Here I Am

I kind of feel like I need to do a quick “this is where I am and this is what I do” post. Just to cover the basic small-talk topics.

I’ve been living in Portland, OR for the past 6 or 7 years. I have spent most of that time working for a small-ish software company located in one of the suburbs, with the current job title of data support specialist. The majority of the work we do deals with chemical management software that enables companies to maintain compliance with environmental and safety laws through the use of our programs. Basically we take their material safety data sheets and integrate them to a searchable online database. That way, instead of having binders and binders of hardcopy safety information, they can simply use a computer to search for the info they need. (Which is handy if you’re exposed to something toxic at work and need to know asap if you should flush your eyes out for 15 minutes or if a mere 10 will do! J) I am the person who looks over the data one last time, uploads it to the customer’s database and then communicates with the customer that their data has been processed. This also means if they have questions or concerns, I’m the one they call. It’s admittedly not the most exciting place to work, but I’ve been able to do a fair share of advancing over the years, moving up through the ranks. www.dolphinmsds.com is our company website. This is not a covert ploy to bring in business!!

Obviously, as an adult, work takes up most of my time. But when I’m not at work I like to fill my time with the activities that make me happy. I have been blessed with a good, solid group of friends. I can be myself around them because there is no fear of judgment! And what a luxury that is. Some family you’re born into and other you create yourself. This has been a particularly trying year in my life and I wouldn’t have survived the bad days without them!

I really enjoy living in Portland. (To the dismay of one of my brothers who is always trying to lure me to Boise!) But Portland is lovely. Not too big, not too small. There’s a fantastic cultural scene. Plenty of recreational activities for the adventurous. Head east and you’re in the mountains, head west and you’re at the coast. It’s green and beautiful!! Yes, it rains, but this particular woman wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, after weeks of hot, humid sunshine I was so happy to wake up on Tuesday to rain!

I hope you are all doing well.