My Status

"Nicole is hoping for something new and exciting to happen."

That was my status two weeks ago on myspace and on Facebook, and I would have put money on it that nothing new and exciting would happen to me. Well, I should have said.. "Nicole is hoping for something new and exciting the SHE wants to happen". That would have been a more fulfilling statement, yes? HAHA, I should have learned by now not to wish for things like this. Sigh - some people's children!

So I ask for change and BAM! (Oh, did you know Emeril's birthday was yesterday!?) Ooops... BAM! There are 4 people... yes, 4 people that have made decisions to move around in their positions. 4 of my favorite people, to be exact. Now, I cannot put details because I honestly don't know them, but my boss is leaving the department. Let me explain what this means to me.

For the first time in my life I felt like I had a "professional job". Yes, you heard me right. I did tours through Garden of the Gods on horseback. I did tours of Van Briggle Pottery, I did all kinds of things... I sold heat packs that looked like breast implants in the mall. I worked in a vet office helping clip iguanas toenails, and most recently, I was in a call center. I have had many bosses, and most were tolerable. But nothing like my soon-to-be flying away boss.

She is so different. I have tons of ideas... I always have and I always will. I talk about them, I list them out, I powerpoint them. Usually nobody listens to them. Nobody brainstorms with them. And most importantly, nobody believes in them. For the first time, I can say that I took an idea and we talked about it for a long time. She listened, cared, objectified... everything I have never ever had before.

To be honest, now that I think about it, listing out all the qualities that I have in my superior would be endless. But I cannot end here. It is just not justified to do so.

She trusts me. To do my work, to do it right and to aim for excellence. Bringing joy to the department with humor (wonderful nicknames), good food and character - one that shows you who she really is. There is no searching needed - very hard to find that kind of person these days. If she is pissy, you see it. If she is happy, you join it.

Her panic button is hidden! If I freak out, she doesn't. She can be my rock when my ledge crumbles (you know this rarely happens. HAHA) Relaxed... that is a big word in a boss, don't you think? I have NEVER had a relaxed boss. You know, take time for coffee and give yourself a break once in a while. ALL of them say it. NONE of them mean it. She does! She drags me out of my chair when I don't want to walk, she lends a caring hand when I am sick, she teases me when I am in a bad mood. Caring, supportive, unique, loving, driven, beautiful... and soon to be gone by November 3rd. Dang.

"Nicole is hoping to truly enjoy the last couple weeks with her boss. No, scratch that. FRIEND"

158:14:13:35-

Happy Thursday! I hope you all slept well and had wonderful dreams of horses, meadows, and rainbows! Myslef, I had a nightmare that I was feuding with my best friend and I am positive that food was involved! LOL!
So, you have GOT to wonder what my title is about, yes? Well, I am more than happy to tell you that I have 158 days, 14 hours, 13 minutes, and less than 35 seconds before I am on a plane to Africa! If you had read my other blogs years ago, you know that this has been my plan for a very long time. It is finally getting close. I am so very excited. So excited, in fact, that I find it hard to think about anything else in my day.
I put up all of my child photos in my new cube and was reminded of just how many kids I have and how many I will visit when I go on this trip. I am also drudgingly reminded of how much this will all cost. HOWEVER, today I am choosing NOT to think about that and continue on my search for cheap clothes, toys and various items to bring to the children I will meet on my adventure.
And on the opposite spectrum I think of the not so fun stuff I will see in Africa. But this also has a rainbow of hope... I do not want to be one of those people that are "poverty numb". You know the type, do you not? Those that don't want to see it or smell it because they don't want to have to be part of it. I am the opposite. I want to jump in and see how I can help. I want to be immursed in children that I can hug and talk to. Parents that I can cry with and pray for. I want to experience it and appreciate my own blessings at the same time.
Another thing I want is to spread my passion to my family. I know that this is highly unlikely, but maybe... just maybe... I will be able to help aid that process. Not to ignore poverty and those that need our help and prayers. Not to pity those living with less "things" (and probably more GOD!), and to truly connect with those that need a friend instead of being afraid of getting hurt.
Anyway, I had a lot going on in my head, so I thought I would jot a couple things down for now. 158:14:02:33...