It's been a rough week and to counteract the stress I've eaten my way to hapiness. So much for watching the weight - I'll have to save that resolution for next year but what else is new? In terms of trip planning things are simultenously coming together and falling apart. For everything I get done something else pops up in it place...but at least it's moving.
Had a bit of a meltdown today and spent close to two hours venting to my boss. I feel better knowing that she is aware of the challenges we are up against, even if she might be powerless to change them. On the good news, an email from Shakes and my little meltdown have resulted in me getting a better computer to take with me. Score one for the good guys.
I had to do a tutorial on the expense tracking system today and apparently whoever designed the tutorial doesn't have much faith in the users. The tutorial was "hosted" by an animated aircraft named Planey - something that I would have been really impressed by if I were, say, seven years old. Anyway, I made it through to our destination with Planey's help and now I am an authorized user. Unfortunately, the program doesn't work on a mac so I won't be able to use it anyway. I'm going to end up FedExing my reciepts over and my boss gets the pleasure of itemizing every one. Sucker.
My passport & visa arrived at HQ today so I should have them in my grubby little hands tomorrow and my new itinerary has been confirmed. I picked up my meds at the VA and it *only* took an hour and twenty minutes. One thing the VA pharmacy is good for (besides cheap drugs) is making you appreciate how precious your time is.
Finally, I took Sabine to the vet and she is okay - she has some swelling on her left ear that hasn't gone away and I wanted to get it checked. The doctor thinks it's either irritation from when she got nipped at the dog park or it's from violently shaking her head due to allergies. Either way, she was not very concerned about it and Sabine must be okay because today she not only learned to type, but she started her own blog! Check out the link on the right. Special thanks to Auntie V for helping her out - it really made my day!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Did you get the memo?
It seems that everyday another item comes up that needs to be addressed during my trip, and I'm starting to stress out. I'm soooo tired of the corporate red tape and worried about the lack of support network. I'm irritated that new projects keep popping up for the LCC, when they can't even handle what they've got right now. I'm concerned about taking on "training" tasks while not receiving any back-up for my regular workload. April is the busiest month for me in my normal category, usually leading to mad amounts of overtime. Last year I had 2 temps devoted to help me and barely made my deadlines. This year I have no temps, 3 more styles and have to re-name all of my carryover product...supposedly I can use the LCC to help me, but isn't their lack of training the reason I'm going over there in the first place?
To top it off, one of our PLM's told me a story about being tricked into eating "cows blood soup" while out in Korea. When he asked if that was tofu floating in it they explained it was coagulated blood & mucus. Yumm-o. I'm down to try new things but if anyone tricks me into eating something gnarly I have no problem retaliating with projectile vomit.
**Footnote: The LCC is the new PA team in Seoul. We use a lot of acronyms at work - I have a binder with at least 3 pages of them and I swear we come up with a new one every week. My personal favorite is MIU. It's what I do when someone submits an URGENT request but doesn't explain what they need. I just Make It Up.
To top it off, one of our PLM's told me a story about being tricked into eating "cows blood soup" while out in Korea. When he asked if that was tofu floating in it they explained it was coagulated blood & mucus. Yumm-o. I'm down to try new things but if anyone tricks me into eating something gnarly I have no problem retaliating with projectile vomit.
**Footnote: The LCC is the new PA team in Seoul. We use a lot of acronyms at work - I have a binder with at least 3 pages of them and I swear we come up with a new one every week. My personal favorite is MIU. It's what I do when someone submits an URGENT request but doesn't explain what they need. I just Make It Up.
Monday, February 25, 2008
*Update*
So, after speaking to my colleague (see link on right for Shake N Bake) that just arrived in Seoul, I'm switching my flight out of Portland for an earlier one. Due to a delayed flight he ended up missing his connection, spending the night in San Francisco and then having a 5 hour layover in Tokyo. So, I'll be leaving PDX at 730AM...maybe I'll be taking a cab to the airport afterall.
Also, it's snowing there, our hotel rooms are decent but the hotel is kinda sketchy, Jeeves doesn't speak a lick of english and the city is "odiferous." Interesting.
Also, it's snowing there, our hotel rooms are decent but the hotel is kinda sketchy, Jeeves doesn't speak a lick of english and the city is "odiferous." Interesting.
Travel related items rattling around my brain...
