So, why do I deserve taking a long weekend? Sit back, relax and Let me tell you about my week!
Monday:
Due to my late night blogging last night that kept me up til about 3:30 in the morning...I didn't hit the ground physically running but I didn't have a case of the Monday's when I got to work. Last week, I scheduled a meeting to meet with some of the stakeholders in the current documentation process, and with the help of our IT guru, we had an extremely productive meeting where we really made progress on our ideas...good thing, too, because I have to present our new process TOMORROW afternoon to the higher ups.
For the rest of the day I worked hard in talking to everyone to make sure they buy into the new proposed system, and thankfully, they all seem to understand the need to have one safe source and are willing to alter their current processes to help make it happen!
It was almost 3 when I remembered that tonight I am supposed to attend the welcoming reception for our National Cemetery Administration's Training Class downtown. This was my first opportunity to interact with end users from the D&FP perspective. One thing I love about Caterpillar's internships is that they do a great job providing opportunities to see the entire business from production to sales to interacting with the customers.
At 5, I rolled up in my pimp-tastic Volvo to the Four Points Sheraton and immediately spotted our gravediggers! Well, as the night went on and the gravediggers got to know one another a little better, we all got to talking, and before I know it, there are three Puerto Rican gravediggers dancing an clapping to Shakira songs (aka my jam) and twirling me around. Josh would definitely have classified these men as straight up characters. They were AA to say goodbye, but I had a feeling they weren't going to bed anytime soon and would probably be a little sluggish tomorrow morning when the bus left at 6:45.
I can't be a hypocrite because the night was far from over for me. Immediately after I left the hotel, I headed to the Riverplex where I biked for 12 miles before leaving to shower and head out to martini's Monday's. I was slightly upset to find out that Lisa Carlson 2 wasn't able to join us, but we still managed to have a good time and cross a few more martini's off Pi list of drinks to try. The bartenders seriously are artists...I mean, check these out:
Bomb Pop
S'mores
Pink Lemonade
Unfortunately, Mike and Carrie were the entertainment again tonight (remember the people we thought were karaoke singers?!? Yeah...them). I would like to use their screeching as the reason behind Lauren and I losing our game of pool to Tim and CJ, but I must take the blame all on myself. Longest game of pool ever...that 8 ball just didn't want to go to its home.
Tuesday:
No run again today...had to make it out to Caterpillar's Edwards Training facility to join my little gravediggers as they got to operate some of our equipment. What an opportunity!!! Before they broke into their groups for the six different sessions, we all got to watch the full-line product demonstration. Before the demo started look at who I ran into:
Me and Bryant at Edwards Training Facility for 2012 NCA Training
Throughout the day, I got to walk around, mingle, listen and learn. I was carrying a Nikon camera given to me by a co-worker and the gravediggers deemed me as the event photographer. I was snapping away so much that i would have made Ms. Navarro proud!
2012 NCA Training with Mini Hydraulic Excavator
The training class simulates the actual cemetery size constraints that the operators must work with in their national cemeteries - it is such a small space with very little room for error.
My view from the cab of a 924H Wheel Loader
Check out that full bucket of dirt!!! Took me three times to figure out how to max the bucket capacity.
After a long day outside, we headed inside for a dinner with the whole group, but I staved off the hunger because I had a visitor!!!! My Uncle Gale is road tripping out to Montana, and jokingly, at Jennifer's graduation party I had said if he really wanted to spice up his trip he should stop by P-town AND HE DID!!! It was so wonderful hosting the first person from my family in Peoria, and I only wished I could have spent more time with him! We headed over to Granite City for a perfectly wonderful dinner! For all of you who know Gale, You know that no visit is complete without him graciously sharing a bottle (if you're really lucky like me...2!) of his Glascock Cellar wine! I can't tell you how excited I am to try the ice wine! Thank you so much for visiting Uncle Gale and I can't wait to report back on my pallet's take on the ice wine!
Wednesday:
Before I left Edwards yesterday, my co-worker asked if I could help her out again today which I got approved by my supervisor, so it was back out on the grounds again. Little did I know that I had a packed calendar that I forgot about in the office. I missed a tour of our manufacturing plant, SS, lunch with my mentor, and nearly missed the technical marketing rep panel discussion if it weren't for the help from my fellow Yellow Jacket, Graham, in Griffin, GA. I dialed in to hear about the opportunities that await in the technical marketing program. I was extremely interested to ind out more about Caterpillar's petroleum division - a mix of my interest in the energy industry, Texas, and my passion for Caterpillar: sounds like a tempting option for me!
After work, we had our dinner for the NCA at the Wildlife Prairie Park hitch was catered by Cracked Pepper. The park was quite a surprise as I pulled off the road - its a hidden, natural reserve that houses a slew of bison, elk, white- tailed deer, and over 50 other species of animals. All of the buildings are built from recycled materials so it isn't what I would normally envision as a place to truly wine and dine customers, but it was unique and the group enjoyed themselves despite the partial cash bar.
