I thought you all might enjoy reading my "comeback letter" sent to all desks at Philips Design. Within seconds - and I mean that literally - I had two responses. It really does pay to just be yourself, darn it!
___________________
From: Parton, Rhonda
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 5:08 PM
To: All desks
Subject: Comeback letter
Hello everyone,
For six weeks already, I have been loping around the Witte Dame becoming a familiar face again as a semi-active employee of Philips Design. In that time, I've caught up with many of you personally, met a few new people and discovered the best things about "going to work" are the intelligent, talented, lovely, caring people that are there to greet me every day. That and the view from the roof.
Sincerely, thanks for the many thoughts, prayers, positive energy, warmth and genuine love sent to me during a time when I needed it. You'll never know how much a sentimental greeting card or a bunch of flowers does for the spirit until you are laid up in hospital for an incalculable period of time. Being so far away from family and friends in the U.S., my experience could have been more trying but, as I was reminded, the definition of family can be rewritten in an instant and a colleague suddenly can become the sister you never had. And maybe you've always wanted a sister or at least a best girlfriend and you think, "this is a nice surprise. Who knew?".
If we were acquainted before, I hope we get a chance to get reacquainted over lunch, dinner or coffee micro-break when you're in Eindhoven again. I'm on the fifth floor. If I don't know you, come on by - these days, meeting new people is a lot like meeting people I knew before but without the guilty feeling I get after realizing I've forgotten who you are.
Finally, for anyone in need of a fresh perspective on life, I can heartily recommend a year in rehab. Works like a charm.
Cheers,
Rhonda
Rhonda Parton
Art Director, Communication Design
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
New recipe
No, you haven't come to the wrong blog. If you don't know me by now, I get bored easily so I updated the look of the blog again. I liked the way this template emphasized my new subtitle, "changing life for the better". Now, on to the recipe.
Apple 'N Kraut Pork Chops
If you saw my post on facebook, you know that I made a yummy dish from a recipe my mom gave me. She neither made it herself nor got it from a friend. She sent me a book titled Old-Fashioned Apple Recipes from Bear Wallow Books which she picked up on her last mystery bus tour. It has come in really handy with champion-apple-gatherer but last-place-chef boyfriend, Nico, this fall. I include a link to the publisher website as they loads of great titles like Old-Fashioned Mushroom Recipes, Native American Recipes and Lewis & Clark, Adventures in Cookery. But I digress.
6 pork chops
salt and pepper (what you like)
2 cups sliced onions
2 cups sliced apples
1/2 cup raisins
1 tbs. brown sugar
2 cups sauerkraut (not drained)
Quickly brown chops in a skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine remaining ingredients in order given, give a quick stir and place in medium-sized buttered casserole. Arrange chops on top. Cover and bake in 350 F. degree oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It's important to cover dish or else chops will dry out. Prep time: 20 minutes.
Could be good served with baked red potato wedges but I just served it alone. And yum! Again, I apologize for lack of photo. We just got carried away by the odor of baking sauerkraut.
Apple 'N Kraut Pork Chops
If you saw my post on facebook, you know that I made a yummy dish from a recipe my mom gave me. She neither made it herself nor got it from a friend. She sent me a book titled Old-Fashioned Apple Recipes from Bear Wallow Books which she picked up on her last mystery bus tour. It has come in really handy with champion-apple-gatherer but last-place-chef boyfriend, Nico, this fall. I include a link to the publisher website as they loads of great titles like Old-Fashioned Mushroom Recipes, Native American Recipes and Lewis & Clark, Adventures in Cookery. But I digress.
6 pork chops
salt and pepper (what you like)
2 cups sliced onions
2 cups sliced apples
1/2 cup raisins
1 tbs. brown sugar
2 cups sauerkraut (not drained)
Quickly brown chops in a skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine remaining ingredients in order given, give a quick stir and place in medium-sized buttered casserole. Arrange chops on top. Cover and bake in 350 F. degree oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It's important to cover dish or else chops will dry out. Prep time: 20 minutes.
Could be good served with baked red potato wedges but I just served it alone. And yum! Again, I apologize for lack of photo. We just got carried away by the odor of baking sauerkraut.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Photo fall
Autumn afternoon
Photos from a longer-than-anticipated trip one afternoon a couple weeks ago. Fall colors are coming out in full this year. Wonderful.
