Hi everyone!
I must apologize for my lack of updates as of late. I’ve been having a tough time sitting down to write one of these, as there’s so much on my mind all the time that it’s hard to pen any of it.
Today, however, I am home sick with the flu, Mozart is playing on Grooveshark, I’m drinking hot tea with honey and I just downed two (!!!) tablespoons of Buckley’s. The advertising campaign for that stuff was spot on. I say was because I haven’t seen them in years, but if you need a refresher here‘s a spot from a couple years back. If you search around YouTube for Buckley’s, or if you’ve ever had it yourself, you’ll understand why I put exclamation marks for two tablespoons.
On to the update!
Work Life
I’ve been working at MNP LLP (earlier I made reference to Meyers Norris Penny, they actually changed their name to MNP as of July this year) and I must say the culture and atmosphere of the workplace really suit me. The people, the pay, and the general attitude at work are all great.
I’m getting along with people at work, and I even organized the pre-UFE results party and the turnout was better than anticipated. It was a great night, and thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with the writers. Celebrating after UFE results are announced is like salt in the wound for those who failed, so I took it upon myself to show our writers a good time while they were still united in their anticipation. Unfortunately, one of our writers did not pass, but Adom Postma, who sits on the other side of my space, did. Congratulations Adom!
I’m still battling with the fact that I have much to learn and I make mistakes once in a while. To anyone who knows me, yes, I did just say I make mistakes. I must concede, however, that I do get frustrated because it feels like none of my decisions are my own. It feels formulaic at the best of times, but the work is the work. I don’t feel like I’m contributing or adding value, and it directly impacts my job satisfaction. This is a stepping stone position though, and like my managers say: “you have to grind it out”.
That being said, MNP is a great company to work for, and I do appreciate the opportunities I can pursue if I choose to develop myself as a professional. I plan on going more on the management consulting side of things if and when I can, and assurance is a good way to get to know what the heck I’m talking about, at least on the finance end of it. In University I took part in all those case competitions because I loved doing it and I was good at it. If I can somehow leverage that into something I do for money, Booyah achieved.
Buckley’s update: my burps taste like Buckley’s, how’s that for punishment.
Personal Life
So it’s been almost three months living with my brother, and while it has had it’s ups and downs as expected, it’s been a great situation overall. We have our routine in place, and it’s largely remained intact from when we were living on our own, which is nice because Mimi and I both need our “relax from the day” time, which isn’t exactly conducive to social interaction.
Me and Lexi have been spending a lot more time together. I have a 15 minute drive to work, and I just listen to CBC radio one. Great find by the way, if you get a chance to listen to CBC radio, check it out. They’ll present a news story, then bring in experts who disagree with each other to talk about it, and it’ll be civil. Imagine that, civil discourse between opposing groups of thought without the mud flinging and feces spewing forth from open orifices at all times that we’ve come to expect (ie: democracy). After the panel discusses the issues everyone will thank each other for coming on to talk about it, then CBC radio will put on a piece of music that matches or is a good follow up to the story they were discussing. Lexi appreciates the fact that it’s not constant gangsta rap or Tool coming out of her speakers.
Dariusz and I signed up for LA Fitness together, and I must say I missed going to the gym on a regular basis. It helps with my mood swings and I get personal satisfaction out of just going. I’m working on keeping my heart rate at 170 for half an hour, then doing a circuit of all the muscle groups. I’m not looking to get ‘uge (for some reason the “h” gets more and more silent the bigger someone gets), just be healthy. Mimi posited the following challenge to me for next years Halloween costume: Old Spice Guy. A lofty goal indeed, and I think I’ll use this blog to keep a timeline of my progress, so stay tuned!
As for video games I’ve been playing, right now I’m pretty hooked on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It truly is a masterpiece and a work of art. I have my Xbox connected to my 48″ HDTV, and sometimes I have to stop whatever I’m doing and just marvel at the scenery, the game is that gorgeous. Games these days have been getting so intricate and story driven, it’s like being part of a great series of movies/books/epic saga of you.
Shout out goes to my peeps in Ottawa: Simon, Mike, Steve, Jen, Brian, and Patricia, among others. We visited twice since we’ve been in Kitchener, and it’s always a pleasure to hang out.
We’ll be visiting Windsor this weekend to go see the Detroit Lions take on the Minnesota Vikings, courtesy of my brother who bought the family tickets as a Christmas present. Our parents are going away for the holidays as they got a free vacation voucher (since they got robbed last time they went…), so we’ll be doing an early Christmas on my side of the fam. When I last visited Windsor I purchased a perfectly functional silver beer helmet at a Halloween costume store, and I’ll be sporting that at the game. We’ll definitely try to take any opportunities to see people during the weekend.
With that in mind, here’s a parting thought from the late great Jack Layton, these words have touched me and will ring true forever:
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
Much love,
Krzysztof
