miclason's Personal Finance Blog

yes, inventorIES....I've taken inventory of everything that I was responsible for, including equipment (multimedia projectors, video cameras, projection screens, etc) and training materials (listed all materials on hand, and made a special printing guide for some materials, like the ones that need to be printed in color, or bound, or laminated!)...

believe it or not, a projector had been "abandoned" in one of the meeting rooms!Since this happens so often, I want to have all 3 on hand tomorrow when I say good-bye to my boss, so he KNOWS I handed them in before leaving...no misunderstandings there! (these are $2k each!)

I have also started removing my personal stuff, starting on Monday this week, so there really isn't much left...I have been sending emails like crazy with all these attachments on how to manage all house expenses (7 houses!) and how to handle the logistics for training...so I feel a bit overloaded....I have been leaving work at around 7:00-7:30 every night...tonight is an exception because I have to go pick up Ale and I know she can't reasonably be expected to behave at my office for more than 1 hour!! ...so, I'm guessing I'll have to come earlier tomorrow, if I want to leave before 6 on my last day!

Only about a 100 times, I think!...
well, my best friend called yesterday because they need some translations at the place she works. I quoted her $570 (it is about 40 pages)...since it's over %500, she has to get two more quotes...so, now I'm waiting to see if I will be the one to get the assignment or whether someone else will give her a better offer ...I hate waiting!!!...it would be SO great to get it!!

sold some toys and my share (of profit) is $49! woo-hoo!!

I thought I had 9 vacation days remaining and, according to the HR system I have -2?? meaning I have taken 2 days MORE than I was entitled to??...NO!...so, I wrote to them to try to clarify it....I mean, I want to be PAID for those 9 days -as per local law!

just a reminder

I'm trying to do my day-to-day tasks while filing/throwing away everything that I should have filed/thrown away in the past 3 years, but didn't!! and, whose fault is THAT? mine and mine alone, really!) ...also, I'm trying to write out the programmable admin tasks for April and May, so that things are at least half-controlled once I leave (not really "required", but I know it's expected!)...there's a major training in April and, things should have been ready by April 5th, so now I'm trying to have everything set up by March 30th...that will give the other admin about 17 days before she actually has to take 100% charge of the training logistics (believe me, that is supposed to be an "extra 10% activity", which somehow ends up being a full time job for at least 2 weeks!)...I'm also in charge of a pilot test for the new purchasing process, which started this monday....so I'll also have to leave instructions for that...so far, I've managed to list (most) of the tasks for April...but, this is the "programmable" ones, meaning the ones I KNOW when/how will hit me...there are also the many odds and ends that I take care of....needless to say, I'm feeling the stress!!!...(the only good thing about that is it DEFINETELY offsets any sadness I might feel about leaving...it actually makes me want to run away!!LOL!)

well, it's official, I am starting my new job on April 2nd...yay!!!...Part of me is really excited...of course, part of me is sad to be leaving my "children"...
one of my bosses made me cry yesterday (the one that has helped me with Ale's school)...he made sad puppy eyes at me when he said "I'm so happy for you"...

I'm also a bit mad at the other admin, because she is indignant that "they don't care" ("they" being our bosses)...and, I know that is not the case...but, I cannot tell her because obviously I cannot tell her about the 1001 ways in which they have proven their appreciation to me (plus, that would probably just make matters worse!)...oh, I need to let that go, I cannot really do anything about it...

So, I have two weeks to clean my desk and finish any pending tasks...also to bring the other admin up to speed on my tasks/responsibilities...OUCH!...she's going nuts as it is with all the travel arrangements not only for our unit (22 people) but for 2 sets of consultant teams (6 and 4 people, respectively), plus all the travel arrangements for people that are coming for interviews... It would be simple enough if people would make up their minds as to what they want....she hasn't been in the best of moods lately and, I guess the perspective of dealing with all the admin stuff on her own is not too appealing...

well, my taxes have been filed and supposedly I should be getting $173.00 before May...which is fortunate because I have to pay for Ale's school books in May, and they cost $200...so, now I need a 3 page translation to cover the rest!...