This and that
One of Nico's prized sunflower plant was blown over one night during a storm. I was the lucky recipient of the prized flowers. They didn't last long but I enjoyed them while they lasted. Another fruit of Nico's hunting, a humongous squash. I think it's a butternut. I haven't done anything with it yet but a plan is only a Google search away.
A piece of that pumpkin cornbread I made. It was pretty tasty but definitely needed the sprinkle of powdered sugar. Those are some hard nuts to crack! Nico holding up his broken nutcracker one afternoon.
Me in front of Johnies where we go for fried foods every Sunday. I am actually smiling bag in hand, only you can't see the bag.
Cooking with fresh porcini, yum!
Nico had been singing the praises of the "acorn bread" mushroom, translated from the Dutch eekhoorntjesbrood. I thought, "ok. Well, pick it and I'll figure out what it is an fix it." Turns out, it's porcini. Simple.
Slice, add some garlic, olive oil and fresh parsley, throw in some couscous and fresh grated parmesan. Done!
Welcome!
A new addition to the balcony, I'm not even sure how it's spelled. "Hay" is how this native plant is pronounced. One of my favorite plants.
And the new cut and color. Horns courtesy of Shiela and the kids. For Halloween, of course, though it's fun to just wear it 'round the house, catching myself in the mirror is a hoot.
Photos from a longer-than-anticipated trip one afternoon a couple weeks ago. Fall colors are coming out in full this year. Wonderful.
This and that
One of Nico's prized sunflower plant was blown over one night during a storm. I was the lucky recipient of the prized flowers. They didn't last long but I enjoyed them while they lasted. Another fruit of Nico's hunting, a humongous squash. I think it's a butternut. I haven't done anything with it yet but a plan is only a Google search away.
A piece of that pumpkin cornbread I made. It was pretty tasty but definitely needed the sprinkle of powdered sugar. Those are some hard nuts to crack! Nico holding up his broken nutcracker one afternoon.
Me in front of Johnies where we go for fried foods every Sunday. I am actually smiling bag in hand, only you can't see the bag.
Cooking with fresh porcini, yum!
Nico had been singing the praises of the "acorn bread" mushroom, translated from the Dutch eekhoorntjesbrood. I thought, "ok. Well, pick it and I'll figure out what it is an fix it." Turns out, it's porcini. Simple.
Slice, add some garlic, olive oil and fresh parsley, throw in some couscous and fresh grated parmesan. Done!
Welcome!
A new addition to the balcony, I'm not even sure how it's spelled. "Hay" is how this native plant is pronounced. One of my favorite plants.
And the new cut and color. Horns courtesy of Shiela and the kids. For Halloween, of course, though it's fun to just wear it 'round the house, catching myself in the mirror is a hoot.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Catching up
What an amazing time I'm having. What an amazing and totally believable blessing I am living! I wish I could always remember this, even when things seem to be going "wrong". Of course, there is no wrong, simply expectations not being met. That is one lesson I continue to hear over an over - remember that the root of suffering is in expectations. Expect nothing and you'll never be disappointed. Cha-ching!
Looking at work
One of the most helpful reminders of that lesson is in returning to work. For instance, the first day I was to go into "work", I had already stressed myself out so much so that I was tired before I ever found my desk and sat down. It's gotten a lot easier since then but not without learning from this kind of easily correctable mistake.
Mostly, I've just been spending the last three weeks getting used to the environment again. I had to relearn a lot of the basic things - docking my laptop, logging onto my computer, checking emails in a new email program. Getting accustomed to an environment in which stress, deadlines and work is on the mind versus wellness, peace and play was an interesting hurdle to jump. I knew I would have to maintain positive mindfulness and, boy, was I right! Using that tool has been a real energy saver already.
I've also incorporated new things too - taking breaks every 15 minutes, stepping out on the roof at least once and drinking hot tea (instead of nothing at all, which was my usual habit). I located a desk that is near the bathroom, the kitchen, hot water/coffee dispenser, beside a window in a quiet location also near a couch (which I've still not had a chance to try out yet). I'm still scoping for a "nap" room, which my peers seem keen to use as well.
The easiest and best thing by far about going back to work (8 hours a week, 2 days per week) has been reconnecting with the people. I never realized how much I really loved so many of them until I saw them again. And they love me back and are glad I've recovered enough to return to the scene.
I have the luxury of being "unbillable", at least until I am on my feet again. This means I won't have the pressure of deadlines or project expectations until I'm ready. Priceless.
