Notes Left Behind

This post is a little out of the ordinary for me and for once, (insert gasp here) won't be about the crazy antics of my work environment. Don't worry, I will still be posting the best gems that my crazy co-workers have to offer.

Today, I'd like to discuss a book that I'm currently reading, Notes Left Behind by Brooke & Keith Desserich. This nonfiction book takes your heart on a journey through sadness, happiness, hope and despair. It is the story of the Desserich's daughter, Elena, and her battle with pediatric brain cancer. Brooke & Keith chronicled their journey from the day that Elena was diagnosed through all of the trials and tribulations in the form of a daily journal entry. Their main goal was to be able to have an outlet and a story for their youngest daughter, Gracie, so that she may one day be able to understand this emotional journey that her family was on.

While any sickness or disease pulls at the heartstrings, it is ever more prevalent when it is concerning a child. While this book is truly a diary of the challenges they faced, it's purpose is much more meaningful; that every single moment you take a breath is a moment to be cherished.

How often do we roll our eyes when we have to go to a family party? How many times do we opt to sit and stalk facebook while our loved ones are running an errand or in another room? How many times have you thought to reach out to a long-lost friend, but felt too uncomfortable or awkward to actually pursue it?

The Desserich's would give anything to have one more moment with their Elena. One more laugh from a tickle-fest, one more pout for having to eat her vegetables, one more cry for her younger sister stealing her toy, one more smile as she fell asleep in the crook of her father's arms. They understood that it's not just the little things or the big things that make up life's great moments; its the everything in between as well.

I urge you all to take a moment and reflect on your life. Are there things that you wish you did or still want to do? Don't waste a moment! Don't have regrets.

Chances are infinite, but one thing that's not... is time.

FML

I know, I know. I haven't blogged in a while. Some of the things that happen hear just can't even be put into words, so I have to save it for the time when people who don't work here may actually still get it.

I was fully engaged in a facebook stalking sesh when I realized it was already 12:40! (EEK I usually eat at 12, my stomach didn't even remind me!) So I went up and joined my co-workers for lunch. Approximately 10 minutes later, my favorite intern walks in. I haven't seen much of him lately because he has been working mornings at our vault, which is at another location in Manhattan and the second lunch crew enjoys baiting him in conversation rather than doing what we do (IGNORE, IGNORE, IGNORE!) so he thankfully chose to eat with them from now on.

For some reason he chooses to engage in coversation with me, which went down like this:

Intern: "Laura, I can't do any of the work you gave me because I will be at the Vault for the entire week next week." (Yes, he now calls me Laura)

Me: "Ugh, I don't think I approved that!" (I said jokingly)

Intern: "You don't get to approve anything...That's why you sit in a cublicle!"

Exit stage left.

Really? Did that intern just completely tell me off? And why is it that he is 100% right. FML.

Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

I'm working on a presentation for work that requires me to provide a listing of states that we are approved to accept Medicaid in. So, after putting on my marketing cap, I thought it would be visually stimulating to get a handy dandy blank map from istockphoto and have our graphic guy color inthe 23 states. I sent him over the list, and he got to work.

A few hours later, the presentation is done and I send it off to my boss.

Later in the day, my boss calls me over and whispers "Umm, these are not the correct states. Can you print out a blank map and color them in for him, while I go cry?"

Yikes. So I ran back to my cubicle, printed out the blank version of the map, got my list of states and started coloring. I was astonished that a grown man would get this wrong (the reason I didn't double-check his work and simply imported it into my presentation). But then I got to Wyoming. Wyoming. Now where the heck is that pesky state!? Then came Missouri. Hmm, tricky. After about two more I gave up, googled a map of the US and copied the correct states.

After I was finished, I enrolled in Kindergarten for the Fall semester.