I just got laid….off

Not only did I get laid off but I just wrote this post and then it got erased and it is just never as good the second time but here goes.

This will be my second layoff twice in less than a year but as I was saying, I am still trying to find my Golden Job so perhaps this will make way for that. I still have to believe that things happen for a reason despite the terrible things that happen in the world. It is either because it sounds nice or because without it the opposite would be true. The outlook that there is no plan and we are all just pushing by in some mundane life with no actual purpose is just not a school of thought that I can stomach. So for now lets get out those bright eyes and bushy tails (I seem to have a lot of those in my closet) and see what chapter will unravel next.

I was recently on Maybe island for a friends birthday. I think I developed somewhat of a life plan and figured out some changes to make in my life but more inspiring was the intention card I pulled. It basically told me I was about to awaken to my life’s path. This is great news as I feel I have been running into trees and some heavy bush while doing some off roading trying to find this path. Now don’t get me wrong, I seem to be quite resilient, the 4×4 of people (but I use and produce less gas I hope), but it would be nice for things to be a little easier for a change. Here are my demands for now.

1. To find a great job
2. No one around me can be sick or injured for at least a year
3. My debts will get paid
4. Love will be much less complicated for me
5. My friends and family will continue to be as great as they always are
6. I will travel

I don’t think that is unreasonable. Alright life’s path, lets see what you have in store. I will catch you on the flip side.

Reverse RRSPs

Yes RRSP’s are important, yes we should prepare for our future but as a follower of the “immediate gratification” method, I would like to enjoy my RRSPs now. When I retire I will likely have squeaky joints, my stomach will be too sensitive to enjoy exotic foreign food and the seats on the plane will hurt my hips and back. I will complain and hurt and have an upset stomach and I won’t be able to enjoy things like I can now. Right now I can sleep on an uncomfortable bed without truly suffering. I can handle foreign food and don’t mind getting stuck in the rain or not knowing where I am or what the next day will bring. I love adventures, in fact I like for them. I enjoy sun sets and listening to foreign languages or seeing new animals. I don’t have children or grand-children so I don’t have to feel guilty about spending my own money. Am I supposed to use my RRSP’s when I am older to pay for my offspring’s tuition or their houses or bail them out during financially troubling times? That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.
I would rather spend that time at a desk when sitting makes me happy and I don’t feel like I am missing out on the world. But for now I would like to spend my retirement savings, I would like my reverse RRSP’s please. I want to see the world. I want to learn new things and experience new cultures. I want to take pictures and keep my memories forever.
So world, where do I sign up? Who wants to give me my reverse RRSPs? I guess future Naomi might not be all that happy with this decision but immediate gratification Naomi thinks it’s a great idea. Immediate gratification Naomi is also the one who maxes out credit cards for future Naomi to deal with. It’s a fine balance to both prepare for the future and live each day as if it were your last. So many conflicting life theories, what is a girl to do? I guess one can only hope that somehow it all balances out. Perhaps that is why I think working for an airlines is the perfect solution, of course winning the lottery or finding some secret hidden inheritance are a close second. So go, live your life, spend your RRSPs now!

You put the D in Degree (that’s a failling grade)

You are born, you play, you go to school, you graduate, you go to school some more, you graduate, your told you need more school, you go, you graduate. Then you get a career “oh wow you think, no more school no more homework, I can start my life, I will be fulfilled, I will be happy I won’t have to stress.” The only problem is that while in school and having been told you need to go to school, you think upon graduating you will pay your dues and then be handed the Golden Job. The one that fits you, the one in which you have the potential to earn what you think you deserve, the one in which you jive with your coworkers and are excited at least 3 days a week to go to work ( I mean let’s not be too unrealistic with 5 days a week).

You think your employer will value your opinion and recognize your strengths. I mean why else did you learn to write marketing plans and do SWOT analyses. Why else did you have billionaires come and tell you their success stories and hand you brochures about private jets. Why else did you run up to Clive Beddoe and hand him your resume to show that well maybe you have the gumption maybe you take the initiate, maybe you are different.

But if you aren’t? That is where I am at. I have had a few “careers” since graduating and I am forever on the hunt for my Golden Job but is this idea not based in reality? Do I need to accept the fact that people go to work to make money and not to be fulfilled? That many people waste their potential at their job? I have been working professionally for 4 years (not including my 1 year of coop or the many jobs I had in high school), I have worked for 4 different companies and I have yet to find my Golden Job. I am a bit of an optimist (usually anyways) and so I truly believe that people should be happy at their work. I have friends that love or at least like what they do but then I watch movies like “A gentleman and an officer” and the women work on an assembly line and while they may not be fulfilled, they accept their fate, although actually they are just waiting to marry pilots and get out of their rut.

