Every day I’m grateful to have a job that I love.  Every once in a while, I find myself thinking about what I would be doing today if I was still working at the place I was working at before I got this job – assuming they were still in business.  Sometimes I even reflect back to the very beginning… (dream music begins…)

It was May of 2007.  I had just been laid off from a job that I loved and was helping a friend organize the office at his property management company while helping to find an office manager for him.  One day, while working, my phone rings.  I didn’t recognize the number but was expecting a call from someone else so I answered it.  It was a woman named Jamie and she was calling to see if I would come in to interview for a customer service manager position at a place called Randall International.  I told her that I would but that I needed to call her back later to get the information from her.

A few days later was the first interview.  It wasn’t really a big deal to me as I wasn’t really looking for a job.  I was happy doing what I was doing and was considering going back to school (something I’ve been saying I’m going to do for a long time).  I answered the questions and asked a few and then left.  Jamie told me that she would call me again in a few days and let me know what their direction was going to be.

The biggest draw for me was where they had received my information from.  Again, I had just been laid off from a job that I loved.  The President from that company was interviewing for the open CEO position at Randall and had given them my previous boss’ name who had given them my name as a reference.  It was exciting to possibly be working for Rick again so I was a little anxious to continue the process.  I knew that there were a lot of people from the previous place that were still looking for work so I did want to get in quickly if it was possible.

About a week later I went in for a second interview, this time with the Fab Four.  At the time, the company didn’t have a CEO, President, GM or anything.  The owner was living in Switzerland and was getting ready to move back, but there wasn’t any clear leader there.  Instead they had the Fab Four – the Customer Service Director, HR/Accounting Manager, Controller and the Director of Operations (Jamie, Connie, Jan and Peggy).  Questions were asked and answered and that was that.  I got the job.  In the end, they decided not to go with Rick (for all the wrong reasons) so I was now “stuck” there by myself.

If only I had known then what I know now.  Actually, I can’t honestly say that much would have been different.  I have made some very lasting relationships with some of the people that I met there and I also now know what it’s like to have a job that is both degrading and destructive (emotionally, physcially, spiritually, you name it).  Without pain we can’t fully appreciate the joy we find.

When I think back to that interview process and compare it with the interview process that I went through to get this job, there are few differences that stand out.  In both cases I was refered by someone that I know and trust completely – two people I will forever respect and be grateful for.  In neither case was I technically looking for a job – they kinda just came to me.  The last job had the Fab Four, this one has a defined leader with the background, training and experience to move the company in a positive, forward direction.  The building at the last place, even with the bright blue walls, was more “glamorous” than the new building is.  The leadership, I believe, is the defining difference.  While all four of those women are smart and capable, having one person in charge to make the final call (and take the fall for it) is something worth paying a little extra for.  It’s sometimes the difference between making a decision and sitting at a crossroads.

Anyway… If Randall was still around, and I was still working there, right now I would be sitting in my office chasing down some useless information for an arrogant little man in cowboy boots.  And the only reason I would be doing it is so that I wouldn’t have to listen to him lecture me on the importance of following the rules – something he knows little to nothing about. 

I’m so glad I’m sitting on the train on my way to a tiny desk in a renovated garage.

Jon recently showed me this blog and I LOVE it!  I watched the neatest time lapse video of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival that was really cool.  Check it out here.

Jon, EmaLee, the kids and I took the Coaster to Salona Beach yesterday to participate in the “Coaster Crawl.”  We made it to Salona Beach before it started to rain and walked down to CPK for a free appetizer (Avacado Club Egg Rolls – YUMMY!).  While we were there, it rained a little but we were inside so it didn’t matter.  We made it back to the train station before it started to rain too.

Solana Beach Station

After we got back to Oceanside, Jon and I noticed some particularly gnarly looking weather coming our way.  Since there had been a tsunami advisory that morning, we naturally went down to the harbor to take pictures.  Technically, the tsunami advisory was over but still.  I’m not one to take chances.  The view was awesome though.  These are some pictures that Jon took with his camera.  (The pelican we saw was injured or sick.  We saw it fall off the harbor bridge into the parking lot.  It eventually flew away.  I hope it’s ok…)

The Pelican

The Storm

A Stormy Pier

Sand so Smooth

A small bit of blue...

I love my new commute!  The view couldn’t be better.  Well, it could be better past San Juan Capistrano.  Until the strawberry fields by the Irvine station, it’s just industrial views.  I don’t know what it looks like past the Tustin station since that’s my final destination in the morning.  Anyway – the view is incredible from the train.  There’s a point where we’re really only 20-50 feet from the water.  It’s awesome.

Below are some pics I took with my phone.  They’re not the best, but they’re decent.  It’s a picture through a window so take it for what it is, but still – I think everyone could agree – there is no better commute!

These pics were all taken in the morning.  With the exception of the first one, I took them this morning on my way in.  I’ve been commuting on the train for three weeks now and I don’t know that it will ever get old.  I’ll add some after work pics another day.

Between San Clemente and Dana Point

Oceanside Pier on a cloudy morning

Somewhere on Camp Pendleton on a cloudy day.

