& that's the way life goes

Wow is summer coming to an end already? I took my first business trip last week. It was frustrating, irritating and by day 3 I was ready to go home. I was gone for 4 days. Luckily, the people I was traveling with were pretty great even if they don’t really get me.

I would make a joke and it would be met with a blank stare and because I’m so new to the industry I work in as well as the one I work for, I feel dumb. A lot.

It is hard to admit that and I didn’t write this post to even say that, but there it is.

Instead, what inspired me to write is the message I took from the much needed yoga on the Friday when I got back.

“The season is changing and bringing new things. If summer stayed forever we would take for granted the sun and the season’s activities. With fall we will remember the amazing things about summer and look forward to it coming back around.”

This way of thinking makes the shorter hours of daylight  and cooler temperatures almost bearable.  Almost.

Xoxo

My new job is completely, 100% the exact opposite of my previous position.  I’m busy 8 hours of the day and I don’t just leave “work at work”. It is very possible that I could be out of a job in a year or two, maybe less. Guess I didn’t look before I leapt.

That said, I enjoy the challenge and professionalism of my job. I feel important and the things I’m doing are making a difference.  I think it was a good leap, if not terrifying.

I can’t believe is mid-july already. I hope you are having a kick ass summer. I’m enjoying my weekends up north with my lil family.

I’ve been scarce around here but I’ve still been reading blogs on my slow ass phone. I can’t wait until August when I can get a new one. I found out that my new job will reimburse my phone bill but I have to basically give up my contract and join the company contract. I have a hard time with commitment ultimatums…if you haven’t noticed…so this whole concept makes me cringe. I can’t help but think ahead. I mean what if this job doesn’t work out? What if I God forbid get fired or move on? I’ve been with my current cell phone provider so long I’m locked in a pretty good plan. I definitely can’t complain. For me to be able to sync my work email I have to up my data plan to the corporate one which is $13 more a month. Seriously?

So this my dear readers is my question for you. Should I A) suck up the $13 a month or B) get a second phone to serve as my work phone with the other cell phone service provider my company provides (I’d be getting an Iphone to accompany my personal Droid)? Keep in mind I have to pay the bill every month and then get reimbursement in my next check.

What would you do? Decisions, decisions. Help!

PS…I miss being able to post on my blog during the day but I’m loving the opportunities my new job is providing me. I’m so excited for all the things I’m working on and I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt like that. I’ve already designed a new header for a conference website and am in the process of designing poll graphics

I may have some social media questions soon and I know a lot of you are way more experienced at using them professionally. When I get used to my new routine I’m hoping to post more often.

xoxo
Ria

Tomorrow is the last day I will drive to Ann Arbor for work. It’s the last time I will make the 32.9 miles one way trip to a parking lot that is just shy of 1/2 mile from my building. A 1/2 mile I have to walk if it’s sunny, pouring or snowing. Tomorrow evening is the last time I have to deal with the backup at M-14 and I-275. In honor of this, here are the things I’ll miss most about Ann Arbor and my job.

• Every other Friday off
• Working from home
• Not being stressed if I’m running late or the weather is awful
• Having all kinds of restaurants and stores within walking distance
  No Thai
  Totoro
  Pizza Bob’s
• Working on campus
• My double monitors (though I’m going to ask my new job if I can order a second one)
• Casual attire
• Awesome health and retirement benefits
• My coworker(s) and the ability to rant in someone’s office when I’m stressed out or about to “cut a bitch”

I’m thrilled for my new opportunity.  It is a position that will allow me to grow and give me a sense of satisfaction in my work.  If I’m going to have to sit at a desk for 40 hours a week I would rather be achieving something than just wasting time.  These are a few of the things I’m looking forward to.

• Driving 20 miles less a day
• Opportunities to carpool with C, depending on our schedules after work
• Filling my closet with new clothes (Thanks to Mae for going to the mall and helping me pick up great mix and match pieces!)
• Working back in the city where I went to college
• Being able to sign up for aerial yoga classes again because  it will be right down the street and I can go after work
• Happy hour with my favorite girls in the city and Friday lunches with LP
• My own cubicle
• Not having to answer the general phone line
• Making the move to have a career and not just a job
• More $$

The next couple of days are going to be filled with sadness and change.  Tomorrow is not only my last day at my job but my 29th birthday.  It’s going to be a great year, I know it.  Wednesday C and I are heading up north for a long weekend at the cottage.  After all the running around and excitement I’m looking forward to relaxing and working on the cottage for a few days before I jump into my new adventure.

In case I’m sparse around here don’t forget what we look like

taken at C's sisters wedding this past weekend

It’s been pretty somber around here lately.  I swear it hasn’t been all that bad but I’m just going through another phase of reflection and growth.

I’m tired of my job.  I’m tired of not having a set purpose.  I’m tired of picking up the tiny, mundane pieces of larger projects.  I’ve found things that I do love to do, I would devote a whole 40 hours a week to.  Things that challenge me and actually give my brain a workout.  Too bad these things make up about 5% of my job.  The other 95% of the time I’m doing  brainless work.

It’s unsatisfying and there is no where for me to go here.

I think I want to go to grad school but that means spending at least another 3 years in a position that’s probably turning my brain to mush.  I guess 3 years isn’t that long in the big picture but it seems like an eternity.

I hate the thought of leaving my workplace because of the benefits it provides me (healthcare, flexible schedule, massive amounts of PTO, etc).

The bottom line is sometime in the past 4 years I outgrew my job.

Now what? I picked up basic skills but nothing that will open up another door for me. I’ve scoured job postings and it’s gotten to the point I’m starting to resent co-workers. New hires that are doing something I’d love to do even if they were only hired for part-time positions.

I know…all I’ve been doing is whining.  I promise my next post will be filled with puppies, rainbows, sunshine and flip flops.  Maybe I’ll take a page from Sarah and list all the happies.