Downtown Happenings

Since going to work in downtown St. Paul, I have felt a little like the "little girl from the 'burbs dropped in the big, bad city." Navigating has always been harder for me for about as long as I can remember. The same holds true for me trying to drive anywhere downtown or even walking and navigating the skyway system. I do however like the fact that St. Paul is slightly smaller than Minneapolis and the same goes for St Paul's skyway system. I just need to go "get lost" down there sometime and take some time to find things. I am pretty big on using landmarks to find and remember where things are.

One thing I noticed about downtown are all the PIGEONS!! Where do they all COME from?! I am going to try to snap a picture one of these days, but I don't really want to be known as "that girl who takes pictures of pigeons randomly in the skyway." I will get one though.

Another thing, storms. Storms take on a more epic quality when the thunder rumbles through the tall downtown buildings. Being on the 13th floor is also pretty sweet too. Today the lightning show was awesome to see flicker through the office windows and then the rumbling thunder. I kind of like it when it rains/storms when I am at work. At least it is not a gorgeous day out and I can just get work done. It was also nice that it was on a Monday because let's face it, Mondays always go by pretty fast.

I got two rather large projects assigned to me with little to no instruction given about them or what exactly my tasks are for them. I am excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. It's go time and time to prove myself and why they hired me - in a way. I sort of feel isolated being on a main group of all guys while my counter part has the only other girl on the team to mentor her and describe and explain things to her in detail. She has the more relatable relationship of the both of us. I am a little envious of that, but I know that I am where I am for a reason and I feel really good and really "set" with knowing that.

Actually, I really like the new Avril Lavigne song right now and I think it sort of sums up what I feel about things that are going on with me right now. Especially the chorus:

"Smile"


[Chorus]
Yeah
and that's why I smile
It's been a while
since every day and everything has
felt this right
and now you're turning all around
and suddenly you're all I need
The reason why I smile


-LD

The Sweet Sound of Employment

*Ca-Ching*

I received my first direct deposit from my new job at Gander Mtn. Base Camp today and the "sound" couldn't have been sweeter. We are so fortunate that Derick obtained a full-time teaching job this year and that I was able to rebound quickly and regain full-time employment in just over one month! Though we are going to be on a pretty solid budget, it will be nice to be able to put a little money away for, say, a vacation sometime in the next year, year and a half. It will be nice to just have a little extra money to put away, go out and play, or throw at some of our debt that is still looming over us.

The past week at work has been pretty insane - planning and then helping execute the annual "Summit" meeting. It is basically a meeting where all of the store managers and District managers all get together to train and hear different educational pieces from the vendors we sell in our stores. After this hectic-crazy week, being back in the office will almost seem boring! After spending time with some of the store managers the past few days, I have really come to realize that I work with some pretty amazing people. There was not one person from that crowd that I was unhappy about or who gave off a bad vibe. Everyone, and I really mean everyone was nice, sincere and there for a greater purpose. It is great to be in the company of these people after the more recent roller-coaster of employment has taken me the past few months.

I actually had 1/2 day and today off from work since working with the Summit meeting, I was putting in some 12, or 13 hour days! So that has been nice to have a nice, long start to my weekend to get some of the more routine and "un-fun" household chores out of the way. Today I have done the usual Friday laundry, cleaned the bathroom upstairs, changed the bed sheets, dusted a little, yada, yada. I also got to get outside a little and re-pot some of my indoor and outdoor plants. Some of which I had really been neglecting.

Wildflower Mix from Texas

I can't believe how much this one has grown!

-LD

I've Got A Job, I've Got A Job, I've Got A Job, Hey-hey-hey-hey!

It's true! It's true! I have obtained a new job! You are reading a blog entry from the newest member of Gander Mountain Base Camp (Headquarters)!

 I start my new job on Wednesday as a Store Operations Specialist. I guess that means that I will be shelving my design career for a little while, but that is alright. I really like the company and the fact that it seems that there is a great opportunity for career growth and exploration at the company. The job is in downtown St. Paul, so commuting every day is going to be a significant change for me to figure out, but something new and exciting for sure!

After I had found out more about the job - went and took my drug test and background check paperwork filed, I certainly "lived the outdoor life!" Derick, Tucker and I went to my parent's cabin to pick up Derick's truck that had gotten some work done on it, and take the boat out to see if Tucker was a "fishing dog" or not. Turns out, Tucker is not so much a "fishing dog." For the majority of the boating trip, he was tied to the center of the boat. One time I let him off the leash and he almost jumped in the lake!! Here are some pictures of the experience:

Best pontoon boat ever - complete with fence!

Dam!

It was a nice experience though! Other than the fact that our ferocious appearing dog, is a HUGE baby coward and scared of, well, just about everything! I am sure that it will take some getting used to for Tucker to want to ride in the boat, and some more training for him to want to stay in the boat! Both important things for extended fishing/camping weekends!

-LD