Today marked the end of nine weeks in my new position. It's easy to keep track because every three weeks there's a graduation ceremony for the Associates in Professional Studies - Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts - and today I witnessed graduation number 3! Watching the ceremony and listening to the speeches is one of my favorite things to do. It's only an hour long from start to finish and it's a great shot in the arm for remembering why we're all there. I'm so proud of the students and get a little tear in my eye when I listen to the speakers wish them well and give them a little of their wisdom for the road ahead. The Event Manager saves me a seat in the front row so I get a great view. Today's commencement speaker was a 1994 Alumnus, Cornelius Gallagher, who has traveled the world and worked for some of the finest restaurants and great chefs. He had a great sense of humor and really stressed excellence and perseverence and lifelong learning. I was sitting with his wife and two children and they were bursting with pride. Just lovely.
The President called me in this afternoon to get my opinion on something (be still, my heart) and afterwards asked how everything was going. I told him I was the happiest woman on earth. He just laughed - "guess we ought to just stop right there!" All my coaching clients are doing really well and are making such great personal progress. I'm getting calls daily from leaders asking for support with one thing or another. It's just so wonderful being wanted and needed. I'm making my budget pitch on Monday, so we'll see how that goes.
I'm consolidating a communication inventory I recommended each division do, so they can see what they're doing individually and across the Institute. So far there are 36 pages of meetings, communication items, and tools and repositories. They had no idea they were doing so much - and they'd gotten feedback on the employee opinion survey that there weren't enough communications going out. I have a feeling there's a lot of ineffective communication, so my next step will be to help leaders actually evaluate the meetings and other communications looking for improvement opportunities. I helped one Associate Dean create an agenda for a faculty meeting he's conducting Monday and when we were done, he said he would never have thought of some of the things I suggested - he said I was going to make him look really good. Well, that's the idea, I said!
Another giggle - I was working late last night trying to get the Comms Inventory consolidated when one of those emails came from Chef Gigliotti saying come to the Mediterranean kitchen for dinner. What the heck, I thought, then I can stay even longer. So I had venison for dinner last night - just fabulous. Then I worked until 9 p.m. Wasn't so hard to do on a full stomach!!
Last week I took my first train ride to the city. The annual Gala/scholarship fundraiser was being held at Cipriani 42nd Street - a wonderful restaurant in an old bank building across from Grand Central Station - and I got invited! $1000 a ticket dinner, so I was thrilled to be invited. It was fun getting dressed up and then taking the train. It's almost a 2 hour ride, but it went really fast. I was chatting with my boss's wife and looking out the window at the Hudson River. Like a little kid when we arrived - practically wanted to hold my boss's hand so as not to get lost in the train station. Funny, I've been using the expression "busy as Grand Central Station" all my life - now I actually know what it means!!
Of course the food at the Gala was fabulous, but you're already tired of hearing about that. What was really fun was listening to the award recipients give their speeches. Alumna of the year, Cat Cora, is the only female Iron Chef. She's a tiny woman, amazing arms though (she wore a sleeveless dress and had arms like Michele Obama!) and she'd just had a baby a few months ago. She talked about her Greek heritage and how much that influenced her early passions. Chris Muller from Le Bernardin was Alumnus of the year, and Eric Ripert also of Le Bernardin was Chef of the Year. I'm noticing that there's a lot of award-giving that goes on - Michelin Ratings, James Beard award, Ivy award - they're all very important to these folks. Competition is pretty fierce for top spots. These folks work very, very hard. The thing that really caught my attention though was this: during a video clip prepared by the CIA President, he was talking about the CIA role in shaping the future of food and in ideas like food democracy. Food democracy! Wow! This guy's got a vision for the future that is only beginning to be worked. And I get to watch the whole deal. Pass the champagne, please, this is starting to get really interesting!
Next week I'm off to Reno to see my favorite Chef and his lovely wife and daughter. Kadence is turning three years old April 5 and Nonna wouldn't miss it for the world! BJ says his two busiest restaurant days are Easter Sunday and Mother's Day and I've never been there for either - until now. I'll be there for Easter brunch and I can't wait to enjoy the fruits of his labors. Last time I went the weather caused big trouble but this time looks like clear skys on both sides of the country. Yippee!
