Big changes in a short time

I'm not one to usually write, but I guess this is one of these times because I don't know who to actually talk to about this.

So I've taken a "new" job back in Mystic. CT at MSM. I'm going to be the newest rigger starting on August 6th. It is honestly one of those jobs I have debated for much longer than I want to admit. Not that most people in NH have been aware of this. I said when I left MSM that the rigger job was one of the few that I would come back for. And when they posted the job last time I just never got around to applying for it and was fine that I didn't get it. This time, I knew that I had to at least apply for it. If I didn't get it, that was fine, but I had to throw my hat into the ring. Did I know that I would probably get it if I applied for it this time, yes. Especially since I got the Matthew invite to apply for it. 

Was I really looking for a new job? No, not really. Was I looking to see what else was out there, yes. Was I happy with where I was with what I was doing? For the most part, yes I was. LASC was and still is a place I like working. It's a good challenge for me in many ways. It let me do some of the back office things that I like and also interact with people. I have also said for a while that what I need in job is one that will challenge me from the day I started through and past the day I leave. Thanks to TO, I had that and more. 

Although I have already made my decision, I am still torn about it. I am looking forward to working as a rigger, I really am. But I am also sad to leave LASC. I know I am leaving everyone up here in the lurch since I gave my two weeks. I've been deeply involved in lots of things and there is no obvious person to turn them over to. I guess I just want to let those at LASC know that while my decision may seem out of the blue, it isn't.

Here is hoping that I can actually talk to TO tomorrow and let him know this. And hell, if he really wants me to be his personal assistant I'll come back in a year after the rigging job and 38th voyage are done. We'll have to see how that goes.

So now I'll go back to pushing off packing for a little while and indulging in a little brain junk food for a while longer before bed.

The ending of an era, the turning of a page

Over the years I have had a wide variety of online journals/blogs for quite a few different reasons.  Lj was the one of choice in college.  I didn't start it to be a blogger per se, but for other personal issues which don't need to be addressed now.  But since I graduated I've been blogging less.  These stupid things called a job and the real world have a sneaky way of cutting into all the "free time" I had while still an under grad.  I started this particular blog in honor of a college classmate of mine to remind me to be thankful for the things that we are given or experience every day.  I will admit, I tend to be better at blogging about those things when it comes around to the anniversary of Ariel's passing.  I always start out with the best intentions, but never seem to be able to keep it up.  I am hoping that this time something is different.  

I know there aren't many of you out there that read this currently, but I have a feeling that might change once September rolls around.  For those of you out there who aren't aware of this, I'm moving in September.  Some people at the places where I am currently employed have been shocked when they found this out.  And in some cases I'm glad.  I've been living and working in the same town since graduating college.  For the most part I've enjoyed the different places I have worked and the people who I have come to consider my friends. But a little over 6 years in a place without any real idea what I want to do when I grow up gets a little old after a while.  I'm ready for a change, and not the changing of the seasons or a change in where I work.  If I'm going to shake my life up it has to be big.  And it will be.  I am leaving the safety, security and comfort of southeastern CT for NH.  Not it isn't as much of an unwelcoming place as you may think.  My best friend lives up there, as do her parents.  I have spent many a weekend running away to NH to get a break from whatever drama has been going on in CT or to help T in NH with whatever is needed.  So I know my way around the part of NH where she lives.  And as I have had many people tell me, it's time for me to move on.  The museum had been a great place for me, but its time to move on.  I need to shake my world up and see what happens.  I am perfectly fine with not knowing what I'll be doing a month from now.  (Well, actually I do know, but that's besides the point).  There is something very liberating about being able to pick up and go.  

Will I miss where I've been for the past few year, without a doubt.  I've had a great time living and working in the part of the world.  It has allowed me to figure out a lot about my self.  What I like to do, read, the type of people I want to hang out with and also what I don't want out of life.  I have always thought of my self as the type of person who's rather level headed and tries to avoid drama.  Have I met some people who are the anthesis of myself, yes.  Have I met some people who are very similar to myself, also yes.  I try to look forward to moving on rather than wondering what could have been.  It's not going to do me any good.  I also do not regret any of the friendships I have made and lost while in CT.  To pull a card out of a former boss's deck, there is a time and a place for everything.  There was a reason I was and am friends with the people I know I will keep in touch with.  Everything I have done and everyone I know has helped to shape me and will continue to do so.  

