The other morning as I took my seat in my Econ class I had a few of my things sprawled out. I usually sprawl until I can organize it into way that will work. I looked down and took notice of my iPhone, the keys to my A4, my D&G sunglasses and the tupperware containing my organic yogurt, nuts and berries. It happened to be a Starbucks day as well, so we'll throw that into the mix.
I'm not saying this to brag. I'm using the specific items to make a point. I am WAY better off than so many other people. I get that i'm not in the right career field I want and that i'm often annoyed at not having a +1, but I have other things going for me. I do have a job that affords me several luxuries. I am able to buy many of the things that I want (albeit on sale.) I do pursue an active lifestyle and try to eat healthy!
There are so many positives and I am so much more prone to think about what I don't have than to be really grateful for what I do currently possess when it comes to material possessions. I get this is just "stuff" but it's my stuff and i've worked really hard to get it. And I should say, I really like it too! And i'm so thankful to be able to enjoy these things and live life to it's fullest!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
March Madness
Serious delay in this post...I honestly have not had time to sit down and finish it!
Yes I know it's April - i've had this one in the vault for awhile now. And anyways March Madness isn't over until the last game anyway, which wasn't until last night when my Blue Devils took home the National Championship (AGAIN!!!)
So here's what happened in March:
1. Crazy stuff happening at work. Yes hi it's me the broken record with the crazy stuff going on at work on-going debacle of yet another reorg which impacts a ton of people here in IT including myself and some others close to me. Seriously...why can't NW get it together with some of this? I really am surprised at some of the actions of "higher-ups." I mean I suppose I shouldn't be, but I am...
2. Vacation! Yes Kim and I took our third trip to Siesta Key to hang out with her parents at the beach for a few days. You're probably thinking that doesn't sound fun...but honestly it's one of the best trips I go on each year!! Our activities in SK include: going to the beach or pool, eating and sleeping. I am not kidding you. Oh sometimes we watch tv or read or play cards. But that's it. The weather of course was great the entire time, and although I came back tan - I am not the brown bear from years past (thank goodness for that.)
3. Friends. Well for whatever reason I will continue to be amazed at the evolution of relationships. Do circumstances change? Do people change? Is it both and you either grow apart or you grow together? I'm not really sure, but I do know that wherever something starts to fade something else starts to come into the light. I'm on a constant quest to grow and evolve and relationships play a huge part in that. I've prayed for a long time that the right people would be in life. That they would people that encourage and strengthen me. That when i'm around them I feel better about myself, not drained. I have lots of amazing friendships that i've developed over the years, but I truly believe that the RIGHT people are in my life at this very moment. That I have many people in my life that actually care about me and I don't have to update them on my life everytime we see each other-because they know and they've been there every step of the way.
Yes I know it's April - i've had this one in the vault for awhile now. And anyways March Madness isn't over until the last game anyway, which wasn't until last night when my Blue Devils took home the National Championship (AGAIN!!!)
So here's what happened in March:
1. Crazy stuff happening at work. Yes hi it's me the broken record with the crazy stuff going on at work on-going debacle of yet another reorg which impacts a ton of people here in IT including myself and some others close to me. Seriously...why can't NW get it together with some of this? I really am surprised at some of the actions of "higher-ups." I mean I suppose I shouldn't be, but I am...
2. Vacation! Yes Kim and I took our third trip to Siesta Key to hang out with her parents at the beach for a few days. You're probably thinking that doesn't sound fun...but honestly it's one of the best trips I go on each year!! Our activities in SK include: going to the beach or pool, eating and sleeping. I am not kidding you. Oh sometimes we watch tv or read or play cards. But that's it. The weather of course was great the entire time, and although I came back tan - I am not the brown bear from years past (thank goodness for that.)