I always thought that I was self-sufficient, able to make my own destiny (I of course include a prince charming in my future but I wanted to be sending e-mails and organizing events on the back of my white horse). In school they gave us ideas of grandeur (I would like to think that they are not quite delusions but ask me in 20 years). Perhaps this is why people think my generation is deluded into thinking this Golden Job exists but why else would I agree to owe the government student loan payments for perhaps the rest of my life unless I thought it would pay off. Do I need to go and rack up more debt to get another degree, do I need to take the plunge and start my own company or is that Golden Job really somewhere out there still? How do I find it and do I risk my resume looking horribly disjointed along the way?

A new job, a new chapter

I am perhaps being somewhat presumptuous on this post but as my second interview just went really well, I feel I will have a job by the end of the day. I may delay pressing publish on this just in case but I thought I would start writing it ahead of time. Disclaimers aside, I should be working for a company that distributes beer, wine and spirits by mid next week. This is obviously a product I can relate to and I hear I even get a wine allowance which will make me a hit with my friends I am sure.

I never lost faith throughout my 6 month job finding process. I could have called it my 6 months of unemployment but I feel the prior description is slightly more positive. This is likely the longest I have gone without a job since I was 13. Dairy Queen started my work ethic off right and it has been jobs and school since then. In fact I had been so busy that there were two things I was missing, travel and a handsome prince. Those two came in a very nice package so a job was the thing missing for the last 6 months. I managed however to keep my chin up and fill my time appropriately. People kept worrying that I would get depressed but like an excited puppy dog, with each new possibility I perked right up. I actually didn’t have that much rejection. In fact two jobs I interviewed for said they had decided not to proceed with the position or the training had been delayed till the summer. The worst process I had was when I sat through 5 interviews, submitted a personality profile and had to write a written assessment of the company’s website…which by the way, not to toot my own horn, was fantastic.

The company that hired me had a phone screening and two in person interviews, much more acceptable. The director of marketing (marketing is what I do), seems amazing. She is communicative, positive and intelligent. Those in conjunction with a wine allowance makes this position seem ideal for me. I will become a commuter which I have never had to do but it is only to Richmond. I was actually interviewing for another position (they are still deliberating on who they will hire) that was out in Burnaby so driving to Richmond doesn’t seem so bad. Also my little Honda Fit is amazing on gas and I do enjoy my music before and after a full day of work. Heat and A/C is also a plus. This is the first newer car I have owned (it’s a 2007) so the excitement resurfaces every so often. My first car was an “86 Toyota Corolla and although reliable, it didn’t have power steering, A/C or a great many other amenities which I may now take for granted….power locks and keyless entry being two of my favorites. Next step heated seats and a sun roof but one step at a time.

So back to my job search. I was fortunate enough to have been on EI, something I had been paying into for 14 years. This allowed me to be somewhat picky with my job search. I was definitely looking for a company I could be with long term. I made the unfortunate mistake of leaving my other job to go to a company which went under within about 4 months of me being there. I take no responsibility for google’s algorithm decision so the heat isn’t on me for their sudden and severe traffic drop thankfully. After that I decided I was looking for a marketing job with a company who had a product I enjoyed or supported and the great thing about this one is that it is recession proof. In fact I wonder if it doesn’t do better in a recession Not that I support people drinking depressants during tough times but I get the “wine will fix it” mentality. I prefer to follow the drink when you are happy to make you happier stance. I also am far from a daily drinker, I like to have it as a treat or for a night out.

As I sit here knowing that my references are being called and waiting for the confirmation call myself, or so I hope. I am excited for my new chapter. I have been telling so many people that I can do this that and the other if I get a job soon. So far I am on the hook for a bachelorette party in Las Vegas, a few dinners and a trip to Victoria. I may also treat myself to a little shopping although looking at this list I may already need a second job So with that, I sit here with bated breath and a message that if you are persistent, find what you are looking for and go after it…you too may wind up with a wine allowance, or whatever it was that you were looking for. I guess experience, a good personality, interviewing experience and a decent resume is also important. So thanks life experience, work ethic, parents and friends for that. Is it time to press publish yet?

