| | Where the heck did 2007 go? Seems like this past year went by faster than any previous one that I can think of. With the completion of two more semesters of grad school, multiple 30th birthday parties, trips to LA and Chicago, and the marriage of another good friend, 2007 just flew fly right by. Despite ending the year as a single guy once again (not to mention a 30-year old single guy), I think 2007 actually turned out to be a very good year. I was able to forge new meaningful friendships, further narrowed down my career path, maintained a 3.9 GPA, and even scratched three MLB ballparks off of my "Parks to see" list. So, whereas I usually approach the start of any new year with a "glass half empty" mentality and pessimistic outlook, I've decided that I'm going to change my approach heading into 2008. Rather than dwelling on what's wrong or missing in life, I think the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start appreciating the things and people that we already do have in our lives, and to start viewing the world through a lense of optimism and hope. So if I were to make only one new year's resolution for 2008, I would undoubtedly say that mine would be to start seeing things with a glass half full perspective rather than always dwelling on the negative. And for some reason, I have a feeling that 2008 will be a good year personally...hopefully with regard to work, grad school, and interpersonal relationships.
Guiding my optimism involving work, I was promoted to a Staff Services Manager I (SSM I) position last week...which according to most of my co-workers, makes me the youngest SSM I in Caltrans history. Not sure if that's actually true, but I guess I am pretty young compared to the other managers throughout the department and state service in general. The position will involve managing the cash for the new programs created via the November 2006 Proposition 1B general obligation bonds. Several new programs were created through this act, so it will be my job to monitor the expenditures and cash balances for these programs, and to do quarterly and annual forecasts that are required as part of the short-term loan process through the State Treasurer's Office. Although the position is a manager classification, I will not be a supervisor but rather a "specialist" which will allow me to work independently and not have to supervise any staff...which suits me since I don't have any desire to supervise at the moment. Although I am excited to step into this new position, it is a bit scary though since it is a brand new unit being created completely from scratch, and the other 5 positions in the unit still need to be filled...including my future boss. But again, with my new 2008 optimism, I am sure every thing will work out just fine and that it will be my most productive and rewarding year yet. However, I'm keeping my fingers crossed...just in case.
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| | Posted 1/1/2008 10:30 PM - 36 Views - 2 eProps - 2 comments
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