Work & life this Saturday
I have been working at my new job for close to 2 months now and I must say, I really love it! It generally is a 9-5 M-F gig, however, in my position and all the responsibility it entails, I am expected to “do what it takes” to get things done…that includes coming in on a Saturday to finish audits. This was my first time doing this (and I gather it won’t be my last). Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed going in and getting the work done! I am pretty sure it is because of my partner in crime, Tiffany. We had a blast putting together an efficient plan of action to ensure we had had the right queries (now and for future use). We are both nerds who *LOVE* spreadsheets!
Backstory:
There is a state issued audit for community health centers. These numbers are due by Monday, March 2, 2009. Tiffany, the Director of Quality (i.e. Joint Commission) looked busy on Thursday so I asked her if I could help her. I committed to helping her run the audits for this report. We had finished most of it by Friday, but when I asked the Patient Services manager how things were coming along (she was entering our data into the state’s software program to capture this data), she asked us if we really performed 15, 000 chart audits. This started a cascade of sorts…actually moreso AVALANCHE, if you will. We found that all our data had to be recalculated because the way we interpreted the question gave us a different denominator. Long story, short: We had to come in on Saturday to re-do the whole thing.
Back to Normal Story:
Before beginning this time, we formulated a systematic approach and worked side by side, ensuring the other was performing the exact same details in the query. This time, spreadsheet in tow, we had all of our t’s crossed and all the i’s dotted. By the time we got done, we had formulated, documented, and calculated individual line items where even a non-auditor could interpret the breakdown of information. Tiffany & I have the same strong work ethic so we were both ELATED that our Saturday was SO productive. I don’t think either of us missed out on our normal Saturday lives. We were done by 2pm. My husband, left to his own device, sleeps until 2 or 3pm every chance he gets. So, I knew I wasn’t missing out on anything with him (nor him with me), plus he got to sleep in longer than 11:30 am which is how late I usually let him sleep on the weekend before I start getting annoyed.
Still on cloud 9 about the great, productive day I felt we had at work, I went home happily. My husband was in the shower when I got home at 2:30 and was ready for breakfast. We ran an errand then went to Clarke’s in Evanston where he had his usual: Chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and scrammbled eggs and a large Diet Coke. I had already eaten pizza (courtesy of the executive staff at work, who also happened to be there) so I wasn’t hungry and just had a cup of tea & a slice of not-so-impressive cherry pie. Anyway, he and I have been having been having our own issues with life. His are his depression issues; mine are general issues of rage and unhappiness. In anycase, we had an open conversation about these things (as we always do). It was nice. Something that I find comforting about our relationship is that despite our apparent pitfalls, we can tell each other about it.
Ch-ch-ch-changes
I just accepted an incredible new opportunity outside of Northwestern that would promote growth (career-wise). I have been at Northwestern for 8 years and this opportunity means leaving the institution for good. As I was walking the halls of Northwestern today I was thinking how I simply LOVE working here, and all my fond memories… but I also thought of how I needed to leave to develop to be considered for other opportunities. The last time I left Northwestern, I still kept my foot in the door by staying “casual” (i.e working 2 shifts a month) as a nurse. However, I found that when I came back full-time since I never left, I was stuck at the same pay rate (even though I was making more at my other job). In anycase, I have since realized that I must leave to make more and be able to leverage my talents and abilities more. I have accepted the position of “Knowledge & Performance Management Director” for another healthcare institution. I’ll be honest, I am anxious. I am basically leaving a place I feel completely comfortable with, have had a plethora of opportunity in, and am completely in love with for another place to make a more $$ and possibly a great opportunity for professional advancement. I hope it all works out for the better. My job at Northwestern has always been a source of happiness for me. I hope this new place gives me the same sense of happiness & fulfillment.
Touching things
Under my seemingly “unaffected” facade, I am a *freakish* sap about certain things. Let me explain…
I was watching the movie “The Namesake” and I bawled my eyes out. Why? It helped remind me of how much lots of parents (especially mine) just give & give to their kids. I was reminded how both sets of parents did this for me and I simply could not stop thinking about it and tearing up. How lucky are those of us who receive such whole-hearted selfless love at any point in our lives, by anyone?!?! I hope to have kids someday and I hope THIS love is what I can provide this to them. I am lucky to have had the family that I have had that gave me this. I could totally relate to this aspect of the movie.
Another thing that touches me is my sister. She is an incredible woman who says that she has been loved SO thoroughly that she can’t imagine that there are children in this world who don’t receive what she’s had…so even though she has a beautiful boy of her own, she wants to adopt (as opposed to having more children of her own), to give her abundant love to children who otherwise wouldn’t receive it. I was so taken by her statement! She just has SO much love to give. Not only does she take care of herself, she takes good care of those around her. Rohit, her husband us such a great match for her because he really exemplifies those same same qualities. Anyone who meets Rohit loves him immediately because he is just a giant heart walking around.
I was speaking to my best friend Judy (Jubie) tonight, and couldn’t help but feel moved by how much she gives of herself and how much she has to give. She has a very full life and as long as I have known her, she has always been very passionate about many things in life. She is a real jem of a person.
After making all these observations about the people I am surrounded by, not only am I hoping to BE these loving people that I surround myself with, I hope to never lose these people who love so passionately, freely & completely.
Now that I have a life partner, this is the life I hope we build together. I lucked out because I married someone that I simply “like” so much to begin with. He loves the fact I love him for exactly who he is. I love the fact that he is such a good, sincere companion. By no means am I saying that we have something “perfect” or effortless, however I DO feel like that our underlying friendship sets a solid foundation for us as we grow & get through the trials and tribulations of life - together. I find this too, touching.
Welcome to the future site of Anjana and Van
We are finally getting off our ass and getting on line. Just stick with us as we get things going.
