Picture Post!

I've never put pictures on my blog before and I'm not completely sure what I'm doing. I thought I'd try to just post a bunch of pictures in one post and see how it works out! (If anyone has advice for how to make this look better, please share!!)

This is me, getting ready to leave for one of my international work trips.  I was able to go carry-on only for two of my last three trips- not sure if I can do the same for my next one!

Candlelight tour of a historic home at Christmas time!

In case the globe doesn't give it away, I'm in Vietnam.  This was my most recent trip there, Fall 2011. I loved the image of the world in two hands with a dove on top!

I couldn't figure out how to make the last two pictures appear next to each other, but they're both from football games this fall.  I've been a football season ticket holder for my alma mater since the year after I graduated. I also like to take group pictures in the stands at each game :)

11 facts + 11 questions answered!

Since Beantown Prepster opened up this game to anyone who reads her blog, I thought it was a great topic for a post :)

The rules:
1. Post the rules.
2. Write 11 fun facts about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you and then create 11 new questions to ask people you tag.
4. Tag 11 people and link them to your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!!

11 Fun Things about Myself:

1) I almost always wear earrings, even to the gym- I feel naked without them! (I think it's because some part of my brain thinks I look undone if you can see the empty holes.)
 
2) I am leaving in a month for a (mostly) work trip to China, Vietnam and Guam.

3) I was born on Guam, but left before I was old enough to really form memories, so my mom is going to meet me there and show me around.

4) I disliked the name of the 'iPad' so much that I said I would never get one. I even told my mom when she bought one that she would have to ask my brother for help, not me. (I got around that by giving her advice on how to use her iPod and reminding her that most of the advice would work for both.)

5) My office just provided me with an iPad & I'm already addicted to using it.

6) My junior year in high school, my daily lunch consisted of a can of Diet Pepsi and a snack bag of Cool Ranch Doritos.  (What can I say, it let me keep half the lunch money my parents gave me!)

7) I had perfect attendance from kindergarten all the way through my high school graduation.

8) Since I had such a healthy childhood, getting a cold now can sometimes turn me into a baby.

9) My first word was 'book' and reading has always been a big hobby for me.

10) I am obsessed with Tervis Tumblers and I can't wait to get one of their new water bottles.

11) Anytime I go out of town, I like to leave behind a freshly made bed.  Sometimes this means getting up early to have time to do laundry before leaving.  It's worth it to me!


11 Questions from Beantown Prepster:

1) If you could have a theme song to play when you walk down the street what would it be?
Happy Girl by Martina McBride

2) If you could only watch one TV Show for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Bravo. (He talks about other shows and some current events, so I feel like I would still be in the know about other shows this way!)

3) French fries: Skinny and crispy or big and mushy?
Big and mushy!

4) What is your guilty pleasure outfit?
I have recently become obsessed with skinny jeans, but I'm not altogether confident in my ability to pull the look off, so it feels like a guilty pleasure when I do wear them!
 
5) Soda: Fountain, bottle or can?
Despite what I did in high school, now I only drink soda a few times a year at most. When I do, it's usually because I'm craving a straw, ice and something carbonated! Doesn't matter to me if it comes from a fountain, bottle or can though!
 
6) Favorite thing to do at the gym?
Lunges- I don't enjoy them at the time, but I can always feel that they worked afterwards!
 
7) If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
Such a tough question! I have been lucky to visit so many amazing cities around the world.  The last two summers have included trips to Texas (once to San Antonio and once to Austin) and I was surprised how much I loved both of those cities. So maybe it would be fun to live in Texas for a period of time? I'm also considering applying to a few jobs in Europe, so maybe it's just that I need a change of scenery!

8) What was your first animal and do you remember its name?
The first pet I can remember was a cocker spaniel named Duffy.  We got him when I was 3 or 4. He was the most patient animal and I loved walking him (in reality I was probably being walked BY him).

9) What is one thing that you carry in your purse that you absolutely cannot live without?
Some form of lip gloss/chapstick/balm.
 
