Dec 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.

~Edgar Guest

Dec 28, 2009

ESTE AÑO NO FUE MI AÑO PERO SI FUE MI AÑO

Parece que me traigo un trabalenguas. Muchas veces me han dicho que no cuente mis desgracias si no las bendiciones.  Es verdad, tengo muchísimas bendiciones pero es triste saber que se acaba el año 2009 y que ciertas personas, muy queridas personas se han ido para siempre.  Por ejemplo, no he podido hablar con el esposo de mi hermana república de Tampico.  Temo remover recuerdos y para qué, no hice nada por ella, ni hablar por teléfono, ni visitarla.  Solo le enviaba correos electrónicos a través del esposo, aunque en mis oraciones nunca faltó pedir por su salud y en escritos anteriores en este blog hacía mención de su valor, de su actitud tan positiva ante la fatal enfermedad.  Cómo desearle feliz navidad y un mejor año a él y a sus hijas, cómo? Siento no haber hecho lo suficiente.
Se fue mi padrino, compadre y cuñado, a quien admiré por su forma de ver la vida, por amar tanto la salud a tal grado que parecía que todo pero todo se le resbalaba, que nada era motivo para perder la calma. Muchas veces me propuse ir a visitarlo y preguntarle sobre la contabilidad en lo que él era un experto y además gozaba hablar de su trabajo. Nunca lo hice, siempre lo pospuse y hoy es demasiado tarde.  Doble pérdida, hubiera yo podido aprender mucho de él porque en eso si no escatimaba explicaciones y estoy segura que me hubiera dado todo el tiempo que yo quisiera. Que lástima.
Tuve otras pérdidas, que esas si no constituyen un hecho lamentable, solo monetariamente hablando y no duelen como perder personas queridas.
Mi otra dolencia es el hecho de que cada vez son menos los amigos que escriben, que cuentan, que comparten experiencias laborales o de cualquier otra índole. O todos viven muy ocupados, o es que uno ya no le interesa, o lo que a uno le pase ya no les importa.
Hoy por ejemplo borré de mis contactos a tres personas que haciendo cuentas, desde hace más de cinco años que no he sabido nada pero nada de ellas y yo siempre enviándoles chismes, oraciones, chistes, videos, mensajes subliminales etc. Las he borrado y no pienso suscribirme a cuanto  invento se haga para encontrar amigos, los verdaderos amigos no se andan buscando porque nunca han perdido el contacto.  Para aquellos a quienes les importo, les aseguro mi cariño, amistad y continuidad en el año venidero. A TODOS  LES DESEO MUY FELIZ Y AVENTUROSO AÑO 2010.   Besos.

ADIOS IRLANDA

La comisión en Irlanda llegó a su fin el pasado mes de octubre. En diversas reuniones de trabajadores que no de trabajo porque para eso las hormigas no estaban invitadas, dejaba de manifiesto su aburrimiento de Irlanda porque no hay nada que hacer, porque ya había llegado a conocer la vida política, económica e intelectual a tal grado, que todo era algo menos que previsible y por lo tanto nada de interesante mucho menos importante.
Un mes antes de la salida se me vino un repentino calentamiento global con la fuerza del tsunami de diciembre 2005.  Me vi envuelta en olas de papeles porque había que elaborar un documento con todo lo habido y hecho durante el tiempo que se vivio en Dublín, habia que reservar pasajes aéreos para todo el clan, unos saliendo de aquí, otros saliendo de allá, otros que se tienen que encontrar por acullá y luego buscar compañías de mudanza que pudieran llevarse todo lo acumulando hasta el día del regreso a la patria, incluida la colección de muñequitos del Kinder Surprise.
Pues no es mucho, no? Hubo que quitar casa, enviar a bodega las pertenencias de la compañía pero antes cotizar tres veces y que no falte el peso ni las medidas, ni el seguro, ni la .......y hacer el inventario.
Y las fiestas de despedida de allá para acá y de aquí para allá y el menu y los vinos y las despedidas de los otros? Que bueno que no sirvo.  Pobres de las que si sirven porque si a mi me envolvió un tsunami a ellas les fue como en una explosión volcánica, quedaron hechas polvo o cenizas!
Por fin en la patria, a un mes de distancia se empieza a saborear la calma, mucha calma.  Mi calentamiento global se lo ha llevado el invierno un poco más frío que el de otros años, o tal vez es mi vejez.  Ha llovido mucho, se ha inundado Cork, al sur de Irlanda, en la costa oeste ha nevado y habido varios accidentes. No hemos ido ni a ver piedras caray! 

