Life's Little Journeys

Otherwise known as DSW.  I resisted.  Barely.  Only because my mission today was to find clothes, not shoes.  And I did.  I now have three new suits for work.  First day is tomorrow, so I definitely put it off to the last minute. 

So first, I turned in notice at my job of the last five years.  Then I taught my last class, at least for a year.  I dropped out of the MBA program, because I'm just not sure that's the direction I want to take.  And this week, I chopped off all of my hair. 

              

Last Week                                                                          This week

Think anyone will notice?

Today, I turned in my 30 day notice at my current job.  I am taking the new job, and moving on.  Part of me is sad, and nervous.  My current company is small, and I like most of the people that I work with.  Several have become good friends.  I even go to the CFO's house twice a year to re-pot all of her houseplants.  It's also the job I had when I first got my divorce.  It was the place that helped me to move through that mess, so it's kind of a safety zone.  But we can't stay in the safety zone, and still grow so here I go.  The nice thing is, I have an 'informant'.  One of my former students works there.  In fact, she is the one who told the company about me.  I was actually interviewed originally for a position that isn't created yet, and they decided to bring me in anyway, into another department, until the other position is approved.  So I interviewed with the head of that department.  Well, now the two department heads are fighting over me.  I will be the rope in their tug of war.  It's so nice to be wanted!  But, the position I want is the one that hasn't been created, so hopefully that's who will win.  That would be payroll, and I've worked hard on my credentials & reputation in that area.  Oh, well.  Either way, the money is much better.  The exhusband debt will be paid off before Christmas (that's a huge WOOHOO!!!!!), and I will be looking really good in 2009.  So that's it in a nutshell!  Hope everyone else's week is going well!

That's how the HR rep described me today.  My interview went well Friday, other than being cut short by the threat of an inch or two of snow.  (Hey, it's Nashville.  They see a flake, they run for milk & bread.)  I spoke with her again today, because I had a few more questions and asked what the next step would be.  So the next step is that the two I interviewed with are speaking with the CFO about how I am a sound investment in the future of a growing company.  Talk about responsibility!  I feel like if I am hired, I'm going to be expected to raise revenues & slash expenses in a single bound!  LOL!  Did I mention I'm in payroll?  I spend money, not bring it in!

All in all, if the offer is made and it's a good offer, I would really like to work with this company.  They are in the cancer treatment field.  Let's face it, healthcare is a good field to be in.  But I've been saying to friends that I would really like to do something that means something.  That's exactly what this company is doing.  Yeah, they are making money with it, but it's still a service that is needed to help people.  I think I could feel really good about what the company does.  And fiscally, they have doubled their revenues in the last 16 months.  They are projected to double in size in the next two years. That's pretty exciting, not to mention offers a lot of opportunity to someone who wants to grow with the company.  So hopefully we will be able to come to an agreement.

Anyway, enough about my possibility of future career changes.  I leave Friday for Orlando.  My brother is getting married Saturday evening, and I'm driving 11 hours to get there, probably Saturday morning.  I'll sleep all day, go to the wedding Saturday night, and come back on Sunday.  Needless to say, I won't be at work on Monday.  Other than that, not much going on. 

I have a job interview this Friday.  Wish me luck!

It was absolutely gorgeous, sunny & even warm!  It's still quite pretty today, but rain is forecast for later.  And back down to 36 by Friday.  Welcome to Tennessee.

I started out Saturday, doing my typical errands but it was just TOO pretty to spend time in WalMart!  So I called a friend, and she brought the little one to town.  We ate lunch at this italian restaurant, Maggianos.  The absolute best italian food EVER.  I'm fairly certain it was not on the Weight Watchers menu, but we all must take breaks now & then.  Afterwards we took her toddler (1 1/2 yr old) to Centennial Park to run off some energy.  Whew!  Who needs an elliptical when you have one of those to chase?!  I actually broke a sweat!  We had a good time though. 

Sunday was even more beautiful, and 70+ degrees.  I went to the Farmers Market, and the Bi Centennial Mall.  Which is actually a state park.  Weird, I know.  But it's really neat, especially if you are a history buff (not me).  Here are a few pics:

There is a walking path around the park, with the history of Tennessee on the wall, with geographical changes, wars, settlements, quotes and song lyrics.  There is a WW2 memorial, a circle which lists many of the famous music artists from Tennessee, and a pathway of all of the Tennessee counties that contains facts and time capsules for each county.  It's pretty neat.  I walked around it, then grabbed a book from the car, lay on a bench and read for hours.  It was a great day!

I may have a job interview next Friday.  The only thing is, they want me to interview for a job that isn't the one I applied for.  Then if all goes well, and I get that job, I can just "wait" for the position I was originally interviewed for to be created.  The money would be good, but I'm not sure if this is the direction I want to take.  What if the possible position is never created?  I've worked hard to establish myself in a certain field, and moving completely out of it could compromise that.  Well, at least I have a week to really think about it.

We're going back to Daytona again this year.  I've probably mentioned that.  But now I can't get the beach off the brain.  It's constantly there, waves crashing, sun shining and sand between my toes.  Makes it hard to concentrate, you know?

Still going strong on the smoking.  Tomorrow will be 28 days, I think.  Might be 35, can't remember when I first quit.  So certain things have come to light...if you smoke and decide to quit, be prepared for a few unexpected side effects.  Along with the permanent munchies and the initial grouchiness, there is the smell.  Once your sense of smell comes back, you can smell EVERYTHING!  And contrary to popular belief, that is not always a good thing. :)  Right now, in winter, everything smells musty, closed up and stale.  My air freshener is too strong, cologne of any kind gives me a headache.  But they say it will pass.  Yep, I'm complaining.  Give me a break.  I want a cigarette but I'm blogging instead.  :)

Well, must get back to work.  Makes it easier to daydream about the beach!