10) What is your most embarrassing habit?
I'm not sure if this counts as a habit, but some of the silliest things make me cry.  I'm currently watching Betty White's 90th Birthday Celebration on my DVR.  It's the end and Betty, along with everyone who spoke on stage, is singing the theme song to the Golden Girls.  There are tears in my eyes. It's not so embarrassing when I'm alone, but can be awkward when other people are around!
 
11) If you could meet and be BFFs in real life with a blogger that you follow, who would it be and why?  
I feel funny answering this, since I mainly read blogs without commenting- I don't want anyone to think I'm a crazy follower!  I will say that if any of the bloggers I follow lived near me, I would welcome the chance to get to know them better!


I don't have many readers, so I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you read this and want me to be tagged, let me know!

She's beauty and she's grace...

...Miss Congeniality anyone?

I have mixed feelings on pageants and other beauty-centric competitions. I think the world portrayed on shows like 'Toddlers and Tiaras' is often sad and extreme, but is in fact reality for some people. I also recognize that the more mainstream systems provide a great deal of money to be put towards educational costs. Many of the women do care passionately about their platform, as well, and pursue those causes long after they stop wearing crowns. I know that the talent and interview portions are not supposed to be based on physical appearance, but when the other half of the score comes from swimsuits and evening gowns, it's hard not to make your picks based on looks.  On the other hand, if someone is beautiful on the outside, why shouldn't that be acknowledged?  It does not have to be at the exclusion of inner beauty. As long as we're up front about it, I'm not sure I see anything wrong with it.

I remember watching Miss America every year while I was growing up, enthralled by how pretty and poised everyone was on stage. My gymnastics coach was our state title holder and she was as sweet and nice of a person as you could want in a role model. I attended a few local pageants when older girls from school were competing, but was never really interested in trying myself. I think my mom was grateful for that, as despite the years of dance recitals I participated in, she is NOT a stage mom!

I am admittedly a pageant snob when it comes to Miss America vs Miss USA. I can't really justify it, but I feel like Miss A is more about the whole person, while Miss USA is just about the flash. Some of that also comes from a former roommate who is a huge fan of the Miss America organization.  In fact, while we were roommates, the then-current Miss A visited our campus and I was able to arrange a surprise birthday dinner with her, prior to her event. In case you were wondering, the crown is kept in a box when it's not on her head and she has a crown pin that she wears for certain events. That particular Miss A also frequented Outback Steakhouse, knowing there would be some consistency in the menu, ordered the same thing almost every time.

As soon as one my students mentioned she would be celebrating her 21st birthday by drinking cocktails and watching Miss America with her roommates, I knew I wanted to do something similar!  I will be watching tonight with one of my best girlfriends, munching on probably unhealthy snacks (although I do have a bag of carrots in my fridge!), sipping apple cider (she's expecting, so no bubbly for us!) and doing our best to predict how the actual judges will rate each contestant. I usually find myself rooting for specific states that I've either lived in or where loved ones reside. Then if/when they are all eliminated, I pick a finalist at random.

Who do you think will be crowned tonight?

Overwhelmed

I promise this blog is not going to be totally devoted to me venting...however facebook and twitter are not the best outlet for me and sometimes I just need to empty my brain of the stressful things so that I can fill it with more exciting and positive things!

This week has been on the stressful side for me.  My car is having major issues (the speedometer needle either stays at 0 or bounces around intermittently among other things) and not only is it hard not knowing what's going on or how much it will cost, being without a car is also challenging.  I live within walking distance of work which helps. I don't, however, live within walking distance of the gym and a few other key places!  Fingers crossed the car comes back to me soon!

We also have a lot going on at work and during the last few days, I have felt like I'm being pulled in a million different directions at once. Yesterday my biggest desire was to curl up in a ball somewhere, but I resisted. I coordinate our student calling campaign for some of our admitted students (which is not always as supported by the rest of the office as I might like), I have a 3 week long international trip to plan before March, I manage technology for our office (which I am not completely qualified to do, so that gets pretty interesting), in the next 5 weeks I need to read a million (or a few hundred at least) applications, catch up on the endless stream of emails coming into both my personal account and the department account I'm responsible for maintaining, misc responsibilities for the student groups I co-advise, oh and take care of some letters of recommendation for grad school that a student asked me to write (so honored to have been asked, another sign that I'm really a grown up!).