3. Friends. Well for whatever reason I will continue to be amazed at the evolution of relationships. Do circumstances change? Do people change? Is it both and you either grow apart or you grow together? I'm not really sure, but I do know that wherever something starts to fade something else starts to come into the light. I'm on a constant quest to grow and evolve and relationships play a huge part in that. I've prayed for a long time that the right people would be in life. That they would people that encourage and strengthen me. That when i'm around them I feel better about myself, not drained. I have lots of amazing friendships that i've developed over the years, but I truly believe that the RIGHT people are in my life at this very moment. That I have many people in my life that actually care about me and I don't have to update them on my life everytime we see each other-because they know and they've been there every step of the way.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Happiness Project
It's the title of the current book i'm reading. When I first heard about this book, I was super excited for many reasons as i'm always on a search for happiness! I started reading it last week since we were Florida bound and I always get a couple of books in while we're down there.
As expected this book is great! I had read mixed reviews about the author since she was from a pretty wealthy family and making a career as a writer in NYC many people thought it was odd she was giving advice on happiness since she already seemed to have all the ingredients for it.
Oh well...this book is easy to understand, filled with quotes (you know how I love my quotes) and just alot of really good stories and ideas. Everytime I pick it up, I get a new idea for something. It's not so much a self help book, but a "hey this is what I did and it worked for me" book.
So with that said, i've already got a few ideas going for my own Happiness Project! Can't wait to share them with you!
As expected this book is great! I had read mixed reviews about the author since she was from a pretty wealthy family and making a career as a writer in NYC many people thought it was odd she was giving advice on happiness since she already seemed to have all the ingredients for it.
Oh well...this book is easy to understand, filled with quotes (you know how I love my quotes) and just alot of really good stories and ideas. Everytime I pick it up, I get a new idea for something. It's not so much a self help book, but a "hey this is what I did and it worked for me" book.
So with that said, i've already got a few ideas going for my own Happiness Project! Can't wait to share them with you!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Kicks
These are my new shoes. Who cares you say? Well since i've been running outdoors for the last 10 days or so, I care! The process of getting these was more intricate than any other shoe buying experience...and you know how much I heart shoes! So my running buddy and I head out to Fleet Feet (I think that's the name?) Anyhow I was instructed to run on a treadmill without my shoes and socks. Now you know the germaphobe in me was super grossed out by this. Well then the kind people make a video of how your feet look when you're running to assess your shoe needs. Weird. So then they come out with a few pairs that are recommended to your needs. Whatever. I think most of it's a crock, especially that you have to buy your shoes a 1/2 size bigger than what you wear. So ta-da Fleet Feet has determined these are what I need! If they look big...it's because they are!
Hey!
For whatever reason I always find myself blogging more when things aren't going well for me. It's not intentional, but I guess when things are going well for me - i'm out enjoying the good times!
So I thought it would only be appropriate that I mention that this has been a really good week!
Alot of it always has to do with perspective. I made a decision towards the end of last week that I was no longer going to get bogged down by all the BS. That I would rise above it and focus on the good. Totally worked! Yes, things are not perfect, but my attitude not sucking definitely helps with the imperfections:)
Exodus 14:13-14
13Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.
14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.
So I thought it would only be appropriate that I mention that this has been a really good week!
Alot of it always has to do with perspective. I made a decision towards the end of last week that I was no longer going to get bogged down by all the BS. That I would rise above it and focus on the good. Totally worked! Yes, things are not perfect, but my attitude not sucking definitely helps with the imperfections:)
Exodus 14:13-14
13Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.
14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
My Story
I had to write a reflection paper for my grad school class today and told a little bit of my story since the last 12 years. Thought i'd share here since i'm in a sharing mood...
My story is not that different from many others. When my brothers and I were very young, my parents decided that they wanted a better life for us. For many families this sometimes means that one parent will switch careers, or maybe one will stay home to raise the kids. It could mean going to church more or spending more time at the dinner table. For us it meant that my parents would sell all of their belongings and only pack the clothes that could fit into four suit cases and move us from Cape Towne, South Africa to Columbus, Ohio USA. At age four this only seemed like a big adventure; and really how much could a child imagine all of the changes that would take place throughout their life based on this move?
Fast forward to junior year of high school and all the excitement that comes with not only picking a college, but deciding on a career. Now considering the insight that I’ve gained since being a teenager, I’ve come to realize that as adults it’s a complete disservice to try and ask a high schooler what they want to do for the rest of their lives and expect them to not only know without any uncertainty, but then to also carry that out without fail.
