Farewell June 2013 - Busy and Blessed Birthday Month

June 2013 was an absolutely busy month!  I am so blessed to have been so very busily engaged in many wonderful events this, my birthday month of June.

Professional:
I had 3 back to back seminar dinners at the Hilton on important professional healthcare topics.  I also attended an additional seminar dinner at Morton's The Steakhouse.

Church work:
I was very active in church work with fellowship in the June Birthday Club- prepared my favorite rice casserole dish, deli sandwiches and hot dog sandwiches on Sundays.  Plus I assisted with Confirmation Sunday and Graduation Sunday - two very promising recognition Sundays that focused on our progressive youth.
I participated in the Deacon's Pastor Breakfast event that included baking a new breakfast casserole.
I also hosted lunch for our quarterly Deacon's Retreat.

Work:
Rapidly acclimating to my new job. It has been very busy and very productive.

Me:
I spent my birthday in fabulous Las Vegas.  But as usually, I spend a lot of time working on projects. It is something about that desert that is really great for taking work to a much higher level of production.  I have been taking work to Vegas since 2007 when I was teaching LPN students at PCCTI.  I developed major fundamentals of nursing catalogs for RNs and LPNs in Las Vegas.  I did a lot of work for my current employer during my recent visit to Vegas.

Family:
Not much time spent with family, until yesterday.  Spent time with my sister and niece then we headed out to a nice birthday party for my aunt, which essentially turned out to be a mini reunion.

So for June 2013, every weekend was busy.  I enjoyed it.  But now its time to wind down a bit for July.

Thanks be to God for enabling me to be active, productive and effective in my birthday month of June 2013!

Sunday Morning Reflections- My New Workplace 2013

I have been settling into my new workplace for two weeks now.  This is the first time, I have been employed outside of the city of Chicago.  In the past, it would take me less than about 45 minutes to travel by car.  In most instances I drove to work.

Now, I take the public transportation and Metra and it takes 2 hours.  A nice long time.  BUT, it is worth the time.  The travel time is actually less than two hours, but I do not believe in rushing and once I arrive at the train station, I wait over 30 minutes for the train to leave.  From station to station it is only 30 minutes... not bad.

Anyway, let me now offer a bigger picture of this situation.  WARNING... I have many items to list, so get your coffee or beverage, because this is important!

NEW WORKPLACE:

• I had to leave Chicago in order to land a job at an excellent workplace! I've been there only 2 weeks, and I know that of which I speak!  

• I am so relaxed on my rides into work.  It is so much better than driving.  I am able to think, play games and relax.  I do not arrive stressed out due to driving.

• On the very few occasions when I drive, parking is on site and FREE!!!!

• I have a lovely and very efficient private office that I deserve.

•  Co-workers are pleasant and hard workers.  I am honored to work with such effective folks.

•  Nice coffee available!  YES!!!  It is free and delicious!

•   My office is located in an ideal location.  Corner office, right at bathroom, water fountain and workstation kiosk.

• Desk is equipped with high tech and efficient computer that is connected to printer/scanner.

•  Printer / scanner is one of the best!!!!

• Building is secured, FOB is required for entry.

• A lot of travel is required for conferences and I am the key person to accreditation for conferences.

• I have nice hours and I work very hard!  I have always been a hard working hustler in my workplaces, but this place is different.  I meet with upper management, who appreciates the work that I do.  

• The attire is casual.  So, it is fun to wear jeans and gym shoes to work!!!  Casual Fridays are everyday!  

So, from these points, this is why the lengthy travel time is worth it.  However, when I drive, it only takes 40 minutes, but I do not plan to drive no more than once or twice a month.


PREVIOUS CHICAGO WORKPLACES:

• One place was so miserable, all folks did was pray for early retirement.  No one hardly ever had a good thing to say about it.  That workplace was indeed TOXIC from so many perspectives!

• Parking was expensive and vicious at that workplace for employees.  The garage was lousy and poorly maintained.  I had a co-worker who slipped, fell and got injured from icy conditions!

