All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. -Walt Disney
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Run Like The Wind.....
My parents are by far my biggest cheerleaders. Throughout my life, I can't think of a single time they haven't supported me in something (other then maybe playing hot lava in the house). There is one phrase that has stuck with me for a long time. "Run like the wind bulls-eye". Now, I am not entirely sure the phrase actually contained the bulls-eye part when Dad use to say it to me or not but nonetheless, it has stuck with me. You see, approximately 11 years ago, I set out on this adventure called middle school where I decided I wanted to run track. I specifically remember Mom and Dad ALWAYS, yes ALWAYS coming to my track meets. In 6th grade, a track meet is a big deal you know. Mom was always there supporting me, bringing me cold water, Gatorade, and snacks while cheering me on. Dad also would cheer me on but before every single event or race, he would always tell me to "run like the wind". I may or may not have added the "bulls-eye" part myself. To this day, I am not sure if they know but during every single race I ran from 6th grade through senior year cross country, I repeated this saying in my head over and over again. I wasn't the fastest, I didn't really do all that well running distance but I kept at it.
You may be asking yourself, what does this have to do with anything? Well, life isn't going to be easy. You aren't going to be the best at everything. You are going to have obstacles to overcome. For me, college was a big obstacle. I called home time and time again in tears wondering if it was actually possible for me to do it. Mom and Dad would talk me down from the ledge, more times then not, they would drive an hour and a half to have dinner with me and calm my nerves. The phrase often repeated through my college career wasn't "run like the wind bulls-eye" but rather "if it were easy, everyone would do it". Like I said, my parents are my BIGGEST cheerleaders.
Starting a career has really been no different then starting a new sport, starting high school, starting college, etc. It is a new experience, it comes with new challenges, new hurdles to jump, but it also comes with new rewards. The key is to have support, I realize that not everyone has cheerleader parents like I am blessed with, but that doesn't mean you don't have people supporting you. Find them. The second biggest thing is to have determination. There are going to be times you will want to crawl under your desk and hide (like maybe when you realize you have toilet paper stuck to your pants), there are going to be times you are frustrated, but I can assure you that if you stick with it, you will be glad you did.
In everything you do, you MUST be proactive. If there is one thing that my parents taught my sister and I growing up was that if you want something, you have to go after it. No, I am not just talking about material things. If you want to be happy, then do it. If you want to change the way you eat, then get moving. If you want to be a marathon runner, then start jogging around the block. There has to be a defining moment where YOU make a decision for yourself (or your family). No one said it would be easy, but I am telling you it will be worth it. If you are looking for a sign, THIS IS IT!!!!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Chin Up Princess, Your Tiara is Falling
Not everyday will be a good day, sometimes.....
-Your shirt won't stay tucked in
-You will be late for a very important meeting
-You will have blisters on your feet
-You'll have food poisoning
-You'll trip in front of important people
-You will have a fear of recording your voicemail in front of everyone
-You will forget to put on deodorant
-You will open your lunch to find mushy grapes
-You will hate your outfit
-You will sneeze on your shirt
-You will wake up late and not have time to shower
-You'll drink too much water
-You won't drink enough water
-You'll eat lunch in your car
-You will get startled by someone walking up behind you
-You will forget a sweater for your office that happens to be the Polar Arctic
-You will wish you had a toothbrush
-You wonder how to tell business people that you hate coffee
-You will wonder if you blew it already
(Hey just speaking from experience here!)
But guess what? The end of the day comes and tomorrow you will get up and do it all over again. Being late one time isn't going to get you fired, just don't make a habit of it. Easier said then done huh? Yeah. If you are anything like me, you are
"Chin up Princess, your tiara is falling!"
**If you are wondering what the top picture has to do with anything, it is from when I joined in doing the high ropes course as a high school youth leader this past fall per the request of some of my favorite high school girls. What they don't know is that I am terribly afraid of heights, but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I barely kept myself together, but I did. Sometimes things happen and we have to chin up and JUST DO IT!**
Thursday, July 25, 2013
21 In Pleated Pants? No.
I have done more shopping in the past few weeks then I have done in probably the past 4 years combined. I literally spent my college days in sweats, Nike shorts, t-shirts, and hoodies. I became a PRO (and I do mean PRO) at the roll out of bed and out the door in 3 minutes game.
