Where Have You Been?

So, I have been MIA for awhile.  There has been a lot going on, and I hope to share it all with you in the next few posts. 

The good news that I would like to share is that I have gotten a job.  I am working for the same company that I worked for about two and a half years ago.  I am doing the same job I did when I left this company.  Some may say that it is not a step forward, but I think that this opportunity is going to allow me to do what I really have been called to do.  Teach. 

Since September I have been the Volunteer Confirmation Cooridnator for my church.  More on what that really means soon, but essentially I have been teaching sixth grade Sunday school.  I really love the age group, and I don’t think I would mind teaching them in school too.  I really love math, so the connection is made. 

My plan is to work, and get some undergraduate math classes on my transcript, and go through emergency certification.  The plan has been a moving target for a couple of years, so I hope the target stays still for awhile. 

So, know you know the reason I have been absent.  I have a lot to share with you, and I can’t wait for the next post.

How Do You Eat an Elephant?

I am well into my first week of not having a job. Wednesday morning was the first breakdown.  I was on my way to running an errand, and since I slept late I didn't see James before he left for work.  I called him on the phone, and he talked me off the ledge.

I have been digesting the things that I learned in the DBM wrokshop.  I basically have not been working for the past three months (even though I have been collecting a paycheck), and the tasks ahead of me are ENOURMOUS.  Its hard not become overwhelmed. 

So here is my plan.  I am going to get up at a decent hour everyday.  I am going to eat breakfast.  I am going to go somwhere (even if its around the block), and I am going to get to work on finding full time work. 

So, How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.   Don't worry-I am not into eating REAL elephants!

My Last Days at Work - Part II

Today was supposed to be my third last day at work.  I have been keeping a count down, and today was to be the day.  As noted in several past posts, I have been let go from the job I have had for the last two years. 

Two days ago the remaining loan center employees were called together and we were told that we would be done at 3:00 that day.  (There are only 5 people remaining in my old department & that number includes 3 managers.) That was Wednesday so, the way I see it is I got two days of vacation.  I wanted to put this post on the day that I have been counting down to.  I wanted this post to sit for a little while, so could process the early release.

As soon as the Big Boss called us all together I knew the words before she spoke them.  I wasn't sad.  I was RELIEVED!   It has been fifteen months.  Fifteen months ago the company's stock fell to an all time low.  Fourteen months ago half of the department was laid off.  Thirteen months ago we started the new year in high hopes.  Twelve months ago faith began to fade.  Six months ago the FDIC shut us down & the Spanish Overlords took over.  Five months ago we were offered severance.  One month ago we started to wrap up the good byes.  Really, we have been saying good-bye for one year and two months. 

I am glad that this downhill ride is finally over, but I want to tell you my friends that you all have enriched my life like no other.  I will miss eating lunch (and sometimes breakfast) everyday with you all.  Tea Time will be missed.

To you Andrea, Chantel, & Dee you all have become my sisters.  It took me a long time to know what it means to have and be a sister, so I hope you know how you all have impacted me. 

To Dan, Aaron & Omair, You all have been the best male friends I have ever had. Thank you for being my friends.  Thanks for the final Tea Time toast.  You guys rock!

This Week's Morning Prayer

Every week there is a Morning Prayer that is spoken aloud during Sunday service. (One, among many. Obviously.) Sometimes I cut them from the bulletin, and place them in the little notebook that I carry in my purse. This prayer made me laugh, and I really like things that make me laugh. So, instead of putting this little treasure in my purse, I have taped it to my computer monitor at work.

Here is the prayer that was said in Sunday service yesterday:

Bake of us, O God, a bread of worship. Take this Sunday morning crust of the week and, through your blessing, let the yeast of the Spirit rise. We bring our crumbs of courage, pita of prayer, kolache of listening, and the tortilla, challah, rice cake and naan of our diversity to be shared, so that our community may truly become the Body of Christ in this place and for all your world. Amen.

Have a laugh today. I hope your day is great, and don’t forget you’re pretty & smart.

Challenge:  Who can tell me what the picture is instructing?
1.  It's not a lanyard.- Thanks Rick for playing!
2. It is how to braid!  Thanks Jennifer D.! 

The picture is specifically how to make a challah loaf.
 

