Paranoid clean freak

In response to my DH comment - I swear I'm not a neat freak.



Oh yes. Completely Spic and Span.

A Karin Moment

So during my quest to turn over a new leaf, I decided to continue with my already good routine of having a good breakfast - but still intending to get to work early. I made my oatmeal, took it out of the microwave, and went to go reach for the splenda.

Here's a re-enactment:

Karin reaches for Splenda, but not fully focused on the task at hand (suprise) knocks off the only glass container in the front of the cupboard (a thing of Cumin). Careening down to its certain death, she tries to utilize her cat like reflexes to catch the spice before it crashes and splatters to a zillion peices. While trying to catch it with her left had, she knocks it onto the countertop, meanwhile putting her right hand smack dab INTO her boiling hot bowl of oatmeal.

Her "cat like" reflexes cause her to THROW the bowl onto said countertop (which was full of crap from the wine party still), burn the crap out of her hand and consequently make a HUGE mess. Huge mess caused the maiden to cry for no apparant reason, and then cry some more when she discovered that there was less than one serving of oatmeal left to replace her bowl on the counter.

I'd like to state at this point that had Husband cleaned the kitchen last night like he said he would - the huge mess would have been a small mess and much, MUCH easier to clean up. Have you ever tried to get oatmeal off of toothpicks and paper? Not fun at all. He also said he would clean it Friday night and Saturday morning - trust me, he had PLENTY of opportunities - I only asked that he clean it because I spent most of last Saturday night (while he participated in activities to cause a hangover) and Sunday morning (while he laid in bed nursing said hangover) cleaning my ass off - I figured its the least he could do. This is not the case of a nagging wife here - seriously.

All that being said, I managed to make it to work on time (which in reality, is actually early for me). I ate my small serving of oatmeal and smothered aloe over my hand. Blisters are starting to form though. It hurts quite badly.

A new leaf?

Troy and I decided to make a little competition before our trip to Vegas in two weeks. Whoever loses the most weight (% of original body weight) wins.

Wins what? Well, we haven't figured that out yet. And really, it doesn't matter. I just want to win.

So I'm back on plan (as of Friday) and have decided to kick up the exercise a bit. I've never been an exercise junkie. But I suppose if you are, it works and you end up with a hard body. Personally, I can think of A MILLION other things I would like to do besides spend two hours a night in a gym - but thats probably why I'm 30 pounds overweight. I think that classifies me as obese. Ew. I'm obese!

I've found out that even though it really does suck to get up early in the morning - I do feel a lot more alert and productive at work if I work out first thing. Not like it was a sweat pouring kind of work out - 40 minutes of yoga - but it was movement and stretching, and it felt good. AND it earned me two activity points! My goal is to earn 3-4 per day. I really need to start running again - but at the present time it drives me nuts to run outside and have my nosehairs freeze. I HATE that!

One more thing.....

Troy is taking a big step in life and helping me save the world. Remember, Troy and I are complete opposites - I'm a bleeding heart liberal democrat who wants to save the world - he's a hard nosed republican with a penchant for caring for those only in his immediate circle.

We're volunterring tonight at a homeless family shelter.

http://www.alphahouse-ihn.org/

Its something I used to do a lot in college, but have fell out of it as I've grown older and more egocentric. Part of my lenten promise, instead of giving something up, is to do 3 - 4 volunteer projects during the course of lent. I wanted to get Troy involved too, so I chose this as a good intro to the homeless, something Troy hasn't had a lot of exposure to. The alpha house is really just normal people who have fallen on hard times, and are working toward rebuilding thier lives. Compeltely different than the Ann Arbor Men's homeless shelter - which is more like the "stereotype" of the homeless.

I'm quite looking forward to it!

Procrastination Station

Kind of like the conjunction junction - but a lot less productive.

I have a plethora of things to do, however, I choose to not do them and type on this blog. Such is my life. I actually think I have a mild case of SAD (seasonal affected disorder, or something like that) because I haven't seen the sun in a year. I am so lethargic and overwhelmed and such, I don't feel like doing anything.

