Hang In There GIRL!

I can't believe its Tuesday night. And roughly three weeks after beginning the highest workload I've experienced at my current employer, today, I placed the last stamp of approval on the last piece of data I'm going to look at prior to my vaction which starts promptly at 5 pm on Friday.

I have to say that the last couple of weeks have been a nightmare, but extremely eye-opening. My experience of evaluating data that was submitted without the knowledge that review was pending raises quite a few questions as to practices that occur outside of the routinely reviewed data. This is not to say that the integrity of the product was compromised. However, the presentation to a lot of work to become smooth and consistant. I have to say, today, across my desk passed the most beautiful data package i've seen in weeks. Apparently, I'm training them well.

So, today, I completed the last of it. This was the one hurdle that was standing between me and my scheduled trip to visit family next weekend for Thanksgiving. About a week ago, that hurdle appeared about 10 feet tall. Today, I passed it with ease. I would like to say that the product was delivered upon the completion of my review. Unfortunately, there is another day's worth of work for that little project. The thought of this brings up nice little thoughts of the integrity of one of my coworkers.

As QA, one of my jobs is to demonstrate the highest standard of integrity at work, lead by example, per se. I'm struggling with this current situation because, it is my belief that this particular person has been making "mistakes" in order to cut corners in her daily duties. Since this position is not a technical one, it is not my responsibility to correct her behavior, although I suspect that such behavior is beginning to affect her work with certain sensitive projects. So, I ask myself, what am I to do? She is "playing dumb" when confronted, but I believe that the "mistake" was made to make it appear that she had completed the project so she could move on to her weekend.

As a result, I was called upon on Monday to assist her in correcting the mistake in the most efficient manner. I have to say that I was a tad annoyed being pulled away from the high priority tasks that I was working on to "clean up" someone's mess. Admittedly, I showed it in my conversation, which, as I understand it, led to tears shortly after my departure from the room.

I have a hard time feeling sorry for this individual, because I can see where there are definate times when many of us have to step in to help her with her duties, and then when there are times, like those of late, where EVERYONE is busy, and we are expected to step away from our stuff to help her manage her screw ups, and we hear kudos being showered on her, as we faithfully peck at our keyboards. I may not *need* affirmations of the job that I am doing, but hearing that does not do alot for the pain in my neck from being hunched over data for three weeks straight.

*steps down from soapbox*

On that note, I'm in the home stretch to a glorious 9 days away from the office. Am I looking forward to making the 500 mile drive to Missouri? Not exactly. Once I am there, however, I have a good week of noting but crisp country air, and the joy of my extended family. *praying that they are all on their best behavior* It is a blessing that I'm driving my car. When things get too hectic, all I have to do is slip the key in the igition and get lost for a few hours with my favorite tunes playing in the background.

Sure, I'll come home to another high workload situation, but I have a lot to look forward to in that next month. Company Christmas party *companion yet to be determined*, a holiday visit from my aunt and uncle, and a milestone birthday, which I am not going to let bring me down. Of course, Christmas... my favorite time of year, the giving, the friendships, the candy canes!