heycassie-blog-blog

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First week-ish on the job!

So it’s been just over a week now at Macy’s :) They had sent me a schedule for my first day a few nights prior and it was packed with presentations! It didn’t occur to me that perhaps my orientation wasn’t just for me, but that it would be with a group of other newbies. And it was! It’s nice to start with a few others because you have that common ground. It was nice to run into a fellow newbie later on in the week to just catch up.

In the afternoon, we got our ID cards. And I know this may sound a little cocky but, even another guy said it, I “nailed it”. It’s my best photo ID I ever took! It gave me a good feeling about this place :)

When I got to my desk the next day, what was waiting for me was the scariest thing: a desktop PC tower. What. The. F… It wasn’t hooked up either and apparently IT would be coming by later to set it up. But yeah, I was a bit confused to say the least. I also got in super early, so I walked around to try and find out where my supervisor would be sitting. We’re moving buildings soon, so I got put in one of the few remaining desks which is unfortunately super far away from the team :(

Luckily my supervisor met up with me later and I was relieved to hear that I would be getting a Mac laptop! Though getting I didn’t actually get the laptop until my 3rd day, which is when the real work started.

Since then I’ve been in several meetings and I could already tell that I’m working with some really smart people! It’s exciting :) Though at the same time, I really feel like a small cog in the system. Macys is huge! So many people! Can’t even imagine what it’s like at even larger tech companies.

I’m really liking it so far. Slowly making friends - it’s tough but I’ll get there eventually. I’m definitely noticing that I’m not that shy girl from just a year ago. I’m much more confident, and I hope I can keep it up! :) Later days!

[heycassie-blog-blog]

New start date: Monday!

I was just informed this morning that Macy's can provide me with a temporary SSN so that I can start working while waiting for my real SSN to arrive. It's great news because now I don't have to worry about my cash-flow too much :) Now to figure out my wardrobe for my first week...

[heycassie-blog-blog]

See you soon, my love

A few hours ago, I said “bye” to Vic. We’ve had a wonderful almost 2 weeks together here in SF as I begin my new adventure.

In these past 2 weeks, we accomplished a lot! Not without it’s challenges though.

After seeing 5 different units (3 in Japantown, 1 in Alamo Square, and another in Russian/Nob Hill), the 6th unit impressed us so much that we immediately jumped on it. It’s on the higher end of my budget, but with only electricity to pay for my utilities, it’s not bad at all. It’s also the biggest unit we saw (even bigger than our place in Toronto!), and it has a small patio in the back. I was expecting something so much smaller and crammed. I feel so blessed to have such a great space to live in :)

I bought a bed (first thing!) so what we had something to sleep on. In hindsight, I should’ve also bought pillows and a blanket (we had to make due with our stuffed animals and towels for the first night).

We got Internet as well - but a faulty modem delayed us having access for 2 nights (not bad).

The day after signing the lease, we rented a car so that we could make our way to Oakland to visit Ikea, Target, and Best Buy to start furnishing our home.

That morning though, when I applied for my SSN, they couldn’t process it because my name was too long! Strangest reason ever. And because of that, my SSN will be mailed to me within the next 4 weeks. 4 weeks, I know. When I told the HR about it, she mentioned to me that I won’t be able to work without an SSN. Luckily I have enough money to last me the next few weeks… Hopefully my SSN will arrive sooner than later so that I can start working and getting paid!

This affected our shopping trip, as you can imagine. We went to Ikea with the intention of getting a couch so that friends visiting would have something to sleep on. But now that I’d be strapped for cash, I really had to focus on purchasing the things I really needed and saying no to the “nice” stuff.

With what would’ve been my second day (today), I now have some calm because this delay of working is another blessing in disguise. I now get a real chance to settle in, get my things in order, put together my new place, and get pumped to start working.

These past 2 weeks have been awesome with Vic. He takes care of me so well, and now I have to take care of myself. Only until September though :) He really really helped me get lots of the basics I needed, and he has a good sense of the area I’m living in and the peace of mind that it’s safe.

Missing him already :) Hope the next few months will pass by quickly.

[heycassie-blog-blog]

Visa docs are in!

Just received my Visa docs. Now it's up to me and the CBP to get my TN Visa! I was freaking out, out of excitement and fear. This is real. I'm going to do this! This is awesome! Wish me luck on Monday when I go to the border to apply for the Visa. One week to go! Ahh!

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Breaking the news

So over the weekend, Vic and I visited our families to let them know the news. It was a little daunting because we had only told a few friends up to this point, and we had to make sure that our families didn't find out through someone other than us. Also there are a few friends we wanted to tell in person too, but given that most of our good friends know by now...

