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A Memorable, Belated Anniversary

I can’t believe I forgot to announce it on the day - May 16, 2007 marked ONE YEAR SMOKE FREE. I have resisted this evil, filthy habit for over a year now. I love it; it makes me feel so good about myself and so liberated. The repugnant stench of it, the dependence, the bad breath, and the expense, I don’t miss. The feeling of independence, and healthiness I love.

4th of July is just around the corner, so Maggie and I have been running almost everyday. Today, I even had her drop me of at the gym and I walked back for an hour, about 5 miles. I think I’m going for a run with her when she comes back from work around 6:30pm.

Graduation, Wedding, Divorce and Two Birthdays

I had a busy weekend last week. Thursday I had my first interview with the Accounting department of LeBoeof, Lamb, Greene, and MacRae. Immediately after the interview I took the train back to MV and from there in my car to Cape Cod. Joan had yummy snacks and we chatted for a long time before bed.

Friday was a long day of leisure; I made breakfast which we enjoyed in front of the TV. Joan had saved many episodes of shows we watch – “Heroes,” “Boston Legal,” “Desperate Hose Wives.” Since I was visiting the Cape I had to go to Ptown as well so that I can say hello to Dennis and some friends form Boston.

Saturday morning I drove back to Hyannis where I bought a shirt, a tie and a pair of shoes because I had to attend a last minute old friend’s wedding. It was Robin’s wedding. We met the first summer and she played a significant part in our introduction to American life and culture. DD actually told me the day before that her husband couldn’t attend so she needed me to go with her. The wedding was amazing; it was as if from a movie. Everything was just as I’ve seen it on TV – the ceremony, the bridesmaids, the speeches, the music and dances. Fascinating I tell Ya. I have to say that if Robin had dreamed for a PERFECT wedding she got it. Everything went flawlessly.

Sunday, May 20, 2007, was my commencement ceremony. It was long anticipated graduation from Suffolk University. Since it was a centennial commencement the ceremony was extra fancy; it took place at the TD Bank North Arena (a.k.a the Fleet Center). Joan and I got up at 6:00am this morning and Kate and Paul stopped to pick us up around 6:45am. Omar met us at 8:30am in front of the venue. I had to get in line immediately and wait for an hour, putting on the cap and gown – the tassel hanging to the right.

Suffolk had done a great job organizing the entire procession. There were signs and arrows everywhere. Amazingly, I was able to find my friends in the crowd; moreover they were able to spot me in the battalion of square toped caps. After the 4-hour ceremony we went to “the Cheese Factory,” a wonderful restaurant serving delicious food. I also received the coolest gifts at lunch – Omar gave me an awesome Emporio Armani watch and Kate gifted me with funds for tonight’s Alegria party. I would like to use the moment and thank you guys for being such amazing friends and for supporting me and sharing this great moment of my life. Thank You.

Monday was packed with events as well. First ting in the morning Joan and I went to court. We had celebratory lunch after and Kate joined us at the house for a small cake party, celebrating her birthday with some mimosas. I then drove to Jersey City to celebrate Paul De Pascale’s birthday.

Tuesday May 22, 2007 was may second interview with LeBoeof Lamb; it went much better than the first, I did much better on the merging documents test. I also met with the VP of the Accounting department. It was a 2-hour interview – 4:30 to 6:30pm.

Saturday Cultural/Leisure Agenda

Saturday Cultural/Leisure Agenda

* Early Breakfast - Crapes (protein balanced)
* Drive to the City
* Visit of the Guggenheim MuseumMilendels Walk along the Hudson River
* Chelsea Piers sightseeing and sunbathing, alternated with a mist of diffused water
* Lunch (tentatively at the Dish on 8th and 21st)
* Open to suggestions
* Participants are strongly encouraged to join at any time and point of the activities.
* Dress code: Casual
* What to bring: Your able-bodiedness, physically and in spirit, and lots of good mood or moods in need of improvement.

Please RSVP

Best Regards,

Milen Shukadarov

When the Almighty is Looking After You, III

I get up on Saturday (04/28/07), after a restless night of sleep. I have a plan in mind. I make breakfast for me and Joan; we eat and discuss how things are going to be when I get to NY, we are all so full of hope and positive thoughts. The conversation revolves around the excitement of the city, finding your places such as coffee shop, the little convenient store around the corner, and how at some point people will start recognizing you and greet you.

Joan drives me to pick up the van. We get to Stephanie’s house where we face the usual commotion of a 4-kids household, a miniature dog, a couple of cats, and a permanent friend visiting. Fun memories flood my mind; I remember all the fun moments we’ve shred – hanging out at the house, playing poker, singing karaoke, the trampoline, going to the near by pond…

My cargo-van-fears are confirmed, the van doesn’t look spacious enough; it has bolted tool- racks and- boxes inside. Cliff and I dismount the right-hand side rack and that gives me a bit more room, I drive away hoping that I’ll be able to fit some of the boxes in to these tight shelves.

