Reports Cards

When going through all those years of school, the one thing I dreaded the most was report cards. You always knew how you were doing, but this was the time you actually had to face it. And when those grades weren't so hot, you knew you weren't going to have a good weekend. However, you kept telling yourself, once you grow up, you never have to deal with that any more. Little do you know there are these things called annual reviews!

The email goes out during lunch that today is the day, starting at 1:00pm people would be called into the EVP's office for their review. Now if you look at my past....I have never really had a review where you are called into an office. EJK, my VP handed me the review paperwork and told me to fill it out and he would sign it. Not much of a review. WJ, I was emailed my review and asked to review it and to let my boss know if I had any questions. Not this time, this time I had to sweat it out and wait to be called into the bosses office.

My heart was racing, I was thinking back through the three months I have been here...have I done well? Did I do what was expected? You know, all the things you don't think about on a typical day. About 2:00 my phone buzzed and sure enough, the boss was calling me in. Now my heart was really racing. As I was walking down the hall, all I could do was work on placing one foot in front of the other and think "don't trip!". (Yes, I was a bit nervous.)

My review went well. The boss smiled at me when I walked in...which was reassuring. But as I sat there, I brought me back to report cards. I don't have to bring it home to my parents anymore, but I am still being graded. Am I worth keeping around? Is my work satisfactory or above average? Thankfully, I am worth keeping around, and my boss likes my work! But it just shows you, school...even though you may have graduated, it doesn't mean it gets any easier. School is just the beginning of what life holds. It is the stepping stones to your future. And yes, I get all this from report cards.

I still don't like them!

Where are you Christmas?

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too


It's one of those years, one where you just can't seem to place things. I am here looking at my desk...there is a contract that I am needing to review with my boss, one I am needing to pay, one I am needing to see through and my calendar. Everything neatly together, so I know what is what, and just the way I like it.

What I don't have is that Holiday Spirit. Everyone else has their office's decorated. Then there is mine. I am the one that turns the station when a Christmas song comes on. I have moved so much, that if I wanted to go "home" for Christmas, where would I go? It is all part of growing up and moving forward with your life and goals. Things change, home changes.

I could go back to Rochester, where most of my family resides as well as my friends. As for my immediate family, it is only my brother there. It would be Christmas with my brother, but not the parents.
I could go to DC, where my parents reside. However, if I go there, I get to see my parents, but my brother won't be there.
I could go to Phoenix and see Anita. She is family to me now, after all, she is who I spent so much time with when I was there. But then there would be no parents and brother.

What do I choose - I choose to stay in Texas. Why? I guess this is where I think I will be happier. If I go to either place, it won't be Christmas with out the missing half (parents or brother). If I stay in Texas, it will kinda be like just another day. I will still go to Christmas Service on Christmas Eve, but other than that, it will be Bart boy and I.

As I sit here, going through these contracts, maybe Christmas will find me. Maybe all the changes I have made in my life means I have to find a new Christmas. But what is that Christmas, and will I like it?

First Board Meeting

Well my weeks are back to normal. What ever normal is! Last week was my first Board Meeting, and it seemed to go extremely well. My favorite part was the cruise of Newport Harbor on the Wild Goose which is John Wayne's former yacht.

Le'Ann, one of my co-workers, and I ran around take numerous pictures so that the day would not be forgotten!

All in all, the weekend seemed to be a great success. The weather was a bit chiller than expected. But then that seems to be likewise every where, Dallas was getting snow while we were in California. The trip gave me a chance to get to know Le'Ann better and well as meet some great board members! It is a good reminder of why I love my job!

Every time you travel, at least for me, my favorite part is returning home. I was able to catch an earlier flight home, which made my day. Even if I was stuck sitting next to a guy wearing Patchouli Oil that made me gag the entire flight. (Sorry to those that like it, but it makes me so sick to my stomach.) I get home to a wonderful dinner Tony made (Chicken and sausage!) while we watch Sunday Night Football. It doesn't get better than that, now does it?! Yes, I threw on my Fitzgerald jersey just to help cheer on the Cardinals!

Well, I best get back to work. Time to start planning the next meeting. :) Louisville, Kentucky here we come!