San Clemente Pier

Dana Point

There’s an app for my blackberry that let’s me post a blog. Not sure how often it will get used because it’s a little tedious but hey, could be fun 🙂

I wish that I could take pictures of some of the people I see on the train every day.

Today there’s a man sitting a few rows in front of me that I wish I could post a picture of just because he was so interesting looking.  I’ll try to describe him, but I’m sure that I’m not going to be able to do him justice.

He has very fair skin with what may have been really red hair at some point but is now a light strawberry-blond.  He’s probably in his late 30’s.  He’s wearing a hat (like an old-school golfer cap), his hair pulled neatly into a ponytail in the back.  His goatee has been trimmed to a perfect triangle that hangs about an inch and a half from his chin and his mustache is impeccably trimmed.  His hair gives no evidence that he has been anywhere at all – it’s like he just did it.

He’s wearing an eggshell trench-coat over a light blue collared shirt.  I can’t see the color of his pants from here, but I’m guessing that they are probably a nice shade of khaki.  He’s reading a hard-back book but is too far away for me to see what it is.  His glasses are rectangular and appear to be tortoise-shell, but thin framed.  He’s sitting straight up with his bag probably in his lap.

And now he’s getting off the train.  Yep – they were khakis.  Sensible.

It’s been at least 2 years and 8 months since I could honestly say “I enjoy my job.”  Three years ago (next month) I was laid off from a job that I LOVED.  I was working for Graham Webb, a contract manufacturing company of professional hair care products, and had been for 5 years.  Just before I started working there, they had been purchased by Wella/Sebastian, based out of Germany, but the operations were separate.  I was hired on to handle sales meeting materials, literature mailings, and a few chain accounts.  It evolved a few times and in the end I was managing a team of 11 fantastic people doing various things.  We worked well together and at the end of those 5 years had developed all of our policies and procedures and were working like a well-oiled machine.

A year or two before the lay-off, P&G purchased the whole Wella family and positioned them as their North American Professional Line.  Graham Webb, Wella and Sebastian all became part of the P&G family.  (Just so you know – I don’t care what anyone says about P&G – they’re big, yes, but they take care of their people.)  Not a lot changed at first.  After a while, and slowly, different systems started to be introduced.  They had an online training center where you could learn about different things.  We switched from Lotus Notes for email to Outlook (which was awesome!).  There were a few other minor changes too, but they were all good. 

Then came the dozy.  They made the decision to close the office in Carlsbad and move all Graham Webb operations to Woodland Hills, combining the Wella/Sebastian operations with Graham Webb’s.  Everyone (that I know of) got an offer to move to LA and work in that office.  Some took the offer, most didn’t.  There were many extenuating circumstances in our life at that time so Jon and I decided that we would not move and that I would find another job.

I worked with a friend for a while and then got a call from a lady named Jane* asking me to interview for a Customer Service Manager position at a personal care product manufacturing company in Carlsbad.  I interviewed and got the job (that is a looooong story itself which I will tell at some point).  One bad thing after another happened while I was there for 2 years and 8 months.  I met some really awesome people while I was working there.  By the time I left, we had developed a great team of hardworking people.  Unfortunately, by that time, it wasn’t enough to stay for.

During one random weekend a couple of weeks ago, a series of events took place that showed me that my Heavenly Father really is looking out for me.

1. While working in the temple on Saturday, I got the distinct and urgent impression that I needed to get away from the company I was working for.
2. On Sunday, during a Ward Council meeting, a random conversation began between the Employment Specialist, a member of the Bishopric and the YM President, during which was mentioned the opening for a position at the company where the YM Pres worked.
3. My completely joking comment, “Ooo, I’ll take it!” to which he responded, “How serious are you?”
4. An hour long conversation with the YM Pres about the position (later that day, not during the meeting) – only to find out that it’s almost exactly what I was doing at Graham Webb (minus the management part) – which meant that it was something I actually felt qualified to do.
5. An interview scheduled for the following Friday.
6. A random assigned (by the “old” company) trip on Wednesday to drive to Orange County to meet with an outside lab that was doing some work for them – the outside lab being literally 5 miles down the same street as the potential job.
7. An impromptu interview on Wednesday instead of waiting until Friday.
8. An official offer the following Monday, at which time I put in my 2 weeks notice.

So far, I love everything about the new job.  I love the beautiful view from the train.  I love the positive atmosphere.  The sales people I’ve met are cool.  My boss is great.

… and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (Malachi 3:10)

*Name changed

It’s about time!

I love Coco Puffs but when I saw these at the store I was more than skeptical.  I’ve tried the Special K Chocolate one and it’s terrible.  The box was on sale though so I thought I would give them a try.  I’m so glad I did!  YUMMY!!

Jon showed me this today and I love it so I thought I would share it.

The embed option isn’t working so you’ll have to use this link:  http://vimeo.com/3829682  (It’s the video called Typography.)

I get so tired of the boringness of water but really need to stay away from caffeine.  So, in addition to the caffeine free Diet Coke I bought at the store a couple of weeks ago, I thought I would give this stuff a try:

I really like it!  I’m out already but it’s on the shopping list.

Remember this guy?