2014

Another year has passed and looking back I am astonished at how much can and did happen in just 365 days. This last year has been an absolute whirlwind and by far the most unpredictable year of my life. When I started 2013 I was floating in a sea of confusion about my future. I had just graduated and yet had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I spent most of January-May interviewing for jobs and what an adventure that was! There were interviews in other states (so happy that I stayed in OK), one of which I held a large golden retriever in my lap for the hour-long interview and one in which I sang for the interviewer (I was not offered that job!). There was an interview where I didn't wear shoes, one that I was offered frozen yogurt in the lobby, and finally an interview that landed me my first job. This first job was good to me and the reason I laughed and learned more in 2013 than other year. It was this job that I had to say goodbye to in October in order to start my current job. I am working at a law firm now and loving every minute. I love the people that I work with and I love the many people that I get to interact with as a part of my job title. Along with new jobs and challenges in 2013, I watched two of my best friends get married, continued to have too much fun with my roommates and friends and family, and made some great food (I almost have my granola recipe memorized).  I couldn't be happier with where my life is right now and feel more balanced than I ever have in my life. 

That brings me to a recap and update on my resolutions from the past year. I pledged to only challenge myself to do things that would bring joy and clarity to my life. From my resolutions for 2013, I successfully was more responsible with my money (well I like to think that), more organized, and more punctual. I definitely wear more skirts, I learned to like eating fish, and found a job that brings me joy! Maybe I didn't succeed in all my resolutions, but who does? 

I rung in 2014 this week in full sequins and celebrated with some of my favorite people. I love thinking back on the past year - all the memories that I will never forget but couldn't be more excited about the coming year. 

For 2014 I am resolving to keep my resolutions simple. Like last year, I resolve to continue to only do things that bring joy and clarity. There isn't time for anything else and in the words of my grandmother, "Life's short. Baby, enjoy it!" 

Here's to 2014

Changes

Source

I feel like the last two weeks I have been living in a blur. So much in my life changed in short period of time that I feel like I wasn't completely prepared for what was to come, and my mind and body are still trying to catch up. I feel completely drained yet completely full at the same time - if that makes any sense at all.

Last Thursday I had my final day at what I will always consider my "first job". It was my first experience in the corporate world and when I accepted the job I wan't sure how I would fair in that  environment. I had always planned on working as a teacher in a school and I knew that the job I was taking as an assistant in a giant oil & gas company would be quite the opposite. I surprised even myself when I loved it from the first day. I loved the hustle and bustle, the lessons and learning that came everyday while working in an industry that I had no prior knowledge in, and I mostly loved the people that I worked with. Those people, my "first job" co-workers embraced me from the first day, taught me more life lessons than I can even recount, and are the reason that I cried like a baby when I had to walk out the doors last Thursday. 

I had everything I needed at that job and was just fine going to work everyday, but a part of me knew that I wouldn't stay with that company, even that group of people, forever. So when a job came available a few weeks ago I agreed to interview, with reservations about leaving my job at the time. But after hearing about the job, the daily tasks, the events I would be planning, and the many, many people that I would be meeting and building relationships with, I knew that it was the job for me. Something that I realized during my five months of "fun-employment" last spring was that my passion is for people and that I wanted a job that would allow me to be with people as much as possible. 

This passion for people is why I had to take a chance, resign from my safe job that I loved, and join a new firm where I would be starting over. I am working in recruiting and development now which means all new duties and brand new things to learn, but I couldn't be more excited for the job and everything that is to come. I pop out of bed in the mornings, anxious to arrive at work and see what the day has in store and I believe that is a feeling that isn't going to go away. 

*When I did go in to discuss with my former and "first" boss that I had been offered a new job, I was nervous and felt like I was going to break-up with a boyfriend. He listened to me as I talked about the job description and the opportunities it would give me and he was understanding as I cried about the possibility of leaving that job and co-workers. But after hearing everything he said something that I will never forget and that I will carry throughout my life. He said, "Whatever you do, chase your passion. While you can, while you are young, chase your passion."

Chasing my passion. 

