Monday, May 31, 2004

Some good news...?

After speaking with my recruiter on Thursday of last week, I am feeling a bit more confident about getting my orders.  He assured me that the approval channels have all been cleared with the exception of the final one, which has only been delayed because the approval authority has been on leave.  He told me that I should have final approval tomorrow.    Which is slightly ironic considering that my promotion to Assistant Vice President with my company becomes effective tomorrow as well.   If my final approval for the Air Force comes through tomorrow, then I will be turning in my resignation letter sometime this week.   It's a nerve wracking thought. 

I have been with this company for over 6 years.  I realize that in the professional world (in this day and age), that pretty much amounts to overstaying your welcome.  Shows a fear of change.  I also know that no matter what happened with the Air Force, I would have had to look elsewhere eventually for the opportunites to move up in the world.  It's not that I am UN-happy with my company or my job, really.   It's just time to go.  It's the nature of the beast.  I look at all the executives who I know personally, and only ONE of them came from the ground up within the company.  All the rest came over from other fortune 100's and 500's.  And we, in turn, have lost some to other companies.   That's just the way it goes.  It's not a bad thing, I suppose.  And if it gets me where I want to go, so be it. 

The prospect of starting life anew is very exciting.  I am in a good place, and fortunete to have made the right choices previously that have enabled me to be able to make these kinds of choices now. 

I don't suspect the resignation conversation will go all that well.  I think my current boss is going to be saddened at the prospect of my leaving.  Quite frankly, that makes two of us.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

And our next event...HURDDLE JUMPING!

And so it goes with the military... things can never go completely smooth.  What would the road of life be without a few bumps?  EASIER, THAT'S WHAT!  I have been working on this Officer Training deal since last August.  I have explained the detail of it all in previous entries so there is no need to go and explain it all again.  However, now there seems to be a 'snag' in some of my paperwork.  And the dreaded term, 'waiver' has been uttered.  *shudder* *shake*

While my accessions officer seems to think everything 'should' be ok, I can't help but worry a bit.  The reason for needing the waiver not being of grave importance to this entry, the stress of suddenly not knowing what the future holds IS the point.  I have been selected, I have been commissioned, I have sold my house, my stock options, and purchased over a thousand dollars in uniforms that have been altered already and can't be returned.  Now, like we are discussing the weather, I am informed of this 'snag'.  A 'snag' that could very well put the ki-bosh on my enchalada. This, my friends, is stress.   

Perhaps you will pardon me for a moment while I go meditate my blood pressure back into a safe range....  ooooohmmm   oooooohmmm. 

Thank you.

One thing is certain,  when I was told of the 'snag' I realized just how much I want this.  I have altered my mindset completely.  I have changed career directions.  Going full speed ahead...into a brick wall.  Sans airbags.

Now, I must do the hurry-up-and-wait-dance again for at least a week for some answers, and hopefully, providing the granting of the dreaded waiver, my orders.

 

Monday, May 3, 2004

Back and forth....back and forth

As mentioned in my last entry, I picked up some uniforms the last time I went up to Patrick AFB.  I get to go back up there this coming Wednesday and have those same uniforms altered, and have certain things sewn on as well (name tags and whatnot).  Some of the other items  I ordered have come in as well so I will be able to pick them up and get them altered too. 

I took vacation from work this week.  I figured, why not?  I get three weeks vacation a year, I have earned over a week already so I may as well take it, right? 

Time ticks on and I am at just over the three month away point.  And my run time/pushup's/sit ups are exactly where I need to be.  Even with a little room to spare.  If nothing else good came of this, it sure is nice being able to fit into all my old clothes again!

I am going to attempt to do some daytime runs this week since I am on vacation.   I figure, if I have to do it in Alabama in the summer, I may as well acclimate myself to doing it here in South Florida first.   Maybe even get come sun in the process!   Nothing like being prepared.