I'm also behind on personal emails, text messages, phone calls, etc, so I'm hoping to spend some time this weekend catching up in that area.  I think what stresses me is not the specifics of what I need to do, rather the timing of everything and having other people needing or wanting me to do something when I feel like I need just a moment to breathe.

Some positives from this week include:
I was able to sustain a game of phone tag with one of my best girlfriends resulting in her asking me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding: yay! She and I have been close almost since the moment we met, so I am so honored to be part of her special day.

I work with some of the most amazing students. Their energy and passion can be contagious and they teach me things almost daily (especially that even when I don't think they are going to accomplish what I asked of them, they will, just in their own way).

My alma mater is a pretty special community and being part of the process that brings new people in is pretty great. I know not everyone wants to attend the school, but the reactions of those that do bring a huge smile to my face.

I am participating in my first ever blog swap, for which I am very excited!

Goals, not resolutions

I don't necessarily believe in making New Year's resolutions- they seem like a perfect set-up for failure.  However, working in a school setting, January also marks the beginning of a new semester, giving me a double dose of fresh starts.

So in the spirit of fresh starts, no matter the timing, here are my goals for 2012:

I want to keep in better touch with friends and family. With so many ways to know what's going on in people's lives, I think we forget that an effort is actually required beyond reading someone's profile or updates or tweets.

I need/want to make some sort of career plan- either stay here and start a grad program or move someplace else.  A good friend has set a goal for me to apply for another job, any job, by my birthday in April. It's scary to think about making a big change, but I know I need to do something.

I already use a trainer for strength training twice a week, but I need to find a way to get some quality cardio into my routine. My dance classes help, but as the descriptions say, they're 'for fun and exercise,' not a serious work out. Not sure if incorporating classes will work or just hanging out on the treadmill (until it gets warm enough to be outside!) will be my best option. (Of course I'm hoping that adding cardio will result in some amount of weight loss, but I'm choosing to focus on the positive change not get caught up in a specific outcome.)

This next one is a bit spoiled sounding, but I want to make a habit of treating myself to a spa treatment, maybe once a month. I had my eyebrows waxed and a mani/pedi right before the holidays and even letting someone else pamper you for 10 minutes can have such a lasting positive impact.

Luckily I do not have credit card or student loan debt, but I'm not the best at saving money. I'm close to needing a new car (unless I move someplace where it would be impractical to own a car!) and I'm not sure how much longer I want to live with a housemate. Both of those goals require better savings plans on my end. I also have some accounts I inherited from my parents that need to be moved around to fit in with my other accounts.

If I do choose to both stay in my current city and my current house, I want to do more things to settle in- buy curtains, hang art, pick up some more throw rugs, etc. Signs that I'm really growing up- scary! Actually, that's a goal no matter where I'm leaving- stop living like I'm in a temporary arrangement.

And of course, continuing trying to be an actual blogger, even if it's just to have a way to record what I do and don't accomplish this year!

PS Today I made my first guacamole from scratch (well from fresh avocado & a powdered mix)...it's not the best I've ever had, but it was tasty in my homemade taco salad and I was very proud of myself for trying!

Blogging equals friends with other benefits?

Many of the blogs I enjoy reading are written by people who say they have met some of their best friends through blogging.  While I already wish my dearest friends lived closer to me, I would love to belong to that special blogger community. Of course if I don't actually keep up with my blog, there's no way for me to make those connections :) I also could use a place to vent my frustrations and remind myself of all the positives in life. Even if no one but me reads this, it will be nice to have the record.

My campus had a pretty serious string of bad luck this fall- we lost a significant number of people from our community (all unrelated incidents involving current students, alums & faculty) in a very short time. While it was heartbreaking to learn of loss after loss, there was also something gratifying about seeing the community pull together.  We pride ourselves on being tight-knit, despite our growing size.  This fall, that was really put to the test.  Social networking helped spread the bad news but it also allowed us to remember that we are always part of the school. I personally heard from people I had not talked to in years. The only thing we really have in common is our alma matter, yet that's enough.

