as it was too expensive for my budget. Go figure. So I ended up closer to the Corporate Offices at The Sanderson. I am so not cool enough for this hotel. The elevator was like walking into a club. It was dark with a glow in the dark universe. I kid you not. And there were no doors inside the hotel room. The bathroom was a glass box and there were curtains you could use to close it off from the bedroom. And there was a painting on the ceiling above the bed about where your head is. I suppose it's interesting, but my question is if it's dark, cause usually you would only be laying down on the bed looking up to go to sleep, how can you really appreciate the painting? And everything was white. Very modern. Not really my style but fun to experience when I wasn't footing the bill.

I also got to watch just random TV. G Unit and I only download so there is not usually just background TV on at our house. No news. Nothing. So it was nice to watch some random English TV. I somehow ended up watching a documentary about Queen. It was strangely fascinating and I have a new appreciation for the band, as G Unit can attest to as I have been listening to their music quite a bit.

On the personal side I did squeeze in a visit to the O'Malleys. I crashed in on them one evening and joined them for dinner. It was lovely as always. Seeing the O'Mallyes is like seeing family and I always feel at home. Besides that I managed to pop out and go shopping the night before I left. I don't remember there being so MANY people in London. Oxford Street was crazy. I spent 20 minutes in line just to try on some things in Banana Republic. And every store I went into was full. You could barely walk down a sidewalk. I love London and always thought I wanted live there but with the amount of people contained in such a small area...I don't think I could do it. I like my cities on the smaller side. I need room to breathe people. I need a short commute. Time is too valuable to waste commuting 2 hours every day.

So there it is. My London trip. Told in a random stream of consciousness fashion. Probably with lots of spelling errors. Some of you may have been lucky enough to get postcards. It is so much easier to send them when you can ask for stamps in English. I need to find a tourist trap in Prague that sells postcard stamps. They'll understand English.

And now back my weekend schedule of being a lazy bum.

Virtual Coffee

Family shout out

If we were really meeting for coffee today I'd invite you over as we just had the apartment cleaned today and it always looks so fresh after someone else has spruced it up. I am happily so spoiled.

So a week has passed and G Unit is still working. I think he's happy in the new job. It seems as if there is a lot to learn and I feel that can't be a bad thing in terms of experience. It may not be his end goal in terms of an employer or type of work but I don't think any experience is ever wasted.

I've been getting back into cooking with G Unit back at work. We're learning to share the kitchen. Or maybe it's taking turns. He's been used to doing things his way and he has become an amazing cook in the last two years, but previously before this whole grand adventure I was used to cooking my way with him asking my opinion when he cooked. Now we both have our own opinion. So far no one has died.

Work wise, this past week has been interesting for me. There is going to be some changes in the management above me. So there is a new boss on the horizon. Hopefully this will be a positive change, but change is always a little scary and uncertain.

For me personally there is a new work challenge. This is not definite yet, but I've been asked to help set up the reservation systems for a new sister property opening this summer.

Hells to the yes. I wanted to do a trip to the city of lights next month. Looks like work is going to pay for me to go for two weeks. fingers crossed. And it will be work but I'm hoping G Unit can join me for at least one weekend and the rest of the time I'll spend going to museums and pastry shops. Bye-bye weight watchers. Anyone want to hop on a plane and come see me?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am not moving. I know with Prague I went off for a few weeks and then stayed indefinitely, but they already have someone in my position at the new hotel. I'm just going to help. And gorge myself on pain au chocolat. Hopefully. I feel like I'm jinxing this by telling you all before tickets are bought.

News about this trip came when I was obsessing about my closet. I always feel so unfashionable, so blah. Yeah going to France is seriously not going to help that feeling of inadequacy. I have been saying for years want a personal shopper. I want someone to tell me what to buy and what I should be wearing with what. Ok I want a personal stylist AND a personal shopper. I've even asked my sister to send me things she thinks I should buy when she's shopping for herself. And I tried to see if I can find someone in Prague who does wardrobe consultations, like my friend Tracy. (Who I would so ask to re-haul my closet if I was back home.) I was that frustrated. Course I have this freakout at least twice a year but then when I realize how much clothing costs I back off again after buying a few things. Which I did when JCrew posted a 30% final sale. Hopefully after a few years of careful buying I might have a wardrobe I like. Nope. I still think I need help. One day. I bought these in case you were curious.