So, my sister in law Kimmy set up a blog

http://kimberlymariekelsey.blogspot.com

Ah, to be in school again. I wish I could go back and relive the days of being incredibly fabulous, having small problems and no responsibility..........I will admit I'm insanely jealous and live vicariously through her all the time.

With all the pub they've been getting as of late with the impending Oscars - I actually think I might have to see both Aviator and Ray - which is something my inlaws have been telling me to do since they saw them. But alas, the procrastination thing gets in the way again.

Wine Party Recap

The wine and cheese extravaganza was a success this year, even though our snow storm started on the day after, which impeded some travel plans to get home......

Total attendance was approximately 37 - give or take a couple. Final wine count was 38 bottles - two more bottles than last year. Of course, they also killed 1/2 gallon of Yagermeister, a fifth of Captain Morgan AND a bottle of Boones Farm (I really don't count that as wine). I must say, it was a very good time. Most people left by 1AM or so - but the hard core peeps (i.e. some Sig Taus, my brother and Troy's sister) stayed up until the wee hours of the morning. Say, 7:00 AM or so. I think I threw away about 20 empty cans of Red Bull Sunday Morning. Hey, who says Red Bull doesn't give you wings!

I crashed out at around 4 AM, sans any Red Bull - and finally asked them (or rather told them - it IS my house) to turn down the music at about 6:30AM. I think Troy came to sleep at about 6:00AM.

My brother passed out around 1 AM, but then got up again and stayed up late. He was only drawn on after his first passing out. Very funny and creative, those face drawing artists! This is his second weekend in a row being drawn on. He should thank me though. They asked for a sharpie - I gave them eyeliner :)

Not so crabby

So, I'm over most of my crabbiness today. I guess I just get a bit overwhelmed when I have a zillion things to do. And I realize people don't follow standards because they're out to get me. Its mostly plain ol' American laziness - and I can totally relate to that!

MEXICO UPDATE
I talked to Jessica today and she said they are making some progress. They are trying to agree on a 50/50 deal - which would make sense to me :) She said the current hang up is that my salary is currently A LOT more than what the people at the lab make. DUH! I'm living in America?!?! Shouldn't that be the case? Anyway, her tone was optmistic, and she acknowledged my angst with the whole drawn out-ness of the situtation. She said it is taking longer than she anticipated......at least I'm not the only one who feels frustrated!

I know Jessica will call me as soon as she hears anything, but I still feel helpless. I made sure she knew that. I also mentioned if I don't hear from her every 10 - 14 days or so, that I will call in just to check up on things. Call it anal retentive - but even if I am a bit irritating to her because of it I just want to make sure I DO NOT loose this opportunity because they think I'm not seriously interested!

Somehow........I'm beginning to hear mariachi music in my head again......it feels good!

Incredibly Crabby Day

So, what I want to know is - WHY do we have thousands and thousands of standards, if people are just going to do whatever the hell they want to do anyway because they think they are Special and Different and thier project is much more important that all the others?!?!?!?

There is a reason why we have standards for testing and building, you know. Its the same reason why we have rulers that all have the same inches and centimeters and milimeters. If some guy made a ruler in his "inches" (because he thought his way would be better) and he said he had an 8 inch penis, it wouldn't mean a whole lot to anyone else, would it?

It also makes me angry that those that commission a lot of work (i.e. my alma matter, and large contractors) can get away with making thier own rulers because they have all the cash, and people don't want to make them angry because they all want a piece.

It makes me feel like I'm insignificant when I try to educate people and they don't listen.

*ugh* I'm having a crappy day.

Still no news.......

Sigh. Still no word on Mexico. I've called Jessica (HR person) once a week just to check up, only to hear "No update yet, as soon as I hear something I'll let you know". So I don't want to call and irratate her anymore than I already am.