All of a sudden "business casual" is a daunting and scary thing. Not only is it a daunting subject in general but when you are a 21 year old entering the business world for the first time it is TERRIFYING. I can't even begin to add up how many hours I have spent looking through magazines, pinterest, or just googling "business casual". I have spent nearly as much time wandering through the mall and other various stores. One more pair of pleated pants and I might cry. Where oh WHERE does a 21 year old find decent business pants. What do I mean by that? Sorry but the standard "junior" style dress pants don't cut it in the real world. (Sorry if I offended you). Dress pants should NOT flare. Dress pants SHOULD have belt loops. Dress pants should NOT get tight at the ankles. Dress pants SHOULD have somewhat of a wider leg. Dress pants SHOULD have nice creases down the front. Dress pants should NOT, I repeat, should NOT be tight around your waist (no muffin tops ladies)... buy a size up!!!!
That brings me to my next point..... I have been EVERYWHERE on a hunt for decent dress clothes. I come home flustered, grouchy, and with a bad attitude almost every single time. As if finding clothes wasn't hard enough, the way employees treat you is absolutely unnerving. They say it shouldn't matter your age or how you dress for how you are treated but let me tell you, your age and the way you are dressed has EVERYTHING to do with it. Don't believe me, let me share a few experiences with you:
1. Last weekend, I went to a local mall. I was dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a plaid button down shirt with my hair thrown up in a pony tail. EVERY store I went in, the employees looked at me and would either A. look away or B. walk away. Not a single person ALL day asked if I needed help. For once, I really was on a mission for dress jeans but no one would even give me a chance to ask. Flustered, I left empty handed. I have zero intention of returning to that particular mall.
2. A different mall I went to several weeks ago: I was dressed in running shorts and a t-shirt. (It was a weekend!!) At a certain store I went into, I got the eyeroll, the rude "do you need anything", and the glare from across the store. As I searched the store for decent clothes, I returned in search for someone to check on a smaller size for me. Without even looking or offering to do anything a quick "um you can look at this style instead" was blurted out and that was the end. I will not be returning.
3. Two weeks ago, I went to a different mall straight from work meaning I was still in dress clothes. Let me tell you, the moment I walk into a store the willingness to help me is MUCH higher. Every store I went to, someone asked me if I needed help.
4. A certain store that I use to really like and was suggested to me by MANY friends lost my business last week as well. This time my Mom was with me. The employees asking if we needed help was directed at my Mom and not myself. When I replied I was looking for dress pants, her immediate response was "what about matching shirts". I kindly replied that I mostly was on the hunt for pants. She took my items and put them in a dressing room for me while we continued to shop around. When I went to my dressing room, I found a boatload of other clothes that she had pulled for me to try that she thought would be good for work. Nice? Maybe for others but for someone who hates shopping anyways, I was annoyed and flustered as I had to dig through the clothes to find the ones I had picked out for myself. Every single item they picked out for me was NOT work acceptable. Annoyed with the situation, we left the store empty handed.
However, I have also noticed that the ladies 30 and older, are ALWAYS asked first if the need help. Most of the time, an employee will go out of their way to help an older customer. Do I wanted to be treated as royalty? No. I am perfectly okay searching the store for things I would like but I am not okay with the rude comments, remarks, glares, or stares. I am 21 years old, working in the business world; I am not a punk high schooler playing dress up in your store.
Word to the wise: either get use to being treated that way, speak up for yourself, or dress nice to go shopping (who wants to do that)!!
Happy Shopping!!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Pinterest Projects Gone Right!
If you are anything like most of us, there is never enough closet space. If you are anything like me, you HATE having to iron your clothes for work every night. If you are anything like me, you spent (or are spending) your college days in shorts, t-shirts, sweats, and hoodies. Having to look nice everyday? Yeah that is a struggle.
I am one to have everything ready for the entire week on Sunday, however, with a full closet, ironing ahead of time wasn't very efficient. Then I had an idea................
I took a shelf that I already had, removed the bottom shelves, added a shower rod, got a few baskets, and ended up with a way to lay all my clothes out for the week!!
I am slowly starting to acquire more necklaces and until today, they have been in a pile on my shelf. After some inspiration from Pinterest and browsing at Hobby Lobby, I ended up with some cute handles. Still needing something to attach them to, I headed to a local thrift store! I found this beauty for a whole $3 (previously green), I spray painted it black and added my handles.
After two weeks of being in the "real world", my biggest advice is to try to have things ready in advance. This includes outfits for work, gym clothes, jewelry, lunches, etc. The LAST thing you want to do after work is have to iron pants and shirts and/or pack your lunch!!!
