I'm trying not be too enigmatic because this is my very own blog, but I also don't want to be too transparent about what's going on. Hard things are happening right now. There is STUFF. And maybe someday I'll write about that stuff, but you know what, I'm going to temporarily forget about all that and take some time to write about some wins.
1) I was on a team at my job where did activity tracking for a couple of months and we won! Yay! (I will omit how this was terrible for my mental health and led to some severe anxiety where I was all "I'm letting my team down" on a day when I tracked zero activities because I was in the hospital with a loved one. Also, someday soon I'm going to write a long post about how much my own health has suffered in the last six months.) Here's to the win!
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TJC came up with the name and logo idea and I shared it with my team and one of my teammates used an AI tool to create the logo.
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| Our prizes. Poor HR. There's just no money anymore. |
2) Some other small victories at work:
a) Someone from a weird unit at work that I don't normally work with messaged me to ask if I could talk to them. It turns out they have a student employee who is really struggling and I met with the student, helped them change majors, and gave them a pep talk about how they are important and can do hard things and ALSO that they need to be their own advocate for their education.
Email from the student:
Thank you so much for all the help! I just registered for courses,
and I am very excited to continue!
b) Do you remember the student I was helping to retake a course at an accelerated pace and she cried and I cried and it was all very professional in my office? Summer grades have been posted, I followed up with the student, she got an A, I called to congratulate her, she cried, I cried, it was all professional in my office all over again.
c) A student was returning after being gone for a couple of years (COVID screwed up a lot of people's plans) and her advising audit was reading that she needed four classes, but I remembered that her major had changed the curriculum a couple of years ago and had the audit backdated to when she was first admitted, not readmitted, and then she only had to take TWO classes and she's going to graduate in December! That's big for her.
3) Zelda's brown ball is back in action! This ball has been her favorite toy since she was a literal kitten. I wrote that post I just linked to in 2014 (try not to think about how bizarre it is that 2014 was TEN YEARS AGO). When we got Hannah, we left the scratching post up, but took away the ball because we were worried Hannah would destroy it. I put the ball up when we were gone overnight last weekend and Zelda played and played with it.
I then forgot to put it up and Hannah sniffed it briefly, but left it alone. And I have been putting it back on the scratching post every time I find it and Zelda has been pulling it off and running around with it. Dr. BB reported that when Hannah and I were on a walk last night, she was walking around the house with the brown ball in her mouth, meowing around it.
Brown ball is BACK, BABY. I'm excited that Hannah is a good dog and leaves the cat's toys alone and I'm glad Zelda gets to play with something since I'm a jerk who never plays with her.
What's a recent win in your life?
This needs an early comment from me. I'm sorry about the stuff - and presumably, the accompanying suck - and hope that knowing all of us out here in bloglandia are thinking of you helps, in some small way. (And, you know, if the stuff leaves time for ice cream and you need a break, you know where I am...Frostee Freeze doesn't disappoint, is all I'm saying...) But omg, Engie, YAY. Look at you - making a difference - a BIG DIFFERENCE - in the lives of those students. That is gold, right there. All the gold stars and medals, seriously. It's people like you who make my job so much better. You do things that I could never do. So thank you, even though they're not my students. You are awesome. And Zelda? All I can say is <3. Same to you, my friend. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI do like that in my job I see tangible results! It's so much different from teaching where you sometimes don't see a difference in just one course. I see the outcomes so clearly and easily and that's a great thing. I can really count my wins.
DeleteI love that you and the student cried, succeeded, then cried again. That's some good stuff! Good on you for helping them and being so emotionally involved! I was very independent in college and I never went to an advisor until the end, and I was so ready to be done that I was hardened by then and I was kind of set on my ways. I wish I would have sought advice earlier and had someone like you who cared.
ReplyDeleteMy life is kind of small right now, and my wins mostly consist of getting in a certain amount of miles, or having a good conversation with a stranger, or seeing something that I've never seen before (I am looking at you, Lake Superior!)
There's just something about this particular student that gets me every time I talk to her. I don't know if it's her tone or whatever, but it's easy for her to make me cry, I guess. Our students have to meet with their faculty advisors every semester, but they don't ever really have to meet with me, but once they DO meet with me, I never give up on checking in on them. I'm persistent that way.
DeleteLook, a good conversation with a stranger is worth a million gold stars in my book. Your life seems full of challenges to me.
These are awesome wins, Engie. You sound so perfect for this position, and it must be so gratifying for you and the students when you achieve these triumphs.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that you have returned Brown Ball to Zelda, and that she has reacted so enthusiastically. So fun.
You have been going though an extended period of challenge. VARIOUS challenges. TOUGH challenges. And yet you are making a difference in big and small ways to the people/pets around you -- in person and online. Sending you love and hugs.
I really do like my job and I'm so glad I'm in this position after my last position made me feel like I was a bit of a failure. It's so very rewarding and it's a great work environment.
