So here I am...

I realize I have been slacking and not written a word in this blog for a long time. Life has been pretty stressful lately. I've just started a new job and, being only one full week into it, there is still much I have to learn. The week prior to that I was sort of wearing two hats, trying to train my successor while being trained for my new position. Every day I go to work and have this big feeling of being both overwhelmed but excited. I start out with a fear that I won't know what to do and end the day with a satisfaction when I realize that I did know. It's a good feeling.

Because my new job, Director of the Community Intervention Center, comes with some prestige I have gone "all out" so to speak in making my new office livable. Normally, being a small not for profit means that our office furniture is either donated, hand me downs or the cheapest used stuff we can find. I decided to purchase my own so that I could get some nicer things. I got two nice chairs for office guests to sit in, a comfy office chair for me that won't fall apart in 6 months, and a small refrigerator so I can bring my lunch to work. My old boss left me a Keurig which I have been putting to good use! And he gave me a really nice torch lamp so I am not at the mercy of fluorescent lighting all day. I got some cool travel posters (Sweden, of course!) and decorated with some photos of family and friends. It's a pretty comfy, good looking office, if I say so myself. I do enjoy going there.

So little by little, I am becoming more confident in my job duties. I'm finding my stride and I do feel my new boss appreciates me so that's a plus. I still feel stressed. The days are busy though and the time flies by which is something I do like. I don't feel like time crawls which, I have to admit, I did feel on my old job at times. So far, I haven't had much down time.

I think I have this. I have a feeling I will be good at this. I'll keep learning and growing and I'll get there. I'm going to be okay.

I guess I really am a responsible grown up...

Where I work, there are five divisions and each one has a Director. Sounds impressive. And, I guess, it is. I've worked at this small not for profit for a number of years now, holding many jobs and working my way up the ranks to the supervisory role I have now. Ive learned a lot through the years and I've had some great bosses.

In June, one of them, a former boss and one of the division Directors, is retiring. I decided a few weeks ago to apply for his position. I submitted a letter of intent and my resume and waited. I was called for an interview and it went well. And then I waited some more.

Last week, I was one of three people called back for a second interview. This time we were given two questions and asked to present our ideas and answers to the panel. I had two days to get this together. The questions were 1. What will your first year as Director look like? and 2. Given the experience and knowledge of the people working in the division how will you work with them in terms of your supervision skills?

I created a three page hand out of ideas and improvements that I think are viable and can make our services even better. I was honest and personable and nervous as all hell.

Yesterday, at 3pm, the Executive Director gave me the job! I am now one of 5 division Directors! As of June 27th, I will be the Director of the Community Intervention Center. I will be overseeing all adult crisis services in Kenosha County, the emergency crisis shelter, our Resource Center, our civil commitment unit, our behavioral health court unit, our alcohol and other drug specialists, our rep payee program, our benefit specialist, our children's waiver services, and our new mental health clinic! Whew! That's a lot! There's only one rung higher on the ladder at this agency and that is Executive Director! I never in a million years thought that my life would have taken this course but I'm excited and happy and so eager to get this new show on the road. I love a challenge and this will be a big one but what an adventure this will be!

Wish me luck!

Back to work...almost

I'm back to work for a couple of days before having the rest of the year off. It's so damn quiet in this office. That combined with the fact that there's almost no heat on in here has made me very, very sleepy. I think if I could put my head down right now I'd be sound asleep. I'm trying to hold out until I get home. There is a nap in my future.

So next week my new job begins. I have only the vaguest idea of what it is I'll be doing. When I come in next week, I'm hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction and tell me how to proceed. We'll see. Maybe I should be panicking about it. I don't know...I'm just not all that enthusiastic about this new one. It will be what it will be and I'll accept whatever it is. I'm feeling a bit "temporary" about the whole situation. It's going to be a new year and I'm going to be concentrating my thoughts and efforts on figuring out a way to move to Sweden. So, I'll bide my time with the new job until then. At least it pays well and has a pretty good benefit package...I can't complain.