Dress of which I can use for work and play! Right?

Blazer of which I have none. Score.

If we were really meeting for coffee I would shut up now. I have a problem with babbling and I'd let you catch me up on your week while I finish the rest of my Tim Horton's coffee. Hey it's virtual coffee I can get anything I want, even if I do have to go all the way to Canada.

Finally I'd look at the clock and realize that it's getting late here in Prague and time for me to go to bed. I'm so glad to have this weekly chat and can't wait to see you all again next week!

Catch up with other Virtual Coffee posts at Amy's!

Stop. Reject.

I have not been doing well on keeping up with my short term goals. Pathetic really. And all I can say dear readers is that I am exhausted. You would think that living where you work would be easier, no commute, you can go home for lunch, but really all you end up doing is working more because you just have to walk upstairs and you just want to finish one more thing. And the truth is I like having a commute (a short one mind you) but I need that 20 minutes to wind down, relax and process my day.

Basically I come home, lie down and do not want to move. Kept Man was always good at getting me to go out, to keep me from being a bed potato, but he's off traveling and I'm here in Prague in the hotel room wallowing.

And I want to say Stop. Reject. No wallowing. No depression. Get up and do something. You're in Prague. It's new. It's different. But the truth is that I'm over not having a home. This whole year has been starting off new in two different places and as soon as I start feeling comfortable in one I'm yanked away. I miss having a place of my own. A kitchen. Family. Close friends. A life outside of work. I wish I could look at it as one big adventure. I wish I could not take it all so seriously and just enjoy what I do have. But for the most part I find not being able to plan out my personal life and things I want to do frustrating. I do not like being all about work.

I'm hoping to have some answers about where the rest of this year will be going in the next few weeks. I hope that the rest of this year will be settled in one place or another sometime soon and I hope that makes me happy.

And that is where I am at today. I promise that the next blog will be less blah and more fun. Kept Man and I visited Cesky Krumlov last weekend with some friends and as soon as I can access the pictures I'll be sure to post about the trip. Which is fun and upbeat. Really. I swear.

Whew!

From a slow paced work environment to the holidays to intense no time to stop 12 hour work days. I'm exhausted. This is the first chance I've had to really sit in front of a computer and not be on go go go mode let alone have slept in and had a leisurely breakfast with the Kept Man.

To tell the truth I can't complain. I love being busy and after five months of barely doing anything in a work day it is satisfying to be needed, feel overwhelmed and know that I am being productive. Weird I know but to me hell would be having to go to work and pretend to be busy all the time. Without internet to distract me. I can barely stand going to work where I don't have to pretend that I'm not busy. And where I have internet to distract me.

Getting to Prague was another adventure. I arrived early for my flight from Marrakech to London. Got checked in, went through security and was quietly waiting to know what gate I would be leaving from while reading my book when I heard via announcement in both Arabic, French and English that my flight was delayed by 2 hours. Now I had a tight turn around in London where I had to collect my bag, go through customs, change terminals and check in for another flight within a 3 hour period. Being delayed two hours meant I was never going to make it.

Also I have a phone that does not call internationally, so I had to call my boss in Marrakech to call my boss at Corporate so that everyone could be aware that I was delayed. However I was not able to contact Kept Man as he was already on his way to Prague and had an international number that I couldn't call at the moment from Morocco. Curses!

After 3.5 hour delay in Marrakech within an insane amount of children on the flight. Get off my armrest!  I made it to London, collected my bag, made it over to another terminal, got in line with EasyJet and managed to get a ticket on the next flight to Prague at 6am the next day. With my handy English SIM card I was able to call my Corporate boss get a room for the night at an airport hotel and call Kept Man to catch up. He made it to Prague just fine and was enjoying our hotel room without me.

I made it into Prague on Tuesday just before another huge winter storm hit the UK. After I arrived at the hotel it was go go go. I checked in, ran upstairs, gave the man a kiss and ran back down to start work. I didn't even manage to step outside the hotel until Thursday when Kept Man and I went to a restaurant around the corner for dinner. Steak and French Fries with insanely yummy mustardy garlic sauce how I love you.