DeleteI know that this hard time is temporary and I'm trying to remind myself that it won't last forever! Chin up!
These are great wins! I hope my college student has a supportive advisor in his corner. You are making a real difference in people's lives, and this is such important work.
ReplyDeleteI hope all college students have people surrounding them to help them be their most successful. Here's to Harry having a GREAT first semester.
DeleteOmg I love Zelda and the brown ball. So, so funny and cute that she loved it as a kitten and loves it again now. I wish my cats had something like that- they'll play with something for a little and then lose interest in it.
ReplyDeleteYay for winning the activity challenge!!! My husband participated in something similar at work. His team didn't win, which is too bad because the prize was Amazon gift cards! I'll bet the competition was fierce.
Your job sounds really satisfying. I'm sure you would tell me that there are plenty of unsatisfying days as well! But, it's nice to have a job where you really feel like you're doing something good. We know a family who are very wealthy- the woman doesn't work, and how does the husband make so much money? His company sells bullets. I mean... well. Let's just say, YOU are not selling bullets for a living!
Hugs : )
We'll see how long Zelda's love of the brown ball lasts, but she has been playing with it consistently since last weekend, so it's not really a passing cat fad. We'll see! I'm LOVING how long-term the game is. I put it up, she waits until I'm not looking to take it down, she hides it, I put it back up, etc. It's like Cat Chess.
DeleteMy job actually rarely has unsatisfying days. There are hard days, there are days when I make mistakes, there are days when I don't know answers, there are days when I pester my boss with eighty bazillion questions. But every day I help someone. And that feels really good. (Ugh. If my life were paid for with guns and/or ammo, I would definitely have to reassess my priorities.)
That's a nice stack of gold medals. Let's circle back to Maya Angelou==>people will never forget how you made them feel, and there are a lot of people who will never forget you. And yes you are allowed to put the bad stuff on pause and take "Engie" time to celebrate the good.
ReplyDeleteYay for brown ball! Doggo is very rough on toys, so we have a lot of affection for the ones that survive.
Yes! My role is primarily in recruitment and retention. The idea is for students to know that someone in the giant bureaucracy of a university knows who they are and cares and notices when things are off the rails. When people think of my university, I want them to remember that someone called and congratulated them on that A in the summer class and said they were proud of them. And, frankly, I like making those phone calls!
DeleteI am so happy Hannah is letting Zelda have this toy! Hannah certainly destroys her own toys, but seems uninterested in Zelda's toys. That's awesome news if you ask me.
WOW. Look at all the wins. You are doing such a great job, encouraging people to do better and really investing in the future of the students. I'm a crier too, so I can completely see how this is normal and professional!
ReplyDeleteYay for the brown ball return! That is so fun for Zelda and I also can't believe that 2014 was 10 years ago. *sigh*
How is 2014 ten years ago? Wasn't it JUST 2000? Time is so weird.
DeleteYou know, I think you might be a superhero.
ReplyDeleteYour life is apparently giving you all kinds of reasons to give up and withdraw, or at least be shitful and crabassy. YET, you show up here and write, you show up and do a great job at work, and you go above and beyond in your life. You are determined to focus on the Wins and Good Stuff that YOU MAKE HAPPEN.
Your next sewing project should be a cape, and I really think you should wear it.
We had a friend who was in his 40s when he was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. When he was undergoing treatment, his parents were alternating flying in from across the country to help him out. I was over there dropping off food for him and I said to his dad that it must be very hard for them to be away from home and doing so much traveling and his dad said: This isn't forever. And I'm holding tight to those words. This isn't forever. So I'm trying to keep my shit together. I am not a superhero. Other people deal with way worse situations! Life is hard right now, but it's not ALL BAD (gosh, the blogging community is a sheer joy!) and I am determined that I have to set aside the bad and focus on the good for at least part of every day.
DeleteThis is not forever!
You are doing good things. And Zelda has her ball back. 👍
ReplyDeleteZelda's ball is FIRE!
DeleteI'm sorry for the hard things, but this is a stellar job of looking on the bright side! Those students, OMG, what you are doing for them! Remember to cut yourself some slack as needed. And thank you for the floofy kitty belly picture!
ReplyDeleteFloofy kitty belly makes everything better, amirite?!
DeleteI am sorry that there are hard things happening, Engie. I really wish they weren't or that you could disperse them out among your readership or I could make them go away somehow...
ReplyDeleteBut as someone who sees firsthand how the pandemic has affected higher ed, I am so grateful there are people like you who care and who make such a difference in the lives of students. Your work wins are huge life-changing wins for each of your students! You are amazing... and I am so happy to know there are people like you in the world. (I keep that story about you (and Dr. BB) disagreeing with the standardized test scorer when I need a boost.)
I do think I do good work and I'm proud of that. My work is very rewarding to me and I'm grateful that I get to do it!
