Tuesday Tuesday

Today is moving at a much slower pace then yesterday, as everything is now finished for the website. I contacted IS and asked them to start moving it to production, so we'll see what happens! My fingers are crossed!

I just ordered a bunch of books for the paper I'm writing. I decided to order them, because I don't have time to get to DC to use the library before my class, and it's always good to begin building my library.

I've been emailing back and forth with one of my professors re: my thesis statement. I never knew that so many assumptions could be drawn from a few sentences. Where she thought I was going wasn't where I was going at all. I wrote her back last night and explained my perspective and some context of what I was trying to explore, and came up with a different thesis statement. I keep going back to the directions that were given out in class, which says that the paper is supposed to be on the "history of OD". I think we are just supposed to pick a topic and research it, but we need some sort of thesis. When I spoke with my professor in class, her comment was "good lord, woman, you have an entire theory and experiment!" I have to keep reminding myself that this is just a 3-5 page paper.

I really liked the example thesis that was given on the directions, but I know I'm not allowed to use that one. I reformed it, and used a bunch of synonyms so hopefully it'll be able to pass muster.

After all of this long winded-ness, I'm just basically trying to determine if Appreciative Inquiry would work with my problem child client, considering the culture is so foul.

You would think it would be that straightforward, but they are very perceptive to judgements, so even categorizing anything as working in a "negative" way (no, I would not use the word "foul" in a thesis) causes alarm and I'm warned against making sweeping generalizations. Contrary, I have all of this data from the surveys, and focus groups that I conducted which support my sweeping generalization that it's a toxic environment!

My fingers are crossed that this thesis will work.

Bowling last night wasn't that great for me. I don't know if it's because we had a different set of seats, I sat on the wrong side, or that I wore long pants, but I couldn't get into my groove. We normally sit on the lower level, next to the lane, I sit across from Heather, and I wear shorts. Maybe there is something programed in me that helps my muscle memory. Then, 1/2 way through the 2nd game, I forgot how to do my approach. I couldn't get my feet right, so there were lots of laughs as I practiced walking. I was over thinking it, and paying attention to my steps and not to my mark, which was just making everything wonky! JEEBUS!

I'm going back to the gym tonight after my hiatus due to my back. I'll be rinding my bike into the happy place - I miss my exercise! :)

Pictures and other things

I finally got around to uploading the pictures from the crab feast last night. They turned out okay, but I don't have many of them.

I heard from my professor with feedback and a grade from my first paper - A-! WOOO HOOO! I was expecting a low B, so I was glad to see that grade.

I'm still working on my research paper, and will be heading to the library sometime this week to find a book. Fun times are had by all at the library.

I've been working on our website all day at work - and it's driving me crazy. I hate these 11th hour changes. You've had almost a year to decide that you don't like the text on a page, why decide now that it "doesn't feel right" but can't pinpoint exactly what you don't like about it. I have to give IS the "ok" to move it from testing to production, and unfortunately it isn't that easy. The poor guy has to replicate every page, and we want it live by Wednesday. Now I'm sitting here waiting for them to come back from meetings, so I can give them the go ahead. My boss keeps complaining that when she goes to a page via a link, it's in the middle in she has to scroll up. Lady, if that's all you have to worry about, then you're doing good. IS is currently looking into that, but I think it's because of her display settings, as I don't have that problem.

Anyway - Bowling tonight! I get to chill with Ryan and company, it feels like it's been forever since I saw them.

Here's the pics:

OLQP Crab Feast 2008

Nights in Rodanthe

My Mom wanted to see this movie, as she's a big Nicholas Sparks fan, and she loves romances like this. I like chick-flicks too, but I hate the ones that are so sad and depress you. One really can't go wrong with Richard Gere, either.

But, like a trooper, Mom and I went this morning to see the movie, and it was worth it. I'm not usually someone who cries at movies. I don't have a heart of steel, but it normally takes a lot for me to cry at a movie.

Well... I cried, and cried, and cried, and cried. Actually the entire audience bawled for almost the last 30mins of the movie.

Be prepared... it's a tear-jerk-er!

paper writing

I slept in this morning and then got up to start working on my paper. The good thing about being an IT undergrad major is that I didn't have to write a lot of papers. Reports - yes, Papers - no.

My major this time around is in the school of public affairs, and it's considered a form of psychology, in the behavioral sciences field - those people love papers. So, not only do I have to write, but I have to write in the APA format - goodbye MLA!

I need 7-8 sources for a 3-5page paper... umm.. isn't that pushing it?

I'm a procrastinator by nature, and it's always worked for me. I do my best work under pressure, but because of the amount of research, I had to start early, in case I had to go to the campus library in DC. To keep myself distracted, I've played on Facebook, Myspace, and updated my profile on okcupid a few times.

This is for a good cause.. this is for a good cause... this is for a good cause. I keep telling myself that.

Priceline is the BOMB!

Yes, you read correctly, I just used "The BOMB" in a sentence.

Some ladies in my class and I were talking about where to stay when we are in DC once a month, as the Holiday Inn at Georgetown wasn't the best one we've seen.

Someone mentioned using Priceline, and she was staying at the big Hilton downtown for around $80. A few of us decided to give it a try witch much success! I'm actually at the Omni in November, which is absolutely beautiful, and at the Hilton when I'm there in October! 4 Stars baby, for only $82 a night!!

Fake, Nosey, and Petty

So, I had another meeting this morning with my problem client. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I have to put the next meeting on my calendar... BRB.

Anyway... WOW. I started by asking them to tell me what's working well within the team. They sat in silence, and some of them smirked. I quickly transitioned to what needs improvement - and when they were finished I had 3 flip-charts filled with stuff. I went back to what was working well, and their answer was that despite everything the patients get seen.

I knew I was in for a treat! I started working through the list of improvement with them, and it involves spending a lot of time defining terms so that everyone is on the same page. "Be Respectful" really doesn't tell someone how to act - as respect means a lot of different things, based on background/upbringing, etc. We talked about customer service, taking responsibility for tasks, and being accountable even when something doesn't work out in their favor.

The last piece, and 3 separate items on the list, was Fake, Nosey, and Petty. I grouped them together, asked for specifics, and then asked them what the work day would look like if Fake, Nosey, and Petty didn't show up.

It's pretty sad that I have to give a personal challenge to adults about twice my age, that if Fake, Nosey, and Petty show up to work for the rest of the week, they are to be sent home because there isn't a job for them in the office. Sigh.

Scent linked to memories

I was shampooing my hair this morning and I used shampoo that I got in Hawaii when I was last there with my ex (I haven't used it in a couple of months, as I've been using new stuff). It's amazing what a scent can do for the memories, as everything of that trip came back to me: walking on the beach, fun on the balcony, sailing, visiting, and just relaxing... wow! The power of memories!

Anyway, I've been reading my chapters to get ready for my next class in October, but I haven't even started writing my paper yet. I have to have 7-8 sources for a 3-5page paper (double spaced)... so this should be interesting!

My boss also mentioned that she is feeling out of the loop and wants to be over communicated to - so I've been sending her 8 paragraph detailed emails about what I do all day. I think it's overkill, she thinks it's 'helpful'. But whatever!

Anyway, more meeting prep to do... I'll write more later!