I'm having a hard time concentrating on all the things I need to do. So, in an effort to procrastinate I will post all the stuff I need to get out of my head. Let the brain-dumping begin...
- I hope my passport & visa come back this week. I had to actually send my passport out to San Francisco and it makes me nervous. I asked the travel guy about it and he said they had "Only lost 2-3 in the last few years." Thanks buddy, that's very reassuring.
- I need to fuss around with the new expense tracking system. There is some concern about wether it functions on a mac or not and I'd rather find out now so I can make alternate arrangements. Also, I need to find out if I can scan my receipts and email them or if I'm going to need to FedEx them back to the states. If I don't submit each and every receipt my AMEX doesn't get paid and I'm responsible for the late fees. And frankly, since the opening balance is going to be in the $5k range, I don't want to see that bill.
-As my mom keeps reminding me, I also need a calling card. My manager is checking to see the status on that. We thought they came directly with the AMEX but I guess they are mailed separately... it would be really nice if there was some sort of accurate information out there about the corporate travel policies and proceedures.
- I should get my new computer this week. Okay, it's actually a 4 year old laptop and not the sleek killing machine that I'd like, but it will be my lifeblood over there. I'm hoping for enough time to get files transferred over and things set-up the way I like. I'll also need to test out my new SecureID keychain thing and make sure I am smart enough to use it.
- When I get over there I am going to ask for help purchasing tickets to see Jason Mraz in Seoul, and ask about regional travel opportunities. I'd like to take advantage of my new location as much as possible, so I'm thinking a weekend trip to Hong Kong or Tokyo. Also, J suggested I move my departure date back a week and go to Thailand or Bali on vacation...I'm not sure I can do that due to time restrains, the fact that I already miss my dog and have deadlines at work, but I like the idea. Maybe moving it back a few days would be doable.
- Lots of personal errands to run, and no motivation to do so. I have some clothes to return, travel books to purchase and a vet appointment for the beast. I have to go to the VA to pick up my meds, which took 3 hours last time (for sinus medication! It's not exactly a rare drug!). I'm having a spare key made for my brother, who is going to keep my lawn from eating my house, and I need to set up dates to drop of my plants and dog with their caregivers. My truck is overdue for an oil change and the tags are about to expire, so I have to go to DEQ and I need to leave a blank check with X so she can pay the speeding ticket I got last week when it comes in the mail(whoops!). I need to borrow an electrical adapter from X, reprogram my thermostat, pack, update the iPod and set-up a bill pay schedule.
- I have lots of things to do for work too, like developing reference materials for the new group, creating list-serves, working with our new designer on processes, updating my CFE (yearly evals), working on CFE projects, emailing my team(s) to make sure they send me recaps of our major meetings & get me what I need for next season, planning a workload calendar, and continuing to work on my current (never-ending) season. Oh, and I have to remember to set out-of-office email and voicemails.
- I filed my taxes today and I'm only a few dollars poorer...a step up from last years $1500 payment, but still not making sense. I can't figure out how I can have nearly $20k in deductions but still owe money. Also, I think the IRS and my Employer could both use some lessons on how to provide clear & concise information. I mean, how am I supposed to know what my "principle business code" is when I don't actually own a business? Bof.
Finally, several of you have asked about my official itinerary, so here that is:
From: Portland Int'l Airport, OR (FIRST CLASS!!!!)
10:20 am, Friday, March 07
To: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA
12:07 pm, Friday, March 07
Duration: 1 hour and 47 minutes
From: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA (BIDNESS CLASS!!)
1:39 pm, Friday, March 07
To: Seoul Incheon Intl Airport
7:35 pm, Saturday, March 08
Duration: 12 hours and 56 minutes
From: Seoul Incheon Intl Airport
2:10 pm, Friday, May 02
To: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA
8:33 am, Friday, May 02
Duration: 10 hours and 23 minutes
From: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA
11:00 am, Friday, May 02
To: Portland Int'l Airport, OR
12:42 pm, Friday, May 02
Duration: 1 hour and 42 minutes
This turned into a much longer post than I expected, but I do feel a bit better now. Maybe now I can finish the jersey illustration I've been working on since Friday!
- I hope my passport & visa come back this week. I had to actually send my passport out to San Francisco and it makes me nervous. I asked the travel guy about it and he said they had "Only lost 2-3 in the last few years." Thanks buddy, that's very reassuring.
