Retreating

I’m wrapping up loose ends before I trek across the country to an all-hands company retreat in San Francisco and I’m looking forward to a lot of it. Our west coast office holds the majority of my co-workers, so it’s always nice to see them in person instead of over the phone and instant messaging. It’s also rare for our entire company to be gathered in one place all at once and we have lots of events scheduled to make it fun, including a reprise of last year’s talent show, which is bound to be interesting, to say the least. I’m excited about entering a temperate climate and walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, too. The novelty of being away from home has its charms.

On the other hand, I feel ambivalent about this trip because of my ongoing job hunt. As much as I can’t wait to see my co-workers, the truth is that I so wish I were working elsewhere. I’m pretty sure that I’ll get back from full days with the staff to hurriedly check my e-mail and job posting sites for progress. When I perceive that I have a pressing priority (finding a new job), I struggle with separating my mind from it and focusing on the more immediate situation (being attentive at day-long meetings). It’s awkward, to say the least. I’m making my best effort to be engaged and present because, whether I like it or not, I am at this organization now and it behooves me to be a positive contributor. Must be professional.

On another note, it’ll be Boys’ Week at our house with JG on sole Ted duty, which means that there will be pigs-in-a-blanket for dinner at some point. I’ll miss my guys.