Employees Share June Updates on New Year’s Resolutions

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Patrick Jablonski, CCA senior director, Quality Assurance Research and Analysis goes for a run with his son and dog

More than halfway through 2010, New Year’s resolutions are still on the radar for Rebecca Williams, accounting clerk at North Fork Correctional Facility and Patrick Jablonski, CCA senior director, Quality Assurance Research and Analysis. In fact, the two are gaining momentum toward their goals.

Extreme Makeover: Green Edition

Over the past month, the interior of Williams’ home has been getting a green makeover, complete with a couple of new kitchen appliances.

"We bought a new, more energy efficient refrigerator," Williams says. "Hopefully that will reduce our electric bills a little bit."

Williams also picked up a new more energy efficient coffeemaker after her old one gave out.

"I love it," she says. "It doesn't have a burner; it makes the coffee into a thermal stainless steel carafe, which keeps it very hot without having to sit on a burner all day, so that should help a little too. The coffee tastes better because it doesn't sit on a burner and 'cook' after it's made."

To boot, Williams has exchanged her paper coffee filters for a gold permanent filter. "You just rinse it after using," she says. "Works like a charm!"

But that’s only the beginning – she’s been busy saving energy in other parts of her home, too.

“I've put most of my electrical appliances, computers, etc. on power strips and I turn them off when I’m not using them,” she explains. “I do the same with phone chargers.”

While her garden is doing well, Williams’ eco-friendly insect repellent hasn’t worked as effectively as she’d like.

“The soap spray I’ve been using doesn't help much with the grasshoppers,” she says. “I’m trying to find something else for that, but it does help with squash bugs, as long as I saturate the plants.”

Getting Back On Track

Although Jablonski found himself in a rut recently, he’s back in action and he says it’s made all the difference.

“Due to a combination of circumstances, I backed off of my diet a little bit for a couple of weeks,” says Jablonski. “After gaining a few pounds, I decided to get serious again so I’ve taken to running around my neighborhood after work each day.”

Jablonski’s two sons and his dog Ellie Mae often tag along during his workout. Since he began running, Jablonski says less stress and more energy are most welcome benefits.

“I should have started this months ago; it really is a matter of just going out and making myself do it.”

To view previous updates on these employees’ New Year’s resolutions, click on the links below. Employees Share May Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Employees Share April Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Employees Share March Updates on New Year’s Resolutions
Falling Down and Getting Up in February
Employees Make 2010 a Year to Begin Again

By DeAndra Mack