What a day

Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.
- David Frost

Today was a historic day regardless of what decisions were made. To have a vote to hold a member of the Cabinet in contempt of Congress AND the ruling on the constitutionality of healthcare mandate. It was simply a political wonk's field day! 

Days like this are why we do what we do and love it! I mean these are the days you live for in the TV news business. Never in a million years did I think I would be here for this. Sure I figured some day I might get to Washington, I figured someday I would make it on a national level. Did I think that would happen before 25? I mean, who does that?

It is a strange feeling to finally be among your own "kind", the people who actually get this stuff and care and understand and are excited by it. To be completely immersed in this world and surrounded by these people is an awesome feeling. 

I feel like I have so much more to say, but really can't even put it into words right now. This is most definitely going to be an interesting summer for sure! 

Chaos

Life has been so chaotic lately...what I wouldn't give to only work 40 hours a week. I mean it's all I can do to keep my head above water to stay relatively sane. I would like to say it is everything I wished for, but honestly sometimes it isn't. I know I have to pay my dues and work my way up and the like, but damn it is tough to stay focused on the end goal sometimes. I can barely remember what I did an hour ago much less what I did last week. I want to go somewhere and do something, but I can't or won't make time for it, not sure which it is. 

Skating is going well. The loops are finally consistent albeit relatively small and slow. The flips are event starting to come along pretty well. I wish I could do more, but again I can't or won't make time. 

I honestly can't remember the last time I watched TV on the television. I want to go shopping for something other than groceries sometime. I want to have a life, but I don't feel like I should have to force it, you know? Things are finally starting to change in the right direction, but now it is time for me to go to bed, been up since 5:30. 

Living the dream...

City Life

Tonight I went out to dinner with my mom and uncle. We went downtown to a more upscale place, but I love it because it is so traditional DC, from the dark woods to the green velvet booths. I could totally imagine Senators getting together to debate something. It just has so much history there. Uncle gets very into politics especially military and defense. It just seemed so stereotypical Washington to be sitting in this fabulously typical DC establishment restaurant talking about NATO and bilateral meetings. Only in this town is that considered normal :)

Been a while...

Been awhile since last update. Life has been topsy turvy. Days of fabulous where nothing can go wrong and days of just wishing for the day to be over. 

I went home for a visit a few weeks ago and skated with old coach again, it was absolutely perfect. It feels like home. She even sent me out with the high level competitive skaters and I apparently held my own. It was a nice change of pace from the public sessions down here where I'm the most advanced. I'll need to video next time,but I actually landed loops at center ice. Flips and back spins are still near the wall, but definitely getting there. 

Work wise,things could be better. I just feel so stuck right now, I'm in the same schedule again, this time for no apparent reason, with no social life whatsoever, and I'm sure that's not helping my mood.

As a result I had to request Easter off, I should have had it off if my schedule actually rotated, like the rotating schedule is supposed to. Then I got an email telling me this is a 24/7 business and we have to stay staffed all the time, well duh. Don't think I don't know that? And if I don't ask the answer is definitely no, if I ask I at least have a shot at getting it off. Leadership and communication skills are severely lacking from the management level. We aren't in middle school anymore, grow up and take charge.

They want people to be cross trained in all these different areas, but yet they won't let the schedule change to allow for that. It certainly doesn't help that I'm so close to my dream job I can taste it, but yet so stuck and far away. 

It's so weird I volunteer to work primary nights and debate nights, but get turned down. You would think they would be happy someone wants to work, but nope. I'm the one who understands the politics, I'm the one who can sift through the rhetoric. I'm the one who got a book on presidents for their 7th birthday, when most little girls want dolls and dress up clothes. I'm the one who has already been to conventions and inaugurations. 

I'm so close I can taste it, but I'm stuck and not really sure how to put myself out there more. 

Changes

I've officially been offered a staff position! That means this is actually a real life grown up job with a salary and the benefits that go along with that. The last few weeks have been such a roller coaster though, totally thought I was going to be in trouble when they asked to see me...nope just wanted to offer me a job. 

Definitely a step in the right direction on this path. This wild and crazy path of life. It's weird you know? Like this isn't supposed to happen this way, you're supposed to have to work your way up to a job here in this market. It doesn't just happen like that. I think in some ways I'm my own worst enemy and harshest critic, but that's what got me bumped up in less than 6 months. 

It was such a risk to take, not really knowing what I was getting into, but it was something I had to do. And so far it is paying off in huge dividends. 

And the work continues until the next step...

Happy New Year!

Another end and another beginning, here's to 2012. Looking back the past year definitely had its share of the good, the bad and the different. 

The good: I finally got a job! (the perfect one at that)
The bad: Family health issues :(
The different: Working for the pork producers and living in a convent.

The job is perfect in every way except for the fact that its not a salaried staff position quite yet. Hope #1 for 2012.

Nobody else is allowed to have health issues, okay? Hope #2 for 2012. 

While I absolutely love the location I'm living in now, I would like my little own place at some point. Hope #3 for 2012. 

I guess I'll play along with the rest of the world and put down some resolutions. 

Job: Become a salaried staff employee and maybe a promotion by 2013. 

Health: Utilize the gym more and eat healthier. 

Family: Make sure I spend enough time with family and don't let work burn me out.

Education: Continue to study my languages and look into proficiency testing. 

Skating: Pass a test and compete in a competition. I'd like to learn a layback spin.  


Enjoy life! It is way too short to worry about the little things.

From my father: "To everyone who looks forward to the New Year, I am sure there will be ups and downs. Remember the good days in 2011 and do everything you can to make 2012 better than the worst day of 2011."

Winter Wonderland

Been awhile on the night shift...oh the things one learns working this schedule. Anyway it's been a wee bit crazy but kind of fun in a weird way. There really hasn't been any major issues that I haven't been able to figure out. It is so weird though to not constantly be looking for the next job. That part I definitely like. As an added bonus, my holiday schedule got reworked majorly in my favor :) :) :) I'll finally get a few days to feel like a normal human again before I head back into the storm that is known as the 2012 campaign season. Night shifts, dawn shifts and everything in between...well till next time Merry Christmas!