...infinity

If you're reading this... you probably know me. You probably are a friend or acquaintance. And if you are either of those... you know that life dealt me a new set of cards. Well - it wasn't just I who was dealt this set of cards- it was my mom, my brothers, my family and my friends- of which are all family. The greatest man in my life is with us no longer. My amazing, wonderful daddy passed away in May. I have tried my hardest to put words on paper... but I have not been able to do it. Words seem futile... I can't seem to find anything to do my dad justice and I can't find the words to convey how I feel.
Sure - lately I feel better than I did a few months ago. I have found a strength from somewhere inside me. But there are moments when i breakdown...when my strong defenses fail me. Those days have been a little further between than they used to be. But just the same - the hurt and longing is still there and ever present.
I titled this blog infinity... I did that for a reason. You see- about 10 days after my dad passed I got a tattoo on my inner left wrist - its an infinity symbol with the word love in it- as part of the infinity symbol - the chain never breaks. It may have been done in haste- but I look at it every day- sometimes several times a day. And I still love it... its a part of me - just like my dad was and is - infinitely.

 

I hope in the coming weeks, days and months that the words are easier to find... 

yep.... MIA

OH MAN!!!
Missing in Action doesn't even begin to tell the story! Where have I been?!


Well- all over actually. I have returned from my long, extended stay in Indy - back at home- which I can say is an amazing feeling. I have spent the past month getting reacquainted with my apartment, my long lost friends, my neighborhood, and my bed!


I have a current obsession with gardening and home projects. It seems I have become a "project girl".... in the past month I have refinished a few pieces of furniture. Last weekend on my way home from a fun weekend in Lincoln, NE visiting family - I made a detour to a cute antique shop - called Rusty Chandelier - and found a sweet $15 chair - it has GREAT lines... It has wood legs, arms and back and a creamish color seat. I plan on recovering it... but I am currently torn on whether or not to repaint it and whitewash it.. I will post pictures and get some opinions. Last week I recovered an old green chair! I bought it for $2 at my favorite antique store (now closed) - I purchased a remnant at Jo Ann's and completed it all for less than $10 - and it matches my bedroom perfectly!  I will post a pic of that as well.


So needless to say- I'm LOVING projects... and being home.


Sorry fellow readers - maybe you missed me - maybe you didn't... but I'm back!

Success Series Part 2: Networking

There is so much talk about networking. Social Networking. Professional Networking. And so forth. The law of averages touts that being we are so inundated with networking- it MUST be important. It must warrant an extra look…not just in blog form- but in yours and my own lives. Is it important to you? Or is it just another piece of the puzzle that you don’t really care about? Does it get left in the box? Knowing that it’s a corner piece to complete the final puzzle- but you can see the whole picture of the puzzle without putting that small, background piece in place…so you leave it.  But I warn you- that puzzle is not complete until you put the final corner piece in play.  Networking is the foundation of success. It can provide more opportunities than you can fathom. But like any good foundation- it has to be laid with intention – and carefully plotted. If haphazardly placed- it will crack, crumble, and fall apart after the first winter.

So how do we do this so called networking? Is creating a Linked In profile and adding all your Facebook friends enough? Can you just go out for happy hour with your pals at work and complain about the nasty customer you had to deal with today? How about only sending emails to an executive that you’re terrified of? NO! It’s not enough. It doesn’t touch the surface of being enough. Sure- some of those are good tools. But in the same breath- they are passive aggressive, they are the bare minimum…. Those examples are “dollar general” attempts. We need to work up to at least “Target” style effort… and aspire to “Nordstrom”esque Networking abilities. If you follow my drift- you can see that Networking has to be classy, it has to have a high end feel to it… but in the same breath- it depends on what industry you work in. If you work in Wildlife Management- you would be reaching for “Cabellas” – moving away from Wal-Marts fishing aisle.

