My intern's work term has been extended at the eleventh hour!

It's amazing what a difference a day makes. Well, it's kind of more than a day.

On Tuesday, I had a talk with my manager. He let me know that he was trying his best to extend our intern to stay an additional four months. He told me, "Don't hold your breath." It has been difficult due to hiring freezes.

Yesterday, I had a good chat with my intern. I thanked him for everything. He said nice things about working with me. It was great.

Well, in our team meeting, our manager asked me if it was okay to assign work to our intern. I had to remind him that his time with us was limited. It was only then that my manager said that our intern is with us for another four month.

Both my intern and I are ecstatic that he's staying. He genuinely likes working with us. It was just odd how secretive our manager was about sharing this news, which drives me nuts.

The best part of the chat that I had with my intern was that we both like Marie Kondo's method of organizing. He has her book. Impressive!

My intern's final week at our workplace and during a pandemic

This week is my intern's final week at my workplace. It's odd that I cannot wish him a proper farewell during a pandemic.

I normally get a small gift as a token of my appreciation for all the hard work that each intern brings. This intern, in particular, has been outstanding. We share a love for food and get along well.

As a team, we send each intern off with a farewell lunch. I have told him that we'll have a deferred one for him once we are able to socialize again.

Last night, I sent him an e-gift card. It seems informal, but I wrote a personalized message. It's better than doing absolutely nothing.

Luckily, we get to talk tomorrow. We have exchanged cell phone numbers, so we'll keep in touch.

I'm not sure how my team will manage without him. He has played such an important part of our team that the void will be difficult to fill, especially when we can't backfill his role.

Beer, food, and a declined phone call

Last night, I invited my intern to a beer and food event. He loved it. I had a great time, too. The company was welcomed.

I drove him home. We get along well. It was around 9 pm and I didn't want him to take public transit when I could easily drive him home.

While we were talking and driving, my cell phone rang. It was my ex-guy.

I immediately declined his call. I wasn't ready to take it. I didn't want to take it.

I don't know why he wanted to talk to me. He didn't leave me a voice message.

Weird. I am relieved that he didn't leave a message.

I do wish that he'd stop contacting me. He obviously can't take a hint that I want nothing to do with him. He broke my heart. I have nothing to say to him.

These days, things are good. I am finally in a good place.

Cake and boredom

I have not worked from home for over three weeks. I go into the office tomorrow, but will thankfully get to work from home on Wednesday.

My student is progressing well. I am thrilled about his progress.

We had a September cake break on Monday afternoon. We sat there and ate cake. I asked about a fellow student who was in a meeting with our development team earlier in the day. He looked bored out of his mind.

Our manager came over and I pointed out how bored he was earlier in our meeting. My manager indicated that he was loud the other day and wasted time gabbing with three employees. I let him know that he didn't say a peep in our meeting, which seemed amusing to us.

Perspectives are interesting. I have never asked a student to go into this meeting with me, as the information would be way over his head. I like my judgment in this case.

Plans to let my incompetent colleague go

I had my usual bi-weekly talk with my manager on Tuesday. We talked about my development goals, which are coming along nicely.

He talked about my problematic colleague who is on my team. He has decided that after two years of putting up with her incompetence and tardiness that he wants to let her go.

I am currently training my student intern. Things are going well. My manager is hopeful that my intern will be successful in taking over her duties, allowing my manager to let her go from the company.

It will be an interesting rest of the year. We'll see what unfolds.

First day of a new work term and a dream about French kissing

Last night, I dreamt about my ex-guy. He said that he wanted to not only French kiss me, but to put his tongue down my mouth.

It was a strange dream. I'm not sure what it signifies.

Several hours from now, a new work term begins. Last Friday, I was given the news that our new student starts today. I wasn't prepared for such a quick start. Here's hoping that his laptop is available. Otherwise, it will be my doing a bunch of demonstrations during my training sessions.

I had a great weekend. I am looking forward to my next long weekend in over a month.

Gourmet cookies make people happy

Friday was my student's last day at work. On Thursday, I got her a box of gourmet cookies as a thank-you gift.

She told me the most endearing story on Friday. She brought the cookies home on Thursday and asked her dad to have one after dinner. They both indulged in a cookie each. He has a sweet tooth and loved it.

They both went out after dinner, separately, to different commitments. Her mom arrived home later.

When my student came home, she let her mom know that I had bought cookies for her. Her mom said that she ate four cookies -- one of each flavour. Her mom doesn't have a sweet tooth, but found the cookies scrumptious. It speaks volumes.

I would probably get along with her mom. She loved the lemon delight ones the best. It's my favourite flavour.

I buy these cookies for special occasions and people. I'm glad that I made her day and her family's.

Interviewing skills and conversation

Last Thursday, my manager and I had an interview with a prospective intern. He is from my alma mater, which is a first.

He was polite and knowledgeable. My manager conducted the first half of the interview, as he had to leave to attend a meeting. I took over after that.

I like honing my interviewing skills. I don't like firing question after question, or going into a huge soliloquy. I'd rather have a conversation, which made it more comfortable for both of us.