For those of you who know my friend Joanne, please say a little prayer for her. While cutting some pussy willow branches last week, she fell off her ladder with a bang and has fractured her pelvis. She's in a lot of pain, and of course is really mad at herself for not being more careful. Knowing Joanne, those pussy willows were just too tempting to resist, but we're not getting any younger kiddo. My friend Jacki took a big spill last summer and spent weeks recuperating. Just a reminder to all of us to be extra careful around ladders, especially when we're alone.
Ciao for now! Happy Easter!!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
It's Official - Almost
Been too long...it's amazing how time gets away. Tax day will be here before we know it. Yikes, better get started on that soon! In the meantime...
I've moved into a condo in beautiful Rhinebeck - the nicest town on both sides of the river. The place became available when the current tenants broke the lease because of a family emergency. I didn't wait too long to put in a bid as it was clearly desirable space, except for the endless sea of light blue carpeting. Blue never was my color but maybe a few strategically placed area rugs?
My furniture fits beautifully - I actually have more space than in Michigan. And I have an attached garage and a working fireplace and room for my dining room set. Looking at that vision list, it was check, check, and check. It's costing a little more than I wanted to pay, but I think it's worth it in location, convenience, and clean and spacious surroundings.
My friend Joanne came from Michigan and helped me unpack and hang curtains and change light fixtures. She also helped me hang my prized possessions - my antique Shakespeare engravings and my Hibel print. It was wonderful to have her here and I'm grateful for the time, effort and money she spent to get here! We did manage to have a little fun while she was here - two trips to The Culinary for dinner one night and a dessert fantasia the second. Can you just imagine a 3 hour dessert feast. Four courses with "intermezzo" delights in between. My goodness!
Finally got internet service and a phone number and got the printer set up on Sunday. On Monday I went to the Social Security Administration because you have to have an actual SS card to apply for a drivers license here. Didn't matter that I had a U. S. Passport and a DL from Michigan.... However I did get my new license plates for the car - New York plates. I need to get the car inspected though - another thing you have to do in New York every year to renew plates. That's why it's only "almost" official - still need that inspection and a drivers license. Hopefully, in a few more weeks....
The actual move-in day was pretty uneventful. The truck arrived at 8 a.m. and of course I had coffee, juice and bagels for the movers. Mother would have been proud - I had enough for an army, even though there were only 2 of them. Also had sandwiches, fruit and cookies for lunch. Didn't want them to run out of energy too soon. The furniture came off first so I was directing traffic to first floor and second floor rooms. I managed to keep up with them for a while, unpacking select boxes to find rugs, towels, sheets, lamps, etc. After a few hours I fell hopelessly behind and realized there was no keeping up any longer. It would be days, probably weeks, before I could get it all unpacked. Thank goodness Joanne came the next day.
There were some damaged items but not too many. Some things were so carefully packed - took forever to unwrap them. Then there was the lampshade that was completely crushed. Easy to replace I guess. I'm happy to report the wine arrived unharmed as did the Waterford and Lalique crystal. Joanne made sure everything was back in the china cabinet where it belonged!
Sunday I went grocery shopping and filled the pantry and fridge. I made a pot of soup and put some containers in the freezer. Now it's really starting to feel like home. Still eating like a queen at work, but I'm happy to report that when the scale was unwrapped and I finally decided to go ahead and step on it - I hadn't gained one pound!! I'm sure it's all the walking and stairs at work, plus the three nights a week with a personal trainer. I've gone from being practically immobile working from a home for two years to being very active. Feels really good too.
I still need to write thank you notes - when will Emily Post say I've passed the limits of good taste? 3 months? Oh, dear, it's getting close. Well, guess I'll do thank you notes and change of address cards at the same time. When I finally unpacked the office Sunday and found the stationary and stamps I knew I was running out of excuses! The books are unpacked on the bookshelves - all 16 boxes of them, except for the 4 going to the office. So eager to unpack my leadership library and get cracking!
I did my first training workshop last week - meeting management for the top 70 leaders in the organization. Had to put it together from memory and the internet since I didn't have my books unpacked yet. Went over very well - lots of positive feedback - felt great to be back in front of the room and facilitating discussions. I also have 3 coaching "clients" and am working with one of the Dean's on some process improvement initiatives. Working on the budget - that's giving everyone sticker shock. They've gone from no training to a long list of things I'd like to try to accomplish. What I'm requesting is a drop in the bucket but anything is more than they had last year!
