My OperaThursday: Lunch at the House of the Supervisor
Friday, May 18, 2007 4:24:02 AM
Woke up this morning later than originally expected. Alarms never seem to work right. The four walls of my small bunk seem to get closer every day. No breakfast, no sympathy for the growling stomach - it would have to wait until lunch. Unlike most days, this one had a high point - a social event. When the Mayterm kicks in here, it seems that the whole place turns into a certified ghost town.
Making my way to the office, I found the main parking lot where I usually park, half torn to shreds. Apparently the place is under some heavy construction. Already angry at the few spaces left in a shrinking lot, and without a bus option or any location near the library, my frustration met with the security officer that told me I couldn't park where I had just parked and got out to deliver books to the library. I grumbled at her, stating that I'd move it as soon as I came back. She let it slide. Ah, the library! This has been my home for the five years I worked achieving my Bachelor's degree and now it just seemed another place where I did business. Finding a home for the books, I flew to my car and moved it to another lot in a land far, far away and walked to the office.
Upon entering the office, I found my partner already there and working on another online quiz. Summer also brings much less work, though this year will be different than previous years due to a grant we're now managing. LB is a godsend of a partner. She's intelligent, witty, and at all times, dependable. We get into the occasional scrap due to dominant personalities and the fact that we both have passionate ideas we enjoy defending. Thankfully our politics are similar, though in this job, we're supposed to be a-political.
The life of an Americorps VISTA is marked by an element of suffering and it's always easier to do this when you have another person going through the same thing. Thankfully, we've held one another's hand through the year and with my term set to expire in late June, I fear I'm going to miss her more than most of my past co-workers.
Anyhow, we spent the morning working on final details on the lunch meeting we were scheduled to have later. The person taking my spot needed a formal introduction to the program (a way to warm her into the plethora of hot irons we have in the fire). Lunch seemed the way to do it - one at his house (something cheaper than eating out and much easier to work for an exteneded period of time).
SE came up to the office after LB took off to go make a salad she'd be bringing to the party. The boss had just come into his office across the hall and he came in to see both of us. Reminding SE that she had a few more forms to sign, I finally convinced him we'd get it done and he should get the grill started. He left, knowing that things would get done and SE and I proceeded to finish the paperwork. As with any government job, it always seems that every i needs dotted and t needs crossed. They do this through 30 pages or more of forms. How wonderful!
Finishing that, we proceeded to LB's house in my car and then to Perkins to pick up a nice strawberry pie. YUM! I can't do much cooking in my cubicle of a room, so it was pretty much my only option. Upon arriving at the boss's and realizing how nice his digs are, we sat out on the patio and got down to business. I looked at each person there and realized that this would be one of the few times I'd ever see us all together again. Life I said before, in a few months, I'm leaving this all behind and am heading to Lincoln, NE to start my life anew. Don't worry, I didn't have to choke back tears or anything. The lunch was delicious and free! What more could a VISTA want? I think the meeting produced a clear picture of what SE would have to manage once she came onboard. It was the first time I had really taken stock of all the achievements we had worked hard on throughout the year. LB and I gave 110% every day and it showed. The boss is more than pleased with the program as we've managed it this year and I think that all the work we did will be one of the legacies I leave at my alma mater. Realizing that three hours had flown by, we gathered up everything and went our own way.
All in all, the day had a splendid feel. Back to the cubicle, and now looking around, I realize that I've survived pretty well this year. I crave getting out of here and into my own house in Lincoln and I have worked to make sure this will be possible, but sometimes it just takes a day like today to really notice everything for what it is. Sure, it's been a tough year. No, I haven't enjoyed everything, but I think it will forever shape the better angels of my nature and give me the guidance I need to improve my stature and increase the quality and number of opportunities that come my way. Well, I'm realizing it's about time for bed and this time, I'm making sure the alarms go off on time!
Making my way to the office, I found the main parking lot where I usually park, half torn to shreds. Apparently the place is under some heavy construction. Already angry at the few spaces left in a shrinking lot, and without a bus option or any location near the library, my frustration met with the security officer that told me I couldn't park where I had just parked and got out to deliver books to the library. I grumbled at her, stating that I'd move it as soon as I came back. She let it slide. Ah, the library! This has been my home for the five years I worked achieving my Bachelor's degree and now it just seemed another place where I did business. Finding a home for the books, I flew to my car and moved it to another lot in a land far, far away and walked to the office.
Upon entering the office, I found my partner already there and working on another online quiz. Summer also brings much less work, though this year will be different than previous years due to a grant we're now managing. LB is a godsend of a partner. She's intelligent, witty, and at all times, dependable. We get into the occasional scrap due to dominant personalities and the fact that we both have passionate ideas we enjoy defending. Thankfully our politics are similar, though in this job, we're supposed to be a-political.
The life of an Americorps VISTA is marked by an element of suffering and it's always easier to do this when you have another person going through the same thing. Thankfully, we've held one another's hand through the year and with my term set to expire in late June, I fear I'm going to miss her more than most of my past co-workers.
Anyhow, we spent the morning working on final details on the lunch meeting we were scheduled to have later. The person taking my spot needed a formal introduction to the program (a way to warm her into the plethora of hot irons we have in the fire). Lunch seemed the way to do it - one at his house (something cheaper than eating out and much easier to work for an exteneded period of time).
SE came up to the office after LB took off to go make a salad she'd be bringing to the party. The boss had just come into his office across the hall and he came in to see both of us. Reminding SE that she had a few more forms to sign, I finally convinced him we'd get it done and he should get the grill started. He left, knowing that things would get done and SE and I proceeded to finish the paperwork. As with any government job, it always seems that every i needs dotted and t needs crossed. They do this through 30 pages or more of forms. How wonderful!
Finishing that, we proceeded to LB's house in my car and then to Perkins to pick up a nice strawberry pie. YUM! I can't do much cooking in my cubicle of a room, so it was pretty much my only option. Upon arriving at the boss's and realizing how nice his digs are, we sat out on the patio and got down to business. I looked at each person there and realized that this would be one of the few times I'd ever see us all together again. Life I said before, in a few months, I'm leaving this all behind and am heading to Lincoln, NE to start my life anew. Don't worry, I didn't have to choke back tears or anything. The lunch was delicious and free! What more could a VISTA want? I think the meeting produced a clear picture of what SE would have to manage once she came onboard. It was the first time I had really taken stock of all the achievements we had worked hard on throughout the year. LB and I gave 110% every day and it showed. The boss is more than pleased with the program as we've managed it this year and I think that all the work we did will be one of the legacies I leave at my alma mater. Realizing that three hours had flown by, we gathered up everything and went our own way.
All in all, the day had a splendid feel. Back to the cubicle, and now looking around, I realize that I've survived pretty well this year. I crave getting out of here and into my own house in Lincoln and I have worked to make sure this will be possible, but sometimes it just takes a day like today to really notice everything for what it is. Sure, it's been a tough year. No, I haven't enjoyed everything, but I think it will forever shape the better angels of my nature and give me the guidance I need to improve my stature and increase the quality and number of opportunities that come my way. Well, I'm realizing it's about time for bed and this time, I'm making sure the alarms go off on time!
