Friday, May 16, 2008
Travelin' Tex
So, I've had a little guy named "Tex" hangin' out with me the past couple of weeks. My cousin, JB, & his 2nd grade class at school sent Tex up to me so I could show him what New York City is like. I wanted to give them and idea of what it's like to live here, but also all that New York City has to offer and some of the fun stuff and the places they might recognize from children's books/movies. Most of you have seen all this on my blog before, but if you want to see the adventures of Travelin' Tex, there is a slideshow HERE! I wrote a story to go along with the pictures, but blogger makes it too difficult to post the story and the pictures. You can make up your own story....or if you're dying to read mine, I'd be happy to email you the Word.doc version!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Not White Trash
I've been talking to Ryder on the phone for quite some time now and he's getting better and better at it. Just recently, my mom became reacquainted with her cousin, Annye. Tonight, my entire family drove to Keller, Texas for a party celebrating the TCU graduation of Annye's daughter. There were relatives at this party that my sister and I had never met. Beth called me on their drive back to the metroplex to tell me, "Well, our cousins are NOT white trash!" She then let me talk to Ryder and all he kept saying was "Not white trash! Not white trash!" I could hear my mom in the background scolding Beth for teaching him such a phrase. Oh, how I miss these fun family outings!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Whole vs. Hole
I hate making mistakes in my blog. So, I wanted to clarify (from 3 posts ago) that I do know that my yoga pants had a HOLE in them. Not a WHOLE! I made the mistake not once, but THREE times! Geez. Sometimes I wonder how my mind does that. Clearly my mind was elsewhere when I wrote that post and clearly I didn’t proof that day. I know I’ve made other grammatical or spelling errors on here, but this may be my worst!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Idol
Please check the comments from my last post....my friend Tamara has a plea for you.
And on that note, it seems like everyone is talking about American Idol these days. Including the kiddos at church. Yesterday at church, I had about 6 elementary aged girls in Sunday School. They were talking about all things IDOL. They were hilarious - talking about how cute certain boys were and arguing over who they think will win. Neely, our pastor's daughter, chimed in "Jason Castro went to Lakepointe!" (Her dad was a pastor at Lakepointe b/f they moved up here). Anyway, she was so excited about him. So, then I said really casually, "One of my friends taught Jason's math class in middle school." These little girl's faces were priceless...jaws dropped and all. Madison said, "You KNOW him?!?!" To which I responded, "No! I don't know him. But, my friend taught his math class. She knows him. And she knows his mom." Needless to say they were impressed.
I wanted to tell them that my other friend's little brother went to college with David Cook, but they seemed a little overwhelmed with my Castro info, so I decided to save up the Cook news for another week.
And on that note, it seems like everyone is talking about American Idol these days. Including the kiddos at church. Yesterday at church, I had about 6 elementary aged girls in Sunday School. They were talking about all things IDOL. They were hilarious - talking about how cute certain boys were and arguing over who they think will win. Neely, our pastor's daughter, chimed in "Jason Castro went to Lakepointe!" (Her dad was a pastor at Lakepointe b/f they moved up here). Anyway, she was so excited about him. So, then I said really casually, "One of my friends taught Jason's math class in middle school." These little girl's faces were priceless...jaws dropped and all. Madison said, "You KNOW him?!?!" To which I responded, "No! I don't know him. But, my friend taught his math class. She knows him. And she knows his mom." Needless to say they were impressed.
I wanted to tell them that my other friend's little brother went to college with David Cook, but they seemed a little overwhelmed with my Castro info, so I decided to save up the Cook news for another week.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Cherry Blossoms
It's the time of the year when the Cherry Blossom Trees are in bloom in New York. You can find them here in Central Park or along the Hudson River. I think they're so pretty! I went for a long walk down by the Hudson on Saturday and took my camera along.
One More...
