Hello Again.
Welcome to my place. I started this blog last year. Posted a few items and then sort of let it go for a while. I have a goal now. Create a place where people are able to interact safely. I obviously have opinions on many issues but want to hear yours.
My year has been filled with changes. I started the year reading some information from the Chinese horoscope. It was recommended that I not embark on a new career. This wasn’t the year for that. I figured changing jobs was not a new career so changed jobs. I went from working part-time to full-time. That change didn’t work out as planned. I stayed and was uncomfortable for several months and decided life was too short to be so uncomfortable. I left on good terms with the person that runs the show leaving that door open. I found yet another job and changed again. I felt awkward at this new job. I wanted to be close to home so decided this was going to work out regardless.
I was fully capable of doing this new job and was picking up on all the new details rather quickly. I assumed ownership of the desk and all duties assigned to it. Slowly, interactions with other employees became longer than just the standard, “how was your weekend.” “fine and yours?”. I was warming to this place and deciding it might just work out much to my husband’s delight.
Three weeks into this job, my father’s cancer spread to his bones and he was in tremendous pain. Pneumonia set in and he became deathly ill. The nurse suggested if I wanted to see him and say my goodbyes I should do so immediately. Hearing that news, I had to tell my boss I was going to say goodbye to my father and would be gone for a week. She seemed understanding and even offered a hug. Off I went and yes, my father passed within a few days. I returned home and back to work 1 week after leaving just as I promised. I sat at my desk and realized everything I had learned in the first 3 weeks of employment there floated out of my mind just as my dad had floated out of my life forever. I struggled to get my bearings back and made some stupid mistakes in the process. My interactions with people were stressed. I was in this fog that was made worse by a severe case of strep throat and 4 more missed days of work.
The relationship with my new boss was increasingly strained. I remember making some comments and seeing this look on her face that I couldn’t define. Her intentions and what she was thinking became painfully clear when she gave me a 30 day review. In that review she stated I was not meeting expectations. She complained that I was having trouble remembering things and making too many mistakes. She complained that the original notes I had taken my first day of employment were messy and I couldn’t understand them which contributed to my errors. I was given 30 days to turn my performance around and would have another review to discuss employment status at that time.
Of course she waited until the end of the work day to deliver this lovely review so at least I was able to go home shortly after. I cried all the way home. I cried when I arrived home and talked about it with my husband. I was furious and reliving the pain of my father’s death all over again. With the help of a visiting family member and my husband, I formulated a rebuttal or response to this review. I pointed out the fact that most mistakes referenced in my review were made after my father’s funeral and while sick with strep throat. I stated that it seemed unfair to give me a work review after just 30 days of employment and wanted this review removed from my employment file. I pointed out that I am not only over qualified for this position but fully capable of doing it well. I also included some info on workplace treatment of bereavement and that people generally need at least 2 weeks off work to deal with the loss of a loved one. I could agree with that. Needless to say, this rebuttal was met with no change to the review being in my file and the comment, “You should have come to us and told us your were grieving. We had no idea. You seemed fine.”, and “I would hope that whatever is happening in your personal life like illness, death of a family member would not affect your job performance.”.
I contacted the employer I had when the year began. Yes, they could use me and would take me back. I quit my job that day. I quit with a clean desk and nothing left outstanding. They have no idea what small-minded sad people they are. None. Here I am, right back where I started except now am able to work more than half-time. A six month journey of emotions and weight gain. I can’t help but remember that Chinese horoscope and wonder if they meant, don’t changed jobs you fool not don’t change careers. I tempted fate and it slapped me down. Similar to the time I looked up at the heavens one day while driving and screamed, “Bring it on asshole. Is that all you got?”. I don’t recommend either tempting the Chinese horoscope by defining career or tempting the heavens by calling them names and daring to bring more bad into your life. Not the best course of action.
Here I am, blogging again and reaching out to the heavens for support. Thanks for listening.
Health
Yummy sprouts!
Aren’t these just the most beautiful sprouts you’ve ever seen? They were so good too. Full of flavor unlike the sad little sprouts packaged in the store.
Politics
Is it possible to engage in stimulating debate with an open heart and mind? What might happen if we allow ourselves to agree with the opposing party on an issue? Let’s try to avoid the ugliness that often accompanies a debate and focus on facts and solutions. If you happen to disagree with my opinion, I welcome another view, always. Isn’t this how we learn? Through debate and brainstorming. Let’s do some brainstorming to figure out how we can save this amazing nation from implosion.
