Changing Jobs is Fun...NOTTTTT

Ask and you shall receive - thanks for the feedback on that last post! I don't know what I'm doing with my life...but there has been some development since I updated last. I landed an interview with a great firm here in Raleigh. They do IT stuff, but I would be joining as a ‘marketing associate’. I met with the girl Friday who I would be working with and let me just say this: she kicks ass. Not only did she tell me she ‘works hard and plays hard’, but also dropped the F-bomb during the interview. She is only 2 years older than me and seems super fun and outgoing. We instantly clicked and she was relieved to have found someone similar to potentially work with. For this job, we would be going together to events, hosting lunches/dinners, and basically just networking and being the face of the company to drive in business.

So I had a follow up interview with the CEO and COO of the company yesterday. F-bomb girl was also there, which made me feel a little more comfortable. I stumbled over some of my words, and probably could have given better answers, but overall I feel pretty good about the interview. I felt really prepared going in, which also helped. Since F-bomb girl was so excited during our first meeting, I kind of expected to be hired right there on the spot, but I wasn’t, and that kind of disappointed me. They said they were considering a couple other people and they would be in touch (which doesn’t sound good to me). I’m not as confident about getting the job as I was before the interview, but still hopeful.

More on the job front…I had a discussion with one of my bosses yesterday about my ‘future’ and told him that I want to eventually go back to school so I need a job that would allow me to take care of myself financially while also saving up for school. We decided that there isn’t room for me to grow into a position that would allow that at my current company, so it is now known that I am looking for other jobs. My boss even mentioned some names to help me get started and, I think, is even planning on reaching out to some people himself to help me out. I didn’t expect him to do that, so I’m super grateful.

I’m in a weird place now though, because I need to talk to my other boss about it, which can be tough. It is also weird because when discussing with Boss #1, it was kind of implied that I document all of the processes I know then leave, I guess. I feel like that is what he wants because he asked how long he thought it would take for me to get everything documented. So I’m not really sure how long I’m supposed to stick around. I’ll bite the bullet today and talk to Boss #2 and hopefully get some more clarity.

For now, I guess I’ll just stick to looking for marketing jobs, and maybe take some classes at the community college to learn more about graphic design. I’ll keep y’all posted on whether I get offered the ‘marketing associate’ position at the IT firm – say a prayer for me, I REALLY want it!

In boy news, I’m still talking to Navy Boy a few times a week, but haven’t planned a trip down to visit him because of all this job stuff going on right now. There may be another potential boy in my life, but I don’t want to blog about him just yet. It seems like each time I blog about a boy it ends badly, so I’m going to try to wait this one out and see if it is some kind of blog curse. Ha.

Happy Hump Day!

Dude. I'm Boring.

Yeah, sorry about the lack of posts. Nothing has been going on in my life. The Orlando job I referred to in this post? Probably not going to happen. They needed someone ASAP and it would have taken me 4-6 weeks to get down there. So, I'm back on the hunt. Good thing they didn't even offer it 'cause I got no help from my blog people. Ha...only kidding...I know it is my own fault I don't have readers. I blog sporadically and usually about nothing. Who wants to keep up with that?

I noticed recently that it is about time for my blog-o-versary? It will be one wonderful year on June 18!

In other news, Navy Boy gets back in about a week! I think he will have a week here in NC then have to go down to FL where flight school is, and then may or may not come back up here for a few months. Sigh. The military is so uncertain, it drives me crazy! I'll definitely have to blog about his return. I'm already a little nervous. What is the interaction going to be like? Awkward? Is he still going to like me as much as he did before he left?

No Foodie Friday today, people. I haven't been cooking that much because I'm trying to eat all healthy. And yes, I realize you can be creative and healthy, but I'm just not there yet. But I have been catching some DANK recipes on Food Network this week. If you didn't know, it was Grilling Week, so there has been burgers, ribs, and chicken galore! Hopefully I will try one of the recipes out next week and have a FF for you then.

Have a great weekend y'all!

I Need Your Help!

Ok, so as of this morning, nothing was going on in my life. That has changed. At 2 PM today, I had a preliminary phone interview. I'm going to try to outline most of the points and I really want to hear back from y'all and get some outside advice. Please please please!

Here goes...this job would be another internship that pays the same amount as my current internship. Except it is in Orlando, Florida. My parents have said they will be able to help me out financially, but I would still need to live pretty basic. It is a marketing internship with a prominent new hotel opening in the fall, but would be giving me more sales experience and not as much creative marketing experience as I had hoped. One big downside is that I would have to find a roommate and place to live. Also? If I get the job, I would need to start ASAP...meaning in 3-4 weeks. This is a problem because I will basically be paying rent for 2 apartments for a month.

