Number of hours it took me to get going this morning: Like 5. Generously.
Finally found my thank-you card list for the couple's shower. So that means I can get started knocking those out! Looks like I will have to buy a few more cards, but at least I can start a few tonight.
I made the most delicious carrot cake last night. First time making carrot cake. I made a nicely whipped cream cheese icing to accompany it. My baking skills are improving.
I also went back to the gym today for the first time in a week. It's amazing how quickly your body atrophies after not working out for awhile. Or in my case, for a week:0/ But, I'm back at it, and hoping I stay motivated to keep working out. The key for me is to have a variety of workouts. Without that, I get very bored and lose focus. I really do want to get strong and lose some of this fat that has stored up on me post-wedding. I read once that as a woman, your metabolism slowly starts to slow down after 25. And I'm 26. So I need to be diligent about my workouts! That, and they really do help me feel better and sleep better at night.
I am in desperate need of a new project to work on. Now that the wedding is over, and I am bored all the time. My house is clean and (for the most part) set up. My refrigerator is full. My job search is going nowhere. So I need a project. Now. Preferably one that doesn't cost a lot of money. Ha.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Summer Time
Love this pic with my girls from the wedding! I will post more soon. They came out beautifully! I am so so happy:)
What I love about summer:
1. Spending countless hours relaxing in my pool.
2. The feel of heat on my skin.
3. A nice tan. I know, it's "dangerous". So is pouring chemicals onto your skin.
4. Sitting outside at night with my family and friends.
5. Everything just seems more relaxed. Less traffic, etc.
6. Vacation (when applicable).
7. Grilling.
I feel like I've had just about every summer "off" since birth. I pretty much have, save for two summers when I was gainfully employed full-time. A girl could get used to this.
What I have done for my job search this week:
1. Started a LinkedIn profile.
2. Looked up Workforce workshops to attend next week, including Resume Writing and Cover Letter/Thank You note writing.
3. Looked into starting my own professional web site.
Part of my dilemma in the job searching world is that I'm not entirely sure what it is I want to do. There's just so many things that seem appealing to try. Of course, what you see is not always what you get, especially in the career world, and I am aware of that.
I think as I get older, my priorities are changing. I used to want a career in restaurant management, but now I'm afraid of the toll that career might take on my family life. Long hours. Odd schedules. Odd schedules are good for getting things done. But not so good for spending time with family. Now that I'm married, family time is becoming more of a priority to me. And of course, I totally got burned at my last job. But I know I would like to own my own eating establishment one day, and I definitely want all the experience I can get. Even thought people start restaurants all the time with far less experience than I have. And they're successful at it. I think if there's a will, there's a way. Perhaps management in another field would suit me better.
What I really want to do is get back into marketing. Easier said than done. I'm definitely kicking myself for ever having gotten out. I would ideally love to do marketing and PR for hospitality businesses - hotels, restaurants, spas, cruise lines, etc.
And I hope one day to teach at a university level, like I did in grad school. I really enjoyed that! I would love to become a hospitality/marketing/communications/media professor. Yeah, I like the sound of that.
And at some point this weekend, I will write thank-you notes for our couple's shower. I think about doing it every day, but more pressing matters always seem to take precedence whenever I get ready to start writing them. I will get to them though, I promise.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Joplin
Tonight I am leaving to go on probably one of the most unique journeys of my life.
I am going to Joplin, MO for a week.
On May 22 of this year, one of the most devastating tornadoes in United States History struck this small town of 50,000 people, killing more than 120 people and injuring hundreds more. The F5 tornado left a 6 mile path of destruction through the town, causing mass destruction that more than likely take years to recuperate from.
I remember how this tragedy really struck my heart and just filled me with this unexplainable sadness. My whole day was ruined when I first heard about it. I was coming down the stairs at the house, and a CNN news alert came across my iPhone, stating that 89 people had been killed in a tornado the previous night in Joplin. Maybe it's because I know first-hand what it feels like to lose someone to tragedy, but tears welled up in my eyes and my heart really went out to these people. I just can't imagine tragedy at that level. And I pray that I never find out what it's like. I felt this overwhelming need to somehow help these people.