I always knew that I wanted to be a Journalist. I had all the soft skills: consistent ability to talk to anyone about anything, the desire to write papers, essays, poems and anything else people would read, and I should mention my “top notch” investigative skills. To this day research and background information are essential to me before I embark on anything. I’ve got to know the four W’s: Why, What, When and Where no matter the situation big or small. This thirst for knowledge has served me well, but also causes me to grossly over think so many minute details.
So back to picking a school. I wanted to be in a big city. I wanted a student body with a diverse population. I wanted the opportunity to follow my dreams and not have anyone around who would tell me those dreams were an impossibility. I chose a school in Suburban Chicago. About 45 minutes from “the Loop.” Perfect I thought. I couldn’t have been more wrong. That first year of school was probably one of the worst years of my life. Significant family problems took their toll on me both physically and mentally and eventually would prohibit me from returning for a second year. I was crushed. I had just started finding my niche and also really discovering who I was as a person, that wasn’t defined from being an immigrant or being an athlete or being “fill in the blank here.”
Through no deliberate choice of my own I ended up having to skip a year and a half of my education. What would have been my sophomore and first half of my junior year of college I spent working. I should have mentioned that one of my God giving talents is determination. I was determined that no matter how long it took, I would get back to school. That my dreams weren’t dead they were only on hold. In January of 2001, I packed my bags ready to start over at yet another suburban Chicago school as a 21 year old freshman. Not an ideal situation, but I did it! This time I chose to switch directions a bit (since none of my previous credits counted) I chose the Advertising/Public Relations route. A little more creative, but still right up my ally. The family problems continued as well as another unwelcome roadblock – anxiety attacks. Still I finished my degree in Interdisciplinary Communications and Business Management.
I started at Nationwide in 2006, about a year and half after I graduated from college and moved back to Columbus. I took my then job as a “stepping stone” position. To learn about the company and build my skills as a professional. I’ve always seen myself as someone not limited by their circumstance, or victimized by their past circumstances, but as a someone who can use all those stories and experiences to encourage others and be an example of what hard work and determination can lead to.
These classes at Marketing U have given me the opportunity to not only enhance my knowledge of Marketing, but tap back into all the things I love about the discipline. Some of the classes have not been as easy as others and this one definitely tackled the analytical side of my brain versus the creative side which is always churning away.
· I learned that my voice is still strong and valued even when I perceive it to be at a disadvantage.
· I learned that my experience in the work place can still be of use even though it is not specific to the subject matter at hand.
· I learned that despite having a million things going on, it’s possible to focus on just one at a time.
One of my favorite poems by Robert Frost ends with:”I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” This is my story. The road less traveled by. It’s the opportunity that this class has continued to give me. I will always be grateful for what I have learned in these last weeks and the knowledge that will last me a lifetime.
My story is not that different from many others. When my brothers and I were very young, my parents decided that they wanted a better life for us. For many families this sometimes means that one parent will switch careers, or maybe one will stay home to raise the kids. It could mean going to church more or spending more time at the dinner table. For us it meant that my parents would sell all of their belongings and only pack the clothes that could fit into four suit cases and move us from Cape Towne, South Africa to Columbus, Ohio USA. At age four this only seemed like a big adventure; and really how much could a child imagine all of the changes that would take place throughout their life based on this move?
Fast forward to junior year of high school and all the excitement that comes with not only picking a college, but deciding on a career. Now considering the insight that I’ve gained since being a teenager, I’ve come to realize that as adults it’s a complete disservice to try and ask a high schooler what they want to do for the rest of their lives and expect them to not only know without any uncertainty, but then to also carry that out without fail.
I always knew that I wanted to be a Journalist. I had all the soft skills: consistent ability to talk to anyone about anything, the desire to write papers, essays, poems and anything else people would read, and I should mention my “top notch” investigative skills. To this day research and background information are essential to me before I embark on anything. I’ve got to know the four W’s: Why, What, When and Where no matter the situation big or small. This thirst for knowledge has served me well, but also causes me to grossly over think so many minute details.
