Proud

Today I'm really proud of myself. I don't get to say that very often, but today I was motivated and bold, and both served me well.

Sometimes, I get competitive. I don't have a degree, but I have a job and cannot justify going back to school in this economy. Luckily the state of Oregon agrees and has developed a Professional Development program in my field. It not only looks at the college courses I have taken, but also takes into consideration the seminars and conferences that I attend regularly, and gives me a "step." Yes, it's a 12 step program. Eventually you will have to have a certain step in order to work. I am ahead of the game. I am at a higher step than I need, and today I learned that my direct co-worker is not even close. Somehow that pushed me to try even harder. If she's not going to shine, I need to shine again and prove myself. So I gathered all of my information and I will be registering for the next "step" this week. There is a $500 award for achieving a new step. One year from now, I will turn in additional courses and such, and will be awarded an additional $500 for making it as high as I will ever go. THAT is my two year plan.

Today I helped a friend who is making a piece of a costume for another friend. I went and spent time with her when I was done working because I had a meeting at 6. A guy friend of mine whom I haven't seen in awhile was off at 5:30 so I left with him and asked him if he wanted to take a walk. We walked and it was the highlight of my day. He's a good guy.

Today was a long, but good day.