A week later, my pastor at Cypress Fellowship Church said that he was organizing a group of people to travel to Missouri to assist with the recovery effort. It was like a sign from God!
Now I must admit, at first I was a little hesitant to go. I have no idea what to expect when I get there, and I've never done anything like this before. Even now, just a few hours before we leave, I'm still feeling a bit of anxiety about going. Of course a lot of that could be attributed to the 12 hour van ride it will take to get to Joplin. With people I don't know very well. But that's part of the fun...right?
The logical side of me realizes that this is probably a once-in-a-life time opportunity: I'm currently unemployed (no need to request time off...) and childless (no need to seek out childcare...). When will I ever have better circumstances to do something like this? Probably never. Or at least not for a long time. Unless I stay unemployed for longer than I want to. But that's another blog for another day.
I have always said that in life, it is important to expand my comfort zone and seek out new, meaningful experiences. So if I really want to put my money where my mouth is, and walk the talk, than I need to go. Even if I'm a little scared.
Anyway, I think the overwhelming need for help and support overrules my selfish fears about going on this trip. I know God will be with me, and the rest of the group, the entire time, so I just need to offer up whatever help I can give, and pray that I will be of some use to the town of Joplin while I'm there.
I'll keep everyone updated as to my progress!
K
I am going to Joplin, MO for a week.
On May 22 of this year, one of the most devastating tornadoes in United States History struck this small town of 50,000 people, killing more than 120 people and injuring hundreds more. The F5 tornado left a 6 mile path of destruction through the town, causing mass destruction that more than likely take years to recuperate from.
I remember how this tragedy really struck my heart and just filled me with this unexplainable sadness. My whole day was ruined when I first heard about it. I was coming down the stairs at the house, and a CNN news alert came across my iPhone, stating that 89 people had been killed in a tornado the previous night in Joplin. Maybe it's because I know first-hand what it feels like to lose someone to tragedy, but tears welled up in my eyes and my heart really went out to these people. I just can't imagine tragedy at that level. And I pray that I never find out what it's like. I felt this overwhelming need to somehow help these people.
A week later, my pastor at Cypress Fellowship Church said that he was organizing a group of people to travel to Missouri to assist with the recovery effort. It was like a sign from God!
Now I must admit, at first I was a little hesitant to go. I have no idea what to expect when I get there, and I've never done anything like this before. Even now, just a few hours before we leave, I'm still feeling a bit of anxiety about going. Of course a lot of that could be attributed to the 12 hour van ride it will take to get to Joplin. With people I don't know very well. But that's part of the fun...right?
The logical side of me realizes that this is probably a once-in-a-life time opportunity: I'm currently unemployed (no need to request time off...) and childless (no need to seek out childcare...). When will I ever have better circumstances to do something like this? Probably never. Or at least not for a long time. Unless I stay unemployed for longer than I want to. But that's another blog for another day.
I have always said that in life, it is important to expand my comfort zone and seek out new, meaningful experiences. So if I really want to put my money where my mouth is, and walk the talk, than I need to go. Even if I'm a little scared.
Anyway, I think the overwhelming need for help and support overrules my selfish fears about going on this trip. I know God will be with me, and the rest of the group, the entire time, so I just need to offer up whatever help I can give, and pray that I will be of some use to the town of Joplin while I'm there.
I'll keep everyone updated as to my progress!
K
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Breathing a Sigh of Relief
So now that the wedding is finally over, I feel like my life can get back to more of a normal state. This is the first time in my life that I haven't been in school, or planning some other huge occasion, in quite some time. It feels very weird.
I was thinking about that fact a few days ago. Sam and I got engaged about a month after I graduated with my master's. So most of last year was spent looking for a job or planning our wedding. Since getting laid off in mid-April, I now find myself jobless once again, but this time without a wedding to plan! Most people would relish in this unforseen time off, but I am dreading it.
