Thursday, February 26, 2015

How I met my fiance-a green Star Wars shirt

Spring break has come and gone. I had a family emergency to take care of and wasn't able to enjoy my last academic spring break before I graduate in December. To make up for a lost opportunity, my fiancé and I will be going to the biggest Star Wars convention in Anaheim, California next month. As you can tell my fiancé and I are huge star wards geeks. The reason why we met was because of our mutual love for this epic Sci-fi franchise. Today's free-write will tell the tale of our first encounter and why so many thing had to align for us to meet that day.

April 20th, 2013. My girlfriend had invited me to see R. Kelly's rap-opera, "Trapped in the Closet" which was showing at Phoenix's hipster mecca, The Film Bar. I've been dying to see this kooky 2 hr+ long drama about R. Kelly, infidelity, "the package", STD's, a cheating minister's wife, little people lovers, and so much more. Gladly, I accepted her invitation and also invited my emotionally unavailable Ex-boyfriend in an attempt to win him back. Seriously, I don't know what I was thinking at the time.

Anyway, my girlfriend, my best friend, my flaky ex, and I met up at the Filmbar that evening. We laughed and cried through R. Kelly's attempt to be more than an mediocre R&B singer. Later that evening, my ex and I separated from our party to run to the gas station to get him some cigarettes. We pulled up the Circle-K on 7th Street and Roosevelt and for whatever reason my Ex did not want to go inside to buy his smokes. Instead, like a true gentleman, he sent me in to get them for him. As I was walking to the door of the Circle-K, two guys walked up at the same time I did. One of the guys, looked like Egon from the old 80's Ghostbuster's cartoon with this weird curly rolled pompadour sitting neatly on top of his cleanly shaved head. The other guy was wearing an incredible hulk trucker hat, khaki dickie shorts, and a Green Star Wars T-shirt.

My eyes flew immediately to the familiar logo and I blurted out "I love your shirt". He replied with a smile, "Thank you". That would have been the extent of our conversation, if his friend didn't make the next move and say, "You haven't seen anything yet. Show her your belt...and your wallet." The guy lifted up his belt to reveal a Star Wars belt buckle and took out his wallet to show me his Star Wars wallet. Astonished by the geeky paraphernalia, I let out the most embarrassing girlie squeal that has ever escaped my mouth. Who knew I would find a fellow Star Wars geek at the Circle K? The next five minutes were a blur. I recall that I told him I was a huge fan of the franchise, but he didn't seem to believe me, because he said, "Yah. That's what they all say." So I had to prove my geek cred that my love for SW went well beyond the movies. I told him I collect SW toys, play all the video games, and read the books. Then I schooled him on his SW knowledge by talking about the books that I have read. He was stunned that a girl like me knew so much about Star Wars. Boom! In your face! Girls like Star Wars too!

We chatted for the next few minutes about our love of SW and his involvement with a local charity SW group that dress up and go to children's hospitals and charity drives. We walked out the door together and I could see my ride was anxious to leave. While we might have hit it off immediately, I was surprised he didn't ask for my name or number. If I didn't make the next move he would have let me, the love of his life, walk away never to see him again. When I make a connection with someone I make sure that I get their information, because you never knew on that off chance what could happen. I seize the opportunity and asked him for his facebook information. Hey, what's the worse that could happen? He could have said no, but to my delight he said yes! I learned his name was Evan and he didn't live to far from the Circle K. We exchanged information and even numbers. He invited me to a party he was going to later that evening, but I wasn't able to go because I was still hanging out with my douche ex. So, we added each other on our profiles and kept in contact.

Four months later, I was returning from an internship in Alaska, and I get this message from Evan that he was moving to Portland and he wanted to hang out with me before he left. I hadn't spoken to him very much since we first met, but we did meet once at the Phoenix Comic Convention in May. However, I was extremely shy when I saw him and wasn't as talkative or sociable. So, when he messaged me in August, I figured I should at least see him once before he left. We made plans to hang out that evening at a local bar in Phoenix. I brought a few of my friends along because I didn't want to be there by myself if it was once again awkward between us.

