A different job, a hectic pace, a new team—same ole’ me

So… I survived my first two weeks at the new job. If it isn’t obvious already, it has been a bit of a struggle to prioritize my life balanced against my new job. Thanks for all of your patience and understanding that a) my career is number one right now, b) my friends, family and boyfriend are squeezed in every spare moment and c) my blog(zzz) aren’t fitting in too well at the moment. It’s been one thing to spend my paid work hours, blogging, (sad to admit, but true), and a whole nother to now fit it all into spare moments of my personal life. It is as sad for me as it might be for you, but I’m sure I’ll be back up to speed soon, as life is a constant ebb and flow. As are the thoughts and stories I find necessary to share here with everyone…

The new gig, 9-to-5, grindstone, etc. is nothing short of very different. If there is one word to describe the area I feel the most changed it is: PACE. These last two weeks have felt like the quickest two weeks of my entire lifetime. I felt like I blinked, and it was the beginning of the third. Coming from a job where I was unchallenged and unmotivated (in other words, bored to tears), it’s just the change I needed and was hoping for. My new project list is always growing…I’ve learned that it’s not so much as checking the things off at my own pace and according to my own schedule—it’s a practice of prioritizing according to what my boss finds most important and jumping frantically from one project to the next, with some sitting for days on end, driving me crazy on that little To-Do list. It’s weird to feel like I have three days of work to do during one every day. But I’m learning so much and have so much potential to grow at my company, hopefully and possibly into an overseas position within five years. I’m most excited about working on some of our internal and external marketing and communication pieces, researching and rolling out advertising and a media kit for our company magazine, initiating a public relations process for our North American market and planning client events, including one I am planning and attending in Miami this September. (I’ve never been.)

Aside from actual work, I’m most excited about my change in TEAM. At my previous place of employment, I felt like I just could not fit in. It was a religious company that literally discriminated hiring those who were not Christian. While I’ll avoid religious talk, I’m not what they wanted. I managed to fly under the radar for three years, but never felt like I fit in, could ever talk much about my “real” at-home life or just be myself. It bothered me because I always wanted to be part of a team that consisted of genuine friendships with my coworkers. My new team is awesome—it’s comprised of six females for our corporate marketing team. My boss and three of us are involved in all marketing and communications for our North American offices, and my boss’s boss and another woman are involved in global marketing and communication initiatives. Go ladies! And everyone is young, hip, vi-vi-a-vib-a-rant. We are all lovers and watchers of Sex and the City. (We’re actually holding a team event day on the movie premiere day where we will be getting a spa treatment of our choice at Gene Juarez’ downtown spa, happy hour at Amber, then off to the earliest showing of “Sex and the City: The Movie”) Tell me, if you know me well, could this team be a better fit?

So, I’m starting to feel a little more situated. I’ve adjusted quite quickly to taking the bus to work every day. While I’m not on the lazy schedule I was every morning where I could roll into work at 9:30 in the morning (it’s now 8 a.m and a bus to catch at 7:30. Luckily I have a very patient boyfriend who will rub my feet while I lie in a zombified silence in front of the TV at night. I’m that fun during these days of adjustment.) The bus is a place like no else. The people watching, the conversations and the general atmosphere—it’s all so strange and interesting. I’ve enjoyed squeezing a lot more reading into my days now that I have book time during my ride to and from work every day. And, because it’s me and I’ll always spend money in the most ridiculous ways, I found a Ross right next to my bus stop. In my reckless search through their chaotic racks, I missed every bus that needed to take me home one night last week, had to hike six blocks home barefooted cause my feet hurt so bad (Note to self: Must buy bus shoes), and showed up an hour and 15 minutes late for a dinner date with a friend. (So unlike me.) BUT, I did score the best fitting and most flattering work pants in black AND brown for $14.99 apiece, so sometimes we have to make sacrifices in life.

So, the new job hasn’t changed me that much. I might be a little absent on the blog front, but I’ll still irrationally sacrifice all common sense and good reasoning for the perfect pair of pants, on sale.

Currently Feeling: Like I could do without the office vibe today—everyone is SO frantic and hectic.
Currently Anticipating: Haley picking me up and dying my long-over-due locks this evening.
Currently Loving: Seeing sunshine and water from my desk.

Movin’ on up, Movin’ on up!

During my first four days of the new grindstone (full color update coming soon), I have discovered something that tickles my fancy…

I love getting in the elevator and having the highest floor to go to than all the other business-suited men who are old and distinguished looking. This morning I stepped into the elevator with five of them, and while they were going to 40, 43 and 48, I was going to FIFTY-THREE!!

It’s like by pushing that button for the top floor, I’m pushing my way past all the higher-paid testosterone I’ll encounter in my career.

Glass ceiling, my ass. I’m higher than all of you! Boo yeow!

Currently Feeling: Overwhelmingly busy. I’m currently downsizing. My how times have changed.
Currently Anticipating: My marketing team dinner tonight at Wild Ginger. Never been.
Currently Loving: Learning, expanding, growing and changing.