Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.
I sent out a little NaBloPoMo appreciation-holiday-surprise package to Engie, the NaBloPoMo giveaway winner, last week. I had a random number generator pick a number and Engie’s was the 8th comment on my blog post.
Thank you again to everyone who participated in NaBloPoMo, or supported us in any other way, this year. I am just so stoked about our little blogging community. As Engie so eloquently said in her post “people are so encouraging and smart and wise and witty” (100% YES!) and I am so happy and thankful to know all of you and call you friends!
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Today was my last workday of 2022. Technically, it would have been my last workday yesterday, but I agreed to finish up a couple of things before the holidays. One, I had to get some preliminary figures done for a report. Oh, only ten or so, and it always sounds like you can ‘whip up a figure in a couple of hours’, but in reality, it takes much, much longer.
Two, I also resubmitted my data release for review. I had already responded to all review comments but had some data issues to figure out before resubmitting. Not an easy task, but I am so glad I got it all done in time to resubmit today. I really didn’t want to drag it into the new year. And now the ball is in someone else’s court for a while. It feels really good to not have to think about work for a little while and to figuratively have wrapped up the year with a pretty bow. A nice little gift to myself.
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Oh, and speaking of gifts, I found out today that I got not one, but two end-of-year rewards: a Time-Off and a Cash Reward. It’s not a given in my industry (I work for the government after all), but they sometimes do give out rewards if there is extra year-end funding and if you received a good performance review. I was surprised because my supervisor hadn’t mentioned anything, but I am quite pleased, to say the least. A nice surprise before the holidays!
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On a different note, I restarted my half-marathon training this week. I know! Who does this in the week before Christmas? Well, me apparently. I am that person. Quite honestly, I didn’t have a choice. I signed up for a half marathon in early 2023 and I pretty much missed the first couple of weeks of training already. Luckily, I am not quite starting from scratch (since I started training again earlier in the fall), but I definitely have to get back into it. No time to waste, and I definitely can’t wait until the holidays are over.
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Phew, and now it’s Christmas Eve tomorrow. Can you believe it? The last couple of weeks really sped by. I am a little bit surprised that I got everything done — unless I am forgetting something major, ha.
But no, I think I am prepared. I am super excited that I will be able to take the days between Christmas and New Year’s off. It’s always a bit of a weird time for me emotionally (for you, too?) and I enjoy having the time to myself. Although this year, we will have company after all. We’ll host Jon’s mom for a few days, which should be nice.
Have a lovely holiday weekend, friends!
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
December 24, 2022 at 5:47 amI don’t have it off, but I’m only working 3 days next week and my plans are to do as little as possible. I firmly believe that the last week of the year is meant to be spent chilling out.
I think that starting half training during Christmas is appropriate. You’re giving yourself the gift of the race!
Congrats on the time off and the bonus, and Merry Christmas!
Elisabeth
December 24, 2022 at 6:24 amI hope you have the best time and that it is a time of refreshment and cozy vibes.
Congrats on the bonus (both cash + time)!!
Happy Christmas Eve, my friend!
Lisa of Lisa’s Yarns
December 24, 2022 at 9:41 amYay for surprise time off and cash!! That is so wonderful! So happy for you!!
I don’t usually take time off at this time of year. The weather is usually awful and it’s a quiet time at work typically. But our daycare isn’t closed that much for the holidays, so it’s back to business as usual on Tuesday. We will see what I do next year when Paul isn’t in daycare. But I imagine they have a kids club program or something over break. I could see myself taking the time off when both boys are in elementary school and we could do fun things during the week. Time will tell!
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! We are celebrating with Phil‘s extended family tonight. I think of you on Christmas Eve as I know we have similar traditions being of German descent. Christmas Eve was always our big day of celebration when we were growing up. It’s a little different now that I am married and we see extended family on Christmas Eve, though! But Christmas Eve will always hold the most memories for me!
Meike
December 24, 2022 at 4:01 pmTime off and a bonus sound like a great gift. Congratulations! I am sure you earned it!
I feel you on the odd emotions. I feel good about our decision not to travel this year but I still miss my family. Wishing you a couple nice days ahead!
Sarah
December 26, 2022 at 8:03 amCash AND time off?! What more could you ask from a work gift. Merry Christmas!
Engie
December 26, 2022 at 9:08 amYay! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are doing nothing more strenuous today than walking from one room to another!
Stephany
December 27, 2022 at 6:38 pmI feel like Christmas Eve really snuck up on me this year! Ack.
Congrats on your year-end rewards! That’s so great to hear!
J
December 28, 2022 at 10:27 amI used to have the week between Christmas and New Years off from work, and gosh I loved it. I can’t do it at my current job. It is such a quiet time…a time for reflection for a lot of folks. After the hubbub of Christmas, it’s really nice to slow down, and people are still in a good mood, friends getting together, that kind of thing. I like it. But I’m working. Oh well.
My husband took the last two weeks of the year off. He started a new job at the end of March, and was unable to take any time off before now. He works in government also, and has ‘administrative’ days, that are ‘use it or lose it’, so he’s using them. Well deserved and much needed.
Congratulations on your double rewards! Lovely indeed. And good luck with your marathon prep…no injuries!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
December 29, 2022 at 5:00 amCongrats on your rewards. What a nice surprise.
I love the time in between the years and also only want to spend it with myself. It grounds me after all the holiday rush.
Anne
January 28, 2023 at 9:44 am1. I still want to know more about your job! The “Data for review” task sounds… daunting. Much like my submitting-receiving comments-revising-resubmitting-repeat for all sorts of things: manuscripts, annual review materials, grant submissions….
2. It is nearly impossible to get a) recognition and b) awards from the Feds. Go, you – getting two? You are a ROCK STAR. :)