In my mind I had planned that Dave, Didi’s husband, will give me a hand with the mattress and couple of bigger pieces of furniture; I also want to take off around noon. Didi tells me Dave is working and will be able to help me after 2:00pm. I think for a moment. Since it is the most concerning piece I take the bed apart and hauler the mattress to the van. It fits by a quarter of an inch. I then take the box spring, after taking the mattress out of the van, it fits, literary by a hair, so does everything else. I unscrew the fronts of the shelves so that the banana boxes just barely squeeze in. As I’m at the peak of my struggle, Joan shows up, back from her nail appointment, and despite her freshly-did nails she jumps in to help me with everything. We work as a well oiled machine and everything is loaded in an hour or two. We are both amazed and I utterly grateful of how everything fits in the van and Joan’s support.

We eat a rewarding lunch at a seafood place for farewell and I take off at 3:30pm.

I have the essentials for the drive – water, ice coffee, iPod and a banana (note, no Cigarettes). I think about something Joan told me, I think about a motivational song – a song you’d listen to before going to an interview or anything that requires a lift of spirit – a song that would make you feel courageous. Joan had told me that she always listens to “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked,” I try to embrace it and make it my courage song, but I realize that, subconsciously, I’m actually listening to my own. The iPod had shuffled and I currently listen to an Avenue song, “Jelanie“, that translates something like that:

I used to say “I want,” but I knew, I couldn’t want rain when it had turned into snow.
I used to say “I’m going,” but I knew, I couldn’t go on a rode which leads backwards.
I used to say “I see,” but I knew, I couldn’t see in the dark, without light.
I used to say “I believe,” but I knew, I couldn’t believe in things that are clearly lies.

And I know now that even by myself…
I must want,
I must go by myself,
I must see,
I must believe even by myself.

(Needless to say, it sounds a lot better and it makes a lot more sense when you listen to the actual song, especially in Bulgarian :). And people that know it would most likely understand my excitement. )

Without looking aback I drive and arrive in Mount Vernon in about 4 hours. Meglena and Ross help me unload the van. Everything is taken off it in an hour. By 9:30pm I’m moved in.

Happy Birthday Kate!

Today is Kate Manzi’s birthday. Kate I know today is a big anniversary for you. I can’t share how many with the world but we know it. I hope your jumping from an airplane will bring you great pleasure and excitement. Despite the distance between us you will always retain a big spot in my heart.
SATFBTA

Happy Birthday Paul!

Today is Paul De Pascale’s Birthday. Dear Paul, I wish you lots of success with your work, school and with your hobby. Keep them CDs comming.

Conversely

con·verse
–adjective 1. opposite or contrary in direction, action, sequence, etc.; turned around.
–noun 2. something opposite or contrary.
3. Logic. a. a proposition obtained from another proposition by conversion.
b. the relation between two terms, one of which is related to the other in a given manner, as “younger than” to “older than.”
4. a group of words correlative with a preceding group but having a significant pair of terms interchanged, as “hot in winter but cold in summer” and “cold in winter but hot in summer.”

-Related forms
con·verse·ly

“conversely.” Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 02 Mar. 2007. .

Happy Birthday Dennis, and Grandma!

Today is Stephana Stankova and Dennis Sullivan’s birthday. Best wishes to both!

When the Almighty is Looking After You, II

Friday was the day for packing.
I have about 10 ‘Chiquita Bananas’ boxes, some tape and a lot of determination. Chris helps me put most everything in the boxes – we start with the kitchen, move to the leaving room, then the bathroom, and finish with the bedroom where most of my stuff is. Chris goes on with his own day and I continue, methodically, sort and place objects and cloths in boxes. I’m short by a box or two, it’s just past noon. I take a short break to go to the supermarket to pickup some more boxes. On the way back, I stop by the regional manager’s office to pickup a letter of recommendation. Brian’s admin is very nice; she leaves a lasting warm impression, a mixture of high professionalism and motherly consoling.

Back at the house I finish boxing my belongings and store all of the boxes in the kitchen; the pile of boxes looks alarmingly large, I doubt whether it it’ll fit in the cargo van. It is 4:30pm and the project is completed. To delude myself that everything is in its natural state I go to the gym, as in any other day when I’m done with the day’s tasks. Being at the gym is enjoyable and soothing.

The week has been happening with a nauseating velocity and I had initially rejected the idea of a farewell dinner party, but the more I thing about it, the more I realize that I’ll regret not having one. While at the super market Kate tells me she made reservations for 7:30pm at ‘Sam Diego.’ I look at her and realize how much I’m going to miss her.

Sometime during the day I call Dennis, I’ve waited since Monday without calling him because he couldn’t deal making plans. He tells me he has lost his wallet and respectively his driver’s license. I, some how, don’t freak out and hope he’ll find it by the end of the day.