I may have finally reached a point in life where I do not want to live with a roommate anymore. My current roommate is a nice person, but we are at different stages in life.  He went straight to grad school from undergrad and is now in his first year as a professional. I have been out of school for 5 years and think of this house as my home, not just a space I am renting.  I travel a lot for work, so we haven't had much time in the house together, to work through some of the normal growing pains.  I know most of my frustrations are little things...but little things add up and turn into big things! I do love the house I live in and its location. I purchased more grown-up furniture this summer (my first dining table and a PURPLE couch) specifically for this house, so I hope I can stay here a while longer.  Walking to work is a definite plus, especially now that we're in hot chocolate season :)

My family also has gone through some tough times. In the span of 8 days, I unexpectedly lost two uncles. They were unrelated situations, from different sides of my family. I was able to visit with both men just prior to their passing, leaving me with positive memories of each. That doesn't erase the sadness, but it makes it a little easier. I also have a cousin battling breast cancer. She was diagnosed near the end of her second pregnancy. The timing was fortunate, allowing her to give birth around the same time-frame and start treatment shortly there after.  She is one of the strongest people I know, handling this with more grace than I could imagine. My nieces continue to grow into funny, smart, loving people. The love they share with me is better than I could have imagined.

Work is frustrating- I find myself feeling under-valued and unappreciated, but I am thankful to have a job. I know it is easier to find other options when you are not under pressure, so I am keeping my eyes and ears open for new opportunities.  My primary job responsibilities allow me to travel extensively, both internationally and domestically.  I am so lucky to have seen so much of this planet and I have met some of the best people in the process. Earning all those frequent flyer miles is a nice perk as well :)   Outside of my office, I work with a number of groups, including serving as a faculty advisor for two student organizations. This allows me to work with some of the most amazing students who have so much to offer the school, the town and the world. (Corny, I know, but true!)  I hold on to and cherish those experiences when my office life gets me down.

I'm still taking dance classes and I look forward to that time each week (even on the days I don't want to leave my house again!). I have met some of my best friends in those classes and the classes are a great physical outlet.

There are just 4 hours of work standing between me and a two week break.  A friend who moved to London this summer will be here for a very short visit in less than 48 hours- I have missed her (and her husband) so much and can't wait to see them.  Next week I'll be making my annual New Year's trip to Indiana to see two other dear friends. I'll also spend some time with my parents- my mom has a new cell phone that apparently is more than she can handle.  Hopefully I can help her feel a bit more comfortable!

So that's my life in a nutshell. It's not perfect, but I have more to be grateful for than anything else. Hopefully future entries will be a bit more balanced, but I'm not making any promises!

Blogging take 2...or is it 3?

I am going to make another attempt at blogging!  This feels like a chicken vs the egg situation- I don't feel motivated to blog since I don't think anyone is actually reading this, but no one will read if I don't post anything! If anyone is reading this and would like to give me some advice on how to really get established in the blogging world, I'm all ears!

I've been feeling restless lately, watching several of my friends make big changes in their life.  I'm excited for their big moves and relationship changes. Sometimes it makes me wonder if I've made too many safe decisions in life.  Most people were not surprised by my choice of colleges and even fewer were surprised when I took a job at my alma mater. I never thought of those choices as taking the easy way out of anything.  I truly love my school and feel lucky to represent it...but I can see why some might accuse me of settling for what is comfortable.  My job is going through some changes this summer, which I think is adding to my restless feelings. I'm excited for the new challenges but not sure if it will be the change I actually want! I'm sure there will be more to come on that in the future :)

Tonight is my first night staying in a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel- by choice & for work anyways! I never thought of myself as picky when it came to hotels and therefore I am almost always satisfied with what hotels typically fit in my work budget.  That may change now that I've had a taste of something fancier! Fresh baked cookies and complimentary cocktails are quite the treat upon check in! Knowing that I would be here for four nights, I actually brought a bottle of wine in my suitcase (a first for me, not sure if I feel more like a grown up or someone with a drinking problem!).  I'm sure that free cocktail will come in handy later this week though!

Tomorrow is a long, full day, so I should probably get some sleep. I'm due to leave my hotel room around 8am and may not return until after 9 pm!