Waking up my muscles, again
I've been getting a workout in at Club Sportive located next to my office in the old lighting building, though my routine thus far has been to go there on different days than when I go to work. I've been reminding myself that though I miss my fitness pals at Blixembosch, I must move on. That lovely place is now over for me, others need it more and I am capable of moving into this phase now.
I like my new physiotherapist well enough. She doubles for me as a fitness coach. We meet every Monday morning at 8:30 and I work out 'til 10 or so. Thursdays, I go in again, in the morning, if able. Motivating my butt to go in when Tineke isn't there has been tough but so far so good.
Driving lessons
Already, I've had three lessons to learn how to drive again - except in the Netherlands, with a lot more rules. I'm waiting to receive a rule booklet in English. And there's a heck of a lot more walkers and bikers. Here, these "alternative transporters" rule the road, I have to watch out for them. I've wished my instructor could see Atlanta - where SUVs rule the road and pedestrians better watch out - just to see what I'm up against.
I'm being allowed to drive an automatic, right foot on the gas, left foot on the brake. This means that, if I pass all tests and get a new license, I'll be able to rent a car when I come back to the US.
I'm being given lessons in an SUV which is a bit unnerving. It's so huge on these tight roads with wonky intersections! I really crave my little Honda Civic which would also provide me better view of oncoming bikers.
The instructor is great and has been giving lessons almost as long as I've been alive. Driving test set for November 12. Five more lessons to go, next one next Woensdag.
Tot ziens and keep in touch!
Looking at work
One of the most helpful reminders of that lesson is in returning to work. For instance, the first day I was to go into "work", I had already stressed myself out so much so that I was tired before I ever found my desk and sat down. It's gotten a lot easier since then but not without learning from this kind of easily correctable mistake.
Mostly, I've just been spending the last three weeks getting used to the environment again. I had to relearn a lot of the basic things - docking my laptop, logging onto my computer, checking emails in a new email program. Getting accustomed to an environment in which stress, deadlines and work is on the mind versus wellness, peace and play was an interesting hurdle to jump. I knew I would have to maintain positive mindfulness and, boy, was I right! Using that tool has been a real energy saver already.
I've also incorporated new things too - taking breaks every 15 minutes, stepping out on the roof at least once and drinking hot tea (instead of nothing at all, which was my usual habit). I located a desk that is near the bathroom, the kitchen, hot water/coffee dispenser, beside a window in a quiet location also near a couch (which I've still not had a chance to try out yet). I'm still scoping for a "nap" room, which my peers seem keen to use as well.
The easiest and best thing by far about going back to work (8 hours a week, 2 days per week) has been reconnecting with the people. I never realized how much I really loved so many of them until I saw them again. And they love me back and are glad I've recovered enough to return to the scene.
I have the luxury of being "unbillable", at least until I am on my feet again. This means I won't have the pressure of deadlines or project expectations until I'm ready. Priceless.
Waking up my muscles, again
I've been getting a workout in at Club Sportive located next to my office in the old lighting building, though my routine thus far has been to go there on different days than when I go to work. I've been reminding myself that though I miss my fitness pals at Blixembosch, I must move on. That lovely place is now over for me, others need it more and I am capable of moving into this phase now.
I like my new physiotherapist well enough. She doubles for me as a fitness coach. We meet every Monday morning at 8:30 and I work out 'til 10 or so. Thursdays, I go in again, in the morning, if able. Motivating my butt to go in when Tineke isn't there has been tough but so far so good.
Driving lessons
Already, I've had three lessons to learn how to drive again - except in the Netherlands, with a lot more rules. I'm waiting to receive a rule booklet in English. And there's a heck of a lot more walkers and bikers. Here, these "alternative transporters" rule the road, I have to watch out for them. I've wished my instructor could see Atlanta - where SUVs rule the road and pedestrians better watch out - just to see what I'm up against.
I'm being allowed to drive an automatic, right foot on the gas, left foot on the brake. This means that, if I pass all tests and get a new license, I'll be able to rent a car when I come back to the US.
I'm being given lessons in an SUV which is a bit unnerving. It's so huge on these tight roads with wonky intersections! I really crave my little Honda Civic which would also provide me better view of oncoming bikers.
The instructor is great and has been giving lessons almost as long as I've been alive. Driving test set for November 12. Five more lessons to go, next one next Woensdag.
Tot ziens and keep in touch!
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