Where to begin?

There is really so much in my life that I am grateful for, it's hard to know where to start with this blog.  So I start with the big stuff?  Do I start with the obvious stuff?  Do I start with something funny or quirky?  Its too hard, but several times today when trying to decide what to write about, i have told myself, "Just write about the first thing that comes to your mind."

That thing is my job.  About six months ago, I was hired as an Assistant Director of Human Subjects Research compliance at IU.  I love it.  It's fun, interesting, and challenging, without being impossible.  There are times when I make mistakes and get frustrated about not being perfect, but all in all, I think I'm pretty good at it.

I won't go into too much detail about what it actually is that I do.  Basically, when anyone at IU wants to do research that involves people, they have to submit an application to our office, where I am one of 3 people who screens the applications before they actually get approved by the Chair of the Institutional Review Board.  We stay busy.

The work itself is good.  It's interesting, it's meaningful and worth while.  I like it.  And I feel good about it.  This is the first job I've had where I actually feel like what I am doing matters.  Plus, I love telling people what I do.  :)  That title is nothing to sneeze at.

Then there is the environment.  I really like my coworkers.  They are all nice, normal, intelligent people who are actually interested in each other and in working together to do a good job.  My boss is super nice, but will definitely tell you if you need to improve, but in a way that makes me feel like she is trying to help me rather than scold me.  And the two other assistant directors are also great.  They are both really friendly, professional, and sharp.  And then our Office coordinator has the amazing ability to repeatedly remind me to do simple clerical tasks without seeming to get too annoyed with me.  Everyone in the office is great.

Beyond the work, the co-workers, and the office environment, there is also everything that having this job means and allows me to do.  I have a professional job with a salary, that directly relates to what I went to school for.  I have a job with a Salary that is allowing me to get a handle on my bills and debt.  I have a job with a salary that is going to allow James and me to buy our first house!

It is amazing.  If you had asked me even 5 years ago, if I thought I would be here now, I would have said no.  I thought I would be working in a restaurant forever and I cannot believe that I have been fortunate enough to go back to school, get my degree, and then go on to actually get a great job that uses the skills I learned in college.

So for all of that, today I am greatful for my job.

First Post!

The hardest things about a blog is keeping up with it. You fill your mind with lists of things to discuss, ponder, and share. You keep your camera with you at all times, randomly snapping pics of this or that Jesus shaped french fry, cool haircut, or cute little dog. But how often do these thoughts or ideas make it into to the webz? Well, if you are me, hardly ever. It takes to long!

I read a little post from someone else today that featured a list of 43 things to do that will simplify your life. One of them is to keep a gratitude journal. Lame, right? Well, I think it's a good idea, especially for someone like me. I need to actively remind myself that things are good and I like them, otherwise I have a tenancy to get a little downtrodden.

So, lame as it may be, I have decided to make this blog my gratitude journal. I plan to post something every work day, so we will see how that goes. It doesn't have to be long, it doesn't have to have pictures...it just has to be something.

For today, I am grateful the internet! For real, no joke. Thanks, Al Gore! Way to go!