The first few weeks of unemployment were great - I was able to focus on wrapping up the final few details of the wedding, and spend time with my friends and family that flew in for the occasion. But now, in typical Kristen fashion, I'm bored out of my mind! I tend to be a person of extremes: when I have a job, I am always on the go, rarely stopping to relax or take any kind of break. I will work myself into exhaustion and illness. However, when I am unemployed I get really really really lazy. And I hate that about myself. I sleep in everyday, eat too much and watch wayyyy too much TV. It's like when I know I have no reason to get up and be productive - I don't. Grr.
So now I'm sitting here just wishing I had some sort of job to wake up to everyday. I know, I'm weird. Most people would love to be in my place right now, collecting unemployment and sitting at home eating potato chips and job surfing while watching the Today Show. But I can't stand it!!!!
I will admit, it is nice to finally not have to stress out about the wedding anymore. As much fun as it was, and as much as I love to plan events, a 18 months of planning can wear out even the most passionate of event planners.
And I don't think getting laid off happened for no reason - I do believe it was God's intervention that led to it. He knew I was miserable at that job. I was going to quit anyway. Except now I feel an immense amount of pressure to find an even better job! One that I will actually somewhat enjoy. I know I don't want to do what I was doing before, but I don't really know what I want to do, and that is frustrating for someone who always knows what they want. I'm so scared of picking a direction that might be the wrong direction, a direction I won't be able to get out of if I don't like it, that I just feel frozen. I sit in front of the computer screen with all of these tabs open for jobs that look quasi-interesting, but when it comes down to actually applying, I get overwhelmed. It's such a time-consuming process, and one that most often results in rejection. I mean, not even a damn e-mail saying "Thank your for interest". Nothing. How is that supposed to be motivating?
I just pray that I God blesses me with an even better job than I had before, and helps steer me in the path I'm supposed to be on.
I was thinking about that fact a few days ago. Sam and I got engaged about a month after I graduated with my master's. So most of last year was spent looking for a job or planning our wedding. Since getting laid off in mid-April, I now find myself jobless once again, but this time without a wedding to plan! Most people would relish in this unforseen time off, but I am dreading it.
The first few weeks of unemployment were great - I was able to focus on wrapping up the final few details of the wedding, and spend time with my friends and family that flew in for the occasion. But now, in typical Kristen fashion, I'm bored out of my mind! I tend to be a person of extremes: when I have a job, I am always on the go, rarely stopping to relax or take any kind of break. I will work myself into exhaustion and illness. However, when I am unemployed I get really really really lazy. And I hate that about myself. I sleep in everyday, eat too much and watch wayyyy too much TV. It's like when I know I have no reason to get up and be productive - I don't. Grr.
So now I'm sitting here just wishing I had some sort of job to wake up to everyday. I know, I'm weird. Most people would love to be in my place right now, collecting unemployment and sitting at home eating potato chips and job surfing while watching the Today Show. But I can't stand it!!!!
I will admit, it is nice to finally not have to stress out about the wedding anymore. As much fun as it was, and as much as I love to plan events, a 18 months of planning can wear out even the most passionate of event planners.
And I don't think getting laid off happened for no reason - I do believe it was God's intervention that led to it. He knew I was miserable at that job. I was going to quit anyway. Except now I feel an immense amount of pressure to find an even better job! One that I will actually somewhat enjoy. I know I don't want to do what I was doing before, but I don't really know what I want to do, and that is frustrating for someone who always knows what they want. I'm so scared of picking a direction that might be the wrong direction, a direction I won't be able to get out of if I don't like it, that I just feel frozen. I sit in front of the computer screen with all of these tabs open for jobs that look quasi-interesting, but when it comes down to actually applying, I get overwhelmed. It's such a time-consuming process, and one that most often results in rejection. I mean, not even a damn e-mail saying "Thank your for interest". Nothing. How is that supposed to be motivating?
I just pray that I God blesses me with an even better job than I had before, and helps steer me in the path I'm supposed to be on.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Yep, I'm still consumed by the wedding...