We're frying!...it has been so hot this past weekend, that the fans have been on 24/7...and I still got a migraine from the heat!...and yesterday none of us could sleep...except Ale, who totally "disconnects" herself at night...and to think rainy season officially starts in May...and we may not even get scattered showers before mid-April....

well, we had our bi-monthly meeting yesterday and, sure enough, they casually mentioned that the rules of the game will soon be changing when it comes to our monthly bonus (based on X index on performance, which has been constantly achieved for the last 3-5 years, and which has meant a monthly bonus of $120 for all employees...the bonus will soon be based on Y index, which is consistently lower than target...those $120 could very easily go down to $30 or less per month!)...I mean, it makes sense, the idea is to make everyone work towards improving Y index, but...O U C H!

They didn't announce a date for it, so it might still be a couple of months away, but, at least WE get a heads up....other areas will be hit without warning!

between re-locating my files to fit the stuff for the office supply pilot test, and trying to catch up on 1 week of backlogged work at the same time, and running around to get all the info/tests I needed to deliver to the emb assy, I'm going nuts!...now, the space allocated for the office supplies is really not enough, so I have to re-locate my training materials (of which I shouldn't have as many as I do, but, one of our managers left recently and he found about 10 manuals and other odds and ends in his desk when cleaning up...all of which landed magically on my already cluttered desk!!)...the good news is: I already found the perfect filing cabinet for my materials...except currently it's full of old materials (we use to print a copy of everything for the trainers...we then decided it was way too much effort and now we upload it and have them download it into their laptops...and each downloads whatever modules s/he's teaching!)...we also have a longer session(2 days vs 1/2 day) to review all materials with them, to decide which materials need changing BEFORE they are printed!...
AND, I have to schedule the trainings for this year in my calendar and a reminder to send the purchase order to the printers 3 weeks in advance! (If I do leave, I would then just forward these "appointments" to the person in charge of trainings and then s/he can do it or, forward it to the next victim, er, admin assistant to take my place)...well, gotta go!

...because of my performance during the workshop, the Director of logistics has requested my resume and asked my boss (VP) whether he had ever thought of recommending me for a higher position in the company...

Oh, well, it is nice to be wanted!

I like to keep a stock of toys for b-days Ale might get invited to....but, lately she's had lots...and all boys!...so, I have about 4-6 toys for girls which I CAN'T use!...so I need to buy some toys for boys...(I ran out of the "unisex" ones a long time ago!...mostly puzzles, building blocks, coloring books...)

((sigh)) time to go downtown again!

The workshop was very interesting...for one thing, I realized just how much effort is put into the procure to payment process at the company....and I also learned just how badly I mess things up for other people when I try to speed up things for my unit...oops!....

At the very beginning of the workshop my boss (VP) told the whole group that hierarchies (sp?) had to be put aside for this workshop and not to dismiss anyone´s input...(this was directed to our Logistics Director, who, naturally, is the designated leader of this project, because she tends to do that...she´ll only listen to people with titles of Director or above!)...anyway...we went through the workshop and, when we finally agreed on what the new process would be, we were supposed to present our case to a senior panel (CFO, VP of contrallory and VP of strategic development)...Most of us volunteered to present, and I ended up in charge of explaining our Current Si tuation map....as I was taught at school: forget the fancy language, keep it flowing, make occasional eye-contact and try to read body language to see if you should explain or if your audience is "buying"....it went pretty well...my bosses (Director and Manager) even congratulated me...that was nice!...I also presented the Expected Benefit on the final day of the workshop and, again, they said very impressed...now, for some strange reason, the part I DIDN´t like was when A (manager) said to me that they were amazed at the value that i had added to the workshop and the clarity of thought that I exhibited....so, I´ve been working with them for the past 3 years and they never noticed that before???...I´m trying to think it´s only that our day to day doesn´t really showcase it as well as a structured workshop might!...

