- Regular hours! I go in early-ish but not too early (8:30am) and get off just after the rush of school dismissal is over for the day (4:30pm). No more crazy changing retail shifts. No more working nights. No more weekends or holidays! I can't believe how much having regular working hours has reduced my stress levels. Life feels so much easier now. It's great having regular, set times for meals and sleeping. Physically, I feel better.
- The atmosphere of respect and professionalism among the staff. One thing that was strange at first was being called "Ms. Barlow" instead of "Jennifer" and calling all of my coworkers "Mr. or Ms." instead of first names. Everyone is careful, polite, and somewhat formal in their interactions with others....but they also manage to be friendly and warm at the same time. It's a wonderful change from the last place!
- Looking forward to the upcoming holidays (even the small ones like Labor Day) and the time off I'll have. Gregg and I have even started planning a camping trip with the dogs to Huntington Beach State Park over the Thanksgiving holiday in November!
- Seeing my husband at work when he comes to take care of the aquarium. Finding out that the library staff (the tank is in the library) and the custodial staff all love him and think he's a great guy. (He is). The aquarium itself is beautiful, about 90 gallons of water full of vibrant green living plants and small schools of colorful tetras. I'm proud of it, and proud of my husband for being the "fish guy" who cultivates it!
- All the little surprises that come with working in a very visible, important part of the community. For instance, during the week before the students came back to school, two separate churches came out and provided large, delicious breakfasts for the staff. On the first day of school, the office people (I'm the receptionist) got a huge edible arrangement of fruit from a fancy shop in town. A local greenhouse/nursery emailed all district employees discount coupons. The State Fair in Columbia will be giving us each two free tickets for admission next month, and on and on. All of my coworkers who have been at the school for any length of time are used to it all and take it in stride, but I can't help but be delighted each and every time!
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A little surprise handed out to new staff members yesterday.
So cute!! And ironic, since I'm married to the "fish guy".
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This all made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI've been smiling a lot, myself.
DeleteAbsolutely thrilled for you Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteIt looks like a fine school. Lovely campus.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful campus!
DeleteIt is so good to read about someone who got her dream job and it is everything that she wished it would be.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even mention the wonderful benefits--the health, dental, and vision insurance is top notch, and I'm now investing in a state funded retirement plan. too. :)
DeleteI'm happy for you. I need to marry a nice fish guy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
He's my favorite person on Earth. I love him so much! :)
DeleteSo good to hear that the job is all you'd dreamed it would be - and more. May you enjoy many happy years.
ReplyDeleteIt was an opportunity worth the long wait!
DeleteThat last photo is so cute and so appropriate for the wife of the "fish guy".
ReplyDeleteIsn't that package adorable?! :)
DeleteI am so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Colette!
DeleteSo pleased to hear that it's all going well. Long may it last!
ReplyDeleteMy life feels so much better these days! Long may it last, indeed!
DeleteHow wonderful for you.
ReplyDeletePlus I love the fish crackers that go with your fish guy.
cheers, parsnip
I know! Those fish crackers made me laugh.
DeleteI'm glad this adventure has been full of good surprises! I also transitioned to a school from another working environment and it IS so different. Can you show us a picture of the fish tank?
ReplyDeleteI will try to get a photo of the fish tank tomorrow and post it here, Steve! How is the new school year going for you?
DeleteSounds like a completely different neighbourhood to Joanne Noragan'S!
ReplyDeleteThe school is located on a large clearing in the middle of acres of fields and woods...there's a pecan orchard across the street and forest on three sides of the campus. It's really nice!
DeleteSO happy for you. Now can I have some goldfish?!?
ReplyDeleteI'd give you the whole bag of goldfish if you were here, Mitchell! I'm thinking that this Halloween I'll hand out bags of Goldfish since the Fish Guy lives here!
DeleteIt's great that you can appreciate all those highlights, some workers would just take it all for granted.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a little kid inside whenever there's a happy surprise. I appreciate it all! :)
DeleteSo glad you are happy in your new job. State-funded retirement plan is so important, as are medical and other benefits --products of a more humane economy that is deserving of full support.
ReplyDeleteOf course you are not in the least surprised at finding out that everyone likes Gregg - you didn't expect them to NOT like him, did you? ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice to have all these additional little benefits to your new job, it really sounds great and was definitely worth the long wait!
The fish guy? I hope they are not referring to Gregg's appearance or indeed to his choice of after shave lotion. Is Gregg a good swimmer?
ReplyDeleteThis new job was certainly worth waiting for... all those applications and dashed hopes. You have landed on your feet.