These last two weeks have been utterly grueling. Because this blog is just a few degrees away from Twitter which is just a few degrees away from Facebook where many of my coworkers hang out, I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty of it all for obvious reasons. But heavy-hearted is sure the name of the game right now. I am overwhelmed, disappointed, and constantly on the brink of tears. Add to that Nate’s absence (and missing that damned phone call) and having my self-esteem in the toilet — well, it’s not a good recipe. And here it is the most marvelous summer (weather-wise) I believe we’ve ever had here in Washington! And I can hardly appreciate it.
I can’t even escape at lunch anymore (to read my beloved Kindle!) because I’ve been told that “taking” a lunch hour is an indication of a poor work ethic. I’m just blown away.
(Truth be known? If I had actually taken Nate’s call on Monday, I would have definitely heard about it — and not in a good way).
So…I’ll try to focus on the positive. I DID get a letter from Nate yesterday, and I was so very tickled! It was written a week ago (this snail mail ordeal is taking a lot of getting used to when we’re in such a culture of immediate gratification!) and he’d had two wisdom teeth pulled, poor guy! He was on “SIQ” which means Sick in Quarters, for three days. He also had a cold, which has been going around the training command like gangbusters. He also somehow wrenched his knee, so he was very relieved to have a few days to rest (with excellent meds!) It won’t affect his graduation date or anything. A whole bunch of the recruits all had wisdom teeth pulled plus were dealing with that creepy crud going around. The wrenched knee has me a little concerned; if he’s hampered with all that’s required of him, that could affect his graduation date (push it back). I just hope that it’s just tender and not anything seriously wrong with it. But otherwise he sounds upbeat, philosophical, and very very happy to be receiving my letters! And I absolutely love his letters! Written communication is so very different from verbal, and in my view, it’s often much better and more “real.” Nate talks very fast and it’s hard to catch everything he says, plus he tends to talk over people. But his letters really flow and he expresses himself so well. (Personally, I’d rather deal with the fast talk and be talked over in person, but since this is how it must be, it does have a silver lining!)
OK, one more positive thing! I wrote an article for our newsletter about (another!) complex, intricate, and potentially boring subject (regarding one of the services we’re now providing). I’d interviewed the key guy for over an hour on the phone yesterday and came away with a wealth of information. So yesterday afternoon I wrote up a draft of the article and sent it to him for his review and input, and he wrote back today and said, “I wanted to let you know, Tonya, that this was very well-written and perfectly conveyed exactly what we’re doing.” At least I can do SOMETHING right.
And…tomorrow is Friday and we’re heading to Harstine where it’s supposed to be in the 90s! Wow.
Today at work my cell phone rang! I pounced on that thing, just knowing it was Nate! Finally! But it was a WRONG NUMBER. It was pretty much symbolic of my entire day…
