I vow to walk around the new hood to see what’s out there. Instead, I find a season of House of Cards in an external hard drive.
Another day wasted watching TV. But do you know how awesome of a show this is…?
Oh, how I berate myself! Despite best of intentions, I just keep failing! Series… you are just too tempting! I just don’t know how to quit you!
A late lunch catch up with a friend I hadn’t seen in over a year. How quickly time passes. The two hour turned into a five and a half hours. How has she grown. How she has matured. In comparison, how impatient I’ve become.
Again, judging her by her past, not who she is today. Being stuck in the past is not only reflected in the mirror, and through the lens from which I see the world. How can I get better at judging the person who he/she is today instead of who they used to be.
After a month, I have a clearer view of what I should be doing in my new role. How I could add the most value, leveraging the unique me. The team of three I’ve inherited are doing a good job after the weakest link transferred to another division. One of them has been underutilized for 8 months. The consultant in charge was doing all the analysis, and the weak link owned relationships. Without guidance and push, she wasn’t doing anything. She lost the zest for work and found ways to cope to earn the monthly paycheck.
Given the opportunity, some come to life to shine. She blossoms and emerges strongest member of my team. When I tell my boss this, he’s surprised. It makes me happy to see her grow confident and ask really good questions!
He comes to speak to a colleague one row over. After twenty minutes, he comes over to talk to my team. I decide to join in the conversation. He’s here to solve a known and old problem. I ask simple questions to triangulate the issue. They haven’t thought this through. One of the higher ups told them to fix it and they came running. They can speak some buzz words that could be misconstrued.
“What is it that they need from my team? Did you know that this is already being addressed, although unresolved? Do you know who manages this specific deliverable? (I am shocked)
Come, let’s go. I need you to meet the man in charge of this problem.”
I make the introduction and scuttle away. I ask my team, “is this how things have been before I joined?”
“Yes, we run around trying to get data and information but nothing ever comes of it.”
We will no longer work that way. Unless people know what their problem is before asking us to investigate. We will advise and guide them to the right people and sources of data, but they must drive their own investigation.
I disobeyed my personal rule of no music and distractions around parking structures. I skidded the side of my car and destroyed the sensor at the gate. I am stressed. How much is this going to cost me? I really don’t want to deal with more admin… But I must own my mistakes and pay up.
Feng shui was totally off in the main bedroom. So I put those little muscles to good use. Moved the headboard and mattress from one wall to the opposite side. Result? I had the best sleep in months.
I knew it had to be done though it took over four weeks… Why do we put off doing the things if done, we reap immeasurable benefits? Why do we procrastinate?
Because I slept so well, I woke up without an alarm and totally refreshed. Because I feel so awesome, I’m able to fire up the laptop to write a little before the sun peaks out of the horizon. Because I laid out my outfit to wear the night before, all I have to do is clean up and get dressed this morning.
Because I’m able to enjoy this morning without a rush, I know I’m going to have a great day.
She used to be the most rambunctious kid on the block. Mischief and dirt used to adorn her little face. The protector who would always come to the rescue. Someone I could always rely on. The only constant. Like the most of us, I used to take her for granted as the petulant child.
She’s grown into a wife, a mother of two. I wouldn’t say she’s grown to be kind because she’s always been generous. Full of love and patience.
Happy birthday to the person I appreciate the most.
I wake up feeling rested. This morning, I choose to write despite the desire to work out. Writing should win every morning, because it’s the best time for the brain.
The black chalkboard sparks creativity with a mundane shopping list. Utilitarian yet surprisingly satisfying to write on the load-bearing wall. Does this bring me back to childhood, before the introduction of white-board or transparency projectors?
Creative juice flows, and here I sit on a wooden table supported by two metallic trestle legs. To my right, the big window opens to a set of luscious leaves. In front of me sits two sets of potted plants from thoughtful friends. Straight ahead lies the balcony, and the end unit faces no specific unit except a red brick wall. To the left, I see the sparkly kitchen counter and the sunburst mirror that must be hung up soon. I see a friend’s writing on the chalkboard, “S was here and she loved it”
I’ve just caught up on the past 12 days. Not the best writing I’ve done, but done and caught up I am after being homeless for four months.
“This is a writer’s apartment. This is a great seat to write from!”
Funny. I thought the same thing. My friend’s fiancé and I have similar taste. Talking to him helps me understand how others feel around me. We are both sure and certain which must be unnerving to most.
It’s been 12 days since I last wrote… why does it sound like an awkward catholic confession?
A knock on the door. A young man noticed someone living here and was curious. It jars me. The cabinet guy asks me if I live alone. The woman inside is terrified. Most violence against women are inflicted by those she knows. Questions are ignored and conversations abruptly ends with sharpness of her tongue.