2012 NCA Training Dinner at Wildlife Prairie Park
2012 NCA Training Dinner at Wildlife Prairie Park
Bison herd just hangin out
When I returned and waited on my laundry to finish drying, I got on my hbogo account and reminisced on my childhood as I watched the classic Mary Kate and Ashley movie, It takes Two. Immediately, I questioned what has happened to our generation's taste in movies - that was a classic, but I have a co-worker begging me to go see Magic Mike...what is that?!?
Well, it was another late night as I finished packing and I tried to stuff everything into a carry on to avoid checking a bag...note to self, a four person tent just won't fit in a carry-on bag.
Thursday:
Woke up on time this morning so that I could shower and head out the door with my carry on, tent, pillow, and work bag: I looked like a fool walking the entire length of the ICC parking lot ( there isn't enough parking in the complex since the final wave of interns arrived and I got back so late last night) in heels and dragging my lime green suitcase. Finally I ditched the heels and just ran to my car and drove to my building.
At work, I started off by helping a co-worker on one of his mini projects in targeting his customers with specific caterpillar benefits that could directly impact them. It amazes me the trust my group puts in me when it comes to understanding basic programs such as Microsoft Word - there is definitely an opportunity for technology upgrades an classes so that this division becomes more efficient with the software capabilities they have. In the meantime...it makes me look super smart so I can't complain! I realize just how lucky my generation is to have grown up utilizing these programs as it truly does offer us a leg up in the business world.
After that meeting, I headed into my midterm review with my supervisor. Ummm...is it really midterm already? Yup! Time is flying and the projects just keep coming my way, but I am extremely grateful that I was able to prove myself a competent and dive. Intern because they are actually sending me projects that are interesting and carry some weight with them! Each project I take on gives me a glimpse into what I could be doing here full time which is something my supervisor spoke about during our meeting. Overall, he gave me incredible ratings, which is awesome because it challenges me to push the bar even higher in this second held. I definitely don't want to drop lower and I hate staying stagnant, so it's time to go for the gold!!! During our meeting he spoke about y interest in interviewing for the technical marketing program and said that if for some unknown reason I would not be accepted into the program, he would make sure he could find a place on his team for me! I definitely walked away from the meeting with great insight as to which areas I can work on improving and confidence in my abilities and a job well done! Little does he know I am just starting!
Today was just a day full of meetings because after lunch with some interns that work near and around the Tech Center at the Tech Center Car show (I'm telling you they are obsessed with these cars up here...), I headed back in for our group's team meeting where Chad, my supervisor, walked the group through our mid-year review and where our goals should be set for the next six months. I really admire Chad's ability to manage the group- the group has a great dynamic (seven women and one man...) and while I have only been here a month, he does show a genuine effort in making the group enjoy coming to work while maintaining the focus on producing results.
After the team meeting, I hit up some work that has been dangling over my head as I have been out of the office for the most part, and I organized myself so that I am ready to head to Fedfleet first thing Monday when I get back! My new best friend at work is the IT guy who hooked me up with a laptop to take with me when I am traveling so I can get some work done - I don't think he has ever had someone so excited to get a laptop to do work...FINALLY A TRULY FUNCTIONAL COMPUTER!!! That in and of itself is enough to celebrate!
So, in choosing to go to Kansas tonight, I knew I was passing up the opportunity to help the Blue Zebras take on our double header against the two other intern teams (just my luck tht Is how the schedule fell), but I am SO excited to report that I just got final word that after two intense games, the Blue Zebras pulled out on top 2-1, 2-1. Way to go BZs!!!
I also passed up the opportunity to join my team in D&FP to go out to lunch tomorrow at Longhorn Steakhouse to celebrate the great results for the first half of the year, but seeing as I wasn't really a contributor to those results it wasn't that hard for me to pass that up other than a great opportunity to wt to know my group a little better!
So, why did I hop on a plane and head out? Well, last year when I was interning at Koch, I heard about this country concert called "Country Stampede," and the more I heard about the bands, camping, and partying, the more I realized I had to try it out. So, tonight I land in Wichita to spend too-little time with some great friends I made last year, and then a few of us will pick up and road trip to Manhattan, KS (where K State is) for the concert for the weekend. I have been looking forward to this since last year when I bought the tickets on pre-sale. Needless to say, you will definitely want to stay tuned for my blog update when the weekend is over!
Until then: I wish all of my readers a wonderful Friday - finish strong! I hope you all have at least half a much fun as I intend on having and get to spend time with incredible friends as well.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish my little sister the best of luck on HER FIRST DAY AS A GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKET!!! She is in Faset (freshman orientation) and already I have had my phone blow up with people asking me about whether their eyes were playing tricks or if they truly did see the fourth and final Carlson strutting her stuff on campus! Good luck little J!!!
you sound like gossip girl in that last sentence.
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