If I Die Young....

So…this past weekend I was visiting my parents at a resort in southern Virginia and for some strange reason I was talking to my parents about what I wanted my funeral to be like if I died young. I said I didn’t want to be buried under ground, but have my ashes taken around the world and released and if someone insisted on having a headstone somewhere..I wanted it to say something funny…like ‘She died how she lived..on her back’ lol…well, that would be very inaccurate for me..but something funny like that. I don’t want everybody to be sad..but happy that I lived. So…after this slightly creepy conversation with my parents I heard the below song driving back to DC. I thought this song is exactly how I would want it to be. Lol The scariest thing about dying young for me, is missing out on all the things I want to do. It’s for that reason alone…I'm so passionate about my bucket list. A list of things I want to experience before I die….because I want to tell some really awesome stories in Heaven one day. But if I never complete my bucket list….’Gather up your tears, keep’em in your pocket, save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them.’ So…here’s to living a happy life of celebration.

Someone Like You...

Music is such a gift from God. It has a way to move, empower, and motivate someone out of the darkest places in their lives. In my life there have been certain artists who have been able to catch the exact feelings I didn't have the strength to put into words, but by listening to their music I was able not to feel so alone. Knowing that someone had made it through the same thing, just in a different time and place always encouraged me to stay strong. I am the daughter of Eve, a being who could easily fall into an emotional pit when my heart is broken. An emotional pit of who...what...whys....but I refuse to. I let my music do that for me. A song can take me back to a place in time, but after that 3 minute song is over I'm over it until the next time I listen. Some might think it's weird but it's very therapeutic for me. The album I have on constant repeat right now is Adele. Her new album was written in response to her boyfriend breaking up with her and it's now number 1 all over the world. I love that. I love that she took something so painful and that continues to be painful for her and turned it into an anthem of the once broken hearted. The song below starts as a sad I miss you love song, but the chorus shouts out 'Nevermind...I'll find someone like you..'. Love whether good or bad can have many side effects that will affect who we are, but smart people like Adele and hopefully myself understand that we're always the better for it. Wisdom comes from learning from your mistakes, others mistakes, and applying that to your life. Adele learned not all men that say I love you mean what they say, but I learned someday the one I'll need will...

Good Life....

Life can suck! Life can be hard and recently I’ve had more than a few friends come to me about how hard it is to deal with past mistakes or current circumstances. When we’re going through those valley’s it’s so easy to dwell on the negative, become self-absorbed and seem hopeless. It’s so easy to allow the enemy to rob us of our joy and insert doubt in our minds. The doubt that it never gets better, that life will continue to suck and your pain will always be this sharp and unrelenting. The doubt that God could care less about you. Of course, that is a complete lie. Every moment you fight to move on it gets better. Life is too short to dwell on things you can’t change, whether it be past mistakes or current circumstances. Living a life with Hope is about walking forward, pushing through, finding joy in everything and never allowing yourself to look back. Lot’s wife looked back and it destroyed her. What a great reminder for us all to suck it up, and stop dwelling on circumstances we can’t change! Fight to be content in pain, Fight to find Joy in sorrow, and Fight to never let your Faith be robbed by the one who glorifies in your misery. Life is such an amazing gift, so FIGHT to make it the happiest life EVER! The Song below is called ‘Good Life’…I love it because it’s so true….you are loved…what is there to complain about?!? This is going to be a Good Life….

Holy Crap Another Year Older....

Since my last post I have become an aunt for the third time, a year older, and an accomplished Justin Bieber parody song writer. As you can see my life is full of excitement and unlimited adventures (even if they're in my head). It's amazing how fast a year can go, it seems like just yesterday I was in Ireland celebrating my 30th birthday. This past year has been challenging and wonderful all at the same time. I'm disappointed it went so fast, but I feel like I'm finally growing up. I still don't feel (or look) my age, but I love where my life is.

I think it's really easy for people to concentrate on things they don't have, instead of being grateful for what they do. I know I'm suppose to want marriage and kids...etc..etc...but honestly I don't really think about it. The only time I do think about it, is when I realize I'm not thinking about it and if I should. I focus on the things I do have and love. I think about my amazing family, my adorable dog (aka my best friend), the friends I couldn't live without, my small little apartment I love coming home to, the places I plan to go, and the places I've already been. I love that I still have so much ahead of me. Life is good! Life is Great, actually! I feel blessed and can't wait to see what the next 10 years will hold. The day my life is predictable is the day I'll die of boredom. I love not knowing what's next, though I'm consistently thinking what's next. Oh well.....I can't complain. Life is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving. :-)

Walk Away...