When I asked if he had any questions towards the end of our time together, he truly opened up. I like when folks are comfortable with me, and vice-versa.

His writing and editing skills are superb. He'll do just fine.

He accepted the offer. I look forward to working with him soon.

Weekend relief from an annoying colleague

Yay, the weekend is here! Although it was a short workweek for me, it seemed incredibly long.

I have a colleague who joined my team over two months ago. She is apparently supposed to be as experienced as I am, but comes across as being junior and not knowing what she is doing. It's to the point where my astute student has made the same observations and shared them with me.

She has an issue with punctuality. She is supposed to be at work by 9:45 am. She has been getting into work at around 10:30 am. On Friday, it was 11:00 am, as noted by my manager.

Both my manager and I have had a talk about it with her. I saw signs of improvement at first, but we are back to square one. She doesn't seem to be making a decent effort.

Anyway, enough about that issue and the fact that she came over five times to talk to me while I was quietly working with my student.  I am off to bed to enjoy sleeping in.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Survived the workweek by napping

I got through this week in one piece. I like my new student. She is bright and highly mature for her age.

I went into work every single day this week. I haven't done that in ages. I do miss working from home, although it was nice to spend more time chatting with various folks at work.

The downside to going into work is getting up early and then needing a nap before my bedtime. I have had a nap a couple of times this week. It's the main reason why I am writing at this hour. I took a nap a couple of hours ago and have slightly more energy.

Okay, I spoke too soon. I'm off to bed.

Back in the training saddle again

Monday was my first day training my new student. All went well, except that her laptop didn't arrive at work on time. We had to get a loaner.

She's fitting in well. I am pleased.

My manager treated her to lunch. I was invited, but had to pay for my own meal. Hey, it could have been much worse.

I am looking forward to the rest of this week.

Sleeping in is wonderful

My guy and I share a love for sleeping in on weekends. He likes sleeping in, whether he is on the road or at home.

I'm a bit different. When I am on the road, I like being out and about. I don't sleep in too late. I like to see what's around the area. He isn't that adventurous.

I was exhausted last night. I first slept for eight hours. I then took a nap later on in the day that ended up being 1.5 hours.

I enjoy my weekends. I remember being a grad student and not having that luxury of sleeping in. I can't imagine being a grad student again. I like my weekends to relax and do whatever I'd like, including sleeping.

It's the long Easter weekend. I have two more nights to sleep in. It's nice

Returning to my alma mater - a familiar homecoming

I attended a handful of free learning sessions at my alma mater, where I got my undergraduate degree. It was a great night out.

I hadn't been there in years. Many of the buildings have had facelifts. Yet, I walked on campus as if time had stopped. It was highly familiar to me. Second nature.

It makes sense that it felt like home. I spent four years of my life there.

I sat in a lecture hall where one of the sessions took place. It was the same lecture hall where I attended my first summer math course. The long tables and pull-out chairs are long gone. Bolted, fold-up chairs with tiny desks that you can fold down are their replacements. As technology has advanced, so has the lectern with tons of ports and cables.

All my math courses that I took on this campus were in this building. I felt like I was an undergraduate student again. It felt comfortable and right after all these years.

Weird. In a cool way.

Interview thoughts, work, and taxes

The student interviews on Friday went well. We have three extremely good candidates. My boss and I need to choose one of them for the upcoming work term.

Frankly, it would be great if we could ditch the incompetent employee that we currently have for any of these three. They are far more on the ball that she will ever be!

My weekend has flown by. I spent a couple of hours doing some work. It wasn't difficult, but it did take up some time.

I also completed filing tax returns for my parents. It's nice that I got everything over by the end of March. I am a month ahead of schedule. Miracles do happen now and again!

I hope everyone has a great week ahead!

Wet screen protector

Last Friday, I had lunch with three colleagues, including one of my students. Several months ago, she liked my phone so much that she decided to upgrade to the same model. She is equally as enamoured over this phone as I am.

We sat next to each other at the restaurant. She admitted that it made her happy seeing my phone, as it reminds her of my phone.

She taught me something new. She went with a wet phone screen. It basically means that you apply the film by spraying a special solution. It makes applying it to the phone easier.

I have had a glass screen protector on it for a bit. The problem is that my phone is slightly curved, which means that the glass protector does not completely stay flush on the screen.

I noticed that my glass screen protector had a small crack in the left corner. I went online and bought a two-pack of film that you apply wet. It sounds like a sexual innuendo, but it's not!

I just applied it on my phone. Wow! I love how clean it sticks. I'm supposed to let it dry overnight to set. A day later, I am to use the phone case that came with the wet protectors. After five days, I can use my own case. Cool!

Farewell to an intern and hello to a pillow fight

Today was my intern's last day. It was nice that she loved the card that I had picked out for our entire team to sign. She also liked the gift that I had purchased on behalf of our team.

She isn't the sentimental, emotional type. She did manage to say that she was glad that I was her team lead and that I can vent to her at any time. All of her comments made my day and speak volumes about how much she enjoyed being with us.