As for the interview this afternoon, things went pretty well. I could have done better though. It is like I prepare for a few questions, but not the ones they ask. It's so frustrating because I get tongue-tied and wind up saying "uhhhhhh" the whole time. Anyways, when I wasn't saying "uhhh", I was busy trying to BS my answers. If only they could give me a heads up on which questions they will ask...like they do for the celebrities on talk shows!

Well at the end of the conversation, the guy tells me that I really need to research how hotels do most of their business. Meaning, how they market to big companies and associations to get them to bring their business meetings to this specific hotel. How in the world am I supposed to RESEARCH this?! 

So I beg of you...any and all advice! Do you think I should take the job (if it is even offered)? Do you know anything about hotel marketing or anyone you think I could learn from/read about? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

Life and stuff.

I haven't been blogging much, because there is nothing going on in my life. I'm still working the same job that I have been working for 2 years. I am out looking for other opportunities, but as it turns out, the first thing companies get rid of in an economic downturn is the marketing activities. I just graduated with a marketing degree. Yay me.

Navy boy is still in Rhode Island, but comes home in like 2 weeks! He just told me that when he gets home, he will be here for a week then have to go down to Pensacola where he will eventually start flight school. Depending on if flight school is back-logged, he could come back home for a couple of months.

The thing that bothers me most about the military is how uncertain everything is. There is never really a long-term plan because they can just up and surprise you and say, "Hey you. It's time to go here." Oh well, I've decided to not get too emotionally invested unless he finds out he can definitely come home for a few months.

Hopefully, I will get a sweet job somewhere (preferably in another city/state) so I can start a new life and start moving forward. I feel like if I stay here, there are not that many opportunities, and I will just be doing the same thing over and over and hanging out with the same people over and over. I'm ready to meet new people and have new experiences. So I guess that is my goal.

Anyways, I wish I had more exciting things to write about, but I don't. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend!

I Know I'm Not Supposed To Do This:

Talk about my job on my blog. Beware, there is profanity. I don't even care. I'm fucking fed up. Yes, I am an intern, but NO I do not deserve to be treated like shit after busting my ass for this company for 2 years. I've done almost everything under the sun, from organizing events to lugging 30 lbs of paper up two flights of stairs while the 6' 11" Boss man #2 sits surfing the internet all day in his office. Offer some help to the 5'1" GIRL LUGGING YOUR FREAKING PAPER UP THE STAIRS?!?! NO. He wouldn't do that, because that would be lowering himself to my level.

Let me recall a particular event that probably occurred 6 or so months ago. Yes, it bothered me at the time, but I didn't let it get to me - until now.

Setting: my office (main reception room with 5 cubicles) Boss man #2 is holding a box full of brochures or something as he talks with an acquaintance in the reception area. I'm sitting in my cubicle unable to see the two men.

As they talk, I hear the box rip and fall to the floor, the contents spilling. Laughing ensues, and Boss man #2 actually says this exact statement then says goodbye to the acquaintance, and walks into his office, "HAHA Don't worry about it the intern will get it." Then calls my name.

Let me break this down for those of you confused by my shitting writing when I'm mad: my boss actually spilled the contents of a box onto the floor, laughed about it, DIDN'T PICK IT UP, degraded me in front of a complete stranger, then assumed because he is the boss he doesn't have to bend at the waist. WELL SCREW HIM.

I wasn't really sure what was going on so I never responded to him. A few minutes later, I heard my colleague picking something up off of the floor. Apparently, Boss man #2 actually left the shit there expecting someone else to pick it up! I felt bad my colleague was having to do that, but I was just so stunned that I couldn't even move!

That was the most memorable thing to happen to me in terms of feeling like shit here at this company. 'Company' is a strong word actually...there are a grand total of 4 of us working here, which includes the two owners, the other two of us are interns. Another time Boss man #2 pissed me off was when he asked me to do his daughter's homework. I'm not even going to get into that.

Today, set. me. off. I am always professional in front of my bosses, so today I waited until he left and came straight here to rant. My boss today, asks me to locate ceiling tiles to replace some damaged ones. I realize the other two events seem much more degrading and drastic, but this little shitty request was the final jenga block pull that made the tower fall.

Let me just brag on myself real quick to give you an idea of WHY I should not have to endure these base requests:

1. I am graduating in 11 days with a degree in Business Management - Marketing (what part of locating ceiling tiles is related in any form or fashion to marketing?)
2. I am graduating in 11 days with a degree in Business Management - Marketing MAGNA FUCKING CUM LAUDE. Yes, blog readers, I am smart, and my bosses either don't care to see it or don't want to acknowledge it.
3. I have worked here for 2 years, without so much as a performance review, don't even begin to think raise.
4. I expressed to Boss man #1 how much I intend on focusing on advertising/PR/design marketing once graduation is done (Yeah let me get some good ad campaigns going after I get these CEILING TILES)

So, I've come to a conclusion. If you can recall, I blogged about the possibility of growing here at this company. Well, kids, I'm throwing that one out the window. I in no way want to continue to be a part of this company any longer than necessary. I realize that even if I do get promoted to marketing coordinator, they will still always see me as an intern and I will more than likely be doing the same base jobs PLUS intense marketing campaigns.