D&C Lunch Bunch

Almost everyday I have plans for lunch. There are about 7 co-workers that are in my lunch bunch, and there are at least 3 of us that go everyday to eat together. Our group is very diverse. We have Dudes & Chicks. Some of us have kids & some of us don’t. Some of us are natives, and some of us are transplants.

As my time runs short I am taking time to snapshot the great times that I am having with these people that I have become friends with. I am sure that we will all remain friends, but we will never spend the amount of time that we have had since working together.

Yesterday there were 4 of us that went on out for our daily bit of fellowship. I happened to be the only chick there, and I was the only one without kids. My friends were telling me about what it is like being a dad, and what fun they have with their kids. I truly saw joy and bliss in their faces. It was really a great scene.

My wish is that James and I are able to share this kind of love for our children with the world one day.

Rumor disclaimer: I am not now expecting a kid. Just wanted to share this heart warming vision to the masses.

My Last Days at Work - Part I

Have you ever had a last day at work?
I have been out of college for about 7 years, and I have been lucky enough to have always had a job. I have moved on from two (about to be three) jobs in my professional career.
My first last day of work was by my choice. I was really unhappy in with the environment that I worked in, and I really needed to get paid more. I put myself out there, and found another job in about a month. I knew that the day I put in my two weeks would be my last day, so I was prepared. My co-workers were a little perturbed that I was leaving, but none the less I went on.
My second last day of work was not by my choice. When they laid me off my boss let me work all day while she was waiting for the HR representative to show up. When the HR Rep finally showed up they called me in, and let me go. They stood over me while I cleared out my desk with tears streaming down. I didn’t want to face my husband. I really take my financial contribution to our household seriously. It really was a slap in my face, and it took me several months to gain my confidence back. If I had to sum up my second last day of work I would say it was awful.
I am soon approaching my third last day of work. The Spanish Overlords that has bought the company I work for has decided that my department has got to go. We were told about 4 months ago, and there was a target date. Now I have been given my sever date. February 19th is my third last day of work. I imagine it will be like the end of a long running sitcom.  You know that the characters will move on, but the audience will no longer be able to observe it. 
I have had a lot of time to be prepared, and I hope that the universe will let me be fruitful in my job search. The main point is that I know. I know that I will be leaving, and I won’t be finding out the day it happens. I am thankful that I have developed the friendships that I have. I am thankful that my managers have appreciated me. I am thankful that I won’t have any regrets about moving on from this place.
My future is bright, and the reason I know this is because I am pretty & smart.

I’m with Coco.

Are you Team Jay or Team Conan? I’m with Conan. I have been keeping track of this fine debate for the past several days, and I have decided that Conan is getting a raw deal. I will agree with several pundits ( I can’t believe that they are really debating this on “news” shows) in that the Late Night audience is not ready for Conan’s brand of humor, but I really enjoy him. I particularly love it when he adjusts his stance marionette-style, and who can deny that hair! (Conan- Don’t ever apologize for your perfect do!) NBC has totally denied Conan the opportunity to lead an institution of late night television. If Jay does go into the 11:35 (10:35) time slot he will just be competing with Stephen Colbert, and if comes down to Jay or Stephen I am team Stephen.

What is the lesson here? You are your own best advocate. In my experience as a working adult the best person to let your boss know how awesome you are is you. The best person to let your boss know how innovative & how much initiative you take is you. The best person to show you in your best light is you. Conan has put himself in his best light, by standing by what is important to him & saying, in a polite and courteous tone, “I am deciding what is best for me.”

I predict that NBC will do what they think is best for them (which is not what is best) and let Conan move along. Conan will undoubtedly not have any trouble finding another outlet, and so I wish him luck. Conan- Even though you are a guy I think you’re pretty & smart.

New Year, New ...

Over the past six months I have been following several blogs. Most of the blog reading that I do has been during work hours. I currently work for a bank that was taken over by the FDIC in August. I work in the "back office", and my department is totally relying on the connections that are made in the retail banks. There hasn't been a ton of work. How many of you would like to get a loan from a bank that was taken over by the government, and is now in the hands of Spanish Overlords? Apparently not a lot.

My job will be ending at the beginning of March (I hope we are around that long), and with the beginning of March comes the beginning of my thirties. I have been inspired by two particular friends (Road Warriorette & OnHilStreet) to start to record my thoughts on my surroundings in blog form. Hopefully, what I have to say will resonate with more than just my group of close friends.