Now with a weekend almost under my belt I've managed to sleep in, relax, see a movie and take a little walk into town. Work is back tomorrow but with all the immediate things taken care of I think it will at least no longer be 12 hour days nor so intense.

So that's it. I've made it Prague. I'm alive. Sorry to all of you who have emailed and I have not responded to. I barely managed a "I'm alive email" to my mom. Be happy I'm awake and coherent.

Side Trip

We're going to Prague!

Seriously! And for a month or so. Not just a visit. That's right this Marrakech based couple is packing up and moving!

As some of you may be aware things with the hotel here in Marrakech are a little delayed and frankly I'm bored. I can only do so much without a property management system. So my fabulous boss at corporate level asked if I'd be willing to help at another hotel property where the Revenue Manager had just left and fill in until they found someone. I said YES! And at the same time she made sure that it would be alright for my husband to be there with me. He'll only take up a small corner of the hotel room and I promised he'd be as quiet as a mouse.

So after our London adventure we fly straight to Prague. When we come back I do not know yet.

Who wants to come visit?

Stupid Oy-vey Procedures

I hate SOPs. For those who are scratching their heads : Standard Operating Procedure. They suck and there are no set SOPs for the hotel group. Nope each hotel has their own. So I’m starting from scratch. The last one I just did took me 2 hours. And it probably still isn’t detailed enough. Although maybe I’m just being anal. Most of the other SOPs I’ve seen from the other Reservations Departments are not this detailed. Maybe I’m worrying too much. I mean really who’s going to look at them? After the initial training they’ll probably never be referenced again. I have to force myself to do them. They always feel like a colossal waste of time. Although I suppose it is good that they get me to think about how I want things in the Department to work and to confirm procedures with other Departments. However, without the Reservations System in place I also have to guess on some things and remember to update the SOP when I have the system to make sure the procedure works. Sigh.

I’m going to try to do another one now. Slowly but surely my done list is getting closer to being completed. Stupid SOPs.

Still Here

I know that some of you have been wondering where I've been.

Well I'm still in Morocco and still alive. The truth is I'm just exhausted. I sit all day at my desk trying to get anything done, feeling like I get nothing done, cursing the lack of internet and computer (still on our personal laptop) and by the time I get home all I want to do is cuddle with my husband, turn my brain off and watch TV.

I'm happy to report that re-runs (for me anyways) of The OC and The Biggest Loser are on nightly as well as many random movies. Top that off with our ability to watch streamed videos of almost anything we want, and Ashley on Top Chef, I'm pretty much set on the entertainment front.

So basically things are going. Slowly. Mostly at this point I'm just frustrated. There is a general lack of direction and as with any opening there are a million changes. My main problem at the moment is that I'm expected to create a training plan/matrix and all SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for my department as well begin to hire my staff and prep myself for setting up both an online and local system. It's all pretty standard, really, but having never done it on my own before, I don't have enough hands let alone enough brain space to even attempt to accomplish it right now.

I'm going to take this weekend to have a stable internet connection and try to get myself organized. I'm hoping my wonderful husband can help me. When things get to big for me I get overwhelmed. And I find I avoid everything. I'm hoping if I can nail things down a bit more, get an actual plan in place that maybe things will be more manageable. Right now I'm all over the place. Even this post is all over the place.

Have a computer and files at work would be a freaking help. But that would involve other people being organized or things being easy in Morocco. Yea uh-huh. So another thing to do this weekend, buy some work supplies!

So I apologize for the partly depressing nature of this post, but it is what it is. I think once things start running more smoothly at work and we get a workable opening date, I have better more exciting things to talk about.

On the home front we may have our stuff in the next few weeks. It's supposed to arrive in Casablanca around the 24th and we're making a trip up to Casablanca next week to get a document from the American Embassy which states that we are living in Morocco. (The amount of paperwork needed is never ending and everything has to be done in person) We're talking about taking the train so hopefully a more upbeat and exciting post will be forthcoming.

Nuala out!

