Library of Congress Work Anniversary

Around this time in August eighteen years ago I started my second career as a program analyst at the Library of Congress in the infrastructure support services. If you had asked me if I would ever work at the Library or live in Washington DC I would have thought you were nuts. After thirty years in health care in the Midwest, we decided to move to DC if I could find a job. We bought a tiny condo near our family on Capitol Hill that would be used for visits but we never thought we would ever LIVE in 500 square feet. So I started looking for employment that was within walking distance and submitted resumes to the Architect of the Capitol and the Library. It was a very tedious process but eventually paid off with a phone interview, and then an in person interview. I worked at the Library for ten years! I still don’t believe it. We still drive in to town to attend programs. It gives us an excuse to see the beautiful Jefferson Building where I walked on every afternoon break on my way to the Capitol visitor center through the underground tunnels. Looking back it was a great experience - but while I was working there I didn’t always feel that way. So every August I remember that first day of work. It’s strange how things turn out. 

Library of Congress Work Anniversary

It would have been sixteen years this month. I worked at the Library of  Congress for ten years. Never in a million years would I have guessed that was where I would end up - especially since I was trained as an RN at Florida State University and went on for a masters degree at Marquette. What would that education have anything to do with the library of Congress? My health care career path took me to management, operation efficiency and productivity and that’s what the infrastructure support services was looking for - a particular skill set. I took a huge pay cut but the idea was to leave the Midwest and live down the street from our family and grandson. We also bought a tiny condo - before I got the job - and that eventually became our home. You could say we gave up a lot but we also gained a lot as any big move like that goes. We went to a program at the Library this week and it reminded me of the wonderful place it was and is. It was the first time in over three years that we actually registered to attend an event and it was wonderful. Just the idea of getting back to “normal” felt so good. We no longer live on Capitol Hill but we go in to town at least once a week. I much prefer going to the library as a retiree, but am glad I had the opportunity to work there. 

Library of Congress First Day of Work

Monday will be fifteen years since I started work at the Library of Congress. Who would have imagined I would end up there? It’s a roundabout story, but now that I’m retired I can say it was a great experience. I’m not talking about the work, but everything else. We moved to Capitol Hill from the Midwest. I got to walk to work because it was only two blocks away. I could come home for lunch every day. I worked in the Madison Building on Independence Avenue, but walked underground in the tunnels to the Capitol visitors center, the house office buildings, and the beautiful Jefferson building on afternoon breaks. My first event was a groundbreaking ceremony for the Capitol visitor center tunnel. I got a piece of a brick from the Jefferson building. I got to tour the infrastructure - most notably near the dome and statues in the great hall when it was being restored. The contents of Lincoln’s pockets were in the official office. The presidents papers before presidential libraries were in fashion are housed there. The book festivals were a treat - meeting favorite authors and getting autographs. It was not uncommon to see famous people in the hallway - and attend programs and concerts of artists and so many others. My pet portraits were displayed at the employee art contest for several years - what a great place to be noticed! Yes, I did actually work in the infrastructure services creating and implementing a performance management process measuring service and other outcomes - the same thing I did in health care. It was a great opportunity. We even took a ride out to Culpeper to see the Packard Building that houses all the old nitrate films. I certainly don’t miss the work. What I do miss most are the programs we still loved going to - especially in the Middle Eastern section. I love the great hall and the view of the Capitol across the street. The view from the sixth floor was even more spectacular. Hopefully we will be able to return to the place that I worked for ten years. When I think about it it’s hard to believe we moved to DC and I worked at the Library. Now we live in northern Virginia. We are still close enough to visit any time. 

Retirement Anniversary

It’s been four years since I officially retired from the Library of Congress and permanently from working life. It was actually on February third, but a lot was happening around that time. It was also my mom’s 97th birthday, and I had a feeling that it would be her last. I had a feeling in December that it was the last time I would see her. After a bad fall in January, she never really came back so it was just a matter of time. She was born in February and passed away in February. Maybe I picked that retirement date so I would remember it. It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years already. And I don’t miss it one bit. It still feels weird that mom isn’t around anymore as she was a big part of my life. I just keep thinking that everyone else goes through the same thing. Anyway, as life goes on the milestones and landmarks are changing. This year started off on a different note than all others before it. It’s a good time to reflect on the things of yesterday and hope for happy tomorrows. Getting back to a routine will help and I’m looking forward to it. 

