It's all good so far

In a noodle shop waiting on lunch. Hoping to get served before I have to turn around. And hoping that my order wasn’t an outlier on the menu.

The challenge with a small restaurant is covering a number of Asian cuisines for a customer base of oil field workers. The menu has some Thai, some Vietnamese, and the traditional Chinese dishes. It will be interesting to see what I end up with.

It is crowded but is it a cost vs volume of food or actual quality of cuisine casing the crowd. It is going to have to be quick. I am betting that they have one cook in the kitchen based on the pace of the orders being filled. Just saw the cashier helping bus tables. Looks like it is going to be close or more likely a late return to class.

Managed to make in before we started. They brought me the new laptop. It’s a battleship but a quick one.

The first day back in the harness. Up early and did a modified version of the couch to 5k on the treadmill. Only 20 min but tried to work a minute of running after three minutes of walking. It’s not much but it is a start for this fat man.

Got to the facility well before the training class began. Spent the morning with the HR folks going over the employee manual. One wrinkle was finding that I needed more than a drivers license to prove citizenship. I told them that I did not realize I would need a passport to travel to South Texas.

Then it was time spent with the insurance folks. New policy to replace the COBRA which is an arm & leg. The afternoon covered the DOT policy. The HSE trainer gave me a waiver. He promised that if faced with having to operate a commercial vehicle, they would find me a driver. I told him that I have already accepted the fact that I don’t need as many personal growth experiences and am willing to let others step up and take charge of the shovel or the radio.

I have been impressed at the level of professionalism in the HSE folks that I have met so far. All of them have good things to say about the Company and our director. Looking forward to learning more of how the company operates. From what I have seen so far, it is going to require me to always bring my A-game.

Saturday afternoon and we are sitting in the camp office doing paperwork. Beautiful weather outside and the activities are going well.

Youth leadership is leading. Problems have been minor and nothing insurmountable or requiring massive adult intervention.

Biggest headache is not keeping the workers busy, it is getting the printer to work.

We kept the candidates busy and got some quality service accomplished. The Little Lake clearing is a taste of what is ahead at the next camp with trail building.

Saturday end end with sorting, stuffing, and stapling packets into the wee hours. Sunday morning wrap up went as it should. Good orientation of new adults.

Well pleased with the results, I was able to head out camp and get home, re-packed, and back on the road.

The GPS and the hotel address had a conflict which resulted in landing at the familiar but wrong branch. Had to backtrack but I think I know how to get to the shop easily tomorrow. Hotel room set for the duration of the training program.

Managed to get to a familiar restaurant and enjoyed a good meal. Got to try a new IPA and the sunset on the bay.

The waiting is over.  I have been cleared by Human Resources and will be starting my new job.    

This transition period has been a highly important one.  I had the financial resources to be able to handle the time away from the work force and I had tasks to get done.  

My mother-in-law was hospitalized the day before I was let go.  We got her through rehab and into an assisted living facility.  We also were able to empty and clean their house and get it on the market.  The in-laws have adjusted to the new lifestyle.

I was able to get my Dad through a computer crash and replacement, which meant the updating of the accounting software (and many hours of support via skype and cell phone).  The family partnership accounting is up to date. 

I was able to organize our book-keeping and the sibling limited partnership taxes have been filed.  I am getting mine in order today.

I have been able to work on diet, exercise (at least doing a twice a day dog walk) and writing.  My garage, my closet, and my home office are clean.  

I appreciate the opportunity the last job provided; and the support that my friends and colleagues have given.  I am able to move on to a new opportunity that will be both challenging and rewarding.  

Yes we will be tested, but with faith and trust, we get through.