Saturday, November 12, 2011

Who's Your Celebrity Doppelgänger?


My celebrity doppelgänger is Zooey Deschanel
Free-spirited and unique, you can’t help but stand out from the crowd — just like your celebrity twin, the cute and quirky film actress Zooey Deschanel. Whether it’s your slightly retro hairstyle, jewelry, or makeup, you love expressing your offbeat sense of style and artistic soul. In some ways, you’re like a modern-day flower child — you follow your own path and love finding the beauty in the people and places around you.
Fellow doppelgängers include Nicole Ritchie, Rihanna, Drew Barrymore, and Sienna Miller

Friday, November 04, 2011

Best Gift Evah!

It's very nice to know that I did make a difference in CSD. If it weren't for the fact that I really do need some daylight hours, I would have remained with CSD.

Sara and April gave me the best going away gift I could ever get.

They bought 4 bags of Skittles, wore kitchen gloves and separated each of the colors for me.

How freakin' awesome is that?!

4th Grade Report Card

Cade received his first real report card. Here's how he did:

In Music, Art, PE, Behavior and Work Habits he earned an "S." There's no key on the actual report card, so I'm assuming an "S" means satisfactory and not sucks.

In his core classes, Reading, Language Arts, Math and Science he earned a "B." I'm especially proud of Cade's Math grade. We all worked hard for that B!

He did make a "C" in Social Studies, which surprised me.

Cade was very proud of his accomplishments, and we were too. We took him to dinner to celebrate.

Thursday, November 03, 2011

CSD

I dreaded August 22 just as much as Cade dreaded the end of summer vacation. Two weeks prior the new supervisors completed the mini shift bid. I was going to be the new supe for the Customer Service Desk PM reps.

When other supes found out, they actually offered their condolences! A previous CSD supe told me about the medication he had to start taking just to cope. The supe I would be replacing was now walking around with a spring in his step; the weight of the world so obviously off his shoulders.

I decided to go into my new position with very low expectations. If previous supes couldn't get the team to perform at goal, what could I magically do?

When calls were escalated to me, I asked them their expert opinion, and I supported that opinion. Sometimes I didn't need to talk to the customer. Most times I did. When the reps called me, I made sure to be available to them. I didn't hide.

I also thanked them for the work they did. Nothing fancy, an occassional email, with a simple Thank You. The reps began to talk - when was the last time someone actually thanked them? I built a rapport with most of my team and we began to enjoy each other.

On October 4 I interviewed for a Training Instructor position. My team was horrified! Why do you want to leave us? I told them I didn't want to leave - I really had begun to really enjoy CSD. It was simply an interview and I might not get the job.

But I did. When Beth and John offered the postion to me, they were absolutely surprised when I asked for the weekend to think about it. I think they expected me to jump at the chance to leave CSD! Really, I had grown to love the department and my team. I didn't want to leave, but training offered me more daytime opportunity and, well, I love being an instructor. I had occasional doubts as to my effectiveness as a supervisor. I don't doubt my talent as an instructor. I know I'm good.

In the end I did accept the training position. Before I started my new job, I reviewed my team's stats:

Handling Time (% to goal)
Aug-86%
Sep-92%
Oct-101% (Yipee!!!!!)

After Work Time (% to goal)
Aug-37%
Sep-38%
Oct-42% (Hey, it’s still an improvement)

Compliance
Aug-92%
Sep-92.5%
Oct-93% (This is right at the goal.)

I’m most proud of their Handling time. It was the first time all year that they made goal (actually exceeded it!) and it’s the highest it’s been all year!

No more doubts, I’m a good supervisor. I did make a difference in CSD.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Congratulatory Skittles Tree

My mom made this for me in celebration of my promotion to Training Instructor. Love, love, love it!!


Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Unhappy Halloween

It's been a while since I've worked for a company that encourages dressing up for Halloween, my absolute favorite holiday of the year. Some of the characters I portrayed in the past: a mime, The Phantom of the Opera, a fortune teller, a farmer's daughter, Emmett Kelly, Zorro, Juliet, Roxie Hart, and a Mardi Gras Princess.

This year I had three potential costumes in mind - all Disney characters. Ultimately it boiled down to what I could find at Goodwill.

A brown skirt was the easiest find. I was terribly excited to find the same blue colored undershirt, then the search began for a black vest. Beige kitchen curtains could be altered to make the apron. I already had black ballet flats (purchased at Goodwill last year). And I also found silver shoes that would do for the glass slipper. I was going to be Cinderella!

I woke expecting to feel the rush of kid-like Christmas morning excitement! Instead I felt the rush of blood to my head, the throbbing of my sinuses, the swell of my throat. I downed some pills and returned to bed, optimistic a nap would make me feel better. I awoke in a drug induced haze, feeling worse. After Cade told me that I looked "real bad", I called in to work sick, and returned to bed. My Boo turned into boo hoo hoo. I guess I'll be Cinderella next year.