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February 28, 2005
Dental Spa!?!?
I was watching TV tonight, and saw a commercial for the new show later tonight. Their headlining story is "Dental Spas"...of course I can't wait to watch the news, so I looked it up just now. I found two dental spas in Austin.
This one is cute, but not as good as the next: http://www.austindentalspa.com/index.html
But this is the good one...This is a true SPA at the Dentist office! You can have a peppermint foot soak while having your teeth done! http://www.thehillsdentalspa.com/index.htm. I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of getting a massage at my dentist office, but it's a pretty cool idea :-) I wonder if it would help ease the fear of having dental work done? I know ever since I had my wisdom teeth taken out, I'm scared CRAPLESS of the dentist. I'm scared CRAPLESS of the novicane shot. I mean who in their right mind would ever think to stick a needle in the roof of someone's mouth!!! >:-O!!! I cringe now just thinking about it.
Posted by beth at 08:58 PM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2005
Countdown
Oh yeah..one more thing...here's the count down until I see Seymen again.
29 days to go!
Posted by beth at 04:04 PM | Comments (0)
Hyper
Well today and yesterday have been hyper days at work. Everyone is wound up, and playing all sorts of jokes on one another. We have a collection of plants that we stole from our old section of cubes. They somehow all ended up in Jeff's cube. We have had a day of practical jokes where Kristina came back from her Dr's appointment to find 5 new trees and plants in her cube. Then Stephanie came back from lunch to find a big tree in a pot on her chair. I came back from lunch to find my big wall of cardboard boxes (that I have stacked at the end of my desk for privacy) all stacked on my chair. Everytime anyone walks by, they like to steal a few, and try to run away. Good thing I'm so quick on my feet and catch them every time! ;-)
Anyway, now that we've moved down the hall into our own section, I think we feel that we can be a little louder, and tend to have louder--funnier conversations than before. So, it's been an interesting day...and now I want to go home and relax, but unfortuately earlier this week and late last week I was feeling like a good samaritain and volunteered to go help tie bows for some conference that I'm not invited to or involved in...EVeryone else in the department was smart and didn't say YES...they all just said maybe...so now no one is going, and I feel like I have to go because I said yes... :-((( But we'll see what the day will bring. Maybe my car will break down on the way home...or...I'll remember that I made a date with Jennifer that I completely FORGOT about...
Posted by beth at 03:56 PM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2005
Depressed
Hi everyone. Haven't posted in a while. I've been kind of depressed for the past month...anyway, today it started clearing up. Thank goodness for the long weekend. I think I really needed it to clear my head a bit. I actually got out and left my apartment today. I had my oil changed, and a car wash...I returned my digital cable...all I have left to do is get a remote control for my TV and I'll be all set :-) It was a beautiful day today, in the 80's I think. It was sunny all day for the first time in a few days! I have my bedroom porch door open, and all the windows open! I makes me so happy! I just can't possibly be sad with the nice weather.
Anyway, another bit of great news...Tracy and I received our final exam for unit 3, back on Saturday (in Turkish class)...and our teacher bought us each a cookie (we meet at Starbucks so he got us one there) because he was SOOOOOOOOO proud of us! We BOTH got 100% on the final exam. And he played a little "trick" on us with our homework--and took it while we went over it, so he could see our spelling/writing. So we had to answer the questions again from memory...and the good news is! we passed that test as well! With flying colors! We answered every single question right! Needless to say, Tracy and I were very excited. So, we are now on "Spring Break" if you will...Our professor is going to Phoenix next Friday for a conference...and Tracy & Ozan are going on a last minute vacation to London and Amsterdam!! for the next two weekends!!! She was so excited. Ozan and Izel came to class on Saturday and had "daddy" time with a friend and his son...they both seemed so excited for the trip...and as an added bonus, Ozan's parents are meeting him and Tracy in Amsterdam! How neat is that! Anyway...I'm so excited for them...I'm going to live vicariously through them! ;-) Sooo...we won't be having class until March 13th. So I'm on break for the next two weekends! EKKEKE! What am I going to do!?!?!?