Like the first time we met at Circle K it was apparent we had chemistry that rivaled Han Solo and Princess Leia. We talked all night long. When my friends went dancing, we stayed outside and talked about life, our likes and dislikes, music, geeky stuff, and past relationships. We both agreed we weren't into playing games nor dating for dating sake. He told me right then and there that he really liked me; I confirmed I felt the same. My friends were dead tired at 4am when Evan and I parted ways. It wasn't long before he texted me that day to ask: "When can I see you again?" We spent the next few days getting to know each other, but we both knew that this was it for both of us. Three days after our initial meeting, Evan asked me to be his girlfriend. Why wait? I mean we already knew. He always says to me, "You had me at Star Wars" and he's right I did. I'm not a firm believer in fate, but so many things had to coincide for us to meet that day.

Evan proposed to me a year later in the most fantastic way imaginable, but before he did we had to go through the final test to prove our love for each other...but that's another story all together.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Fun, Fun, Fun

Last Saturday I went to the Renaissance Fair with my fiancé and best friend! I also went to the Japanese festival with my friends on Sunday. So much fun!

Monday, February 16, 2015

Internship and Classroom Learning

This past week I finished up working on the records management inventory for a department in the Treasurer's office. Fun stuff. In my line of work, I have to collaborate with several department heads to understand their document and records process which includes an interview and physical inventory of all their records. It might sound super boring but I really love what I do. I find records management absolutely enthralling!

The bulk of my work is dedicated to research and reading up on various department policies, procedures, and Arizona State Statues. However, my project provides opportunities to meet everyone within the office and understand the many activities and responsibilities of the Treasurer's Office. In addition, I found my project expands my academic knowledge I have acquired in class. For instance, in my nonprofit and public sector finance classes, we learn about risk management and internal control to prevent fraud. One of the most important aspects of risk and financial management is a proper records management program to ensure documents and records are legally retain and maintained. So, while I'm reading about proper records management in class, I am also implementing what I learn at my internship. It's a win-win!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Arizona Career Fair

So yesterday, my fellow intern and I went to the ASU career fair at the Tempe Campus. I have one more semester to go, so my purpose was to scout out the available internships and career opportunities available for soon to be college graduates. I wasn't surprised to find the bulk of the jobs were geared toward the finance, education, STEM, and business sector. There were a few internship recruits, but students had to pay a hefty fee to participate.

There were a few recruiters from the nonprofit and public sector, but again they were looking for either education or STEM graduates. Sigh. I wish I had the aptitude for the science and math fields, because I would have an easier time finding work. There is nothing I can do about it now.

While the career fair is a bit discouraging, I will remain positive that with the hard work I'm putting into my studies, networking, and building my work experience will pay off next fall when I graduate. It's a tough job market, but I can't let that detour me from my career goals.



Wednesday, February 11, 2015

A Typical Day: A creative version

My typical day at the office starts at 8am. I greet the friendly security officers at the door to show them my badge so I can sneak past the metal detector. I arrive on the second floor with a cup of coffee in my hand thanks to the coffee shop located conveniently around the corner from my office. As I walk to my cubical quietly nestled between the Accounting and IT department, I'm meet with the usual silence befitting with a occasional hello from one of the many employees. Everyday I walk through  a sea of monochromatic grey cubicles to the lone indistinguishable box I call my desk. I can clearly tell the difference between the boundaries of the accounting department and the computer wizards in IT. The guru's of accounting punch frantically at their calculators creating this clickety clack ambiance when you walk near their fortified grey walls. A few strides later I hear the beating of calculators fade to the punching of keyboard and sharp mouse clicks. There is no mistaking the IT department as the accountant nondescript cubical walls transition to walls decorated with star wars posters, Star Wars yoda dry-eraser boards, legos, and other geeky paraphernalia. I always feel a sense of surety and acceptance, because as a fellow Star Wars geek, I know this is where I belong.

I usually settle into my government standard black hard back computer chair, place my books aside, and my coffee where I know where my clumsy elbows won't spell it. My bobble head Yoda smiles "Good Morning" with a chubby R2D2 at his side, and I know if he could talk he would bleep "hello" back. I flick on my computer screen to wake my computer up from a nice 12 hour slumber, and we start the day checking emails and calendar appointments for upcoming meetings. Nothing so far today, but that usually changes mid-day.

I've been given a series of tasks to do over the past few weeks but due to unspoken protocol befitting a John Grisham novel, I am sworn to secrecy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not Julia Roberts in the Pelican Brief or Tom Cruise in the Firm. My work is very mundane befitting a tedious informational video than an edge-of-your-seat Hollywood thriller. Right now I'm reading A.R.S, department policies, records management manual, and retention schedules. Exciting stuff right? Well, for someone who finds records management interesting, you will have to take my word for it.