DeleteHonestly, professionalism as most people see it is highly overrated - someone in your position being willing to cry with a student is exactly how it should be. Higher education requires so much adulting and can be so stressful and it's so wonderful when the people meant to help are actually helpful. I'm sorry for the hard stuff happening. Rueful laugh at the HR thing - when I left one of my schools they gave me a school water bottle and I was shocked that it was metal and not plastic.
ReplyDeleteI rarely cry at work, but I think showing students that we're all vulnerable can be a good thing. I also think I have to model that the hard work has to get done, though, even if we're upset. We have to fill out the forms and write the statements and it's hard, but we can get it done together. Even if we're both crying. LOL.
DeleteThe poor HR lady. She congratulated us and told us how proud she was and then said and here's your swag! as if it was the most exciting thing in the world. LOLOLOLOLOL. I hate to know what the people who weren't in first through third place got.
A few years ago I won a fitbit at work for attending a mandatory meeting. Talk about low expectations, right? Lately it's more stuff like you got though. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you're in the midst of it all right now. I remember how hard it was when my mom was sick, it was SO HARD and stressful and I tried so hard to take care of myself and I felt dragged in 18 different directions. I survived. You're right, there will be a time after this. But GAH, I hate it for you.
On the good side, congratulations on the win in your work fitness contest! And even bigger, I'm so glad you have such a satisfying job, that you are so good at, and that really makes a difference in the lives of students. Also, yay to Zelda's brown ball!
There is no money anymore. I'm pretty sure the HR lady probably paid for all this nonsense out of her own pocket. *sigh* Definitely no Fitbit money.
DeleteI'm glad my job is going well right now because if my job were crappy on top of all the personal stuff, I would probably lose my mind completely.
Engie, look at how incredible you are - you are showing up for your students and making a difference in their lives. This is amazing!
ReplyDelete(I also agree that those group challenges are terrible for the mental health!)
My husband's company (former company, I guess) used to give out these little financial incentives for doing active things and it was a nice little perk.
I'm so sorry you're in the thick of it. Taking care of yourself and living your life while dealing with stress like you're dealing with is really, really hard.
I love my job so much. I feel really luck to be able to help students out every day!
DeleteSorry to hear that you about your difficulties. I sincerely hope things get easier and life begins to feel more like how Zelda feels when she's enjoying her favorite brown ball. I love the stories of how you've impacted your students' lives. Well done, you. The team competition would stress me out too. I worked in the real world a little bit, but I totally prefer my world of dealing with little people who nap and spit up and giggle when I dance. I might not gel well in a workplace that frowns upon napping and silly dancing. A recent win for me is starting the daycare thing back up and . . . surviving? ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, working in the real world has its drawbacks, that's for sure. But I don't have to deal with spit up, so...pros and cons!
DeleteActivity tracking, as in like healthy behavior tracking/ exercise? I mean, don't you have that covered basically no matter what with your daily dog walks?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for whatever you're all going through! It sounds like a stressful time!
Yes, this competition was activity tracking. Activities converted to steps. There were a couple of days when I didn't do awesome (I was with my mom, I was with my husband in the hospital) and they made me feel terrible, even though I was doing something important. Oh, well! Most days I did pretty well.
DeleteThe way you help your students warms my heart. Thank goodness you're here in this world, touching people's lives and making a difference.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I always HATED workplace "self-improvement" stuff. Let's all exercise or diet together - no thanks. It's detrimental to mental health, especially if we're going through stuff.
I'm sorry you're going through stuff. ❤️
There will be a time after this! And that time will be good!
DeleteUgh, I am so sorry you're dealing with so much in the background (I can only imagine but understand that you don't want to share, just know I am thinking of you).
ReplyDeleteNot happy about the anxiety that the activity tracking induced for you, but yay for winning and getting a medal :) You deserve it - and many more. Look at you for championing these students. I'd be crying too. Way to go, Engie!! <3
I really do love that I get to help students on a regular basis. It's a great job!
DeleteI don't know what I love more: the way you're making such a big impact for your students OR the way Zelda loves her brown ball. Okay, okay, it's the impact for the students. I am so glad they have you in their corners. College can be a really scary and confusing time, and you are making it a little bit better for these kids. I'm proud of you!
ReplyDeleteZelda is still going after her brown ball on a regular basis and Hannah is leaving it alone and I'm loving it!
DeleteIt must be wonderful helping some of the young struggling students find their way. I sure could have used a pep talk and some tough love in that phase of my life.
ReplyDeleteYes, Tobia that's it! It's both a pep talk AND tough love combined into one. I mean, I don't always follow my own advice, but I love to hand it out.
DeleteI'm sorry that you are dealing with some hard, difficult, un-bloggable things right now. :( But congrats on the team win. And it sounds like you are thriving in your position and are making a difference in the life of students!!!
ReplyDeleteI am loving this job and that's making everything better.
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