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Friday Five - August 16 2024
Aug. 16th, 2024 02:15 pm 1) Who are you appreciating in your life right now?
Hubby & Daughter & Father - they are my anchors. And my girlfriends: Christine, Joy, Barb & Mary - they are my sounding boards and listen to my ramblings
2) What's something you've done this year that other people appreciated
Amy's house project - gutting SIL's house down to studs and helping to rebuild it
3) What's a good way to show gratitude?
A heartfelt 'Thank You', flowers, little presents, a phone call or text or email...
4) Do you write thank you notes?
If it's something big, otherwise a call, text or email.
5) What can you use help with these days?
Organizing paperwork...
Questions are here:
Hubby & Daughter & Father - they are my anchors. And my girlfriends: Christine, Joy, Barb & Mary - they are my sounding boards and listen to my ramblings
2) What's something you've done this year that other people appreciated
Amy's house project - gutting SIL's house down to studs and helping to rebuild it
3) What's a good way to show gratitude?
A heartfelt 'Thank You', flowers, little presents, a phone call or text or email...
4) Do you write thank you notes?
If it's something big, otherwise a call, text or email.
5) What can you use help with these days?
Organizing paperwork...
Questions are here:
Friday Five for May 17th
May. 22nd, 2024 04:53 pm1) Is summer a break for you, or is it busier?
At work it is always busy as so many things need to be upgraded and new things installed for the Fall Semester. At home it is generally move weekend trips and a week or two vacation. But this year I think most weekends will be working on renovating the house my SIL inherited from her dad so it is livable (so much pet damage and termite damage and disrepair).
2) What's next for your travel plans?
A trip to see MIL in NC and a trip to Florida this summer and maybe a weekend trip to the beach too.
3) What have you spontaneously done lately?
Trip to Sherwood Forest Ren Faire in Texas when work unexpectantly sent me to San Antonio for a conference. I filled in for someone that had to cancel. I tacked on the weekend, took the hubby along for the trip and the spouse and I had a blast at Faire on Saturday and visited the Texas relatives on Sunday.
4) What's your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
A hot cup of decaf Lady Grey Tea and catching up on shows I have on recorded with the cat beside me on the sofa, and playing a puzzle or two on my tablet. Or a long hot bath!
5) What's in your pockets?
Tissues, a KN95 mask, a finger splint for my sprained finger, my phone, a thumb drive, cough drops, antiacids, pain killers, my work ID, a bluetooth earbud, and some change for the vending machine. I wear cargo pants and a frumpy cardigan sweater with pockets most days to work - so lots of pockets!
At work it is always busy as so many things need to be upgraded and new things installed for the Fall Semester. At home it is generally move weekend trips and a week or two vacation. But this year I think most weekends will be working on renovating the house my SIL inherited from her dad so it is livable (so much pet damage and termite damage and disrepair).
2) What's next for your travel plans?
A trip to see MIL in NC and a trip to Florida this summer and maybe a weekend trip to the beach too.
3) What have you spontaneously done lately?
Trip to Sherwood Forest Ren Faire in Texas when work unexpectantly sent me to San Antonio for a conference. I filled in for someone that had to cancel. I tacked on the weekend, took the hubby along for the trip and the spouse and I had a blast at Faire on Saturday and visited the Texas relatives on Sunday.
4) What's your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
A hot cup of decaf Lady Grey Tea and catching up on shows I have on recorded with the cat beside me on the sofa, and playing a puzzle or two on my tablet. Or a long hot bath!
5) What's in your pockets?
Tissues, a KN95 mask, a finger splint for my sprained finger, my phone, a thumb drive, cough drops, antiacids, pain killers, my work ID, a bluetooth earbud, and some change for the vending machine. I wear cargo pants and a frumpy cardigan sweater with pockets most days to work - so lots of pockets!
1. Have you seen a solar eclipse? Total, Partial, Annular? When and where?
Yep, last week. April 8th San Antonio TX. I was in San Antonio for a conference and it just happened to be during the solar eclipse. Unfortunately the day was very cloudy and overcast so we only saw a sliver of the crescent peek out from behind the clouds, but we did not see the full eclipse at its peak.
