I fear I may be a bit boring.

I know I came up with a sure fire plan to use questions from the coffee table book when I'm feeling writers block for blog posts. Then I keep forgetting to look for questions to use as a starter. So then when I have time to blog I'm all, "I'll just blog about what's going on in life!"

The truth about that is that you pretty much know and I fear I'm getting boring if I just keep posting "Work is awesome!" or "I'm still running!" So then I just don't blog. But that's just as boring. Ah, you vicious cycle you! So instead of being thought provoking in answering a coffee table book question, or boring you with running stories (I did 8 miles this past weekend, for those of you curious!), I'll do a little random thoughts for the day. 

1) My parents were watching my nephew this weekend. While he physically exhausts me, he's also so cute I can hardly handle it and sometimes find myself just squeezing him with the biggest hug I can because it's all I can do from dying from my heart exploding with cute overload. He's 4 and says things like, "Are you ready to rock?" and "I'm the dice man, OH!" (Yes, as in Andrew Dice Clay). He's so weirdly wonderful I don't even know what to make of him, but in the mean time I love every little bit of him to pieces.  

2) I held a bake sale with Nicole to raise some money for Team Challenge and while it was a good result, I can tell you this takeaway from it. Be nice to people outside the grocery story. If they're selling stuff or trying to tell you something, just be nice. You don't have to talk to them, you can politely say "no thank you" as you walk briskly to avoid their message. Here's what you don't need to do: avoid eye contact (we can still see you), yell something rude (we're here to raise money for a non-profit about colon related diseases, keep your gluten-free campaign outta here), tell unnecessarily long & unrelated stories to us (we've got other customers to serve, sir). I was rather astounded at how rude some people can be and trust me, we weren't holding guns to anyone's head demanding a purchase of a cupcake. 

3) I've started getting up earlier in the mornings. Last week it was so that I could run before work a couple of the mornings. Then on mornings I wasn't running I felt like I should still get up around that time so my body can get used to it. Turns out it took very little time at all to adjust. I'm getting up almost an hour and a half before I used to (prior to temporary retirement) and I love it. I don't use the snooze button and I have enough time to putz in the morning. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not much of a morning person. So I've always figured if I get up RIGHT before I need to be getting ready, I'll be as close to a morning lover as possible. But it turns out, what I really love is putzing around in the morning. Check twitter, have a cup of coffee while watching the news, stop and pet (and talk in crazy voices to) the animals. It's made me much more pleasant in the morning and I don't feel as rushed and crazy to get out the door! Who knew?!

The Value of a Happy Employee

If you follow me on Twitter you may have reached your tolerance level of me talking about how great my new employer is. If that's the case, you may just want to skip this post. I'm taking all those tweets and going into detail. 

The last two jobs I had before this one were about as polar opposite as you could get. I went from working for my dad in a company of about 10 (3 of which were related to me) to working for someone I would never actually meet  in a company of about 130,000.  I had a lot of "benefits" that probably weren't listed in your package while working for my dad. Including but not limited to: working with my family, bringing my dog to work, fun parties, and my boss bought me lunch practically ever day. I got to take vacations when the boss did and I was able to work on projects most recent college grads only dreamed of getting their hands on that soon after graduation. Then I went to a corporate giant. Sure, the 401k match was nice, I had stock options and the pay was substantial. I never even so much as shook hands with the owner. The president of my division couldn't pick me out of a line-up and I was over the moon when the VP (my boss' boss' boss) knew my name. 

I'm somewhere in the middle now. There's about 60 people at the new company. The President not only interviewed me, but personally offered me the job and the CEO has stopped by my office twice just to see how I'm doing. This company was recently named on the Journal Sentinel's list of Top 100 Places to Work in WI. And I've learned very quickly in my first week why that comes as very little surprise to the employees. 

Today is my fifth day. Since starting I've attended a mini-baby shower and a company wide celebration (for the honor on the list). They are currently planting a company garden out front of our office. Being Friday, not only is it Jeans day (which we all know how I feel about those), it's also Bring Your Dog to Work Day. Every Friday is. Every other Friday in the summer, we all get together and grill a picnic lunch. Part of the benefits package includes the company giving each employee one day a year, full-pay, to donate to a non-profit of their choice and contribute time to community service. I get about three e-mails a day about birthday treats or snacks in the break room.