Dream Job part 2

It is the night before Thanksgiving as I write this and the holiday traditions are already in full force as my whole family is in town to celebrate. In preparation to eat 3x the daily recommended calories on Thursday, my whole family went out for burgers, fries, and onion rings at our favorite "night before Thanksgiving" restaurant. As much as I love the night before and the meal on Thanksgiving, there is nothing more that I love about this day in November than waking up to watch the Macy's Day Parade. 

I love watching the floats tower over the crowds in New York, the commentators all bundled up in their winter finest, and of course Santa's grande entrance as the finale. But there is nothing more that I love about this parade than the Radio City Rockettes. The glamour, the outfits, the legs... I want to be one.

Along with this dream job, I have secretly always wished to be a Rockette and to travel around the country putting on holiday shows. You must be between 5'6" and 5'10" to be a Rockette, and if those were the only requirements than I would be touring with them right now. 

It's not Thanksgiving without the Macy's Day Parade and the Radio City Rockettes. 

Until next time.

Thankful for my tall genes.

Things I Love

This week is shaping up to be the best this season. It is really, really beginning to feel like fall and my wardrobe is showing that in my daily uniform of oversized sweater, J. Crew pixie pants, assorted pairs of boots, and a leopard scarf. 

 I added a new item to my leopard collection, which is the beret featured in the My Space picture above. When you are all alone and just want to show off your new hat to your family, sometimes you must resort to strategically posing for a "self-y". Shameful, but I kind of like it, and I LOVE my new hat. It will undoubtably be worn everyday this winter.

When the temperature hit 54 degrees, it immediately put me in the mood to watch a movie. I have been a huge fan of Dead Poets Society since we watched it in 8th grade and it has only gotten better as I have grown up. I very rarely have crushes on movie stars and I never had Beiber Fever, but I can't help but admit that I am in love with Knox Overstreet from this movie. His name alone makes me go weak at the knees, not to mention that he barges into his true love's classroom to read an original poem inspired by her. So, I might actually gag if that ever happened to me, but I swoon every time I watch it on screen. Chris Noel, you are a lucky girl to get that catch in a prep school uniform.

While watching DPS, I whipped up some delicious Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting to share with my coworkers, which we all loved. An incredibly easy recipe!

I love when one of my dreams comes true (kind of). My dream job has always been to create the window displays for Barney's. Well today at work, I was given the task of changing our store's window display and although that only involved me changing the clothes on the mannequins, I secretly pretended that it was for Barney's. I would even freeze and pose like a mannequin as people would so innocently stroll by. The things I find amusement in...

Until next time.

The best weeks result in even better weekends. 

Headquarters

Next family vacation is to Philadelphia, PA to the Free People and Urban Outfitters Headquarters. 

Pictures via Because I'm Addicted

I feel that inspiration comes from your surroundings and I am pretty sure the blog post ideas would flow like a river if I could lounge around here all day switching off between coffee and hot tea all day. 

Until next time.

Road trip?

Dream Job

So I have my realistic dream job; to be an elementary school teacher and impact precious children my whole life. I cannot wait to decorate my classroom with silly posters and make bulletin boards and craft projects in the late hours of the night. I cannot wait to read to my students and have them hang on my every word as I read the last pages of Sideways Stories of Wayside School. And as I dream about bus duty and parent teacher conferences (okay those are not dreams, but more nightmares) I have another job that I would love to have but know that it would never happen...

to design and create the window displays for Barney's Department Store.

Photo from anothernormal.com who documents the Art of Windows

It all happened one day as I was strolling the hallowed halls of Northpark Mall in Dallas when I saw it... the Barney's window display made entirely of bubblegum pink and fire truck red plastic plates. I don't know what it was about this particular display but it was wonderful and lovely and ever since I have fantasized about designing these displays one day. 

The displays are always immaculate and yet so crazy. The creativity in the windows always draws me into the store and steers me straight towards the sale rack where I must search for something that I can afford (I usually fail.)

Who comes up with these things?! Whoever they are, I sincerely hope that I have their child in my class one day so that they can come to Career Day.

Until next time.

Dreaming of displays.