I also saw a partial eclipse a few years ago, we all went outside on campus and watched it. It was a sunny day and the eclipse was quite visible.
2. Have you seen a lunar eclipse? Full? Partial? When and where?
Don't remember ever seeing a lunar eclips.
3. Have you seen a comet? Which one? When and where?
Yep, but can't say when or where. Hubby dragged me outside to see it.
4. Have you seen a nova or supernova? When and where?
No.
5. Have you seen a meteor shower? Which one, when and where?
Yep, the hubby dragged me out of bed to see part of one.
Yep, last week. April 8th San Antonio TX. I was in San Antonio for a conference and it just happened to be during the solar eclipse. Unfortunately the day was very cloudy and overcast so we only saw a sliver of the crescent peek out from behind the clouds, but we did not see the full eclipse at its peak.
I also saw a partial eclipse a few years ago, we all went outside on campus and watched it. It was a sunny day and the eclipse was quite visible.
2. Have you seen a lunar eclipse? Full? Partial? When and where?
Don't remember ever seeing a lunar eclips.
3. Have you seen a comet? Which one? When and where?
Yep, but can't say when or where. Hubby dragged me outside to see it.
4. Have you seen a nova or supernova? When and where?
No.
5. Have you seen a meteor shower? Which one, when and where?
Yep, the hubby dragged me out of bed to see part of one.
Friday Five for March 29th
Apr. 3rd, 2024 07:00 am1. Rice or potatoes?
Either depending on the meal. Some things go better with rice other items better with potatoes.
2. Fish or red meat?
Red meat is my preference (burgers/steak). Not a big fin fish fan (the occasional fish & chips). But I love shell fish (mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, crab, etc.)
3. Salad or cooked vegetables?
Depends on the meal. I love both, and soups made from veges like squash soups.
4. Cake or ice cream?
Yes - love cake & ice cream. And I also love pies, puddings, trifles, scones, muffins, etc.
5. Water, soft drink, wine, beer, or hard alcohol?
Addicted to sodas, but enjoy water, red wine, a few beers (red & amber ales), fruity mixed drinks (Daiquiri, Margaritas, Crushes, Blender drinks, etc). And I also enjoy some ciders & meads. But I'm a big tea drinker (hot & iced) and drink milk most days as well.
Either depending on the meal. Some things go better with rice other items better with potatoes.
2. Fish or red meat?
Red meat is my preference (burgers/steak). Not a big fin fish fan (the occasional fish & chips). But I love shell fish (mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, crab, etc.)
3. Salad or cooked vegetables?
Depends on the meal. I love both, and soups made from veges like squash soups.
4. Cake or ice cream?
Yes - love cake & ice cream. And I also love pies, puddings, trifles, scones, muffins, etc.
5. Water, soft drink, wine, beer, or hard alcohol?
Addicted to sodas, but enjoy water, red wine, a few beers (red & amber ales), fruity mixed drinks (Daiquiri, Margaritas, Crushes, Blender drinks, etc). And I also enjoy some ciders & meads. But I'm a big tea drinker (hot & iced) and drink milk most days as well.
Friday Five for Feb 23rd
Mar. 4th, 2024 04:34 pmWhat is the name of...
1. Your favorite book?
Not just one but I have a few favorite series: I loved the Xanth Series by Piers Anthony back in the 80s and Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Steampunk Series (2011-2021) and a great series I read on vacation at the beach was the Demon Hunting Soccer Mom Series by Julia Kenner - just imagine "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" all grown up as a middle-aged mom.
2. Your favorite movie?
My favorite guilty pleasure movie is probably "Demolition Man" with Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.
3. Your least favorite adaptation of a book to a movie?
Avatar: The Last Airbender was terrible.
5. Your first ever novel/comic book/movie character crush?
I loved Charlotte's web as a kid and adored Wilbur. As a kid I really loved Charlotte and Wilbur. So after seeing that movie at age 7, I refused to eat pork for over a year. Everytime I was served meat I would ask it if was pig and if it was I refused to eat it.
