Slave to the Pump

Today I had to breakdown and order a refill of my Symbicort. I've been feeling better and it's obvious that I will soon be fully recovered from the ill effects of asthma, so I didn't refill when I initially finished with my last inhaler. I was hoping to save myself the expensive added expense of buying more asthma medication. But I've noticed that the lack of Symbicort has adversely effected my performance in martial arts classes. If I didn't take those classes then I wouldn't need to order the inhaler because I am doing fine when not exerting myself. It seems I will have to be a 'slave to the pump' for a little longer. I will take it for another 2 months and stop taking it to test the waters again. Well, at least there's light at the end of the tunnel - at least the asthma will eventually be gone.
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Update on the Re-Design at My Job

While I was initially really bothered by the change in my title and assignment at my job, I have come to terms with it. What makes it better is that the Partner I support is making a concerted effort to ensure that who I've been newly assigned to changes. He is trying to get my assignment to be filled with people that work closely with him. That way I still will be doing work for him even if I am no longer officialy his assistant.

I must admit I went into his e-mail inbox to see what he wrote and what kind of response he received (I can access his e-mails from my own laptop). And he didn't write a quick one liner - as he is prone to do. He wrote a paragraph about how much there is going on with the client he is global relationship partner for (I don't want to mention client on my blog) and the work would be too much of a strain to transfer to his new EA. He built me up to sound like such an asset, I realize that is partially to ensure he gets his way. But it still felt good that he would make effort.

They made changes but it wasn't exactly to his liking so he wrote another e-mail and detailing what he want changed. He said he said that if there are hurdles getting in the way of her effectively changing my assignment to his liking to let him know what the hurdles are and he'll see what he can do to get them out of the way. He also added that "as you can see I'm not going to give up". He's really making a concerted effort to keep me around - so I can still assist him.

It makes me feel good that he's making this kind of effort. I am also glad that while who I technically support and report to has changed it's basically going to be the same as it has been. I worked and interacted with these people already when I was my Partner's EA so it's really not going to be much different.
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Argyle Sweater Comic

Sarranghey = I love you in Korean

Sunset Glow w/english subtitles

Change in Title at My Job

I just found out that they're making me a Team Assistant instead of Executive Assistant. The primary difference is I'll be working for Directors and Managers instead of Partners. All along they've been telling us the roles are compareable with just a different focus. But come to find out Team Assistant is a 3N rated jobe whereas an EA is a 4N. I guess in the end it doesn't really matter because it was explained to me that if I reach the salary cap for the 3N that they'll give a lump sum instead of a percentage raise.

They gave me this song and dance about how proactive I am with a strong skill set as well as the ability to multi-task and because I'm so compitent I'm bing "rewarded" with this lower rated title that they've been telling us for so long was compareable to Executive Assistant. Kind of hard to believe they think so highly of my skill set when they're giving me a 3N job down from the 4N level I had.

Another bad point is Directors and below give very little at Christmas time where as my Partner was good for $500 every Christmas.

On the upside I don't have to work for this annoying Director I have, on the down side I don't know any of the 15 people I've been given to support and could get somebody worse. 3-4 of the Directors I'll be supporting are female and female bosses aren't the greatest to have. It's just a fact that it's not uncommon for them to be inconsistant with expectations so you're always trying to guess what they want. And female bosses are less inclined to curb their tongue and they make snarky, rude remarks. Let's hope the females I'll be working for aren't like this.

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Jazzmin's Basketball Game

I finally was able to go to one of Jazzmin's basketball games this Sunday - which was her 3rd game ever. I was sure that Jazzmin's team was going to win because in warm ups the other team looked like a hot mess, while Jazzmin's team was well organized. But the other team ended up winning, part of the problem is that everybody is new on Jazz's team except for 2 people. So they're all still adjusting to playing on a basketball team for the first time. They lost 17-12.

