Week 4 - The train is movin...

Hey there, hi there and hello there. I hope life is well with all. I'm just down here livin' the dream! It was another hot week down in the South, but I have to say, it's gorgeous. I've been able to hang out at the pool quite a bit lately which has been very refreshing.

Work has been picking up lately at the ol' Aflac. I was able to complete the entire budget roll-up for the department I'm in and help to present it to my boss. He seemed like he has appreciated what I've been doing, but I can't take it for granted. I've got a couple big projects now that he is entrusting me with, so I guess the train is starting to pick up some speed. Everyone is still being very helpful, and it's been great to meet new people everyday!

I attended my first Toastmasters meeting this week, which is some sort of club to help people with their public speaking skills. I'm hoping to get into some competitive speeches and contribute more to that club in the future. We also had Diversity Day this week, which was an amazing experience to see the value that Aflac puts on diversity and how it contributes to our culture.

This was also week 1 of the bowling league...wow, that's gonna be a great time. I've got a pretty fun team, and of course I now have some sweet bowling shoes to wear around! I also got some new rollerblading wheels...and I hope you got a big trunk, because I'm puttin' my new bike in it!

Got to hang out with the SIFErs again on Friday night and head out on the town to Knockin' Boots...wow, country...yikes! Saturday I helped dig some holes for a fence at the Ronald McDonald House which should be a pretty cool project that I hope to help out with more in the future. Went to Bourne Ultimatum and some food at Cheddars...mmm monte cristo/heart attack on a plate!

It's been another great week, and next week looks to be the same. I hope everyone has a fantacular week and I'll check in again next weekend.

Week 3 - Into the grind

Hey there, hi there and hello there. Hope all is well with everyone. First off...Georgia is hot, just an FYI; over 100 many days in the last weeks!

This last week at the ol' Aflac was New Employee Orientation (NEO) time, which was very informative and I got to meet some pretty cool cats. An English bloke Mike and a new SIFE Analyst Mr. Ed/Eddie. Found out that Aflac has some amazing benefits that I will fully take advantage of in the near future.

I was fortunate to get in on some very tangible projects at work, including working on the entire budget for the Support Services center where I currently reside. Everyone I meet continues to be very welcoming and helpful as I begin to get challenged with projects and different tasks.

This weekend, I was able to volunteer for the first time down here with Habitat for Humanity. For 5 hours I helped put up siding for Rhonda and her 5 children that will be moving in the middle of September. I met some interesting folks, including a group of sorority girls and Harley riders...what a combo. Rhonda is actually a refugee from New Orleans, so I was able to chat a bit about her experiences as well as mine having been down there to help. It was a very fulfilling morning of work.

I hung out with a new pal, Mike (big soccer fan), to watch a soccer match. I think I am getting signed up to play in a men's open soccer league down here...pretty pumped about that. Last night, a bunch of us SIFErs went out on the town to Scruffy's to hear a live band. I really enjoy the night scene down here with live bands and people having good times!

That's it for this week, this week looks to be a good one where hopefully I can start taking the lead on some projects and making a difference!

Week 2 - Work has begun

Hey there, hi there and hello there. Another week is now in the books, my first full week in the real world...not as bad as it's all cracked up to be.

I started my two month rotation this week in Support Services downtown Columbus, and everyone I have me thus far has been very welcoming and kind. I hope that I am able to take on some projects and leave my mark before I have to leave in a couple of months.

I decided to break out of my shell a bit (I know, hard to believe) and get involved. I joined a bowling league, Toastmasters and still may join a tennis and/or soccer league by weeks end. Should be a great way to meet some new people and network within the company.

This weekend I also went through a volunteer orientation with Hands on the Valley, a volunteer matching group similar to CorridorVolunteers.org back home at United Way. I really hope to get quite involved there and maybe even help to create some financial literacy initiatives with some of the other SIFE Analyst.

Went and checked out the Columbus Museum, which was quite nice, and then had my first rollerblading experience along the Chattahoochee River...very nice.

The apartment is starting to all come together and feel like a real bachelor pad!

Well, I start New Employee Orientation this week, so that should be exciting. Until next time...live life!

Alwayz~

Nate Klein

Week 1-A New Beginning

Hey there, hi there and hello there. My name is Nate Klein and I am a 22 year old guy that packed up all my things from Cedar Rapids/Shueyville, Iowa to start the next chapter of my life in Columbus, Georgia.

Although I may have brought all of my material belongings with me 16 hours away, I will always have with me my family and friends back in Iowa.

I have had the great pleasure of living in the Cedar Rapids and Shueyville area for the last 12 years and have met some of the most amazing people from teachers and professors to local business leaders and most importantly my lifelong friends.

My education from both Prairie High School and Mount Mercy College has been two of the best things that have ever happened to me. No matter if it was performing for the show choir, playing football, basketball, soccer or leading the Student Government and SIFE teams…each of these educational experiences have enhanced my life a great deal and I have many of you to thank for that.

With the help of my family, peers and friends, I have been afforded many great opportunities that have been quite humbling. I’ve learned the importance of giving back to the community through some great opportunities as a board member with United Way, service trips to help in hurricane relief efforts down south and empowering others with the skills needed to succeed through Junior Achievement and SIFE.

I am proud to say that because of all of your contributions and these experiences, I feel that I am prepared to enter the real-world.

As some of you may already know, I have recently accepted a job with Aflac (unfortunately, not as the mascot) in Columbus, Georgia. My job as SIFE Analyst: Business Administrative Unit will be a great two year training opportunity in which I will be able to see many facets of the business world while learning and living a new culture down south. My plans are to complete the program and pursue an MBA, hopefully at Emory University, after a year with Alfac.

I can never say thank you enough to all of you that have changed my life and helped shape who I am today. I hope one day that I can impact people in the same way that you have impacted me.

Week 1-A New Beginning

My dad rode down with me last weekend to help me move into my new place in Columbus. After a few traffic hold-ups, we made it into my apartment at Inverness Monday afternoon.

I was able to spend a couple great days with my dad hanging out and settling in. I really appreciated being able to have him join me as I begin my journey. He left on Tuesday, and finally on Wednesday all of my things arrived. After a long day of unpacking and reorganizing, my place is beginning to look like the bachelor pad I had envisioned with all of Grandma's stuff...thanks Grandma.

I started work on Thursday where I was greeted with open arms and a smile. Bob Ottman (the boss man) seems like a great guy, and he had me shadow another SIFE Analyst, Mike Frank, for the first couple of days. Those first couple of days in the claims department were a whirlwind of information, and I learned a great deal by just diving in. I met so many people, and all seemed to be loving the fact that they are working for Aflac.

The weekend came fast. I spent most of my nights watching movies and reading "Today Matters." I am quite pleased to say that I have yet to cook a meal out of the box...without burning down the place.

I went with Mike and Dedra (another SIFE Analyst) to the Flint River for a 5 mile canoe ride. The water was a little low, but the scenary was amazing...we had a great time! After getting home late, two more SIFE Analyst, Miranda and Rosario, wanted to show me out on the town...so of course I tagged along and showed them some of my Iowa moves. I didn't get to hand out any business cards, but did notice that the bars play a lot more country than back home...that could be a problem!

It has been a fantastic week, but tomorrow is the beginning of a full work week and time to show them what I can do. I am looking forward to working in the support services building and meeting some new people.

I will try and post every week to tell of all the tales, maybe leaving a few out here and there, but you'll get the jist. I'll even try to make 'em a little shorter from here on out.

Until next time...peace out.

Nate

"The only things in life that you will keep, are those of which you give away."