1. Your favorite book?
Not just one but I have a few favorite series: I loved the Xanth Series by Piers Anthony back in the 80s and Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Steampunk Series (2011-2021) and a great series I read on vacation at the beach was the Demon Hunting Soccer Mom Series by Julia Kenner - just imagine "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" all grown up as a middle-aged mom.
2. Your favorite movie?
My favorite guilty pleasure movie is probably "Demolition Man" with Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.
3. Your least favorite adaptation of a book to a movie?
OMG there are several: The Percy Jackson movies weren't anything like the books just had some characters wtih the same names. And the movie adaptation of the Golden Compass was just so sad.
4. Your least favorite adaptation ever of anything to a movie?Avatar: The Last Airbender was terrible.
5. Your first ever novel/comic book/movie character crush?
I loved Charlotte's web as a kid and adored Wilbur. As a kid I really loved Charlotte and Wilbur. So after seeing that movie at age 7, I refused to eat pork for over a year. Everytime I was served meat I would ask it if was pig and if it was I refused to eat it.
Friday Five Feb 16
Feb. 16th, 2024 12:14 pmIt's presidents' day in the US, so in honor of the long weekend...
1. Have you ever been the president of anything?
Yes! I was president of the Columbia Jaycees back in my 20s.
2. What do you think is the most important leadership trait?
To be diplomatic and be able to direct people. Wranging people all in the same direction in a volunteer organization is like herding cats. And also knowing which people really don't get along and be sure not to schedule them to work the same shift alone together for an event.
3. What time period did you find the most interesting to learn about in history class?
I loved a US History class I took in college that was a Saturday class. Every Saturday we would take a field trip to a local "history" spot and it was awesome to see the history or see where the history occurred.
4. What's something you think about doing, but you haven't gotten back into in several years?
Mosaic glass art, archery, and cycling. Since we purchased our beach house we've been very busy with fixing it up. And since COVID, we have not been indulging in hobbies that put us in close proximity to strangers. And since FIL died we've been swamped with ESTATE stuff and rehabbing SIL's house (inherited from FIL) in any and all spare time.
I would also like to do more TRAVEL as much of our travel was curtailed since the COVID pandemic started, and more international TRAVEL as we haven't done any since we purchased our beach house, as our international travel budget was replaced by the vacation home budget.
5. If you could add one more random holiday to February, what would it be?
I just need to start observing these two: National Internet Friends Day Feb 13th and National Margarita Day Feb 22nd.
1. Have you ever been the president of anything?
Yes! I was president of the Columbia Jaycees back in my 20s.
2. What do you think is the most important leadership trait?
To be diplomatic and be able to direct people. Wranging people all in the same direction in a volunteer organization is like herding cats. And also knowing which people really don't get along and be sure not to schedule them to work the same shift alone together for an event.
3. What time period did you find the most interesting to learn about in history class?
I loved a US History class I took in college that was a Saturday class. Every Saturday we would take a field trip to a local "history" spot and it was awesome to see the history or see where the history occurred.
4. What's something you think about doing, but you haven't gotten back into in several years?
Mosaic glass art, archery, and cycling. Since we purchased our beach house we've been very busy with fixing it up. And since COVID, we have not been indulging in hobbies that put us in close proximity to strangers. And since FIL died we've been swamped with ESTATE stuff and rehabbing SIL's house (inherited from FIL) in any and all spare time.
I would also like to do more TRAVEL as much of our travel was curtailed since the COVID pandemic started, and more international TRAVEL as we haven't done any since we purchased our beach house, as our international travel budget was replaced by the vacation home budget.
5. If you could add one more random holiday to February, what would it be?
I just need to start observing these two: National Internet Friends Day Feb 13th and National Margarita Day Feb 22nd.
Friday Five for 9 February 2024
Feb. 9th, 2024 01:05 pmThe Friday Five for 9 February 2024
1. At what age did you discover you had a favorite color?
No flipping idea but as a teen I loved blues. Now I prefer greens and oranges.
2. What type (genre) of film do you prefer to see in a theater versus one you'd watch at home?
Prefer to watch things like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars in theaters because the sound and color are so much better
3. What's your oldest object or item since childhood?
Probably the now mostly furless, dirt-coloured stuffed toy Scottish Terrier. I also have a few of my Grandparents things that are older than me, like dining room furniture and silver but they weren't mine until I'd been an adult.
