Free as a Bird...in INDY

Its Friday. This Friday I am NOT in an airport. I am not packing Kenny or Brazil. I am spending this snowy, icy weekend in Indy.  What will I do? I have no idea what I will do. That’s the beauty of being me – most days… I feel like I can entertain myself just fine… I’m not sure how I was graced with such a talent – but I have no problem being alone for a weekend and finding something to do.

Currently my thoughts for this weekends’ agenda – I’m considering the following activities:

·         Hunting down a fun, local breakfast spot

·         Hunkering down in a coffee shop and reading/working

·         Hitting up a movie at the indie movie theater across the street

·         Finding a fun wine bar and making friends with the bar mates

·         Sleeping in one day and waking up to coffee in bed

·         Throwing on my heels and grabbing a nice steak at a steak house

·         Wandering around Broad Ripple shops

I feel like that’s a good start on my list of options. Any, all or some of those should keep me entertained...so.... those are the things a single gal in a new city - with no responsilities and no dog does...

I have come to know a few people that have a fear of being alone- or being alone in a city they do not know. I am unsure when it happened – but I have few qualms about hopping in the company Camry and driving until I find something interesting. I throw on a pair of shoes that entertain me, grab Brazil –or whichever small country bag I’m carrying at the time, crank the tunes in the Camry and start cruising. Generally I start in search of a fun store to simply peruse – and then my next stop is an interesting food place – local preferably….

For those of you that struggle being alone in a new city –or even your own city… take my advice- get yourself ready- go to a restaurant that you’ve been dying to try or that the locals recommend and pull a seat up at the bar and enjoy…. Make small chit chat with others at the bar- as I’m sure they too are business travelers looking for a dinner companion… you will surprise yourself at what you can learn and who you can meet.

Cheers Friends…

I’m sure I will have a few other posts this weekend- as I have some free time ahead of me.

For those of you traveling- be safe and give the airports my condolences…for I shall miss them this weekend.

another friday....another airport...

well folks... it's friday... you know what that means - another airport... not a "new" airport- but ANOTHER airport! its 6:44 p.m. est and here i sit- the master of getting from the company car - parked ever so carefully in economy parking- next to the shelter of course - through security, now with a coffee in hand - in 19 minutes. thats  new record for IND. today is special- all the southwest flights were already booked by 735 a.m. est on monday- so i am taking a frontier flight - via MKE to KC!! I will get in at 11 p.m. - well midnight for me... that whole time change thing! so- i brought some work with me - but what fun is that? so instead i have rented Secretariat on my iTouch and may or may not have purchased dirty dancing for $3. i have a feeling that today i am in for mindless movie watching and reading.
let me tell you the trick to weekend travel to and from your extended stay hotel to your very own apt... pack a large purse- in my case we name them after small countries- and tonight's lucky winner is Brazil. so- pack brazil- with everything you want while sitting in your seat - nothing is worse than those people who put their carry-on in the overhead compartment and then want something 10 min later- but they are in the middle seat- irritating!
tonight brazil contains:

• nook
• iTouch and headphones
• cellular device
• chapstick
• bottled water - PURCHASED once you're thru security
• advil
• wallet - with ID
• drink tickets- very important!

and along with brazil - came my messenger bag/briefcase - kenneth cole - gifted to me at college graduation by a set of second parents- so smart - knowing it would come in handy! - thanks kev and cheryl!
so- inside kenny is:

