The Best Part Of Waking Up

I am going to be a Road Warrior over the next month for my job. I'll be travelling a lot throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey and other spots in the area. It's quite a change from the months I spent in my house, in my home office, scrolling through employment and company web sites.

However, the common thread is how busy I was then and am now. The job search and my new job were/are both all-consuming with little time for anything else. I used to wake up and before I'd even opened my eyes feel panic about finding a new job. This weekend I woke up thinking about my new job and not in a good way. It wasn't panic but it wasn't a warm, fuzzy feeling either.

I guess at some point you reach an age where there are no more stress-free days. No more light heart, clear mind. Or maybe when the stars align, when you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, you can wake up and your first thought will be about coffee or Raul Ibanez.

I'm just saying . . .

So cup of Joe and Raul, hope to see you soon. BEFORE I open my eyes.

Hail No

It hailed today. We had a bad storm and it thundered and lightninged and was dark as night at 3:30 p.m.

A storms-a-brewing inside me too. This new job is barely tolerable. If you're a frequent reader you know how hard I prayed for a job. I needed a job and just when I was going to have to go be a greeter at Walmart, a job, in my field (allegedly), was mine. But things are not always as they seem and it turns out "in my field" is subjective.

So the search continues and I now find myself with two full time jobs. Searching for a new job and keeping the one I've got.

Make that three. I've got to survive it too.

Neither Paper Nor Plastic

This morning I had to go into my office for more training. There are a lot of details in this job so it’s going to take a few months to learn everything I need to know.

I was following several school buses this morning on my drive and something struck me. From two different buses, a girl around 12 or 13 got off in a tank top, short shorts and flip flops. Neither one of them were carrying a purse, backpack or book bag (yes I am showing my age with that one). It was so strange to see someone so unencumbered and not weighed down by bags and it struck me that at that age, we are so baggage-free in every way -- emotionally and physically.

I am not a girly-girl, nor am I particularly interested in purses. I do, however, carry the requisite items in my purse. When I’m working, I have a briefcase or wheelie bag or backpack. If we go to a Phillies game, I take a backpack. If we’re going to New York City for the day I take a small travel purse.

This morning, in my back seat, was a purse, a briefcase, a lunch bag and a bag of items for my mother-in-law who I was seeing later today. And in the front seat, sitting next to me, in what looked like an empty passenger seat, my many years of baggage.

Ah, to be young again . . .

Paycheck and We're Not Talking Johnny

Well, today I received my first paycheck in almost three years. (I don't count unemployment compensation.) It was anti-climatic I am sorry to say, maybe because I've been working so hard to earn it these past few weeks.

But it is a big deal and no small feat. It represents a lot of work, not just since I've been hired, but the entire time I was doing the job search.

Writing this blog, at this moment, is forcing me to take a moment, open the envelope and peak inside.

Money.

For a job well done.

If It Smells Like A Westin, It's A Westin

I spent last week in a Westin hotel and tonight I am in a Westin as well. I can totally understand when musicians say they don't know what town they're in every night.

My hotel room from last week is 1,300 miles from this Westin tonight but the rooms look absolutely the same.

The best news of all? The coffee maker is in the same exact place. I can stagger there in the morning without turning on the lights.

Good times.

Just Not Sure

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. Things have been a little crazy. In my new job we do about 10 events a month and we are now in the process of booking the August events. I'm learning the ropes and how my new company does things. Obviously I've managed events before but I now must do it via their process.

I'm not gonna lie to you Friends. I never have and never will. I'm struggling a lot with the new job. I'm not sure if it's just the return to work in general, the new company, the new job, all of the above, none of the above, I just don't know. It's unlike me to not be able to put my finger on the problem so that's another hurdle to overcome.

I had so hoped this would all be great from the get-go. I had so wanted and needed a job and I had prayed all along it would be a good one when it came to me. I know I need to give it some time and I don't really have a choice anyway.

I needed a job and got one. I am grateful in many, many ways. And yet I can't help wondering where this is all gonna end up? I thought this was going to be a new chapter in my life and now I'm not sure if it's more like a few pages.

I promised you new twists and turns. Stay seated and let's both try not to hurl.

Oh How The Fallen Have Become Mighty

I worked from home today. Later in the week I'm headed to Providence, RI.

Today I did a little job searching. I guess I'm not able to just stop like I thought I was. I saw two positions this morning that seem to have been posted forever, plus they are both positions that I have applied for in the past that have been unposted then posted again a few months later.

This is terrible but I'm going to be honest with you. I felt a sense of "HA HA!" when I saw them. I should be ashamed but I'm not. I feel superior. I feel like "If you hired me you'd not have been sorry". Who am I kidding? Hired? "If you would have GIVEN ME A CHANCE you'd not have been sorry."

I should be more gracious, more grateful and more unconcerned with these jobs. And I was . . . until I saw them.

My new job should have washed the bitter taste out of my mouth but it hasn't. There's definitely an aftertaste that's not going away anytime soon.

The Clouds Beneath My Wings

It's Saturday morning and I can't sleep so I'm on the computer catching up on some things from being away. I thought I'd sleep in this morning after my long week away but as we all know, when you can sleep in you can't but Monday morning when the alarm goes off all you want to do is burrow.

I was just going through the pictures I took in Tampa. I wanted to share this one with you. I'm not doing an advertisement for Southwest Airlines, although I do think they have their act together in ways . . . oh I don't know . . . US Airways . . . can never imagine. I just thought it was a cool picture.