Networking, as dictionary.com defines it is: “ a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.” Networking is not relegated to simply people within your company or office... Branch out - think outside the box. I have found it advantageous to build relationships with other vendors, carriers and even competition... the more knowledge you have in your arsenal- the better equipped you are to succeed. Think of every person you talk to on a regular basis as an opportunity to expand your network.

I like to believe that I have gotten where I am by means of building an excellent Network. At a young age I was working at DHL and was surrounded by knowledge and people who knew far more than I could ever hope to learn. I knew that my best resource would be tapping into those peoples skill sets. So, I did what I knew best... I started chatting them up... in different channels. First, I would seek out those that I knew I could identify with - be it personality, humor, location... etc. Then I found a way to relate to them. Some it was drinking beers and playing poker after a long day in meetings at a work trip in Minneapolis. Others, I found my best opportunity came during the quiet afternoons, when I would pick up the phone and pick their brain- and always leave room for personal questions- learn their likes/hobbies/family members names. When you can relate to someone- it makes it that much easier to reach out to them when you have a problem or simply need help.

Networking is never done -there isn't a set time frame for its completion. I would hope that I continue to see every meeting as an opportunity to continue to network. So what happened when I moved on to Netflix, then Machinery Link and now Touton? Well- I didn't lose the numbers of any previous employers- or solid contacts. I kept them. I reached out to them to inform them I was moving on and would like to keep in touch. But you ask- what happens when they quit emailing/calling you? Well- I pick up the phone. I send an email. I REACH OUT. Don't give up. To this day- I still have the very same, amazing contacts/now friends as I did when I first began my professional career. And the upside to all that is they know me and my work habits, they know what makes me tick and can give solid advice as to what move to make. What's better is if I am ever in a town near any of these people- I make a point to grab a cocktail or lunch... face to face is the best way to form a relationship.

Remember- every meeting, event, happy hour is an opportunity to grow your network. You NEVER know who or what they might know... so yes- I do believe that its not always WHAT you know - but WHO you know. Just be sure you can back up the who with the what. But that's a conversation for a different day.

And with that- I'm out - off to meet another airport. But before my flight I made time for a lunch with a Frenchman from our office who is visiting- sneaky how I scheduled our flights for the same time  - eh?! Am I nervous yep... excited... hell yea!

OH and remember - this is all in my own opinion- and what has worked for me...

music...the source of instant happiness

i have a love for music. i cannot get in my car without turning on the radio. i am missing my car because i love my XM... but for now - i'm dealing with indy's stations. i am obsessed with my pizzle (iPod)... and it seems i have a hunger for new downloads whenever i log in to my computer!


do you feel like music can change your day? i do. sometimes all i need, when i'm overwhelmed at work, is a ride in the car- the right station and a coffee run. i come back refreshed and centered. i can't say that i'm defined by a certain genre.. i literally love it all. some days all i want to listen to is "the highway" - get my country fix- roll down the windows and cruise. other days i switch it over to "the spectrum" and alt rock it up- with my skinny black jeans, brown boots and hair in a hat! other days i admit- i rock the big sunglasses and play the drums on my steering wheel to bruno mars and dumb box gaga!


music can alter mood. it can change my day. it makes me think of people. a song can come on and i'm instantly taken back...

• jack and diane takes me back to signatures karaoke
• black betty reminds me of my boys
• ace of base brings back lake mills days
• who let the dogs out - senior year football
• the general - ZOO BAR along with king of the road
• kol - lunch trips with a good friend
• huey lewis- jumping on the bed and singing with my bro B
• peaceful easy feeling- dad and softball nights

the list could go on and on! music soothes me. it centers me. and i always know exactly what i need. i do apologize for all you passengers who have to hear my "FAVORITE SONG" everyday... and it's NEVER the same!!!


Do you have a favorite "happy song"?


p.s.- i still make mix discs- and give them funny names... like "help me tie my bow tie"!
p.p.s. - i love concerts. i attend a lot of them. they make me happy!

above: i am enjoying justin moore at the summer country concert series at kc power and light district

living it up at the NADAS concert in KC at Record Bar

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