I'm beginning to think I jinxed myself. It happens to me a lot in life when I get really excited about something and start talking about it - it doesn't happen. I should learn to not blab so much about stuff and just wait until it happens, instead of getting my hopes up.

ugh.

Happy Ash Wednesday!

For a very long time in my life (essentially since I graduated from college) I’ve been lost. Fallen from grace. Searching. Or maybe just lazy. In any case, I found my previously devout Catholic self suddenly angry at the Church and at organized religion in general.

I’ve forgotten why. And, per the words of my ever-so-wise mother – if you forgot, it must have been a lie. Or at least not important.

I’ve blamed everyone from the Pope to my husband for my lost faith, and realized recently that it was just me. Just my own brain questioning the details of things for no real good reason. I suppose people who believe just for the sake of believing might be on the fast track (Blessed are those who do not see and believe) – but I’m a bit more pragmatic than that.

So here we are five years later. I’m back near the church where I’ve always felt a connection, and I’m beginning to go again. Not every week and twice on Wednesday, mind you, but more often than before.

I’m not sure why I love this church so much – probably because it’s on campus and it tends to be a little more liberal than most, great music, and it has such an awesome eclectic range of parishioners – all ages, ethnicities and social background. It’s such an amazing vibe! And I adored the pastor there, Fr. Tom Firestone. He just recently left the parish, on to bigger and better things, but the new Fr. Tom is pretty darn good too. I suppose you have to be somewhat entertaining to keep the attention of students.

This afternoon, I arrive late (par for the course) so I take a seat behind the altar facing the majority of the congregation (always the last seats to be taken). I’m sitting in mass, waiting to get my forehead dirty and I look – really look – at all the people standing in front of me. They are all here for a reason. To be forgiven. They know they’re not perfect. The church knows they’re not perfect. And it’s OK. They all want to become better people, to make the world a better place, even for just a moment. And being there all together in this church – that is exactly what happened.

And I start to tear.

I’m so touched deep down in my soul that I finally realize that’s what it’s all about. It’s about being there and celebrating life and loving and saving the world and taking time out of your ever increasingly crazy day to just be. The rituals are there to hug you and guide you and carry you through – something familiar and steadfast as things change. The words of the songs not just sung but listened to are beautiful not just in melody but in meaning. The house - the high wooden beams, white walls and majestic steeples are overwhelming and vast and encompassing – just as God’s love.

It's really not about all the details. And I’m not angry anymore.

I’m not running to join the convent or sell all my belongings and move to Vatican City, mind you. But it feels really good – I mean REALLY GOOD to have things click again. Are there still many many things that I disagree with the Catholic Church – You Betcha! A lot of things? YES! But, it’s where my heart is. I really need it in my life.

It feels good to be home.

Blah

Gooooood morning cyber world! No, I'm not in my chipper usual mood today, but I figured maybe I should just post something anyway - regardless of what I feel like.

Did you ever miss a week of work, only to come back and want to run away screaming because of the insane overwhelming amount of catch up to do? Thats how I feel right now. Overwhelmed. But, if I pluck away one task at a time, I'll be semi-caught up in no time. Now, if only I could find some motivation to do that.........

My grandfather's brother Buster passed away Saturday morning, so it'll be another fun family get together. Funny thing - Uncle Don, Granpa and Uncle Buster all passed away within a few months/weeks of each other. They were brothers, but buddies too. There's this great picture with all three of them sitting in front of the cabin, rifles in hand, all wearing some form of red and black plaid heavy wool gear (hats, pants, shirts). Its a great picture taken in November 1999 by my cousin Todd. I'm going to scan it and enlarge it because it completely personifies what my uncles were all about. And it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside from nostalgia. Its a perfect way to remember them.

Extra Prayers Anyone?

Yesterday morning, at 9:30am, my grandfather passed away during his morning nap. This comes after battling a long war with emphesyma and recurrent staph infections, which left him in a hospital the last month of his life.