Some Down Home Take Out

I am back home after a week in Tampa at my new company's headquarters. As you saw in yesterday's post, I was eating $23 entrees while I was away.

Tonight's dinner is shown above.

Per diem is nice but per mi casa is better . . .

Per Diem

This is what I had for dinner tonight. Flounder stuffed with crab meat.

Since my flight lands in Philly tomorrow around 5 p.m., dinner will most likely be takeout on the way home. A far cry from a $26 entree.

I wonder how many chicken nuggets you can get for $26?

It's All Coming Back To Me Now

I just had dinner in the hotel restaurant. I then got on the elevator to return to my room and a couple got on after me. I asked them which floor they wanted since I was closest to the buttons and they told me. I had a hard time finding number "8" and told them I had only had one drink and couldn't find that number. They replied that they had each had three drinks and so they were going wherever I was going. I have really missed meeting people and having conversations with them while on an elevator or in the hotel lobby. Even if no alcohol is involved.

Tomorrow I return home. My week in Tampa has been chock full of training and meeting people. I'm so glad I was able to come to company headquarters so early in my employment; week 2.

For someone who wanted nothing more than a job, I am finding my way not only back to being employed but also through the land mines of a new company. It's hard to discern (I love that word) which of these two things is causing any hiccups I am experiencing.

Sometimes you can cure hiccups by sipping water or a good scare. I think these particular hiccups are going to take some good old-fashioned time.

And in case you think I was joking in yesterday's post, yes that is a Cosmo.

And those are palm trees out the window.

And once again, I don't even care.

Carrie On

Since I am alone in the evenings during my trip to Tampa, I ventured over to a local mall tonight to see Sex and the City 2. I am a fan of the show and the first movie and even though the critics were not kind to this latest installment, I had to see it for myself.

I loved it and I don't even care.

Is it going to win an Oscar? Nope.

I loved it and I don't even care.

It was like visiting with four old friends. And since my "real" friends are over 1,000 miles away from me right now, it was like a night out with the girls.

So Cosmos for everyone!

And I don't even care.

Toto, We Are Not In Pennsylvania Anymore

I have seen palm trees before but I am always amazed by them. They are so foreign to my normal existence and yet so common in so many parts of the world.

I am right on Tampa Bay and my hotel is surrounded by water. It's beautiful here and after not being in such a place for a long time, I make sure to look out my window as much as possible.

It's "Stop and Smell the Roses", Florida-style.

Wish Granted

It has been a long long time since I've been on a plane and I love to travel and fly. Today, I returned to the friendly skies.

I can't imagine being above the clouds and not believing in a Higher Power of some sort.

Today I received a wish that I had had for a long time. That is a beautiful thing -- just like those cotton candy clouds.

Please Stay In Your Seat Until The Ride Comes To A Complete Stop

I am home today Friends, trying to get ready for my trip next week and a seminar tomorrow. It's so strange to be sitting here writing this blog, like I have for months, in the same physical space, but in a very different mental space. The focus of my day is no longer searching for a job, but preparing for learning a job and the material things that are required when you work.

While not working, I didn't buy new clothes or shoes except maybe a few necessities of a casual nature. Now I am scrambling to get what I need to be ready immediately. And still trying to be cost-conscious since our money worries aren't over yet.

The roller coaster keeps flying down the tracks. I don't know where this blog is headed now that I've gotten a job, but I hope you continue to ride the coaster with me. I can almost guarantee there will be lots to talk about in this new venture, new tracks to ride.

Gobble, Gobble

My new job is a combination of two great things -- travel and working from home. I hit the ground running this week, or I should say I hit the Schuylkill Expressway in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and have attended two events in the last 30 hours. Tomorrow is a work at home day and next Monday I leave for Tampa, Florida for a week of training.

The last week has been a scramble to buy new clothes and immediately start work. It's been an adjustment but with the short time frame in returning to the title of "employee", there's been very little time to think or panic. OK, there's been some panic.

It just hit me that I have not done the job search in over a week. Not even a few sites. I've gone cold turkey without even realizing it.

With all the time and effort I put into the job search, you'd think I'd at least need the patch . . .

Hi Ho Hi Ho

It's off to work I went.

I apologize Friends, but things are a little crazy these next few days. I will try to keep writing everyday but it may be at odd hours. I promise to fill you in more on my new job and the days leading up to it, but I need a little time to get settled.

Day 1 of the new job and I survived. I've got an early morning but I'll catch up with you later in the day.

I Am Now Free To Move About The Country

I am sorry if I seem evasive about my new job, it's just until everything is officially official, I don't want to say too much. But things are moving along at a good clip and my official start date is tomorrow. I've been shuttling back and forth to the office to drop off/pick up paperwork over the last week and was there again this morning.

This afternoon, I had a few more forms to fill out. One was my Corporate Travel Profile and so I had to go get out my stack of Rewards Cards from my bedroom drawer, dust them off and include their numbers on the Profile.

Like the rest of the job search, this hiring phase has been a coaster ride as well. It's happened so quickly and I've been submerged back into the world of forms and signatures and policy. My husband and I both agree we are still somewhat in shock and though we are of course extremely happy, shock is the prevailing emotion.

So it is with a smile I tell you that as I was filling out the Travel Profile, I believed for maybe the first time that this is really happening. That I will be dusting off more than my Rewards cards -- my suitcase, business suits, heels and firm handshake will also be taken out of storage and put to work.

Even with inflation, Friends, life changes on a dime.