Ready to Start Again

So tomorrow's the big day; at 9 a.m. I start work at Intermountain Healthcare as a project manager for their IT division. As usual with any new job I'm a little nervous but also excited to meet my new teammates and then forge ahead and make health care a little bit better.

Over the course of the last 11 or 12 weeks I've learned several things.  First and foremost, I'm lousy at being unemployed. As you probably know I am NOT good at being patient nor being bored. It turns out that being unemployed combines the worst of both of these. It was frequently frustrating to work with individuals who were not professional enough to reply back in a timely manner. This was exacerbated by repeatedly trying to help others understand the experience and skills I could bring to their organization. I was fortunate to be recommended to an excellent recruiter, Tony Ventrano  to put me in front of the right clients and help me gain at least two offers and possibly a third. It felt odd this past week to turn down two very good interviews. I'm looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow but the truth is I will also miss Cheryl's near-constant company that I've enjoyed over the past couple of months. I will say it will probably make our dates more interesting again since we'll get to ask each other about how our day went.

 In preparation for my new job I've been going over a self taught course on how to use Microsoft Project. It's always challenging trying to teach yourself a new software tool, but I have quite a bit of  experience using Microsoft Project so, it's not too bad. I'm learning techniques I didn't know before that will make my work in more efficient. Although, sometimes it's a bit hard to stay focused when you're in the middle of the family trying to do homework.  I am seriously considering getting certified as a project manager and then perhaps following that up with a master’s degree in Information Technology Management.

 

 The book I'm reading this week is called “The Mormon Way of Doing Business.”  A journalist interviewed many of the top CEOs that happen to be LDS. It's interesting to see how their faith affected their career and how I can use some of the same tools in my career.  I strongly recommend the book.

 About the only bad news this week is actually good news: it turns out that Wendy is a great cook especially at making desserts. She has provided yummy treats virtually every night this week, and I'm afraid my waistline is beginning to show it. Oh, if I just had some self-control!

 This weekend was also the semi-annual conference of our church. It is a broadcast that goes out to literally the entire world population of our church. For the first time, several of the talks we're getting not in English, but in the speaker's native language. It was great to see men speaking in Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. It's nice to see the global nature of the LDS Church reflected in the talks given at general conference. I particularly liked the closing talk given by elder David Bednar. In it he relates how is young son was hurt while playing outside then came inside and was given relief by being bandaged by a slightly older brother. He then took the bandages and salve immediately out his friends to share it with others who had also had been injured.  The boys inherent compassion let him to want to help others who are also in need. He likened this to our desire to share the Gospel with all those who would benefit from it's good word. Perhaps that's why us Mormons are so eager to share the Gospel!

Healthy Decisions

    So this week, things got a bit more interesting.  As I suspected, I also got a job offer from Intermountain Healthcare.  Mom and I considered and prayed carefully and decided that Intermountain Healthcare would be a better fit for me.  So, hopefully, starting this week, I’ll be working here:

I spent most of the day Friday filling out employment paperwork (like a background check) and getting shots to ensure that I’m healthy before starting work.  I got the MMR vaccination, a TB test, blood drawn for several tests including Chicken Pox and a urinalysis.   Yep, lots of poking and prodding, but at least the nurse was very nice.  I am so excited to get started working!

While we were out Friday, Jack and I ran by the junkyard to see if we could find a radiator coolant recovery tank (his was very broke).   The car is now 23 years old so we often have to go to the junk yard to find parts.  Sadly, even there, things are getting hard to find.  I’m happy to say that we found the tank as well as a washer fluid tank cap, an interior door handle and the long desired replacement antenna.  And we got all this for only $19.  Hooray!   

I’ve also really enjoyed going hiking with Albert most mornings these past 2 weeks.  We’ve done quite a bit of the nearby trails, including the Parrish Peak trail, the Deuel Creek trails and the Parrish Sunset Trial.  Note: in the picture below, the little tiny dots on the right are large houses!  Meanwhile, Cheryl has been walking (fast) 45 minutes every day with her friend Ann Allred. 

Fall Leaves and Music

  On Thursday night, Aaron invited me to a concert for the University of Utah’sPhilharmonia.  I joined him at Kingsbury hall and was delighted to find out that with his student discount, my ticket was only $4.  The student players did 3 pieces.  The first was a modern atonal piece that Aaron and I disagreed on.  He liked it, while I found the composition to be a prime example of my dislike for atonal, non-melodic composition.  The second was a Bach Concerto performed by a chamber orchestra, which we both found delightful.  After intermission, they played all of Elgar’s Enigma variations which are always a treat. 

I found out this week that I have a job offer from Zion’s bank to be part of thier implementation team.  It’s a great offer, but we are also waiting to hear if I get an offer from 2 other recent interviews.  I should hear about one of them tomorrow, so I’ll need to make a decision in the next couple of days.  Pray for us to make the best decision. 

Yesterday, Mom and I needed to get out of the house, so we took Jack down to Big Cottonwood Canyon to see the fall leaves.  It’s not the north side of Grandfather Mountain (back in NC) but there is a real beauty to the fall in our Rocky Mountains.  We hiked a bit on the Mill B trail, then up around Silver like at Brighton.  I fell in love with the sight of the white Aspen trunks framed by their bright yellow leaves with a clear blue sky in the background.  It was simply gorgeous!   We drove over Gaurdsman Pass and descended on a very steep, incredibly curvy, single lane mountain road to Midway.  We had a picnic lunch at Wasatch Mtn State Park, where we were

serenaded by a group of chickadees!  In Midway, we stopped by the war memorial which gives a great view of the town and one of my favorite places the HeberValley Artesian Cheese shop.  There are WAY too many temptations in that one small store!

Today we attended the re-dedication of the Ogden Temple (here in our local stake center).   Pres Monson gave the dedicatory prayer.  I found it neat to feel the spirit of the temple sitting in our own stake center, and I LOVE living where we have so many temples so close!  I am spoiled!