Have a SPARKLING week!
I am one to have everything ready for the entire week on Sunday, however, with a full closet, ironing ahead of time wasn't very efficient. Then I had an idea................
I took a shelf that I already had, removed the bottom shelves, added a shower rod, got a few baskets, and ended up with a way to lay all my clothes out for the week!!
I am slowly starting to acquire more necklaces and until today, they have been in a pile on my shelf. After some inspiration from Pinterest and browsing at Hobby Lobby, I ended up with some cute handles. Still needing something to attach them to, I headed to a local thrift store! I found this beauty for a whole $3 (previously green), I spray painted it black and added my handles.
After two weeks of being in the "real world", my biggest advice is to try to have things ready in advance. This includes outfits for work, gym clothes, jewelry, lunches, etc. The LAST thing you want to do after work is have to iron pants and shirts and/or pack your lunch!!!
Have a SPARKLING week!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Boots and Pearls: A Classy Impression.
You learn A LOT of important lessons in life. You learn A LOT of important lessons in your first few weeks of work. You learn A LOT of important lessons on business trips.
What did I learn this week????
1. Always consider the giant puddles that may exist in your parking lot.............. always bring extra shoes. Toms may or may not be a good choice for a day following a giant rainstorm.
2. Leave a rain jacket/umbrella in your car, you WILL at some point or another get caught in the rain at lunch. A word to the wise, rain doesn't mix well with dress clothes.
3. Eat salads, chips, celery, and all other crunchy food items AWAY from your cubicle. Why? If you don't, you will be slowly chewing to try to not let your office mates hear you. Your stomach will probably start growling then and you will cause even more distraction then before! Just speaking from experience.
This week we went on a business trip, let me lend some friendly advice on traveling.....
4. Plan out your outfits from top to bottom including jewelry before packing.
5. ALWAYS pack several sweaters (even if it is summer). It
6. When they say bring comfortable shoes, they literally mean comfortable shoes.
7. Going off of 6, invest in several decent pairs of shoes, you won't regret it.
8. If you can dress casual, remember you are still at a work function, dress 2 steps up from your normal lounge-around-at-home-can't-even-go-to-Walmart attire.
9. Pearls can dress up ANY outfit.
10. For goodness sake, tuck in your shirts!!!!!!!!!!! (unless you are a girl and the shirt isn't a tucking in shirt)
11. Develop your signature thing. Not the party-boy, not the drunk, not the hung-over.... Go for a boots and pearls kind of signature thing. It should be classy, work acceptable, and have a positive spin. It should be YOU, don't become someone else.
12. Get adequate sleep, you don't want to be sleeping in your morning sessions.
13. ALWAYS, I do mean ALWAYS have a first aid kit with you. Those shoes you thought were comfortable from tip number 6 may still create 4 bleeding blisters on your poor feet. Ever had to shove your blistered toes in boots for the next 2 days? Yeah, I have. Band-aids would have been my best friends.
14. Invest in a small wrist-let or clutch, you don't need to bring your Mary-Poppins-purse to training sessions.
This week we learned a few things on proper etiquette...
15. When meeting someone always stand up, shake their hand, smile, and use your first AND last name. Include some conversational pieces in your introduction (what office you work from, where you graduated from, etc).
16. DON'T chew gum, it is unprofessional. Invest in some mints instead.
17. Don't wear too tight of clothing. Girls, this means you. Just because its "in style" or "cute", it doesn't mean it is business appropriate. You really shouldn't be able to see your undergarment lines through your outfit.
18. Ladies, use a piece to tie your outfit together. Something that changes it from a plain, dull, everyone can wear it outfit to a complete look. (jewelery, sweaters, jackets, shoes etc)
19. Stick to CLASSY jewelery. You don't need to be there with big-ole-clanky-look-at-me pieces.
Some tips on social events.....
20. Let loose a little bit, its okay to have fun!
21. Make friends!!! Build your connection links across the country!
22. Sing some karaoke, it shows you can have some fun.
23. It's okay to decline those drinks for a diet coke instead.
24. Be careful eating wings or ribs if you are wearing a white dress shirt.
One last piece of advice....