...but the good news in there's only like 50 days until it's here! The bad news is I still feel like there's a bazillion things to do:( *Sigh* I figure if I can get a little bit done every day than I'll be able to stay on track.
Today, for instance, I ordered my toasting flutes. I've been looking at toasting flutes for months but haven't really found any that I've fallen in love. That, and they're unbelieveably expensive. $100 for a pair of glasses you will use maybe once? No thanks. So I ended up ordering a pair that look nice and are only $30. I figure if I'm not in love with them, why spend a lot of money?
I've been thinking a lot about my next career move in life. I'm definitely going to hit the search hard after the wedding is over. I keep thinking I want to start up my own business of some sort, but I'm unclear as to what I want to do exactly. I'm really inspired by the artists on Etsy. I think it would be so cool to have a business where I get to make my own crafts everyday. But I haven't done anything like that since I was a kid.
I've also thought about starting my own dessert-making business. Like fancy brownie and cookie trays, fruit trays, cheese trays etc., that people can use for parties. And maybe one day, if I get to that level, wedding cakes! That would be so cool!
I've also been really inspired lately by my friend Fatima, who owns her own creative services company. She gets to photograph some of the coolest places in the world! I would LOVE to have her job! Plus, she gets to dabble in marketing, which would be right up my alley. I think I'm going to take some of her seminars once the wedding is over and I can afford a nice camera. I've thought about becoming a photographer, but I'm not sure if I have the artistic vision required to be successful at something like that.
And, of course, I still think about starting my own cafe/deli/bakery.
My point is that I can't see myself working an 8 - 5 job the rest of my life, or even working for anyone else doing anything the rest of my life. But I'm not sure if I'm at the point where I'm ready to fly on my own yet. I have to pay down my debt first, and I think I still need a few years of work experience under my belt before I take off on my own. I just wish I knew what that next step was. For now, I will keep praying for God's guidance and direction in my life. He will show me the way!
Today, for instance, I ordered my toasting flutes. I've been looking at toasting flutes for months but haven't really found any that I've fallen in love. That, and they're unbelieveably expensive. $100 for a pair of glasses you will use maybe once? No thanks. So I ended up ordering a pair that look nice and are only $30. I figure if I'm not in love with them, why spend a lot of money?
I've been thinking a lot about my next career move in life. I'm definitely going to hit the search hard after the wedding is over. I keep thinking I want to start up my own business of some sort, but I'm unclear as to what I want to do exactly. I'm really inspired by the artists on Etsy. I think it would be so cool to have a business where I get to make my own crafts everyday. But I haven't done anything like that since I was a kid.
I've also thought about starting my own dessert-making business. Like fancy brownie and cookie trays, fruit trays, cheese trays etc., that people can use for parties. And maybe one day, if I get to that level, wedding cakes! That would be so cool!
I've also been really inspired lately by my friend Fatima, who owns her own creative services company. She gets to photograph some of the coolest places in the world! I would LOVE to have her job! Plus, she gets to dabble in marketing, which would be right up my alley. I think I'm going to take some of her seminars once the wedding is over and I can afford a nice camera. I've thought about becoming a photographer, but I'm not sure if I have the artistic vision required to be successful at something like that.
And, of course, I still think about starting my own cafe/deli/bakery.
My point is that I can't see myself working an 8 - 5 job the rest of my life, or even working for anyone else doing anything the rest of my life. But I'm not sure if I'm at the point where I'm ready to fly on my own yet. I have to pay down my debt first, and I think I still need a few years of work experience under my belt before I take off on my own. I just wish I knew what that next step was. For now, I will keep praying for God's guidance and direction in my life. He will show me the way!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
All of this wedding planning stress is really coming to a head.
I feel like every time I turn around there is something else I have to think about or something else to pay for. It's crazy. I feel bad saying this, but I really can't wait 'til it's all over! I know I'll be excited and happy on my big day, but I will feel so relieved when it's all over and I can finally refocus my attention on other things. I now understand why people (or at least those who have money) hire wedding coordinators! If I had the money I would've. Or if I wasn't working full-time then it wouldn't be such an issue.
