Part I: Clearing the air...

I posted a Facebook status in a moment of weakness speculating that I may be becoming less of a people person.  Coming from someone that most would consider to be very (if not overly) social, this must have been a total shock.  People came out of the woodwork to make comments or text me about my new hermit status when truthfully I was simply tired and then was rushed out of my hotel, standing outside amongst tense personalities while a fire alarm blared at 11pm on Friday night.  I wasn't feeling overly gracious or loving or funny at that moment.  Just wanted to inform everybody that I appreciate your concern but (maybe unfortunately) I'm still Lendy and I still love to socialize with all my peeps. 

I'm going to start this story off in good fairy tale fashion... Once upon a time there was a young girl working on her Masters degree.  Just like so many before her, the February before graduation she was beginning to panic about what she was going to do with her life once she reached the promised land (aka graduation) in May.  No more late night reading or writing B.S. responses to posts... She sat on her tuffet and pondered and pondered what to do.... She was going to receive a golden ticket that would allow her to go back into the classroom to teach students but unlike "Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory" the golden ticket didn't seem all that appealing and could have lead to some very difficult life altering decisions for her and her prince charming.

This story probably sounds similar or familiar to a lot of people coming out of college with a Bachelors or Masters degree.  You're coming to the close of a very important and fun phase of your life and you wait up until the very end to begin thinking about what's next.  In today's world many are faced with the same delimna that our young heroine was faced with... They have to make serious life changes like moving out of town or state to find a good job, or they realize that the occupation they're going into is not as attractive as it may have once appeared.  I'm here to tell you folks...things will work out.  You may not find your dream job or location immediately coming out but in their own time things will fall into place. 

This blog is devoted to skimming the surface of my post graduate school career adventure.  I wanted to post this information as background info to another blog I'm going to write about my recent weekend festivities in the mountains (stay tuned).  I'm not going to publish the name of my workplace in my blog for various reasons.  Those of you who read this and know me are already familiar with the bureau.  I wouldn't say that my current job is my "dream job," but it's pretty close to it.  It encompasses lots of things I dreamed my career would be like...no two days are the same, it's challenging, directly tied to agriculture, and relationship based.  In fact, I never imagined myself where I am right now... but in a good way.     

What do you do?

People ask me this all the time...and honestly I always feel so awkward and clumsy when I try to explain it.  I work for a non-profit, grassroots organization that specifically promotes agricultural awareness and works to protect the best interest of farmers in civic and legislative matters.  Within the company I am a field representative (aka field rep, aka field girl, sometimes wonder woman, newly called LJ, but will always be just Lendy) that covers 11 counties in the northern piedmont of NC (including my home county... CASWELL Woot Woot!!).  I think I mentioned in my first blog that my office is technically " the great white" (my chevy silverado) so many of my blogs and philosophical ramblings are composed while I'm staring over the dashboard driving.  One of my good friends asked me the other day how I chose my blog topics and honestly I write them in my head while I'm driving and sometimes when I'm running.  I don't find the topics...the topics tend to come find me.  :)  

Alright...so what does a field rep do?

Uh.... Well.... I work with farmers and office staff in my district to keep them informed and encourage them to act on important issues that impact the livelihoods of their operations.  Ok? I serve as the liaison between the state level organization and the local (county) level.  Ok? Basically, I am an informant, communicator, translator, event planner / coordinator, encourager, researcher, listener, scheduler, delivery girl, order taker, writer / editor, cook, speaker / presenter, salesperson, graphic designer, financial analysit, auditor, and above all else friend to all of my bureau family.  My roles change depending on the day, and there are definitely some times of the year that are busier than others.  There are days where I'm not sure what I'm doing, but for the most part I can't believe I earn a paycheck and get to do the amazing things I do.  I would seriously do what I do for free... our cause is worthy and the friendships I've made are a blessing (even when I'm tired and whiney).       

There you have it...A quick and probably incomplete snapshot of my day to day life as a big girl for the past 2.5 years.  I'm sure I've left something out.... I didn't give everybody the "textbook" job description.  It has been one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things I've ever done and hopefully it's far from being over.  

To be continued.....