It's time to hit the job trail hard. Wish me luck! And thanks for listening to my rant. There is so much more I have to say on the topic, but I realize this post is super long so I'll save it for another day.

Graduation Countdown

There are officially 16 days until I am a college graduate. I have no solid job to rely on when I'm done with school. But guess what? I'm not even worried! My mom met a guy on a plane a couple of days ago who had a marketing internship position I could apply for. That is a huge stretch. And it is Orlando...so I don't know. It would be a cool job, but I don't want to get my hopes up. I definitely want to get out of this city though.

If any readers know of marketing/PR/advertising firms anywhere with a good reputation just drop a comment, I'll check anything out!

Oh and apparently companies are offering tons of internships now because hiring/firing costs are serious. So I know it sucks to have an internship after college, but I might have no other choice.

Moving on, I am in need of a graduation dress. Apparently dress makers across America banned together and said "Let's make a bunch of dresses that Sarah Elizabeth will hate." I just sifted through over 700 dresses at Nordstrom and came out with 3...THREE...that I liked (in order from least favorite to favorite):

PS I am outraged by Lilly Pulitzer's current selection of dresses. Normally, I can find at least 20 dresses I'm in love with on her site, but today, I found 3 or 4 that I would consider trying on.

Well I'm off to search for other dresses floating around. But first, check out my pretty new nail polish! Ah! So springy!

A Post About Nothing...Something?

I have nothing to post about today. My mind isn't working well. I woke up to a sunny beautiful day, but I didn't want to get out of bed. I was dreaming about a really hot guy from my personal selling class. Sigh. But here I am at work, bored, like most days.

I had a phone interview for a job I'm pretty sure I don't want yesterday. It went well, I think. I wonder if he could tell I wasn't that interested? Oh well...bragging about yourself and not feeling bad about it is always fun.

Oh...I know what I can talk about! I had a really weird Friday night this past weekend. Remember The Neighbor? Well, after meeting Navy Boy, I kind of told him that there would be no more nights spent together. After I informed him of this, we only saw each other maybe a couple of times until this past weekend. And each time Rommie and I hung out with him and his friends, The Neighbor always seemed to be in a really bad mood.

So...he texts me towards the end of last week, wanting to hang out (not necessarily just the two of us, but do something). Friday night, however, it did wind up being just the two of us. He came over, we had a drink, then we went to a place called Frankie’s Fun Park. It is the greatest! Probably made more for the 6-14 crowd, we were definitely out of place. But it was fun, and we played games and won prizes and the whole lot. The Neighbor insists that we pool all of our tickets together for a birthday present from him to me. A nice gesture, but weird at the same time. As we leave he says, “You are an expensive date.” Of course he was kidding, but it was just kind of awkward.

We get back to my apartment and start downing drinks. We even play drinking games, just the two of us. At one point he moves closer to me and sits with me on the small ass couch in my living room. I was feeling really weird, but didn’t kick him off. Finally, without any further events, he decides that he should get going. I was relieved. I really got the feel that he was trying to make it like some weird date night. Oh well. I am definitely focused on Navy Boy right now, so that makes me happy. And for the record, I do not ever want to hook up with The Neighbor. Just friends from here on out, please.

New Hope for the Future

I just spoke with one of my bosses about my future here at this company when I graduate in May. I was totally nervous to do it, but I bit the bullet and brought it up. I was so nervous because just about a month and a half ago a guy that worked here (and had been here longer than me) was let go. We are a really small company, so when he was fired that took us down to 4 total. He told me that our bosses said due to the economy, they couldn't afford to keep him on, and if things kept going the way they were going they would probably just have it be the two of them (meaning they would let me and one other guy go too). As you probably know, I've been nervous about graduating because of the terrible job market and the fact that my parents are cutting me off, basically.

There are no solid promises, but the conversation I had with my boss led me to believe there is some sort of growth for me here (when I had previously had the notion there wasn't). He mentioned even being able to foot the bill for continuing education if he thought it would benefit the company. Basically, I need to tell him what field I want to be in (investment banking, marketing/graphic design, etc.) and see how well that aligns with what the company needs. I don't want to get my hopes up too high, because I still have to come up with some kind of guidelines for what I want (position, money, benefits) but I was SOOO happy to hear that they were willing and open to letting me grow here.

Soooo excited about that.

Anyways, I thought I'd let y'all in on a little thing I've been working on for the past few weeks: Twitter! I joined a little less than a year ago when I started writing this blog. Since then, I didn't know much about it or think it was worthwhile. However, recently a lot of my friends have joined and I discovered you can follow celebrities! Woo hoo! So I'm in full force and trying to tweet more often...feel free to follow me 'selizabeth' or leave a comment with your name so I can follow you!

