With Grateful Thanks

So.  I've been a little blase about posting lately.  I think this is because I've hit the doldrums again, struggling to feel motivated in my job and wishing I were (working) somewhere else.  The thing is, I'm here for now so I need to make the best of it.  With Canadian Thanksgiving coming up this weekend I've decided to think of all the things I am grateful for about my work.

• I have a job.  And compared to other social service sector agencies, mine pays decently well
• lots of vacation time - I've been working here 5 years and now get 5 weeks vacation
• Experience - I have the opportunity to work with a great diversity of clients
• the environment here is by and large supportive and positive
• I have the ability to set my own schedule much of the time (within bounds)
• I have a lot of freedom to decide how to work with my clients
• most of the buildings my client's live in have working elevators
• I like my manager and supervisor
• I'm provided with lots of opportunities for training
• the agency has taken up a "recovery" based philosophy

What are you grateful for in your work?

Bah Humbug to you too

Okay, seriously upper-management?  Sending out the THIRD email to remind rub it in advise us that we will NOT be let go early this Friday since it's not acutally Christmas Eve is a bummer.  Following this message up with an animated, red and green HAPPY HOLIDAYS message does not make it better.

Sincerely, Nectarine.

Update: Big Christmas-spirit points to my direct manager however who kindly reminds us that many of us have lieu time we can use, or if we just happen to have last minute appointments booked outside the office on Friday afternoon...    ;)

The Long Haul

I can't believe I have been working at the same agency for FOUR YEARS as of this week! Granted, I've worked in three different programs and held four different job titles over that time, but still.

I've also had seven different supervisors in that same period of time. Eight, if you count a director who subbed while we were between bosses. That's got to be a record of some kind.

There is likely a lengthy post here about how I wound up where I am, but frankly it's just too hot today to think that hard.

The combination of these two factors (my employment longevity and the raging heat) tell me that some kind of celebration involving cold beverages is in order. Imma get right on that.

Office Space

I love my desk.

At least as much as anyone can love their designated office compartment. 

At a recent restructuring of our office, I finagled and pulled rank to get this lovely quiet spot at the far end of the office, with a window at my back.  I get to enjoy the sunshine as well as relative privacy.  I take comfort in the fact that there is no one behind me.  Until I turn around and realize that three levels of management have been sitting at the picnic table directly outside the window, while I have just spent 10 minutes checking Facebook.  Whoops!