Training craziness

AHHH, training craziness. The joy of sitting through sessions from 9 am until 5, grabbing a bite to eat before returning for in-area training and then spending the evenings/nights getting ready for the next day where it starts all over again. Never being "ahead" - barely getting things done by the deadline. Yes, that's training.

Being new during training just isn't fun. You kind of know what you're doing but there's all these little details you just aren't sure about. And then you wonder, did they mention it during one of our sessions or in an e-mail and I just missed it/forgot about it? Or has nobody explained it yet? Should I ask that question and who would be the best person to ask? You don't want to be that annoying new staff member that has ten million questions; you definitely don't want to appear incapable of doing this job; but you also don't want to do something wrong just because you didn't ask the question.

My apartment is still a mess. There are boxes that won't get unpacked until after training. My office isn't much better. I've cleared off the desk - somewhat - at least enough so I can work. The chairs are set up, so I can start meeting with people. But don't take a closer look at the cabinets or those boxes in the corner.

There's been a few fun and nostalgic moments - like when I attempted to start cleaning the RA closet (another project we'll need to work on next week) and I came across an Area Council Of The Year certificate with my signature on it. Oh, I miss the students who were in RHA back then. What a blast we always had!!! It was weird putting up my "usual" office pictures of past staff teams (student and professionals staff at institutions I've worked at) and realizing that some of those pictures have people in them that still work here; that are my colleagues again. It's like I've come full circle and I'm back at the start - but I'm a different person now - a little older (hopefully not looking much older...haha) and a little more experienced.

I've also realized in the past few weeks that I LOVE working with graduate students. It's not really a new discovery, but having a year without grads and now suddenly being surrounded by them again and supervising one, I know what I want to do - one day in the far far future. I want to teach in a graduate preparation program. There's just something about working with graduate students - students who are starting to feel committed to this field or at least have a significant interest in it but are still young and looking for guidance. Yes, that is the population I would LOVE to work with. :) I'm really going to try to use this year to hone my graduate student supervisory skills.

I've also realized that books are going to be the death of me. ;) When I start reading a good book, I just can't put it down - even if I have training early the next day. And as soon as I get back from the office - even if it's past midnight - I can't withstand the temptation of grabbing that book, lying so innocently on my table. Sigh, I've once again fallen victim to the power of good authors.