Bouquets made by me!

As many of you know I made my own bouquet for my wedding last month. I was inspired by Princess Lasertron who makes custom vintage button bouquets and while I was obsessing over them she happened to come out with a make your own bouquet kit. I immediately contacted her picked out my colors and had a kit arrive at the house. I was a little intense during my creation period (I'm not very artistic and I was obsessed. Ask Garren), but it turned out pretty well.

I sent some pictures of my final product to Princess Lasertron to thank her and give her an example of what her kits were producing. In case she was interested.....So she posted some of my pictures (as well as some other brides creations) recently on her website.

I got a kick out of it and thought you might all as well.

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy 28th Birthday baby sister!

I cannot believe I was writing 28 for your bday this year. In my head you're maybe 20. Before it was 16 so you've jumped a few years but still, no where near 28. Course in my head I'm not freaking 30 in two days either.

I'm sorry I'm not there to celebrate with you, but I'm there in spirit. Enjoy your day, or hell, week. I feel like as we get older we should take MORE time to celebrate birthdays. And if you're in at Wood Tavern for cocktails to celebrate have a sip for me and tell them I say hello.

Spoil yourself!

Love

Big Sister

I'm totally on.....

Edward's gone and I'm actually enjoying New Moon. I can even stand Bella's "I'm empty withough Edward" whining without Edward there to make it worse.

I know he's coming back. sigh. Maybe Jacob will kick his ass? Yea...and pigs will fly. A girl can dream.

Trip to the Spa

So since we had a long weekend Garren and I figured we should try to get out of the hotel and do something. Garren as many of you know LOVES his massages and my colleague Christine had given us the name of a Spa that she uses. So we thought what the hell and decided to make a trip out.

Now I as many of you know am not the biggest massage fan. I feel uncomfortable naked in front of other people and therefore I can never really relax and enjoy a massage. I'm too tense. So I thought I would get a hammam (traditional moroccon bath) which still involves getting naked but I thought hell, "when in Rome" and it is something that people will probably ask me about over the phone during a Reservations call so I thought that I should at least experience it once.

First finding the place was a bit of a nightmare. It was off the main square Djemaa el Fna but our map did not show the street we were looking for. We therefore spent a very hot 45 minutes walking around the very large square trying every street that branched off of it. Some of the streets had street signs at the start, many did not. Of course we found it at last...the very last street we tried.

Upon entering we were shown around by the proprietor. Garren was lead away for his massage while I had to wait in the hot sitting room for others to be done with their hammam. I happily read my book and drank some of the water we brought with us. Later a group of Italians showed up who were also waiting for the hammam. We chatted a bit. They seemed impressed I was here to stay for a while and were enjoying their vacation in Morocco.

Finally I was lead into the hammam. It wasn't a public hammam (since it was at a spa and all) and it was much smaller I think than the public hammams but the practice was the same. I stripped down and went into what amounts to a sauna room. Thankful I was the last woman patron of the evening so it was just me. First I got dowsed with some water and lathered with some sort of soap/oil. I was then left to sweat it out. It was strangely relaxing. You think being in a steam room after being hot all afternoon would suck but it wasn't. Afterwards I was scrubbed down with a mitt to get all the dead skin off and then the black paste was applied which is supposed to make your skin all extra soft. I was then again left to steam it out.

While I was steaming it out another woman came in to get a shower. It was strangely surreal, but at this point I was naked and covered in black substance so what the hell. Eventually I was given my own shower and my hair was washed. It was the most relaxing feeling to have luke warm water thrown over you after sitting in a hot room dozing. I was lead out and allowed to dry off, comb my hair and get dressed.

Garren was waiting for me and we quickly paid (both the massage and hammam totaled $45 together!) and made our way back out into the now busy streets. We eventually made our way to dinner a Japanese/Thai restaurant called Katsura. It was good (and one of the competitors for the Asian restaurant the hotel is opening....research people, research.). Unfortunately I have not been feeling very well and find it hard to eat. When I am stressed out or uncomfortable the last thing I want to do is eat. You can ask Michele and Kristen. I did the same thing on our trip to Europe over 12 years ago. It's frustrating but unavoidable at the moment. We will have to go back when I am feeling better.

But other than that I feel like our Spa day was a success. We got out of the hotel. Went into the Medina. Did some work research, managed to relax a little I think. Next time I think I want to try another spa to get a comparison and if the new hotel spa needs someone to practice on, I'm happy to volunteer. Rest assured dear readers, Garren and I will find the best place for both a massage and a hammam so that any of you visiting who want to go will get the benefit of our "research"

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.