First off we made our way to Vic's family. His dad and brother were home so Vic broke the news to them separately that we were moving to Cali. His brother was super excited and happy for us! His dad, while happy too, was also sad. You could sense it. He was really concerned about making sure that whatever insurance I would be getting would cover Vic (and of course I would make sure that I got that option). A few moments after telling his dad, his dad made a joke about how he'd have to get a passport now so that he could visit us :) Adorable. I hope he carries through with it!

Later on that evening was the surprise birthday party of one of Vic's childhood buds, Jay. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to tell him and his fiancé, Karen. Amidst the shenanigans, we spoke with one of Jay's good buds named Andre - what a good guy! When we told him about Cali and the things that lead to it, he was touched. I was so pleasantly surprised to hear that, that a stranger could feel touched by our story. It gave me so much reassurance that this new adventure in our lives was a good idea.

As I was packing up food to take home, I found Karen and we looked around the room and couldn't find our boys. Hmm... where could they be? We went outside the party room and found them. Jay was on the floor. Vic just told him about our move. So I went on to tell Karen as well. Again, happy and sad feelings. We immediately scheduled a more intimate get-together for the following week. After hugs and congratulations, we broke the news to Jay's mom, who was absolutely happy for us. Hugs all around :)

Now for the most daunting task - telling my own family! We made plans to have an early lunch at a Pho place in Mississauga. We met them there and started chatting. I couldn't figure out a good time to break the news. It wasn't until she asked about whether we were RSVPing to an event in May that I said, "We haven't RSVP'd because... I got the job!" :) My mom started tearing up and my brother even put down his phone to hear all about it. They were super happy for me :D

We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about it at their house and their own stories of when they visited SF about a decade ago. As we headed out, my dad said that he was going to cry after we drive off :( My dad is always putting up a tough exterior, but he's a big softie inside. A huge relief came over me as we left - our families now know. Now to plan next 2-3 weeks before jetting off!

That evening, we met up with another one of Vic's good friends, Lillian. What was supposed to be a nice, intimate dinner with her and Glenn turned into a big dinner with a bunch of people. It was great because we had intended on telling them (Glenn's friends) at some point and now we had the chance to tell them in person.

It was a great weekend all around :) It's so nice to hear friends and family wish us well and be so supportive and happy for us and this new adventure we'll be taking on.

[heycassie-blog-blog]

SF here I come! ...Visa?

After doing a little negotiating, I got my official offer from Macy's and just sent my signed offer to them yesterday morning! This is crazy - I'm actually doing it. I am moving to San Francisco. AHH!

I think I celebrated for maybe 1 hour before reality hit - I can't even work there unless I get my TN Visa. Now me being me, I read up on a ton of different sites to get info on what's required. And of course, I read my fair share of denied applications which of course, got me stressed out and of course, Victor told me that I'll be okay. But I feel like I can't celebrate until I get it! Which sucks because the earliest I can get it is 2 weeks before my start date (April 21st).

So... until then, all I can do is prepare :) Wish me luck!

[heycassie-blog-blog]

A month ago

A month ago, it was the day after I lost my job. If I had made it to June, it would've marked my 6 years at Nurun. When it was going down, all I could think of was "This is really happening." Nothing anything the HR Manager was saying was getting through. I was shocked.

The outpouring of texts and Facebook messages from coworkers (even ones that had already left) after it happened was amazing. I really felt like I truly left a mark at Nurun and the people there. My recent LinkedIn recommendations are definitely proof of this. I know that I've made some really good friends for life.

It goes without saying - it hurt. Nobody wants to get let go, especially after working for so long. I had very mixed feelings about it - sad but happy, annoyed but relieved. To have gone through it with Sandra, one of my close friends I met at Nurun, made the whole ordeal so much better. We spent the rest of the day (we got let go just before lunch) enjoying downtown before parting ways. 

When we came back to get our things the week after, it was very bittersweet for me. Almost every person walking past the lobby that afternoon gave me the biggest hug and was offering their help. I just held my head high and smiled because I was okay. Being let go was a blessing in disguise.

In the past month, I was able to see our family doctor to get me the medication I need for my eczema, which was at it's worse when I left. It worked pretty much immediately. I had been trying regular lotions and 'natural' ointments but nothing had stuck. With this medication, my skin cleared up in a matter of days. It was amazing.

I also was able to do some 'winter cleaning' and got rid of a lot of clothes (y'know, to make room for my new, more mature, work wardrobe to come). 

I got invited to join a small start-up with a bunch of really smart people. We're going to start by doing really awesome projects with small companies to build our case studies for bigger projects in the future.

I've had several phone interviews, a meeting with a recruiter, and even got flown out to SF (my dream city!) for another interview. No word yet but I think SF is calling me to be there. My dreams just may come true this year :)

So... things are really looking up for me! Like I told an old buddy of mine, "I'm not going to let this bring me down." and so far, I haven't. This brand new chapter of my life is going to be awesome - I can feel it.