I feel confident that they'll get better as the season progresses. I've posted a few photos (and a video) here but will e-mail family and friends with the rest of them.

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I've got those no-good-redeployment-blueees! Oh Yeeeaah!

We got the news at my job that next week they'll finally be telling us who we'll be working for and what title we'll be working under. If you are made to only work for Partners then you'll be an Executive Assistant and if you work for solely Directors and below then you're a Team Assistant. Oh sure, they say that one is no better then the other - but I can't help but believe that the salary cap for an EA (working for Partners) isn't a bit more then a TA. It's all about the $$$$ for me - that's why I go to work. I'm not believing the hype, EA is likely better and so an EA is what I want to stay. Plus it'll be nice to work for less people (right now I support 11 ppl), EAs will only be supporting 3-4 Partners.

I am optimistic that I'll get to stay an EA but still can't help but worry about being put as a TA. I also wonder if I'm going to support new people or the same people I always have. I don't want new people - what if they're jerks?

Oddly enough - when they hand down the news they're going to have 2 EA managers and a Partner from the company present. Are they expecting some mass show of emotion and perhaps somebody will go postal? I'm not quite sure why so many people need to be involved.

Well, wish me luck!

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Big Bang "With You" (in english)

The Obama Files

Jazzmin's Annual Physical

I had to have Jazz's annual physical done with a new doctor as her current doctor was booked until the end of December and she needed a paper signed for basketball the first week of November. This new doctor is at a different clinic all together as the old clinic won't allow my daughter to get a physical by a different doctor as long as her actual doctor was available (I guess they define available as being in the building - even though he's double booked with appts.). I asked the receptionist if she'd prefer the clinic lose my money by having me go to a doctor from a different clinic (as I explained the urgency of the visit) and she told me to go do what I have to do. So I did. Though I think the rule is stupid 'cause if a patent goes to a new doctor and switches to that new doctor as a result then they lose all future earnings. It would make better business sense to accommodate then risk losing the patient all together.

So anyway - I went to the new doctor this morning. Can't say as though I was impressed - Jazzmin did not speak of any problem breathing, despite being an active child, yet prescribed an emergency inhaler for her to have if she needs it. OK... Let's see - if she never spoke of having breathing problems then when would these times of needing the emergency inhaler happen? He's treating a non-existent problem. The reason he wrote the prescription was as a result of a breathing test they had her do. But if the test says she needs it and the patient doesn't have any breathing problems - wouldn't that be a cause to think that something is amiss with the test?

It's not as though her other pediatrician was so amazing, but... It's not exactly easy to find good doctors in the Bronx. If she had any real health problems I'd have to find a doctor in Manhattan - not that Manhattan is full of amazing doctors. You still find more "misses" then hits - but at least the hits are attainable.

But end result of her physical is she's fine and can play on the basketball team. Her first game is on Monday!
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YEAH! Obama won!

Here's a LINK to his victory speech.


Here is Spike Lee's reaction to the election of Obama:

Jazzmin's Dad Court Date

I spoke with Jazz's paternal grandmother yesterday and it seems as though Jazz's father has gone to court today. I imagine it's just a court date to officially enter in the charge, what sentence the prosecutor is going for and get the date his case will actually be heard. After that he'll likely be shipped off to a facility outside of the city to wait until that court date. His mother seems to think that he'll be looking at heavy time - of course, law enforcement has always wanted to put him away for a long time but have, as of yet, been successful.

Jazzmin is staying with her paternal grandmother while I am at my gumdo tournament this weekend. She's going to bring Jazzmin to visit her father. So that meant I had to finally tell Jazzmin that her father is in jail. She took it very well - she seemed unaffected by the news. When I told her that is she feels bad at all about this that she should tell me - but she said it didn't bother her because she's not used to seeing him that much anyway. I cross my fingers that she is not too adversely affected by her father and his absence.

