Tag Archives: work

The Next Adventure

31 Mar

You’re crazy. It will never happen.

That’s what I would’ve said if you told me I’d be driving 45 miles in two to six lanes of thick traffic twice a day to work on a website and understand HTML code.

I did it though. For four and a half years. Sometimes, my ride to work would take 90 minutes. Sometimes, my ride home would cost me the same time from that same day. Three hours, gone.

Lovely Atlanta Traffic

The job I was driving to and from was great. I loved it. It challenged me to try something different and I was proud to work for such a worthwhile organization – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Even more, I worked with a wonderful team of people. I learned so much from them and I formed friendships I cherish. I also had an incredible manager. I have much respect for him and how he knows his area and helps others to understand. The team he leads is awesome – both in work ethic and talent – and I feel so special to have been a part of it. I will miss our lunches, “face time” at our cubes and meetings that often took a turn toward laughs and tangent conversations. (It was all a part of our creative process.)

Some of the Beloved Team

I am sad to leave but another opportunity closer to home is now in my future.

The job posting said Web Content Editor, Athens Regional Medical Center. Athens is just 25 miles away. A 30-minute drive. That title is my title at Children’s. I needed to try for it.

It only took about 30 minutes to apply online. I then went about my daily routine and checked on the status of the application just about every day. The day I didn’t, a few weeks after, I got the call that they wanted to interview me.

I felt good after the interview. I graded myself a B+ but I’m pretty hard on myself. My potential new boss was welcoming and nice. She described the position and I felt like it was perfect for me. It would be a lot more writing for me but other than that the position is what I’ve been doing – only much closer to home.

The second round of interviewing involved a project. I had to do an online campaign proposal that included rewriting and restructuring a web section. I turned it in feeling good about my ideas but nervous about how I formated the actual proposal.

I waited.

The call came. They wanted me. I cried, overflowing with mixed emotions and apprehension about leaving a place and people I love so much.

My last day – Friday the 13.

I will have Spring Break off with the kids and then I begin my new adventure. I’m excited about using my experience to help another not-for-profit hospital and know this distance is better for our family. I’m looking forward to my first day there but teary-eyed for my last. I will always hold the memories I made at Childrens’s dear to my heart – especially those laughs (there were a lot).

Loved This So

I have a full heart. Grateful for all I learned and the people I met (and will stay connected to) at Children’s. Grateful for the chance for a new challenge with another great organization.

Adventure awaits. (Just not the bumper-to-bumper kind.)

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Running on E

30 Sep

Running on Exhausted
It’s not the bad kind of exhausted where you walk around and feel exhausted.  It’s more the kind where as soon as you sit down, you’re ready for sleep.  I don’t even allow myself to get comfortable until at least 8:30 pm because I know I’ll be asleep in about 30 minutes.  The big complaint I have with this early-to-bed routine is that I’m usually not in bed when my eyes close.  I end up in a deep sleep on the love seat with Andrew snoring away on the other couch.  I love how even when we don’t sleep together, we still sleep together.

Running on Excitement
I still really like my job.  It’s been almost a month and I can honestly say I am having a great time doing my work.  I enjoy being there, my coworkers and boss are super nice and fun and I am excited about what the future holds.  So far, I’ve been working on the main website, www.choa.org, by helping the other content editor maintain it.

Most of my excitement surrounds my main job – the wellness website.  This site does not exist yet.  I was hired to help create, implement and maintain it – with the goal of making it a success.  The site is planned to be launched by January/February of next year but we’re still in meeting mode.  Enter my excitement.

I’m giddy about getting started but also nervous because I’ve never created a reputable website!  It’s just so hard to grasp how all of it is going to come together.  We’re working with three different companies and I can’t even wrap my brain around how they all will mesh together on one site.  I have confidence that I can do this, but I would just feel more comfortable if I had a little more of an idea of what to expect.

