Saturday, August 31, 2013

What I'm Listening To.


It's amazing I'm in this maze with you
I just can't crack your code 
One day you screaming you love me loud 
The next day you're so cold 
One day you're here, one day you're there, one day you care 
You're so unfair sipping from your cup 
Till it runneth over, Holy Grail

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Twenty Things.

This afternoon I stumbled upon this article on Forbes website: 20 Things 20-Year Olds Don't get. Considering I am going to be 30 in approximately 4 months, this list struck rather close to home and really made me re-think (again!) the past coupe of years...! 

I honestly do not feel twenty-nine. I only moved out of my parents home last summer, and I am not at a point where I thought I would be at this age. At twenty-nine, I thought life would be different... I thought I would have this great job, be making lots of money and could afford all sorts of things, and maybe even be engaged or married. Life isn't horrible, I am happy, but I want more. I have been working my butt off the past few years, but apparently not hard enough. 

Anyways, the entire article is definitely worth the read; I thought I would share the entire list of of twenty-things and include a few items that I easily related to when I read it. Some of these items I wish I had done, others I currently have been doing. Who knows, maybe thirty will be my lucky year!

1. Time is not a limitless commodity. 

In our 20s we think we have all the time in the world to A) figure it out and B) get what we want. Time is the only treasure we start off with in abundance, and can never get back. Make the most of the opportunities you have today, because there will be a time when you have no more of it. 


2. You're talented, but talent is overrated. 

3. We're more productive in the morning. 

4. Social media is not a career. 

5. Pick up the phone. 

6. Be the first in and last to leave. 

7. Don't wait to be told what to do. 

You can’t have a sense of entitlement without a sense of responsibility. You’ll never get ahead by waiting for someone to tell you what to do. Saying “nobody asked me to do this” is a guaranteed recipe for failure. Err on the side of doing too much, not too little. 


8. Take responsibility for your mistakes. 

You should be making lots of mistakes when you’re early on in your career. But you shouldn’t be defensive about errors in judgment or execution. Stop trying to justify your F-ups. You’re only going to grow by embracing the lessons learned from your mistakes, and committing to learn from those experiences. 


9. You should be getting your butt kicked. 

10. A new job a year isn't a good thing. 

11. People matter more than perks. 

12. Map effort to your professional gain. 

You’re going to be asked to do things you don’t like to do. Keep your eye on the prize. Connect what you’re doing today, with where you want to be tomorrow. That should be all the incentive you need. If you can’t map your future success to your current responsibilities, then it’s time to find a new opportunity. 


13. Speak up, not out. 

14. You have to build your technical chops.

Adding “Proficient in Microsoft Office” at the bottom of your resume under Skills, is not going to cut it anymore. I immediately give preference to candidates who are ninjas in: Photoshop, HTML/CSS, iOS, WordPress, Adwords, MySQL, Balsamiq, advanced Excel, Final Cut Pro – regardless of their job position. If you plan to stay gainfully employed, you better complement that humanities degree with some applicable technical chops.


15. Both the size and quality of your network matter.

It’s who you know more than what you know, that gets you ahead in business. Knowing a small group of folks very well, or a huge smattering of contacts superficially, just won’t cut it. Meet and stay connected to lots of folks, and invest your time developing as many of those relationships as possible.


16. You need at least 3 professional mentors. 

17. Pick an idol and act "as if." 

18. Read more books, fewer tweets/texts. 

19. Spend 25% less than you make. 

20. Your reputation is priceless, don't damage it.

Over time, your reputation is the most valuable currency you have in business. It’s the invisible key that either opens or closes doors of professional opportunity. Especially in an age where everything is forever recorded and accessible, your reputation has to be guarded like the most sacred treasure. It’s the one item that, once lost, you can never get back.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Blog Design: The Boots Parade.


A few months ago I offered to redesign Britta's blog The Boots Parade ... and today, its finally live!! 

I don't want to take all the credit because she played a big part in the re-deisgn too! There are a few minor adjustments still to be made, but otherwise its up and running and looking FANTASTIC! I have to admit that her new design has inspired me to redesign my own blog too (again!). 

What do you think of Britta's new blog design? 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

My Weekend via Instagram.






I took Saturday off work and we did the "tourist" thing in our own city. It was really nice getting outside, and just walking around and exploring. I forgot what its like to have a "weekend" off work ... I miss it, a lot! 

