10-8-2008 - Work is done!

My mood while writing this blog: Happy

Well, I officially finished work last Friday...08.08.08 - there's a date I'll never forget!! I have bittersweet feelings as there is no job to return to - ever. My Agency had a mandate to finish up with our work that we were supplying to some Balkan countries by 2006 We ended up with an extension to the end of this year and we were really hoping that we would get a further extension. However, that is sadly not the case and we close our doors forever on Dec. 31, 2008. There are other delegations that will now take over to prepare these countries for entry to the EU now. Something we cannot do.

But I am so happy that I am not making the daily commute downtown everyday - it was seriously tiring me out. As for finances and what we will do - not sure! My salary was the main salary - unfortunately, in Greece, unemployment is very high and salaries are very low. An example - the average full time worker in retail works about 40 hours a week (sometimes more without compensation) and the average salary is 650 euros a month - to you Westerners - that is about $1,000 a month! So it's hard here if you don't have money or a good job - but it can be done - trust me!

I am lucky that I will be paid my full salary till the end of the year and in 2009, because I worked for an Agency under the European Commission - I am entitled to unemployment for 1 year. So this is why it's bittersweet for me - I am essentially losing my job (and one that will never be replaced again) BUT I am able to stay home with my little one when she comes in October for 14 months!

Everything will work out - I have faith - then again, ask me that again come the end of 2009!!!

Update to my 24-hour urine collection - no protein showed up thankfully! But, my sugar is still high and I am trying hard to get a control of it. I am following an 1800 calorie a day diebetic diet - it sucks really - lol - because breakfast is the only meal that I feel like I'm starving! Lunch and dinner is ok - I can get through each one not hungry - but breakfast?? I just ate a 1/2 hour ago - guaranteed in another 1/2 hour I'll be hungry again! And it's only 10am!!! Will have to manage to get a control of my sugar and to make sure my little one is healthy!

xox