4. In what book would you insert yourself as a side character or friend to the protagonist?
Hmmm, some sort of fantasy character with magic powers would be awesome!
5. What's your favorite shape or type of cloud?
A cloud shaped like an Ice Cream Cone or Puppy or Kitten or Dragon perhaps
1. At what age did you discover you had a favorite color?
No flipping idea but as a teen I loved blues. Now I prefer greens and oranges.
2. What type (genre) of film do you prefer to see in a theater versus one you'd watch at home?
Prefer to watch things like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars in theaters because the sound and color are so much better
3. What's your oldest object or item since childhood?
Probably the now mostly furless, dirt-coloured stuffed toy Scottish Terrier. I also have a few of my Grandparents things that are older than me, like dining room furniture and silver but they weren't mine until I'd been an adult.
4. In what book would you insert yourself as a side character or friend to the protagonist?
Hmmm, some sort of fantasy character with magic powers would be awesome!
5. What's your favorite shape or type of cloud?
A cloud shaped like an Ice Cream Cone or Puppy or Kitten or Dragon perhaps
1. Do you cook regularly or does someone else cook for you?
My husband cooks most the time. He is WFH so by the time I get home from work dinner is on the table most nights. I probably only cook dinner once or twice a week.
2. Which are you better at making: sweet or savory foods?
Both - things like soups, casseroles, crock pot meals, eggs, scones, breads, desserts, etc.
3. If you had to work as a chef in a restaurant of your choice, which restaurant would best complement your current culinary skills?
Comfort foods
4. What is a cooking tip that you know, but other people generally aren’t aware of?
Don't have one.
5. Do you have a recipe you would like to share?
Yes two Recipes:
Recipe 1:
Pineapple-Super Chili Salsa
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 super chile hot peppers, stemmed and chopped
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Kosher salt
Add the pineapple, cilantro, peppers, onion, lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water to a blender and puree until smooth.
Recipe 2:
Lemon Curd & Banana Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Topping
I use Home Made Honey Bread to Make French Toast and then Spread with Lemon Curd and Sliced Bananas, then top with Strawberry Sauce
Honey Bread in my bread machine
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Follow bread machine instructions
Strawberry Sauce
1 lb Strawberries, rinsed, hulled and thickly sliced
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 Lemon)
In a medium saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice. Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer 20-23 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
My husband cooks most the time. He is WFH so by the time I get home from work dinner is on the table most nights. I probably only cook dinner once or twice a week.
2. Which are you better at making: sweet or savory foods?
Both - things like soups, casseroles, crock pot meals, eggs, scones, breads, desserts, etc.
3. If you had to work as a chef in a restaurant of your choice, which restaurant would best complement your current culinary skills?
Comfort foods
4. What is a cooking tip that you know, but other people generally aren’t aware of?
Don't have one.
5. Do you have a recipe you would like to share?
Yes two Recipes:
Recipe 1:
Pineapple-Super Chili Salsa
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 super chile hot peppers, stemmed and chopped
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Kosher salt
Add the pineapple, cilantro, peppers, onion, lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup water to a blender and puree until smooth.
Recipe 2:
Lemon Curd & Banana Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Topping
I use Home Made Honey Bread to Make French Toast and then Spread with Lemon Curd and Sliced Bananas, then top with Strawberry Sauce
Honey Bread in my bread machine
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Follow bread machine instructions
Strawberry Sauce
1 lb Strawberries, rinsed, hulled and thickly sliced
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 Lemon)
In a medium saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice. Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer 20-23 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
Mutiny is a Brewing
Jan. 23rd, 2024 11:08 amWeek two with no heat in our office suite
Yesterday - no water in our building
Overhearing plans of Mutiny: the Malcontents are demanding both heat and water.
But seriously, my officemate purchased COSTCO spaceheaters so that is better than wearing my Snuggly or a Parka inside until they fix the HVAC. And at least the water is working the next bldg over. But I'm still hiking across campus to park in Lot 2 as Lot 5 in front of our building is an Ice-Skating Rink from the water main break that is still not fixed.
