Potential New Routine

Whew!--This week is ending in a whirlwind.  To be completely honest though, I've been loving it!  I started the new on-call position on Monday and have spent the week adjusting to the new routine.  Somehow we're managing both the car sharing and the dog responsibilities well--mainly thanks to our (commuter) friend down the road and the fact that our work sites share a parking lot on post.  The training for the new job is going great and two open positions were posted today (3 of 5 employees are moving w/in 1.5 months) with my chances of receiving one of the two being fairly high.  So if all goes well, I hopefully will have consistent employment within the month!!  Definitely exciting---especially since I've been applying for this job since the end of last April! 

The position itself has just enough routine and flexibility that it should work out well.  There is a mix of small group training, larger group presentations, and one-on-one counseling appointments which keeps it interesting.  I'm really looking forward to having a job that will benefit soldiers transitioning out of the service and its nice to be working in an area that will add to my resume.  The computer system seems easy to use and my new coworkers are wonderful (although only 2 would be left if I do get hired).   The environment is very fun, open, and welcoming.  This morning they even had a welcome breakfast for me.....and took my dietary choices into consideration!  In further discussions, I've learned that my coworkers are also liberal, Christian, and military spouses.....so it's nice to feel a bit more normal in my skin around this place.  (Although I haven't decided when/whether to discuss recycling as an option for offices on post and the negative health effects of reheating left overs in plastic... :-)).

Beyond working the 40 hours this week, I've also continued the new running and eating habits.  We only get half an hour for lunch which pretty much necessitates bringing lunch from home--which is what I always do anyway so it works out well!  I've been able to maintain more balanced meals throughout the day---usually with my smoothie for breakfast, carbs for lunch, and veggies for dinner----although it's put a damper on the husband and I fixing a true dinner together so I need to swap the carb and veggie times.  Even with the running and the improved nutrition, I don't know that I feel myself getting in much better shape just yet!! 

In addition to work and health considerations, we managed to bake bread and pizza dough, take care of the animals, talk about our budget concerns for the upcoming year (mainly focused on where we would like to be by the time we return to Oregon in about a year), and do some light household chores in the last week.  This evening we even got in a walk for the dogs and I was able to get the main household chores done (bathroom, laundry, dusting, etc).  Tomorrow we're off to run some errands in a nearby town, get my hair-cut (I finally booked with a soldier's wife after trying to get in for two months), and then head out to dinner with friends.  Although life is busier this week, after six months of decreased activity it feels great to be more productive.  Part of the potential upcoming transition is going to be the need to focus on maintaining peace and simplicity of self even in the midst of more.  Thus I think it timely to include as a closing thought the following anonymous quote posted in my supervisor's office, "PEACE: It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

May each of you have a rewarding weekend!  Here's to keeping my fingers crossed and prayers lifted about the upcoming job....and as always this week continued thoughts and prayers are directed toward the nation of Haiti......