I LOVE THE SCRIPT...amazing band. Hands down my favorite band since I discovered Coldplay in college. Walk Away...is off of their new LP Faith & Science. I'm in love with every song on that album....but Walk Away is my favorite. The song is about a girl who loses herself in a bad relationship. That's what I love about this group...they tell a story with each and every song...that's how they got their name, The Script. Checkin' out!!

When did I grow up...

I remember being so confused when I left college. I had to make all these big decisions that would affect the rest of my life. So much pressure...I almost cracked a few times. Over the last 8 years since I said goodbye to higher learner my life has been one huge eye opening experience. I work in Human Resources at the BEST PR Firm in the world, but if you asked me in college if HR was my bag I would have laughed. I didn't think it was exciting enough for the life I wanted, but slowing God has opened up doors and showed me the light. In all fairness to the Big Guy He tried to tell me the last week of college the direction He wanted me to go.

I was working in the Career Center at Liberty University when the Director of the center pulled me into her office and told me I had a talent for interviewing. She said I had a way of making people feel comfortable, and she saw me going into the HR/Career development field. At the time, I was not open to the suggestion. I wanted to work in the music industry developing artists. THAT'S A STORY..

In the years after college I went from the Service industry, to Non-profit, to Finance, to insurance, to medical...but finally found my place in Human Resources at Ketchum. Since being at Ketchum I have grown and developed in ways I never knew I wanted...but I love my job and the people I work with. I love helping people find jobs. I love being part of a process that develops and trains our people. I love being challenged everyday. I don't know when but I became passionate about my career and the career of others. I desire to set up everyone I touch for success...whether it be current staff or future staff.

Because college was such a confusing time for me I LOVE going to Career Fairs for my company and speaking with the students. I love passing on bits of knowledge that will help prepare these kids for success. At the end of a Career Fair, I'm always on a high. My voice might be gone from talking to hundreds of kids and I might be hungry from skipping lunch so every student can speak with me...but I'm still on a high. In those moments I know what I'm meant to do...I'm meant to work in Human Resources.

This past fall I had the opportunity to attend the PRSSA Annual Conference in DC for my company. I was very lucky to have Ron Culp our Chicago Director join me at the booth. Today, Ron sent me the article he wrote to the PRSSA Forum where he quoted a few of my tips I passed onto the students http://www.culpwrit.com/.

This totally made my day and I thought...when did I grow up? :-)

I'm SO SORRY....

So...as I was watching GLEE this week they did a song called 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina'...from the movie Evita. I couldn't help but remember the first time I saw that movie. It was 1996 and I had the sweetest kindest boyfriend named Tim. As far as highschool boyfriends go you couldn't do better then Tim. All the girls wanted to date him and I was the lucky one for 2 years who got to hang out with the kid. Well, Tim and I had a deal when it came to movies...he would pick one then I would pick one. He never complained about what I picked and I never complained about what he picked. I don't remember appreciating that at the time, but I do now (guys can be such whiners about movies).

Of course being a 16 year old girl I was SO EXCITED for Evita to come to theaters. I mean it had great music and MADONNA. Now call me naive or completely uneducated, but I had NO IDEA Evita was going to be ALL music. I thought it was going to be a regular movie with a few songs thrown in....BOY was I WRONG. It was almost 3 HOURS of song and dance. A few times I remember looking over at Tim and catching him sleeping or in his own personal 9th dimension of Hell. To be completely honest...it was horrible. Do I love the music in Evita? YES...do I love Madonna...Yes...but OMG THREE HOURS of it and I was ready to set the place on fire. We could of walked out...but if you know anything about me...know this..I DON'T walk out on movies. The movie has to REALLY be sucking for me to walk out. My mindset...I paid $10 or so bucks to see it...I'm going to get my money's worth of the crap.

Anywho....back to topic. As Tim and I left the theater that day in Windsor Locks, CT there are a few things that stood out to me...

1. Tim still didn't complain. (I swear that boy was a saint)
2. I promised myself never to see a movie because Madonna was in it again.
3. Tell Tim you're sorry.

Therefore...it's late but here it is...I am SO SO SO SORRY that I wasted 3 hours of your life Timmy Dear. Those are precious moments you can't get back. I mean I'm sure we would of just hung out at FRIENDLY'S instead or something...but still EVITA was pure torture which you didn't deserve my sweet friend. I can only hope this was a moment in your life so traumatic you completely washed it from your memory. As a I'm Sorry tribute I have attached the only good part of the movie Evita. Watch this and you've just saved yourself 2:55 minutes of your life.


Side Note: The story of Eva Peron is really VERY interesting...I recommend Googling her...amazing complicated woman. I'm mean she died young, her husband had her mummified, laid in repose in a glass casket while the whole country of Argentina mourned her death...THEN had to hide her body from thieves. That's just BEYOND interesting...HISTORY CHANNEL I LOVE YOU.