Reason I like my job. The NHL Store discounts! All year round we get 30% off and 4 times a year we get 50% off. This past week was a 50% off week. About a month ago, my favorite pair of black yoga pants that I wear all the time got a little whole in them. I was still wearing them, but afraid of the moment when that whole would cause an embarassing moment or turn from a little whole into a huge one. So, I hit the NHL store on Friday and got a really nice pair of black Reebok yoga pants! At 50% off! I also got a work-out top and 2 pairs of running socks. $80 worth of merchandise that I paid only $40 for. Awesome!
It's crossed my mind more than once recently as I think about moving into a new apartment that maybe I should move into a new apartment in Texas. But, the one thing I keep coming back to is my job. I never, ever thought a job would keep me in a place. Friends? Yes, that could happen. Family? Yes. A Church? Yes. But, my job? No. But, that seems to be the case here.
It's crossed my mind more than once recently as I think about moving into a new apartment that maybe I should move into a new apartment in Texas. But, the one thing I keep coming back to is my job. I never, ever thought a job would keep me in a place. Friends? Yes, that could happen. Family? Yes. A Church? Yes. But, my job? No. But, that seems to be the case here.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
My Job
Lately, I’ve had a pretty big appreciation for my job. I’ve found that I love it!! It’s strange because I was sooo ready to get out of accounting, but I think I could actually stay with this job for a while. I still plan to finish my event management classes with NYU, but for right now I don't have a reason to try to make that kind of a career move…unless something opens up within the NHL events department-I would definitely have to consider that. Anyway, here are some reasons why I love my job:
- Several times throughout the year we arrive in the morning to find free stuff placed neatly at our desks. A few weeks ago, I arrived to find a free lunch tote on my desk. I probably won’t use it, but my mom or dad might have use for it! My parents and Ryder have received lots of free NHL gear from me! The day we got the lunch totes, we also had a dessert party. This was all to celebrate the start of the playoff season. The desserts were amazing!! Tiny crème puffs, chocolate covered strawberry’s, fruit tarts, etc… One of the admin’s also came by and asked for my t-shirt size, I still don’t know why, but I guess I’m getting a free t-shirt in the near future.
- Flexible work hours. We can basically set our own hours, within reason. AND, we only work 7 hour days…well, not always, but that’s what’s required - sometimes I do have to stay late to finish things up. Being the non-morning-person that I am, I have chosen the late-schedule. I basically work 9:45 to 6:00, with an hour lunch in there…sometimes spent at my desk, but I try to get out and walk a mile every day at some point in the afternoon. I can even walk home for lunch if I want! Most of my department is non-morning people (I think it's an accounting thing as I encountered this at E&Y, too). I loved it this week when one of my bosses, Olivia, and I were on a conference call with a consulting company. We have had on our schedules for weeks now that we would have all-day sessions with them on Thursday/Friday this week from 9am to 5pm. On the call on Wednesday, Olivia said..."What time are we starting on Thursday morning? You realize none of us are morning people, right? We're starting at 9:30. If you want to come earlier, that's fine, but we won't be here until 9:30". Hilarious!
- My new management position. When I first was promoted to manager last August, I didn’t see much change in my job, just title. But, as things have continued to progress, so has my job. There are LOTS of changes going on. The other day, my direct boss referred to us as being similar to a start-up company. It’s really pretty true – they consider me an old employee and I’ve been there less than 1.5 years. It was just a few years ago that the hockey player lock-out occurred and that resulted in extreme lay-offs and a reduction in hockey activity. So, it’s almost like the NHL has started over. The NHL has done really well these last few years, so we’re trying to keep up with the growth and be prepared for more. In the finance department, we are really working on revising processes to make things run more smoothly and efficiently...this means upgrading our Accounting Software, and buying lots of other new software and tools to help us out – all resulting in lots of planning/decision meetings! Anyway, I’m now managing 2 staff and I’m involved in less of the day-to-day stuff and more involved in project management. Right now, this means lots of meetings – usually I just listen because I am still learning so much, but I contribute where I can. And as we go, these meetings begin to result in more and more work on my end. Right now I’m very busy with the budget process until mid-May …we’re on a July-June fiscal year, so budgets for ’08-’09 have to be done soon! Budgeting allows me to “see inside” other departments and I have found it very interesting learn more about what other departments are doing and how much fun other jobs sound and what they spend money on!