And so it begins

First week of work done. The highlights:

• I still don’t have a work cell phone
• We have not had internet the two days I have brought my own computer. The first day I had no computer to work with.
• I have no access to email or to the network to get information that I need to do any work.
• Human Resources has been pretty unhelpful with the whole being a foreigner moving to a new country thing.
• It is a short week. There are two holidays this Thursday and Friday (the King’s birthday and a celebration of the revolution)
• Ramadan starts on Friday/Saturday
• Garren and I have secured an apartment and from what I can tell it’s a good price in a central location. Pictures to be taken next week.
• French lessons are in our future

In Detail:

Day 1:

First day was a little annoying. It basically turned out the way I expected but it is the exact thing I try to avoid when getting my own new employee. A plan in place, a list of things to do that I can dive into right away. Not to much to ask right? The problem was that there were no extra computers and I didn’t bring our laptop so that Garren had access to the outside world. Therefore the first day consisted of no email, no documents, just reviewing any information that people could print out for me.

About what you could expect from a first day on a pre opening team for a hotel opening in Morocco.

In other news we were able to talk down the price on the apartment we liked. Garren has a project for Day 2. He’s going to go see it again, make sure it’s in good condition and as nice as we remember. And we have a 2^nd apartment to look at with another realtor for the same price in a different location which is not as central.

I’m trusting Garren’s judgment. I think at least looking at a different place in an area further away at the same price will give us an idea if we’re getting a good deal for the one closer to town. I’m still not really sure if the price we negotiated is good. Someone here at work just got a 3 bedroom Riad (on the other side of the Medina from where we’re looking) for the same price we’ve been quoted for the 1 bedroom apartment. He did have some insider help, but still. And it is not in the best neighborhood, or so I’ve been told. He seems to get around ok without a car, but I dunno, I like being in a neighborhood, which is still close to the Medina but has lots of cafes and shops. Maybe I’m being too American/European. But with no car, I like the idea of being more central. Unfortunately it’s further away from work so no matter what I still have to hitch a ride, but many people are in my area in the same boat I think so…..on vera

Day 2:

Had a computer (ours) Yea! No internet Boo! I was able to work on some minor projects, but for the most part I couldn’t do much. No access to email means no access to the files I need. Hopefully tomorrow I will have both a computer and internet. And maybe my phone? I’m not going to hold my breath.

Sounds like I might be able to get some French lessons and find out where Garren can take some too. HR seems to be a little overwhelmed at the moment. It’s a little annoying to feel like I’m bothering them when really they should be helping me to settle in, walking me through the immigration process. Whatever. I suppose it’s on Morocco time. (read FOREVER). Blah.

I did have a good sit down with my new boss this morning, going through what is expected of me. Seems pretty straight forward.

• Set up the various distributions systems and SMS rate structure
• Hire Reservations Staff
• Train Staff
• Run Reservations
• Produce Revenue Reports/Conduct Revenue Management

Just need the damn systems to start. And of course they’ve been delayed. Hopefully (fingers crossed) we’ll have them by sometime next month. In the meantime I can prep…if I could just get some damn internet. Or a computer connected to the network. Sigh.

On the home front, looks like we have an apartment. Garren went back today to the apartment that we saw together still liked it. He says it’s needs a good cleaning but it’s in good shape. I think we’ll end up taking it. I feel like it’s a decent price. It’s no 3 bedroom riad, but it’s comfortable and close to many things. I have to call tomorrow to finalize things, but I may take Monday off so we can go sign papers, pay, sign up for some internet and probably even move. Or I may try to put it off until the 1^st so we don’t have to pay for an extra week.

Today was a little stressful for me. I feel like I’m unable to show what I can do when I don’t have the tools I need. The PMS system would be nice so I could set it up, but even just having access to the information I need so that I can plot everything on paper and maybe email my old boss Mel and other Revenue Managers in the company to let them know that I’m alive and that I miss them.

It’s hard. I’m the new kid on the block. And trying to get to know people when I was introduced to them all at once and have no idea what all their names are is intimidating. I need my email! I know pretty much what everyone does so if I can put a name to a face/position and I can get names down! So yea. On the bright side I have been getting compliments on my French.

Day 3:

Didn’t get much sleep last night One of those things where I nodded off and then woke up again. And after waking up again I couldn’t get a good night sleep. Also my stomach this morning was not happy I’ve been pretty careful about what I eat but maybe it’s just the heat and stress.

No internet again today. And there are lots of Corporate meetings going on which means there won’t be much time for my boss to sit down with me. I did download some documents that I had emailed to me at our hotel where we have internet but there in an excel and word format that I need an update for, which I need internet for. It’s a vicious cycle. So I had hoped that I could work on some of my informational sheets, but apparently no.

