Holland & New Opportunities

In my last post, I ended with a brief paragraph on my job situation. I’m very happy to announce that I left that place and am so very fortunate and grateful for a new opportunity that came so quickly.  The week my Director was let go was the week I was going to give my notice but since that happened I put it off thinking things would get better. I’d applied for a couple of jobs and was either over qualified, didn’t meet their requirements of having a degree, or they couldn’t pay what I was asking. I was being as patient as I could stand to be whilst being stressed out at my job due to the harassment and highly inappropriate comments made by the Director. I can’t even put into words or explain the craziness. He being let go was the best decision that company has made.  I was treated so unfair and it was so obvious to everyone. I would ask to leave 30 minutes early for an appointment or to attend a function for one of the kids and he’d make me take a half-day vacation but my co-worker could ask to leave an hour early and he’d let her work through lunch to leave early.  He shaved his face at my desk!  He would talk for hours about aliens…..  It was INSANITY!

Anyway, I finally mustered up enough courage to quit in hopes that I’d find something quickly. I was really holding out for an offer from a large oil and gas company that has presence in Houston but since they were being acquired by another massive oil and gas company, they put the job on hold. I had two really good interviews with them and they assured me that once the job was re-opened they’d let me know. There was massive flexibility with that role, flexible hours, working from home a couple of days a week or when need be, 9/80 schedule, etc. That job being put on hold put a little wrench in my plan but being in the industry for so many years, I had a lot of contacts to reach out to again.  The problem is that with this downturn, no one is hiring. It’s very difficult to get a job right now so on one hand I was grateful to have a job but on the other I just couldn’t deal with the stress anymore. I gave my notice on September 11^th and didn’t look back.  My supervisor was so inexperienced that he didn’t know what to do with my resignation letter, I had to tell him to take it to HR. He didn’t know how to conduct a handover or do a proper MoC so I did my best to hand over my current tasks to a co-worker who unfortunately didn’t’ have any experience in that area. I miss my co-workers a lot.  We endured some crazy shit the past 6 months and if it wasn’t for us all sticking together and laughing through the madness, I don’t know what I would have done.

I’m now working for another oil and gas company, Petrofac. I spent a week in Holland in October and am so grateful for this opportunity. I’m an Implementation Consultant and am now working with many clients around Houston. So far, I love it.  I have flexibility and am treated like an adult. No one is watching over my shoulder to see if I’m here at a certain time, or tracking my every move. We are adults, we all have a job to do and as long as we get it done, we have the flexibility to manage our clients, tasks and time.

October and November flew by.  Kiarra played in her last volleyball game and Jayden finished up his Jr. High Football season.  Kiarra had a great final season and played with a great group of girls.  They took 2^nd place in district which is something to be proud of.  Jaydens football team also took 2^nd place in district. 

Taryns birthday was in November and she wanted to have a painting party. I LOVE painting so this was so much fun for me to plan.  We kept it simple and had the girls paint on canvas and then they all spent the night.  It was a great group of girls!  We played telephone, musical chairs, drop the pin, pop the balloon (and do whatever silly item on the paper inside), etc.  They all had a blast but most importantly, Taryn felt special on her big day. With the other kids being older now and having boyfriends/girlfriends, she's not getting the attention she is used to getting so it was great that she had a night dedicated just to her.

Basketball has begun and Jayden couldn’t be more excited.  I love watching him on the court.  He is so passionate about basketball and it shows.

Christmas is in 11 days and for the first time in a few years, I’ve actually started my shopping already – YAY!!  Kiarra and I knocked out a bunch of it on Friday and I kept trekking along Saturday.  I still have several items on my list but it feels good to know I don’t have to knock it all out in one day this year.  Can’t wait to see the family in Iowa for Christmas this year.  The kids love seeing their cousins and I love seeing all of my family.  I hate living so far from family but am very grateful for the few days each year we get to spend with them.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!