It's times like these that I am glad that she has the teacher she does at taekwondo as a male role model. I feel like somehow having an alternative male figure/role model helps ease the absence of her dad on some level. After all she adores him and he does go beyond just teaching martial arts -but also teaches proper behavior, encourages her to read while waiting for me while I'm in class, gets on her case if he's eating unhealthy snacks, etc.

Well, we'll see what happens with her dad. Wish he hadn't gotten himself into another mess.
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The Wordy Shipmates

I saw this author on the John Stewart not too long ago and enjoyed her brand of humor and the fact that her book involves real history. I think any one of my siblings would enjoy this also. She has this ironic, dry humor - glad I discovered her. I got "The Wordy Shipmates" today on audiobook and put her other 2 books offered on audible.com in my wish list. I look forward to listening to this - you should check it out!

Here is a summary of the book:

The Wordy Shipmates is New York Times best-selling author Sarah Vowell's exploration of the Puritans and their journey to America to become the people of John Winthrop's "city upon a hill" - a shining example, a "city that cannot be hid."

To this day, America views itself as a Puritan nation, but Vowell investigates what that means - and what it should mean. What was this great political enterprise all about? Who were these people who are considered the philosophical, spiritual, and moral ancestors of our nation? What Vowell discovers is something far different from what their uptight shoe-buckles-and-corn reputation might suggest. The people she finds are highly literate, deeply principled, and surprisingly feisty. Their story is filled with pamphlet feuds, witty courtroom dramas, and bloody vengeance. Along the way she asks:

• Was Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop a communitarian, a Christlike Christian, or conformity's tyrannical enforcer? Answer: Yes!
• Was Rhode Island's architect, Roger Williams, America's founding freak or the father of the First Amendment? Same difference.
• What does it take to get that jezebel Anne Hutchinson to shut up? A hatchet.
• What was the Puritans' pet name for the Pope? The Great Whore of Babylon.

Sarah Vowell's special brand of armchair history makes the bizarre and esoteric fascinatingly relevant and fun. She takes us from the modern-day reenactment of an Indian massacre to the Mohegan Sun casino, from old-timey Puritan poetry, where "righteousness" is rhymed with "wilderness," to a Mayflower-themed waterslide. Throughout, The Wordy Shipmates is rich in historical fact, humorous insight, and social commentary by one of America's most celebrated voices. Thou shalt enjoy it.
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Yup - I've Got Pineo Blood Running Through My Veins

I have the compulsion to buy one of every color when I find a piece of clothing I like. Without fail - I always have that impulse. But my wallet can not support that impulse - which is probably a good thing. When you have a bunch of the same style clothing it makes the wardrobe a little boring.

Anyone remember how Mom used to do that - buy one of every color in clothing, shoes and jewelry? Mom was nothing if not color coordinated. :) And I believe my aunts have this same disposition so that's why I attribute it to Mom's side of the family in general.
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Holy Halloween Batman!

This weekend I have to bring Jazzmin to 3 different Halloween parties in 3 days, starting tonight. Sigh. So much for a restful weekend. But... she doesn't get to go trick or treating so this is the extent of her Halloween celebration. The only other thing we're doing is going to a haunted house on Halloween. So I feel obligated to try and make sure her Halloween is fun by going to all the parties.

The reason she doesn't trick or treat here is because all the kids do are go from store to store and collect candy. Stores leave out a bowl and they dive in. Doesn't exactly capture the spirit of Halloween. I refuse to participate in such a tacky, unfestive revised tradition of Halloween.

Of course, I could bring her door to door trick or treating in apartment buildnigs but I'm not going door to door wondering which one is going to be be the weirdo or serial killer. There are plenty of good people in my area but the element of surprise where there is potential for dealing with the crazies doesn't sound appealing to me.

Incidentally, Jazzmin is going to be Queen Amidala from one of the Star Wars movies - the character Natalie Portman played. It's a girl costume yet it's sporty - just how Jazzmin likes it. She's not really into the girly costumes like barbie, cheer leaders or the like.