Update 01/24/2024:
1. Water main break has been repaired. We again have running water - Yeah!
2. The electric space heaters are doing their job of keeping our office a comfortable temperature.
3. I was able to park in the Lot in front of our bldg today not a mile across campus.
Yesterday - no water in our building
Overhearing plans of Mutiny: the Malcontents are demanding both heat and water.
But seriously, my officemate purchased COSTCO spaceheaters so that is better than wearing my Snuggly or a Parka inside until they fix the HVAC. And at least the water is working the next bldg over. But I'm still hiking across campus to park in Lot 2 as Lot 5 in front of our building is an Ice-Skating Rink from the water main break that is still not fixed.
Update 01/24/2024:
1. Water main break has been repaired. We again have running water - Yeah!
2. The electric space heaters are doing their job of keeping our office a comfortable temperature.
3. I was able to park in the Lot in front of our bldg today not a mile across campus.
thefridayfive
1. Which website do you go to more often than any other?
Facebook
2. Which website have you stopped going to, that you used to go to a lot?
LiveJournal back in the day, but now I use Dreamwidth as my journal instead
3. What is the weirdest or most unusual website you have bookmarked?
Smelly poop (back in the day)
4. If you shop online, which online store do you buy from most often?
Amazon? Or Chewy?
5. Which online stores do you browse but almost never buy from?
Renaissance Faire Clothing sites. I look at things on the websites but I have to try clothes on in person.
1. Which website do you go to more often than any other?
2. Which website have you stopped going to, that you used to go to a lot?
LiveJournal back in the day, but now I use Dreamwidth as my journal instead
3. What is the weirdest or most unusual website you have bookmarked?
Smelly poop (back in the day)
4. If you shop online, which online store do you buy from most often?
Amazon? Or Chewy?
5. Which online stores do you browse but almost never buy from?
Renaissance Faire Clothing sites. I look at things on the websites but I have to try clothes on in person.
The Friday Five for 28 July 2023
1. When did you recently have the feeling, "Life is good."
Every weekend and most evenings. I'm really loving where my life is right now.
2. Which do you need more, routine or spontaneity?
A good mix of both:
Routine - M to F to get my shit together for and at work.
Spontaneity - evenings and on the weekends.
3. Do you have a difficult or annoying neighbor?
Not currently. We have good neighors right now.
4. What do you want to change about yourself?
Get a little more fit and lose a few pounds.
5. What do you like best about where you live?
Far enough out that we are in a quiet suburban neighborhood, close enough to the city that it is a short drive to do so many fun things downtown (museums, shows, restaurants, shops, etc.), and close enough to the country that it's a short drive to enjoy the outdoors (wineries, parks, lakes, rivers, etc.).
1. When did you recently have the feeling, "Life is good."
Every weekend and most evenings. I'm really loving where my life is right now.
2. Which do you need more, routine or spontaneity?
A good mix of both:
Routine - M to F to get my shit together for and at work.
Spontaneity - evenings and on the weekends.
3. Do you have a difficult or annoying neighbor?
Not currently. We have good neighors right now.
4. What do you want to change about yourself?
Get a little more fit and lose a few pounds.
5. What do you like best about where you live?
Far enough out that we are in a quiet suburban neighborhood, close enough to the city that it is a short drive to do so many fun things downtown (museums, shows, restaurants, shops, etc.), and close enough to the country that it's a short drive to enjoy the outdoors (wineries, parks, lakes, rivers, etc.).