I just realized that I am in training mode, either giving or receiving it, for at least a month. It's cool that both my guy and I are in this mode for a bit.

The other day, my guy teased me. It's fun being on a couch. I got a couch pillow and had a mini pillow fight with him. I like that we are both so playful. Pillow fights are fun.

Amusement park

In a few hours, I am going to Canada's Wonderland. I haven't been there since I was an undergraduate student.

I am fortunate to be going a day before the park officially opens to the public. It's a paid-for event and I am grateful to be a part of it.

I normally sleep in on Saturday. This event is worth breaking my cycle.

A week ago, I asked my guy whether he'd like to go. Unfortunately, he can't. It would have been fun to be at a amusement park with him. We have never done that before.

Anyway, I am looking forward to going. It's expected to rain. I hope that it's not all day.

My team and my guy - thoughts

I have three folks on my team. Two are full-time writers and the third is my student.

Technically, all three are new to my team. On a good note, they all get along. It's an interesting dynamic.

My student and I get along well. She does not hesitate to do any task that I give her. She does require an occasional trigger word to get her on track on a few tasks. Otherwise, she completes them with quality and I am pleased.

One writer is essentially my mini-me as far as work ethic goes. She is a self-starter and simply runs with whatever tasks are available. She is a fast learner and does have a lot of experience with an authoring tool that we will be cutting over to. She's great, her work is close to being perfect, and is taking over roughly have of my development work.

The concern is with the other writer. She is the oldest member of the team. I tell her information. It goes in one ear and completely out the other. I feel like I am a broken record.

She also does not read e-mails carefully. Often, she doesn't read them at all. She prefers instant messaging over e-mails. I am the complete opposite. I find the former distracting.

When I do work from home, I put myself into do-not-disturb mode these days. It means that you see me online, but I won't accept instant messages.

Both the student and the younger writer understand that I get a ton of e-mails. They also know that I am completely accessible through e-mail. The other writer seems to be all over the map.

She told me the other day that she felt that she was doing student work. She does have an issue with status, indicating that she is a senior writer. It's funny. She doesn't give me the impression that she is.

Perhaps it's me. I am also in that same senior writer as far as experience goes, although she has more of it. However, I do not label one task as being for a student and another for a senior writer. I do tasks that need to be done. Period.

Over the last few weeks, it occurred to me that I have a ton of knowledge. Even older technology that I have to resurrect from the dead comes to me naturally, which has been the case for the past few days. It's funny that I acquired this knowledge mainly through trial and error. I don't see any initiative with the older writer when it comes to self-learning. It's there with the younger one. The student has it, too.

My concern is that the older writer, who is supposed to take over the other half of my development duties, won't be able to hack it. She is set in her ways, which is a red flag.

The good news is that I am taking Friday off. I will be seeing my guy, so it will be a good, relaxing time away from work.

Training, questions, and dynamics

At work, I have been training for most of the week. The new hire told me that she appreciates my training her, which is nice.

I am still trying to gauge how she ticks. She's nice, but she asks questions that have nothing to do with the task at hand, at times. It's odd.

As an example, she asked me out of the blue whether we have hired students as full-time employees while in a training session about the writing tool. She is also fixated on another tool that our team will be migrating over to in six months.

I have another colleague that I am training on another aspect of my job. We get along well. She, on the other hand, asks questions that are work-specific. I like that!

It's an interesting mix. The good thing is that with my team of new folks, including my student, we all get along. Here's hoping that the trend continues.

My entire team thinks that it is amazing that I can talk all day. I guess that my guy and I are so chatty that it makes sense that we are trainers!

Quiet, productive workday when it typically isn't

This week has been busy. I have been working with the new student, preparing for my presentation to the team, and dealing with training another new employee next week when little is in place. With the last item, there is a holdup in the system, which will make training this person without a laptop a challenge.

I have trained a writer without a laptop before. It wasn't fun. I ended up repeating items again. What can you do, right?

It was a pretty quiet Friday, which I liked. Our team generally goes out on Friday, but only two people had said yes. My manager asked if I wanted to still go, as I was one of the yes people. I asked that it be cancelled. Instead, I grabbed lunch locally.

My student was sick. My manager wasn't feeling well, either. He decided to go to his family doctor for an appointment.

I asked the administrative assistant whether I could change my locker at work. Ever since our office moved to this site four years ago, my locker has never budged as far as location goes. I have been on and off teams like there's no tomorrow. I decided to leave my locker where it is, which is the opposite end of the floor from where I currently sit.

For a while, my teams have not changed. There is a free locker right next to my desk. I decided to take the plunge. The administrative assistant was fine with the swap. She got the operations manager to give me the key. I will go into work on Saturday to move my stuff. I am hoping that no one is there. Again, I like doing quiet work without any distractions.

I didn't have a chance to do the change on Friday. I spent it fixing the training materials. My last student did a good job at putting them together. The main problem with her slides is that she points to videos and has to switch between two different file locations.

I decided to include the videos in the slide deck. It's simply a question of playing each video when it's in front of me.

It's nice to do quiet work. It's rare for me, but I do take advantage of it when the opportunity presents itself.