Oh, well, in the end, I got praised and, even if I end up leaving the company, I can see the results of this workshop and its implementation as my "legacy" to the company! (they asked me to run a pilot test in our area, starting March 1st!)

just jotting it down so I don´t forget!

the good news is: I'm the chosen candidate for the open position!!! yay!....


the bad news is: they take my current salary, without the $120/month bonus, as the basis for their salary negotioation!!... me no like!

Oh, well, I guess I have to wait until I hear from them again - if I ever make it out of the Ac celerated Improve ment W orkshop...we seem to be working from 8 through 6:30 every day...and, just to give you an idea, our morning break today was at 11:50am....and lunch was served at 1:00pm!)...more on that tomorrow, as it has been a very interesting experience and definetely worth blogging about!

Ale told me yesterday that she wants her first job to be at a pupuseria...nanny has taught her how to make pupusas and, today Ale taught ME! (no, I had never done it before!)...she then asked me if the people that make pupusas make good money...I told her not the employees, but, maybe the restaurant owners...there´s a lady here that´s famous because she started selling on the side of the road and now has 3 or large restaurants, and they´re ALWAYS packed!

my boss got a phone call, as did one of my good friends (with whom I've also worked!)...YAY!!

I'm supposed to be attending a workshop for that accelerated improvement thing next week, and, they just sent an email informing that lunch will be provided...yay!..that'll save me about $1.50-$5.00!...let[s say $1.50, which is the minimum I would save, bringing my lunch from home every day but buying $0.30 beverages!)...Now, the reason I'm writing free in quotations is this:

"modo que evitemos largas interrupciones y podamos aprovechar mejor el tiempo como equipo. La hora del almuerzo y los breaks siempre será flexible dependiendo del progreso alcanzado y la opinión del grupo"

(so as to avoid long interruptions and so we can make better use of our time as a team. Lunch and break schedules will be flexible depending on our progress for the day and the group's opinion)

I think I better pack some migraine pills!

I meant to post about it yesterday, but, by the time I was done with the interview and the English class at our "adopted" school it was already 1:45pm and, I was supposed to leave the office at 2:00 to go to the Decameron for the training logistics thing...

I feel the interview went rather well...we laughed a lot and I think they got a good impression...
First they asked me if we could speak in English and if I were to rate my English would I say it was good?...they asked me about my past work experience, why I wanted to leave my current position...I think the clincher was when they asked me "what about creative problem-solving?" I just told them, well, modesty aside, people come to me and they say: I want to ask this from you because I know that if you don't have it, you'll know where to get it and, if you cannot get it, you'll make something up and find a way to substitute it...(which is true!)...

And, as I said, we did laugh a lot together, so they know I'm fun to be with!...I feel that I really connected with all 4 interviewers, and that I would be a great fit for this office...it's just a matter of them deciding whether I am the right candidate for the position and, of determining whether "the price is right"....considering not only salary, but also additional benefits, of course!

they mentioned that the office will be small and that somedays there will only be boring tasks...--I just spent half a week making photocopies! Every job has "its moments"--...

We'll see...I keep trusting that G-d will know what is best for me and either keep me here or send me somewhere else, accordingly! ....

it's 10:18 am and I'm supposed to leave at 10:45am for my interview!!!!!

The question took me completely by surprise!...I was just paying Ale's school and, since it was already 3:00pm, I popped in to say "Hi!" to her...and one of her classmates just shot it: Ar you poor?...No, why?...Alejandra said you were....Oh? well, we may not have money for luxuries but we sure aren't poor...

I guess I need to have a talk with Ale about this....I mean, how did she get this distorted view? we live in a small house in the wealthiest municipality in the country (true, it's not ours, it's a rental, and we share a household, but, still!)...we have a car, we have a nanny...and, while we don't have money to splurge, Ale can't exactly complain of NOT having "stuff"...as a matter of fact, she's the one that gets the most "stuff" at home...

