Welcome back, welcome back, welcome....back!

I really thought about creating a new blog when I moved to Texas this month. After deciding that I would start one again, I went to the BlogSpot site and realized that my old one automatically popped up. Because I REALLY liked the name of the blog I created a couple years ago and just the fact that I would rather keep everything together, I decided to just keep on going! The first one will probably be long... The last year of transition In June 2012, I decided that I wanted to get more involved with my Masters degree and join the corporate world of Training and Development. I left the SA to contract for Williams as a trainer for an Asset Management System. Let's just say that it wasn't really something I truly enjoyed. It was really just not fulfilling me and it helped me realize that I really wanted a job where I knew I was making a different, leading and creating vision for those around me. A few conversations that I had with my friend Jessica made me realize....because there are SO MANY bad managers/leaders in the world, if I feel like I am a good one, I am doing the world a disservice by NOT being one - HA! Therefore, I received an opportunity to become the Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bandera County, Texas. Well, now I'm in Bandera and have been here for the last two and a half weeks... This town was a shocker to say the least. I have always lived in a suburb of a bigger city - Sapulpa and Sand Springs both had around 20k people and of course Edmond was a lot bigger. What do all of these places have in common? A Walmart - it's that simple. When I interviewed in Bandera, the board president told me I would be shocked at what was in town and believe me, I was for sure! Here is a run down - a grocery store, Family Dollar, a few gas stations, Sonic, Churches Chicken, Dairy Queen and as many bars as there are churches. Although for me, that is a nice little challenge. My immediate thoughts are - what am I going to accomplish here? What BIG things can happen? That's what I'm going to be doing. I am VERY excited about this opportunity and really pumped about the challenge of a setting that I have never experienced in my life. I have dedicated to myself that I WILL NOT be marrying this job. When I worked in Sand Springs, it was easy for me to just pull a 50 hour week, EVERY WEEK. I have walked into this position a completely different person, understanding that if my life never happens...there won't be a director left to lead this organization. I am eating clean, working out on a more than regular basis and taking time to continue a few hobbies I've started the last few months. I have decided that for me, I'm at a place where I would really start working with teens. While we are low on staff, I have decided to concentrate my time on this particular age group. So, for a while...my posts might be about my experiences with them! Luckily, I am going to have an outlet for my thoughts on how to mentor them and work with their age group. Looking forward to posting more soon - because I am by myself for right now, I am looking forward to writing more and getting my thoughts out!