- My co-workers are extremely nice, laid-back, and easy to work with.
- Going to the All-Star game! I’m crossing my fingers to go again next year. (Also, secretly wishing that they’d need me to go to the pre-season games we’re having in Europe this year…that won’t happen, but a girl can dream, right?).
- Free hockey games! Free concert tickets!
- I had my annual review the other day and it went very well. I’m always scared of these. Even though I like my job and do what’s expected, I always know that I could be doing more and doing better. I know that I will never be an over-achiever in the accounting world. But, somehow they don’t seem to see that and my review was good! I am hoping that it will translate into a nice raise when we get them in August because I am pretty much counting on it to be able to afford to live without roommates!
- The powers that be seem to try really hard to keep us excited about our jobs and also about hockey. I got off the elevator on my floor this morning and felt soooo confused! The elevator bank on the 14th had white walls when I left last night, but when I arrived this morning, it had been wall-papered. It's pretty crazy now! The hockey players look like they're about to skate right off the walls!
As I just re-read/proofed this entry, I realized that it has a whole lot to do with God's provision. There have been times in the past when I have been so miserable with my job. I remember very late night drives home from work while on my cell phone bawling to my mom (who was in Cali and 2 hours earlier) because I was so tired and overwhelmed. I don't expect to feel that way about this job anytime soon. Just now, I pulled out the notebook I use to keep up with prayer requests. I knew that 3-4 years ago, I had some very specific job-related requests jotted down in there that I prayed over for a long time and I wanted to go back and re-read them. Here are a few of those, straight from my book (FYI...I've bolded/italicized some words here, but in my book I had actually underlined them. Blogger doesn't seem to have an underline option):
- That I would be motivated at work and keep up. (check)
- That I would be so thankful for my job that I would desire to do my best. (maybe not a full check here, but I'm getting better)
- God would have grace on me and grant me the gift of enjoying my job (CHECK, CHECK!)
Additionally, life would probably be nearly unbearable if I hated my job and ached as badly as I do for the friendships I've had in the past. As I did when I moved here, I still feel pretty confident that God wants me to be in this city. I've become confused as to why exactly and maybe I will never know. But, the fact that I like my job makes me even more certain that He wants me to stick around and shows me how loving He is because he's making it more comfortable for me to do so!
Praise God! Seriously.
- Several times throughout the year we arrive in the morning to find free stuff placed neatly at our desks. A few weeks ago, I arrived to find a free lunch tote on my desk. I probably won’t use it, but my mom or dad might have use for it! My parents and Ryder have received lots of free NHL gear from me! The day we got the lunch totes, we also had a dessert party. This was all to celebrate the start of the playoff season. The desserts were amazing!! Tiny crème puffs, chocolate covered strawberry’s, fruit tarts, etc… One of the admin’s also came by and asked for my t-shirt size, I still don’t know why, but I guess I’m getting a free t-shirt in the near future.
- Flexible work hours. We can basically set our own hours, within reason. AND, we only work 7 hour days…well, not always, but that’s what’s required - sometimes I do have to stay late to finish things up. Being the non-morning-person that I am, I have chosen the late-schedule. I basically work 9:45 to 6:00, with an hour lunch in there…sometimes spent at my desk, but I try to get out and walk a mile every day at some point in the afternoon. I can even walk home for lunch if I want! Most of my department is non-morning people (I think it's an accounting thing as I encountered this at E&Y, too). I loved it this week when one of my bosses, Olivia, and I were on a conference call with a consulting company. We have had on our schedules for weeks now that we would have all-day sessions with them on Thursday/Friday this week from 9am to 5pm. On the call on Wednesday, Olivia said..."What time are we starting on Thursday morning? You realize none of us are morning people, right? We're starting at 9:30. If you want to come earlier, that's fine, but we won't be here until 9:30". Hilarious!