• laptop/charger
• iTouch charger
• change of clothes- yoga pants, tshirt, cardigan and undergarments (important in case mke screws me over)
• make-up - all powder products- i hate that plastic bag rule

next- be sure you wear shoes you can slip on and off- ladies, your knee high boots are cute- but when i have to catch you while you are unzipping them mid security check- i'm frustrated. so tonight's pick was a cute pair of slip on brown leather booties. i'm wearing nice slacks, a comfy t with a cardigan - please remember- you have to take the cardigan off at security - and scarf....have boarding pass in hand with id - because i was smart and printed before i arrived at airport. also- i have selected my seats and pleased with my awkwardly uncomfortable, leather chair for the next few hours. this morning when checking in online (company uses travel agency to book tickets - so that's done and paid for) i was able to splurge $10 to have a row to myself and extra leg room in business select - hell- why not.
so- drop car in economy- grab kenny and brazil - write down section/row and shelter of parking spot- jump on shuttle...get dropped off at terminal - stroll to security - breeze on thru- grab venti, iced, skinny, vanilla latte - grab comfy chair - plug in laptop and blog away.  start to finish- 19 min...it took me longer to compose my blog.
being prepared and mindful of what you're doing at the airport for weekend travel and can alleviate all the stresses of rolling from the office in indy to my bed in kc.


for the first 2 weekends while in indy- i stayed put- in my hotel room- partly due to weather- and partly due to the fear of stressful quick trips to and from indy to kc... thinking it wouldn't be as relaxing as one hopes. but - to be honest- it is so refreshing- to sleep in your own bed, see your friends, visit the Quaff, lay on your very own couch... then get on a plane and head to work. i think you all know that he missing link in the perfect weekend is Lena- but that's another story! but now that i know- how easy it is- and quick it can be done - i'm prepared to tackle the next month as a transplant in indy.


now that you are all aware of the contents of kenny and brazil - i'm gonna post this entry, shut down the laptop and finish my venti in preparation for boarding.. cheers friends... its FRIDAY! and i'm about to put this airport in my rear view mirror! CHEERS.

Success Starts With Setting Goals

A good friend mentioned that I have enjoyed success at a young age... and thought that it might be something worth blogging about. I agreed. It allows for my own reflection on my career thus far and also gives me the opportunity to share my voyage! With that in mind- I am going to be writing a Success Series...

The first edition in the Success Series is: Goal Setting

I continually count my blessings... I have been blessed beyond belief- with family, friends, Lena... and so much more. But I count my blessings in regards to having experienced success at a young age. Since my graduation from Simpson in 2005 - I have climbed ladders and learned a lot about myself in that run. I have worked for amazing companies- DHL Express, Netflix, Machinery Link, and now Touton. It's my belief that every single one of those companies are extremely successful in their own right. The amazing part - is that I worked in management at each of those companies...


It may seem as if I have jumped around a lot - but I was taught at young age to set goals for yourself. I think that started back in high school when our volleyball/softball coach requested that we WRITE DOWN our goals. I have stuck to that rule my entire life...especially in my professional world.


When I start with a company- my first few months are to get my feet under me- learn the operation and pick something and become an expert in it. That might sound generic - but I was told that its impossible to learn everything about an overall operation- but pick something- and do it better than anyone- and be THE expert. When you learn all you can about a particular aspect of the operation/company- you become the "Go To" person. Being the "Go To" person is imperative. It gets your name out there - inside and outside of the company. People come to you- and then respect, trust and look to you.


Once you learn the operation- in the broadest sense of the word- and have decided what it is that you're going to become an expert in- you can begin to decipher what your goals are in the organization. This can take a matter of months or even a year- depends on your learning curve, the depth of the company and the scope of your job. Write down your goals- put them somewhere you can see them...I generally write them in my Planner...


Your goals can be whatever YOU want them to be... My goals generally are centered around moving up within the organization- always looking for the next step - and learning how I can grow or be groomed to take over a new challenge. When I'm not challenged or not looking towards the next step - I become stagnant- and my work falters. That was the case at Machinery Link- it was a small company - which I liked- but there wasn't a next step for me- there wasn't an opportunity for growth - thus the quick move to Touton. I absolutely require a next step- or something to attain. However, everyone is different - for some of you; learning new tasks or expanding your knowledge base is what you crave... just determine what you REALLY want. For some its as simple as a title or the opportunity to travel for business, or learn all the jobs in the operation... Just figure out what you want.