Have a great day y'all!

Apologies.

I'm a freaking terrible blogger. I suck. I keep saying I'm going to get better, but I don't. There is nothing going on in my life that I think to blog about. Someone at my work just got laid off and I have no idea if I'm going to be next. I hope not because the extra drinking money each month really has enhanced my college experience.

Speaking of college, I have a test this week and 2 or 3 next week. I will be scarce once again. After next week will be spring break so I'll have time and topics to discuss. I'm going to visit family in Oklahoma and apparently they are scheming to set me up with a soccer player...we'll see how that goes. My family is known for putting people in awkward situations.

No other news on the boy front. Things are pretty boring around here. Hope all is well and I'm not loosing too many readers to my sucky-ness.

Brain Fry

School/work/my future is frying my brain right now so you'll have to excuse my lack of creative writing. I have one class this semester that will most definitely prove to be my most intense and hardest class during my college career. I am not caught up in that class and I have a test in 2 days. Not to mention I also have a test right before that and one the next day.

I worked on updating my resume this weekend and that was quite an ordeal. My mom is a great help and I'm actually kind of pleased with it so far. I sound super smart and qualified. The stress of having to find a 'real' job in May is freaking me out. Come on Obama...fix this place before May...PUHLEASEEE!

I keep having dreams about Dru and it is pissing me off. He is physically and emotionally out of my life but he keeps sneaking in at night...WTF?! Can't I just get rid of him already? It is so frustrating.

Oh and I'm trying to pay down my bills so I am currently not shopping. That always adds to my stress level. But enough of my stresses. I am happy to be alive and healthy so I can't ask for too much more I guess. I will try to post some more creative things sometime this week but it's going to be incredibly busy so don't get your hopes up...but I do have a great recipe coming up tomorrow since I missed last Friday.

Have a good week y'all!

Weekly Update

My weekend was, interesting. For starters, roommate and I went out Thursday night. We don't usually do this because we are old hags who prefer to stay in and watch TV and go to bed promptly at 11PM. But for some reason we got this crazy notion to go out. We drank too much and I missed my two classes on Friday.

Friday night we went to UNC-Chapel Hill to hang out with Al (my best guy friend) and some of his friends from his study abroad in Spain last semester. I was still recovering from the night before so I took it easy. I don't really enjoy being sober at a bar where everyone else is drunk, but Friday night wasn't so bad. Roommate and I got hit on 4 times and each time was equally as disturbing.

Saturday we had a football game. The festivities began at 10AM. Bad idea. We didn't stop drinking until 2AM. I was in rare form that night. Gary, the ex, tried to kiss me. In all of my vulnerability, I almost caved in. But I didn't, and I'm so glad. Things are going great with Dru and I could have ruined it all for nothing. Gary and I will never work out again, so I don't know why we occasionally fool ourselves.

Speaking of Dru...HE COMES TO VISIT IN 3 DAYS! I couldn't be more excited. My apartment is coming together (see pictures tomorrow!) and I am running again and I feel like a giddy school girl. I'm also nervous. I really hope he has a good time. The plan is to maybe go out for a few drinks after he gets in Friday night (at 9:30!). The next morning we have to be up super early to make it to my sister's boyfriend's house by 8:30AM in Chapel Hill (30 minute drive). My school is playing her school in football and her boyfriend is hosting a "Kegs and Eggs" party. I'm going to make a breakfast casserole to take over. Yum! Maybe I can remember to post the recipe here...

My parents want to have a brunch at their house Sunday morning. And I don't know if I am ready to have Dru to my parents' house. I have been to his parents' house but it was really informal...I mean we just went over to show our skydiving videos then left. Ahh! But I know it will hurt my mom's feelings if I don't bring him over...so whatever. Hopefully my sister and her bf will be in attendance as well so it won't be as awkward.

Oh, my running! Yeah I started again (last night haha) because I will be participating in the annual 'Turkey Trot' in my cousin's neighborhood on Thanksgiving morning. I'm really excited that I have a goal to work towards. It is only a 5K, but I'm happy to start small and work my way up. The mimosa station is at her house too, so I'm SUPER excited about that part!

One last thing, then I'll end another one of my never ending posts. I'm going to my first work-related function on Thursday. It is a Toronto Stock Exchange luncheon, workshop, then networking cocktail. I'm so nervous I can already feel my hands shaking come Thursday morning. Here are some reasons why:

1. This event is specified on the website to be for CEOs and CFOs, financiers of private and public companies and advisors to private and public companies. I AM AN INTERN.
2. I don't have a business card...did I mention this is a networking event.
3. I understand the TSX less than I understand the US stock exchanges (to which my knowledge is far from impressive).
4. I'm not really even sure how to explain what my company does. I only help with the basic stuff.
5. I've never been to a networking event before.

