Saturday, April 25, 2009

Who's that Girl!!!


Who's that girl...oh wait thats ME!!

So the j-o-b has begun. Its been four weeks since I started and its been very interesting. Some times when I walk through the office I see peoples faces and I know they are thinking " whats that blonde doing here" and so far I have had some pretty blonde experiences . My first week I was at the copying machine and an older guy mid 40's obviously realized I was new and ask me what I did. I told him my job title, Follow up specialist. He asked what department I worked in. I did not know I replied umm I work for Ricardo. He said what department. …again...ummm Ricardo that works under Lori on the right side of the building. He soon realized that I did not know what department I was in all I know was my job title and who I worked for. He than said well what do you do. I explained and than he said you are in the clinical department. I smiled and said "well you learn something new every day" he looked at me not very impressed said nothing than walked away. That is the last time I have been at the copying machine.

Being a follow up specialist basically means I am an after hospital visit coordinator. We work with people who are very LOW income and have severe mental disabilities and substance abuse issues. It's basically people with no insurance at all and few with even Medicaid. We are a private company but contracted by the state. When our members go to the hospital it helps our money costs go down if they go to a follow up appointment because it shows the state that they are trying to get better and not be crazy malfunctioned citizens. Basically we keep tract of the craziest of crazys in AZ . I love listening to the care managers conversations with members about things like taking the tin foil off the windows cause it does not really protect them from people, or calling the police on their 5 yr old son cause he throw a temper tantrum and there was no controlling him. Other times I read medical charts with suicide notes like swallowing batteries, or some one who does not think he should be in a halfway house cause the voices in his head say he is not crazy. Really pieces of work!

My desk all decorated..you can see my name tag on the left side

Just workin my life away..the usual

I never thought I would like sitting at a desk at a computer but really the time flies by and its sometimes entertaining. I am not use to the sitting part but during my lunch I do laps around the building and than eat while I work instead. I sometimes wonder if people look outside their window every day around 12:30 and see me power walking all dressed up and wearing my work badge walking around around and around and think to themselves...who's that crazy new girl swinging her arms. In office emails I am tagged as the new girl who does not like donuts. Just like starting your first day at a new school! I still wonder if my manager knew what He was doing when he hired me. The other day he asked me which I would rather have mental disabilities or sub. abuse. I thought I clarified it when I said "For ME to have" he said yes. I than explained in my most professional voice that I would rather have a mental disability than substance abuse because you can take medicine for that. He first looked at me with a blank stare and than broke out in laughter and replied" No Andrea for you to work which cases do you want" I thought that was what he meant but than I thought I clarified it by saying ME to have. Sneaky wording supervisor!!
The only friend I have made on my own so far is a large black women with a thick southern accent who sits right on the corner on my way to the bathroom. She has all these proud big black women cards hanging every where and always has her bible out . She calls me Little Lady and always asks how they are treating me on my side of the cubicals. The other day I saw her in the hall and she yelled and me for not coming by her desk yet that day to say hi. I really like her. Her name is Eartha Jackson.
Really though I like my job, co workers, and supervisor. I am pretty sure they like me to. My supervisor pulled me aside and told me he told his supervisor that he was happy he hired me cause I am eager to learn and a very hard worker. YA YA!!

Socially things are good to. Some friends from Utah came in last week end and we had a black and white party for my friends birthday. I wore suspenders to the party!! Once again i am sure lots of people thought who is that girl!!

Black and white party. The girls from utah came down

Rockin the suspenders


All Girls BBQ during the priesthood session
we made amazing food!!!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so glad your new job is going well! You're such a professional now...weird :). And I love the suspenders...very cute. We need to hang out some more before we leave for the summer.

JWolfgramm said...

Andrea - It's Joanie Bauchiero (wolfgramm) haha. I found yours and ashley's blogs! You are sooo funny. You crack me up! How is AZ? I hope you are liking your new job. I'm sure they are loving you!

Ashley said...

I do have to say I am a little worried about your job. So you deal with the crazy of the crazy...it sounds like the blind leading the blind to me. Not sure if you will be much help to them. Especially since you are do laps during your lunch break...You ARE crazy! Seriously, you need help. :)

Kasey & Erin said...

1. I 100% agree with Ashley!
2. Eartha is my new favorite character to hear about.
3. I'm not sure if your supervisor or co-workers really realize what THEY have gotten themselves in to.
4. I think I was laughing so hard during that post I almost cried.

Ha ha ha I'm glad you are liking your job it sounds like great fun!

ricksdl said...

So what do you do at a black and white party? I'm glad the job is going well!

Leslie said...

I loved reading your story about your new job. Working in an office is strange especially when you are the new one. It takes a while to figure everyone out. Sounds like you are doing great though. I have been doing Turbo Kick videos lately with one of my friends and it always makes me think of you. Miss you girl!