So, I'm just looking at my calander...and there are exactly 31 days until I see Seymen. He's going to come visit me for Easter long weekend. I'm so excited. I can't even wait. I just keep thinking to myself...If I can just get through the next 4 weekends, I'll be OK. I am coming home the weekend after that for Seymen's 25th BIRTHDAY!!!! (I'm really excited for that if you can't tell ;-) I think that I did a bad thing by insisting that neither Seymen nor I travel for 2 months after our Turkey trip. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. We both never wanted to see an airplane again after the long fligt back to the US...but now I'm so sad and lonely that I wish I made an effort to go home again...But oh well. It's probably better for me. Definitly better for my bank account :-)
So...I'm off to bed...I'll write again soon...Tomorrow is a big day. Last friday, we moved our cubes to the other end of the hall. We now have bigger cubes, and closer to the bathrooms (that's PRIME LOCATION PEOPLE!) so tomorrow will be unpacking and getting settled day. Yipppee :-) I'm going to go pick out pictures of me and Seymen to bring to work...it's time to update :-)
Posted by beth at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2005
Temple-Inland: Parent Company of Guaranty Bank
Temple-Inland changes CEO's contract
Terms changed after raider Icahn reveals plans to buy a big stake
By Renuka Rayasam
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Less than two weeks after corporate raider Carl Icahn announced he would buy a huge stake in the company, Austin-based Temple-Inland Inc. changed the employment contract for CEO Kenneth Jastrow.
Now Jastrow will get as much exit money if he decides to leave the company after a sale or breakup as he would have if he'd been fired without cause. That's three times his annual salary, plus bonus and benefits.
On Feb. 4, Icahn and his hedge fund declared their intention to buy as much as $1 billion worth of the company's shares. That would make a man known for breaking up companies Temple-Inland's biggest shareholder.
Jastrow's employment contract was changed Friday.
The three-year contact allows Jastrow to walk away from the company six months after a change in control, such as a sale, provided he gives 30 days notice, and still collect a generous severance package.
Jastrow's base salary is $925,000, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
But he also receives an annual bonus and benefits including a car allowance, club memberships and use of the company plane. In 2003, his bonus was $250,000, almost 30 percent of his base pay. However, bonuses fluctuate widely.
Temple-Inland would not comment about the contract.
But Patrick McGurn, executive vice president at Institutional Shareholder Services, which provides corporate governance advice, was critical.
Employment contracts should ensure that chief executives get something in case of a hostile takeover or other offers, so that CEOs don't oppose changes that might benefit shareholders, McGurn said.
But McGurn questioned whether the broad changes to Jastrow's contact will benefit shareholders.
"It looks like one of these typical one-sided negotiations where all provisions are in the CEO's favor," he said. "It is surprising that in this day and age that a decision like this still gets rubber-stamped by the board."
It's not clear how much stock Icahn may already own in Temple-Inland or whether he would buy up to the maximum amount he indicated. Under federal law, investors seeking to buy very large stakes in a company must seek clearance and abide by a waiting period.
But some analysts say he would likely seek to sell off parts of the company, which has interests in lumber, packaging and financial services.
In 1999, Temple-Inland instituted a so-called poison pill defense to protect against hostile takeovers. Those provisions kick in whenever someone acquires 25 percent of the stock and would allow the company to issue new shares, thereby diluting the stake of the unwelcome acquirer.
Icahn is proposing to buy up to about 24 percent, based on Monday's closing share price of $75.46.
However, companies can toughen their anti-takeover defenses at any time.
Posted by beth at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2005
Happy Valentine's Day!
@------->----------------------
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
--------<----------------------@
I hope you all have a great day! I've been indulging myself with Chocolate covered strawberries that they are selling at work...for Ronald McDonald House. YUMMMYYYY :-)
Posted by beth at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2005
New Maki Shoes!
Yea!! I bought a pair of Maki shoes today! My friend Tracy informed me of these cute designer shoes on sale at TJMAX, so I took a drive over there this morning and bought myself a pair! They are so cute! But definitly not my usual style. They are wicked high and pointy :-) But they look good with my work clothes! I've been so excited about them all day. Everytime I talked to Seymen, I was trying them on again...so he requested a picture to be posted :-) SO here they are...
Posted by beth at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2005
I'm going to be a TUTOR!
Hi everyone!!! Guess what!! I just got a volunteer job!!! I am going to be tutoring/teaching ESL students in Round Rock, Texas on weeknights! I will be working for the Literacy Council of Williamson County!!!! I'm so excited! I just spoke with the director, and she is going to set me up to observe classes for the rest of this month, and starting in March I will have orientation and training. Afterwards, I'll be able to teach/tutor students myself! It'll be great expierence, and get up in front of students as a preparation for my next step in life...teaching english in a foregin country! ;-)
Anyway, even better --- I was telling her about my Turkish classes, and it turns out that they have a teacher who is Turkish. Her name is Burcin and is from Turkey. The director is going to get the two of us together so that we can chat about Turkey and Teaching! I am so excited, and just so amazed at how many different Turkish influences I have been able to find in Rochester and in Austin!