• No such thing as free coffee at that workplace. 

• It only took 25 minutes to drive there, but the time system was vicious, swiping was an insult and so many folks were resentful of the registered nurse!

• The conversations with co-workers was always in relationship to.... "How many years until retirement!"

• A different workplace was in a lovely upscale office building in downtown.  Esthetics were beautiful, but internally, it was the WORSE place ever!  We were confined to cubicles like rats. No one seemed to be happy and most folks left after 2 years.  I resigned from this place twice!   

• My bus drives past this same office building everyday.  I enjoy that ride, because it reminds me of how much I hated that place!!!  

• Another workplace was nice, but, I did not like working evenings.  There was just too much uncompensated work.  Administration must learn that they must honor contracts!  I never missed a day of work and resented being pulled out of teaching to attend meetings.  As a valued educator, I expected regular (but not frequent) meetings.  I am not a secretary and do NOT do minutes.  

• I had a nice decent office, but administrators must remember to have conversations with valued employees.  But overall, this was a nice organization, but I do not do evenings.

• Another Chicago workplace was just awful.  I never witnessed so many folks dependent on me.  So many folks who approached problems as educational in nature.   I had NO privacy and shared an office with two other folks who always used the SPEAKERS ON THEIR PHONES!!!  No office etiquette.   I was not the employee to share an office.  Forget about it!  This certain workplace has a long way to go.  The leadership group was pleasant.  I liked them.  But, my little work unit needed a major overhaul.

So, those are the reasons I have NO problems with the lengthy travel time to work.  I appreciate and really enjoy my new workplace.  Ya kind of have had to "walk a mile" in my shoes to appreciated where I have arrived today.  I am truly blessed.

First Work Week 2013

This first work week with my new employer was very interesting.  My new workplace is very professional and business focused.  Employees are professional, hard workers and proud of their work.
Here is what happened my first work week...
Monday- Drove in, what a mess!  Traffic was horribly backed up.What a nightmare.  Once at work, things were better.  Excellent orientation, nice office, excellent technology, nice aesthetics in building and very pleasant co-workers. Team took me out to a Tai restaurant for lunch.
Tuesday- I took CTA and Metra to work... walked 1/2 mile from train to office.  Nice quick brisk 10 minute walk.
Wednesday- Orientation meetings continued, enjoying the train ride to work.
Thursday- Lot of work done!!!  Pleasant train ride... but quite cold outside!

This is the first time in my career that I needed to take a train to work.  But, it is worth it to travel to a very professional work place!  Plus, I am saving a lot of wear and tear on my car!!!

I am the ANCC Lead Nurse Planner and Nurse Peer Review Leader for continuing nursing education.

Mother's Day 2013 - My Weekend in Review

Mother's Day 2013 was a bit different for me as compared to previous years.  It was quiet, serene and without all of the hustle and bustle. It was relaxing and enjoyable.

I was up early, drinking coffee and working on a major report, final product looked pretty good.  No church for me.  I have not been to church on Mother's Day since my beloved mother passed away.  I am not quite ready for that.  Let those with mothers celebrate as I had done for over 50 years.

No sulking here.  Received nice text messages from family members and friends.  Prepared grocery list for a fancy breakfast casserole I will be making for a Saturday event. Rented a Google video, which I promptly fell asleep on (Why do I keep wasting my money?  LOL)


To FairPlay for groceries on this cold Sunday afternoon, then visited my sister Janine, had a nice time with niece Jillian as well.  Returned home to prepared dinner... a simple garden salad and baked chicken wings. My brother Jon came over for dinner and cocktails.

But this was really a nice Mother's Day weekend.  I visit my son Jarrell on Saturday and later took my youngest nephew Drew out for a belated birthday dinner at The Boundary in Wicker Park.

So, in reflection, I made nice family rounds on this Mother's Day weekend.  I did not get a chance to see Jerald and Jamelle, but I did get a nice early morning text from their dad / my brother Jerome.

So it was a nice weekend... peaceful, quiet, connected and reflective.