I know every bride feels this way, but I just want everything to be perfect. But without spending a gazillion dollars that I don't have. And I find myself constantly torn between wanting to spend a little extra money to make it unique and memorable, and penny pinching because I know that it's silly to spend so much money on one day. It's not about the tables, and the flowers, and the food, and the cake - it's about having your family and closest friends witness the love between you and the one you've chosen to spend the rest of your life with. THAT is what is important. And I don't understand why people get so caught up in all of these silly little traditions that really are meaningless. But that's another topic for another day.
If I can just keep my sanity for the next 62 days, I'll be thrilled!
I feel like every time I turn around there is something else I have to think about or something else to pay for. It's crazy. I feel bad saying this, but I really can't wait 'til it's all over! I know I'll be excited and happy on my big day, but I will feel so relieved when it's all over and I can finally refocus my attention on other things. I now understand why people (or at least those who have money) hire wedding coordinators! If I had the money I would've. Or if I wasn't working full-time then it wouldn't be such an issue.
I know every bride feels this way, but I just want everything to be perfect. But without spending a gazillion dollars that I don't have. And I find myself constantly torn between wanting to spend a little extra money to make it unique and memorable, and penny pinching because I know that it's silly to spend so much money on one day. It's not about the tables, and the flowers, and the food, and the cake - it's about having your family and closest friends witness the love between you and the one you've chosen to spend the rest of your life with. THAT is what is important. And I don't understand why people get so caught up in all of these silly little traditions that really are meaningless. But that's another topic for another day.
If I can just keep my sanity for the next 62 days, I'll be thrilled!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
3 1/2 Months To Go!!!
I just got home from a wedding meeting with Mandi! We met at a bar so she could watch the Packer's game, lol! It was loud, and really smokey, but we managed to get a lot covered so I'm happy. The wedding is only like 3 1/2 months away, so I've been working like crazy to try and scratch things off of my master to-do list. Even though I've covered almost everything, I still have this horrible feeling like I'm forgetting something huge and it's freaking me out! I hate it. I'm such a compulsive early planner, I can't stand missing out on any detail, not matter how small. Hopefully, I won't forget anything.
Now I just need to pray that my showers and bachelorette party go well! Since it's so hard for me to release control of planning to other people, I've been really stressing about the showers. But I just need to stay calm and let someone else take the reins for once!
It makes me really sad that none of my family will be able to make it to the showers. It's just one of the many downsides to living so far away from my cousins, aunts and uncles. But since my mom is no longer here, it really is going to be me alone at these showers, even though I'll be surrounded by my friends. It sucks. I know no one will be able to fly down for the showers and the wedding - that's just asking way too much! But I still wish things could be different. Sometimes I forget how alone I really am without my mom around, and all of the things that she and I are missing out on. I just never thought that it would be this way. I'm really blessed to have as many great friends and future in-laws as I do. Even though it's not the same as having my own family around, at least I can say I have these amazing people in my life! I'll just have to make the best of it like I always do.
Now I just need to pray that my showers and bachelorette party go well! Since it's so hard for me to release control of planning to other people, I've been really stressing about the showers. But I just need to stay calm and let someone else take the reins for once!
It makes me really sad that none of my family will be able to make it to the showers. It's just one of the many downsides to living so far away from my cousins, aunts and uncles. But since my mom is no longer here, it really is going to be me alone at these showers, even though I'll be surrounded by my friends. It sucks. I know no one will be able to fly down for the showers and the wedding - that's just asking way too much! But I still wish things could be different. Sometimes I forget how alone I really am without my mom around, and all of the things that she and I are missing out on. I just never thought that it would be this way. I'm really blessed to have as many great friends and future in-laws as I do. Even though it's not the same as having my own family around, at least I can say I have these amazing people in my life! I'll just have to make the best of it like I always do.
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