Here's the thing about those benefits. Will they increase my retirement fund? No. Is it covering more of my health insurance cost? Not at all. However, most of them don't cost the company a dime. And the ones that do aren't atrociously expensive. But what they do for morale and employee happiness? Well, it obviously pays off. The list they were placed on is based entirely on employee survey results. The employees here work hard. They're passionate, dedicated and loyal as can be, I've seen it and I've just started here. But they're happy to work for the people they do. 

A friend asked today, in response to all the fun tweets, "How are you getting any work done with all the fun going on?" And I'm certain this is the same questions most CEOs or Presidents of companies ask when someone proposes activities like this. But like I told her, people are more productive in less time here than at my previous company. They work hard so they can play hard. And the leadership trusts in them to accomplish what needs to be done, then rewards them when they get it done. Unfortunately, this is a novel concept to so many managers.

So, I'm new. I'm sure it's not all rainbows and butterflies and no company will ever be perfect. But for now, I'm so thankful to be working for this fantastic company and look forward to contributing to it. And, honestly, that's a damn good situation to be in when it comes to work.

The Coffee Table Book

While I was on my temporary retirement I had the time to go through the areas of my house often neglected during busier times. The nooks and crannies, storage spaces, cupboards and closets. I found all sorts of gems (and tossed out all sorts of non-gems). One of my most exciting finds was a book given to me way back in my college days from my best friend, sorority sister and roommate (likely at the time she gave me the book! Thanks Gina!)


It's a fantastic collection of thought provoking questions called, Ever Wonder: ask questions and live into the answers. Some of the questions solicit longer answers, others are short and quick. The whole point of the book is to get you thinking. I'm going to use it to help me when I'm totally stuck with what to write about. I have a feeling while there will be tons going on with the start of this new job, it's a possibility by the time I get home I'll want to not think. To me, writing is a bit of an escape and with a prompt like these questions I hardly consider it thinking. 


There's a passage in the beginning of the book that I think I read for the first time tonight. (I'm pretty sure I've always skipped right into the questions in the past.) I love reminders to live in the now, forget what's coming for a bit and before you know it, tomorrow will be the present and you'll be reminiscing about today as the past. 


Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, some day far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer. 


-Rainer Maria Rilke


Here's to another and a new chapter! 

May 15, 2012

It's not even 4:00 on Tuesday May 15th but today has been pretty damn great for a number of reasons. 


Reason #1: I received a formal offer letter for the job I've been hoping to get for the last few weeks. 


I will officially be out of early retirement as of Monday and I am REALLY excited about the opportunity. It's a totally different environment for me and the job will be different in many aspects from what I've been doing but I'm excited about the challenge and the opportunity to learn a new industry. 


Reason #2: I ran my first sub 12:00 mile AND had my fastest pace for ANY of the runs I've completed to date. 


I meant to run early this morning. Then instead I wasn't feeling well and laid around. Then I accidentally fell asleep. By the time I was awake and ready to run it was 85 degrees! Fortunately, because as of right now I am still in the midst of my temporary retirement, I have the ability to drive where it's cooler. So I headed East to run one of my favorite lakefront routes. We ran this exact route in one of our earlier practices and it's been one of my favorites since. Not only did I have my fastest average pace ever but I also ran my first sub 12:00 minute mile! It's hot, I had to pee like crazy, and I almost got hit by a car, but dammit I ran and I ran fast! 


Reason #3: Tonight I will once again see the Polyphonic Spree with my brother and even better, we're introducing my parents to the Spree! 


I've mentioned this band before. They're ridiculously awesome and I'm BEYOND excited to see them again but even more so I'm over the moon about bringing my parents. Of course because it'll be awesome for someone else to see the Spree for the first time and experience what their shows are. But also because, how freaking cool is it that my family goes to shows like this together and likes it? We're ALL excited to see them together. 