Running on Empty
Yeah, this is where I put the gas subject in here.  I’m not mad.  I’m not disgusted.  I’m curious.  I want to know how much gas the drivers who are fighting in lines, sucking the pumps dry, have in their tanks when they pull up.  I want a reporter to be there waiting to document where the gas gauge is pointing or how much gas went into their tank. Do they really need it or are they just freaking out at 3/4 of a tank thus taking it from those who really do need it because they are on empty or close to it?  I also want to know what it’s like to be a gas station worker/owner right now.  Even the tanker truck drivers probably have crazy stories to share.  I’ve heard from the panicked pumpers who’ve been stalking the stations and I’m starting to feel less and less sympathy for my fellow gas guzzler.

A positive I see in all of this is that a lot of companies are letting employees work from home to help conserve.  As a matter of fact, my work from home day is set for Friday.  If I could walk to work I would.  God knows I need the exercise.  Since I can’t, I will do my best to not freak out and swerve toward the first sign I see with numbers on it.  (Although I’m tempted to drive circles around the others who did screaming “Got gas?!” over and over again.  Of course, not with the kids in the car.  Besides, that would waste gas!  Sha!)

Running on Enamors
As much as I like work, the best part of my day is picking up my little loves.  Nate gets a huge smile and screams, “My mommy’s here!  My mommy’s here!”  He will even tell people as we walk by them, “My mommy’s here Miss Kristi!”  Nia always has a drawing for me or a note of some sort.  She’s been trying to spell words all by herself by sounding them out. The other day she even wrote a letter to a friend she met.

Some other high/lowlights are:

  • Nia really didn’t like the Beef and Broccoli I made for dinner a few days ago.  I thought she liked it. She had been eating it and was almost finished, then she said “I’m going to throw up Mommy.”  And what do you know?  Just like that.  Blah.  Right on her Ariel plate.  I felt HORRIBLE.  I told her I was sorry that she got sick and she told me, “People are just different Mommy.  Not everyone likes the same things.”  She taught me a valuable lesson that day.  I now let them sample any different food before I sit down to eat dinner and tell them, “Try one bite and if you really don’t like it I will make you something else.”  Sure, Super Nanny might say I’m spoiling them or whatever, but I’d rather make their stomachs happy than sad.
  • Nia and Nate had picture day at their schools and Nate’s are hysterically adorable.  I can’t wait to show you!  For Nia’s, Andrew fixed her hair and I let out a squeal of happiness when I picked her up that day.  Two perfectly parted ponytails.  He does such a great job!  (He even tried practicing braids!)
  • Yesterday, Nate actually ran to the potty, opened the lid and started pulling down his pants!  We were praising him so much for his big boy act that Joey was going nutso downstairs.

As for Joey – he has to have surgery on his leg because he pulled a ligament.  The vet says it just happens when a dog is over a certain weight and age.  Poor buddy.  He’s been limping around and confined to downstairs.  His surgery isn’t until October 7. I just hate to see him this way.  He wants to run and play but can’t.  We hope the surgery will have him back to his crazy self in no time.  (Please!)

 

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What I’ve Learned So Far

10 Sep

Wednesday marks my first full week back on the job and so far I’ve noticed a few things:

  • No matter how early I wake up, I still can’t leave on time.
  • Radio personalities and their opinions/statements/conversations annoy the hell out of me.
  • I really, really like coffee.
  • I’m so lucky to have Andrew as my “baby daddy.”  Because I have to leave before the kids wake up, he takes care of everything each morning.  Not only does he get himself ready, but then he wakes them up, makes their breakfasts, gets them ready, makes Nia’s lunch, fixes Nia’s hair in the cutest (and tightest) little pony tail, scoots her out the door while loading Nate in his car seat, watches her board the bus, takes Nate to school and then has to deal with Nate being kind of sad to see him go.  He also makes it all seem like no big deal.  He’s my favorite.
  • I must find a shoes that don’t murder my feet (but still look cute).
  • Nate has already learned so much, including using the potty more and more.
  • I am loving to use my brain again, both socially and creatively.
  • I am quickly running out of outfits.
  • I still need my mommy.  After 15 minutes, I still couldn’t safety pin my low cut shirt without having the pin slightly visible.
  • I have to invest in stronger deodorant until I learn to be less nervous.  It’s not that I schtank or anything, it’s that I have a giant problem with giant pit marks.  Not fun to try and hide all day long.
  • Antibacterial cleaning wipes are your friend.  (My computer really needs a wipe down.)
  • Eating out is lots of fun and tasty but I miss being able to save that money and calories!
  • It doesn’t matter what time I leave from home or work, I’m still going to hit multiple rows of bumper to bumper traffic on Interstate 85.
  • Now that I am falling asleep earlier and earlier, I need to become more picky in our television show selection.
  • Andrew has shown me yet another way he’s a keeper.  He irons all my work clothes!  (I feel so spoiled!)
  • I’m having a blast!

