Monday, May 25, 2009

It's a beautiful day in MY neighborhood...

So, I had this fleeting thought this week that I couldn’t remember what day it was…and rightfully so, considering I didn’t leave my desk all day Friday unless I had to go to the bathroom. This is because I was teaching CPR all week while simultaneously serving on a committee for the College and not having been in my office since 8 May. I had to at least get ONE office day in there to return the 23 messages I had gotten and file the mountain of paperwork that had amassed itself on my desk, who, by the way, was complaining about the ridiculous amount of weight from aforementioned paper.

I know there are those who laughed pointedly at me upon finding out that I took this job. They pointed their fingers and raucously told me that I was getting myself into trouble. That the meetings and committees and red-tape would be so overwhelming that I would one day turn the lights off in my office and slit my wrists with a letter opener. And then there were others that told me that I was made for field-work and that being a desk-jockey would lose its luster after the third day of high-heeled, foot-throbbing agony. And of course, let us not forget to pay an homage to the contingent that thought that make-up and skirts were the antithesis of my fashion sense. Silly, mocking people! I have JAP (Jewish American Princess) tendencies in the deep recesses of my id! I CAN pull off high-heels and make-up and pretend to be high-maintenance, though I do still refuse to accessorize…

Despite the stark change in surroundings, the disappearance of my comfort-zone (AKA the ambulance) and the necessity of pantyhose, I am in love with my job! I look forward to going to work in the morning despite the fact that most of the time I don’t know what I’m supposed to do when I get there until I look at my planner.

Most people think that I write contracts all day and answer phones, but no (!), there is SO much more to it than that! I won’t bore you with the sordid details of “A day in the life of the EMS Coordinator”, for I know that what is terribly exciting to me (writing policies for the EMS program, for example) would make most people fall asleep while eating and cause them to wear cornflakes on their foreheads from slamming their heads into the bowl. There have been SO many activities that allow me to be creative and take me outside of my comfort-zone. They are challenging and force me to think, and let’s face it, the more practice my brain gets, the better! (Some of you that really know me understand that last statement…)
Now, I won’t say that there isn’t some red tape…I still work for the G-O-V…so it’s inevitable. Meetings, committees and seminars, oh my! They do sometimes clog up what could be a wonderfully productive day. Some of them are necessary, I must admit, much to my chagrin. Most of the time, a meeting is like communism: well-though out, well-planned and bulleted nicely on clean paper, but when implemented practically, becomes a bona fide “Charlie-Foxtrot”. I once had a supervisor (Sir McDuffie) who advised me to blindly run, screaming and arms flailing from ANY meeting that I was destined to be a part of. Though I now completely understand that sentiment, I do find some of them necessary.


I will say this: EMS Education is loads of fun and though I know that NONE of you envy this position, it has been a little, girly ray of sunshine for me. I miss being a street soldier/ditch-doc, but I have found quite the niche’ at the college. Let’s just hope I can convince them that I am something worth holding on to…

I will say, Hooray for Insomnia! It has become a new friend recently as tasks begin to mount, and I must adjourn this little Ginny’s-life-peepshow so I can get a few hours of sleep before going in to write more policies. Somewhere inside, I think it’s just plain WRONG to be excited about that….But you know what? I don’t care.

New Lease...

What an interesting year it’s been…I know I haven’t blogged since I got the job at the College and rightfully so: I’ve been CRAZY busy!

I figured the way I feel today is poignant, considering that today is my wedding anniversary. DO NOT be scared! DO NOT hurriedly click the “back” button. There will be NO melancholy here! But there will be plenty of introspection, as is my nature. Wink wink…

I recently read through some of my older blogs, and oh boy, was there pain . There was confusion and heartache and betrayal not so much hidden anywhere. It was scarily observant if you spent more than 5 minutes with me. I would admit that I was a scary person back then: quick to jump, quick to get my feelings hurt, quick to walk away.

Now, though, on the anniversary of personal tragedy, I find myself not sad that its over or reminiscient of fond memories gone wayward, but I feel liberated. I feel content. I feel new. Isn’t it something?!

I am settled into the BEST job I could’ve ever gotten for myself and I find that it offers me so much time to focus on personal goals for myself. There is so much opportunity for growth for my little EMS Program as well as for my professional self. Now, I have NOT buried myself in my work and I refuse to become the “crazy cat lady” at the end of the road who mutters to herself and dresses in flowery frocks with socks and sandals. I also will not become Mad-Maxine. But I will become something great.

There was a time that I wondered how in the hell I had gotten where I was. I took more than a wrong turn at Albuquerque, I ran right off the damn road…I hadn’t the slightest idea on how to pick myself up, I only knew that I would have to get to know me again and that it would take time. And look at what a little time can do! I won’t say I’m well-adjusted (we all know that that is a statistical impossibility), but I am having FUN with my life!

Blessed am I to have gotten through some “rough stuff” for the trials are over and the sun is bright!