LUCKIEST GIRL EVER. 

My name is Angie and I am a runner.

If you have been around these parts for a while you're probably aware of my desire to be a runner and the failed attempts I've had at becoming one. Despite Runner's World magazine telling me I was a runner, up until recently I was just a wannabe faker. 


But now, as I'm in the middle of the 8th week of training for Team Challenge, I am accepting I have become a runner. I have running clothes, I have a training schedule and a coach, I bought (and subsequently fell in love with) compression socks. Back up, I know what compression socks are. There are many physical indicators that I have actually started running and will continue to do so. I've even been tempted to sign up for a second half marathon before completing my first. 


It was while running with my coach this past weekend during our team practice that it all kind of actually hit me. During our very first practice I had shared with him my long history of wanting to be a runner. I also shared my hate for running and my lack of discipline and will power in past endeavors with exercising. As he always does, he assured me together we can do it and that I am capable. And that as long as I went slow, I could do just about anything. 


On Sunday, as we were just under half way through our 6 mile run, I shared with him that I still was worried I wasn't challenging myself. Let me just reiterate some key points here...in the middle of our SIX MILE RUN, the run I was in fact RUNNING, I was talking about not challenging myself. I realize how ridiculous this sounds. And of course, Darrell, always knowing the exact thing to say, reminded me it's important to acknowledge how far I've come. That it's okay to give myself a pat on the back (he did clarify it's not necessarily worth of a steak dinner) and acknowledge how successful my training has been. That we have plenty of time to improve and that we will, in fact, do just that. 


And on my run today, as I set my best pace for a solo run to date, I realized I'm not longer trying to be a runner. I have been challenging myself and forcing myself to stick to a disciplined schedule. I'm running multiple times a week. I ran 6.5 miles last weekend. I look forward to going out and improving and setting personal records each week. And if I am able to keep up what I've done so far, I WILL run my first half marathon on July 15th. 


And I acknowledge, with every bit of every muscle I have that moves me all those miles, this is not a solo mission. I have had people supporting me in so many different ways since the very first steps I took towards becoming a real runner. Friends who have tweeted at me every time I announce I'm headed out for a run. Coaches and mentors with Team Challenge who are there with a hug and a high five every time I hit my highest mileage. People I had never met before I started this who are filling in as unofficial coaches to talk me off the ledge when I think I have lost it all and can't ever run again. Family who has listened to me week after week talk about my runs and my pace. All of the wonderful people in my life who have supported me have helped make me into the runner I think I'm finally becoming! So of course, a big ol' THANK YOU to all of you. You make those feet of mine keep moving.


Here's to the next 6.5!

Ch-ch-changes.

A, number 1, first things first, I apologize. Holy radio silence there. That wasn't intentional, it has no reflection on the current state of the union and should not be cause for any interpretations that I have fallen off the face of the Earth. However, I can see how that may be the case. 


So, naturally, because this is the first post in quite some time, I'm going to be scatter brained, all over the place and going to a crazy style recap of my life over the past month. I'll try to segment as best as possible in order to make this as easy as possible to follow. 


Running
Somehow, in the past 2 months, I've gone from not being able to (or rather, thinking I wasn't able to) run more than a few minutes at a time to running just over FIVE miles last weekend. I don't know what happened, but I can only assume it's the perfect storm of things coming together that has totally allowed me to move my feet for over five miles. I have a fantastic team. I run all of my longest training runs at the end of the week with my team, mentor and coach. I'd give the most credit to this factor. There's motivation, knowledge and reassurance from my coaches, and of course a wee bit of competition. However, beyond running with my team, I've trained on solo runs throughout the week, kept up with my miles and I think it's safe to say I'm officially a "runner." Not a fast one, but I am in fact a runner. 


Fundraising
I am also still fundraising for the CCFA throughout my training. As of today I am just over half way there! I have been absolutely astounded at how generous people are and am once again reminded what wonderful people have chosen to be a part of my life. I still have about $2000 to raise but I am feeling far more confident that I'll be able to make it to my goal! (Of course, if you feel moved to donate to the wonderful causes of the Chron's and Colitis Foundation you can do so here.)


