A Marriage Proposal, A Newborn and Every Day Pleasures

By end of Week Three, about 150 pictures have been shared in the #DukeTimeOff campaign that highlights the hobbies, excitement, and summer adventures of Duke staff and faculty. The campaign continues to Aug. 11, 2017. To be eligible for prizes such as a stay at the JB Duke Hotel, photos must be taken between May 26, 2017 through Aug. 11, 2017 and shared by current University and Health System employees.

Here are some highlights from the past week.

Jacob Crim, a staff assistant in Gastroenterology, proposed to his girlfriend Christina in Sacy, France, on May 30. "We were doing a tour of the region, visiting multiple champagne houses when I decided to pull the car over for a photo," he said. "She had no idea I was going to propose, she was quite surprised. Thankfully she said 'yes.' " Crim says time off is important to him "because it allows me to mentally refresh and always be sharp for my job."

Jacqueline Murray, a staff specialist in the Office of Information Technology-Department of Finance, shared this picture of her rose blooms in May. "I am finding in the uncertain times, we are not promised tomorrow," she said. "Family and friends need to be our most treasured gifts. Just like my roses, we all have special needs but with a little sunshine and care we can hopefully bloom."

Michael Tuggle, a program coordinator in Duke Fitness Center, shared this picture of his son, Finn, who was born at 9:24 a.m. on May 27. “Day 12: tired little man got to see where dad works today! #finn #duketimeoff,” Tuggle wrote on Instagram. Tuggle worked a half-day on Day 12, and Finn got to meet his dad's colleagues before going to lunch with his parents at Parker and Otis. "He was pretty worn out after his first big adventure to Duke," Tuggle said.

Reynaldo "Ricky" Cuenca, a clinical nurse III in Duke Eye Center, shared this picture from Topsail Beach. He said his son, Raphael, was playing volleyball with his friends when Cuenca told them to jump and "this was the result." Time off is "for relaxation and time to unwind," Cuenca said.

Blair Callahan, far left, public relations specialist for Duke Medicine News & Communications, took time off work to help coach the 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games in Raleigh this month. One of her swim team athletes was Tracy Baird, center. At right is another swim coach, Caroline Willis. "Taking time off of work to volunteer during this annual event is really valuable to me, and it’s an amazing, fun, and rewarding weekend to spend with the athletes that have been working hard all year for it," Callahan said.

Virginia Lawrence Holmes, clinical research associate III, visited Stonehenge in England in the "pouring down rain" on June 8, she said. "The reward was seeing a double rainbow appear right behind the stones." She said, "time off from work is time to connect with family and friends, learn new things, and traveling to new places. These experiences enrich my life so much." 

Simone Pitre, program coordinator for Innovations in Healthcare at Duke, visited Australia in May and took this selfie while snorkeling and diving for the first time. "Time off allows me to be more creative and adventurous," she said. "Some of my best ideas come from relaxing on vacation and being inspired by the local culture and the travelers that I meet."

Ways to send your #DukeTimeOff pictures:

• Share your picture using the #DukeTimeOff hashtag on Twitter or Instagram and note what you’re doing and why time away from work is important. Be sure to mention @WorkingatDuke in your Tweet.
• Post a photo and caption on Working@Duke’s Facebook page [facebook.com/workingatduke].
• Upload a picture here.