He was a great man, strong and silent type. Born in Standish in 1920ish - He did what most small town boys did. Grew up on a farm, moved to the Big City of Detroit to find work in a factory. Served his country in the Army during WWII, came back, found a girl, got married and had a family. He loved hunting, euchre and beer like any god fearing Michigan man should :)

He was a great grandpa. Funny, yet firm - loving and proud. Piercing blue eyes. He didn't talk a whole lot, but when he did he had the potential to be hilarious. Reminds me a lot of my dad.....when he was joking around he had a way of making everything believable.

He will be greatly missed.

No News is Good News?

For all you bloodthirsty crazies out there just fiending for more info on my pending trip like a new episode of the apprentice, you're appatite will just have to crave a bit longer.

There really is no update - other than "there still working on it" and "we have calls into people". I would love to take matters into my own hands and talk to people who know some people, but my work schedule has been so hectic lately I'm lucky if I even get to see my husband.

*sigh*

SO, we wait..........

Tomorrow is a new day

So, after my terrible day yesterday, today is looking much better! Not so much the situation, but the perspective has improved. I suppose my emotions go up and down more than the roller coasters at Cedar Point - but such is my life. Thank you all who took the time to tell me to Cheer Up :) The thoughts are much appreciated.

I think its even more appreciated that people actually read this blog. It makes me feel, well, Loved !

And frankly, thats a nice feeling to have (from someone other than Troy anyway - he makes me feel loved all the time!)

Anywho - I suppose I should get back to work - I've got piles (literally) of stuff on my desk just calling my name.

Crushed Hopes

Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but up until now there has not been any talk of this deal potentially not going through. I've thought of it as an "when" deal more at this point as opposed to an "if".

Turns out not so. There apparently is some resistance from Apasco to burden some of the payroll (i.e. my salary) which they normally do in instances of manufacturing transfers. If they do not want to pay their half of the salary, Holcim (US) doesn't want to pay the full amount to cover the cost. Which means I won't go.

Jessica (Holcim US HR) remains optimistic.....But guarded......That they will be able to come to an agreement. Hopefully they will know either way in the next couple of weeks.

Its funny how I'm so nervous to take on the risks and adventure of moving to a completely different country. So nervous in fact, that at times I feel terrified! Its very difficult to think of leaving my language, families, friends, jobs and life, everything that is comfortable and known. But when the realistic possibility arises that I might not go to Mexico - my heart hurts. Crushed actually. In fact, I'm fighting back tears as I type.

What's also funny is that I always thought if it didn't work out I would be OK with it. That at least I tried to work out something that I've wanted a very long time. Truth be told I'm not used to NOT getting what I work for. *sigh* I suppose I should spare the heartbreak until I find out for sure, but it really STINKS thinking that it might not happen.

SPANGLISH

Troy and I both have workbooks called "Learn to speak Spanish in 10 minutes a day". They have everything laid out phonetically, which you would think would be easy. However, Troy said he never learned his phonics, so he doesn't get it. So I guess we have to buy Hooked On Phonics so he can learn English first, then we'll move on to Spanish. Or maybe I'll just start him off on Dora the Explorer.......His head does look kind of like Boots.....

I have a slight advantage over my DH when it comes to the language department. Although 2 years of Spanish in high school isn't really that all helpful, I've actually picked up a lot more over the years than I thought. And I can roll my R's. It makes it sound much more authentic - even if I am only saying Burrito.

My Latina magazine is helping too - especially since they have every article in both English and Spanish, and many of the articles have a lot of Spanglish thrown in for good measure. Although, according to them I'm supposed to always wear make up and never let Troy see me go to the bathroom or burp or fart. Yeah, that's definitely NOT going to happen anytime soon. Some say it doesn't leave any mystery or that its just plain disgusting.

I say its just me :)

Lusting.......