I called the realtor and we are taking the apartment. We get the keys on Monday, which means we get a relaxing weekend together (4 days!). And I’ll take Monday off so that we can get situated in the apartement, do all the necessary signing and validations and hopefully (fingers crossed) get a reliable USB internet connection. We’re probably going to hang out by the pool and maybe try to go into town to a spa that Christine recommended. What the hell right? We might as well enjoy ourselves if we can.

And then it will be back to work on Tuesday with me trying to find a ride into work. Oy vey.

Now I need to try to find a way to print out some documents. Maybe then I can actually do some work around here.

Misc Things

A post about my first days at work will be coming I promise. Yesterday was a bit overwhelming for both Garren and me so an evening relaxing and drinking was called for. By the time that was done I was so exhausted I had to go to bed. Now it's morning and I'm about to start my second day and Garren is going to look at more apartments. Potential one we will rent.

In other news, Garren's parents had a wedding announcement posted in the local Redding paper. Those who wish to see it can go here: http://engagementsandweddings.redding.com/wed_display_sh.cfm?recordID=1917

Makes me weirdly feel all grown up. I mean an announcement posting in the paper. About us. Strange, but cool.

Second, Garren's wonderful brother Andrew started a blog, Sexual Chocolate. Follow him. He's a funny boy.

Until tout a l'heure (I know, I know, I'm missing accents and stuff. Deal. I'm in a rush.)

À, à, à la discotheque!

So day 3 here continues in Marrakech. I am doing much better since my last post. There was a lot of anxiousness on my part prior to my arrival and then getting here and actually seeing what we had gotten ourselves into. Well it wasn’t good. Missing home. Missing friends. Missing family. Missing cats. I had a bit of a “what the f**k are we doing here?” moment. There have been a few more of those but for the most part I think we’re slowly but surely adjusting.

Helping us along has been my wonderful colleague Christine. She has been amazing. She and I had emailed back and forth a bit before I left the States and she was kind enough to set up some meetings with some realtors for us as well as meet with us and help us get set up with a phone and give us the lay of the land. She called us within a few hours of our arrival at the hotel and later that evening. She was a breath of fresh air and so reassuring after my freak out. She’s been all over. She’s German and went for work from Paris to Mexico to New York to Hong Kong to Miami to Marrakech. She’s done this a lot and I find her to be fearless. I’ve already told her I admire her courage. She shrugs it off, but I could not have done this by myself as she has. I’m very glad to have met her and look forward to working with her. Too bad she’s on vacation for two weeks. Le sigh.

Besides speaking with Christine, I have not heard from work. I’m supposed to hear from someone about how to get to work on Monday. Hopefully they will call tomorrow. If not I will try calling a few people. It’s a little ridiculous how little has been done by my direct boss to prepare for my arrival. Also a little annoying, but well I will just take it in stride. I think you have to just take everything in stride in Morocco. They work at their own pace. If they don’t bother to call me to tell me where to show up or how to get to work I will be poolside until they get their act together.

Otherwise Garren and I may have found an apartment. Fingers crossed. I almost feel like we should look more, but this place is cute, quiet, central to downtown, has nice looking furniture, a decent sized kitchen, washing machine, a medium size shower for Garren and a balcony. It’s seems to be a semi reasonable price, we’re just hoping we might be able to talk them down a little bit. We’ll see. We’re going to discuss it more tomorrow before I call them back on Monday. There were two other options as well that probably would work just fine that are a little less expensive, but the view isn’t quite as nice from the balcony and a little closer to some construction work going on in the area. There is construction EVERYWHERE in Marrakech. It is pretty much unavoidable.

Garren and I were able to enjoy this afternoon by the pool. Garren is trying to even out his tan. I’m trying to stay white and not turn red. Tomorrow will be more of the same. Otherwise we’re wishing that we had downloaded more movies. We’ll just have to wait for our DVDs….and better internet to start downloading things.

Keep sending me good thoughts. I’m pretty sure they’re working. One more day of laziness and then I’m back to work. I have no idea what to expect. Actually I take that back. I expect chaos. Here’s hoping it’s a bit better than that.

