Digress: September 2007

Friday, September 28, 2007

Appreciation

My heart is bursting with happiness. My William Sonoma/Pottery Barn/West Elm buyers have made me feel so appreciated. It feels great to leave knowing that you did not disappoint.

I am posting their messages here for my sake - I know that whenever I feel low, I will need to remember that there will always be people out there who appreciates what I am doing.

-----Original Message-----
From: Brett Kladney
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 08:04 AM
It is with sweet sadness that I hear this news. I am very excited for you and your new projects! But It is with sadness as I will not be working with you!You have done such a great job for us, I greatly appreciate all that you have done for us here at Pottery Barn!Take care and hope to see you in the Phillipines!All my best,-- B

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Millero
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 09:05 PM
Dear Kathie,
Congratulations on your new position! We will miss you!
Best Regards,
Frank Millero
Designer, Tabletop/Table linens

-----Original Message-----
From: George Vollmer
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 07:50
Kathie
We will truly miss you. You have been such a great asset to our team. We really appreciate all the support and help. Best of luck to you with your new endeavor at WECA.
Best
George
george vollmer sourcing director hardlines pottery barn kids

-----Original Message-----
From: Lina Restrepo
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 07:40
Kathie!!
I am CRYING! I am going to miss you so much. You have been a pleasure and joy to work with. You will be a huge asset to your new group. They are lucky to have you!
Best of luck! You will be missed
Lina

-----Original Message-----
From: Megan Patricia Smith
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 08:00 AM
Kathie- Best wishes in you new role at WECA.
We will miss you. You have been very patience with us through the easter basket nightmare.
All the best,
Megan

-----Original Message-----
From: Tracy Henderson
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 07:40 AM

Kathie – Where are you going??? We will miss you! You are so talented!
Best,
Tracy L Henderson Sourcing Manager, Pottery Barn Kids Dec Accessories

Friday, September 14, 2007

Early bird catches the ....

Got to work early. 7.02am to be exact.

Office quiet, only 1 overhead light turned on.

Ate Jo and Kuya Paul still down at the jolly jeep station waiting for breakfast to be served.

I was not bothered. It usually is this way when I come in real early.

So I walk towards my space thinking of the day ahead.

Saw a figure go out the other way. Didn't think twice about it.

Then I backtracked - wait! nobody else comes in this early!

Went back, looked at all the other cubicles and found no one.

It hit me. I just saw a ghost!

My head went all big, my hairs stood on all ends. I was near tears.

I casually walked out. When I reached the door, I walked faster.

Tried calling hubby, but he was not picking up. Probably still driving.

I waited outside, looking over the makati skyline. Wondering what to do next.

Got tired waiting. Went back in, turned on all the lights.

Back to my space, downloaded my emails and tried not to think about it.

Then Ate Jo and Kuya Paul arrived - only to confirm that indeed I was the only one in the office until they got back.

So that is how my day has started. How was yours?

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Things happen

When I started looking for a job, my only requirement then was that it not be in Makati. I was still living somewhere North then, so Makati meant a really really loooooong ride.

So I ended up working for Sy's commercial bank, eventually moving on to lodge an almost solid ten-year career with a food ingredient manufacturer-exporter giant.

Then I did a short but successful stint with another manufacturer-exporter somewhere up in the rural mountains of Rizal.

For reasons I can only attribute to a Higher Being, I quit that job, got an interesting offer and I landed in Makati. The very place I wanted to stay away from.

Of course, logistics are different now. I live near the area.

And as if these small miracles are not enough, just when I am starting to want to move on, a new opportunity opens up. Talk about things happening at the right time and at the right place.

In my heart I recognize that all the decisions I have been making as I trudge along my life were guided decisions. I never know where the path I choose will lead me, but I know that wherever it will be, it is where I am planned to be.