This was an article I found online ages ago at this website which is now defunct so I'm not even sure who the author is:
http://collegewebguy.com/2008/02/04/ten-reasons-why-my-university-job-is-better-than-your-corporate-job/
And even though post-COVID, things aren't quite as rosy as they were pre-COVID, as too many people retired early (mass exodus) during COVID, and they haven't yet replaced them all, I still agree with this article even though I'm an application developer in a college environment. The following 10 reasons still apply:
( Click here to read the article )
I'll add a few benefits that are available at the college I work at:
http://collegewebguy.com/2008/02/04/ten-reasons-why-my-university-job-is-better-than-your-corporate-job/
And even though post-COVID, things aren't quite as rosy as they were pre-COVID, as too many people retired early (mass exodus) during COVID, and they haven't yet replaced them all, I still agree with this article even though I'm an application developer in a college environment. The following 10 reasons still apply:
( Click here to read the article )
I'll add a few benefits that are available at the college I work at:
1. Performing Arts Productions: Musical performances, Theatre performances and Art Exhibits
2. Planetarium: I've taken my family to numerous planetarium shows
3. Vaccination Clinics: for employees and family including Flu Shots, Shingle, Pneumonia and COVID Vaccines
4. Blood Drives on campus: I've donated blood on my lunch hour on many occasions
5. Professional Development Day: Day designated for faculty and staff to attend Classes on Campus to learn new skills both work related training and non-work fitness, hobby and craft classes
6. Conferences & Software Training: I've been sent to education software conferences and software training in New Orleans, Anaheim, Denver, Kansas City, and Reston, VA. I've attended these eight times in the past 10 years.
7. Tuition Discount: Still need to pay fees and books like the author above, but Full-time Benefit Eligible Employees can take credit and non-credit classes tution free, and their dependants can get tuition reimbursement for classes for their first degree with a grade of C or better. Since working here, I've completed 2 certificates, an AA Degree and taken numerous non-credit classes: IT skills, woodworking, DIY home improvement, aqua aerobics, etc. And my college-age child is currently half way done with completing their AA.
8. Vacation / Time Off: 4 weeks vacation a year, a week off for Spring Break and a week off for Winter Break on top of all the normal holidays. In private industry I could never have imagined having 6 weeks off a year. And sick leave for FT professional employees is 18 days a year which I'll never, ever use unless I need major surgery. I currently have 800 hrs of sick leave accrued, whereas, at my previous private industry job I was always dipping into my vacation time after all my sick leave was exhausted due to my kid being sick.
9. Flexible Hours: We have team members that work 7:30 to 3:30, 8:00 to 4:00, 8:30 to 4:30, 9:00 to 5:00, 9:30 to 5:30, and 10:00 to 6:00. This allows our team to have coverage during all work hours, and we have team members working all the different shift times.
10. Subsidized Cafeteria: that is much less expensive than off-campus fast food options
11. Campus Events: Snowcones, Italian Ice or Icecream on the Quad, End of Term Picnic/BBQs, Employee Service Award Banquets, Alumni Crab Feast, Year End Celebration, Holiday Party, Holiday Door Decorations, Fall Focus Luncheon, Halloween Costume Competition, Craft Fair, Lunchtime Fitness & Yoga Classes, Lunch & Sketch, Bring Your Child to Work Day, New Employee Meet & Greet, Floral Design Holiday Classes, Self Defense Class, etc.
2. Planetarium: I've taken my family to numerous planetarium shows
3. Vaccination Clinics: for employees and family including Flu Shots, Shingle, Pneumonia and COVID Vaccines
4. Blood Drives on campus: I've donated blood on my lunch hour on many occasions
5. Professional Development Day: Day designated for faculty and staff to attend Classes on Campus to learn new skills both work related training and non-work fitness, hobby and craft classes
6. Conferences & Software Training: I've been sent to education software conferences and software training in New Orleans, Anaheim, Denver, Kansas City, and Reston, VA. I've attended these eight times in the past 10 years.
7. Tuition Discount: Still need to pay fees and books like the author above, but Full-time Benefit Eligible Employees can take credit and non-credit classes tution free, and their dependants can get tuition reimbursement for classes for their first degree with a grade of C or better. Since working here, I've completed 2 certificates, an AA Degree and taken numerous non-credit classes: IT skills, woodworking, DIY home improvement, aqua aerobics, etc. And my college-age child is currently half way done with completing their AA.
8. Vacation / Time Off: 4 weeks vacation a year, a week off for Spring Break and a week off for Winter Break on top of all the normal holidays. In private industry I could never have imagined having 6 weeks off a year. And sick leave for FT professional employees is 18 days a year which I'll never, ever use unless I need major surgery. I currently have 800 hrs of sick leave accrued, whereas, at my previous private industry job I was always dipping into my vacation time after all my sick leave was exhausted due to my kid being sick.