The day flies by and the next thing I know my phone buzzes to alert me of an incoming text from my co-worker, Abby, telling me it's time to go to lunch. For the most part, Abby and I eat downstairs in the office break room, where there is a TV for employees to watch the various housewife favorites: Price is Right, Soaps, the morning news, or old TV sitcom favorites. Abby and I have our favorite and it has now become a ritual that starts from 12pm to 1pm, the funny Seattle based show-Fraiser. As I've written in a previous blog, Abby and I laugh at the idiotic comedic timing of Frasiers antics as he tries to find love in Seattle and patience with his friends and family.

When Kelsey Grammer sings the ending theme to Fraiser "Toss Salad and Scrambled Eggs" at 1pm, that is our queue that lunch is over and its time to get back to work. We sluggishly wash our plates and empty our trash from our lunch bags. "There is never enough time during lunch", I think to myself as I walk back upstairs to my desk.

While the morning seems to zoom faster than the Flash, the afternoon half of the day crawls slower than an earthworm. I usually regain my momentum by 3pm and the clock reminds me I have 2 hours until I have to leave for home or school. I'm never short of anything to do. I'm always busy or I find something to work on. Never a dull moment at the treasurer's office.

Usually, I am so wrapped up in my work that I am startled by the buzz of my iphone text message notification. It's Abby. It's 4:49! "Are you ready?" She says. It usually takes me 15 minutes to wrap up, send emails, and clean up my desk before the clock hits 5:00. I'm usually a few minutes late and Abby is waiting for me on the first floor. We exchange pleasantries and interesting bits of our daily work. As we walk to the parking garage I notice the swarm of worker bees, like myself, hustling to their cars to do the exact thing-go home.

I say good-bye to Abby as I open the car door. It usually takes me an hour to get home but I could careless. Another day done. Another day of accomplishments. As I turn the engine to my car, I can't help but reflect on the days work and even though today might seem like a typical day, I know it will fly by fast. It won't be long until I pull out of the drive way for the last time and my internship will come to an end.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Abby aka Coolest Co-worker ever

I remember the second time I saw Abby, she was waiting at the reception office of the Treasurer office waiting to be interviewed for the same position I had just interviewed for the MCLEAPS internship program. I say "second time" because I had a class with Abby last semester, but I didn't have a chance to talk to her since she sat up in the front I sat way in the back of the class.

Well, the first time I actually met Abby was at the MCLEAPS internship orientation. We were told we would be working for the same office, which was a huge relief because I wasn't going to be the only lonely intern. From the moment we started talking, I knew Abby was going to be my "home skillet". She's quirky, funny, and kind-hearted. A real charm to be around if you ask me. We are the dynamic duo around the office. We combine our super power on projects to create the best product with much accolade by our fellow coworkers.

The great thing about our friendship is our love for the comedy sitcom, Fraiser. It's usually our daily ritual during our lunch breaks. 12pm to 1pm is Fraiser time! I briefly explained the premise of the show and she caught on quickly! It's such a blast revisiting one of my favorite shows with someone new.

In addition to Frasier, Abby love spicy foods and she occasionally surprises me with treats she buys at the Chinese Grocery store. Absolutely the tastiest goodies I've ever put in my mouth. Furthermore, we love Asian-drama shows filled with lovey dovey stories and fantastic adventures.

Abby is seriously the best thing about my internship. When she's not here I feel like a puppy without a friend. They say its the people that make work worth while. In my case this is absolutely true. Abby is the best part of working at the Treasurer's Office.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Hello from MCLEAPS!

Hello,

My name is Brooke Wheeler and I'm a MCLEAPS intern for the Maricopa County Treasurer's department. I'm really excited to work for the treasurer's department and learn as much as I can about budgeting, accounting, investments, and Arizona county governments. This semester I will be working on the following:

1) Writing and updating the Treasurer Departments Policies and Procedures to correspond with A.R.S
2)  Working along side the Counties Records Manager, I will update the departments records management program.

In addition to my work with the County, I will  be working with a group of MCLEAPS interns in creating an end-of-the-year project for the program. We are to attend a series of professional development courses that I will write about within this blog.

This semester is going to be absolutely fantastic! I can't wait to get started!