Hospitality Management

When I was younger we almost always had a relative come from overseas to visit ever summer. So obviously these people did not want to take a 17 hour flight just to stay for a week. Most of them stayed for at least two. I'm not sure, because i've blocked it out of my mind.
I hated it. HATED IT! It was the worst.
These "people" infringing upon my summer and my "plans" and asking me questions in accents that I loathed. Ugh I was such a brat. I'm embarrassed at the me that used to act like that. My mom and I would constantly butt heads about this.
I would complain and complain about having to get up early and make sure everyone had what they needed even if that included full-plate "American breakfasts." You know what I mean right? Eggs, bacon, sausage...the "Why America Is Fat" breakfast!
So why do you ask am I thinking about this now? Well because I love entertaining! It's so ironic right? The things we used to hate instead of becoming good at, we choose to do now? I love having people over. Cleaning up the house and getting everything ready...We've had people over almost every night that we've lived in our new apartment. Seriously it's awesome. Some stay for ten minutes some stay all night.
Doesn't matter to me-i'm honing my hostessing skills. On which I have to toot my own horn here and say that i've done it a few times this summer (hostessing) that is and i'm not too shabby.
Well I guess that's up to the people who have been my guests, so you'll have to ask them!

Dog Jog

Kim, Justine, Becca and I have been volunteering with the CHA since the end of spring. We're mostly slated to work "events." We heart events in case you didn't realize it...hmmk?

This works out very well since we're all very busy living life to the fullest!

This Saturday was their annual Dog Jog which is a 5k with proceeds benefitting the shelter. Here are some pics of us hard at work - serisously we were up at 7 on a Saturday!

Anything for the doggies:)

I really wish I would have known the t-shirts were going to be blue, otherwise I wouldn't have work some awesome coordinating blue shorts. Blah:)

Make a donation! DO IT!!

Today

I often times think how much simpler life could be? What it would be like if we didn't have to dress to impress or make plans to see our closest friends weeks in advance? I'm sure these thoughts have all crossed your minds too. Here are a few things that simplify my life although they are certainly not very simple:
1. iPhone - we know the story behind my phone and how I comteplated ways to get back my Blackberry Pearl for weeks. No dice now. I heart the iPhone in a ways that I will never be able to use another device ever.
2. Laptop - being able to work and check my facebook, blogs and not to mention make travel plans...nuff said.
3. Caffeine - straight coffee, non-fat lattes, non-fat green tea lattes, non-fat chai's and tea of any variety...thank you liquid energy. Thank You.
4. Shoes - not just any shoes. Great shoes. These can make your day. Whether it's the perfect running shoe, a great heel that happens to be comfortable, a really sick pair of sneakers of the sandals you can throw on with anyone. Instant gratification!
5. Dresses - I can't talk about the shoes without mentioning the dress. I heart the dress! It does wonders for your legs and your spirits. A dress that fits well can change your life. I believe this wholeheartedly:)
6. DVR - is there any other way to watch tv? Besides watching live sports the DVR is a very very necessary piece of equipment!
7. Fashion magazines - I can't keep up with mine! How would I know what's in style if I didn't have these? I'm not going to be inspired at work with all the men and old ladies I work with LOL
8. Vacations - the beach, the city, Vegas, bright lights, beaches, mountains...fresh food, cocktails, no bedtime, no alarm clock! I want I want!!
9. Jewelry - the sentimental kind. The kind that means something and everytime you wear it you feel special. And you remember the person who gave it to you or the exact moment that you bought it and why...that type of jewelry.
10. Physical fitness - i've turned my back on it for awhile, but seriously nothing makes you feel better than putting your body to work!

Patience

Patience is a virtue. We all know that...well we all try and know that, right? My friend Kristin tells me over and over that i'm the most patient person she's ever met. Ya right!

No for real she's always talking about how I wait it out, make educated decisions, don't rush into things etc etc. Then I wait and wait and wait. And i'm sure there are things i'm still waiting on! So lately i've been feeling like she's on to something. I've been waiting 3 or so years to get my career started in Marketing. This week I started my first grad school class for my MBA in Marketing. You have no idear how invigorated I was!

Literally I saw flashes of myself five years ago (think pantsuit with t-shirt underneath so as not to be too stuffy) these are the kind of things I think about when plotting my future-my outfit. No really, let's get back to the point.

Everything happens for a reason-we don't need to go into how many ways i've experienced this. And I think if I started grad school a few years ago when I wanted to, I would probably not have been this motivated to better myself and lets be honest I would have half assed it.

Oh I was jacked like a rabbit yesterday!

I'm so excited! I might even start reading for next Tuesday's class tomorrow! Crazy talk:)

I can see it now "I started my career at Nationwide before transitioning to be one of the leading Marketing consultants in the area." LOVES IT!!

Blogging

I have not blogged in over a month! WHATTTT?? That is totally crazykins. Anyway I will blame my lack of blogging and rightfully so on the fact that there is something that I can't blog about but that I think about everyday. And I have a big mouth, so that equals me not blogging because I can't trust myself not to tell my "secret."
Okay...there is so much else going on...
1. My dad - Hopefully tomorrow is the day they find out about the tumor (hopefully lack there of) for sure. Not only is this such an incredible stress right now, but the way my family deals with any kind of issue makes me even more stressed! Their lack of urgency in finding out the outcome of all his CT Scans, MRI's etc is so ridiculous words cannot express! I will stop being selfish and remember that he is the most important person in this situation and not my lack of being "in charge."
2. My mother - as if the above referenced situation wasn't wacky enough, my mom may officially gone off the deep end. I am kidding and not kidding. Her questions to me have gotten more and more out of control and my lack of patience for her is zero. Zero tolerance.
3. My new apartment - why can't I get and stay happy about this? I'm REALLY really really looking forward to it, but I feel excited about the change only about 50% of the time! What is wrong with me? Someone please. Advice. Thanks!
4. Ex's - I don't have any ex's that are around. Maybe because I don't have that many ex's to begin with? LOL! Anyway...can someone please explain to me or shed some light on what an appropriate relationship with your ex should be, because I know very few people who have one.
5. Career - I have stated many times that I have a job and not a career. WELL since May i've really been hot on the trail of movin on up and I have some meet and greets coming up! Please say a prayer for me because I must must must get the career going! MUST!

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

As per usual I stole an idea from Simi, but she only had six things, so i'm sort of elaborating...oh and these are in no particular order!
1. I've really come to realize how much I love a good conversation.
2. Getting hugs from the kiddos when I walk through the door.
3. Hearing a song I like on the radio.
4. Painting my nails with Kristin.
5. Being able to appreciate each moment, without the anticipation of the next one.
6. A really great cuddle buddy. Really great.
7. Laughing until my eyes tear up!
8. Sweet texts from my friends.
9. Appreciating my parents for who they are and not who I want them to be.
10. The Weekend!!

Hello June

I seriously cannot believe it's June! What the heck happened to May? Not that I mind because the weather was a total suckfest in May. Everyday was a worse hair day than the one before it. But as stated in my previous blog some pretty good things have been happening to me...well except one. I did not get the Communications position that I was trying for. It was a super fast process, or lack there of...but looks like i'm stuck being Scoot's assistant for now. It's not so bad, just not a step in the way of my actual career. But as most people who work at NW would concur "we're happy just to a have a job." So I guess I will continue with this leaf turning which has turned out to be quite successful, and do an even better job at this than before.