Transitioning at work and in all of my life

[Danya (imported)]

I have been 'ordered,' really urged in a gentle, caring way by 'X' to get enough sleep tonight. So I will wait until sometime Saturday to elaborate, as promised, on my new job responsibilities.

For now, all I want to say is that things continue to go very well with 'X.' Although our backgrounds and life experiences

are very different, we are finding

ways to get past our differences and even appreciate them. It all comes down to mutual respect and being willing to communicate openly and honestly.

More by late tomorrow.

[Danya (imported)]

Congratulations Danya. What can you tell us about the job?

Hi Mac,

My job title will be, as of Monday , Business Analyst. Business analysis is predicted to be a high growth field at least through 2015.

Business analysts work within different corporate departments, and sometimes external cusomters, to help them determine what they really need and to design a solution to their needs. This is not as easy as it sounds. Often, business users have nothing more than a poor idea of what their business process problems really are. Let alone any idea of how to fix things.

Beyond this, business analysts gather business requirements, analyze requirements (determine what they really mean and what the in depth details are), create project documentation, design solutions (IT-based or not), develop ways of testing the solutions for effectiveness, assist end users with testing and similar things.

Business analysts often work closely with project managers, another rapidly growing field.

Business analysts and project managers are important because they help assure that projects will be completed on time and deliver what business users need.

Many projects, some costing millions of dollars, are never completed successfully because companies failed to figure out what they truly needed to get the work done.

[kennath7 (imported)]

Late con grat’s on your new job

I knew things would turn around for the better for you , I am so happy for you

all ways remember to stop and smell the roses

[Danya (imported)]

Late con grat’

s on your new job

I knew things would turn around for the better for you , I am so happy for you

all ways remember to stop and smell the roses

Hi Kennath7,

You are always very kind. I appreciate the congratulations.

With 'X,' I am learning to stop and smell the roses in new ways.

I wish you the very best.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

I may not have much time to write for the next week or so. Commuting to my new job will be a grind until I move next weekend. I am hopeful I will have internet access ready as soon as I am in my new place. I may not.

'X' and I had a wonderful time yesterday. He is determined to take me to all the many places and music venues he enjoys in the summer. Last night, we had a great time listening to the Elmhurst College Jazz Band. During the second set, a well known singer from the east coast sang with the group.

Yesterday afternoon, 'X' and I looked for furniture at Ikea. Just about everything there cost more than I want to spend. This may give you an idea of how tight my budget is.

Found out today that 'X's' daughter will loan me a futon and vacuum cleaner. She is a very nice woman who welcomes me into her home.

For now, I have to assume the new job will end in six months, or perhaps a little longer. If they hire me permanently, I will be very happy. They very well may not. So, after I have been at the new job for a few weeks, I will start looking for another one.

[Danya (imported)]

I returned to work today one month shy of 11 months of unemployment. I felt very good about this, although it was an adjustment. The work environment at this company is very intense. People sit at their cubicles most of the day and interact little. Except by email. Everyone is helpful, though.

The work was immediately challenging, as it often is in IT-related contract jobs. Employers expect you to jump right into the middle of projects, which may already be well along. As this one is.

I was happy to see some of the women wore skirts to the office. At least a few days a week, I will do the same.

During the interview, I was thrilled at the great views of downtown even at only the 9th floor. Today, I looked at the view for 20 seconds, tops! That was all I had time for. I did note one of the boats on the Chicago River, taking tourists on the architectural tour.

Just last week, I was as free as they were today. I put in long hours hunting for a job, but I worked when I wanted. I could take time off in the middle of the day to play. No more, but that's a good thing. At least I am making 2.5 times what I was getting on unemployment. Minnesota has far higher unemployment benefits than Illinois.

Early this afternoon, a recruiter called me at my cell phone about another contract job downtown. I told him to get back with me in 6 - 7 months.

