New Jersey

I have been living and working in New Jersey for the past 3 weeks.  I am typically working alongside my husband Jim, however since Hurricane Irene made her way up the east coast, I have been assisting new catastrophe insurance adjusters in a support room.  (Jim has been working in Tennessee since April.) Work hours are long for me - 12-hour days, 7 days a week - but this is a feast or famine business. and those of us involved know that we must take it as it comes.  I've been very fortunate to have met many wonderful people since my arrival in NJ.  My co-workers are great - 2 women & 2 men from Texas and another woman from Louisiana.  One of the men is leaving tomorrow, so we took the opportunity today to capture a group photo this afternoon.  Though we have only known each other a short time, I feel as though I have made some wonderful friends that I will treasure for a long time to come.   We have all come together for a common good - to assist new adjusters in their new career venture.  In a situation such as the current, i.e., mega-catastrophe, the need for assistance with new adjusters is great.  As I've said, the hours are long, but the rewards are great.  It is a wonderful feeling to be in the position of helping someone to succeed.  This is a very competive business, and I know of people who feel providing help may hamper their own opportunities for work.   I, on the other hand, don't feel that way.  I feel blessed to be able to give to others in need.  I will, however, say that I am pretty exhausted...have been living on energy drinks to stay awake.  I have no idea how much longer this work opportunity will last, but I do know it's not permanent.  I may be here another week, two weeks...possibly even three weeks, but after that, I have no idea where I will, but after last year's bitter/snowy winter weather in Ohio, Tennessee sounds pretty good to me...