25. Be a CLASSY version of yourself. Have a good time, smile, and laugh. Enjoy yourself. Just remember that those impressions will last forever. Make it classy.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Up-chucking of the Oats
5:50 am: BEEP BEEP BEEP
5:55 am: BEEP BEEP BEEP
6:00 am: BEEP BEEP BEEP
It is Monday morning, a dreaded morning by most Americans, the start of a new work week. Today however marked a special day in my history: the first Monday morning of my working career. You see, as a recent college graduate (not even 2 months ago), I am very blessed to have an alarm going off at 6:00 am, I am proudly employed with a REAL career job that actually has to do with my major (a rare thing for most grads)!
Nervous, yeah, that may be an understatement of my feelings. However, it was no different then the first day of high school, moving day for college, first day of college classes, first day of an internship, and so on. If only I would have known the events that would unravel before 7:00am that morning, I would have probably pulled the covers over my head and remained there.
I expressed my feeling overheated and nauseous state to my mom as I tried to choke down a healthy oatmeal breakfast. We brushed it off as nerves and out the door I went in my freshly ironed dress clothes and brand new packed bag. As soon as I closed the car door, I knew something was wrong. Sparing you the details, I up-chucked that oatmeal four (yes FOUR) times from outside my car to back inside the house. Don't worry, I managed to spare my nicely ironed clean work clothes. Sounds like a comedy right?? Not my best moment.
With my teeth brushed and face washed, I headed BACK out for a second time. This time, I successfully made it to work. The standard first day practices occurred: this is your office, here is the bathroom, do you drink coffee, and such. As if my up-chuck incident in the morning wasn't enough, as I got up to introduce myself to someone, my foot was caught in my bag handle and well, you can guess what unraveled.
I am happy to report my first week at work went MUCH smoother then the first morning did and I am loving everything so far! However, I have stumbled across a BIG hurdle: How does a young college graduate dress as a young professional???? They really should give you a handbook on this sort of thing. Business Casual.... what does that even mean anymore? Pinterest, google, and picking at my sisters brain has been my saving grace in this department. I can't possibly be the only one facing this problem!
Why am I blogging? Well, I seem to have a lot of interesting encounters in my daily life so #1 maybe I can bring some laughs into your day and #2 if you are a young professional maybe I can help you with the dressing as a young professional department.
Caution: I am not an English major (I am an Engineer), I have never written a blog, I normally hate writing, and I am not a "fashionista".
I hope you will join me in this journey and follow along!
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference" -Robert Frost
5:55 am: BEEP BEEP BEEP
6:00 am: BEEP BEEP BEEP
It is Monday morning, a dreaded morning by most Americans, the start of a new work week. Today however marked a special day in my history: the first Monday morning of my working career. You see, as a recent college graduate (not even 2 months ago), I am very blessed to have an alarm going off at 6:00 am, I am proudly employed with a REAL career job that actually has to do with my major (a rare thing for most grads)!
Nervous, yeah, that may be an understatement of my feelings. However, it was no different then the first day of high school, moving day for college, first day of college classes, first day of an internship, and so on. If only I would have known the events that would unravel before 7:00am that morning, I would have probably pulled the covers over my head and remained there.
I expressed my feeling overheated and nauseous state to my mom as I tried to choke down a healthy oatmeal breakfast. We brushed it off as nerves and out the door I went in my freshly ironed dress clothes and brand new packed bag. As soon as I closed the car door, I knew something was wrong. Sparing you the details, I up-chucked that oatmeal four (yes FOUR) times from outside my car to back inside the house. Don't worry, I managed to spare my nicely ironed clean work clothes. Sounds like a comedy right?? Not my best moment.
With my teeth brushed and face washed, I headed BACK out for a second time. This time, I successfully made it to work. The standard first day practices occurred: this is your office, here is the bathroom, do you drink coffee, and such. As if my up-chuck incident in the morning wasn't enough, as I got up to introduce myself to someone, my foot was caught in my bag handle and well, you can guess what unraveled.
I am happy to report my first week at work went MUCH smoother then the first morning did and I am loving everything so far! However, I have stumbled across a BIG hurdle: How does a young college graduate dress as a young professional???? They really should give you a handbook on this sort of thing. Business Casual.... what does that even mean anymore? Pinterest, google, and picking at my sisters brain has been my saving grace in this department. I can't possibly be the only one facing this problem!
Why am I blogging? Well, I seem to have a lot of interesting encounters in my daily life so #1 maybe I can bring some laughs into your day and #2 if you are a young professional maybe I can help you with the dressing as a young professional department.
Caution: I am not an English major (I am an Engineer), I have never written a blog, I normally hate writing, and I am not a "fashionista".
I hope you will join me in this journey and follow along!
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference" -Robert Frost
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