Maybe I should quit my whining and take it all in. I know this will be a great learning experience for me and probably great for my career as well. I should thank my boss for inviting me to attend, and really learn from everything I hear and everyone I meet. But any suggestions in getting over the initial nervousness would really help!

Have a great week everyone!

Back to the Future

Yay. The election is over. I'm excited that our country will be going in a new direction and I look forward to the change. Mostly I am super pumped about not having to see political commercials anymore. They were getting out of hand towards the end there!

Anyways, I have come to realize I am not that great at coming up with post ideas. Lately I have basically been updating everyone with the Dru situation, but talking hardly any about other topics. I have a bad habit of thinking of things to write about, but then forgetting them and sitting in front of my computer with writers block. There are tons of opinions I have regarding somewhat controversial topics that I could discuss, but I don't want this to turn into a serious blog. I like the light, carefree feel of it right now. Oh what to write about...

I am great at talking about me. Plain and simple. SO I'll just write a brief* post about what is going on in my life (outside of Dru) until I can come up with something more entertaining. Well this may have a little to do with Dru, but I'll keep it to a minimum. As you may know, I will be graduating from college in May. I will have a degree in Business Management with a concentration in marketing. When I started school I thought this was the way to go; I was told, and believed, that a degree in business would give me the opportunity to work in pretty much any field.

Well, thank you, economy. This is no longer true, close to being true, or will be true in the immediate future.

So, I am presented with somewhat of a conundrum. To try to find a job...or go back to school? I have found a great advertising program at the University of Alabama. However, I would need to get 3 recommendation letters, take the GRE and submit an application by February 15. The recommendation letters and application aren't as daunting as the GRE. I have only recently begun my quest to take this particular test, and realize how much harder it is than I originally thought. I've concluded that it would be in my best interest to wait and apply next spring and start school in the fall of 2010.

I have searched online for jobs in the Birmingham area and have found some that look interesting. My thought process behind moving to Birmingham a year before I want to start school is threefold: 1. establish residency so I can get in-state tuition 2. save money to pay off the loan I will surely need 3. Dru. Now, I'm sure you see the obvious drawbacks here...what if Dru and I don't work out? What if I can't find a job when it actually comes time? What if I don't get in? Etc. Etc. Etc...

Hear me out...I want to be in the advertising industry. I am taking the only advertising-related class offered in my program and I enjoy it so much more than any other class I have taken. There are plenty of advertising programs elsewhere in the nation, mostly in the North, but as of right now, I don't really see myself moving North. I have nothing against it, I just have more friends and connections in the Midwest and southern states. The program at Alabama is great and seems to fit exactly what I am looking for, which most other schools don't.

Here comes the toughest part...how do I talk to Dru about it? He has mentioned me moving down to Alabama many times, but I haven't responded seriously, yet. Last weekend I lightly mentioned the advertising program at UA and he seemed genuinely excited.

On the other hand, if I were to try to find a job here in Raleigh, I probably wouldn't have much luck. I don't know how to approach my current bosses and ask if there is any chance of me growing within my current company when I graduate. I would love to stay on, if I don't go to Alabama, but I don't see any real potential for me here.

Oh the dilemmas of my life.

I'm really going to have to get on decorating my apartment though, because I think Dru is finally coming to visit in a few weeks. If you have any suggestions for places to find these items (reasonably priced) or have any creative ideas they will be greatly appreciated:

1. Standing mirror
2. Duvet cover with monogram
3. Wall decorations (frames, art, etc.)

I guess I should put up some pictures of the apartment to help everyone visualize...I will try to remember!

*Sorry it didn't turn out so brief!

MeMe & Other Stuff

Wow. I just realized how bad I am at creating titles for my blog posts. I don't know what the deal is but I just haven't been that creative lately. For instance, my mom's 51st birthday was last week. I have been meaning to make a scrapbook for her since her last birthday. I finally got around to it the day of her birthday dinner this year. It didn't turn out so great. I have to say I am the most creative in our family of 4 (I can't include my dad's side of the family here because they are all geniuses in the creativity department). But when I sat down to do the scrapbook I had all kinds of great things going through my head. When the scrapbook was finished? It was plain and could have been put together by my 1 year old cousin. I was disappointed, but my mom appreciated it anyways.

My lack of creativity is seeping into other aspects of my life as well. I can't come up with a good design for carving a pumpkin. While I was in Alabama Dru and I discusses carving pumpkins. In an effort to show him who I am I offered up the information that I am pretty creative and like to draw, etc. He was psyched because, obviously, he isn't artistic in the least bit. We didn't wind up carving pumpkins, but I thought it would be nice of me to sketch out a face and send it to him for him to carve. But I can't come up with a good one! A coworker showed me a great little application on my iPhone that mixes and matches eyes/nose/mouth for pumpkin faces and I got my idea from there. I am ashamed! Oh well...

