a continued effort

Okay.... So I may be slacking at the posting of my days... But I'm still keeping up with them! New years resolution continues!

Day 66. Had a great revelation that there is no need to put a title on something that's great.
Day 67. It never ceases to amaze me the unprofessional ism of some candidates. One wanted to reschedule 45 minutes before their scheduled interview. Another accepted a different position but still wants to come in for an interview...
Day 68. I had a really great conversation with someone I really care about. Walls are down.
Day 69. I love my artwork and it's very hard to give it away even if I know they will take care of it.
Day 70. I decided to take a nap at lunch. THAT was a GREAT idea!
Day 71. For the first time ever. I did not pre-pack for a weekend trip. I'll just do it in the morning.
Day 72. I went home to Savannah for the first time in years to celebrate St. Patty's!
Day 73. I got to see my sister at work. It was very exciting to see her in that role.
Day 74. I was reminded that something as small as a hand-written note can really lift your day.
Day 75. I shared a very personal story with the executive and senior management teams and felt very proud of who I am.
Day 76. I finished the train the trainer program for our new values initiative.
Day 77. I made five job offers in four days and then received another four staff reqs the same day...
Day 78. I do not deal well with rejection mostly because I'm so considerate. I know I need to work on that but not sure which part.
Day 79. Having my best friend in town is the best medicine and distraction.
Day 80. I went to "the dump." I was not impressed.
Day 81. I missed my flight to Chicago. That has never happened before... I was able to stay calm and it really paid off because great Delta folks helped me out and got me on a flight!

There's more... But I didn't want this post to be too long....

continued growth

We've moved into the third month of the year which is the time when most people start slacking on their new year's resolutions. I'd like to note that I'm still going strong!

Day 52. I treated myself to some new work clothes with my newly won LeasePlan money!
Day 53. Sometimes its worth putting your opinion out there because you never know who's listening.
Day 54. Successfully started to tear down some walls.
Day 55. I trumped the expressway entry from the last time... Make that... I successfully drove on the expressway during a snow storm!
Day 56. I nearly doubled the number of participants at the Chicago Career Fair compared to last year.
Day 57. I visited West Palm Beach, FL for the first time. This trip was also a huge leap in faith that I haven't been willing to take in a long, long time.
Day 58. A rainy day in Florida equals a GREAT movie day!
Day 59. I had the best date night EVER!
Day 60. I realized that, sometimes, home is not where you live...
Day 61. I was nominated for a front-row parking spot by a front line employee who appreciated the career fair. I felt so honored.
Day 62. I drafted my first sales offer letter complete with a confidentiality agreement.
Day 63. I bowled my all time high score - 153!!!
Day 64. I was reminded that I should focus on the things that I can control.
Day 65. I pulled out my paint brushes for the first time in months and created two new pieces!

astronomical insight

I know its been a bit since I've actually posted about my new year's resolution, but I assure you that I've been keeping up with it. Taking the time to go on vacation was great for me, but what I've learned about myself since that time has been astronomical.

Day 38. I don't typically back down from a fight. But this time I did, offered a peace offering, and still feel really good about it.
Day 39. Taking steps to build my recruitment network. Big steps for me since I've always been scared to...
Day 40. Trying to be tech savvy... and adding new things to my blog (you can now ask me anything)
Day 41. Completed the full cycle of an interview process in one day. phew!
Day 42. Negotiated my first salary deal. Took some hard work but we came to the best resolve!
Day 43. First time in a long time... Went with a gut feeling and told someone how I really feel about them.
Day 44. Sometimes its best to just be yourself and let it shine through loud and clear.
Day 45. Had a valentine for the first time in years.
Day 46. Realized that my passion is noticed by others and valued.
Day 47. Even great people in the organization got there by chance.
Day 48. Be prepared for anything and stay calm (the apartment flooded).
Day 49. A peer asked to meet with me for advice on her career. I feel very honored.
Day 50. The next step in my career is on the horizon. I'll find out next week what that looks like.
Day 51. Drove on an expressway in Chicago (if you know how much I hate driving, you'd understand the importance of this experience).

a break FOR inspiration

I took the last week to finally take a vacation. I went on a cruise to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. This break was the perfect time to reflect on who I am as a person, enjoy the company of some amazing people, and get some additional inspiration for grits&lime. Of course, I kept up with my New Year's resolution and really put myself outside my box and had a blast doing it!

Day 27. Got a phone call from my sister and it really was my niece asking for me. My sister and both of her beautiful daughters are soooo very special to me.
Day 28. Great planning makes even the most hectic of days go smoothly.
Day 29. One of my special talents is packing. I managed to pack 6 days of clothes in 1.5 carry on bags.
Day 30. I took my first vacation in 1.5 years. This trip was much needed.
Day 31. I put myself really outside my comfort zone and hit on a guy! woo!
Day 32. Went to Grand Cayman for the first time. I also sang karaoke for the first time. I sang Donna Summer's "Last Dance" and it was soooo much fun!
Day 33. We returned to Cozumel and I drove our Jeep around the island. Thank God I know how to drive a manual!
Day 34. I took a moment in time to acknowledge and stand up for who I am, what I believe in, and my expectations.
Day 35. I started reading an inspiration book and found a quote that reminded me to not be afraid to be by myself. This is the best time to find out who I am.
Day 36. I logged into my work email to catch up even though it was my day off... And actually restrained myself from actually doing any work. That's a first!
Day 37. I spent the day in my pjs and completely ignored my to-do list. For those that know me, know exactly how out of the box that is for me.

