October 19, 2023, Thursday evening, 6:31pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California,USA. Spent the day at the Palm Desert branch uploading competencies into the online education platform. I got a lot done but there is still more to do. Once that is completed I can print out transcripts for employee files. I debated going home tonight. It would have been nice to have the morning free but I was too tired to pack and drive so I got soup and pizza from Panera and came back to the hotel to watch The Office. I will still try and leave early to be home for meetings. The plan is to visit a Halloween themed farm with my daughter’s mom’s family tomorrow night.

October 18, 2023, Wednesday night, 7:29pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California, USA. As stressful as yesterday was today was peaceful. I did my usual routine then took two virtual meetings in my Bakersfield hotel room. I got on the road at 10am and drove straight to Palm Desert stopping only for a company wide call and parent teacher conferences. I got to the hotel at 4;30pm and settled in before picking up dinner at Chipotle. I don’t get many coast days at this job, have to take advantage when I can.

October 17, 2023, Tuesday morning, 11:28am, pacific standard time, 17th anniversary of my dads death, parking lot of Bakersfield branch, Bakersfield, California, USA. Today is not a good day. Lots of stress and my brain is foggy. I can’t concentrate and at noon I present my monthly operating reviews. I should have stayed in Orange County then traveled to Palm Desert tomorrow. I don’t have time for branch concerns. After the operating reviews I have the area call, parent teacher conferences and survey review for Palm Desert. I am already exhausted with no end in sight.

October 16, 2023, Monday evening, 7:13pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield, California,USA. Got a late start today. Didn’t make it to Bakersfield until 7pm. I knew the trip would be rough because I had a monthly operations call at 2pm. I planned on getting as far down the road as possible before taking the call but my daughter’s mom called at 10am saying her car was towed and our daughter was suspended from school. So I picked up my daughter then took her mom to the tow place. It was noon by the time all was taken care of. I did my calls in Dana point and left at 3:15pm. It was an emotional day. I remember being that age and the struggles I endured. It is part of growing up yet, it is tough knowing the road she must walk. As a parent I want to protect her and at the same time prepare her for life. Sometimes it is hard to know which energy to portray and which will serve her best.

October 15, 2023, Sunday night, 6:43pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My friend left this morning at 8:30am. We had a good time last night watching sunset at the beach, walking and talking. After she left took my daughter to breakfast before doing laundry and some grocery shopping. This afternoon I went on my usual walk up the hills of Dana Point. Afterwards, I drove to Aliso Viejo to help hang Halloween decorations and take my daughters friend home. We got Del Taco for dinner then I drove back to Dana Point.

October 13 (Friday the 13th) and October 14, Saturday afternoon, 1/00pm, pacific standard time, apartment complex, Aliso Viejo, California, USA. A friend from Arizona came to visit last night. She is staying until tomorrow morning. I am glad she is here. She is the first guest to stay with me in Dana Point since moving in. The conditions are a little cramped, but we are making it work. Last night I took my daughter to Target to buy a 5ft tall skeleton replica. It was funny watching her walk around the store carrying it before checkout. I haven’t seen her yet today because I spent the morning with my guest. We went to breakfast then walked around the harbor. My plan is to spend the afternoon with my daughter and then go to the beach later with my guest this afternoon/evening.

October 12, 2023, Thursday night, 6:39pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California,USA. I feel less stressed about the survey coming up in the next couple months. After last week I got nervous. Now, I have a plan and am confident in my ability to see it through. And the new administrator was a good hire. Once she is through orientation she will be a strong ally. I hope it works out. I want to take the next step, career and skill wise. That will only happen if I am out of the day-to-day branch operations and more leading leaders.

October 11, 2023, Wednesday night, 7:29pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California, USA. The new Administrator in Palm Desert seems like a good fit. She should ramp up quickly and be able to run things before long. Similarly, the Bakersfield administrator is doing well. Both are eager to lead and not afraid of accountability. It is so refreshing after the mis-hire with the previous Palm Desert administrator. On another note, I talked with my supervisor today. She is taking thanksgiving week off so I will take Christmas week off. That works great. My mom will be visiting so not having to travel will be nice. I also arranged to be in Orange County for Halloween. Now I have two things to look forward to.

October 10, 2023, Tuesday evening, 6:55pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California,USA. My eating less at night plan lasted half a week. My intentions are good, I just don’t have the energy or patience to go grocery shopping after work. It is easier to order online and eat take out than it is to shop when I am tired. Of course when I eat out I over indulge. Then I don’t sleep well. Last night I woke up at eleven and didn’t fall asleep until 1am. I was able to workout and get a nap in this morning but it isn’t fun to be uncomfortable and grouchy. Today was busy at work. Lots of emails and phone calls. Not a day worth remembering.

October 9, 2023, Monday evening, 7:37pm, pacific standard time, hotel room, Palm Desert, California, USA. Got a new antibiotic today. The other one wasn’t working. The doctor I spoke with was surprised the NP from last week prescribed it. Hopefully things turn out better. This is the first time I feel properly diagnosed and treated. Work wise, the new director in Palm Desert started today. I can’t wait to get her through orientation. I want to go somewhere else now and then. Palm Desert and Bakersfield are nice, just not every week.