Tough.
Week.
Ugh.
Sigh.
I want a bath.
They don't have baths here.
The shower stall in my hotel room has the taps to the shower outside the stall. No kidding. 1940s structure with some kind of update. Who thinks this is a reasonable solution to the problem?
But I digress. Back to the week that has just past.
From the 6 am calls with Canada to the 11pm call with Ireland on Friday while drinking a glass of wine. Stuck at my desk all hours, incapable of getting away, even for a bite of lunch (and the hotel food too disapointing to call room service.)
I knew there would be times like this. 60+ hours later, I'm wiped and looking forward to some Brisbane adventures.
I'm also looking forward to re-configuring my priorities to make them more manageable. Last thing any of us want is me becoming sick.
I'm not surprised or daunted. This kind of thing happens with every new project. You think things through in advance, believe you have it all mapped out. Then the rubber hits the road and your car skids from side to side for the first few blocks. The key is to keep focused, look at the big picture and take a deep breath. Figure out the steering and get it into focus. So, that's in my thoughts this weekend.
During the week I realized that there are really only 3 days of shared work with other time zones: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On my Monday it's everyone else's Sunday night. On my Friday night, everyone is just getting started on their Friday. Any communication with the home offices, such as setting up an interview with a potential candidate, typically takes a 2 or 3 day exchange.
Amidst all of the mayhem there were successes. A new team member who seems to have gotten off to a blazing start. Meeting some talented individuals who shimmer with a vibrancy that rubs off on you and makes you feel good all over. Meeting some clients who have great ideas, are forward looking and fun to be with, too.
So, although it's been tough I'm not bowed, only emboldened. It is the spirits of the people I work with, the positives sparks we ignite together, that make me feel like I'm making progress, and that's what keeps me going. Small steps, yes. But progress.
I can't wait to tell you what happened on my Saturday! Log back in tomorrow for all the exciting details and photos.
Cheers.
Week.
Ugh.
Sigh.
I want a bath.
They don't have baths here.
But I digress. Back to the week that has just past.
From the 6 am calls with Canada to the 11pm call with Ireland on Friday while drinking a glass of wine. Stuck at my desk all hours, incapable of getting away, even for a bite of lunch (and the hotel food too disapointing to call room service.)
I knew there would be times like this. 60+ hours later, I'm wiped and looking forward to some Brisbane adventures.
I'm also looking forward to re-configuring my priorities to make them more manageable. Last thing any of us want is me becoming sick.
I'm not surprised or daunted. This kind of thing happens with every new project. You think things through in advance, believe you have it all mapped out. Then the rubber hits the road and your car skids from side to side for the first few blocks. The key is to keep focused, look at the big picture and take a deep breath. Figure out the steering and get it into focus. So, that's in my thoughts this weekend.
During the week I realized that there are really only 3 days of shared work with other time zones: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On my Monday it's everyone else's Sunday night. On my Friday night, everyone is just getting started on their Friday. Any communication with the home offices, such as setting up an interview with a potential candidate, typically takes a 2 or 3 day exchange.
Amidst all of the mayhem there were successes. A new team member who seems to have gotten off to a blazing start. Meeting some talented individuals who shimmer with a vibrancy that rubs off on you and makes you feel good all over. Meeting some clients who have great ideas, are forward looking and fun to be with, too.
So, although it's been tough I'm not bowed, only emboldened. It is the spirits of the people I work with, the positives sparks we ignite together, that make me feel like I'm making progress, and that's what keeps me going. Small steps, yes. But progress.
I can't wait to tell you what happened on my Saturday! Log back in tomorrow for all the exciting details and photos.
Cheers.
Love the car skidding analogy. What are you, a writer or something?
ReplyDeleteAt least the bathroom looks clean...
HI Colleen
ReplyDeleteI just got off the phone with Mom and we both miss you! We have been reading your blog too. Mom really loves the pic of you holding the koala bear and I printed a copy of it for her. She has it electronically, but prefers to have something she can put on her fridge with a magnet.
We are planning to have a quiet Thanksgiving together up at her place. We are going to get a capon and cook it together... and we will be thinking of you. Maybe we could have a skype call. Not sure how that would work with the time change and all, but I will bring my Mac and if necessary we can go over to Glenn and Carolynn's place for a better Internet connection. So can you think of a time when we could do that?
I loved reading the part about how you miss your home and your cats and your bathtub. Before you know it you will be back here coming to see the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir perform.
Love you and miss you, Colleen!
Cathe