Life After Returning to Fannie Mae

So, it's been a really long time. See? I got a job. It's even better...I went back to Fannie Mae. Why, you ask is this so funny? It's funny because remember, I got laid off in December, and now, I'm back. Same position, new department. And you know what???? I ADORE IT!

I work for a fabulous group of people. I knew I was spoiled see, after the "Mistake in March." I like that - rather than call out who I worked for (jack ass that he is) I can simply call it "The Mistake in March". It works!

So in late July I returned. It was really frustrating at first, and boy was I glad that my new boss was away on vacation. Why? Well, because all of the things that worked so well when I left, I had to have reinstalled. There were endless calls to our tech support team, visits by deskside technical support (I was great at confounding them with new, interesting and challenging problems that they'd never seen before - I'm good at that sort of thing), and more calls to tech support. Finally, once we got everything up and running, we then had to request access to the stuff that I need to see. This takes forever now due to internal controls. But nevertheless, I am up and running at 100% and am so happy to be back that I celebrated with a shopping trip.

One other thing that I am taking full advantage of is the ability to utilize group networking avenues - in this regard I am becoming a healthier individual. I'm working out, changing my eating habits and my lifestyle, and eventually I will be the person that I was put on this earth to be - or as close to it as I can get this go around.

Today, however, is a joyful day. Not because my beloved boss works from home in New Jersey, while I am here in the metro DC area - oh no! But because of a training session that I almost didn't do. I have had the pleasure of spending the last two hours in a training session learning from Gina Rudan (http://www.ginarudan.com/) on "How to be and Effective Leader." This lesson focuses not just on our personal self, but on our professional self...After all, we spend almost as much time focused on work as we do on ourselves right? Right? Now face it...How many of you focus on work all the time? Let me see your hands? Uh huh...Well, Gina reminds us that we are all genius's. Read her blog. You'll understand.

We made "story boards" that represent ourselves individually. Mine is colorful. After all, I am a colorful person right? And as I look at it, really look at it - it refocuses my energy and states - my family is my center (it's located in the center of my storyboard) - my center is a heart - that heart represents my family, my lifeblood, if you will. Inside the heart are words that state "Married Life Rocks!" For the most part it does...But it takes a lot of hard work. A great deal of energy, commitment and comprismise and most of all COMMUNICATION. Marriage is not just about sex and love, it is about a never ending relationship that ages and changes, evolves and develops and is never ending for those who are not just committed, but loyal, faithful and true to the commitment of the union and to the people that that union connects.

On either side of the heart that is my family are two other words - one is "Sacred" and the other "spirituality." Both are me. Actually, the storyboard and putting it together is nothing but "undressing emotionally" and sharing with a large corporate group. This is not just about learning to be an effective leader, but by leading by example.

This class and Gina Rudan left a mark on my soul. This class meant something to me. Thank you Fannie Mae for providing me with not just an opportunity to have 8 months off through lay offs, but a chance to grow during that time - not just spiritually, but emotionally. I am thankful for the opportunities that Fannie has given me in my past, present and future - and I was meant to work here. I hope to continue to do so for a long time to come.