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Ladycroft's Journal

ladycroft
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01/25/2009 06:52 #47515

i'm not such an ogre
Category: potpourri
I'm passionate about my work. I give it my all and I really think about situations before I act on them. I do my very best to keep my team motivated but also challenge them to grow. Many, many times over the last year and a half I have felt like a mean ogre.

While other people seemed more intent on having people 'like' them, I believed I would earn their trust and respect through leading by example. I cried so many times wondering if the tides would ever turn, or my kids just wanted me to be lax like everyone else.

Since the start of this semester I think the tide has finally turned! 'Problem children' have suddenly been responsive to my requests for conduct hearings, some residents are stopping by to tell me good things, not just list their problems, and today TWO people stopped by my office to give me something.

From one I got a hand carved wooden crocodile from Botswana, while she told me how much she appreciated that I stayed in contact with her while she was having a hard time and how much I helped her get back into school. The other got me this amazing painting from Tanzania, done on piece of burlap by a 10 year old! Just to say thanks for being her supervisor.

I am blown away. It seems in these moments when I really doubt myself I am given not just a ray of sunshine, but a blazing sun to blot out all the gray. It is the greatest motivator to continue doing what I'm doing and push through all these obstacles, because I can finally see I AM making a difference in these kids' lives. I love it!

On another note, thank you so much peeps for your very kind words on the previous post - I'm all smiles :)
leetee - 01/28/09 12:25
Anyone that takes a minute to get to know you knows you are so far from being an ogre.

'Cause, well, first off, they are green, and you aren't green... ;o)
tinypliny - 01/25/09 09:41
Your job sounds challenging. Pardon my ignorance but are you an academic counsellor for kids who have fallen behind in school or in particular classes?

01/22/2009 07:15 #47484

i am happy
Category: potpourri
I was thinking about it last night. My happiness. The fact that I am truly happy for the first time in a very loooooong time. I can only describe it as a constant giddy sensation as if I've just started dropping down the big hill on a roller coaster. Butterflies in my stomach, anticipation of the thrill ahead.....this is contentment.

Sometimes it makes me cry I'm so happy. I love when this happens because I feel so alive. SO ALIVE! Now I have to learn a new vocabulary just so I can adequately describe my feelings!



On a side note. If you have any special talents that you would like to contribute to a festivity (meaning our US reception) we'll be looking for volunteers in the near future :) (e:Lilho), you are hereby appointed "Official hair and make-up artist"!
metalpeter - 01/22/09 18:04
In no matter what form I think to say that I'm glad you are happy it sounds odd. Not the fact that you are happy because that is awesome I mean the wording of it. I can't imagine trying to explain what kind of Happy I was, I don't think that feeling can ever really be conveyed by words. In terms of a talent, I don't really have one, I wish I did. Yes I do take pictures but I'm not good enough to be a pro or to get good lo light pictures. I am good at yelling my brains out, but I don't see how that could be useful for anything. Well if I get good at any thing I'll let you know.
museumchick - 01/22/09 12:29
It is so awesome to see you happy. You weren't afraid to take risks in your life, and you found some wonderful people and experiences in the process. Very cool:).
lilho - 01/22/09 11:03
hooray!!!!! i am so happy for you! it's so great to see all of your hard work and waiting pay off. i can't wait to be there and get you all glam and see you walk down the aisle with the man of your dreams!

ps. very flattered that you chose me!
hodown - 01/22/09 10:14
I'm a sucker for people in love. I love hearing about your giddyness. Seriously it gives me hope!

01/20/2009 07:41 #47454

popcorn
Category: food
It's all I can think about. All night, all day...I have an unstoppable hunger for popcorn! I think I need to duck out of work early to go buy some. I need it!

image
trisha - 01/21/09 13:14
i thought i was a weirdo since all i really truly wanted for christmas was a popcorn popper. (don't dig the micro stuff and don't have one anyway)
...got it... it's awesome... HIGHly recommend it as there's nothing like the fresh popt. cuisinart makes it- jic.
mike - 01/20/09 22:39
omg i freakin love popcorn
metalpeter - 01/20/09 19:51
Now I want some, and don't have any. I wonder what the best kind of Butter is though???????
paul - 01/20/09 08:57
I love popcorn as well.
rory - 01/20/09 08:08
You'll turn into Popcorn if you're not careful.... :)

01/15/2009 05:00 #47413

frustrating
Category: work
These are some of my regular frustrations with work.

  • Working very hard to plan something in advance, getting it all down the the tiniest detail, then someone walking in and saying, "Oh yah, we're scrapping that".