I am trying hard to schedule GRS 6-7 months from now. If my temporary employer should offer me a permanent position in 6 months, I will postpone surgery. Or ask my boss if there is a problem with my going ahead at the initially scheduled time.

Sunday afternoon, 'X' dropped me off at my 3-hour electrolysis session. He told me he had something in mind and drove off. I suspected he was going to the half price sale at a thrift shop he likes. Then I thought, this is dangerous -a man buying clothes for me. Would I want to wear any of it?

He met me at the end of my electrolysis session with a large bag full of blouses. Turns out I liked just about everything he bought. Earlier in the day, I had stopped at Kohl's and bought a top for $30. It wasn't nearly as nice as most of the items he picked out at the thrift store. Some of his finds were big name brands, others were exquisitely crafted items from Hong Kong. He did well.

[Danya (imported)]

Today, there was a magnitude 5 earthquake near Ottawa, Canada. Some residents of the Chicago area felt it. I was not one of them.

We have been having an awful lot of rainy, hot, humid weather. Two nights ago, there was a tornado on the ground in nearby Crystal Lake. Tornado sirens went off in my town.

The rain and wind were so bad this morning that it took me three hours to get to work. I drove to the 'L', which I then took downtown.

The weather improved during the day but, late in the afternoon, there were severe thunderstorm warnings. On the trip home, a mere two hour journey, there was a tornado warning.

It would be very nice to have a stretch of dry weather. Particularly this weekend, when I will move to my new place. Instead, scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast. I am beginning to wonder if this is Chicago's monsoon season.

I am happy with my new job. It took me a day or two to adjust, but now things are going relatively smoothly. There are many things for me to learn, which is something I enjoy.

Yesterday, a coworker in the same group asked if I was getting enough help. He said he wanted to make sure I come back next week! Today, my boss said at a meeting that she hoped they hadn't scared me off. I take these comments as good signs. Apparently, they want me to stay.

When I got home, there was an email waiting about a permanent position at the same company where I am a contract (temporary) worker. I had applied for a permanent job there several weeks ago. Now they are telling me I am a good match for the permanent opportunity. And would I provide more information. I will!

I just have to find the time tomorrow night, which will be difficult. I need to take my computer to the new apartment tomorrow evening because the internet connection is being put in Friday morning. 'X' will handle the details on Friday. I will likely stay in the new place tomorrow night since I have to make the trip, over half way back to my job, to get the computer there.

That could be time consuming. One thing about Chicago is that traffic can be really bad at any time of day. It doesn't matter whether you are heading into or out of downtown, either.

[Danya (imported)]

After three days of fighting traffic to either drive all the way downtown or to the closest 'L' station, I wised up an took a Metra train from a station six miles away from home. It was still a four hour round trip commute but I could relax on the train.

I was so worn out from commuting earlier this week that I was beginning to wonder if working downtown was such a good thing! Today, after leaving most of the commute to Metra, I arrived at work calm and put in a good day. I was excited (it doesn't take much with me at times) when I left work to find the streets jammed with people. I was happy to be downtown again.

Work is going better than I had hoped. I am picking up what I need at a rapid pace. I learned that a coworker started as a contract employee, just like me. He now has a permanent job. The same could happen for me. Anyway, I am very happy to be working again. My boss and coworkers are helpful and very professional. Although it is too early to say for sure, this seems like a much better work environment than my last job.

The internet connection for my new apartment has been moved up to tomorrow. My lease on the new place started today. Tonight, I need to get my computer to the new place along with clothes and other essentials. By the time I get there (it is already 8 PM), it will be too late to return. I will sleep on the floor tonight, which I do not mind as long as I have pillows. Tomorrow, I won't have to get up nearly as early for work.

This weekend, I hope to have time to pick up some new skirts to wear to the office next week.

[butterflyjack (imported)]

I'd love to see you in your new clothes, Danya.. You sound like you're having a good time...Be well dragonfly

[Mac (imported)]

Danya,

I am glad to hear that the job is going well for you and wish you luck in getting the permanent position there.