Maiden voyage to AZ

Well, my first week in my new role went pretty well.

On Monday, I met with the Big Boss (my boss' boss). He asked me if I'd be willing to do the job and told me what my stipend would be (piddly, to be honest, but how could I say no). Sure, the extra money is extra, but it should be MORE extra. Especially for the job I'll be doing and the travel I'll be doing. But I shan't complain.

On Tuesday, my boss and I flew out to AZ. We got into the office around 4pm just to say hi and assess the vibe. I wasn't there 5 minutes before the former director called to me asking for help with something she should know by now. But that's neither here nor there. My job is to a) help her and b) document, document, document. We then blew that popsicle stand and went to the mall, and then out for an amazing dinner.

Wednesday was the crazy day. We had to meet with all of the deans to lay out our plans for turning the office around. It actually went very well, with the exception of one dean, who was kind of a cold fish. But, overall I felt very welcome on campus and people were very nice.

I am still blown away though that the former director took a demotion instead of leaving with her head held high. They were even going to pay to relocate her home and she didn't take it! Not many people are even happy that she's staying and don't even think she will succeed in this lower position. I have my doubts too, but she is a very nice lady and I want to try and help her out.

We headed to Phoenix that night and at some point, I came down with the stomach flu that my boss' daughter had. Our friend, Sarah, met us at our hotel and gave us both 45 minute massages (she is a professional, people - get your mind out of the gutter). When she left, I vomited for the rest of the night.

The next day, we had to be up at 3am to catch our flight home. I took as many Immodiums as the box would allow and prayed that I wouldn't need a box of OICMP on the plane.

I was so dehydrated from traveling and having it "come out all ends" that when I was driving home after landing, I had to stop at a rest stop and sleep for an hour in my car.

I am still not 100% but doing what I can to get better before I leave again on Tuesday.

On a positive note, I lost 4 pounds!