Once I have set my goals- I then attach a timeline- this doesn't have to be a hard and fast rule...but something to keep you motivated and moving towards success.


When I started at DHL - I had NO clue what I was doing- but was fortunate to work with GREAT people and have an amazing, talented boss and coach. After a few months in - as the p.m. supervisor- he set goals for me- he told me I could have my own station someday...he helped me get there- and it came sooner than I expected. This success set the tone for the rest of my career...to this point! I learned that no task is too foreign- it all feels like a new language for the first few months- but hard work and determination will take you where you want to go.


What are my goals for Touton you ask? I'm not sure- let us get moved to KC and let me get my feet under me- I'm still treading water and it all feels like french at this point...LITERALLY!


Next up on the success series: NETWORKING

A Day in the Life…of hotel living

Now that I am working on my third week of hotel life- I thought I would share a typical day with you… oh- and I’m on East Coast time- and things seem to run a bit later…I’m still trying to adjust.

7 a.m. – wake up (this is the latest I have gotten up in 2 years on weekdays)

8:00 – head downstairs to hotel lobby for breakfast

8:30 – arrive at work – generally 3^rd one here! 9 a.m. seems to be the official start time out here

1 p.m. – head out for lunch… lately it seems I have lunch meetings 3 days a week – so that’s fun.

6 – leave work

6:30/7:00 :

• Head to gym (not only is it good for me- it keeps me occupied
• Or have dinner meeting with work folk or prospective new hires: inevitably this happens at least once a week
• Head back to hotel for a reception in hotel lobby- Mon – Wed – generally free food from TGI Fridays, Don Pablos or McCalisters – which everyone takes back to their rooms.

9:00 – shower if gone to gym or climb into sweats and pour a glass of red and do homework for work or watch mindless TV.

11:00 – bedtime….read at least one chapter – keeps my mind off how much I miss my bed and dog!

REPEAT

 

As you can tell- its pretty mundane. I try and venture out to new restaurants for dinner or happy hours… but I miss having friends to meet up with and a dog to play with! The kitchen in my hotel suite is poorly furnished for cooking…but I make some attempts.

I am going to work on getting in more Skype dates with the parents, Lena and friends.

 

Side notes:

• My neighbor next door snores so loud it vibrates my bed – AWESOME. I’m considering leaving a bag with breath right strips on ITS door.
• Cleaning staff continually puts my wine glass in the dishwasher –even after I leave notes NOT TO… I guess I have to hide it…
• I have spoiled myself with NICE sheets at home …the bottom sheet on my hotel bed continually comes off every night...super irritating.
• Sometimes I consider propping my door open with a brick- a la college days- just for some social interaction! But I talk myself out of it- I don’t want to be the creepy girl in the hotel.
• I enjoy waking up – knowing I can leave my bed a mess and come home to a “made” bed – I wonder if my neighbor Kelly in KC wants to go in with me on hiring this service for our apts?!
• My social neediness is kicking in- I have found myself weighing options of throwing a mixer at the hotel- complete with cool posters on each door. I mean- St Patrick’s Day is approaching!
• You never know how much you miss your very own coffee cup and smell of your own home…until you drink out of hotel cups and wake to hotel smell every day.

Need Input

Hello Readers..
I need your input - I feel like my blog is not taking the direction I had previously wanted...no- that's not accurate- I don't think I actually knew what direction I wanted this blog to take. I know that I do in fact enjoy blogging- but now feel like I should follow the rules of my professors/teachers that were once given- HAVE A TOPIC! I need a direction to take this blog.

I enjoy reading friends' blogs that have themes/direction, be it: being a mom, foodie, travel, fashion.....

Now I am ready... ready for direction. I have gotten my feet wet- now lets get down to business.

So friends- please help... what do you want to hear about? I'm not opposed to changing the theme/direction as life moves on... but right now- in this moment - What should "Life Happens" focus on?