South America – but you may need a map for this one

Once upon a time a girl met a boy and thought he was quite a handsome prince, it was however 3:00am and she had had a few beverages but none the less she hoped that he would court her. They exchanged pleasantries and had a first date. The girl knew that the handsome prince would soon return to France so she had to work her charm enough to make him fall for her and invite her to Paris. She did and he indeed invited her. From there their courting and traveling continued. Of course the distance and their sometimes clashing personalities created a few break ups and hick ups along the way but never the less their romance continued. Although they once compared their love to a K-Car on fire just trying to get across the Mexican border, they decided that this year was the year of the Cadillac. Here is an account of how their 2011 ended and their 2012 began. Grab a map, find some Sao To soup if you are lucky enough to find some and learn about the lesser known countries of South America.

After a bit of a flightmare, I arrived in Paramaribo which is the capital of the South American country Suriname. It was once a Dutch run country and as such that is their national language but most people speak English and the signage and menus often have English as well. The hardest part about a long distance relationship is not seeing someone for long periods of time. The best part about it is the moment you see them and the butterflies in your stomach that come before that moment. There he was standing in the dark, hot, humid area on the other side of the fence that surrounds the airport. His handsome face, his bashful smile, a few drops of perspiration, the butterflies were in full force. I tried to find where the fence ended and sped up my pace. We walked separated by that fence for what seemed like forever but it was likely under a minute. After a romantic embrace, we got in a cab and drove to the Marriott (we remembered this by calling it the Marry it although getting it confused with the Sheraton didn’t help as that can be the Share-it-on).

The view from our Marriott hotel room

The hotel was very Western although they had a much more laid back demeanor than North American hotels and by that I mean when we ordered food, they were in no hurry to bring it out. We waited 2 hours at the pool one day and when I finally asked them about it, they simply said that it was on its way. In Canada if you said you had been waiting for two hours for food, you would get a gift certificate and the meal for free but when you are relaxing by a pool, despite the hunger factor you aren’t really very angry. We found a restaurant/bar called the T’vat and it had this amazing Sao To soup which we both fell in love with. If anyone makes this in Vancouver, I will be a very loyal customer. They had their own currency of Surinamese Dollars (about 3:1 for U.S./Canadian Currency) but they took Euros and U.S. dollars too.
The pool at the Marriott

Me and the boys at the T’vat

This city was known for their fireworks. They went off every night and on New Years Eve they went off during the day and well into the night. At one point we could see about 30 fireworks displays and hear a few others. We decided to continue our tradition of drinking champagne and watching fireworks in a place starting with S. Last year was San Francisco, this year was Suriname. It was no Dom but we bought some Martini champagne and sat in plastic chairs by the edge of the river. We had our own countdown as no one else seemed to be doing it and in fact we had heard that most people go home for midnight and then go back out after.

We went back to our new hotel, the Sheva hotel, as all the others were full for New Years. This hotel was lovely as well. It was a boutique hotel so much smaller then the Marriott but it had marble floors (even in the hotel rooms) and a beautiful lobby with chandeliers. The T.V. channels were not as Western as the Marriott but on vacation, that was not really a concern. We are still not sure why this hotel was available as we had heard that people were having trouble finding anywhere to stay, but we did not ask questions despite the close proximity to our other hotel, beautiful room and indoor pool. I am of two minds, the hotel was either a drug front or they were terrible at marketing but either way I would consider it a win.
The Sheva hotel

The next day began the “amazing race” of crossing to another country. We bartered with a few cab drivers to take us to the border. Most people use share taxis as it is quite costly otherwise. We found a cab driver willing to do it for $500 Surinamese Dollars, most others wouldn’t do it for less then $600 but perhaps this one had forgotten how far it was or was just a little more hard up for cash. The gas alone was about $100 so his profit of $400 over the 4 hours each way drive was maybe a little harsh but alas. We drove along some pretty bumpy roads to arrive at a river with wooden canoe like boats with motors. Apparently, this was the border. Sketchy as it was, we got into the boat and crossed to a place called St. Laurent de Meroni. We were know in the French Colony called French Guiana. We couldn’t find a taxi for the final stretch so instead we stayed in a hotel. I saw my first disgusting cockroach, made my prince “take care of it” and off to sleep we went or at least after a quick order from a Chinese restaurant. I would call it a hole in the wall but it was more like a store front behind metal bars. I think the city was perhaps not the safest but no one messed with myself or my army man/bodyguard.
Adam in the boat that took us across the river/border