 

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My First Paid Publish

5 Sep

It’s official.  I’m a Web Content Editor.  I made my first update to www.choa.org today!  It was a small publish but it sure meant a big deal to me.  I basically attached a picture to one of our physician’s bios but I was very proud of myself!  I’m sure I’m probably jinxing myself, but I can’t wait to take on more and more.

So far, the past two days have been filled with meeting different people in different sub-departments and everyone has been so welcoming.  It’s a little overwhelming though because there are so many things happening under our main department and it all amazingly flows together.  I just can’t wait to catch on to it all!

I know one thing that’s awkward for me to catch on to – being able to leave at 4 pm!  After all of those years of not being able to leave until after the newscast, it’s odd to leave so early. That’s not to say that I don’t love it, it just feels like I’m going to get in trouble for leaving!

Who would have thought it?  A job that rewards you in both compensation and team support and that has great hours? I really didn’t think it was possible!
 

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wow

4 Sep

I would love to tell you all about my first day of work right now.  I would love to tell you how it was really great.  That the only “bad” things that happened were that my shoes made my feet bleed and that my boss above my boss had to inform me I was violating the dress code with my very cute capris.  I would love to tell you how they decorated my desk with streamers, yellow paper plates cut into suns and Starburst candy.  I know you’d like to know how I walked everywhere and everyone I met seemed really happy that I was there.  I wish I could tell you how they all made me feel so welcome and how I think I’m really going to like my job and co-workers.

It would be so great to tell you all of that but I’m super exhausted and must get to sleep to start it all over again.

Before I go though, there is one thing I have the energy to share – I’m really looking forward to another day there and hope the kids keep having great days too.
 

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Rejection #1

14 Aug

From the person I interviewed with for the University of Georgia Press Publicity Manager position:

"This was a really tough decision, but I've narrowed it down to a small group and will not need you to come back in. You have some really great experience and I think you could definitely land yourself a job here at UGA. It's a tough environment right now though with these budget cuts, and I think that drove an unusually high number of qualified applicants to this job, including a couple from within the Press.

I am keeping your resume on hand in case no one in this group works out, but I didn't want to hold you up if you have other leads. I really appreciate you coming down here for the interview.

Best of luck with things."

Pretty much the nicest rejection email I could get.  I'm ok with it.  This was the job that kind of intimidated me – you know – since I have zero experience in book publishing.

At least I know the status of one of them.  Three to go!

Read and post comments

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Risky Business

11 Aug

We should be relieved right now.  We should be ecstatic.  I should be typing this in all caps letting you all know that Andrew got a job offer.  That’s great right?  Yes.  It is.  To a point.

We know we’re really not in a position to be too picky here but we also don’t want Andrew to sell himself short.  This company just isn’t offering him what we need.  We’re not looking to make what he was making.  We know the likelihood of that happening is slim.  We just want a livable salary.  One that we could manage on until I find something (or am hopefully offered something).

The practical, non-gambling side of us says we should take it.  But the other side of us, the one that feels like we’re settling and could be missing out on a better opportunity, says we should hold out a little longer.  We think we have good reasons to – he just went on two other interviews last week so those are potentials and there’s another hiring conference coming up this week that could offer a few possibilities.  It’s just such a risk.

We’re told he has to decide on Monday whether he’ll take the job.  I really don’t know what our decision will be.  It’s just such a tough call.  The job offers Andrew experience in Civil Engineering – something he’s always wanted to do.  But it also will require a lot of travel and time away from home.  We really have to consider all the pros and cons.

How could it be that I was less stressed when we didn’t have an offer on the table?  Makes no sense.  None.
 

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