Oye. How did another month pass without me blogging?! This full-time working thing is getting in the way of me keeping you updated! I’d apologize, but it’s really work’s fault, not mine. :)
Speaking of work, when we last spoke I was managing the Motorpool section (15 drivers + a fleet of cars) and had recently taken on the Travel Section, which added 2 more direct reports, 3 contracted travel agents and the responsibility for all the components of official travel (flights, rental cars, train tickets, hotels and VIP visits). It was a lot, but I was figuring things out slowly but surely. But wouldn’t you know it, just as I’m getting comfortable with my two sections, I get asked to take on a third!
And this time it’s no small addition. I’ll be taking over Property & Supply, which means I’m responsible for all the non-expendable items (like furniture, cars, & computers) and the expendable items (like maintenance supplies, cleaning supplies & office supplies). We’re talking THOUSANDS of items here people. And I’m somehow supposed to keep track of them all and complete a big inventory of them once a year and not lose anything. And I get 10 more employees with that team and a big ole warehouse to keep clean and safe. Am I freaking out a little bit? Um, HELL YEAH. But I’m also feeling excited too, as this new section brings lots of opportunities for me to use my exceptional spreadsheet analysis and organizational skills (2 of my very favorite things). Also takes me back to my Target days when I was in charge of boatloads of inventory. Feels like throwback thursday every day now!
But that’s not all… my American School of Bombay (ASB) Board of Trustee work has been ramping up too. We had our first weekend-long retreat where we dug into our priorities for the year. I also had the privilege of going to Hanoi, Vietnam, for 5 days where I was educated on what good board governance looks likes with Trustees from schools across Southeast Asia. It was a very cool and worthwhile experience, especially since what I thought board work was (high-level PTA-type work) is nothing like what we actually do (fiduciary oversight, strategic planning, policy review, and ensuring the school is acting in alignment with it’s state Mission and Vision). Let’s just say the learning curve has been steep – both at work and with my School Board stuff… but I am taking it day by day and being as best I can with the discomfort of being a beginner (conscious incompetence is the WORST).
Here are a few pictures of my beautiful hotel in Vietnam. I only got into Hanoi proper once and forgot my camera, so unfortunately I don’t have much to show. But I liked it enough to know I’d want to go back.
And I’ve definitely added it to my list of “Possible Places to Live”. The school our conference was associated with, The United Nations International School, was top notch. Take music class, for example. 1st through third graders all learn to play the ukelele together.
And in 4th and 5th grade you all graduate to getting your own cello or violin to continue with. Whoa, huh?
When I arrived home I had a fun surprise waiting for me. Nia is eagerly awaiting Christmas and decided to make me my very own Advent calendar to enjoy. Each door contains a little paper item she made that I can use to make up a scene. For example, I opened up Me and Nick on day 1 and 2. Since then I’ve gotten lamps, a bed, a pineapple, a candle, a map… no Nia doll yet, but I’m sure that’s coming soon! Was really touching, especially because I can tell just how many hours went into making it.
I leave you with one last hilarious Nia picture. Found her passed out in our bed one night reaching for her beloved tablet (she’s obsessed and we limit it heavily). Hope it brings a smile to your face, as it did to mine. Ciao all. Will try and be back sooner then later.
