The best part about my life here in Denver so far has been my current temp assignment at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). For some reason, temps are hired for 6 months only for the state. Sadly, I'm in my fifth month, but I am loving every minute of every day. The department regulates any professional that requires a license to do business. I work with the Program Area that regulates Dentists, Nursing Home Administrators, and Veterinarians. Odd mix, but the workload is balanced. There are 4 other women on the team and a Program Director. I like 'em all! We are a good team.
I started by assisting with the Dental Board, and I have to admit I got a kick out of calling dentists and identifying myself as calling from the Colorado Board of Dental Examiners and hearing them snap to attention and listen hard to what I had to say. Not many people get to claim they get to make Dentists squirm… it’s usually the other way around! But somewhere in my third week, my supervisor told me they’d hired someone for the position I was filling. So I spent the next couple weeks training the new girl.
After that, I floated around as assistant to the other Boards my area covers, the Nursing Home Administrator’s Board and the Board of Veterinary Medicine. That lasted for a few weeks, then Rosemary claimed me for the Vet Board. It turns out she was to retire at the end of November, and wanted to train someone to fill the position before she left.
As soon as the position was posted, I applied. It was incredible timing: I took a Tuesday off to register my car and get a CO driver’s license. About 3:00 that afternoon, as I was in line to get my picture taken for my license, my supervisor called and said that the position was posted the previous day and that it was closing the following day, so I had that evening only to submit an application. So I got my driver’s license and was able to go home and use it to prove I was a CO resident on my application. I was pleased with the timing- I felt it meant that I was doing the right thing, in the right place, and clearly at the right time.
A few weeks after turning my application in, I was given an “exam” of sorts which included detailed work experience questions and required verification contact information. It took me a whole weekend to finish…then it took Human Resources two months to tell me the exam didn’t score high enough. And that was it. I’m not up for the Vet Board position.
Since then Rosemary has retired and I am the Administrative Assistant for the Veterinary Board. I’m here, doing the job, loving it. If someone has a question for the Board, and they call the number, I get to answer: Colorado Board of Veterinary Medicine, this is Dwynne. They I get to answer all kinds of interesting questions that usually take reading the Colorado Statutes aloud and interpreting them over the phone. I get to write letters in formal language, which it turns out, I’m good at. The third day after Rosemary’s retirement, I helped a lady file a complaint against a vet who – she thinks- let her dog die. She was so tearful over the phone, understandably upset, and after we were done, she wrote me the following email:
Your personal compassion and listening ear has made our pain with the loss of a beloved pet and family member a bit easier to bear. You are a perfect choice to be in your challenging position.
Thank you again for your help this morning. It is appreciated more than you realize. Please let your immediate supervisor know that you should be considered as a valued staff member for going above and beyond and recognized for such performance.
How great is that? My THIRD day! Perfect choice for the position. How ironic…how sad. I’m perfect for this job. I understand it. I’m good with the public. I’m learning a lot. It’s interesting. It’s important. I like helping in this way… and I don’t get to stay. Even the stupid bus route is perfect as it goes past my apartment and drives straight to my very building downtown. Everything about this job would be right.(Yes, I forwarded it to my supervisor, who forwarded it to hers… and No, it doesn’t make a difference.)
So I get to stay until January 21st, then I’m jobless again. Unless a miracle happens, which my poor little heart is pretty much set on, which means I’m going to be disappointed if my hopes are dashed. I can’t quite grasp that I’ll be leaving. I’ve already done so much to improve the position! I’ve bitten off a big project by revamping everything, but I believe it will be easier on the person coming in; whom I will also have to train. This will make the fourth person this year I have trained as a temp to take a full time position. FOUR. Blah. Someone just needs to hire me.
I’m trying to be excited over another change. God knows what needs to happen, and I trust him with all my heart. I want so many things, and a lot of them contradict, so without a clear idea of what to want for myself, I want God’s will to be done. And so I try to do my best at whatever comes my way.
As for the rest of my life out here in Colorado: I love and adore my Bishop! My ward is friendly and there are a few musicians who make Sundays fun. I’ve arranged my first real-live instrumental arrangement for flute, violin, piano and cello, and the four of us have a blast working on it. (Silent Night) I’m going to be sad when the Christmas program is done. I’ll just have to start working on an Easter piece. I’m serving as the choir pianist and as the Teaching For Our Times Relief Society teacher. I enjoy both immensely. I don’t go to FHE much, but when I do, I have a good time, which is a nice change. There are a few girls in RS that I’m making friends with. My heart feels safe with them, which is a great comfort because my heart does not feel safe at home. My roommate and I have opposite cultures, and she finds my religious life limiting and ridiculous. Her words. She thinks I’m niave. Me. With my knowledge of the truth and eternal perspective, I’m niave. She has a hard heart and so I don’t try to share anything with her anymore. It gets mocked, so no…I keep my pearls before me. And spend a lot of time in my room. I don't mind. I've got interesting hobbies.
I’ve made a friend at work, Nancy, who is motherly and kind. Our building is at one end of the 16th Street Mall, and it makes for great exploring at lunch! She is also a temp and we had to share cubicles for a long while, until I could move into this one after Rosemary left. At first it was awkward, but we adore each other now! Here are some pictures:
This is Nancy at her house on Thanksgiving
Nancy in our shared cubie. View from my desk.
Me in our shared cubie. View from her desk.
This is the Civic Center Plaza, where I slave away all day on the 13th floor. My day actually flies by, the work is so absorbing, I don't even mind the time.
My building on the left...this is how close we are the capitol building. And behind the camera is the 16th street mall. The bus in the picture is one of the many free shuttles that run up and down the mall all day long. Its fun!
This is me, down on the street.
A few weeks ago, my super cousin Alan and I went to the Denver temple to do a session together. I like having someone to meet there. The first time we went to a 5:30 am session. crazy. But so wonderful! He is a good guy, and so smart. I enjoyed having someone to ask questions.
Denver Colorado Temple.
I met up with a friend from High School who lives out here in Denver. Henri! We were choir geeks together and went to most honor choir events together. He is now a biologist... and as much of a geek as ever! My brother sent me a new graphics card and RAM for my birthday to make editing videos easier, and Henri came to install them for me. He set up my computer to run way fast! woah. We had a loooong visit. It was good to catch up with him.
Henri, fixing up my computer.
So, I'm doing well. A LOT can be said for interesting work and good people. I'm thankful for this time, and looking forward to whatever changes come next.
I get to go home next week! Merry Christmas! I hope your Christmases are wonderful and full of love!