I should also note that while on vacation I came up with three new dress designs for grits&lime. Taking a break was an amazing time for inspiration!

3 weeks is a habit

Did you know that it takes 21 days of doing something consistently to build a habit? Just so you know, if you stop doing that something for even one day, you break the habit and have to start all over again! Well, we are now on day 26 of my new year's resolution, and I'm keeping up with! Woo hoo! Again, let's see if I can keep this up for 3 months.

So, what have I been up to since the last blog? Well, find out!

Day 18. Its a very small world and it got smaller. Ran into someone from work at trivia and ironically, someone else at my table works with someone from his table!
Day 19. The "my dog ate my homework" excuse is sometimes true, especially with my dog, and sometimes it's better to just buck up and be honest.
Day 20. Looked back at my 2009 accomplishments list. It made me feel great to see what I'm capable of.
Day 21. I'm currently involved in our Quality Improvement Process team. During a QIP session, I learned about benefit cost analysis, solution finding based on root cause, and documenting proposed process improvements. As a side note, I was described as a firecracker today. I'll take that as a compliment!
Day 22. Realized fully how you have to take time for yourself BEFORE you get burnt out (yeah, I'm there...).
Day 23. You know you're getting older when you go to a "Rock Band" (yes, the game) party on a Saturday night and they pull out a wet-vac to clean up a spilled beer.
Day 24. I was able to use my creativity, resourcefulness, and craftiness to help fix a friends dress for an upcoming wedding.
Day 25. Did you know? Lacrosse is the national summer sport for Canada.
Day 26. I was reminded while reading a fellow sewer's blog that I need to continue to make beautiful things out of sad, ugly things. There are others in the world who have very similar stories to tell.

how long is a new year?

How long does a new year last? Well, at least until you stop referring to it as the new year? Well, we're still here and I'm keeping up with my new year's resolution! Although, they say that it takes three weeks to make something a habit... Day 17 - not so bad. Although, check back with me in three months... That will be an accomplishment!

Day 10. Not only do I thrive in situations where I can learn something new, but also in those that allow me to be creative (i.e. previous post)
Day 11. While at the townhall meetings for my company, I learned the results of 2009 and the goals for 2010. Most importantly, I was reminded why I love working for LeasePlan
Day 12. I can use my creativity to hone in on my insomnia issues. If I get the idea out of my head and on paper/ on canvas/ on fabric, I'll be able to sleep easier.
Day 13. The notion of starting my own company with my best friend is becoming a reality. Welcome grits&lime!!!
Day 14. I read a great article about self image and ways to remind your how special you are.
Day 15. Sometimes all you need is a good night's sleep for a little fresh perspective.
Day 16. Always go with your gut. It usually steers you in the right direction.
Day 17. I finished my first sample for grits&lime and couldn't be more excited and proud of myself.

a new outlook and a new year's resolution

Hello everyone! Okay, okay... I know. It's been way too long since my last post and I'd like to thank several friends for pointing this out to me. So in an effort to improve upon my noted-ly poor blogging consistency... I have specifically centered my new year's resolution around my blog so that I will be more consistent. So, what is said new year's resolution? Well, it comes from three parts: 1) I need to blog more, 2) I need to start taking more risks and putting myself outside my comfort zone, and 3) I always have had a need to increasingly expand my knowledge (as mentioned before... I'm a learner by nature). Wrap these three parts into one and you have my new year's resolution! In 2010, I resolve to learn/do something new every day, keep track of it, and consistently blog about these learnings/activities.

It's been a little over a week since I started this goal... and when you hear the saying "you learn something new everyday", you never realize how true this really is until you actually start writing it down. So, here are days 1-9:

Day 1. Sometimes its okay to take risks and I should challenge myself to do so (i.e. new year's resolution).
Day 2. This was more of a reminder... I love my family very much. I have a unique relationship with each member, and may not tell them all the time... but they're each very special to me.
Day 3. While reading the Post Secrets blog... My secrets are not any stranger than anyone else's...
Day 4. While attending Trivia Night at Wild Wings Cafe... I learned a lot of useless knowledge including that of Simpson's trivia and Eric Clapton's nickname (note: it's not "the clap").
Day 5. Interviewed a candidate for a sales position and learned a lot about the fleet industry from someone who had been in it for almost twenty years.
Day 6. Completed a half day at the Fulton County Superior Courthouse for jury duty and walked around downtown Atlanta by myself.
Day 7. I realized the power of Facebook in rallying support and the color of too many women's bras.
Day 8. I only have so much patience... and its not with my dog....
Day 9. I visited Stone Mountain for the first time and actually hiked down the mountain - Snow, ice, and all.