I don't know, maybe kids have been talking about trips and cable and ipods and Xboxes???....I know for a fact that there are 3 kids in her class that have cellphones (?!...why would one give a cell phone to a 6 year old??!!)...and I know most of them have cable...Ale has also been asking whether only parents are allowed to have TV's in their rooms or whether some children have TV's of their own...Again, even if I HAD the money, I doubt it I'd want Ale to have her own "dumb box" in her room...

my sister´s best friend´s mom is here for a visit...after 26 years!...we three sat in our living room yesterday afternoon and just chatted and chatted and chatted...of love, life, death and everything in between...it´s funny because she remembers us as children, and we remember her as "a grown up" and, at this stage of our lives, we are just "women" and I guess we understand each other a lot better than we ever did!...

She brought as all presents...a nice outfit for Ale, a pencil case for her pencils, and a watch....

some outfits for sis (I still haven´t seen them) and niece and, even some for me! ...so now I have two new blouses that fit perfectly and pants, which I need to fix (not surprising, sis and I are always doing this, becuase we are short, all our pants have to be adjusted!)...they´re nice leisure clothes...which is an extra luxury for me!

...still, I´m $25 short to make it to next payday (Feb 15!)....I think I can collect that from here to Tuesday!...we´ll see!

I just read the news this morning, ES tax forms have changed!...rats! ....just when I was starting to understand the old ones!...oh, well, I hope the changes are for the best and will make things easier!... (I already printed the explanation off the local newspaper site!)...in the meantime, I cannot even start thinking about doing my taxes because the company hasn't given us our tax retention letters...

I forwarded the news to our payroll dept!...(it was during our lunch break, so it should be OK!) :P

I just got a call from the Embas-sy...I'm excited!...the only problem is I need someone to take over my English class at the school we have adopted....need to go look at the schedule...
I'm also supposed to go to the training which is at a resort 2 hours away from the city, but, as long as I'm there before 6pm, there will be no problem!...

wish me luck!

the lasagna nanny made yesterday was such a hit, there were no leftovers!!!...and, there were only enough leftovers from day before yesterday to pack 1 lunch: Ale's... that means I have to buy my lunch today....unless there's a Work Unit lunch and somebody decides to invite me, but, I'm not counting on it!...oh, well, I'll try to keep it as close to $2 as possible!

yes, I know, we are all individuals and that means we ARE all different...however, the mentalities of nanny's daughters really baffles me!...

Daughter #1 - the eldest who just graduated from high school has gotten a job at a bookstore...it pays minimum wage ($175) + commissions (so, now I will have to switch from buying at the branch in mall X to mall Y, but that's ok, they're both close to my office!)...anyway, she wants the money to pay for her university, as she wants to become an engineer....

Daughter #2 - the one that had a baby at 14...is currently going to night school to get her high school diploma...working as a maid, making $30/week...she wanted my cousin to take a credit line (in cousin's name) so that she (Daughter #2) can get a 25" or 27" TV...never mind that the family already owns a 17" TV, but has no refrigerator...

Now, nanny herself would never even think about asking me to get a credit line in my name to buy something for herself...at most, she asks me for small "loans (rather, advancements on her payment, which I discount in smaller amounts...she never asks for more than $50 and, I discount it by $5/week, for example)...

Now, I know that having gone through High school instead of quitting after 9th grade - the way she originally wanted - changed Daughter #1's outlook on life and of her own potential, but, still...you'd think having a baby would have made Daughter #2 more responsible with money...

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Daughter #3 will turn out! (she's 12!)

I want to make her something nice for Valentine's...she always makes me nice presents, just because, and I thought it would be nice to give her something, as I know she's not expecting it! ...

finally! one of our local brands has started producing wholewheat pasta!...only spaghetti so far, but it's a start!...before, you could only get it imported (= EXPENSIVE!!!)...now you can get it at prices only slightly higher than normal! ...I bought a pack, and convinced the family of at least giving it a try!!...Ale liked it, sis and niece still haven't tried it!