Closing this chapter

Someone commented on something I wrote so long ago that I started to scroll through all the things that I've written in the last couple of years. It's been an amazing journey in the last 2 years. I went into 2 news jobs, bought a new house had a nightmare renovating it (still having some nightmares but not so bad), took vacations, had many indulgences in between esp in the handbag and jewelry categories (who knew I really liked these things!), went back to the States after 10 years, quit twice, travelled elsewhere in between, and soon taking a weekend trip without kids for the first time, be it to Singapore, but that's a first step, and a family trip to Gold Coast...woo hoo!!!

Come December I'll do what I do best start a new job...I am such a whore..hahaha!!! I keep on jumping to who will pay me more! As long as I am wanted right?? Well, it's more complicated than that. I did like the Bank, in fact I did try to see if I could go back sometime middle of this year. This current job of mine is the first job that I actually quit twice which says a lot about the firm I suppose. This 2nd time is a firm quit since I am going into something that I've been wanting to do for the longest time...whether it's the right choice we'll see. I am hoping this new place will make an honest woman of me.

The funny thing is that whenever my career isn't going well I always start toying about going into Academia...I think that is really what I want to do in the end, but just never have the chance to. I guess that will never be in my path. Anyway, we'll see how this new job will be. Whatever it is if I quit this job it'll be for good. I've given DH a year before I stay at home full time with the kids.

So to new beginnings, and new hope...

Where to begin...

I feel like it's been a lifetime since my last posting. So much has happened...our contractor ran off without completing his work when we've paid almost 3/4, I got really sick with asthma and exhaustion, kids were also sick back to back - major ones like measles and chicken pox, I quit my job...and all these happened between Feb and May.

So, I was really at the end of my rope when I quit my job...with no new prospects. I was just tired.

But then things started picking, got onto a really good project with great clients and connected with some people at work, renovation on my house started again, and I found a new lifeline...so now we've moved into our new house and really enjoying it and I un-quit my job.

Kids are slowly adjusting to living on our own and making friends with the neighborhood kids :-D. We're also adjusting being on our own, if not it's always being around with either set of parents - and I'm actually cooking dinner, even on a weekday!!! So, it's been pretty interesting - a huge rollercoaster ride!

I'm planning to take a month off from work to just sort our my health and family life. I've yet to fully recover from the asthma. Kids are off and on sick with the normal cold, but we need to figure out Izz's schooling coz he'll be 7 next year!!!

Interesting first half of the year...hopefully, 2nd half will be much better :-D

p/s pictures of house can be found in facebook...

BFF

My beyaattches for life!!

I can't believe how much girls can catch up in such short span of time! It was like we've never been apart, and we are still these stupid girls from college...out of college but still stupid, or may be even more stupider...if that can happen. Actually, it DID!!! Soooo very many examples, it's not even funny!!!

The 1 am snacks, and mengumpating and scheming till 3 am...man, that brought back sooo many memories. The only thing missing was may be Celine Dion singing that Titanic song...did I not say Stupid???

3 nights on heavenly bed bitching and mengumpating, and 2 straight days of shopping...what else can I ask for? Amai was such a perfect host - managed to handle 2 very loud mouth B*^#@, while being the ever isteri mithali...love you, babe!!!



In case people are wondering, I did have my training, and I tried my very damndest to act and sound smart in those two days!!

Now, I am waiting for my bag to arrive from Ethiopia. Don't ask!!

10 years after...

I feel so old coz that's how long ago I graduated from college!!!!! AAARRRGHHH!!! But actually I was back in the States 8 years ago when I came for training in Chicago while I was with H. Now, with new company Philadelphia is where they're based at. I've never been to Philly, so it's nice.

Wish I had more time though, but because of on-going project I can't stay for long...just staying for 5 days before heading home. Also, I can't bear to be apart from Ash and the boys for any longer than that. I miss them...especially the tucking kids into bed part :-(. But will definitely get to spend quality time with Ms. Ketchup who is flying up from Bermuda and staying with me, and with Amai who has pretty much planned both our stay here. My time outside the training has been well taken care of!

If Ash and I ever plan to bring the kids over here it has to be within the next 5 yrs or so because I don't think my body can take the looooonnng (30+hours) journey and with small kids in tow! I really feel old, man! And this trip shouldn't have been so bad because I was travelling business...so the thot of going economy and with kids...damn scary!!

Immigration wasn't so bad. They were nice and friendly. But me and my luggage had to be disinfected before I could board the plane to Philly. Or at least it felt like I was being disinfected because I had to go thru this machine called Sentinel (so sci-fi) which sprayed me with some stuff, then my shoes along with my hand luggage went into the x-ray machine. Mind you I was a pro by this time because I went thru the same thing before I boarded the plane to US in Doha, except for the Sentinel part. After x-ray...they basically swab all my bags...that's why I said DISINFECTED! I guess they want to doubly sure that I wasn't a terrorist who had GSR (CSI buff u shud know this) because the whole process looks like a scene from CSI.

But you know after having to go so many levels of check and disinfection, the thing that is very glaring to me is the number of foreigners I see working in the airport! Which to me is very ironic given how strict they are with people coming into their country.

So, now I am thinking of walking over to that shopping mall I see below (the dome is a mall), and also checking out whether I can walk to place where my training is to be held at.

33 yrs 1 day

...yet still no wiser! I still feel I am 30...in my head I've stopped at 30. So, what's up for 2008? Dunno...hopefully a good career, lighter and a baby ;-)

Here's to 2008 and my 33rd year! Bring it on baby!

Closing 2007

I know the picture doesn't make sense, but I just wanted to put up something that is meaningful to me, and I thought pictures of my two boys really sums up my life so far!

2007 has been good year for me especially in the career front, and I hope 2008 will continue to be a good year professionally. I've never been focused in my career, and it's really quite amazing how because people seem to have faith in me, and because of that faith I see myself being passionate again about work, and really wanting to push myself further in my professional life. I actually am looking forward towards something now. So, after working towards nothing for the last 9 years, 2007 was a turning point for me! Syukur Alhamdulillah to Allah swt, is all I can say!

I am not going to do a run-down of 07 as too many things have happened...good things, sad things, deaths, births, etc...but that's all about life kan? So, here's hoping 2008 will continue to be diberkati oleh Allah swt (or whomever you pray to)...that we all continue to be better people and better Muslims (for those who are Muslims), as we know all things good and bad come from Him. We are mere mortals, and what's here is just temporary.

Tired la

Nowadays each morning I wake up I just feel exhausted...may be I need some vitamins and CQ10, or at least that's what IggyS will tell me. I've been quite good actually coz I am taking vitamins, but still feeling exhausted!

I've been at my new work place for about a month now. Interesting la I suppose. Different culture from both H & B. Getting used to it slowly. Trying to see my footing...I think people have stopped assessing me. I hate being the new kid on the block...it's like there is this spotlight on you, and people are just seeing whether you are everything that you are cracked up to be. May be it's just in my....somehow I don't think so coz this is an office full of women...so you know how that's like :-p

Plus the house is moving kinda full-speed ahead. I can't believe how much money I've already spent, and how much more we're suppose to spend...and this was not suppose to be a full blown renovation...sigh! Wish I could actually put pictures up of the progress, but read the title of this blog...and might I add lazy to it too!

Hopefully 2008 will have a better start...2007 is kinda ending with a bleghh...