9. Flexible Hours: We have team members that work 7:30 to 3:30, 8:00 to 4:00, 8:30 to 4:30, 9:00 to 5:00, 9:30 to 5:30, and 10:00 to 6:00. This allows our team to have coverage during all work hours, and we have team members working all the different shift times.
10. Subsidized Cafeteria: that is much less expensive than off-campus fast food options
11. Campus Events: Snowcones, Italian Ice or Icecream on the Quad, End of Term Picnic/BBQs, Employee Service Award Banquets, Alumni Crab Feast, Year End Celebration, Holiday Party, Holiday Door Decorations, Fall Focus Luncheon, Halloween Costume Competition, Craft Fair, Lunchtime Fitness & Yoga Classes, Lunch & Sketch, Bring Your Child to Work Day, New Employee Meet & Greet, Floral Design Holiday Classes, Self Defense Class, etc.
According to the dictionary:
Contentment - a state of happiness and satisfaction
"Contentment, or the state of being content, is about peaceful satisfaction"
Happiness - feeling of showing pleasure
"Happiness is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment. When people are successful, or safe, or lucky, they feel happiness."
"Happiness is self-contentedness. - Aristotle"
( more of my thoughts on this )
Adversity - I believe I'm more thankful for things now vs. in my youth due to obstacles that have been overcome. Surviving challenges (whether it is recovering from an injury, heartbreak, death of a loved one, job loss, etc.) are lessons learned, build character, fine-tune perspective, and make me more appreciative of what I now have.
Whether you’re facing a global or personal crisis—or a mix of both—building resilience can help you cope with stress, overcome adversity, and enjoy the better days to come: Surviving Tough Times by Building Resilience
Whether you’re facing a global or personal crisis—or a mix of both—building resilience can help you cope with stress, overcome adversity, and enjoy the better days to come: Surviving Tough Times by Building Resilience
Today I was asked, "People who absolutely love their lives, what's their story?".
So I googled it and found that these are the qualities those people have:
They surround themselves with positive people, cultivate strong relationships with people they trust and that support them, take responsibility for their actions, roll with the punches - when the unexpected happens they shift gears and find another direction (life can be an adventure or an ordeal and they choose to make it an adventure), take each mistake and grow with it, learn from their past, have dreams, believe in possibilities, are persistent and take real actions to achieve their goals, talk about positive things and events, reflect on good things in their lives, enjoy discovering new things (places, things, & people), can laugh about themselves, are honest and have integrity, are altruistic and help others, set personal boundaries, love their real friends, don't try to change people, let go of people that choose to leave their lives, feel gratitude and say thank you, are thankful for what they have and appreciate gifts that are given to them, use change as an opportunity to grow, take action in spite of their fears and always give themselves another chance.
So I googled it and found that these are the qualities those people have:
They surround themselves with positive people, cultivate strong relationships with people they trust and that support them, take responsibility for their actions, roll with the punches - when the unexpected happens they shift gears and find another direction (life can be an adventure or an ordeal and they choose to make it an adventure), take each mistake and grow with it, learn from their past, have dreams, believe in possibilities, are persistent and take real actions to achieve their goals, talk about positive things and events, reflect on good things in their lives, enjoy discovering new things (places, things, & people), can laugh about themselves, are honest and have integrity, are altruistic and help others, set personal boundaries, love their real friends, don't try to change people, let go of people that choose to leave their lives, feel gratitude and say thank you, are thankful for what they have and appreciate gifts that are given to them, use change as an opportunity to grow, take action in spite of their fears and always give themselves another chance.
Coming up on 6 years at CCBC
Jul. 2nd, 2019 11:18 amStill love working here and yes this is so much better than any corporate gig or consulting job I ever had before coming here. And yes it was worth a $20,000 pay cut as it more than made up for it in benefits especially medical coverage and pension.
