The Heart Walk and other things
so this past saturday i woke up at 6.30 am to get to the metro and head to DC.
it was freezing. it was early. and i was not fed. on the bright side: i did have my iPod.
but the details: the American Heart Association is raising money for well Heart and Vascular stuff. Research and potential cures and other stuff. people sign up and fundraise, then they go on this walk to help promote heart health...at least i think thats why they do it. anyways, they walk the loop in the National Mall, twice. After raising money and its fun.
i woke up at 6.30 to try and get to the metro by 7 then arrive at the L'enfant Metro station by 8am. and then walk up 7th to hit Jefferson to arrive at the National Mall. Then head toward the Capitol Building's Reflecting Pool, to where the festivities are.
There was music hosted by 94.7FM's DJ called 'Surf'. and it was mostly upbeat stuff; the kind of music you hear at basketball or football games really. there was food too, fruits (mostly of which i couldnt eat because of the stupid braces) AHA form generic NutriGrain bars, and coffee/tea.
so all the negativity went away pretty quick.
turns out i was the first one of my team there, the first of five... there was my director, Ursula. assistant director, DiAnthia. my manager, Mihi. and the manger of Tower and OR services, Ruth. by the time we gathered everyone, the weather had warmed up and all the paticipants of the heart walk got to do a "warm up" hosted by a local fitness group in DC (forget the name). about 5 trainers got on the stage where the music was playing and led all the walkers in various exercises and stretches, and the finale was two dances: the Electric Slide and the Tootsie Roll? or Pop? something... anyways all of this for the walk. ...not really sure it was needed, since it was a walk, but some people really got into it. for example: the rest of my team. i didnt really participate.... never was much of a dancer.
then the walk started. in a circle around the National Mall from the Captiol Building's Reflecting Pool to the street before the monument, then back to the Capitol Building's Reflecting Pool. twice. in the end it was about 3 miles.
almost immediately after we finished, the closing ceremonies and shutting down began. haha.
rode on the metro with the team then did my own thing for a little bit.
-------------------
lets rewind two days to thursday... work was the usual self, until about half way through the shift. a meeting with the director and our satellite staff...usually not a good sign since if we, ever, get a good review or something that news is emailed; however the bad news? must be delivered in person. apparently there have been numerous mistakes that our staff has made and it looks bad. the director and pharmacists all met and came to terms and then more talk and speeches.
then i had to go on a run for delivering meds.
i came back...and apparently while i was gone: all hell broke loose. 2-3 hours were spent yelling and screaming and other ways communicating strong disagreements. i came returned about a half hour they all started.
the reason? there are some MAJOR changes happening, and fast. they didnt get give us fair warning or even a hint. nor did they communicate or ask us, the staff, for our opinion. some folks were VERY VERY upset. and i was too; but not because of the changes. but because of those few hours spent arguing and yelling, everyone got behind. including me and i wasnt getting any help and there for left later than usual instead of early for Yida's dinner.
so i got out later than if i worked a regular shift, but i came in early to leave earlier and got authorization to do so to make Yida's dinner. anyways, i was late. i called Yida. bolted to my car. drove. changed. got to a parking garage. bolted to restaurant. and then a fun evening was at hand: Yida's birthday dinner. an exquisite little restaurant called I'l Fornaio...Italian and very good. there was a good time all around. great company, wine, funny stories, and delicious food and dessert.
after the dinner a few of us decided to have a few more drinks and walked over to ATR for a beer or two.
then to home and sleep.
now friday: Halloween and work. thats about it. haha.
it was freezing. it was early. and i was not fed. on the bright side: i did have my iPod.
but the details: the American Heart Association is raising money for well Heart and Vascular stuff. Research and potential cures and other stuff. people sign up and fundraise, then they go on this walk to help promote heart health...at least i think thats why they do it. anyways, they walk the loop in the National Mall, twice. After raising money and its fun.
i woke up at 6.30 to try and get to the metro by 7 then arrive at the L'enfant Metro station by 8am. and then walk up 7th to hit Jefferson to arrive at the National Mall. Then head toward the Capitol Building's Reflecting Pool, to where the festivities are.
There was music hosted by 94.7FM's DJ called 'Surf'. and it was mostly upbeat stuff; the kind of music you hear at basketball or football games really. there was food too, fruits (mostly of which i couldnt eat because of the stupid braces) AHA form generic NutriGrain bars, and coffee/tea.
so all the negativity went away pretty quick.
turns out i was the first one of my team there, the first of five... there was my director, Ursula. assistant director, DiAnthia. my manager, Mihi. and the manger of Tower and OR services, Ruth. by the time we gathered everyone, the weather had warmed up and all the paticipants of the heart walk got to do a "warm up" hosted by a local fitness group in DC (forget the name). about 5 trainers got on the stage where the music was playing and led all the walkers in various exercises and stretches, and the finale was two dances: the Electric Slide and the Tootsie Roll? or Pop? something... anyways all of this for the walk. ...not really sure it was needed, since it was a walk, but some people really got into it. for example: the rest of my team. i didnt really participate.... never was much of a dancer.
then the walk started. in a circle around the National Mall from the Captiol Building's Reflecting Pool to the street before the monument, then back to the Capitol Building's Reflecting Pool. twice. in the end it was about 3 miles.
almost immediately after we finished, the closing ceremonies and shutting down began. haha.
rode on the metro with the team then did my own thing for a little bit.
-------------------
lets rewind two days to thursday... work was the usual self, until about half way through the shift. a meeting with the director and our satellite staff...usually not a good sign since if we, ever, get a good review or something that news is emailed; however the bad news? must be delivered in person. apparently there have been numerous mistakes that our staff has made and it looks bad. the director and pharmacists all met and came to terms and then more talk and speeches.
then i had to go on a run for delivering meds.
i came back...and apparently while i was gone: all hell broke loose. 2-3 hours were spent yelling and screaming and other ways communicating strong disagreements. i came returned about a half hour they all started.
the reason? there are some MAJOR changes happening, and fast. they didnt get give us fair warning or even a hint. nor did they communicate or ask us, the staff, for our opinion. some folks were VERY VERY upset. and i was too; but not because of the changes. but because of those few hours spent arguing and yelling, everyone got behind. including me and i wasnt getting any help and there for left later than usual instead of early for Yida's dinner.
so i got out later than if i worked a regular shift, but i came in early to leave earlier and got authorization to do so to make Yida's dinner. anyways, i was late. i called Yida. bolted to my car. drove. changed. got to a parking garage. bolted to restaurant. and then a fun evening was at hand: Yida's birthday dinner. an exquisite little restaurant called I'l Fornaio...Italian and very good. there was a good time all around. great company, wine, funny stories, and delicious food and dessert.
after the dinner a few of us decided to have a few more drinks and walked over to ATR for a beer or two.
then to home and sleep.
now friday: Halloween and work. thats about it. haha.