If you're reading this AEU, thank you for the fun 4ish years we've had in this part of the .  From LLT to STS to Monday's and everything in between, it's been a blast.  You are one of the people I am sure I will keep in touch with for many years to come.  

Well on that note I suppose I should do something productive rather than wasting my evening away.  Goodbye out there. 

Until next time.

Some days I'm better than others

Things I am thankful for today:
-a quiet day at work
-oatmeal with home made apple sauce for breakfast
-remembering to take all of my meds today
-getting some new music that I'm a fan of
-other morning guards who are willing to switch around with me

Really slipping on this

Wednesday:
- A good frirst day of the apprenticeship
- A good group of kids
-Progress on the book
-Insurance! (even though I end up taking less home from each paycheck)
-Being able to book appts online

Thursday:
-Relief who shows up on time
-Being productive at work
-Being able to watch hulu while being productive at work
-Not being in any accidents or being delayed by them all that much
-The fact my insurance has no copay.

Friday:
I'm thankful for movie dates with friends, a full work week (hour wise), a day off, shoveling as a work out, being able to stay in my pj's until late in the day, finally being able to say that I've seen Christmas Vacation, Kim Crawford Savingion Blanc and my friends.

Saturday:
I'm thankful for: going contra dancing again, remembering water, finally fixing my shoes that have been needing it for 5 years, the good dinner I made and working my way through a few movie series.

I'm working on this.

Today was one of those days when nothing goes according to plan.  Now usually that means it was the worst sort of day possible.  But ironically enough, that wasn't today.  I went into work early to prep for a meeting and because I was doing a favor for a friend in the afternoon which ment I was going to have to leave for a while.  The short version is that both of those things didn't end up happening so I was able to leave work by 4:00 as opposed to closer to 5:30 if they had.

So, I am thankful for people who call meetings off early, remembering to wear my waterproof work boots to work, and fun conversations while at work.  I am also thankful for finding the pictures I thought I'd lost and having a better handle on what we want the book to look like.

On that note my bed is on so it's time to double check my photos, read a little bit and then head to bed.  Maybe pilates or the gym in the morning if I get motivated.

Today I am thankful for:
- morning guards who are willing to switch around with me.
- remembering to bring work out clothes to job number 1 this morning
- a quiet day at work
- a fantastic yoga class after work
- enough leftovers for dinner.
- T for suggesting such a fantastic book (Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murder)

So three in one is becoming a theme

Friday:
I am thankful for siblings that live close enough that I can hang out, comfortable futons, "date night" with a good friend, five guys burgers & fries and surprisingly good movies.

Saturday:
I am thankful for:
-lazy mornings
-mini golf in the middle of the winter (inside of course)
-for once not being the worst at mini golf
-New Haven style pizza closer than an hour away
-off the line Krispy Cream glazed donuts

Sunday:
Today's things to be thankful for:
-waking up early (even if I didn't do anything)
-getting visitors (other staff members) at work
-remembering to bring an extra set of headphones to work
-having otc meds that aren't expired
-leftover pizza for my dinner.


One of these days I'll get around to sharing this blog with others.

And I'm already slipping.

But it's been a busy week so far.  And I am trying to catch up.

Tuesday:
Things to be thankful for: finally sending an email about help on the protest book started, getting a response, Glee with AEU (even if its a rerun!), snow days that are called the day before and eating leftovers.

Wednesday:
The good things today are: Roommates who get up early to shovel, ~13" of snow, getting a great (free) work out in, free dinner because we shoveled and winning trivia for the first time in AGES!

Thursday:
I am thankful for, copy machines that work when they are needed, having enough work to do to keep me busy, meetings that are set up, work for a little while tomorrow and a dinner date with my brother.


And tomorrow is excitement with AEU!  I'm looking forward to The Green Hornet and dinner out.

Getting back on the wagon

So as with many things, I've forgotten about this blog.  Well not forgotten about completely.  More like got out of the habit of updating.  And what better a day to bring this blog back to life than today on the 1 year anniversary of Ariel's passing.

