One Year Later...

(I just wanted to share some thoughts....)


So I have been at my current job for a year now, click here. For those that don’t know this is basically What Happened…The whole thing was very shady and an eye opening experience.

So I have been working as a secretary (or Administrative Assistant for those who want to be politically correct) at a Patent and Trademark Law Firm for a year now. Previously I was a Special Event Coordinator, a job that I liked in theory but often left me feeling unfulfilled, unappreciated, not able to be truly creative, frustrated, stressed and often times resentful of my choice in careers. So as much as this change was unexpected and hurtful at the time, I was extremely open to try something completely new and different.

Today I am at a job where I am in one word - HAPPY. (Though I do miss dearly some friends I use to work with.) The people here are great, I feel respected, I feel like they appreciate not only the work I do but also who I am as a person. I don’t feel as if they are judging or care about “status”…they truly like me for who I am. I feel like I can be myself and you know what, lately I have realized I really like myself :) I know this sounds silly, but these were the things lacking by my previous employers (my bosses). To me it is FAR MORE important to be at a place where I feel welcomed and appreciated and not just a pawn in a person’s game.

So now a year later and I really feel like my time at this place and away from the stresses of my previous job have allowed me to gain a better idea of who I am and what I want in the years to come for my life as well as out of my employers. When the time comes to eventually move on, I know this place is going to be a hard act to follow. I mean all jobs have their stresses, but overall this place really makes me happy.

I know in the grand scheme of things, a year is not that long but so many decisions about T & my future have been made this last year and just working here and being away from the stress has really provided me with the opportunity to see things in a new light. So what have I learned….. I know I want to be surrounded by positive people and a positive working environment. I know I want to be appreciated and respected where I work, and I deserve nothing less then that. I know that I like to be busy but not so busy I miss out on my life (such as not taking a honeymoon b/c i felt I should put my job first). I know that it IS possible to have a job where you actually want to get up and go to every morning....or most mornings! I know that just because you leave a place it does not mean you will lose the friendships you have made. I know I don't need to change the type of person I am to do my job. I know I want to be somewhere for the moment that will allow me and also support me to continue my education. I know I want to get my masters degree in College Student Personnel. I know I want to stay here while Terry goes back to school and I go back to school. I know I want to have my first child while working here. I know one day, in time I want to work for a college in the student affairs office. I know that many of these people have made a huge impact on my life and came into my life at a time where I had very little confidence in myself as not only an employee but overall as a person, and I am truly grateful for that. I know that, more then ever, I cherish the friendships I have made over the years and though I may not say it I love each of you dearly and am so happy to be a part of each others lives. I know that I feel closer to and that I love and appreciate my husband more today then I did the day I married him. I could really keep going.

Overall, as frustrating as my previous two jobs were, they did allow me to meet some of my most favorite people ever and I would never change any of it! I mean, I wouldn't even be blogging with all of you if I hadn't taken this path in life. I feel like I have grown so much over the last year and I love where my life has come over the years and I can’t wait to see where it will go in the coming years. I never thought this is exactly where I would be at this point in my life. Many things were put on delay and have had to be changed along the way, but such is life and today I feel more blessed then ever. I know this may seem a little deep....it is just a job, right?! People loose jobs and find new jobs all the time. But there was more - I wasn't happy with myself. I felt as though I lacked confindence in myself, my talent to perform my job, and my choice in a career. I was lost. To me the past couple years have not been JUST about losing a job and finding a new one but more about finding who I was, what I want out of life, what my husband and I want out of our life and feeling like I actually matter and make a difference somewhere.....beyond just the friendships I have made and being a nice person. I know I don't and shouldn't have to change who I am to be accepted and at the end of the day your job should not define who you are but who you are as person and how you choose to live your life should be what defines you.

Even through all the ups and downs these past couple years, it has been one hell of a ride and I am so happy to be at this place in my life, both physically and emotionally. And I feel privilaged to have you all, blogger friends included, in my life.