Work
I am still applying for jobs, as I like to tell people the job search is still just that, a search. The good news is that every day I am still finding awesome jobs that sound extremely interesting to me to apply for. I've had a couple really good interviews and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. However, I am still 100% confident that this was a blessing in disguise and I am going to end up in a better place and happier with the work I'll be doing. Just have to figure out what that work is!


Life
I have been doing my very best to take full advantage of my "temporary retirement". My house has never been more organized, I have caught up with so many friends, former co-workers, etc. I'm reading books, working out during the day, cooking meals, and taking my time through all the somewhat mundane things in life. Grocery shopping is a leisurely event. Trips to Target can take as long as I want. It's kind of nice to not be in a rush or calculating how much time I have for each task. I have a running list of things I'd like to get accomplished and I'm slowly trucking through them. 


So things are going well over here. I'll work on keeping up with blogging. I've realized how much sitting in front of a computer all day allowed for more communication with the outside world. I haven't been on Twitter much, I hardly know what's going on with Kyle from not being on gchat, and I don't blog as much. I'll work on these things. And frankly, soon enough I'll go back to being in front of a computer and have time to catch up on these things! 

Moving On.

So there was a big of a hiatus on the ol' blog here. And there's reason. 99.9% of the time I have words. In almost every situation I have words. Sometimes funny, sometimes emotional. Anyone who knows me can attest rarely does Angie not find words. In fact, if there were a character flaw involved with words, it's likely that on occasion I find too many words. (See: Novel length e-mails I've been known to send and the occasional WAY TOO LONG post on here.) 


I've had a lot of words over the last couple weeks but it was important to me I let those words settle and felt assured that the choice words I used when writing this post were rational. For two reasons, 1) I don't want to burn bridges with my former employer 2) I don't want to sabotage any opportunities with future employers. 


So that leads us to this...I was laid off last week. As my boss put it, my position was "eliminated" and with a quick half hour meeting, I was walking out the door at what was my last (half) day of work. It was abrupt, semi-unexpected and feels like a blur. There were relatively large layoffs at a corporate wide level (relatively large given the size of the organization as a whole, EXTREMELY large given the rare occasion they lay off people at all.) I knew it was coming as of the morning I met with my boss and so there was a little time to prepare. I still cried, because beyond being wordy, that's what I tend to do. 


Now that I've had a little over a week to think of it, here's where I am at. 


While I'm sad I won't be receiving a paycheck in the mail next week, I am not terribly heart broken over losing the position itself. It was, by all intents and purposes, a good job. I liked what I did and I was good at it. I made good money and work came easy to me. I was not passionate about that job. I probably would have stayed it in far longer than I should have because it was comfortable. 


I am excited to see what the universe brings now. And the universe, having given me this little karmic push towards something better, BEST be bringing me something. I have found a solid handful of jobs that are open that I think I'd really enjoy. I'm looking at this as a clean slate to use the skills I've gathered over the last few years and learn more about the areas of my job I had just dabbled into. 


In the mean time I'm practicing being retired. I wake up each morning and apply for jobs, look through postings, fine tune my resume / cover letter. And then the day is my oyster. I'm training for a half marathon and have LOTS of time (and zero opportunity for excuses) to get in my training runs. The animals are pretty thrilled to have me around. I've cleaned out cupboards that have been begging for organization. I've done some little projects around the house. Read some of the books that have been collecting dust. 


Here's the biggest thing I've done while on my temporary retirement, I've learned how incredibly blessed I am. Yes I am sad I lost my job, but that's where the sadness ends. I have been unbelievably overwhelmed at the kindness of people in my life. At the kindness of strangers. My friends and family are amazing, as always and as expected. But people I have just met, friends I have just made, and complete strangers have been supportive, helpful and kind. They've made connections for me, suggested open positions at their companies, offered references, etc. I am beyond thankful and incredibly overjoyed to know that no matter what life hands me I have a support system I can forever rely on. It means more than anyone in that network of people will ever know. 


So onward and upward friends, let's see where the road takes me.