- I need to fuss around with the new expense tracking system. There is some concern about wether it functions on a mac or not and I'd rather find out now so I can make alternate arrangements. Also, I need to find out if I can scan my receipts and email them or if I'm going to need to FedEx them back to the states. If I don't submit each and every receipt my AMEX doesn't get paid and I'm responsible for the late fees. And frankly, since the opening balance is going to be in the $5k range, I don't want to see that bill.
-As my mom keeps reminding me, I also need a calling card. My manager is checking to see the status on that. We thought they came directly with the AMEX but I guess they are mailed separately... it would be really nice if there was some sort of accurate information out there about the corporate travel policies and proceedures.
- I should get my new computer this week. Okay, it's actually a 4 year old laptop and not the sleek killing machine that I'd like, but it will be my lifeblood over there. I'm hoping for enough time to get files transferred over and things set-up the way I like. I'll also need to test out my new SecureID keychain thing and make sure I am smart enough to use it.
- When I get over there I am going to ask for help purchasing tickets to see Jason Mraz in Seoul, and ask about regional travel opportunities. I'd like to take advantage of my new location as much as possible, so I'm thinking a weekend trip to Hong Kong or Tokyo. Also, J suggested I move my departure date back a week and go to Thailand or Bali on vacation...I'm not sure I can do that due to time restrains, the fact that I already miss my dog and have deadlines at work, but I like the idea. Maybe moving it back a few days would be doable.
- Lots of personal errands to run, and no motivation to do so. I have some clothes to return, travel books to purchase and a vet appointment for the beast. I have to go to the VA to pick up my meds, which took 3 hours last time (for sinus medication! It's not exactly a rare drug!). I'm having a spare key made for my brother, who is going to keep my lawn from eating my house, and I need to set up dates to drop of my plants and dog with their caregivers. My truck is overdue for an oil change and the tags are about to expire, so I have to go to DEQ and I need to leave a blank check with X so she can pay the speeding ticket I got last week when it comes in the mail(whoops!). I need to borrow an electrical adapter from X, reprogram my thermostat, pack, update the iPod and set-up a bill pay schedule.
- I have lots of things to do for work too, like developing reference materials for the new group, creating list-serves, working with our new designer on processes, updating my CFE (yearly evals), working on CFE projects, emailing my team(s) to make sure they send me recaps of our major meetings & get me what I need for next season, planning a workload calendar, and continuing to work on my current (never-ending) season. Oh, and I have to remember to set out-of-office email and voicemails.
- I filed my taxes today and I'm only a few dollars poorer...a step up from last years $1500 payment, but still not making sense. I can't figure out how I can have nearly $20k in deductions but still owe money. Also, I think the IRS and my Employer could both use some lessons on how to provide clear & concise information. I mean, how am I supposed to know what my "principle business code" is when I don't actually own a business? Bof.
Finally, several of you have asked about my official itinerary, so here that is:
From: Portland Int'l Airport, OR (FIRST CLASS!!!!)
10:20 am, Friday, March 07
To: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA
12:07 pm, Friday, March 07
Duration: 1 hour and 47 minutes
From: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA (BIDNESS CLASS!!)
1:39 pm, Friday, March 07
To: Seoul Incheon Intl Airport
7:35 pm, Saturday, March 08
Duration: 12 hours and 56 minutes
From: Seoul Incheon Intl Airport
2:10 pm, Friday, May 02
To: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA
8:33 am, Friday, May 02
Duration: 10 hours and 23 minutes
From: San Francisco Int'l Airport, CA
11:00 am, Friday, May 02
To: Portland Int'l Airport, OR
12:42 pm, Friday, May 02
Duration: 1 hour and 42 minutes
This turned into a much longer post than I expected, but I do feel a bit better now. Maybe now I can finish the jersey illustration I've been working on since Friday!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Benny Hill is alive and well
Do ya'll remember when Benny Hill used to have those moments set to music where everyone was running around in caos? Well, this week was a lot like that for me. The best example was this afternoon when we had conference call planned with the new team in Seoul. Apparently H gave D the wrong number to call, so we ended up talking to the big boss (IK), who was unable to either transfer us or give us the correct number to call. We didn't know what our number was either, since we were in an unfamiliar conference room. So, we had IK call *company* to ask for the conference room in order to procure the correct number so he could relay that to the team in Korea. If my explanation sounds complicated and insane you should have witnessed the actual "meeting." I have deep concerns that this whole trip is going to be complicated and confusing. Moving on...
