Well, it's been awhile since I posted an entry, so I'll make an attempt to play "catch up". Things have been fairly good..all is well. As for my book, I've been continuing to sell copies here and there. In March I was invited to introduce my book at the annual meeting of a Historical Society in a neighboring county. I was excited to be invited, but yet a little nervous at the same time. It went well though. I had initially written down those things I wanted to say, but once in front of the audience, I just let it flow. As a result, I sold 4 copies, which was good I thought because there only about 30-40 people in attendance.
In the meantime, I had been just counting down the days until vacation which was to start on April 19. I went on a cruise, and had a wonderful time. Our port of calls were Half Moon Cay-Bahamas, St. Thomas-US virgin Islands, San Juan-Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk-Ciacos. Half Moon Cay is beautiful. It's small, and would say mostly a recreational stop but absolutely gorgeous! While there I went parasailing. I had always wanted to do it, and I'm glad I choose Half Moon Cay to do it. Being so high up in the air was an amazing view of the island. You could see all the different shades of blue in the water..simply breath taking!
St. Thomas was great too, but I had been there before so I was familiar with that island. It was exciting for one of my older sister's who accompanied me. She had never been on a cruise so it all was a new experience for her. When the trip was scheduled for the month of April, I figured it would be great if she were to go because it's a difficult month for her. She lost her oldest son in a car accident in that month, so she get sad during that time. Of course it understandable, but I figured if she were to go with me the excitement and the adventure of the cruise would keep her from sinking so deep into the sadness. With this in mind, I spoke to my nephew (her youngest son) to see if he would be willing to help me out with her trip, and he agreed, so we made it happen. On the day of the anniversary of her sons death, she had a moment during dinner and called it a day afterwards, but she was okay. She had a wonderful time, we took some great pictures and I'm glad we were together.
If you ever visit San Juan, and you're the type that like to have fun in the midst of a lively group of people, you have to visit a bar named Senor Frog's. It's fun and interactive too. Grand Turk, a total beauty! The water was nice and I took a few pictures on the beach. All in all, it was a wonderful vaction. I met some really nice people from all over. Here's a shout out to Chris-( very nice, sweet man...cute too!), Sarahenity-( ok, she's got skills..be on the look out for her!) Koffee-(eventhough you didn't want to jump around..lol, thanks for the dances), Kevin-( it was nice meeting you), and of course "Mac" and the crew. They were nice, friendly, and put the icing on the cake of an already good vacation. I hope you all stay in touch and it would be great to meet again someday. I wasn't ready to return home, and already I'm looking forward to the next one.
Anyway, the fun has passed and I guess it's now time to get back to business...promoting the book, and looking for a new job, but in the meantime I'll just be enjoying the memories of my vacation. 'Til next time......
Tracey ♥
Yesterday I received my first book review. I sent it in just about a month ago. As a writer, you know what you write, and how you feel about it, but it's always nerve wrecking to wonder what others think, especially when it's being reviewed and your waiting on the results. I would say it's unrealistic to think that everyone will like your work, but it certainly helps to know that someone does. I guess with me, I just wanted to know if I was successful in getting my point, ideas, and thoughts across to the next person. Well, after reading my review, I was very happy to know that I had acheived just that.
Yes, it was only one person, and one review, but my thought is this..."If it inspires yet one person, then the purpose of my book has been served". My whole decision to put this book together wasn't for fame or fortune, although honestly speaking, It would indeed be nice, but more importantly, I wanted to share my thoughts and perspective with others in hopes that once they read my book they are inspired to make positve changes in their lives. I have found that written words can be just as encouraging as verbal words. My book focuses on the practicalities of day to day life here in modern day society, and how to reduce the stress factors that we encounter as a way to find that enjoyment that we all deserve. I think anyone; more matter who you are, where you live, or what your annual salary is can take something from the book. Even for those of us who aren't willing to admit it, I think we all have a few things we can work on to better ourselves and our lives...ranging from attitude to behavior, and thoughts. See, these are the very things that can dictate, change, or influence our lives. It might be for the good, or it could be for the bad, but that part is up to you my friend. Anyway, back to the topic at hand...my review. Yes, my heart skipped a beat when I found out it was ready and had been posted because I had no clue as to what it would contain, but once I read it, I was very pleased. It recieving 5 stars was of course amazing, but what was more fulfilling was the fact that someone got it! If you hadn't already, you can click "Review" on the side bar and read part of the review, then click "read entire review" to do so in it's entirety. Well, until next time....
As of February 29, 2008, I will be closing an old chapter in life and starting a new one. After that day I will no longer be employed. Yep, a "displaced worker" as those who have been laid off are refered to. My place of employment has been going through, and making changes for the last several years now. It all started with a huge reduction in force for those who were in salary..HR personel, and supervisors. Since then it's been all down hill.
Anyway, there had been rumors about a lay off floating around for the last few weeks or so. Of course, we were never told, or had anykind of forthright meeting to let the employees know the status of just what was going on, or what they (HR) was even anticipating. All we heard came from other employees. Well, starting on that Monday, (Feb. 18th) people were being called to the office. Sure enough, it was happening! Actually what they were doing was giving us an option. The option was to either be reduced to the lowest pay code and become a "temporary" employee..meaning no insurance, vacation, or any other benefits, or be permanately laid off with the company providing 6 month of continued insurance, all your vaction pay for 2008, and uncontested unemployment.
Well, after almost 8 years of coming in everyday, working my butt off, being a dedicated employee, working 7 days a week for the last few months..there was no way in hell I would continue to work there as a temporary employee. Not trying to sound big headed or anything, but I have enough confidence in my capabilities not to just settle for that. The way I see it, I'd be better off going back to school and drawing unemployment until I find another job. Since I'll be a "displaced worker" there are programs that will actually pay for your schooling as long as you're taking a course approved by the program. Trust me, I will be checking into that.
Once things started popping off that Monday, I knew it was a matter of time before it got to me due to seniority, so I started seriously thinking about what I was going to do. I toyed with the thought of "if I stay, at lease I'll still have a job", but that wasn't satisfying at all and the thought of working in that type of setting with no insurance..yeah, they'd be just sitting back waiting on someone to get hurt so they could boot them right out the door at the drop of a dime. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't settle for that after 8 years of service. I guess from their point of view they're probably saying "they should be glad they still have a job". With the way the job market is especially in the manufacturing industry...they're probably right; that's why it's time for me to switch to a different line of work anyway. I'm a little pissed, not only for myself, but for others as well because I feel like they could have handled things in a diffent way. If the deal had been that they were just going to drop us to the lowest paycode, but we would keep our "bennies", then I probably would have chose to stay, but things happened the way they did for a reason. I look at it like this...had it not happened that way, I would have continued to linger on there, and therefore missed out on the opportunities that now await me.
For a brief moment I'll have time to pursue other things of intrest, I'll be able to relax a bit, I'll have more time to try to promote my book, I can finally wear my hair down, not have to deal with oils and metal shaving everywhere, and most of all I'll be out of that environment of chaos and uncertainty. In a sense, now, I almost feel bad for those who will remain there, especially the ones with less than 10 yrs, because it's already in the air that another wave will be coming soon and some of those people are really stressing about it. I'm just glad to be beyond that now because this, without a doubt, is nothing more than a blessing for me, and good things are sure to follow. I don't regret my decision, and I'm glad I was pushed to finally make it because honestly, it's something I should have done years ago. So, yes I'm closing a chapter, but definitely look forward to the start of a new one. 'Til next time...