The next day we crossed over to Kourou where we would stay on the military base in a bungalow. It was great to see my handsome prince’s humble abode. Tanks, a pool, a large gate, barbed wire and many tattooed military men were the sights that I saw. The area near the base was very nice. A large super market, a McDonalds, a few nice cafes and shops and of course a Chinese convenience store and internet cafe. We seem to eat Chinese food wherever we go and then laugh that we can reference having had it in so many countries. Oostende in Belgium remains my favorite thus far.
The base

View of the city from a cafe in Kourou

We wondered the town in what I called a 5 hour death march as I sustained a little dehydration and a bad sun burn from which I am still peeling. But it was nice to see the city and go to the beach. It was my first time dipping a foot in the Atlantic. We had hoped to go to Devil’s island but as it turns out, the city is pretty void of taxis so that plan fell through. Adam says it’s good to keep you wanting more although I am not sure if I would again fly two days to see an old penal colony. You never know though as it is pretty clear that both him and I would do anything for each other, and yes I am of course glossing over the bad times but that even during those I think that statement rings true.
Adam at the beach

We saw the space station there which aside from the gold mines, is what France invests most of its money in. The military does a lot of security for shuttle launches there so Adam was pretty familiar with it. After a few days there it was time to go to Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana which was where I would be flying home from. We found a decent enough hotel (no cockroaches) and found a great restaurant called Hippopotamus (pronounced of course with a French accent) and explored the city a little. It was a bit rough around the edges and many cockroaches scurried at night in the streets which are apparently a strong element on my happiness meter. The palm trees made me happy though…I guess they would fall on the other more positive end of my happiness meter.

Our last morning was spent laughing a lot, mostly about salami, and enjoying each others’ company. Then it was off to the airport where if you read my last post is where things got real. We spent our last moments together calling airlines and travel agencies to get me on the flight that we had paid for but Delta had accidentally deleted my ticket when re-issuing my itinerary. A quick goodbye and I began my 36 hour travel home. Was it worth it? Hell yeah. Would I do it again? You bet. Do I miss my handsome prince? So much it hurts. Am I excited for our next adventure? I think the year of the Cadillac will be great.

Delta was my dirty feathered chicken wings

I promise to follow this post with a more positive account of the amazing trip I had to South America but as the flights turned into a nightmare, I am gonna start with an account of that.

I was bright eyed and bushy tailed as I began what was supposed to be a 20 hour journey to French Guiana. I arrived at the airport early to find that my first of 6 flights had been delayed. United Airlines assured me I would make my connecting flights, in fact they assured me a second time when the hour delay turned into an hour and 30 minute delay that I would “even have time for coffee.” I boarded my flight ate my stuffing in a bag I had packed, yes it was Christmas day and I was gonna have me some stuffing. When we landed the flight attendant’s had us all wait for people making a connecting flight for Australia and I thought that as they hadn’t mentioned me, I was fine. I decided to run to the connecting flight with the hopes that I could maybe catch some food to bring on the flight. Times are tough these days and even on a 6 hour flight apparently they don’t feed you anymore, thus the previous packed bag of stuffing. Upon reaching the Delta airlines desk I was greeted by a very nice representative who ushered me to the kiosk. I informed her that it was better to talk to an actual person as I had 5 more flights and likely the kiosk wouldn’t work well. We went through the process and then it prompted me to talk to a representative. Apparently in the two minutes we had spent at the kiosk they had cut off check in. So there I was in L.A., the first leg of my travel and already things were spiraling down.

The representative at the desk was nice and helpful enough (or so I thought, but that will come later). He told me I could get to French Guiana on the 28th…for those of you paying attention that was 3 days from then and I would have to spend the night alone in Guadalupe. For someone traveling 2 days for an 11 day vacation I was not prepared to turn that into a 3 day travel for a 9 day vacation. I asked for other options and was told I could get to Suriname just 6 hours later then my original arrival time in French Guiana. That seemed good enough for me so I started the long distance phone calls to my boyfriend to see if he could meet me there. After a few panicked messages he finally answered and told me not to worry, it would take him a day to get there but it could be done. After putting the fear of day into me by telling me not to show fear, hide name brands, not talk to anyone and not go anywhere alone in Suriname, the representatives gave me my new ticket and I headed for a hotel that my friend was nice enough to book because guess what, the United desk was closed and there was no one there to issue me vouchers for food or accomodation. The Delta representatives stressed the importance of finding my luggage as it would not get sent down if I did not re-check it. I went to the United Baggage check and it was not there. I went to the Delta Baggage check and it was also not there. I was told to check the Air France baggage check but alas, it was closed. No bag, no hotel or food offered. I crankily set off to sleep for 4 hours before my 5:00am check in.