Dec 23, 2009

PROTOCOLO IRLANDES

Un cachito de historia dentro de un acto protocolario de tipo deportivo.
http://innisfree1916.wordpress.com/2009/05/10/protocolo-irlandes/

MY SWEET BROKER

Her name is Cathie and she works for a real estate agency. How we came to know each other is merely due to destiny.
We arrived in Ottawa on the first day of November 1997. The first snowfall was already visible in the streets and the temperature was around zero and minus 5 degrees. For me and my family it was very cold but at the same time we were happy to see so much snow all over the city. We stayed at Capital Hotel that’s across from my workplace and while I was working my family, assisted by a broker who someone had recommended to us was looking for what was going to be our home in Canada's capital. We viewed so many houses and even though there were a lot of them, not one of them really filled our expectations. Days were passing, it was getting colder and more snow was falling.
One day coming back from work I noticed that my teenager daughter was not in our room. I asked my husband about her and he said that she had gone on a tour and would be back soon. When she came back and like every mother does I told her how worried I had been. She replied that she was bored and tired of living in the one room so she went on her own to look for a house and that is when she met Mr. Jolie on the bus. She started talking to him and told him about our situation and he said he was going to help us. But how, I asked her, is he a broker? This was something new for me in Canada you need a broker for many things and many reasons.
A few minutes later the telephone rang. I pick it up and said hello, on the other side a nice voice said "hi, its Cathie here am I talking to Ms. Almazan? Yes I replied. Oh, listen, a friend of mine, Mr. Jolie, said that you're looking for a house. Yes, yes. Are you familiar with the city? Well we have been in some areas and viewing many houses but actually what is most important to us is to find a nice three bedrooms and two bathrooms house no matter in which part of the city I answered desperately. My children are tired of living in a hotel, I said to her.
I understand she said. No problem, there’s a good number of houses to view, when are you able to start? Right now if you wish. OK I'll meet you tomorrow she said. Cathie at that time only worked in sales not rentals but the way Mr. Jolie asked her to help us was the key. Cathie drove us to so many places, never lost her patience, or showed any kind of annoyance, she was always straight and answered all of our questions no matter how silly they were. Her commitment to find us a place was totally evident. Moreover, Cathie was always on time, elegantly dressed and what to say about her make up and her manicure, immaculate, she's gorgeous.
While looking here and there December was knocking at the door, Christmas spirit was already in the air, all government buildings and businesses were decorated but we had not found the perfect house. I was desperate and begging for a miracle to happen. I saw with my eyes wide opened the thermometer reaching minus 20 degrees outside at night, this cold made me dream about sitting with my children around me in front of a fireplace, most houses in Canada have a fireplace, grilling marshmallows and chestnuts, decorating our Christmas tree, wishing to settle.
In the early morning of December the 4th Cathie rang earlier than usual (8am) and said Adela a house just came up a few minutes ago and I think this time is what you're looking for. “Oh wonderful, lets go and see it” And it was indeed. On a snowy morning of the 6th day of December 1997 we moved into our new home-sweet-home and found a beautiful Christmas plant arrangement with Cathie’s card. My husband and I were deeply touched by her gesture. Cathie did the miracle. Her commitment with us was very clear: I won’t stop until you’re totally satisfied. But the story doesn’t end here.
After living three years in Ottawa, the prices of houses dropped considerably and I thought it would be a good idea to buy one. Guess who I called in first place to invest in a property, yes, Cathie. We went again into 30 houses until we found our beloved home in Ottawa. Her advice, ability, skills and her honesty were fundamental to achieve this transaction we are so proud of.
We happily lived for four years in our property. After that time we were transferred to Ireland and decided to rent it. I was going to do some kind of long distance management. I really tried but it was a disaster, it didn't work out at all. Little by little the house lost its nice appearance and I lost my tenant.
I got in touch with Cathie once more asking her advice and with her usual courtesy said, no problem Adela, I'll help you. And she's dealing with contractors, making payments, posting my mail and a long etcetera. She is taking care of my house as if it were hers. No one has ever given me so much, she's amazing.  My gratitude to Cathie, God bless and help her to succeed always in every business.

Cathie we’re gonna make it!