Beyond the new office project - welcome to Budapest ONE!

I just wanted to summarize my thoughts and feelings regarding the new office project at Corteva, so that it won't be so fleeting, and the glory and pride can soak into my veins well, for the last time. Now, a little rest and then let's find another challenge!

From time to time, big projects come into my life. Do they choose me? Certainly not, I choose them. Or good place and good timing? No matter. The point is that the password: don't give up! My last 8 months were totally dedicated to the moving project. I was more than serious about it and handled as my 4th child after my 2 sons and husband, but in some cases before them. I would have changed that period with anybody with pleasure. With ANYBODY. But I'm afraid, no applicant could have been found. I was often wondering during the project, how many of the colleagues would have done the whole procedure with the very same conditions. Endurance, patience, deep breath (several times) were needed. No delegation and everything must be done in time. These were the keystones of my concept. If someone asked me if I would do it again, my reply would be: with the very same conditions definately NOT, but using the experience gained in the meantime YES. Although, the last months required self-sacrifice (and still not sure that it will be remunerated or not), basically I'm happy that it is over and managed to close it successfully and in time. And the good thing is that I do feel myself not less but much more.

What was challenging in this project that it was very complex, stressful and under huge time pressure. All these can be considered as complicating circumstances of its own but besides these, many additional complicating circumstances arose for me personally:

- I was completely newcomer at the company.

- I arrived from a widely different company culture and size.

- My new manager had to leave the company at the very beginning (not by choice), so I stayed completely alone.

- Due to the organizational change my position was also cancelled (on paper) and the receptionist's as well. Somehow I got the receptionist's job on the top of my original job and the moving project.

- After moving out from the old office we could not move in to the new one immediately as the termination date of the old one was quite different as the readiness date of the new one. So a temporary office and a temporary storage were needed in between.

- The different size of the two office were also challenging. To move out from an area of 1347 sqm and move in to a less than half size (544 sqm) requires much effort, mainly if you are thinking in a green way and do not want to distroy or waste anything.

I always had the feeling during the whole project that I found more ally outside the organization than inside. As it turned out in the end, speaking with those contractors personally who were involved, all had a headache to achieve the goal. Therefore, I was overjoyed to find such professional partners who I could rely on every time from the very beginning till the very end. My endless gratitude is for the very best PM (project manager) Zoltán for coordinating the whole and standing up for Corteva all the time. Many thanks for the best architect company DVM for providing such high level specialists like the architect girls: Tímea, Eszter, Viki - they did such a great job on our office to make us happy with the result. Many thanks for the excellent fit-out managers Márk and Zsuzsanna who also always gave me helping hands. 

To see the layout lines come to life was gorgeous. To know this project mine is inestimable. 

 

Somogy adventures by day and by night

Right after the official opening of the new office, I decided to have a short break with the family and found gateway in Somogy county. Why there? To see the stars. But why there? Because Zselic is the less light polluted area of Hungary. And this is so romantic.

Zselic is a hilly woody area between Somogy and Baranya county, going South from Lake Balaton. Nature: flora and fauna. These are what we always need. We chose Kaposvár (chief town of the county) as a center of our rallye. The accomodation was a good choice, again; a lovely gallery apartment we adored. Even the approaching road is "singing" about the stars thanks to the grooves carved in the asphalt; it is a Hungarian hit song that everybody knows by Republic, Roadway #67.

 

On the first night we went to the Zselic Landscape Protection area that hides many natural treasures - the night sky is one of them. The area became internationally recognized in 2009 when the title of Dark-Sky (or Starry Sky) Park was awarded by the International Dark Sky Association, as first in Europe. The Zselic Park of Stars offers unforgettable experiences about nature and the universe surrounding us. We could see even by naked eye the wonders of the sky, such as the Milky Way and the view of zodiacal light, phenomena which are not at all or only barely visible from light pollution in most areas. Here, we can see ten times more stars like anywhere else, because the light pollution is very little. It was a very special exprience. The observatory is well inside the forest, so you have to drive a few kilometers after turning from the main road and there is no light at all, of course. Just pitch black everywhere as far as the eye can see. Even at the parking area of the observatory. Even the observatory looks like it is closed. Darkness is a must when man wants to study the sky with stars and planets. We also could see several satellites. They were moving fast, steadily, looking and moving much different than an airplane or a fallen star.

...to be continued...
 

London in November '22

I needed to strengthen my travelling vein again. In some degree, being raggedly by different circumstances like covid and less income during maternity leave, by different people like spouse (actionable conduct) and little son (non-actionable conduct). So it seemed a sound decision to leave the country for a couple of days right before the year-end rush. 