A day later, I arrived half eyed and kicked in the tail but I arrived none the less. Suriname airways even fed me which was a very pleasant surprise. In fact for an airlines I had never heard of, they were fantastic. None of that crappy United and Delta business. You will find out why Delta was horrible in a moment, don’t fret. I mean assuming you haven’t already experienced it for yourself. There was my lovely boyfriend waiting for me and the soon to follow post will fill you in on the greatness that was our trip.

After traveling from Suriname to French Guiana in a 4 hour taxi to a canoe with a motor, spending the night in a hotel with a giant cockroach and then taking another 3 hour taxi the next day, we finally arrived at the intended destination. The trip was lovely and it when it was time to go to the airport in Cayenne, we took another 3 hour taxi ride. We spent the night and went off to the airport the next day. LUCKILY we arrived early because guess what, when Delta had changed the itinerary THEY DELETED MY TICKET FROM CAYENNE. I was informed that I had a ticket from Guadalupe on but as I was not in Guadalupe, that was not especially helpful. I was told I would have to buy the ticket for $700. As someone who doesn’t budget an extra $700 for the end of a vacation I tried to call Delta BECAUSE IN CASE YOU FORGOT THEY HAD EFFING DELETED MY TICKET. The number didn’t work from French Guiana. Luckily I was able to contact cheaptickets.com who I had originally booked all my tickets through and despite a very lengthy and costly phone call, they were able to reinstate the ticket.

I got back and sent my e-mails asking for compensation. Either for the lost luggage, the phone bills or the food I had to buy whilst stuck in L.A. for 8 hours. Guess what no one cared. Delta offered me a $100 travel voucher, which after a $25 luggage check in fee can get me…umm NOWHERE. It is like ordering chicken wings, having them arrive with feathers and being given a gift card for 25% off your next order of feathered chicken wings, DELTA IS MY FEATHERED CHICKEN WINGS! To you Delta I say good day sir and I do not tip my hat to you. For my troubles, Air France upgraded me on my way home and they hadn’t even done anything wrong. Or maybe it was the cheaptickets person who was able to do that. It would seem that those who did not make mistakes were helpful and those who did tried to hide behind a crappy poor service policy. Like a child who pees on the floor and then draws you a poorly drawn flower to make up for it. Okay analogies and post over but I think you can get the gist on this one.

Update: Delta has decided to pay for my phone bill, and to think it only took 4 heavily worded e-mails. United has stated that there is nothing they can do so I will have to work on them. My luggage was supposed to reach me already through United but I have heard it is in Denver although I have come to think United may have no idea what is going on and it may in fact have arrived here. I will be happy when this is all over and done with but as both Adam and my mom say “in 5 years will you even remember any of this?” I do tend to hold grudges though so I just might

Lets put the N in winning!

Another week, another interview. Somehow this world of endless interviews and applications hasn’t managed to hinder my spirits and I am yet again excited at the prospect of working for someone. I’ll give you a few clues as to who it is. You can’t go anywhere in Vancouver without seeing his name. It could be a car dealer, a billboard, a store, a media company…he owns many of them. He started his first car dealership in 1961 and has the 3rd largest company in Canada…well if it isn’t our good friend Jim Pattison and I’d be doing marketing for his fleet leasing company.

My portfolio is out, my blazer is dry cleaned and my chariot awaits me next week (and by chariot I mean my wee little blue Honda fit). If all else fails and I don’t get it, the good news is I have a vacation to look forward to. Yes all this job hunting deserves a reward so I am flying a million hours to get to a small place they call French Guiana in South America…right next to Suriname just to make it even less obvious where it is. I only needed 5 shots to get there. Turns out shots are really expensive and hurt your arm but sitting in the travel clinic knowing I was going somewhere exotic enough to need to protect myself from yellow fever was pretty exciting.

Did I mention I have started packing and I don’t leave for 9 days…oh that reminds me, I should set the countdown app in my phone. Things are only real if there is an app for it So what will we do in Guiana? Well I plan on avoiding mosquitoes, not getting malaria, Dengue fever or traveler’s diarrhea. I want to see Devil’s island, swim in the ocean even though there are sharks – okay maybe I will stick to the pools. I want to stand in a monsoon rain, I saw them in Cuba and they are amazing. I want to have a romantic New years Eve and I want to see what the Carnival Guyanais is all about.

If they have a decent internet connection, maybe I will write a blab about it and share it with my 3 readers. Until then, wish me luck!