It's the small pebbles that cause you to stumble.
Well, I'm one week into this new chapter of my life, new place to live, new school, new city, finding new friends, new job. It is so overwhelming and I am having a really hard time adjusting, especially without my sweetie to come home and cry to after a rough day.
But I have thought about this decision over and over again for the last half year and I know it is the right thing to do in the long run. Cut myself off from a job that consumes me and holds me back because I don't have a degree, change schools to be away from the distractions and to put myself in an environment that I will enjoy, force myself to meet new friends and have a support system...
It's so hard to see this is a step forward through the day to day difficulties.
More to come, I have a lot of new challenges but I have to focus on school. After all, this is my second chance to get it right and start with a clean slate.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Beautiful places and inspiring spaces
Well, my trip to England has overall been really great, and my last few days at Ricardo have sparked a lot of mixed emotions.
Everything I wanted, basically happened and in the best way possible.
I had two long conversations with Raul in his office before I left, in which he told me to think about what I want to do next summer and when I graduated. "Let me know what you want to do and I'll try to make it happen.
James also emailed me since I didn't get a chance to see him again before I left. He wrote, "I think the guys were really impressed with your professionalism & work ethic – we’d be happy to have you back over for another stint next year. Best of luck with the studies & do stay in touch – remember, get your piece of paper & then you’re in the driving seat."
After I returned to the US, I got to finally meet the new VP of Bus Dev/Marketing and the new Marketing Manager, both who were hired/started while I was away. If I had decided to stay, the VP would have been my new boss, and the Marketing Manager would be replacing a lot of my responsibilities (this position was open for a very long time and I was filling in for the responsibilities in the interim).
After a few long conversations with them, John (the VP) was quite frank to tell me what kind of work he could see me doing for him if I came back. He asked me point blank if I thought I would return, and I told him bluntly that I him and Bryan (the new Marketing Manager) would have to "get this department's act together" and then I would decide.
Both are incredibly smart and outgoing people, perfect for these two position. They have the experience, drive, and fresh perspective that we desperately need in order to straighten things out around Ricardo and take charge of our strategies. I am so happy for the future of this department and can't wait to see what happens!
Everything I wanted, basically happened and in the best way possible.
I had two long conversations with Raul in his office before I left, in which he told me to think about what I want to do next summer and when I graduated. "Let me know what you want to do and I'll try to make it happen.
James also emailed me since I didn't get a chance to see him again before I left. He wrote, "I think the guys were really impressed with your professionalism & work ethic – we’d be happy to have you back over for another stint next year. Best of luck with the studies & do stay in touch – remember, get your piece of paper & then you’re in the driving seat."
After I returned to the US, I got to finally meet the new VP of Bus Dev/Marketing and the new Marketing Manager, both who were hired/started while I was away. If I had decided to stay, the VP would have been my new boss, and the Marketing Manager would be replacing a lot of my responsibilities (this position was open for a very long time and I was filling in for the responsibilities in the interim).
After a few long conversations with them, John (the VP) was quite frank to tell me what kind of work he could see me doing for him if I came back. He asked me point blank if I thought I would return, and I told him bluntly that I him and Bryan (the new Marketing Manager) would have to "get this department's act together" and then I would decide.
Both are incredibly smart and outgoing people, perfect for these two position. They have the experience, drive, and fresh perspective that we desperately need in order to straighten things out around Ricardo and take charge of our strategies. I am so happy for the future of this department and can't wait to see what happens!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Love's Fish Restaurant
Love's Fish Restaurant used to be Ruby Tate's which was a restaurant featured on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. Ruby Tate's was closed down right after the show and Love's Fish Restaurant evolved. The interior of the restaurant is the makeover that Gordon Ramsay did. The food there is really good! And if you can see in the window, there is a big news article about Ruby Tate's with a big pictures of Gordon Ramsay!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
A few pictures from Brighton
Some department store that was broken down into sections by brand - apparently there is a brand called Tammy :)
Here's the Brighton Clock Tower - here's what it says on MyTravelGuide.com: Built in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, the clock carries portraits of the Queen, Prince Albert and their son, the future Edward VII, and his wife. Above the clock is a gilt copper sphere, a time ball that once rose up a mast every hour and fell on the hour. The mechanism is no longer in use as the council had so many complaints from local residents about the noise.
This is an art piece at a small museum inside an old church:
Here's the view from the beach. Not the kind of beach you are thinking of though. This one is rocks (instead of sand) and ice cold, violent water. Not pleasant to hang out in, but still beautiful. My hotel is right after the brick building - it is the the cream colored one with the black balconies (kind of hard to see). All along that brick area you see between the beach and the road are clubs, pubs, and restaurants.
The ugly skeleton of a pier that was burned down a few years ago:
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Apparently, Thursday is the new Sunday
So I haven't been out as much as I thought I would this week, I mean around Brighton (grrr). I actually worked late hours two days because I made the mistake of telling the office back at DTC that I'd be checking my email regularly and that I had a phone number at my desk here. What it comes down to is, I haven't been able to do any STC work and I've been stupidly taking on more DTC work while I'm here.
I would have hoped I had more control over my time and that people would leave me alone a little bit more since I am not at DTC, but in fact, it has been the opposite today. Dean asked Janice to contact me and requested a few time consuming things, and with the distance/time difference, I did not get this request in time to finish it before 5:30pm here. I ended up staying quite late. It was quite frustrating but I didn't know how to say "too bad, no I can't do it".
