Work-versary, Life Update, and New Format!

February 6, 2024

18 years ago to this date, I walked into the City of Berkeley's Planning Department to start my career as an Office Specialist II in local government. I had no idea I would still be part of the organization nearly two decades later. I will never forget my first interview for the position, and how my soon-to-be-leader had a two-pound box of See's candies only inches from me. I still believe that box was the actual interview and thank goodness I passed the test.

I also think about how, only hours after arriving for my first day, I inadvertently called the Police emergency dispatch while cleaning my desk phone, as I set up and prepared to work. Going to the restroom to wash my hands and returning to find two uniformed BPD officers at my desk was probably an indicator that my time at the COB would be full of twists and turns.

So much has happened in my life since then, some good, some great, and some downright bad. Some of the most significant events of the past nearly twenty years include:

• Working in Planning, Toxics Management, Public Works, and the City Manager's Office

• Provisional promotion as an Associate Management Analyst

• Celebrated Granny's 100th birthday, and soon after, attended her celebration of life

• Married and divorced

• Earned a Master's degree

• Wrote and published a book

• Started a small business

• Created this website

• Sold more than 100 copies of my Memoir

• Went through the pandemic

• Received certification for Adult and Infant CPR and First Aid

• Became a Yorkie mom to Oliver Asher Beasley (born August 20, 2023)

• Hit the 18-year mark with the CoB, through seven Deputy City Managers, with more than eight of those years as an Executive Assistant in the City Manager's office!

Though a mix of ups and downs, all of the events have contributed to who I am today and it is the grace of Almighty God that brought me through it all. I am thankful for all that I have been blessed to learn and accomplish since February 6, 2006, and for the many people who have helped along the way.

I haven't celebrated yet, but I will think of something. I'm just so thankful to still be here. I don't take credit for any of the above, because I know that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:7, KJV), and my life is certainly a gift from God. I am reminded of His promise to me in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God is still writing my book. Actually, He already wrote my entire book, but I'm turning the pages one day at a time, one moment at a time, one breath at a time. Every page that He has authored for me is more than enough reason to celebrate. 🦋