P.S. And for those who are wondering the title of this blog comes from the children here at the hotel who after dinner go with the activities directors to the discotheque. They all get in a congo line and chant à, à, à la discotheque as they make their way from the dining hall outside and down to the discotheque. It’s kinda adorable.

P.P.S Garren made me stand in front of the McDonalds like a damn silly American tourist. But it made him happy.

Hidden Costs

You know, I'm supposed to be moving to Morocco because this is going to be beneficial to me, and while in the long run it may be, so far all it has been is an expense. Between the wedding which we weren't able to take the time to save for (not that I mind), buying a ticket for Garren (again not that I mind, obviously), acquiring pertinent documents, and them pushing back my start date I feel somehow like I'm out a fortune. I'm sure maybe I'm exaggerating a little here, but now I'm having to pay to have all my document translated for the Visa purposes. 

I just sent ONE of the documents I need translated for a quote and was told $195 for the one document. Granted it's the biggest document with the most words but at this rate, getting everything translated is going to cost me an insane amount of money. 

Between the wedding, moving, taking on a new job, leaving my old job, moving away from everything I know, leaving my cats, and spending a lot of money I don't have I'm feeling really depressed. I keep telling myself it's going to be great and it's all going to be worth it in the end, but right now it doesn't feel that way. I just feel stressed, put out and a little lonely with Garren at work tonight. 

Whatever it's just money right? And in the end it will get me to Morocco and a crazy adventure right? I'm going to have to email to see if they will cover the costs for these translations. I just hate feeling like the American who's trying to get everything paid for. But this was an expense I didn't expect.  So I'll send them the invoice and see what they say. Sigh. It will probably be no.

Whew!

Crisis averted (hopefully). The hotel is being very understanding, I'm being very understanding and I have been extended a start date of August 15th.

So Bay Area friends you are stuck with me for a little while longer. I'll be working until the end of July and Garren and I may just take a mini honeymoon to Europe before my start date in Morocco. This also leaves me time to settle the cats in Benicia myself, which will make me feel a little better about my departure from them.

So things are looking ok. For now.

Un-FREAKING-Believable

I just got a call today from Marrakech. They've delayed the opening. And now they want me to start September 1st.

After giving me a hard time for asking for an August 1st start date. After making it sound like it is DIRE that I need to be there July 1st. After we have been running around with wedding plans, moving plans, giving notice at jobs, apartments, bugging family, friends and anyone who will listen they want me to start September 1st.

To say I'm upset is a little understated. I mean they knew there were rumblings that the hotel would be delayed. They wouldn't tell me and I KNEW that it would be delayed. And they still insisted on a July 1st start date. And now this. It just makes them seem 1. disorganized and 2. uncaring as to my situation. I understand that they have construction issues and all sorts of opening issues to deal with, but take some initiative and realize as you are hiring someone that the opening date you have planned, probably will not be happening and plan accordingly. It's not THAT hard.

So

1. I need to speak with mom. (Mom, call me when you read this)
2. The wedding is still on for July 14th. Too much is already been planned and coordinated. We're not changing it.
3. Garren's going to see if he can still work for another month or so, while still having the time off for the wedding and all.
4. I need to coordinate with Marrakech to see if we can do an Aug 1st or Mid August start date so that even if Garren is not working we can possibly make everything work.

Oy vey!

When I Grow Up

I feel like a grown up today. Garren and I got a marriage license. Weird! Who thought I would ever do that? Or I mean I thought one day eventually but to actually do it and have it now. Well it feels like something a grown up should be doing. Not me.

And all of work now knows that I'm moving to Morocco. Lots of Congratulations and a little bit of sadness going around. But lots and lots of well wishes so it's really nice. I'm going to miss my life here, but like everyone has been saying, it's a great opportunity, you only live once and I'm young so I should do it now.

So hell yea.

Ball of Stress

So I heard back from Morocco today. Still no contract. Someone is sick but I was told that my start date would be July 1st. And it sounded like that was non negotiable. I just about had a full on real panic attack after getting the email. That's 5 weeks away. With no real time for a wedding unless we just run off to city hall, which we don't want to do. This after they delayed the whole interview process by 3-4 weeks. Those extra 3-4 weeks would have meant time to plan, move and not freak out. 