Enough for now. I unpacked the stereo last night so I think I'll listen to a little music before hitting the sack. It's good to be "home."
Ciao for now!
With much affection...
Genz
I've moved into a condo in beautiful Rhinebeck - the nicest town on both sides of the river. The place became available when the current tenants broke the lease because of a family emergency. I didn't wait too long to put in a bid as it was clearly desirable space, except for the endless sea of light blue carpeting. Blue never was my color but maybe a few strategically placed area rugs?
My furniture fits beautifully - I actually have more space than in Michigan. And I have an attached garage and a working fireplace and room for my dining room set. Looking at that vision list, it was check, check, and check. It's costing a little more than I wanted to pay, but I think it's worth it in location, convenience, and clean and spacious surroundings.
My friend Joanne came from Michigan and helped me unpack and hang curtains and change light fixtures. She also helped me hang my prized possessions - my antique Shakespeare engravings and my Hibel print. It was wonderful to have her here and I'm grateful for the time, effort and money she spent to get here! We did manage to have a little fun while she was here - two trips to The Culinary for dinner one night and a dessert fantasia the second. Can you just imagine a 3 hour dessert feast. Four courses with "intermezzo" delights in between. My goodness!
Finally got internet service and a phone number and got the printer set up on Sunday. On Monday I went to the Social Security Administration because you have to have an actual SS card to apply for a drivers license here. Didn't matter that I had a U. S. Passport and a DL from Michigan.... However I did get my new license plates for the car - New York plates. I need to get the car inspected though - another thing you have to do in New York every year to renew plates. That's why it's only "almost" official - still need that inspection and a drivers license. Hopefully, in a few more weeks....
The actual move-in day was pretty uneventful. The truck arrived at 8 a.m. and of course I had coffee, juice and bagels for the movers. Mother would have been proud - I had enough for an army, even though there were only 2 of them. Also had sandwiches, fruit and cookies for lunch. Didn't want them to run out of energy too soon. The furniture came off first so I was directing traffic to first floor and second floor rooms. I managed to keep up with them for a while, unpacking select boxes to find rugs, towels, sheets, lamps, etc. After a few hours I fell hopelessly behind and realized there was no keeping up any longer. It would be days, probably weeks, before I could get it all unpacked. Thank goodness Joanne came the next day.
There were some damaged items but not too many. Some things were so carefully packed - took forever to unwrap them. Then there was the lampshade that was completely crushed. Easy to replace I guess. I'm happy to report the wine arrived unharmed as did the Waterford and Lalique crystal. Joanne made sure everything was back in the china cabinet where it belonged!
Sunday I went grocery shopping and filled the pantry and fridge. I made a pot of soup and put some containers in the freezer. Now it's really starting to feel like home. Still eating like a queen at work, but I'm happy to report that when the scale was unwrapped and I finally decided to go ahead and step on it - I hadn't gained one pound!! I'm sure it's all the walking and stairs at work, plus the three nights a week with a personal trainer. I've gone from being practically immobile working from a home for two years to being very active. Feels really good too.
I still need to write thank you notes - when will Emily Post say I've passed the limits of good taste? 3 months? Oh, dear, it's getting close. Well, guess I'll do thank you notes and change of address cards at the same time. When I finally unpacked the office Sunday and found the stationary and stamps I knew I was running out of excuses! The books are unpacked on the bookshelves - all 16 boxes of them, except for the 4 going to the office. So eager to unpack my leadership library and get cracking!
I did my first training workshop last week - meeting management for the top 70 leaders in the organization. Had to put it together from memory and the internet since I didn't have my books unpacked yet. Went over very well - lots of positive feedback - felt great to be back in front of the room and facilitating discussions. I also have 3 coaching "clients" and am working with one of the Dean's on some process improvement initiatives. Working on the budget - that's giving everyone sticker shock. They've gone from no training to a long list of things I'd like to try to accomplish. What I'm requesting is a drop in the bucket but anything is more than they had last year!
Enough for now. I unpacked the stereo last night so I think I'll listen to a little music before hitting the sack. It's good to be "home."
Ciao for now!
With much affection...
Genz
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