Is Spring in the Air?

Today officially marked my last day in collections at Ford Credit. Although it has definitely taught me a lot, it's nice to know that I'm moving on to a new job in the rotational program. And although I don't know what my day in-day out will look like with my next job, it seems like a lot less time on the phone and a lot more time working with numbers. And after about nine months of being on the phones and constantly talking, it's a good change of pace. 

This past weekend I also went outdoors for the first time for no other reason than just to be outdoors in what seems to me like an eternity. That's only because this past weekend had probably the nicest weather in what also seems like an eternity. Is spring finally upon us?!

Yes there are many changes that are coming with the seasons, and I'm definitely looking forward to them! From different weather, different job, different mentality, I'm feeling pretty optimistic with what these next few months have in store!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

I've come to realize that home truly is where the heart is. And my heart is with your friends and family. And according to that logic, my heart is almost completely still in California.

I was recently able to go back again, and the only regret I have was that I wasn't able to see all the people that I wanted to. A week is most definitely not enough to hang out with and see everyone meant so much to me during my four years as a college student down in SoCal. 

But that was the cool thing: it was a good problem to have. It meant that even though I may have not done many things completely right during my time in college, I was able to find a group of amazing friends who, despite many not having really kept in touch with during my time in Colorado, still chipped out time from their busy schedule to bid me a howdy-doody in the few times I was free to do so. And that really opened the floodgates of memories.

Even now while writing this post whilst looking at this picture I look at each face and have so many good memories of the talks, food, and laughs that I shared with each and every one of them. And although I am done with undergrad now, looking at this picture makes me realize that I most definitely did it right.

It's crazy how fast life moves in the macro, and yet in the micro sometimes it seems to drag on forever. Although it felt long in the moment, college to me now that I'm out of it felt like a blink of an eye. The craziest thing to think about is the fact that a group picture consisting of all these people together once again may never happen again. Not because we're not friends anymore or anything, but because life goes on, and people move to different places and find new friends to take group pictures with. 

But that certainly doesn't mean that at the very least I can't one day at least have a picture with each and every one of the individually. I don't want to look at this picture a few years down the road and ask myself "hmmm, I wonder where "xyz" went and what they're up to now." I want to know, I want to care, and I want to continue rooting for each and every one of them every step of the way, even if it's only in my mind. 

Unlike stocks, friendship is one of those investments in life that don't increase in value the longer you just let it sit there. It's more like a car in some ways: the longer that you have it, the more it depreciates. But you make sure to constantly give it a good wash every now and then and clean out the insides and make sure it functions in tip top shape all the time. Over time, people then look at it and say "wow, that is a valuable thing you got there! Can I buy it?!" And the answer is always no, it's not for sale :)

Meet My Team

Meet my team! This is a picture comprised of all the people that have been with me these past few months in my position as a Loss Prevention Representative. I get the opportunity to spend 40 hours a week with them doing the same job that they do. On rough days, these are the people that somehow make it better. When I get chewed out by some person on the phone, they're the ones that keep my spirits up. Over the course of my time here I've gotten to know a lot about their families and their interests, as well as their quirks and tendencies. I've said this from the beginning, and working with this team has proved it: it doesn't matter where you work or what you do, what's really important is who you work with. 

Recently I found out that I only have a month of working with them before it's on to the next position in the rotation. I've protected the company's assets with this team for what seems like so much longer than it actually is, and quite honestly, I'm going to miss it. Although the hours are bizarre and the people I speak with sometimes even more, over the course of four months this team has become a family to me. On chill days these are the people I joke around with. On busy days these are the people that I share the workload with. 

With another person leaving, I decided I didn't want to forget this team, so I made everyone come down and take a few snaps, just for the memories. 

Although some of these people are no longer on my team, I'm so glad that they chipped out some time in their schedule (it's actually kinda a big deal to do this with all the rules in place) to seal the deal on what's been crazy times. My only wish is that the person taking these pictures would've taken so many more that I wouldn't have a blurry one as my best (you're seeing literally 2 of 3 pictures...) but oh well!! 

#TEAMTOMLIN