 

I decided to take my elder son with myself to the United Kingdom and wanted to show the metropolis of London. Since BREXIT, UK seemed a bit unapproachable for me due to the changed conditions. Changed? To tell you the truth, none of them was experienced. First recognition was that no roaming service was needed because none of the phone service providers excluded the country since 2020, when the withdrawal of the UK from the EU happened. They handle the country as part of EU furthermore.

Why London and why with Dominik? Firstly, we did not spent time together since 5 years. Before, we travelled the world together. And I think I managed to forward that travelling vein to him, he is also a fan of foreign countries thanks to me - he says. I wanted him to be under impression caused by native English language environment. Secondly, the flight ticket was too reasonable (not the rest, ha-ha) not to grab the opportunity. Thirdly, I needed a little break and at this stage of the office move I could afford 2 days off.

It was during my elementary school years when I first (and last) was in the UK but the memory is still so vivid in my mind as it had happened only yesterday. Second time being so independent, accomodated at a real English family (remember their family name "Blackhall"). I remember exactly the name of each places, squares, gardens, museums, palaces that we visited at that time. Those took hold of me much better even as a child than the I-do-not-have-the-idea-even-today-how-it-called amusement park. Good memories, one of the first real travel experiences of my life at the age of 13.

 

 

As we had limited time, I planned and reserved everything in advance, figured out when and where to go, allowing some flexibility in the schedule, also in line with the weather. Of course, all the must-to-sees were visited such as Buckingham Palace (changing the guard could have been omitted again), Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Camden Town (favourite) including Cyberdog shop, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Madame Tussauds. We approached Greenwich by uber boat, walked under River Thames along the foot tunnel, booked free tickets to British Museum and Sky Garden, took Harry Potter pictures at the platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station. Although, the transfer took much time also from and to Stansted Airport and between our hotel and city center as well but it were all worth. The hotel choice (Ibis Budget in Bromley) was an excellent one with its greatest location and cleanliness. Dominik wanted to try some fast food restaurant that we do not have here in Hungary such as Taco Bell, Five Guys, etc. and he was not disappointed, they were damn good. As for me, still in love with the double-deckers!

Work front

Leaving my previous workplace was a good decision. Difficult, but in total definitely a good one. A brave, definite, future-oriented forward-looking decision that it was high time to step.

At the very end of 2021, the glass became full. Finally I grabbed all my belongings being aware that I don't feel like returning and continue  working with those conditions and circumstances newly arisen. Therefore, as a reward, I started 2022 with 2-week sick-leave then we sit down to negotiate how to go on. I told my feelings honestly and finally was asked who do I prefer to quit: either me or the employer itself. Of course, I chose option B so that I can get 3 months of salary after more than 10 years of labour relation as a dismissal pay. Additionally, I was released from work for 55 days of notice period but I got my salary as usual. So my labour relation was stopped on 13/MAR and started to work at the new company from 4/APR. In summary, I can tell that I could get out of DEXON in good time and with good profit. I could get the most out of this situation. Between the two dates I registered myself as officially unemployed, full-time place-hunter.

And then this American multinational agricultural company complex came into view (Dow/DuPont/Pioneer/Corteva). Fortunately, at the very same office park only in a different building. Never better location and also the profile is very close to my current field of interest. Spoken English is much used since my direct manager was from Poland. All differences between a small company and a multinational one were warmly welcomed. I hardly believed the endless freedom comparing with the previous strict control and rules. The first few weeks were not so demanding and also my manager said that she doesn't want me to be overwhelmed with the many different systems they're using and everything. 'Your main job for now is just being here' - she said at the very beginning. Anyway, my workfield was FS&RE (facility service & real estate) and my position was named Facility Service Specialist. After one month things turned. A big project came. We're moving! And for this change, I'm the local responsible person. We change not only location but also concept: we move from closed office area to open office, and to half a space. I looked for such professional architect companies who design & build at the same time and have project manager, and of course all speak English well. We started negotiations with those companies with Magda and the funds needed to laid down very quickly. Once the most favourable location was found, we needed to hurry with the spaceplan to reserve it. We also had to be careful with the termination deadline of our current lease. Everything needed to be done in a hurry and squeeze the whole into 6 months. The new office is a newly built modern complex (with running track on top) but totally empty space very close to my house, in the direction of Budapest. Till the contracts were not signed, it was a top secret project and with priority. I strated to work a lot; 10 hours at least every day, rarely it happened even more. Why? Basically, I had my own work field with own tasks that I was applied for and then this moving project came which needed to be handled before every other. As I was new at the company within trial period with no routine, things went slower than would go in normal - all took time, much time because I did not want to make mistakes, so rather checked everything twice or asked to make sure.

