About Me

Friday, June 29, 2018

The Package

The GM told me about the package. It is not great but acceptable on my part. I will be finished by the end of August. They will pay me 4 additional salaries.

I asked for my laptop and my health insurance policy to be valid till May 2019, till it expires. He will see if it's doable.

I will be on vacation half of August anyway. So, I will work all of 35 work days to go.

I feel relieved and weird. Why is that?



I want to break free!

Nowadays, I feel like the way it is described in the famous Queen song "I want to break free" with the exception that I have not fallen in love. Lol!

I want to break free
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied I don't need you
I've got to break free
God knows, God knows I want to break free
I've fallen in love
I've fallen in love for the first time
And this time I know it's for real
I've fallen in love, yeah
God knows, God knows I've fallen in love
It's strange but it's true
I can't get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure
When I walk out that door
Oh how I want to be free, baby
Oh how I want to be free
Oh how I want to break free
But life still goes on
I can't get used to living without, living without
Living without you by my side
I don't want to live alone, hey
God knows, got to make it on my own
So baby can't you see
I've got to break free
I've got to break free
I want to break free, yeah
I want, I want, I want, I want to break free
Songwriters: John Deacon
I Want To Break Free lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Thursday, June 28, 2018

When shall we three meet again?

Yesterday we had a going away party for two of the people I work with. One was our office assistant whom I have worked with for the last three years. I will miss her dearly.

A lot of people left the restaurant and some of us from the old team stayed and chatted for a while. Up until then the weather was not so bad with occasional rain showers but a major thundestorm hit followed by a short hailstorm. It was raining so badly that we had to wait until it stopped. Unfortunately the storm was on my way home so, I got hit for the second time. At a point, the traffic stopped because we had zero visibility. A lot of side roads were flooded. So, I had to make several re-routes to avoid the flooded areas.

By the time I pulled in our parking lot, the rain had stopped and I was able to walk to the apartment without getting wet.

Saying goodbye to two good colleagues was hard and I suddenly remembered the three witches of Macbeth:

When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain? Lol.


Image: Can Stock Photo

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Cooking and stuff...

The day before, I had done some grocery shopping. So, yesterday, I decided to cook the boneless chicken thighs. I cut them into smaller pieces and cooked them in a deep and large pan. Then, I cut up onions and potatoes and added them to the chicken. On top of everything, I placed thick slices of tomatoes and small italian peppers. Mixed tomato sauce with water and poured that in. I use only salt and pepper to season food (weird for someone who lives in this part of the world, I know). Then I covered the pan and let everything simmer until all was done. It is my favorite comfort food.

Mom doesn't feel like cooking most days and I cannot blame her. It is usually very warm and she gets tired easily. Some days, she feels better and she cooks. I do not ask her to cook anything.

I do not mind cooking but, I hate cleaning up afterwards. So, I try to be very creative and use the smallest number of pots and pans and gadgets.

I am really looking forward to having more time on hand, to plan my shopping and homemade, healthy food, exercise, pay attention to my personal care, read and relax. I am also planning to minimize my wardrobe getting rid of old items.

When I work part-time, I do not need many clothing items. I already have 3-4 business jackets. I need easy care tops to go with the jackets and a couple of pants. The pants I have been rotating and wearing everyday to work are getting pretty worn. So, when I am in the US, I will try to get a couple of pants and some tops. When I get back, I will clean out all the old items cluttering my wardrobe.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

At a stand still...

I have not heard about "the package" yet. I am not going to inquire about it. Nor, I will inquire about who the heck is my replacement.

So, I am waiting not patiently but pretending to be so. I am also getting uncomfortable being around the new people. I am feeling outside the circle which is actually the case but, having devoted over three years, it feels like something that belonged to me is being taken away from me which is really weird. When I think about all the change that is due, I am feeling glad that I will not have to deal with those unless they keep me as a consultant. I am thinking it is not such a great idea anymore.

Our office assistant is leaving the end of this week. I will miss her.

I just cannot seem to motivate myself. I do what has to be done and that's all.

My mood is partially due to the latest general elections in Turkey too. Unfortunately, the present president won and God knows where the country will be headed. Possibly the big mess of Middle East rather than the West. Having said that, I must remind myself that my family is rather small and the last born child is 43. We should be fine but, freedom of speech, justice, secularism, science and such will not prevail. Fundamentalist religion is on the rise.

I was born Muslim but, I have never practiced. I believe there is a God or Allah or some super being who created the universe but that's all. I think the likes of me are called Deist.

The weather is foul too. We are expecting major thunderstorms and possibly hailstorms today.

Overall, my mood is down.

Well, it'll pass I know. It always does.

