Last week at Connecticut Children's Medical Center

This is my last week at Children's. It's an odd feeling. On one hand I am ready to be done working, I have so many odds and ends to finish up in the next few weeks that work is just getting in the way. On the other hand, I have worked there an awfully long time and its familiar and comfortable. I know the players, the culture and what's expected. I think about starting over in a new place with a truly different culture, housing situation, job, and essentially nothing familiar. I'm excited and nervous. 

I can't believe I've worked at Children's almost 13 years (12 years, 10 mons). I started there with one year experience as a staff nurse. I know this may sound cheesy but I feel like I grew up there. The circumstances at the hospital weren't to different from what they are now. I had just completed orientation, when it was announced we were having financial difficulties. They were closing a med-surg unit and there would be house-wide reorganization. The staff from the unit they closed was going to be divided up between the other two med/surg floors. I had almost learned the names of staff I was working with and now a whole new group of people were coming. Thankfully things aren't that precarious but times are still tough.

It was a hard time for everyone, lots of change in leadership and structure. It was good to experience those situations as a staff nurse and now as a Director. The ironic part, when I arrive at Cure I'll be the new leadership. I'm the last "change" to arrive. The entire leadership team, expect for one (chief of surgery) will be new. Change happens more frequently in Afghanistan, but it's still hard. 

I'm reading a book on building teams. Jamie S. gave it to me a while ago. The title, "Becoming a Healthy Team, 5 traits of vital leadership" by Stephen A. Macchia. The 5 essential traits are trust, empower, assimilate, manage and serve. An interesting point was the discussion how many of our analogies about teams have to do with sporting events which is about competition. And being on a team should be about encouraging one another to do their best not compete with each other. If everyone isn't working towards the same mission and is more concerned about individual success then the team won't succeed long term. Hopefully I'll pick up some tips that I can implement into my future adventures.

For now, I need to get back to packing. How does one person acquire so much stuff? I challenge you to walk around your house and think about what you would take with you for two years and all's you have is 2 suitcases and a carry-on. Ok, it helps to know that your new housing situation will be furnished. How do you decide what gets to come?

Keep Smiling,

Jen

Hurry up and wait

I accepted an offer on my house!! It was on the market about 3 weeks and the offer was what I was hoping for. This is such answered prayer and a big piece in the puzzle that needed to come together before I leave. The home inspection was Wednesday. Now the waiting begins, they have 14 days to get back to me about any concerns. 

Honestly the whole buying/selling experience is unnerving. I'm glad to only be selling, but the home inspection was strange. The buyer didn't come; it was his agent and the inspector. I don't understand why the buyer didn't come. I'd want to be there when they were inspecting the house I was buying. The troubling thing for me was when I got home that night, it was clear someone had been through my house. All the blinds were wide open, my shower curtain was pushed to one side and the clothes in my closet were pushed aside as well (the shut-off valve for the water for the upstairs bathroom is in the closet). I felt violated, it's strange to know someone was "inspecting" my house. For now, I wait and see if my house passed inspection.

 

Key dates of interest:

July 3 - last day of work

July 17 - closing

Aug 3  - leave for training in Colorado Springs

Aug 21  - back home 

Aug 30 -fly out to London, Dubai and then Kabul

Keep Smiling,

Jen

The first of many new experiences

Friday night was my mom's retirement party. It was fun and I'm proud of my mom. This might be the first time we (her kids) were able to share in celebrating an accomplishment for our mom. She's been there to witness our graduations, award ceremonies and other events like this. It was special to be there to support her. 

I'm glad however that she was not around to witness my weekend, LOL.

Early Saturday morning I was off to Chicago. Jeff picked me up at the airport and then it was off to Indiana for my first bachelor party. Please note, I booked the flight before the party was scheduled. The bachelor party was a demolition derby.

 Andrew's father let us take over a field on his farm to race the cars. We had 3 cars about $150 each. One race consisted of 10 laps around the mini race course (corn field) and after 10 laps, first one done or last one standing won. Everyone was careful, honest! There were about 11 guys and me. In between races the guys would make various repairs to the cars so the next bracket could race. I laughed so hard on Saturday, probably a mix of excitement and screaming.

The guys asked if my friends would believe that I participated in an event like this. I think after announcing my career move I doubt I can shock them. I raced twice and did much better the second time. It was so much fun! I did chicken out on driving the cars over the jump, being passenger was enough. All the guys were great and who knows maybe these new driving skills will come in handy. This was by far the best bachelor party I have ever attended and maybe the next bachelorette party I plan, I'll see if Gramp's will let us use his yard again. 

Sunday after church we headed back to Chicago. Spent Monday sightseeing, shopping and walking along Navy Pier. I had a wonderful weekend. Saying good-bye was hard, I was reminded of that Peter, Paul and Mary song, "leaving on a jet plane." Unfortunately this probably won't be the last time I'll shed a few tears at the airport. 

The Transition Begins

Graduation was a few weeks ago, I gave my notice at my job and the house is on the market. It has been a busy couple of weeks. This weekend marks the beginning of the good-byes, I'm off to Chicago to see a friend one more time before I head out. This is the hardest part of my decision, saying good-bye. I've never been a big fan of saying good-bye. 

The reality of leaving is really setting in. It started when I was getting the house ready to show and has been an increasing reality dose ever since. Every day has become about transitioning. Packing items, selling furniture, mapping out a transition plan for work, updates and paperwork from the new job, and so the "to-do" list grows. 

I have been trying to keep in mind that I don't need to worry because tomorrow will work itself out. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

Keep Smiling,

Jen