- My new management position. When I first was promoted to manager last August, I didn’t see much change in my job, just title. But, as things have continued to progress, so has my job. There are LOTS of changes going on. The other day, my direct boss referred to us as being similar to a start-up company. It’s really pretty true – they consider me an old employee and I’ve been there less than 1.5 years. It was just a few years ago that the hockey player lock-out occurred and that resulted in extreme lay-offs and a reduction in hockey activity. So, it’s almost like the NHL has started over. The NHL has done really well these last few years, so we’re trying to keep up with the growth and be prepared for more. In the finance department, we are really working on revising processes to make things run more smoothly and efficiently...this means upgrading our Accounting Software, and buying lots of other new software and tools to help us out – all resulting in lots of planning/decision meetings! Anyway, I’m now managing 2 staff and I’m involved in less of the day-to-day stuff and more involved in project management. Right now, this means lots of meetings – usually I just listen because I am still learning so much, but I contribute where I can. And as we go, these meetings begin to result in more and more work on my end. Right now I’m very busy with the budget process until mid-May …we’re on a July-June fiscal year, so budgets for ’08-’09 have to be done soon! Budgeting allows me to “see inside” other departments and I have found it very interesting learn more about what other departments are doing and how much fun other jobs sound and what they spend money on!
- My co-workers are extremely nice, laid-back, and easy to work with.
- Going to the All-Star game! I’m crossing my fingers to go again next year. (Also, secretly wishing that they’d need me to go to the pre-season games we’re having in Europe this year…that won’t happen, but a girl can dream, right?).
- Free hockey games! Free concert tickets!
- I had my annual review the other day and it went very well. I’m always scared of these. Even though I like my job and do what’s expected, I always know that I could be doing more and doing better. I know that I will never be an over-achiever in the accounting world. But, somehow they don’t seem to see that and my review was good! I am hoping that it will translate into a nice raise when we get them in August because I am pretty much counting on it to be able to afford to live without roommates!
- The powers that be seem to try really hard to keep us excited about our jobs and also about hockey. I got off the elevator on my floor this morning and felt soooo confused! The elevator bank on the 14th had white walls when I left last night, but when I arrived this morning, it had been wall-papered. It's pretty crazy now! The hockey players look like they're about to skate right off the walls!
As I just re-read/proofed this entry, I realized that it has a whole lot to do with God's provision. There have been times in the past when I have been so miserable with my job. I remember very late night drives home from work while on my cell phone bawling to my mom (who was in Cali and 2 hours earlier) because I was so tired and overwhelmed. I don't expect to feel that way about this job anytime soon. Just now, I pulled out the notebook I use to keep up with prayer requests. I knew that 3-4 years ago, I had some very specific job-related requests jotted down in there that I prayed over for a long time and I wanted to go back and re-read them. Here are a few of those, straight from my book (FYI...I've bolded/italicized some words here, but in my book I had actually underlined them. Blogger doesn't seem to have an underline option):
- That I would be motivated at work and keep up. (check)
- That I would be so thankful for my job that I would desire to do my best. (maybe not a full check here, but I'm getting better)
- God would have grace on me and grant me the gift of enjoying my job (CHECK, CHECK!)
Additionally, life would probably be nearly unbearable if I hated my job and ached as badly as I do for the friendships I've had in the past. As I did when I moved here, I still feel pretty confident that God wants me to be in this city. I've become confused as to why exactly and maybe I will never know. But, the fact that I like my job makes me even more certain that He wants me to stick around and shows me how loving He is because he's making it more comfortable for me to do so!
Praise God! Seriously.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)