The good news is my sister and her husband bought an apartment in Izmir where they have been living for the last 3 years. They were paying too much rent for a small apartment hoping that they would go back to Ankara. However, they now realize that, it is difficult for the bank to transfer them both and provide similar size branches. Both of them work as bank branch managers. They will now pay a similar amount of mortgage for a much larger apartment. It is a bit farther than the city but it is an investment. The mortgage is only for 10 years since they paid 50% down payment. So, by the time they retire, the mortgage will be paid. They have been able to obtain a very favorable fixed rate and that is a great thing in the long run. Inflation is on the rise.

Friday, June 22, 2018

Friends

Yesterday I had dinner with an old friend visiting from out of town. We talk to each other every few weeks and whenever I am in her town or she is in mine, we call each other to get together.

I met her back in 1991. She had joined the company that I was already working for. She is a very sweet and nice person. We had a good time, had good food and wine. It was a very nice evening.

Little breaks do wonders.

I told her that I will soon be leaving the company and she agreed that it was about time and it would be best for me to work part-time.

I graduated with a BSc degree in Business Administration in June 1988 when I was 21 and started working. This year is my 30th in the Work Force. There has been times I was between jobs because I do not like to burn myself out just for the sake of making money. I am thankful that I could choose not to work every once in a while. Thanks for all the advice at Personal Finance blogs about Emergency Funds.

Today I had lunch with my ex-boss and our soon-to-be ex-office assistant. She wanted to leave right after the ex-boss did but stayed because I needed her around. However, there is no point for to stay anymore and she is going. She had been training her replacement. I will miss her but we can always get together since we will both have more time in the very near future.

The ex-boss is going on a long vacation with his family. So, it was good to see him too because, we will not see each other before mid-September. We talk on the phone and exchange whatsapp messages quiet frequently.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Peace...

Today I came to work and the GM asked me to implement a new procedure. Normally, I would tell him all the possible negative side effects of implementing such a procedure but, I forced myself to keep my mouth shut. Wrote an e-mail to the staff and started the procedure.

Up until now, I have shared my experience several times but, he mostly did not take my advice. I have done what I have done for 30 years and have come accross the same issues at several different companies. I have been wrong. I have made mistakes. I have learnt the proper way of doing things and I have accumulated all this experience. I pay attention to minute details and think ahead. I never take decisions on a whim because I now know better.

I offered experience, they prefer learning the hard way, so be it.

For the first time in a long while, I am feeling peaceful and am in a mood to let go. Today I had someone calculate my normal severance if I had been let go so, I have that information to asses the offer they will put on the table.

I will also ask to keep my laptop and my health insurance policy which has been just renewed till next renewal time.

As I asses the situation for doing part-time work for them, I have some doubts such as the following:

-  The person who will replace me might be uncomfortable.
-  The people who worked for me all this time may keep on coming to me creatig mistrust on the newcomer's part. I want the new person to understand and appreciate what used to be "my people" and establish a good working relationship. So, I should not be the obstacle
-  The tasks they will want me to do may not be all that interesting to me.

So, I have decided to give them a daily rate and take it from there. I do not want to commit to much else.

I just need to keep myself motivated till the end so that I can set a good example for the people who work for me.

This is most probably my last full-time job and I am glad I accepted the offer of my ex-boss and worked with him. I met really nice young people and this has become the 3rd longest job I ever had.

Feeling truly peaceful...






Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Winds of Change

As you know I was back to work yesterday and the new GM wanted to talk to me. Apparently, they have found someone to replace me who will be able to start work in August. They want me to continue till my vacation in August and then, want me to move to a different part-time role.

I was surprised that I wasn't surprised at all. Actually this can be a blessing if the stars align properly. I told him that, this is quiet acceptable on my end as long as he offers a meaningful package to go with it. He is going to work on it.

We will see how that will go. So, wish me luck please!

Monday, June 18, 2018

Back to Work

I am back to work. The day started with a meeting and will end with another one. In between, I will try to play catch up.

People were genuinely happy to see me and inquired after my health. That felt good.

I am going to start a new project at work. Today, I will discuss the specifics about it with the Management Team today and make sure they understand how much of their active contribution will be required. Next week, I will introduce them to the Project Team. The project is supposed to last until December.

I am constatntly looking at my projection and contemplating whether I should leave earlier than March 2019. I just cannot justify it financially. I keep saying to myself: Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue...

It is only 255 calendar days. I have another vacation. There are mny weekends. So, how bad can it be?



Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Back from the first vacation of the year

Mom and I spent 5 wonderful days at a beach resort last week. I had paid for it in January taking advantage of early booking savings.

During those 5 days, I got up, had breakfast with mom, hit the beach till noon and after having lunch hit the beach once again. I would come back to our room at 6 p.m. and hop in the pool right in front of our room till 7 p.m. or so, have a shower and go to dinner. Mom slept most of the time. She came to the beach only once.

My blood pressure had started to get normal but, it is acting up again.

We did tons of laundry and there are still a copule loads to go. Today I need to go to the hair salon real badly. I spend very little money for my hair when compared to "normal" women but the money I spend on it always hurts. Lol! So, today will be painful.

So, I am back and will be back to work on Monday. I still have some staycation days to relax.