Here are my current ideas:

• Life Happens While Traveling - Business Traveling
• Focus on airport musings, extended stay hotels, food, overcoming cabin fever
• Life Happens at Happy Hour
• Focus on what wines are interesting, fun on a budget
• Local beers
• New cocktails
• Life Happens on a Budget
• Where I'm finding deals for - home/clothes/make-up etc...

Many of you readers KNOW me... so- maybe you have better ideas... sure- I will still write about my daily life- maybe put snippets in...but I feel like i need a direction...

Weigh in kids.

CHEERS!

things i'm loving...

So... I have a few things that I'm loving these days....thought I would share...
And being that I am currently living in a hotel - I have to find joy in the small things. And in an attempt to make my hotel feel like home- on a dime; if you know me- you know I make every space feel homey... so I have scoured sales/clearance racks and made some great discoveries!

• Alamos Malbec - $9.99 a bottle
• 
• Houndstooth Sherpa lined blanket - seriously the best (next to mom's quilts) to cuddle up with (kohl's clearance)
• 
• Febreeze Soy Blend Candle- generally I'm a Yankee girl...but it was on clearance and spices up the hotel!
• Trader Joe's everything. But their cheese aisle and wine selection is top notch!
• The National - music... gritty, heartfelt songs
• 
• Skype
•  Look me up april.zobel
• New TV show- "Off the Map"

2011... A New Year...New Opportunity

Its funny... we are 32 days into 2011 - and I have yet to make a resolution. But I wonder why we choose January 1st to make resolutions- I think any day is a great day to make a resolution or change... but I guess it makes you think about where you're going in life - and take stock of the last year.  Lately I've been on a reflection kick- maybe its the new job, maybe its that I'm approaching 2 years in a new city - and loving every second... or maybe its simply a new year....
2011 has thus far brought about amazing change and opportunity. I was blessed to apply, interview and accept a job offer in 5 days- in the first full week of the New Year. Changes like this - when they happen so fast- leave you little time for reflection or even a second guess.
But now- its February 1st and I am sitting in Indianapolis in a hotel- THE ICE storm rolled in last night- and our offices are closed...so here I sit. Reflecting. Thinking. Pondering.
I left my job at Machinery Link a little over a week ago- and started with my new company - Touton last Monday. I left my dog with my parents on January 20th - talk about the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do- I'm a baby!!! I left KC on the 23rd for Indy - and will be here on and off until mid-march. That sounds like a lot of changes!
Let me break it down. The previous blog entry describes the job hunt. So that's covered. And let me explain- Indy... currently our US offices are located in Indy - but we are working on moving them to KC - our hope is to be up and running by the first of March- but that all depends on contractors. So- in the interim- I'm chilling in an extended stay Marriott on the north side of Indy. It was a great start with the company- they flew me out, picked me up in an Escalade...set me up in a nice suite... things could be worse! And they will fly me back every other weekend to KC... this weekend may be out of the question now- due to weather... YUCK!
Things with the new job are great. I'm loving it. I of course am missing my apartment and fun life in KC... but am enjoying the time to dig into the new job...and really learn the operation. Its so far from what I have previously done- but I also love that aspect!
Now- what I DON'T love - is not having Lena with me. My good friend Lyndsey and I dropped her off with my mom and dad a few weeks ago- and I know she is having a blast...but gosh darnit- I miss that wiggle butt! Its crazy how much you can love an animal and rely on them for happy moments and simply- how your life revolves around them! Lena was one of the best things to ever come into my life... and I just keep telling myself that now I'm spreading the Lena love with mom and dad!

Dear 2011 -
Thank you for giving me hope and promise for the good things to come this year. You started out with a bang.. nothing like getting off on the right foot! I have promise and faith that along with hard work, and hope - this could be one of the best years yet. Thank you for the opportunity- and thank you for the amazing friends and family that leave me speechless on how wonderful they are. And thank you for my Little Lena...
Cheers to a New Year and New Promise...