I started to feel a bit uncomfortable, but at least experienced Magda was there and could ask anything I wanted and she replied readily. I just organized her next personal visit to Hungary when she wrote on the previous day before her arrival that she won't be able to come due to circumstances beyond her and we should keep on the project as originally planned. Then I heard nothing about her for 10 days, only gossips. Finally, she contacted me in private and explained the whole situation - she was not allowed to do it earlier. Her role was cancelled with immediate effect, after 10+ years. As the bigger part of FSRE team was touched, confidentiality was required. "...I can imagine that the project will be further managed by you and Eric, so I'm sure that everything will go smoothly. You are smart, well organized and creative person, so I believe you will close everything successfully... Stay strong, brave and believe in yourself, Magda" So this was the first big dipappointment in the company. I understand that working for such corporation we need to count such organozational changes, but the way how it was done is very questionable. Next disappointment, my position was also cancelled. And my direct colleague's from the reception also. She was moved to another dept and I got her tasks, too. Funny. I seriously played with the idea of quitting. Then I calmed myself and chose the strategy of carry on and waiting. I finish the project (can be a very good reference), see the new office built up, meanwhile enjoy and utilize the allowances that such a huge company can offer. The closer the year end comes, the more questions arise regarding the move. The colleagues are said to work from home from the beginning of December till end of January. The official move in will happen in February. And that time, I will go on holiday. Probably alone. Probably to Japan. To see hanami and the sunrise from Mt. Fuji. What is sure, so far and so long. (I was only a hair's breadth away to pay for a journey to Nepal between 8-20/OCT. The country lead also let me go when I optionally asked. Finally I changed my mind and decided to stay because I know well that this is something that can be a source of problem generated to myself by myself and I would regret in a later phase.) Patience. Everything comes to her who waits.

Two short trips in April-May, 2022

 

ROAMING IN ŐRSÉG

This wonderful land with forests and meadows can be found in the southwest corner of Vas county. The region takes its name Őrség from the guardians who in order to defend the western gates, built watch posts across this land. Over the centuries, the landscape has been shaped by farming on small sections keeping harmony in relations with nature and maintaining diversity.

Before I visit Őrség, there were a couple of things in my mind that I made equal with this area. Nature, hiking, huge forests... And actually, all are about hills and valleys engraved by brooks, deciduous forests and pinewoods, fresh and green meadows, marshlands preserving plants from the ice age, and crystal clean spring-heads and brooks vary. The silence and the fresh air, the cultural traditions and customs what are reserved in an unchanged way, attract the visitors.

The main purpose of my visit was to check in a top restaurant named Pajta. It is in connection with my degree work and also with its "afterlife" in the form of a publication worked out together with my ex-consultant. So I needed to try it personally. Pajta is also equal with Őrség. They use what they have in the nature they live in - based on farm-to-table conception. Honestly, I wasn't disappointed, much rather amazed.

 

Culinary enjoyables were of much wider scope than I thought: small-scale producers' market right next to our apartment in the morning twice a week, and to our biggest surprise and pleasure, we could feast our eyes from our balcony seeing very well ordered kitchen garden, full of different flowers and vegetables.

We also made a short trip beyond the country: Slovenia is also something that is worth exploring.

 

DANISH PRESENT

The trip was dedicated on hand to Dominik, as an elementary school leaver's present. On the other hand it was Nolen's first flight. Dominik's ancient wish was to spend some time with classmates in a place where they can try some rides together. Finally, we were 15 of us on the plane to be landed in Billund at the end of May. 

For such number of people I organized everything to be in walking distance. Right after landing we could walk to Legoland, after Legoland we could walk to our accomodation at the end of the day. From our unique barrel-shaped apartments we could walk to enhanting Lalandia on the following day. On the first day, the rain wanted to discourage us but tried in vain. Although, the team was disintegrated but still everybody had real fun. We especially enjoyed the new part, themed Lego Movie World including Emmet's Flying Adventure (Scandinavia's first flying theater) which is very similar ride/flight to Soarin' over California that we experienced and so much enjoyed in the US years ago. Emmet's special two-storied couch could not be missing as well. The guys also enjoyed the Apocalypseburg Sky Battle's interactive ride where they rose 14 meters into the air in their own plane. Flew head down, made loops and turned 360 degrees. 

 

I'm quite proud of myself to try everything I did not dare before due to lack of courage. Same in Lalandia. They could persuade me to try even the most hair-raising slide. How it felt? I just did it. And that's all. Proudness for a minute. Not a long lasting thrilling feeling like eg. a Balaton round by bike within a day can cause. I think I will still not force those slides in the future. Do those, who really enjoy it. I survive it and this is definitely not something that entirely makes me happy. Rather leave it for thrill seekers, for the real fun of such rides.