So, now I'm totally pumped and don't want to do anything but be excited! :-) I just can't wait to start. I hope that I like it and that I can succeed at it!!!! Oh yeah, and Seymen is so happy for me too :-) He's been telling me to find a volunteer job so that I can meet more people and be busier, as well as give back to the community. I called him as soon as I heard and he's very excited for me! And surprised that I have found another Turkish contact in Austin :-) EKEKEKE!!!!! I'm so HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Posted by beth at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2005
NEW ADDITION TO WEBLOG
Hi! I made a new addition to the weblog today...If you'll notice the column on the right ---------> you will see a new header has been added for PICTURE ALBUMS. Now, I can list all new picture albums here so you can see them whenever your little hearts desire. Yipppe :-)
(FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION to the RIGHT ------------------------------->)
OK...so now on with my post...Well I had a bit of a scare this evening. I was talking to Seymen, asking if Maki was going with him to dinner tonight, and he told me: "No, she's at home all drugged up!" I had no idea what he was talking about, and so said: "Why? Is she sick?" And then he informs me that she went to the HOSPITAL TODAY!!! Yesterday, she was having chest pains, and complaining that her chest hurt. Everybody gave her different suggestions. My dad told her that it was probably indegestion, so take some pepto, and just in case take some asprin (JUST in case it's a heart attack)...I told her to take some asprin, my mom told her it might be her ribs, and to use some ben-gay. Co-workers told her something else so she took some other medicine, and Seymen told her to see a doctor. Anyway...she went to the Hospital today, and thank god, it turns out that she's OK. PHEWWWW...She has a viral infection in her chest, right below her shoulder. That's why it hurt to breathe. The doctor was concerned it was a blood clot from flying so much, or related to her heart (because she had tacacarida and had surgury for it a few years ago). ANYWAY, she's fine. The doctor gave her some high dosage meds. and she was feeling better already when I talked to her. He said that it should go away in about 4-5 days. But that was a big scare. Thank god she's OK. (I know. This is turning into a very medical blog, with the descriptions of my sickness and Maki's ;-)
*********COMPLETE CHANGE OF SUBJECT HERE ****************
What do you think about this...I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but my latest and greatest idea for my "next" or next after the next thing I do, idea is to get my teaching certificate for TEFL (Teaching English as a Foregin Language) and teach in a foregin country. I've been thinking about this alot. Especially since I went to Turkey. I love travelling, and would love to see more of the world. It would be such an opportunity to teach English in a foregin country (because that's basically the only job I could get overseas at this point). I LOVE learning new languages and seeing new places...I have friends in Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Korea (all places that have a high demand for English teachers). Wouldn't it be excellent to expierence the "OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD??!"
Anyway...my mom is convinced I am jumping ahead of myself...(And I might be able to admitt, that is a big change...espeically if I'm homesick already living in Texas) hehehe...so she suggested that I look into Volunteer Teaching in Austin (There is a large population of Spanish speakers here in Texas --being so close to the mexican border) Since, I have more of a background in Spanish (than I do Turkish) she thought I should look into that...See if I like it :-) Anyway, the good news is that I found a volunteer place where I can be a tutor. I have to do an orientation class, and a 12-15 hour course so that I can tutor ESL students, and then weekday nights I can tutor! :-) My mom is so good at being practical, yet giving me good ideas on how to REALISTICALLY accomplish each and every outragous dream I have :-) I love her. She believes in everything I think up. She always tells me: (when I come to her with my hair-brained ideas --Like, I'm moving I'm moving to Texas--for the heck of it) "I believe that someday you will do each and everything you dream up. It's just a matter of when." :-)
**Meanwhile...last night Mom, Seymen, and Maki had dinner @ Seoul Garden, and compared notes on what Beth's latest plan was :-) I think Maki heard I was moving home in June, back to Rochester-- Seymen heard that I was moving to Boston, in a month and then moving abroad to teach English-- and my mom heard that I was staying in Texas until September and then moving abroad to teach English. HEHEHE :-) So what can I say ;-) I'm a little fickle...but can you blame a girl for trying out new ideas? And who to better try them out on than my best friend, my boyfriend/best friend, and mom :-) But they all love me and support me, and say: "OK Beth, whatever you want to do...We think it's a great idea :-)" That's what's important.
Anyway...I figure if I keep talking about all my different ideas to them...by the time I actually get to do it, they will be so sick of hearing about it, they won't think I'm so crazy or off the wall :-))
Posted by beth at 10:35 PM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2005
Rochester Fast Ferry to Istanbul, TURKEY??