My travel has been officially booked and I will be leaving the states on March 7. I leave Korea May 2 only to return to Portland 2 hours earlier the same day after a 15 hour flight. The space time continuum has been breached. I will be flying first & business class, for the first & probably only time so I plan to take pictures regardless of the dirty looks I get from fellow passengers.
This afternoon I submitted the paperwork for my business visa and received my corporate American Express. I find it ironic that the two have nothing to do with each other yet sound the same. Anyway, it took me 3 tries and multiple phone calls to get the paperwork in order for the visa. I love when you are instructed to "fill the form out very carefully" but not given any instructions. I didn't have any of the info in regards to my sponsors, local address, type of passport (mine is an "OR" for ordinary) nor did I have my full itinerary yet, which I was supposed to enclose. Not to mention the fact that all of the date formats were different on the form (i.e. 2008/02/21 v. 02/21/2008), I mean, shoot - how hard is it to pick one and stick with it?
I'm sorry if this blog is disconjointed (is that a word?) but it's been a nutso week. To exit on an up-note I will include a video from my new crush. His names is Jason Castro and he is on American Idol...normally I kinda loathe that show but this kid just makes me happy, so enjoy.
My travel has been officially booked and I will be leaving the states on March 7. I leave Korea May 2 only to return to Portland 2 hours earlier the same day after a 15 hour flight. The space time continuum has been breached. I will be flying first & business class, for the first & probably only time so I plan to take pictures regardless of the dirty looks I get from fellow passengers.
This afternoon I submitted the paperwork for my business visa and received my corporate American Express. I find it ironic that the two have nothing to do with each other yet sound the same. Anyway, it took me 3 tries and multiple phone calls to get the paperwork in order for the visa. I love when you are instructed to "fill the form out very carefully" but not given any instructions. I didn't have any of the info in regards to my sponsors, local address, type of passport (mine is an "OR" for ordinary) nor did I have my full itinerary yet, which I was supposed to enclose. Not to mention the fact that all of the date formats were different on the form (i.e. 2008/02/21 v. 02/21/2008), I mean, shoot - how hard is it to pick one and stick with it?
I'm sorry if this blog is disconjointed (is that a word?) but it's been a nutso week. To exit on an up-note I will include a video from my new crush. His names is Jason Castro and he is on American Idol...normally I kinda loathe that show but this kid just makes me happy, so enjoy.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hotel
We recieved our hotel reservations today for the "Dormy Inn Serviced Residences." Here are a few photos I took off of the Dormy's wesite:
You can also check it out yourself:
http://www.dormy.co.kr/xa01.htm
The rooms look pretty nice and include amenities such as kitchenettes and washing machine. From what I hear the clientel is primarily asian business men, which is why they have a "complimentary male sauna." Thats fine, gentelmen, keep your sauna - I've got a bidet to keep me entertained. And then, I'll head down to the Amigo lounge and have me a "tasty Korean stake."
You can also check it out yourself:
http://www.dormy.co.kr/xa01.htm
The rooms look pretty nice and include amenities such as kitchenettes and washing machine. From what I hear the clientel is primarily asian business men, which is why they have a "complimentary male sauna." Thats fine, gentelmen, keep your sauna - I've got a bidet to keep me entertained. And then, I'll head down to the Amigo lounge and have me a "tasty Korean stake."
Seoul Cliches
Welcome! This new blog is devoted to my upcoming 2 month trip to Seoul. I will do my best to keep it updated and post pictures of my exciting travels. You wouldn't believe the list of Seoul cliches their are, and how many people thought of them before me. I just spent the last 30 minutes trying to come up with a blog name that wasn't allready taken. Here is a short list of blogs or websites that allready exist:
Seoul Glow
Seoul Asylum
Wandering Seoul
Window to the Seoul
Seoul Mates
Chicken Soup For the Seoul
Seoul on Fire
Heart & Seoul
Seoul Sister
Seoul Glow
Seoul Asylum
Wandering Seoul
Window to the Seoul
Seoul Mates
Chicken Soup For the Seoul
Seoul on Fire
Heart & Seoul
Seoul Sister
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