Back in the office: Part one

The Piper Communications’ staff is back in the office! After each staff member received their vaccine, we are happy to work face-to-face again. We received the vaccine for a number of reasons: to keep ourselves healthy, our families safe, for the world to return to normal, and much more.

For this two-part series, we asked staff members some questions about life after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are our answers for part one: 

Now that you’re vaccinated, what are you looking forward to doing the most and why? 

Cortney Piper: I have been so happy to resume normal daily activities and not think twice about it. Going to meetings, lunches and taking my kids to the grocery store again has been great. Another one of my favorite parts about being vaccinated is being able to go back to having a happy hour with a couple of close friends at my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. 

Gerald Witt: Telling as many people as possible to get vaccinated. My wife works in a hospital and has seen first-hand just how awful this virus can be. Even those who survive it can experience lingering negative health issues.

Abby Hassler: I spent a lot of time with my family during the pandemic – outside, socially distanced, and with masks. One of the first things I was looking forward to was hugging my parents and siblings. We all got together in my parent’s kitchen, cooking and just spending time together mask-free. It was strange at first but so needed. 

Allie Mobley: Hugging people! I’ve missed being able to hug my family and friends whenever we see each other or say goodbye. I also love hosting, it is one of my favorite things to do. I love having people over for dinner and drinks and can’t wait to finally have a house full of guests. 

Yvette Martinez: I’m looking forward to learning to be around people again. As an extrovert, I’m used to being energized by personal encounters. However, the pandemic has created an instinct to avoid those encounters, so it has been a low-energy year. 

What is something that you learned about yourself this year? 

Cortney Piper: Sticking to my mantra of “never give up” and “head down, sleeves up” will get you through the most stressful times stronger. I also learned how grateful I am to have found such good friends in Knoxville and across the globe.

Gerald Witt: I’ve observed that good leaders create a supportive environment to let people try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them. That’s something I hope to carry forward. I also learned that I like ice cream much more than I realized.

Abby Hassler: This year, I became incredibly introspective – like many others, I would assume! From needing to put others’ health and wellbeing before my own during lockdown to Black Lives Matter protests to learning how to work with an entirely remote team, I learned that it’s important to take a step back and learn from others who may know more than I do. I learned to listen, learn, and grow each day. I’m so thankful for the many lessons I have gained over the past year.

Allie Mobley: How much I love going to restaurants. When there were only take out options I realized how much I enjoyed getting together with friends after work for happy hour or celebrating birthdays at dinner, etc. I also learned that I loved to cook at home though and trying new recipes were fun, even if they were a complete fail! 

Yvette Martinez: I transitioned quickly to a germaphobe at the onset of the pandemic and I’m not sure how long it is going to take to transition away from that extreme.

Stay tuned for part two that will arrive next week!

In the meantime, find out more about our team members here!