So back to picking a school. I wanted to be in a big city. I wanted a student body with a diverse population. I wanted the opportunity to follow my dreams and not have anyone around who would tell me those dreams were an impossibility. I chose a school in Suburban Chicago. About 45 minutes from “the Loop.” Perfect I thought. I couldn’t have been more wrong. That first year of school was probably one of the worst years of my life. Significant family problems took their toll on me both physically and mentally and eventually would prohibit me from returning for a second year. I was crushed. I had just started finding my niche and also really discovering who I was as a person, that wasn’t defined from being an immigrant or being an athlete or being “fill in the blank here.”
Through no deliberate choice of my own I ended up having to skip a year and a half of my education. What would have been my sophomore and first half of my junior year of college I spent working. I should have mentioned that one of my God giving talents is determination. I was determined that no matter how long it took, I would get back to school. That my dreams weren’t dead they were only on hold. In January of 2001, I packed my bags ready to start over at yet another suburban Chicago school as a 21 year old freshman. Not an ideal situation, but I did it! This time I chose to switch directions a bit (since none of my previous credits counted) I chose the Advertising/Public Relations route. A little more creative, but still right up my ally. The family problems continued as well as another unwelcome roadblock – anxiety attacks. Still I finished my degree in Interdisciplinary Communications and Business Management.
I started at Nationwide in 2006, about a year and half after I graduated from college and moved back to Columbus. I took my then job as a “stepping stone” position. To learn about the company and build my skills as a professional. I’ve always seen myself as someone not limited by their circumstance, or victimized by their past circumstances, but as a someone who can use all those stories and experiences to encourage others and be an example of what hard work and determination can lead to.
These classes at Marketing U have given me the opportunity to not only enhance my knowledge of Marketing, but tap back into all the things I love about the discipline. Some of the classes have not been as easy as others and this one definitely tackled the analytical side of my brain versus the creative side which is always churning away.
· I learned that my voice is still strong and valued even when I perceive it to be at a disadvantage.
· I learned that my experience in the work place can still be of use even though it is not specific to the subject matter at hand.
· I learned that despite having a million things going on, it’s possible to focus on just one at a time.
One of my favorite poems by Robert Frost ends with:”I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” This is my story. The road less traveled by. It’s the opportunity that this class has continued to give me. I will always be grateful for what I have learned in these last weeks and the knowledge that will last me a lifetime.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rain YES!!
Don't be alarmed. I haven't been abducted by aliens. Normally I would give the rain a thumbs down. 99 out of 100 times I hate it. Yes hate. Not today.
Today i'm liking it - let me explain why. There's a song on my Christian radio station that I think we can all relate to no matter what our religious preferences. I don't any of the exact words except for "Jesus bring the rain." My interpretation about the lyrics is that that the artist is asking God for a little bit of rain (normally bad) to bring out the good in him. To show him how strong he is and how strong his resolve to be a person of faith is. I've been really challenged with this lately because I feel like i've not really displayed my "best side" during the last couple challenges i've faced. I've given into reacting the way I see others react to situations to try and get the same result they do (their own way.) So the last few days i've really tried to stay true to myself and the values that I hold close to my heart despite what's going on around me.
So today it rained and messed up my car wash ha ha! But I am grateful. I feel like the rain was washing away the rest of the dirty snow and with that dirty snow all the stressful emotions of the last few weeks since it was dumped on us. Hopefully. Cross your fingers.
Today i'm liking it - let me explain why. There's a song on my Christian radio station that I think we can all relate to no matter what our religious preferences. I don't any of the exact words except for "Jesus bring the rain." My interpretation about the lyrics is that that the artist is asking God for a little bit of rain (normally bad) to bring out the good in him. To show him how strong he is and how strong his resolve to be a person of faith is. I've been really challenged with this lately because I feel like i've not really displayed my "best side" during the last couple challenges i've faced. I've given into reacting the way I see others react to situations to try and get the same result they do (their own way.) So the last few days i've really tried to stay true to myself and the values that I hold close to my heart despite what's going on around me.
So today it rained and messed up my car wash ha ha! But I am grateful. I feel like the rain was washing away the rest of the dirty snow and with that dirty snow all the stressful emotions of the last few weeks since it was dumped on us. Hopefully. Cross your fingers.
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