And this is an article from years ago that is still applicable:
http://collegewebguy.com/2008/02/04/ten-reasons-why-my-university-job-is-better-than-your-corporate-job/
and yes for me this job has been so much more wonderful than any other place I ever worked especially the time off:
4-weeks vacation a year plus a week for Spring Break and for Winter Break - YEAH!!
Additional Perks:
And this is an article from years ago that is still applicable:
http://collegewebguy.com/2008/02/04/ten-reasons-why-my-university-job-is-better-than-your-corporate-job/
and yes for me this job has been so much more wonderful than any other place I ever worked especially the time off:
4-weeks vacation a year plus a week for Spring Break and for Winter Break - YEAH!!
Additional Perks:
- Tuition-free classes for employees: Completed an Associates of Applied Science in Accounting (graduated Summa Cum Laude) and I'll receive tuition discounts for dependents when my kid attends college
- School Cafeteria: Good Meals at Discounted Prices
- Planetarium Shows: Open to Employees, Families and the Public
- Theatre Productions: Great College and Community Theatre shows for which I can purchase discounted tickets
- Conferences & Professional Development: Been sent to educational software conferences, training and professional development events every year since I stared here including places like: New Orleans, LA; Anaheim, CA; Denver, CO; Fairfax, VA; & Kansas City, MO
- Faculty/Staff Discounts: for local businesses including the symphony orchestra (BSO), miniature golfing, swing dancing, kayaking, stand-Up paddle boarding (SUP), bike riding, tubing, fitness centers, fabric store, etc.
Have you had the same hobbies for years or changed many of your hobbies as you aged? Are many of your friends really into their hobbies? What hobbies do you enjoy, what hobbies do you no longer enjoy, what hobbies do you enjoy but don't currently have time or the $$ to pursue, what hobbies do your friends and family enjoy? Are you really into sports, music, art, crafts, reenacting, gaming, etc?
Right now I'm enjoying:
My 8 yr. old also does these with me.
She is also taking classes in:
And lasty, she is also doing:
In the past, I've tried cross-stitch, sewing, plexiglass art, painting with acrylics, drawing, cycling, boating, waterskiing, snow-skiing, colonial re-enactment, pottery painting, violin, mandolin, etc.
My husband has tried chainmail, blacksmithing, wood lathing, furniture upholstery, colonial re-enactment and even fencing.
My brother and my husband's best friend are really into cars and have been for years. He always has multiple project cars and they are always in various stages of restoration.
My cousin is also a car person, and even has one that he races. He also does model railroading.
I have many friends (male & female) into reenacting and gaming.
I have many female friends and female family members that are really into gardening, spinning, crocheting and knitting right now. Like these are the "in" hobbies to be doing.
I also have a few friends that are scrapbookers, collectors (comic books, stamps, coins, antiques, etc.), photographers, and painters.
I also have some friends that don't do hobbies. They go to work, come home, spend time with their families and that is about it.
Just wondering what your favorite hobbies are, and what you notice those around you doing.
Right now I'm enjoying:
- piano
- mosaic glass
My 8 yr. old also does these with me.
She is also taking classes in:
- dance
- kenpo & jiu-jitsu
And lasty, she is also doing:
- juggling
In the past, I've tried cross-stitch, sewing, plexiglass art, painting with acrylics, drawing, cycling, boating, waterskiing, snow-skiing, colonial re-enactment, pottery painting, violin, mandolin, etc.
My husband has tried chainmail, blacksmithing, wood lathing, furniture upholstery, colonial re-enactment and even fencing.
My brother and my husband's best friend are really into cars and have been for years. He always has multiple project cars and they are always in various stages of restoration.
My cousin is also a car person, and even has one that he races. He also does model railroading.
I have many friends (male & female) into reenacting and gaming.
I have many female friends and female family members that are really into gardening, spinning, crocheting and knitting right now. Like these are the "in" hobbies to be doing.
I also have a few friends that are scrapbookers, collectors (comic books, stamps, coins, antiques, etc.), photographers, and painters.
I also have some friends that don't do hobbies. They go to work, come home, spend time with their families and that is about it.
Just wondering what your favorite hobbies are, and what you notice those around you doing.