Speaking of Dru, we spoke on the phone last night, only for a short while, but it was good to hear from him none the less. He mentioned that he will be incredibly busy at work for the next couple of months, which stinks because I don't know if it will cut into our time together.

Anyways, here is a meme I'm stealing from Dana at Just Talk. The rules are that you have to answer each question with one word (notice how I have finagled a few):

1. Where is your cell phone? Lap
2. Where is your significant other? Alabama?
3. Your hair color? Dirty-blonde
4. Your mother? Work
5. Your father? Home
6. Your favorite thing? Shopping
7. Your dream last night? Dru
8. Your dream/goal? Family
9. The room you're in? Cubicle
10. Your hobby? Decorating
11. Your fear? Rape
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Married
13. Where were you last night? Couch
14. What you’re not? Self-confident
15. What do you wish you had? RangeRover
16. Where you grew up? NorthCarolina
17. The last thing you did? iPhone-Applications
18. What are you wearing? Suit
19. Your TV? Samsung
20. Your pet? Roscoe
21. Your computer? Mac
22. Your mood? Anxious
23. Missing someone? Dru
24. Your car? 4-Runner
25. Something you’re not wearing? PJ's
26. Favorite store? Nordstrom
27. Your summer? Work
28. Love someone? Soon
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

I hope everyone enjoys this meme! I'm leaving work early today to tailgate for the football game tonight which is televised nationally! I would suggest you watch and cheer for the NC State Wolfpack, but we haven't been doing that great lately so we might not win. But if you do happen to come across it...look for me! I'll be wearing red :)

Back to Work.

Hi everyone! I still feel so disconnected from the blog world! I went down to Columbia, SC to see NCSU play the USC this weekend. It was so much fun! My friends and I met up with some people I met at a wedding earlier this summer. And I have a confession, I like this boy.

I haven't mentioned him before, because well, I don't really know him. Here is the story: I went to a wedding back in the middle of July for the son of one of my mom's college friends. We used to vacation with the family when we were young, too. At the wedding I met one of the groomsmen we will call Dru. He is from the deep south and a true southern gentleman. He says, "Yes ma'am" to me and holds doors, carries luggage, the whole 9 yards.

I didn't get to spend that much time with Dru when we first met, but we arranged to meet up again for this game last week. I was so excited to see him. We hung out all night and had a great time. I won't give the details, but I had such a good night. He is 4 years older than me and lives about 8 hours away. What is with me and falling for guys who live out of the state?

So anyways, I really really like him and want to spend more time with him, but it just seems impossible right now. Ugh. Also, Ed is coming in like 3 weeks and I have kind of lost interest in him. I feel really bad, but I don't know how to change my feelings. And here is some more fuel for the fire: Gary (ex-boyfriend) and the girl I told you about have broken up. Gary is back on the market, fresh from a break-up and living in my very town. This sounds dangerous. I'm going to have to play my cards right for the next few months...this is my future we are talking about here.

As you know, school is back in and although I like it because it means I don't have to be at work 40 hours a week, it also means studying and case reports and all of that garbage. I have a lot to do tonight just because I'm not used to planning ahead! Overwhelming. Work is different too because I am not here as much. I can feel the need for me to be really productive while I'm here, but I am being asked to do things I have never done/don't know how to do. I am fine with this because I always want to learn, but sometimes it seems like my bosses aren't willing to take the time to teach me how to do things effectively. Oh well...I don't want to complain anymore.

I just finished reading Stephanie Meyer's Twilight and it is SO GOOD. I thought to myself, "I don't like fake stories, especially vampire stuff" but I promise you have to read it. I am on New Moon, the second of the series, and I love it too. I can't put it down - even when I should.

I have some funny stories from my trip down to South Carolina, but don't have time to share them today. Check back tomorrow - I might have some extra time in between classes to give the update!

Hulabaloo

Random Topic #1

I went shopping again yesterday just for a few key items. I got a new white dress shirt with ruffles down the front. I'm going to wear it all fashion-forward-like, unbuttoned kinda far down with a belt, shorts and some high heels - oh and the collar popped, of course. I think I want this to be the first outfit for going out in LA.

I also got some shorts from Banana that are off white, and a copperish-colored dressy sleeveless shirt.

I am no good at describing things, but if I put up pictures they will seem kind of boring.

Oh well. You trust that I'll work it, right?

I really wanted to find a good pair of basic black pumps because my last ones got destroyed and I can barely stand in them. But much to my dismay, I couldn't find any basic black 'going-out' shoes that I liked in my size! What is this world coming to!?

Random Topic #2

I saw a FedEx truck run a red light today. I mean plain as day. The light had been, and continued to be red for a good two minutes before/after he ran it! Some people....

That van could have had my computer in it that I have been waiting for and won't be able to take on my trip with me because it is taking so long!