  • Working very hard to plan an event which you know you cannot attend, but everyone insisted it happens on that day. So you do it, and you do it very well. Every detail is taken care of, all they have to do on the day is have fun. But then without your presence apparently everyone forgets their very simple job and it becomes a huge mess. They do not take responsibility for it, they blame it all on you by saying, "Not my problem, I didn't plan it". Sigh.

  • Having endless meetings about something, getting everyone in agreement about the actions your going to take in a large scale event. 2 months later someone walks in and says you did it all wrong and all the work you've already done has to be taken back, making you look like a complete tool.

  • Being told something is a crisis, emergency, world is going to end situation - busting your ass to deal with it, only to find out it didn't really matter at all.

  • Being on duty every time there is a holiday or birthday celebration resulting in me missing all the fun.

  • Being told you're allowed to do things your way, then when you do them your way, being told you should do it their way, making you do double the work.

  • People being incredibly ambiguous with information you really need in order to move forward on a project.

  • Being told you can't get any programs or products to make your life SO much easier because you'll be moving into a new building in 2 years - 3 years ago - of which the building hasn't even broken ground yet - of which we'll not move into for at least 2 more years.

Sigh. Off to get passport pages added. I filled mine up in 5 years!
metalpeter - 01/17/09 16:18
I don't even have a passport so I can't imagine having one filled and going, How do I get more Pages?

In terms of the work thing, with out knowing how everything is set up it sounds like what you need is a good, ok a very good like minded a-sis-tent (can't remember how to spell it) who then can fill in for you when you can't be some place and give directions so things don't blow up on you. The other stuff sounds like you work for some US government agency of some kind.
lilho - 01/15/09 12:34
i can't believe you filled up your passport! that makes you one of the coolest people i know!
leetee - 01/15/09 08:57
Do you work for the state of new york?

We plan an outing based on the repeated, request of an individual. It takes months of planning and arranging of finances, because we are in a budget crisis. Often begging, because this would be so good for this individual, boss! The individual brags about it for weeks and weeks. Safety plans are drawn up, meetings with mental health professionals are arranged to make sure the outting will be safe. Plans are in order. Day of, individual changes mind saying that the outing sounds boring.

Sorry to hear about your frustrations. I can't give a back rub or a hug, but i can sympathize.
janelle - 01/15/09 08:05
Ha! If I didn't know better, I would think your job was as a minister of a small church! Drew has some of the same issues. You should commiserate with him.
ladycroft - 01/15/09 07:22
yes please. thank you :)
rory - 01/15/09 06:18
  • hug*

I'm sorry you're having a shitty time at work at the mo. Hugs and back rubs tomorrow?

01/14/2009 08:24 #47403

insomnia
Category: potpourri
My oh my I haven't been able to sleep much since I've been back. I'm having some kind of combined jet lag / Rory withdrawal syndrome. I am having real issues sleeping alone! Darn you conservative society.

Meep.

I did manage to fall asleep long enough last night (actually 4:30 this morning) to have a dream before the workers woke me up with their banging.

In my dream Rory proposed to me, but I was really confused because the ring was this huge pale purple amethyst surrounded by at least 3 dozen tiny diamonds. I mean it was HUGE. He did it at some kind of family function. It was noisy, and the floor was sticky, and there were so many people. I remember thinking, "OMG this ring is way too big and this is so not how I wanted it to happen". (Although I was entirely happy about him asking). Then I woke up feeling really guilty for having thought that in my dream, because honestly I'd be happy with anything.

I think I had the dream because he's been teasing me about how I don't know when, where or how it will happen. My requests were: not in front of family, not on a major holiday or event (ie birthdays etc), and that I would love a dark blue sapphire on a silver ring.

I can't wait until I get to share the real story of how it goes down!

metalpeter - 01/14/09 20:29
So you mean it wouldn't be a good Idea to be With you entire family at a soccer game (or for Rory and others A Football Match) and have it come up on the screen during the kiss Cam, HA. Kidding of course. Hope you are able to get some sleep , I'm sure once your body adjusts a bit you will sleep better.
leetee - 01/14/09 10:00
Sorry to hear you haven't been able to sleep.

Ha ha... interesting dream. And all i have to say is... you mean (e:Rory) is not going to ask here? tee hee hee....
rory - 01/14/09 08:29
Have to say I am LOVING the power trip (although feeling a small twinge of guilt because of it)... ;)

Don't worry - when it happens it will be to exact specifications and request. Promise. :)