*sigh*

Sometimes I wish things would happen sooner than later.

http://www.elexion.com/private/sale/house.html#

*sigh*

HR-A-GO-GO

I had a brief but good meeting this morning with the HR Coordinator of Apasco. Claudio Alcayaga traveled from Mexico City to meet with many people in a jam packed two day schedule. Of course, it snows this morning, and my 20 minute commute turned into an hour commute. Although I was planning on getting into the office early, I ended up right on time.

Our HR person Jessica said it was an informal meeting, but I was still a bit nervous. OK, a LOT of bit nervous.

Its 8:30 and I'm waiting. Then its 8:45 and I'm waiting. I'm thinking - OK - this is a classic display of Mexican culture (come on, we all know the concept of Mexican Time), and my meeting will continue for a full half hour, no matter when it starts. So I don't worry about letting them know that I'm waiting. Finally, at 8:47, his previous meeting ends and I get to meet him. We start talking and I talk about things running a bit late.......And he says - "That primarily applies to social events.....The business culture is changing. At Holcim Apasco we try to adhere to more a Swiss way of business".

Crap.

Needless to say because he was traveling down to Dundee for more meetings, ours was cut a bit short. Not to say that it wasn't a positive meeting. In fact, in that short 15 minutes it made my travel to Mexico seem more and more like a sure thing. And, now I know my HR contact for the duration of my assignment. A face to put to the name.....And lets just say he's easy on the eyes ;)
I asked if he had any specifics worked out with the lab, and they didn't. But he said he did talk to the Lab coordinator (Ricardo) and they are definitely exited about having me and could definitely utilize my qualifications.

I asked if he had any questions about my qualifications. He said no, because I was highly recommended by Vicente Galdeano (VP of Manufacturing, Central Division) he has no doubts of my abilities, and he's sure it would be a great experience for me. I guess Vicente turned out to be a good man to know!

Next steps: arranging the details of the assignment - i.e. who pays for what part of the relocation, my salary, living expenses, etc. All that is pretty much up to Jessica and Claudio. Then planning a visit for Troy and I......It looks like that could take place sometime in the Spring - I'm thinking March or April.

Attack of the killer clownfish

My arm is temporarily disabled because I was cleaning my tank. Usually, cleaning the tanks do not cause agony or pain. Now, however, my fish are becoming sexually mature.

Why does that matter, you ask?

The female clownfish becomes very defensive of her "house" - which in this case is an anemone. Species from the tomato and maroon complexes are particularly ferocious (this particular species, Amphiprion Melanopus, is from the tomato complex). Yeah a clownfish. She may be only two inches long, but she's got the teeth of a pirahna! Remember, clownfish do NOT equal funny!

Anyway, so she defends the anemone ferociously and apparantly she thought I was getting to close. She bit my hand, scared the crap out of me, which made me jerk my arm back and burn my elbow on the lightbulb and scrape my arm all on the side.

*sigh* On a serious note.....

I'm just talked a bit more with Eric Lopezmalo - he's a logistics guy who is from Apasco doing an assignment here. I'm trying to get more insight into living / working in Mexico.......its such an advantage to have many Mexican employees! They are so willing to share their experiences with me!

We talked about the major cement suppliers in Mexico, marketshare, specifications, etc. Its always very helpful to talk to him! He assured me wherever we end up, there will always be a network of people available to help us settle in, as long as we work on developing the network. He also said maid service is aproximately $5 a day. Yeah, I could get used to that!

Science note o' the day

I'm fascinated with the whole Tsunami story. Discovery.com (of which I get regular emails from......Mainly for Trading Spaces updates) sent an email today with this link. Its computer generated animation - but the images were captured by earth orbiting radars.

http://media.dsc.discovery.com/convergence/tsunami/animation.html

It makes me Shiver. It also makes me very happy to live in Michigan. Where the most we have to deal with is a lot of rain and snow.

Come to think of it, Toluca is at the base of a volcano - close to a very active seismic zone. A friend who lived in Toluca most her life said the earthquakes don't do damage there because the soil is volcanic rock - very solid - As opposed to the spongy earth below Mexico City. I'm not sure if that is comforting or not.........

Great.