I think a part of the problem is that I feel bad for doing a half-ass job on certain events and projects, but the other part of me argues "I had to do it, I just couldn't get it done before leaving for STC because it is just too much work!" The second part of the problem is that the department does not exist anymore so I don't have anyone else to direct questions and inquiries to. Andy and Simon over here at HM were in awe of what kind of stress I allow them to push on me - especially since the phone keeps ringing and ringing for me and it is always more work for me to do. I'm not answering the phone anymore, forget it.
Anyyyyway, separate from the bitter side of me.... I went out to lunch with the Harrington McDermott team on Tuesday afternoon(!!!!!!) They're such a great group of guys, I am so excited to be here working with them! They are what I imagined and more: super talented, witty people, strategic planners, and kick ass!
I had a long chat with James before lunch and during our walk to the restaurant about my possible future at HM and about how things are going in the US. He was very keen to the idea of having me work for HM from now on, separate from Ricardo (which was my hidden agenda to bring this up) but he said there are a lot of complications regarding visas, work permits, and how that affects taxes. But he did say there is a good possibility. One particular concern he had was that he felt Ricardo may have a really bad reaction to the situation if I take everything Ricardo has invested in me and go to HM, which I have a hard time wrapping my head around because I'll be really working for them no matter who signs my checks at the end of the day. More to come about this. I'm not leaving until we get a little closer to a decision (aka I'm not leaving until I've had a chance to convince them this is a good idea).
I went bowling with the IT group on Tuesday which was a ton of fun. It was so weird to finally put names to faces of people I've worked closely with in the last couple years! Here are some funny pictures:
I haven't had a bad meal so far, although I've been super super cautious. I look at the number of people already in the restaurant (if it's busier, I think the food is probably better) and the menu before I walk in. But part of it is that I've gone to restaurants that Claude and Tina have recommended, have just gone to the grocery store for ready-made sandwiches, or have eaten lunch at the canteen at STC.
Went out on Thursday night with Nicholas, Lauren, and two of Nicholas's friends and got t-r-a-s-h-e-d. We went out on the Brighton Pier to a bar for beer and then I had my first try of Pimms (yum!), back on the Seafront to a Chinese restaurant where we beer and sake with dinner, and then out to the Honey Club (it's on wikipedia... weird) on the seafront. I was so hungover the next morning, I passed out on the couch in the HM conference room for like an hour in the morning (embarassing! oops). More funny pictures to come - I have to get most of them from Lauren anyway.
I would have hoped I had more control over my time and that people would leave me alone a little bit more since I am not at DTC, but in fact, it has been the opposite today. Dean asked Janice to contact me and requested a few time consuming things, and with the distance/time difference, I did not get this request in time to finish it before 5:30pm here. I ended up staying quite late. It was quite frustrating but I didn't know how to say "too bad, no I can't do it".
I think a part of the problem is that I feel bad for doing a half-ass job on certain events and projects, but the other part of me argues "I had to do it, I just couldn't get it done before leaving for STC because it is just too much work!" The second part of the problem is that the department does not exist anymore so I don't have anyone else to direct questions and inquiries to. Andy and Simon over here at HM were in awe of what kind of stress I allow them to push on me - especially since the phone keeps ringing and ringing for me and it is always more work for me to do. I'm not answering the phone anymore, forget it.
Anyyyyway, separate from the bitter side of me.... I went out to lunch with the Harrington McDermott team on Tuesday afternoon(!!!!!!) They're such a great group of guys, I am so excited to be here working with them! They are what I imagined and more: super talented, witty people, strategic planners, and kick ass!
I had a long chat with James before lunch and during our walk to the restaurant about my possible future at HM and about how things are going in the US. He was very keen to the idea of having me work for HM from now on, separate from Ricardo (which was my hidden agenda to bring this up) but he said there are a lot of complications regarding visas, work permits, and how that affects taxes. But he did say there is a good possibility. One particular concern he had was that he felt Ricardo may have a really bad reaction to the situation if I take everything Ricardo has invested in me and go to HM, which I have a hard time wrapping my head around because I'll be really working for them no matter who signs my checks at the end of the day. More to come about this. I'm not leaving until we get a little closer to a decision (aka I'm not leaving until I've had a chance to convince them this is a good idea).
I went bowling with the IT group on Tuesday which was a ton of fun. It was so weird to finally put names to faces of people I've worked closely with in the last couple years! Here are some funny pictures:
I haven't had a bad meal so far, although I've been super super cautious. I look at the number of people already in the restaurant (if it's busier, I think the food is probably better) and the menu before I walk in. But part of it is that I've gone to restaurants that Claude and Tina have recommended, have just gone to the grocery store for ready-made sandwiches, or have eaten lunch at the canteen at STC. Went out on Thursday night with Nicholas, Lauren, and two of Nicholas's friends and got t-r-a-s-h-e-d. We went out on the Brighton Pier to a bar for beer and then I had my first try of Pimms (yum!), back on the Seafront to a Chinese restaurant where we beer and sake with dinner, and then out to the Honey Club (it's on wikipedia... weird) on the seafront. I was so hungover the next morning, I passed out on the couch in the HM conference room for like an hour in the morning (embarassing! oops). More funny pictures to come - I have to get most of them from Lauren anyway.
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