Facebook Family Timeline Report Card

For about a couple of years now, we have finally formed our own Facebook personality.  Hence, it is time for me to grade the Facebook Timeline of my family members.






This evaluation is based on the following rubric:
          Presence:  Are updates present?
          Variety:  Are there multiple postings?  Blogs, photos, newsclips, etc.
          Junk: Games, applications... other stuff that does not interest others.
          Current:  Are updates timely?

Facebook Timeline Report Card

     Janet Williams Crawford (me):  A+ (Excellent variety and informative)
     Jamelle Robert Williams: A- (Nice updates, too much emphasis on sports)
     Andrew Williams: B (Nice but not enough photos)
     Jonathan Williams:  C (Nice photos, but updates decreasing)
     Jerald Williams: D+ (Lacks regularly consistent updates)
     Jillian Sneed:  D- (No updates)

Why I Am Enjoying My iPhone 5 - Let Me Count The Ways

 I am so happy that I made the switch from BlackBerry to the iPhone 5.  I was a long time BlackBerry enthusiast for many years... I am old school, I do not like switching stuff.   But starting last year, it seemed that RIM no longer ensured the fine quality support.  I was unable to add contacts, no Facebook, calendar did not maintain history and I could not update new email accounts.  So, I made the switch this month.

Let me know list why I am just luv'n this newfangled gadget:
1. My iPhone actually taught me how to get better use out of my iPad.  I just realized I can configure many email accounts into my iPad!

2. It is a valuable "office assistant" to me.  Really ideal for business solutions!  I am alerted to incoming emails and upcoming appointments/events.

3. Time Management.  When I arrive early to anything, I can just sit back, play my games and before I know it's time for whatever.

4. GPS.  My iPhone is powerful.  No lengthy waiting for navigation and tracking location.  My iPhone is ON IT FAST!

5. Utilities.  All of my contacts are easy to access.

6.  Notepad.  I always use this extensively for taking quick notes.


7. Games Games and More Games.  Need I say more????

8.  Apps!  The many options with iPhone applications is fantastic!

9. Camera.  I love taking and sharing photos.  I just discovered my iPhone camera has a flash!  YES!!!  It is easy to upload photos to Instagram (I just registered) and Facebook.

10. Expeditious Communications:  So many options!  Email, instant messaging, telephone and Facetime.

11.  Design Cases:  Kim Kardashian's floral gown is the same pattern as my nice iPhone case!  See below photo.

12. Right Sized Cover Case.  I know me.  I got a perfect case to contain and protect my iPhone.  No leaky ink on my iPhone!  LOL!

13. Screen.  Nice size screen, no problems visualizing anything.

14. On screen keyboard.  This is the way to go, no little buttons to deal with for typing.

15. Light-weight.  The iPhone 5 is light weight, fits perfectly in my purse and pockets.

I know I have and will identify more.  But, this is a nice start after just one week of use!!!

I'm luv'n it!!!

How to Talk with Folks

I am convinced that people do not know how to engage in conversations in person or in real time.  Folks must learn how to control that flapping hole in their face!  From my important viewpoint, here's why...

Keep the conversation short and brief.  No one wants to hear a line by line discussion about what you said to "so and so". SHUT UP!!!!

I may not agree with your bizarre perspective. More than likely, I totally disagree with your crazy viewpoint.  SHUT UP!!!!

Watch  my non-verbal response.  Did you notice my eyes shifted away??  Did you notice that I glanced at my watch?  Did you notice that polite smile I gave you?  Did you notice that I am NOT engaging in a dialog with you?  SHUT UP!!!!

Listen to me carefully!  Whenever I give a "grunt", that means SHUT UP!!!!

Keep your emotional conversations on the "lite" side.  I do not want to hear about your "train wreck", I'm probably too busy managing train wrecks in my inner circle.  For your heavy issues... go see a therapist!  I do not want to hear about your bizarre issues.

By the way... why have you not seen a psychiatrist, psychologist or a therapist?  I'm just saying...