Random Topic #3

I recently started...twittering? I'm not really good at updating it as much as most people, but I'm working on it. I almost got into a wreck trying to send in an update. Note to self: no twittering in the car.

I have a terrible problem with texting and driving. A law should be enforced to stop it just like for drunk driving...because aren't they basically the same? ...Not paying attention to the road, thinking about other things and the like? Instead, my fair state along with others, just implemented a law that you can't talk on your cell phone and drive (unless it is hands-free), but it is perfectly legal to text and drive!

I digress, back to twitter. Every time I think of Twitter, I get a picture of a little animated fat blue birdie in my head. I don't think birds chirp, I think they twitter. Is it just me or does Twitter sound totally bird-related?

Random Topic #4

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT OF THIS OFFICE! I leave for LA tomorrow morning and I am so ancy (sp? is that even a real word?) I can hardly keep still. I am so tempted to find a reason to leave the office early.

Random Topic #5

I have a manicure appointment after work - my first one in over a month! Woah buddy...a little overdue don't you think?

Random Topic #6

WTF happened to USA women's gymnastics last night? Did anyone see that? The Chinese just took it too us. We handed the gold to them on a silver platter. At the beginning with vault and the uneven bars, USA and China were pretty close (but I sort of thought China was better).

Then USA gets up on the balance beam and falls apart. Sacramone fell off of the beam during her mount, then went on to fall on her butt during floor. My fave (and the cutest person alive), Shawn Johnson, stepped out of bounds and so did Miss Perfect, Nastia Liukin. What happened girls??

I think it is because Americans are normal. In China they pick girls from their homes at veryyy young ages (I mean come on those girls aren't 16!?*) and place them into training. Yeah, that's right. They are bred for sports. I think it is sick and immoral. And they talk about it like everything is fine and dandy.

These girls are, in some cases, removed from their home and taken to a location where they live and train everyday. Basically, their life is chosen for them. One of the Chinese gymnasts expressed desire to quit, but was forced to continue. I don't get it. Hearing these stories and being exposed to the Chinese way of life makes me grateful to be an American.

On second thought, good job team USA for being human, making mistakes and earning the silver. I would never wish a life of forced competition on anyone.

On a lighter note, GO MICHAEL PHELPS. Woop woop! I want to marry that kid. Dana...let's get to work on that! :)


*Maybe they will discover that these girls aren't really 16 and give the gold medal to the USA!

GMA Rocks My Socks

My morning regimen consists of getting up at 6:30 for a run, showering, getting ready and having breakfast before heading to work. Most of the hour and an half I have given myself to get ready/eat breakfast is spent watching Good Morning America. I have come to love this show and have based my getting ready rituals around the commercials and local news breaks/weather (because once you see the forecast once, you really don't need to see it again right?).

Robin, Diane, Chris and Sam rock my mornings. One of my favorite segments is the 'Summer Concert Series' where musicians will come and perform in Bryant Park or in the studio. I always look forward to these. Recently I have seen Miley Cyrus, Usher, and many others to which my brain is too stupid to remember right now. But Friday is the Jonas Brothers. I didn't even know who these kids were until last week when my 7 year old cousin attended a concert. Apparently every little one in the nation is in love with them. Hanson anyone?

Anyways, the GMA cast is always so bright and cheery in the mornings. I can't help but to catch some of the good vibes. I love how all of the colors (their main color being orange) pop from the screen. The outfits Robin and Diane wear are always tasteful and fashionable at the same time. Props to Robin for surviving cancer - that makes me respect her even more. And Diane! She is so much fun! I used to think I didn't like her, but I have really been able to see her personality on GMA. I sometimes wonder is Sam gay...? He is so hot and funny that I hope he is available to women...preferably me. Chris is also hot as can be, but I know he is married and with children. I'm not a home wrecker.

Well, GMA did a segment on working from home a couple of weeks ago, mainly for retired people who want to continue to make just a little bit of money. Apparently they got such a large response from viewers of all ages, they decided to do another segment. Tory Johnson, GMA's workplace contributor, has written a book on this very subject (Will Work From Home)! And today's segment was the Top 5 Work-From-Home Jobs.

I am completely fascinated by this. When I saw the segment this morning, I thought to myself, "I wonder if there is a job I could do from home in my spare time?" Casually, I released the thought...until I got to work this morning. I realized that after this pay period is up, my paychecks are going to be getting dramatically smaller.

Yep. That's right. School starts the day after I return from LA, and I will only be working 2 days a week due to classes. I plan to babysit as much as I can, but I also am going to explore more into this work-from-home idea. If there is a job I can have that will allow me to do some work at nights after school/work I would be more than happy to partake! I plan on heading over to BN after work today to look into Tory's book. If anyone out there has suggestions for work-at-home jobs let me know!

I'm out for lunch and the dentist...wish me luck (on the latter).