Library of Congress Work Anniversary

August 7 marked what would have been my twelfth work anniversary at the Library of Congress. I remember my first day very well! We moved from Wisconsin to DC in July and I had taken three weeks off  in between my old health care job and this new Library of Congress position. I worked in health care for thirty years, so this was a huge transition at this point in my career! It started with a day of orientation with about twenty other newcomers, then a behind the scenes tour of the beautiful Jefferson Building, ending with a stop at my new office. I felt very alone because everything and everyone was unfamiliar. I had never worked in such an environment, but it was very interesting. Over time everything fell in to place and the opportunity lasted for ten years. The best part was the commute - two blocks from my house. I walked home for lunch. I was able to work part time - three days a week - for the last two years and retired in February 2016. I met a lot of nice folks, continue to go to programs of interest, and still participate in the employee art fair. I don’t miss working at all. But if you had asked me back in the day if I thought I would end up working at the Library, I would have been totally amazed at the idea. Now whenever we walk by the Library buildings it feels surreal. The time has passed so quickly. 

Retirement Second Year Anniversary

It just occurred to me that I have been retired for two years. All I know is that it feels a lot longer than that - but even better - I’m so glad I don’t have to go to work! I actually “retired” after thirty years in healthcare when we moved to DC from the Midwest twelve years ago. Another ten years working as a civil servant at the Library of Congress was an eye opener, as you can imagine! I still have connections to work via the employee art show and maintain a few friendships from there. My husband and I still attend programs of interest. One of the residents in our building works there and every once in awhile she has a get together at her place that includes the people in her office. I don’t know them but we have that common element of having worked at the same place. So I’ve taken the last two years to see what it’s like to actually live in DC rather than work in DC. We can’t seem to make up our minds about staying here or leaving to an even warmer climate. I guess it all boils down to what is most important. And on some days it makes moving very tempting given the constant problems and frustrations inherent in living in an urban environment. So until we make that decision about lifestyle and convenience, we aren’t going anywhere. But I’m very happy I don’t have to work in it anymore. 

Jet Lag, Work, and Christmas Projects

We arrived home from England on Saturday late afternoon. We went to bed at 10 PM and woke up eleven hours later. I felt exhausted yesterday. But since it is just a few weeks before Christmas, requests for digital art gifts are the highest. I now have fifteen in the queue all at various stages - and they keep coming. Just getting all the requests in order took some doing, and getting some prelim sketches out took the whole day. On top of that, I had to get back to work today. Getting up at 6 AM was dreadful even though I went to bed at ten last night. I'm hoping I can just get through the next few days and shake off whatever jet lag is left. I really dislike traveling and can't understand how someone enjoys this torture. But I'm sure I am in the minority. Routine and doing a lot of nothing are my favorite things - and it wouldn't matter where I lived. 

Monday Morning and Early Hour Start Times

Going to work is difficult enough on Monday morning, but even more difficult after being off a week. We were in Florida visiting my mom, and it feels like I've been away a year. This year marks my fortieth year of full time work - thirty-one in health care - and nine as a civil servant. I used to have to get up for the 7 AM first shift while managing nursing units, then it moved to 8 in admin jobs. In the federal government there is flex scheduling that allows for a window of about 6:30-9:30 to begin a shift. I first started coming in for 9:00, but changed that to 8:00 when I worked nine hour shifts. Now that I work part time, I started coming in at 6:30 - because I love leaving at 3 PM! Even though I really dislike getting up so early - it's really not my nature- I like having a longer afternoon and can handle it for three days instead of five. Now the Library is starting to allow telework. I used to telework in Milwaukee one day every two weeks. But since it's easier to just walk a block or two, I'd rather just go to work. The place is so empty on a Monday and early morning. But I don't mind one bit. 

An Ingenious Moving System & My First Office "Cube"

It's hard to believe you can fit eight plus years of belongings in to three large blue containers on wheels. It's a great way to pack things up with the least amount of disruption. It could only happen because I literally dumped every hard copy of anything I ever created. I brought about one drawer full of documents from my previous life in my health care career, and added another bunch since I started working here in DC. I dumped them all last week.  It is also the first time I will be without a private office since I began assuming management positions in 1980. I was trying to decide which office I liked the most...the one with the big windows and the view of the world outside and sunshine - and the one I disliked the most - the one I am leaving. It was in the interior of the building, no windows, freezing, with a very loud escalator sound above my head that was rarely turned off, and a copy machine right outside my door. I can't say that I am disappointed to go to an office cubicle that actually has a better work space, seems warm, and meets my basic needs. But you can't tell much on the first day. I'm one step closer to the outside door, work part time, only have the essentials around me, and still like what I do. Ask me again what I think in a month or two.