The End of an Era (Almost!)

Waiting patiently is only as good as being able to convince yourself that what you're waiting for is actually coming. Lately, it hasn't been my strong suit. Come to think of it, maybe it never was.

Working as a temporary Administrative Assistant for the last 6 months has taught me a number of things, aside from patience:

1. Being a "receptionist" is infinitely more complex than I ever imagined.
2. I enjoy being very, very organized. My mom might be most shocked at this one.
3. If anyone asks a question that begins with "Can you..." the answer is always "absolutely," no matter how impossible the task may seem.
4. Functioning in the stressful fear that my job might terminate tomorrow is no way to live. I am grateful for my job today, and I'll figure out how to manage life if it ends tomorrow.
5. Allowing myself to become bored is my clock's worst enemy. Those 9 hours will stretch into eternity.

Here is a rule that carries over from my previous restaurant positions: coworkers can make or break a job. My coworkers are kind and my boss is gracious. For Administrative Professional Appreciation Week they gave me a chocolates and a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. My boss called me up and said, "Christie, let's go to breakfast tomorrow. Pick a really nice place. We're going to try something less rushed. I want to take you out to celebrate how much we appreciate you and your hard work."

My secret hope was that she'd also bring the paperwork to make my job offer official, but that wasn't the case. At any rate, we had a delicious breakfast and great conversation.

Even though I like my job for all of these reasons, I've become disheartened and wonder why they offered me a permanent job 3 months ago and skirted the issue when I inquired about making it official.

BUT announcement came on Friday (5/7): I'VE BEEN APPROVED! My information package is in the mail. Once it gets here, I'll sign it and be an official permanent full-time employee with health benefits and a real salary!! Best. Birthday. Present. Ever.

And my boss told me she's going to bake me a chocolate cake.