The three enchiladas I ordered arrive greasy and cheesy, just as I’d imagined them. I take a big, sweet and sour, slightly salty, gulp of margarita and admire my friends – here, to celebrate with me – Joan, Kate, Sue, DD, Stephanie and Cliff. Their faces make me feel warm, safe and at home like. At this exact moment my phone rings – it’s Dennis – he sounds somber and delivers the news that he hasn’t found his license, it is 9:30pm. This time the bad news hits me with full force, I feel almost queasy; the warm feeling from my friends is replaced by a heat wave that pushes through my body and externally manifests as tiny droplets of sweat on my forehead. I run the different contingency plans in my head not realizing I’m doing it out loud. Joan knows about the situation and tells me not to worry because she’ll drive with me. I really appreciate her offer but cannot take it, it is too much. At this point the focus of the conversation has shifted to my problem. Everybody is saying something, my head is spinning, and I cannot hear anything – “when do you have to be there? What time are you leaving? Can’t you hook your car on the back the truck? In the next moment, Cliff and Stephanie come up with a solution.

“Did you say a cargo van?” Cliff asks.
“Yep.”
“I have one in my drive way,” he continues.
“Oh, yeah! It’s just sitting there, taking space in our driveway,” Stephanie jumps in with her distinct raspy voice, which I utterly adore.
“I thought you needed a truck,” Cliff adds, “If you can fit your stuff in a van, then you can use ours.”
“Oh yeah, Definitely! You should cancel your reservation.” Stephanie concludes.

Everybody is up in arms, chanting “Cancel the reservation, cancel the reservation!” and I’m trying to process what has just happened. I hear but I cannot comprehend. My mind is stubbornly holding onto my plan. My friends’ idea, slowly but surely, percolates through my brain and I start see the solid rational behind it. I’m still blown away by fate thinking, “What are the bloody odds that Dennis will bail on me the night before departure, and in the very same night a friend, whom I haven’t seen in month, Cliff, will have and offer me a cargo van, which I can keep for 3 weeks?!?” As soon as we get back to the house Joan assists me to call and cancel my truck reservation.

When the Almighty is Looking After You. (to be continued)

My relocation to NY was, in many ways, like quitting smoking. I knew I wanted to do it for the longest time, I was afraid of it, and it seemed distant and surreal. I was saying to myself, “I’ll do it sometime in the beginning of next year; I’ll worry about it when the time comes.”First I had to finish school, and after that I decided to complete my internship on the Cape. And then one day I had to face it and set a date, just like when I quit smoking.

After deliberate coordinating with Meglena we picked the last Sunday of April. When I shared my plans with Dennis, couple of weeks prior, he exclaimed that he’d love to be part of it and help me drive to NY. I had planed accordingly to rent a truck, move my positions to NY, drive back with it to MA, pick my car up and drive back. After persuading me how it would be fun, helpful and how he needs to get away for a weekend Dennis convinced me to change my preparation and plan for take off on Saturday, the 28th.

I had a week to prepare, wrap things up in Hyannis and move. Monday was a nightmare, first day unemployed and supposedly starting the whole process. The first struggle was with renting a truck. After 2 hours of research, checking online and calling U-haul, Budget and Enterprise I was able to reserve a cargo van for Saturday.

Skipping most of the events and activities – it is Thursday – I’m at the car dealership, sitting in the waiting area, drafting a thank-you note, waiting for an oil change. My phone vibrates and loudly screams “PICK UP THE PHOOONE, PICK UP THE PHOOONE MILEEEEN!” I look at the caller ID and vaguely register a 212- number; “probably another placement agency,” I think. I pick up and answer, “This is Milen Speaking.” My mind is still deeply buried in the thank-you note draft. The person introduces himself, tells me where he is calling from and asks if I have a moment to speak. I can’t get out of the trance. As I try to focus on the conversation I ask him to hold on so that I can step out of the building, so embarrassingly quiet in the first sunny day of the Cape Cod spring. I stand outside now, processing the information thrown at me over the phone; I realize that that is not a phone call from a placement agency but from the HR department of the ‘Madison Square Garden’ in NYC. I listen attentively, after I’ve given consent, to the recruiter’s clearly enunciated job description reading. Every word rings distinctly in my head, I know the meaning of the words but everything happens too fast, I can’t snap out of the thank-you note trance, still. I can hear my self explain that the position is not exactly what I look for but I’d still consider it. The recruiter retorts, “Well isn’t a staff accountant position what you are looking for?!?” He insists the position is a perfect opportunity for someone like me to start with, and then tells me he wants to see me for an interview on Monday April 30, 2007. I hesitate and mumble something bold like “I’m moving to the area on Saturday… I should be able to come on Monday.”
“You should?” the recruiter says in dismay.
“I’ll be there at 11:00am on Monday!” I say without skipping a beat.
I walk inside in a new trance; I’m floored, I’ll be moving on Saturday and I have an interview on Monday. The Hyundai chick tells me something and I can’t hear her, she repeats “your car is ready.” I feel full of hope; I pay her and go on with my day.