If anything, this weekend was a reminder that its time to change a few things in my life, and working six days a week is definitely one of them. The other week I chatted with my manager at one of my jobs to see if there would be a possibility of getting additional hours so I could quit my other job. While I would hate to give up my other job because I do really enjoy it, I cannot continue this work schedule as its wearing on me. I haven't heard back, and I don't expect to for a few weeks, but I think he agrees giving me more hours would be beneficial to everyone!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Lately.


Lately, I have been super tired. It's ridiculous how tired I have been because besides working, I haven't done a whole lot this summer...

We didn't go away anywhere warm and tropical, though the weather here this summer has been AMAZING. I am pretty sure I have worn sandals every day this summer, which is amazing!! Unfortunately I don't have much of a tan to show for all the sunshine we have had. 

We also didn't do anything super amazing and exciting - don't get me wrong, there were definitely some super fun times ... we celebrated a 90th birthday in june, attended a wedding in july, and we spent some quality time with family. 

Anyways, now that summer is quickly coming to an end, I have taken a few days off work and have the next two weekends off! I am super excited and can't wait to enjoy two two-day weekends! I am beyond exhausted from working so much and am in dire need of time off, and a few sleep-in days! 

Last but not least, in my spare time I have been designing a blog template for the lovely Britta -- she blogs over at The Boots Parade. I can't wait until its all done because its going to be AMAZING! Designing her blog has also inspired me to re-design mine, again! I was hoping to win the custom blog design giveaway from the Wonder Forest, but no such luck! Now I get to use the pinterest inspiration board I created for the giveaway to make a hopefully amazing new design for myself.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

What I have Learned from Living with a Guy.


This month marks our one-year anniversary of living together. Ever since we started dating back in 2007, we have been inseparable, so there have been no major "surprises." Just because there haven't been any surprises, doesn't mean I haven't learned anything...

  1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
  2. Be patient and pick your battles. 
  3. One of you is going to be the slob, and one of you is going to be the neat freak.
  4. Between the two of you, you are going to accumulate a lot of clutter.
  5. Do thoughtful things for each other.
  6. It's okay to say what's on your mind.
  7. Be respectful of each others quirks.
  8. Compromising is a must! 
  9. Date nights are still very important.
  10. Say "I love you" everyday!

What would you add to this list? 

Monday, August 12, 2013

On My Mind..!


1. I need a vacation, badly. The summer is almost over and I haven't done anything super "exciting" ... arghhh! I also need to make a change to my work situation -- working six days/week is wearing on me and I would really like to have two days off again!

2. I am beyond addicted to Rookie Blue. Most evenings lately have been spent watching it on the iPad.

3. I am torn about blogging these days. I haven't been motivated lately to keep up with my blog, or other blogs (sorry!), probably because its summer and there is so many other things to do!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

I have been distracted...


Lately, I have been very distracted and haven't spent much time on my computer/internet.  My blog and email have been hit the hardest. The reason? It's quite lame ... at the end of July, I realized I could watch past TV shows on my iPad via various different apps offered from local TV stations. Big mistake...!

First, I discovered the show Saving Hope. I love Grey's Anatomy, so I figured I would love Saving Hope as well! In about a week and a bit, I watched the entire first season, and first few episodes of season 2. Now I am caught up and able to watch the rest of season 2 on the TV. 

Second, I finally caved and started watching the show Rookie Blue. I am HOOKED! I just finished season 1 this morning and we're onto season 2 now. I wish I could take a few days off work and watch a bunch of them in a row. 

I also managed to injure my right foot again, so walking is limited and exercise is non existent. Watching these shows has been perfect time waster! 

What shows are you currently watching? 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Adios July.

I can't believe how quickly this summer is flying by. Once minute it was the middle of June and now it's the beginning of August. The last two weeks of July were crazy busy with work, family dinner's, a wedding and much more! We had our last guest leave this afternoon -- now its just the two of us and a quiet apartment.

Here are a few snapshots of what I have been up to..


view from outside the church.


several generations.


the wedding party coming in on the boat.


fireworks!


i'm on a boat, with my flippie floppies..! 


caught a salmon. yumm!


beautiful sunset after a fantastic afternoon on the boat.