A Day in the Life of Eagle 6
The first thought that runs through my head when waking up is “I should kill my phone.” The alarm is blaring and everyone has already stuffed their heads under their pillows. That is, everyone but the early bird. In the 2 rooms that Eagle 6 inhabits, there are 2 early birds. We all end clambering out of bed, usually silent and rather wistful about the beds we have just abandoned. Time escapes as we run into the bathroom, make lunches, and dress for the day. Before we know it, it is 7:14am and time for free ESA coffee. A few of us supplement our lunches with the free apples, oranges, and granola bars. Chatting seems to take away a bit of the bitterness from our earlier abandonment. But then it is 7:19am and we find ourselves climbing into the cold van. 7:20am is go time.
It usually takes around 35 minutes to get to Crystal City from Fairfax, VA. The soothing scent of coffee and tea permeates the air as these are both essential to our morning. Generally, the music that plays is calm, and everyone again is a bit quiet. We are napping, working on laptops, or indulging in introspection under the early morning sky.
Too soon, we dive into the brisk winter morning and walk about half a block to our lovely 1800 South Bell Crystal City, VA workplace. We stride as quickly as possible into the building, squash into the elevator to the 4th floor, wave a good morning to the security guard, and stop before a door. Who is the Chosen One, promised to lead us to our workplace mecca with comfy chairs and colorful Post-It Notes? Josh is usually the one with his ID on hand so he opens the door.
Our most recent office is covered by posters, sticky notes, and the faint lingering smell of Hot and Spicy Cheez Its. It is our third office space and perhaps the best set-up. It has united us, increased communication, and made us stronger.
With our POC, we focus on goals, steps to accomplish them, and there are often meetings. He pushes us and we rise up to the challenges set before us. Almost everyone pulls their own weight, even though half the time we have no idea how to do so. Oftentimes, the Database Developers are asking questions, apologizing for messing up a view, and constantly looking for solutions. The Project Support always had their noses to the grind, coming up with innovative designs along the way. The Administrator is always glued to her laptop, never ceasing to work. The Team Leader makes sure that any help that is needed is given. There is usually a munchie to be shared among the team and coffee flows freely. Frustration at needing a key to visit the one restroom on the floor quickly fades as we adjust.
Lunchtime finds the team in the Crystal City Underground Mall. It reminds us that there is a world outside the 4 walls. After lunch, more coffee is flowing and we regain our strength to continue the battle with the project. Time escapes us for the rest of the workday.
The clock is 4:30pm and we pack up, ready to brave the cold again. We settle into Raphael, our big red van. Again, naps, working on our laptops, and introspection are a norm as we head to the YMCA for PT. An hour flashes by and we run into the warmth of the YMCA. The YMCA is the best stress reliever after the workday.
The night finds 2 of us making us dinner, and then eating quickly so we can go to bed. We slide under the covers and quickly close our eyes. Alarm blaring, I wake up thinking “I should kill my phone…”
