I said I QUIT!

After working for a few years in a large company, with a supportive environment and wonderful bosses, I decided to take what I thought would be an excellent opportunity somewhere else.

Little did I know I would be in for quite the stressful few months! It was only three months before my wedding but I thought I needed a change. When change was offered, I jumped. I jumped right into an environment where team work was discouraged and the word 'degrading' took on another meaning. My boss wasn't the approachable type which deeply saddened me because I reached out whenever I could. I was polite and respectful to management, yet they treated me very poorly.

I decided after yet another publicly degrading incident that I had had enough. My husband decided this as well! We were both so sick of the stress this place had caused me and the unfortunate fact that during what was supposed to be the happiest time of our life (our wedding), my new job remained a cloud of worry and unhappiness.

I was threatened with paying the vacation I took for my wedding and honeymoon back if I quit shortly after. Because of this threat, I felt very uncomfortable telling them I was leaving. Instead of resigning by handing in my two weeks, I couriered my resignation, office keys and a letter explaining my sudden departure. It was the only answer I had so I didn't have to face the hideous reaction I'm sure I would have faced if I had provided notice. Unfortunately I feel as though I was forced to leave. No one deserves to be treated the way I was and I predict the trend of people in my position resigning to continue.

Next time I will listen to my gut. I had a feeling something wasn't right when my ex boss was reluctant to give me my vacation (my honeymoon!) because she had had someone quit after taken vacation before. I asked myself why this person had quit and then I learned this person wasn't the only one. Red flag? Yes definitely and I will be careful with my next job!

I Protest Public Transit

"Hey b**ch, why are you budding in front of me?!?! Wait, why is that girl offering you, the budder of the century, her seat? Oh, I see the bump now, you're very pregnant." Oops! I gave the eyeball to a woman this morning and made loud comments to my husband about how rude she was, only to find out she actually had a valid excuse for her behaviour.

TRUST ME when I say this though, someone having a valid excuse to be rude on the subway is not normal! On a daily basis, I encounter the land of the rude. I walk peacefully, hand in hand with my husband (I might mention husband A LOT from now on BTW as I only got married two weeks ago) where was I? I walk peacefully to the subway station before being bombarded by frowning faces and people who only want to make my morning commute miserable.

My feet get stepped on, I get pushed out of the way, I get purses pretty much shoved up regions I'm not prepared to discuss on this public blog, I have backpacks swipe me in the face and many mornings I wonder if I woke up in the wrong country when these two annoying ladies speak this unknown language (unknown to me) so fast and loud, I can't hear myself think.

In the wake of the election, let's vote for someone who is willing to use french fry oil instead of gasoline, to promote more work-from-home days and the three day week (in order to save the environment of course!). Public transit takes the morning blahs to the next level! Can't wait to do this again tomorrow.

I'm married!!

I was married on September 27, 2008. Luckily I found my Prince Charming (finally) who inspires me and makes me laugh everyday.

The wedding day was perfect and have been happy to hear only good things about it. Our honeymoon was in St. Lucia and let me just say this island is absolutely beautiful.

Now onto life as a Mrs:)

Stagette was fun!

I had my stagette on Saturday. I had such a great time and now cannot believe how soon I will officially be a "Mrs".

We started the day off by going Pole Dancing! Located at Flirty Girl, workshops to learn how to work a pole are offered. The wedding party went and there we were taught different ways to swing around and the dance moves to "Boys" by Britney Spears. At the end of the two hours, I realized I wasn't sexy in any sense of the word and I need to work on my awkwardness! With mirrors lining the walls, it wasn't pretty witnessing my lack of sex-kitten skills. Remind never to install a mirror on our bedroom ceiling!

The night included appetizers at trendy Ultra Supper Club. My mom made an appearance as well! What a great night and now the countdown is officially on! September 27 is just around the corner:)

Dignity or Money?

I'm currently in a very bad place job-wise at the moment. And being so close to my wedding I feel I must choose between my own dignity and self sanity or the money I'm currently bringing in.

I left my stable job at a large insurance company, along with two amazing bosses two months ago to pursue what I thought would be an amazing opportunity in an industry I have been wanting to pursue for some time. I'm now in the not for profit world and I'm supposed to be going home every night feeling rewarded. And I have gone home feeling just that, however, since I began there has been this nagging feeling that something isn't right.

Where I felt supported and part of a team in my last place, I am now feeling out on my own, disrespected and degraded. Do people in higher positions treat the 'little ones' with disdain because they are taking their 'level of importance' too seriously and get out of control with their control? Or are they just insecure with themselves, making themselves feel better about personal issues by taking it out on those who have been hired to help them?

I'm sure I can ask myself these questions over and over again without a straight answer. All I know is I'm in the world of Devil Wears Prada meets the not-for-profit world. I cried everyday this past week, making yesterday the record breaker. I cried from 9a.m. - 6p.m.

I have to make a choice for myself now and decide if my dignity (and my health) are more important and leave the situation? Or do I trudge on through this 'crap' until I find something more fitting to my personality, professional goals and healthier working environment?

I'm trying to start my own business but in the meantime need the extra funds. This is a big decision for me!

Wrong Advice can steer some to a bad place

I've been so busy at work this week, I haven't had the chance to write about an article I read on Monday that made me want to hurl the morning paper across the subway.

Reading the Toronto free morning paper, The Metro, I came across an article titled "Making Do when Unhappy at Work". Usually, I look forward to reaching the Workology section. This portion often provides insightful advice and personal stories about the working world. I often feel inspired when I read this section. Reading this week's title, I was excited. I've been unhappy with work many times and I was looking forward to reading advice on how to make it work!

Well unfortunately this article gave horrible advice! While the beginning provides sound advice when looking for another job, such as acting like the 'perfect' employee in order to keep your current job until you find another one, another paragraph reads "A woman named Susan who worked in insurance claims at a Fortune 100 company said her doctor told her that her breast cancer was likely caused by all the stress put on her by a boss who mistreated employees. After taking a medical leave to undergo chemotherapy, she had to decide whether to return to a bad work situation just for the health benefits."

Nothing indicates the fact that your health is more important than sticking it out at your job or an inspiring story about a woman who discovers her cancer is due to her boss then finds alternative means to make an end rather than living the one life she was given in peace and happiness. I just didn't find this article inspiring at all unfortunately.

Read yourself and develop your own opinion! enjoy

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/work/article/86751

Seriously Sunday?

Did Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban really name their daughter Sunday after having her on a Monday?

Nicole Kidman, who I always think of as classy, beautiful and intelligent, chose to name her daughter after a day of the week and not even on the right day! What is it with some celebrities playing into this new 'alternative' trend of names. I just don't understand how a couple could go through a list of names and decide on Apple or Suri? If you aren't from the culture, why name your kid after what you think is a cultural name for something pretty? In fact "Suri" is a type of South American Llama! In Japan it can mean "pick pocket". Perhaps someone will not agree with me but it's my blog right? I think the names are silly.

Well regardless, an Urban/Kidman baby is bound to grow up beautiful.