The Second Week

Week two at the new job has almost officially come to an end, and it was surprisingly good.

They threw us in on actual orders right away, beginning Monday morning. I think most of us are processing pretty slowly, but it’s expected and is actually preferred that way. We aren’t messing anything up, and we’re able to learn through our own mistakes as they come. The week started off a little rough, and there was definitely a point Monday afternoon, where I was just thinking, “I want to go home”, but the rest of the day evened out, and I settled in.

Since we’ve been processing actual orders, our job is to look through them and catch things that customers had either missed, or not taken the time/care to fix themselves. It’s amazingly horrifying what some people send in, and the customers even get to see previews of their orders when they submit. They don’t magically go from shit to glory. It’s our team that makes it go from shit to glory, with a lot of strained eyes and carpal tunnel.

It does seem like a lot of the processing is the same, and I can definitely see how it could get repetitive. I haven’t minded that at all, so far, but I am also taking way more care than I probably will come December. Right now, it’s more about testing the boundaries and getting our skill set up to speed with the demands of regular, full volume processing. Our assigned evaluators go through our completed orders and then send them off to print or back to us if changes are needed. So far I haven’t had any awful mistakes that would likely have come back as reprints, so that’s a relief. Although, my orders for today haven’t been checked over yet, so that could change. Hopefully not!

It’s definitely a different kind of atmosphere here, too. I think that’s the most amazing thing about it so far. My last job seemed to stifle fun and creativity, and here it’s completely welcomed. The ten of us, plus our evaluators, all get along wonderfully so far. Both of our on-site evaluators have moved here from another location, so in a way, we’re all new here. We’re all in the same boat, and we all are essentially strangers. It’s an even playing field, which is quite nice. At my last job, it was really tough at first, because I was going into a tight-knit group of close friends so it was difficult to break in and feel like I belonged. Here, it’s different. Our entire team gets along great. I’ve had lunch with a few of them already, and it’s definitely starting to feel more natural. Some people are already making vague future plans for things to do as group PDT Outings. Tonight, we’re meeting up for our “First Official PDT Happy Hour”. Yup. Right?! My old job didn’t do anything even similar to that, so it really is refreshing to be in this new, fun environment.

All in all, things are going pretty well. I have my own desk area, a private little lock box on wheels, two (!) computer screens, and my own phone number. Wowsers. I imagine it will be a lot more hectic when the orders ramp up, but I think we’re going to be given plenty of time to really learn the process and therefore, plenty of opportunity to succeed. I’m definitely happy so far, and hopeful that things will continue to improve as we get to know the job and each other a little better.

This weekend should be a nice relief from the past few stressful weeks, even though it will involve a ton of driving. But I’ll get to see my puppies, my preggo friend, and my birthday cake. Yum and yay!

Firsts & Lasts

Throughout the course of our lives, we all experience a large variety of ‘firsts and lasts’. With these ‘firsts’, we begin new and sometimes incredibly exciting adventures. With these ‘lasts’, we end these adventures and close these stories.

Without these ‘lasts’, we cannot begin another ‘first’.

I think this simple fact brings upon the biggest challenges all of us have to face in life. There is a drastic change brought on by every closing of one story and the beginning of a new one. It’s amazing to me sometimes, how one singular choice has the potential to radically change the course of your entire life.

Over the past two weeks, I have experienced a large amount of ‘lasts’. Having been in a stable, steady job for the past five years, my life had admittedly become quite routine and rather uneventful. Very few things changed, and opportunities for personal and career growth were few and far in between. After receiving and accepting the Production Design position I mentioned in my previous post, I have had to quickly close down any residual storylines from my previous job and in some sense, my previous life. I have had to say good-bye to some really amazing friends (most of whom I hope to keep in contact with!), and I have had to say good-bye to every tiny part of the routine of which I had become so accustomed. Even something as minute as turning left instead of the right turn I’ll be taking from now on, or setting my alarm to 5:55 instead of the new 6:15, all of these things are now in my past.

Beginning tomorrow, a new chapter of my life is starting to be written, and it is scary as hell.