I'm not ok with this. After panicking with my mom on the phone and Garren in person I went to go see my HR Director. She understands that I want the position but that the start date is unacceptable to me. August 1st would be better and barring that I'll take late July. Is it really that much to ask? Anyway she's going to step in and pretty much negotiate on my behalf. I told her that my concern was coming off as having wasted the their time and creating a bad reputation for myself within the company. I told her that the start date, especially after everything that has happened with this process is not something I'm willing to negotiate about. If they are not willing to bend on this at all, I'm going to let the opportunity go. And really giving me another 2-4 weeks is going to be way less time consuming than having to find another person for the position. I'm just worried again about my reputation and the reputation of the people I work with. My other problem is that the folks in Morocco have the impression I've said yes to the offer verbally even though I never did anything of the kind. I said I was excited and that I was looking forward to getting the contract but not saying yes to I'm taking the position.

Anyways to top it all off, I was in work at 6am, with all the turmoil going on I got almost nothing done and wasn't able to leave until 6pm. I'm exhausted between getting up early and being emotionally drained. And then I'm taking time off work next week so this issue is probably still going to be unresolved until I get back. My HR Director is going to write them by this weekend but she's gone starting Wednesday for her own vacation. I feel like there is no end in sight for this whole thing. And I need a definite direction and REASONABLE start date now.

So I'm going to take advice given me today to plan my move as if it will be like I want (late july/early august) and take my week off and relax/plan. Thank god for a house boat, good friends, pirate theme and booze. I need it. 

Think good thoughts for me.

No word

As I have been receiving emails and phone calls as to what the hell is going on with Morocco, here is the update:

Nothing. I got an email saying that I should receive the contract shortly, but that was 2 days ago. From what I've been able to gather through my limited contacts it sounds like the opening has been pushed back (although when I asked during the phone conversation the question was avoided) and I get the feeling they're waiting to send the contract unil they can put down a definite start date.

So as soon as I know anything you'll all know something, but fingers crossed the hotel opening is being delayed so that I won't have to start until August/September as opposed to July. Garren and I are not really down with July considering how soon it is.

If they don't get back to me by tomorrow though we may not know anything until the first week of June. Garren and I are going up to Shasta Lake next week for a house boating trip and email access is not an option. (They've been stalling for 3 weeks now, I feel fine stalling my decision for a week while I relax) With all the stress of this whole process, the waiting, the thoughts of moving across the world to a culture I know will cause culture shock, etc we are both REALLY looking forward to spending time with our friends, drinking and laying in the sun like lizards. Then I can come home check my email and see if they've decided anything.

I'm not going to hold my breath.

Ways to make me not move to Morocco

So I should be on the phone right now. Or finishing up a call. But I'm not. Because no one called. Yeah. Great way to give me confidence in the decision I'm trying to make about moving across the globe and leaving everything I know.

This is the woman that could be my direct boss. And she didn't call in for an appointment she set up to work with her schedule. 1. I hope she's ok. 2. There better be a damn good reason for basically standing me up.

hmpf.

Another Call

Call with the Director of Sales and Marketing in Marrakech is set for tomorrow at 10am. I can't even get excited, nervous or sick to my stomach about this. I'm over it. Give me the job, don't give me the job. Just make a decision already. Give me the ability to plan my life back.

blah.

Things they should teach in school

There should be a negotiating class taught in High School or College. I mean I don't know how to negotiate! I don't know how to place a value on myself. I am freaking out. I've been made an offer and I'm expected to make a counter offer (I think) but I cannot for the life of me determine what is a fair counter offer.

Will they think I'm a greedy bitch with the counter offer I'm about to send?

Should I go in with what I would be willing to accept?

Higher than what I would be willing to accept?

Is my idea of an acceptable salary too high?

Am I expecting to much?

Am I worth that much?

It's all making my head hurt and is giving me panic attacks. I need to send this email today, but am terrified that I'm going to ruin something by asking for more money. In my head I know this is probably not true. They may look at my request laugh (or not) and then make a counter offer or stick with what they originally offered, but they will not walk away. Despite this rational thought my heart is beating a million times a minute and the little woman inside me is saying, "Just take what you're given before they change their mind." Where she comes from I don't know but standing up for myself and declaring this is how much I'm worth is freaking terrifying.

I don't like it and I want it to go away.