Introducing the O-Team

To be honest I have lost track of how long I have been in Texas. Time flies when you are having fun. But I believe it is right around the five month mark. So I thought I would give you an update on how things are going. Just a few months ago, I was scared and nervous about coworkers, coordinating orientation and making friends.

I am so thankful that just five months later I can say I no longer have any of these fears. (Please don’t mistake that as; I don’t have any fears at allJ). Yesterday marked the end of the summer orientation season. And my coworkers and I are both happy to say I survived. This summer has been a great experience; each week brought a new learning experience both personally and professionally. Before this week’s orientation session I took a few minutes to thank the orientation team also known as the O-Team. I was not planning to do this in advance, but I quickly pulled together some thoughts I wanted to share with them. I stood up and looked around the room and said,

I would prefer to do this tomorrow after orientation, but we won’t have a meeting then so I will do it now. I have loved working with y’all and have had so much fun. Y’all don’t know, but when I was thinking about moving to Texas I was so nervous about not knowing anyone. I was not sure how you would like me or accept me. Oh goodness I’m going to start crying. Sorry (the tears were falling now)! But y’all have welcomed me and allowed me to be a part of the team. That means so much to me. I am so thankful for this summer and each one of you.

I added a few more lines about the upcoming orientation session. But as I ended I looked around the room and all these faces were filled with smiles. How could you not cry? Then I hear voices saying, “Did you hear her, she said y’all like 3 or more times”. Then the room filled with laugher as we all realized I had finally mastered the use of y’all. See one of the many lessons the O-team has been trying to teach me is the proper way to Texan talk. And this was the first time I unintentionally pulled it off.  It was a magical moment and an amazing summer with my Texas familyJ. Below are a few photos from this summer and the O-Team!