I keep reminding myself, though, that without these risks and bold choices, I would potentially be blocking out anything new and wonderful from occurring. I feel like most of my options were worn out at my previous job, and with the new job, there is so much untapped potential. It is terrifying, but at the same time it is truly amazing. I’m really trying to go into it with a positive and hopeful mindset, which is overall quite different from the way I have reacted towards drastic changes in my past. I am hopeful that this decision could help bring me closer to some of the best days of my life. I will make new friends, try new things, and get the fresh start that I have needed, but been afraid of, for so long. This fresh start is very much overdue, and even though I am hesitant and honestly still scared, I am excited.

This time last year, I was in the exact same place as I was this year.
This time next year, essentially everything has the potential to be different.

If any of you feel like there are things in your lives that are stale or old, make a single bold choice, and see where it could lead. Routine will continue to be routine, until we take the power to change it and mix it up. If there is something you’ve always wanted to try, or somewhere you’ve always wanted to go, do what it takes to get there. All it takes is one choice to change your entire life.

So, here’s to new chapters, new stories, and a whole bunch of new ‘firsts’.
Here we go! 😀

Happy All of the Holidays!

Hey all! I just wanted to get in one final, quick post before the majestic 2013 comes to an end.

This year has brought a lot of laughter, a lot of loss, and a lot of everything in between.
Overall, it was a year of complete personal growth and change.

I’ve learned who my true friends really are, as well as those who just ended up being there when they wanted to be. While that circle of friends has gotten quite a bit smaller, I’m still very satisfied and I have no regrets about those who have fallen behind. I’ve definitely gotten more into the mindset of thinking for myself, and also in finding a better balance in spending effort on myself and on others.

Career-wise, I feel like things still have a long way to go. Having goals is a great thing, and even though I haven’t quite reached mine yet, it just gives me something to continue to strive for. As I had mentioned earlier, I think 2013 was more of a preparation year of sorts, and I’m definitely ready for what the future has in store. The things that used to hold me back, don’t anymore, and the future is completely wide open and I’m ready for it. I’m just ready. I made it through the busy season at work, and now have more time available to prepare for bigger and better things. I’m a little nervous, but very excited.

My Christmas was great. I’ve had some vacation time away from work, which I am continuing to enjoy. I was able to spend time with my family, my pets, and my wonderful friends whom I haven’t seen in quite some time. And unlike last year, if you recall, I am not actually spending New Year’s alone! Hooray for friend! (Yes, just one. One is all you need!)

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas, and an even better New Year’s. Let’s all leave 2013 in the past, and look forward to what 2014 will bring. I’ll be sure to update more frequently, as I am able to get back into the swing of things. Have a great night, and Happy New Year’s! 😀

BIRTHDAY, HAPPY, YAY!!!

I’ll just get this out of the way, and say IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!

HOORAY!

Usually, in years past, I haven’t gotten too excited about it because it generally ended up being a letdown. This year, however, I took the day off of work (great start with that!), and have made weekend plans with some close friends.

In the past, every year on my birthday I waited for the flood of Facebook notifications and text messages to come in throughout the day. In the years after I graduated college, I’ve noticed that this “flood” is now more of a “trickle”. As sad as it was at first (“Why don’t people like me?!”), I just kind of got over it. Those people weren’t really good friends anyway. And even the people that I work with, whom I once considered good friends, I now realize are simply work friends. They’re just people I talk to while at work, and that’s it.

In a way, I’m kind of glad about that. The past few years have definitely been trying, especially with my parents divorce and with good friendships being put to the test (with some of them not passing!). Even through all of that, if you’re able to get through it and keep your head up, I think it really does make you stronger. It makes you realize the important things in life, and to not waste even one more second on the things that aren’t.

I think the older you get, and the more distanced from high school and from college you get, the more you realize who’s really there for you. Those friends are the one worth keeping. Those friends are the ones to be thankful for, and be happy that they’re in your life and you’re in theirs. Those friends are in it for the long haul. And to those friends, I say thank you.

On another, somewhat similar note, I got an email today and in it was this quote:
“Don’t just count your years, make your years count.”

How perfect is that?! It fits right along with everything I’ve been trying to do with my life, and with Ruby July, and I think it’s a great mindset to have. Make the most out of every single day. I know I have the tendency to get wrapped up in the daily routine, and just let life fly by. That’s not something I want to do anymore. It only took me twenty-seven years, but I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of them. No thanks, quarter-life-crisis, I’ll have none of you anymore!

I will have some of this polar bear cake though! YUM! 😀