Today I am thankful for:
-MB being my gym buddy for the morning.
-New Yankee Candle purchases making my apartment smell good.
-Workouts from T that I've actually put to use.
-A free yoga class at work later today
-Finding the check I thought I'd lost.

So I'm bad at this whole blog thing. I guess that is what happens when you aren't a writer and have a busy life.

Wednesday:

I am thankful for: a part time job ending (however bizarre that may sound), having a solid other job, my ability to see the silver lining.

Thursday:

I am thankful for: unexpected visits, my apartment and a having a running car.

Time to hang with AEU et al for a while before sleeping in Pawcatuck tonight. Last day at Don's tomorrow...

A two for one, again

Monday:

I am thankful for co-pilots, not much traffic on the way to JFK and the Taconic State Parkway

Tuesday:

I am thankful for movies with friends, discovering old photos, caffeine, actually having lunch and my mother paying my car repairs.

Just to put it out there, driving Mystic to Providence to Mystic to JFK to East Nassau to Mystic is a LOT of driving from 9:30am on Sunday until noon today...

And on that note, time to work on the work project for a little while longer before its bed time.

Thankfulness

So, this might seem a little random, but it's all related to Ariel. She would write in a thankfulness journal every day. And there has been movement from those who were very effected by her loss to try and turn in into something meaningful. One of the ideas that I really like is the idea of starting a similar thankfulness journal. And this is mine...

Friday:
I am thankful for book club, friends funny children, being able to bake.

Saturday:
I am thankful for sleeping in, Ikea runs with friends and good wine.

Sunday:
I am thankful for my brother, being a light packer, my CT friends.

Inspiration

I've been meaning to start an actual blog for sometime now... That being said, here goes nothing.

When I started seriously looking at colleges, there was only one I wanted to go to. I received a scholarship there during my Junior year. It was the only school I applied to, and I got in. To this day I couldn't tell you exactly why WC drew me in. I knew that I wanted to be a person to my professors, not just a number. And while there are a number of small colleges out there, it was WC that I choose.

I've had my issues with WC. But then again, what WW(wells woman) hasn't? There were the usual and unusual ups and downs through out my time there. And when I graduated I was ready to be done with college. I was ready to move on to something else, but what I didn't know. I knew that the people I wanted to stay in touch with I would. The rest I didn't care that much about. I would say up until last Friday there were about 15 WW that I kept in touch with. Some on a weekly basis, some if I was lucky I'd hear from them every year or so . But it didn't matter how often we talked, she was a person I could count on for whatever whenever. And it went both ways.

And then there was the text which turned into a phone call late last Friday night into early Saturday morning. One of the WW I knew was in an accident. I didn't know exactly how bad it was, just that she'd been in the hospital in Syracuse since mid morning. As soon as I hung up, I immediately let others who I knew know. There were a number of texts back along the lines of "Who is this?". But that's what you get when you don't keep in close contact with some people that often. But each and everyone of them reacted the same way, by keeping Ariel in their thoughts.

Ariel was not one of the people I kept in contact with. Not that I didn't like her, more that she and I never really hung out on campus. She had a different set of friends than I did. But we did play soccer together for two of the years I was at WC. And thanks to facebook I had a vague idea of what she had been doing since graduation and where she was living.

When the call came Saturday afternoon that the decision had been made to not resuscitate her my heart went out to her family who had flown in from various places to be with her and her partner. As soon as I could, I let other WW know. When I heard that there was going to be a memorial in Aurora on last Monday night, I seriously considered going back for it. But I couldn't justify the 12 hour round trip drive with everything going on at work. Since there was going to be another memorial in NYC I decided that was where I was going to spend my Monday night. Despite transportation issues getting there, I did make it at least to the important part of any WC function, the drink(s) after.

One of the things I have come to realize in light of all of this is what it means to be a WW and be part of the sisterhood. It's the fact that there were 500 people in Phipps that night and about another 20 or so in NYC. As T has said, where else could this sort of thing occurred and had such a response as quickly? We are a unique bunch of people, mostly women, who have a strong bond.

Here's to sister Wells...


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theithacajournal/obituary.aspx?n=ariel-grace-lawson&pid=138446933 Obituary
http://wellscollege.wordpress.com/2010/01/10/remembering-ariel/ WC's post
http://vimeo.com/8744884 The WC Memorial on campus