Wow, it feels like forever since I’ve blogged. Actually, it feels like forever since everything. This has been an extremely long week, but it has also been far better than I imagined it would be.
Despite my history with caffeine-induced headaches, I’ve been running on Pepsi for the past couple of days. I also bought myself a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream (and ate it in less than 24 hours…) as a reward for all my hard work. Apparently calories = happiness and relaxation. Who knew?
(Brittney also sent me a wonderful care package full of chocolate and pampering, and I’m looking forward to making full use of it this weekend. Thank you!)
The thing is, despite all this CHAOS (yes it deserves all-caps) I’ve been pretty happy. My hard work not only resulted in a smooth workplace move & transition, it also was vocally appreciated/complimented by my coworkers and boss. That kind of thing goes a long way, you know?
Going into this, I knew I’d be working long hours all week, I just didn’t know that I’d sort of enjoy them.
I enjoyed the physical work. My jobs (receptionist and writer) involve a lot of sitting around and staring at a computer screen. This week, I was barely in a chair for more than a few minutes at a time (even for lunch!). Instead I was packing and taping and lifting and hauling. I was directing and assisting. I was organizing and discarding. Maybe it’s tedious work, but I’ve learned that tedious work can sometimes be rewarding, in its way.
(The one downside: my hands are raw and have paper/cardboard cuts all over.)
I enjoyed working with our service people. The locksmith, the movers, the security alarm guys, the phone system techs. Everyone we ended up hiring was really great. The older ones teased and reassured — like your favorite uncles. The younger ones were fun (and a few were flirty) and being around them made me feel young too. I mean, I know I’m young, but most days I act more like 42 than 24. It just felt good to be my age.
(The service people all did really great work, too. I plan to give them good ratings & reviews on Yelp.)
I enjoyed the camaraderie at my workplace. I think the move was good for us — the new building is a refreshing change of scene, and getting there was a chance to break our routine. Everyone pitched in to help everyone else, which created an atmosphere of teamwork and bonding. With just a dozen people, we were already fairly close, but I really think this move brought us even closer.
And I see even more positive things on the horizon. This move was the first big change at work, but potentially not the last. I’m excited about the possibilities for our company moving forward, about the way our corporate culture could evolve. Nothing is for sure, but this week I finally hopped off the fence and decided to root for a certain outcome. We’ll see if my team wins.
In the meantime, I’m going to do AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE this weekend. Other than a friend’s bridal shower, I plan to sleep, eat, read, and write. The end.
I hope your weekend is as relaxing as mine!
Filed under: 
Well, I’m glad you lived through it. You’ve got a few more weeks of working full time, right? If so, I hope they’re not quite as chaotic.
As for my weekend, I’m in sesshin tomorrow, so all the chaos will be in my mind…
.-= • Recent post by Sonja: In which my feelings about the dentist speak volumes about my feelings about my life =-.
Mine started out badly… I ran out of black ink in the printer! I did get 4000 words written though and I’m about to settle in to get more done so it isn’t allll bad I suppose ;)
After doing all of that, I think you’re whole post deserves to be in CAPS. :)
New workplace scenery is always nice and refreshing. I hope you have a great and very relaxing weekend!!
.-= • Recent post by Kimberly Franklin: And the Twilight Contest winner is…. =-.
I’m glad you enjoyed the chaos. :-) Speaking of chaos and moving and how much you enjoyed it, do you want to help out on my upcoming cross-country move? Hehehe.
Nice. This week my work had a beer bbq and a marching band. LOL
Sometimes physical work does feel good, doesn’t it? I like how I can let my mind run wild while I’m doing something physical.
It’ll be interesting to see how your writing is affected by all those endorphins. Have a great weekend!
- Liz
.-= • Recent post by Liz Czukas: Walking and Chewing Gum =-.
I’m glad the move went well. I also enjoy physical work (as long as it’s not too strenuous), and I love packing and moving, as stressful as it can be.
“I mean, I know I’m young, but most days I act more like 42 than 24.”
Haha yeah… being in a serious relationship will do that to ya…
I think there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sleeping in, then staying in your PJs with a cup of cocoa and a book. You’ve earned it!
Moving our bodies, and getting paid, truly is a remarkable thing. Sometimes I think I can feel my muscles atrophying as I sit at the computer. It is a welcome change to do something else!
Have a great weekend and congrats on what sounds like a very smooth move.
.-= • Recent post by Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist: Telling the truth in writing =-.
Sonja-
Enjoy your sesshin!
Les-
WOW 4k!! You go, girl!
Alex-
LOL thanks, but no thanks. Although I did offer you and Sam a free night’s stay…
Trisha-
Random, but sounds fun!
Aisha-
Yeah, haha, a serious relationship can do that, but then again, I think some people are more inclined to a quiet lifestyle than others. For example, tonight some of my Cincy girlfriends are going out drinking and dancing, but I opted to see How To Train Your Dragon with Andy instead. :P (Btw, AWESOME movie!)
I have to admit I’m slightly jealous…I don’t really have that workplace comraderie that you have. I’m normally just seen as the receptionist (although I do a lot more than that!).
And I too ate lots of calories this weekend…about a dozen cookies in less than 24 hours (they were really really yummy and I couldn’t help myself…)
Anyway…enjoy your relaxing weekend!
.-= • Recent post by Dara: Reading Rainbow 2.0! =-.
Congrats on the move–don’t become a working stiff now, either! Us writers need our time off, ha ha.
.-= • Recent post by Jon: Purely Art? =-.
Dara-
I started out with this company in a different role (account manager) so I think I got to know people better that way. I think clients, though, do see me as “just the receptionist,” which is weird for me. Sometimes I can’t help thinking that they look down on me even though they know nothing about me or why I chose this path. But then again, I probably do that to other people too…
Jon-
Oh don’t worry, haha, I won’t! This week wiped me out; I could never sustain it. I let myself have a break a couple nights this week, but now I’m back to the (writing) grind, and hopefully my (work) week will be more normal.
glad you’re relaxing this weekend…I was meant to go out partying too and saw Alice in Wonderland instead. hehe. I like what you had to say about physical work and how important it is…I feel the same about gardening and have been pulling up hedges and digging in dirt and building boxes. so satisfying to hack at the roots of an evergreen hedge and pull it OUT. I did kind of overdo it and went flying, but it’s all practice for my kick-ass kung fu moves! shapow!
.-= • Recent post by Sarah: having the audacity to be myself =-.
Haha, nice. I went to see How to Train Your Dragon — LOVED IT!
“Shapow!” HEE.
“enjoyed working with our service people. The locksmith, the movers, the security alarm guys, the phone system techs. Everyone we ended up hiring was really great. The older ones teased and reassured — like your favorite uncles. The younger ones were fun (and a few were flirty) and being around them made me feel young too. I mean, I know I’m young, but most days I act more like 42 than 24. It just felt good to be my age.”
aw that makes me happy! an ultimate deal breaker to me is when there is rudeness to all of these wonderful helpers. glad to see so much positivity and happiness in your life!