ROCHESTER, N.Y. An overseas company could give Rochester a run for its troubled fast ferry.
A federal judge has given representatives from the Istanbul Fast Ferries Company permission to tour the "Spirit of Ontario" at its Port of Rochester berth. The company formed by the Turkish city is interested in buying the high-speed ferry and moving it to Istanbul.
Representatives from the company plan to tour the ferry on Thursday.
The high-speed ferry has been sitting idle in the Genesee River since early September, when its owner halted service to Toronto when the company ran out of money.
The city of Rochester has plans to buy the ferry during a foreclosure auction being held at the end of this month. The city wants to return the ferry to service on Lake Ontario.
The "Spirit of Ontario" ran between Rochester and Toronto for less than three months last summer before the operator shut it down because of financial problems.
http://www.wstm.com/Global/story.asp?S=2917135
Posted by beth at 07:39 PM | Comments (0)
Turkish Sudafed
Hi...I'm drugged up on the after effects of Turkish sudafed. Yesterday I stayed home sick. I think I'm catching the bug that is flying around work. Stuffy nose, sore throat, chest congestion...So I wrapped myself up in bed all day yesterday, and all evening, I moved myself to the couch. The good thing about yesterday was that lifetime had a premier of a new movie :-) Which was the sequal to a movie from last year. So I had an enjoyable evening watching that, all toasty warm on my couch.
Today, I'm back at work...kind of in the medicine haze, working along. Stopping here and there for a nice big yawn :-). I'm definitly thinking that today is a eat lunch at my desk day, so I can get outta here early and go back to bed. Anyway, sorry I'm so dull. I can't think of anything interesting to share right now.
Posted by beth at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
February 04, 2005
From Granny
HI! Well, I'm feeling much better. The sun has been shining and my funky mood is dissapearing. And I'm really busy. So I can't say much. I am just quickly sharing a writing that my Granny sent to me. I truely believe in what it says, and I wanted to share it with you. It means alot to me, to know that my Grandparents believe this as well.
"Family life is cyclical. A man and a woman fall in love, marry and
raise a family. The children grow up, leave home to start families of
their own, and the husband and wife are left together, just the way they started out. But the cycle is not complete unless the couple develops a warm friendship over the years. That is why Judaism encourages sex in its proper context and also emphasizes companionship. In fact, in the Jewish marriage ceremony, the four attributes of married life are called, "Love, companionship, peace and friendship."
The Quakers, known as Friends, built a series of motels in the northeast which offered members a special discount. A non-Quaker couple traveling late at night, came to one of these motels aand requested accommodations. The clerk asked, "Are you Friends?" And the woman replied, "Oh, no, we are married."
There is no reason why married people should not be friends, in fact,
they should be the best of friends. They can share so much; not merely housing and income but dreams and goals, activities, joys and sorrows. They should not be impatient or overly critical. They should try to understand each other, accept each other as they are, support and indulge each other, and try to help each other in every way possible. From the Jewish point of view, a good marriage is a good friendship in the deepest meaning of that term."
Posted by beth at 06:09 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2005
It's been so long...
Sorry it's been so long since I wrote. I have been pretty busy at work, and pretty tired at home. I've re-started my addiction to Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network, WE, Oxygan, and TNT (Law and Order)...so it's hard for me to motivate myself to do anything at night. But tonight, I'm breaking the cycle...so hopefully that will put me in a better mood for Friday.
Friday night is girls night again. Saturday I'm looking at used cars with Li-Wei and Jennifer...Saturday afternoon, Turkish class. Saturday night my boss Kristina's wedding. Sunday, superbowl party. So this weekend is looking pretty good. The problem weekends are coming up though. Valentine's day weekend --Without Seymen...that'll be a tough one. And the long weekend after, Seymen was going to come visit, but had to cancel due to the expensive airfares...so I have to find myself a project. Maybe I'll start scrapbooking my Turkey pictures. Or start shopping again. It's been a LONGGGG time since I've done the depression shopping spree. Oh well we'll see :-)
Anyway, I'm going to go. I'm not going to write again until I get out of this little depressed funk. It shouldn't be too long now. I think my mood is going with the weather, and it's starting to get nice again. We actually had sun today. So I'm a little happier, just tired.
OK...well wish me luck on the Turkish homework. He gave us a month's worth of assignments so we could make up for last time over the holidays and my trip.
Posted by beth at 06:35 PM | Comments (0)