The year that was2006, a year which started slow but ended with a real bang.
Work:
The real disappointment for the year. I went into the year expecting to move into a Directors position in Shanghai. Until July all was on schedule, I had hired a replacement for my current job, the COO / President inquired personally if I was ready to move and I was, then suddenly out of the blue the Sr. VP (who had the final say and who was the one who originally suggested he position to me) changed his mind and filled the position with a local Chinese manager. I am out in the cold, since then and for the rest of the year my management and me looking for another position for me.
The positive side of the job were a couple of nice trips. In February to New Zealand. This was a first, I went for a 3 day conference and added another days of vacation. I saw the North Island and part of the South Island. I sure would like to back for a nice vacation there.
The other trip was to Shanghai for a week, I had a good time and got some work done.
Family:
We had our ups and downs, mostly it was ok. We took 2 trips to Thailand, the first was supposed a vacation and it turned into family visits. The second was for my wifes sisters wedding and to get our daughter a green card. The daughter got the green card and arrived here middle of November. A big change for me, for the first time a have a child or better a teenager living with me (she is 13).
This arrival resulted in a lot of activities, finding the right school, getting her ready to enroll. I had to re-model my townhouse to get her a separate bedroom. the adjustment are still ongoing.
Health:
My trigeminal neuralgia really acted up during July this year, to the point that I had to take morphine to manage the pain. My Neurologist and I concluded after this episode it is time to take the step and have Micro Compression surgery. The operation was scheduled for 11/21 and performed on this day. This was the real highlight of the year. Since this day I am pain and nerve drug free and I don't have the slightest pain in my face. i feel an incredible load is taken off me. 3 1/2 weeks after the operation I went back to work. My energy level is way up my attention span is much better, all because of no drugs.
After 7 days without smoking in the hospital, when I came home I took the plunge and tried to quit smoking cold turkey, well this didn't work. But I made a compromise, no smoking in the house or car and I ration my cigs to 6 a day (down from at least 2 packs a day). I am on this ration now for over weeks and it seems to work. Wish me luck that I will take the next step to reduce to 3 cigs a day and then nothing. I give myself 6 month for this process.