Sick Day

I have a love/hate relationship with sick days.

This being why:

1. I love them because I get to lay around and watch TV/movies all day.
2. I hate them because being sick sucks.
3. I love them because I get to snuggle up with my dogs and be treated like a princess at my parent's house.
4. I hate them because when a couple of hours after you leave work, you start feeling better, but then can't go back to work because you will look like you lied about being sick.

So, when this happens (like it did yesterday) I felt like a complete asshole for not being at work, and technically not being sick. I felt even worse this morning when I got to work and had 3 voicemails. Odd since I rarely get any calls. The most important one being from my boss and he sounded pissed (but then again, he always sounds pissed - so IDK).

Good news though - my roommate (I am deeming her Jan for blogs sake) and I are going to see The Dark Knight tonight at midnight!! (A lot of nite usage there) I've got mad respect for Heath Ledger, but I have to say his character in the movie, the Joker, scares the crap out of me. I will not be surprised if I can't sleep tonight.

Meme Mondays

My twentysomething friend Dana posted a Meme Monday's blog. Although it is Tuesday, I am incredibly bored so thought I would go on with my bad self:

Directions: Use the first letter of your name to answer each question. Must be places or names…nothing made up. Can’t use own name for boy/girl’s name question. If can’t answer, skip to next one.

1. Famous Singer: Sting
2. Four Letter Word: Shit
3. Street Name: Sunset Dr., Los Angeles, CA
4. Color: Sage
5. Gifts/Present: Shoes
6. Vehicle: S-Class Mercedes
7. Things in Souvenir Shop: Shot Glass
8. Boy Name: Sam
9. Girl Name: Suzanne
10. Movie title: Super Bad
11. Drink: Sunkist
12. Occupation: Sales Person
13. Celebrity: Sarah Jessica Parker
14. Magazine: Star
15. City: San Fransisco
16. Sports: Soccer
17. Fruit: Strawberry
18. Reason for Being Late to work: Shitty iPhone alarm
19. Something you throw away: Scraps
20. Something you shout: Shit!

Well that was fun. Try it for yourself. Let me know what happens. Tell Dana too!

PS - Notice it might be a bad day since shit made it in there twice?!

Bad Day...so far

Today started out terrible.

Usually my alarm goes off at 8AM and I allow myself to hit snooze one time, resulting in me waking up at 8:09AM. This gets me out of the door by 8:32AM and to work promptly at 9AM.

I have a system and I like it.

Apparently, NOT TODAY.

I casually wake up without hearing the alarm. I think to myself, "Don't open your eyes...if the alarm hasn't gone off, it is not time to wake up." And since I hadn't fallen asleep until 3AM last night I was convinced it was not time.

WRONG.

I actually do look at the clock, just in case, and it is 8:36AM. Four minutes after I am supposed to leave! I waste about 30 seconds thinking, "FUCK!" and checking my iPhone to see if the alarm had gone off. Sure enough it had.

Now here is where I have a problem:
Ever since I got the new update for my phone, it seems to be acting different. This is the second morning I haven't been woken (is that a word?) up by my phone. I don't know what the deal is.

Not only do I have to shove contacts in and slap a weak excuse for make-up on, but I also don't get to make a sandwich (the first step in my money-saving plan that has yet to commence). So now I'm tired and out probably $7 for lunch.

Wait...it gets better.

The slow-ass M.F.'er in front of me on a two lane road HITS A SQUIRREL.

Here is where I get to explain to you how much I love (most) animals. At 16 I was on my way to my boyfriend's house when I ran over a turtle. Believe me I had NO choice - it was a two lane road, on a bridge, with a car on the other side. I bawled. I can not believe I made it to his house in one piece. I could not stop crying for the life of me. We had plans that night and I had totally wrecked my make-up and had to borrow some of his sisters.

More evidence of my love: I went vegetarian for a while because I read a book on animal slaughter. I joined PETA and went all out.

So, back to my original story, when I saw the poor little squirrel run out into the street I thought for sure he was safe...wayyyy in front of the Air Conditioning man in front of me. Well silly little guy did one of those fake-outs where they are unsure whether or not to keep going (back-forth-back-forth-back-forth) and got himself hit. Why haven't they learned!?! I'm sure he has seen some of his relatives get hit before? (Off topic...but...) Why haven't the deer learned too? What happened to evolution...learning from past experiences?

Jebus...what a bad start to the day.

Bio

I was just asked to write a bio of myself for our new company website. WTF? Really people, there is nothing noteworthy to write about me. I am a college student. I get drunk with my friends. I haven't gone to any finance academies over the summer or played college sports. I don't have my masters yet (obvi) and honestly don't know if I ever will. I lead a boring life...what in the world am I supposed to write about!?! I can't say what I want to because it is totally not appropriate for the workplace. This blows.

This leads me to believe that I should probably be doing more exciting things with my life. Where do I start?