Today marks 7 years that I've worked at my company. I know that may not seem a lot to most people, but it by FAR the longest I've ever worked somewhere. When I first got out of college up until, well, 7 years ago, the longest time I worked at a company was about a year. Some of those were temp positions, in some cases the position got eliminated, and in one (my first one), they determined I wasn't a "good fit for the company." I found out after getting my job here that one of my former bosses gave me a negative referral (which is actually illegal, I later learned), and the hiring manager still hired me. I am currently in my third role at this company. I've worked with so many different management types and learned a lot about myself, about work-related stuff, and about interpersonal relationships. I was really scared in late July when my role in one department was eliminated, but was offered an opportunity in a different department (where I currently am) in the same meeting. I didn't think I'd make it this far, and yet, here I am, and I'm forever grateful to my first boss for taking a chance on me. With that, I'm sharing some other favorites lately! Favorite Song: Rockabye- Clean Bandit ft Sean Paul and Anne Marie
Favorite Moment: Making it 7 years! Here's a pic from my first day and today. Sorry for the quality of the second, obviously not professional!
Favorite Purchase: I got Shari's Berries delivered to my former boss as a thank you for hiring me :)
Favorite Surprise: This gorgeous bouquet just arrived from Blue wishing me a Happy work-a-versary and continued success! Best part? They're in a Tami Taylor sized martini glass vase!
Favorite Food: My old coworker took me out to Joe's Crab Shack for a work-a-versary dinner! This crab penne Alfredo was da bomb!
Favorite Challenge: I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but I've started a weight gain challenge with two coworkers. The challenge goes from Nov. 7- Jan 2. Losers (whoever puts on the least weight) take the winner out to lunch of their choice. I've downloaded My Fitness Pal to help me out, and started changing some eating habits and trying new things like this Green Machine smoothie!
Favorite Sephora Sale Items: Surely you didn't think I'd skip this right?! These are my top 3 picks. I especially love the first one because I already had my favorite perfume on my wishlist (I ran out), and this sampler costs almost the same and comes with a coupon for a free regular size perfume! Can't beat that! I've heard ah-mazing things about the Drybar Triple Sec, and love the size of this mini set. And I found the Belif "Don't Be Flaky!" set by accident, but anything to keep my skin hydrated in the cold winter months and reduce the appearance of pores is a win in my book!
Favorite Cause:I've been quiet during this whole election season BUT- This is a petition to the members of the electoral college to vote against Trump when they vote on 12/19. It's a long shot but over a million signatures so far... Exercise your rights!
Back in March, I created a soundtrack of my life. While that more completely encompasses some of the songs that define my life, I'm back with a second edition which includes memorable "firsts" in my life in terms of music.
First Concert: David Hasselhoff (1989)
*insert "see no evil" monkey emoji* I can explain. I was 6 and my mom took me to the NJ State Fair, where he happened to be playing that day for free. He pulled me on stage and gave me an autographed CD.
First Music Video: Soundgarden- Blackhole Sun (1994)
For the most part, I didn't have cable growing up. The first time I saw MTV and a music video was this one at my best friend's house. She had 4 older brothers (who had their own TVs), so MTV was constantly on in her house. I was in awe by how freaking creepy, weird, and sometimes gross it was.
First Song I "Sang": The Archies- Sugar Sugar (1996)
I didn't actually sing this; I performed it in a middle school lip sync with four of my friends. It was actually a scarring time in my childhood because picking a song led to a HUGE fight with some of my other friends. We didn't make up until the middle of high school! They performed Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." We won :P
First CD: Spice Girls- Spice (1996)*
The first CD I wanted to own was Green Day's "Dookie." However my mom spotted the Parental Advisory on it, so that was a big fat NOPE. (*I mentioned here that Boys II Men was my first CD; I believe I got these two at the same time, for birthday/Christmas.)
First Concert I Paid For: the very first Z100 Zootopia in 1999.
Britney Spears, Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, 98 Degrees, Jesse McCartney, Ciara, and All American Rejects. I remember I purchased the tickets at CD World, which was a Ticketmaster affiliate, and took my best friend.
First Song (I remember) Blasting From My Car: Britney Spears Oops I Did It Again (2000)
I blasted almost every song when I first got my license, because I was so elated that I got it and was one of the first kids in my class to get one. I used to drive my two best friends home from school every day, and this was in heavy rotation.
First Song with a Significant Other: Uncle Kracker- Follow Me (2000)
The first 4 guys I dated were into classic rock. I didn't mind it, but I was more of a pop person (as seen above). This one was on both stations. I knew it and liked it, and at the time having "our song" was a big deal. Ahh, high school!
First Singer I Met: Jessica Simpson- Irresistible (2001)
She was promoting her Irresistible album at a local Best Buy. I got a button, her autograph and a picture with her! I was so excited. In fact, I think I still have the button somewhere. And then the girl behind us in line gave us free N'Snyc tickets for that night because she couldn't go. Icing on the cake!
First Time: LL Cool J- Luv U Better (2002)
No, not literally during the first time, but right before. I was in college. My friends and I went to a Halloween frat party, and me and the guy I was seeing danced all night and then left right after this song.
First Heartbreak: Nelly Furtado ft. Juanes- Fotografia (2003)
I actually sang this song (for real this time) with my then-crush for a college multicultural luncheon, and I don't even know Spanish. I learned the lyrics quick-fast though, especially since he was fluent. Then we dated, and then we broke up. I've mentioned before that I had a huge love of Nelly Furtado (my blog name came from one of her songs!), and then-boyfriend took me to see Juanes this same year. So of course, this one was played on loop while I cried myself to sleep. Here's the English translation of some of the lyrics:
Every time I go away I carry your photographs next to my skin
To see them every time that your absence eats my whole heart away
And I can't help but love you
Every time I look for you, you're gone
And every time I phone you, you're not there
That's why I should say that you are only in my photos
One of the prompts from Alyssa's non-blogging challenge was "What you hope people receive from you." I read a lot of others' answers to this, and though a few of mine match, certainly not all of them do, and that's okay. I wanted to include some of the other answers I saw, like kindness for example, but I'm just not very nice, especially not to strangers. I toyed with not answering this one because it's not all good, but neither am I, so I'm sharing. These are the top five that came to my mind. Honesty Everyone who knows me knows that I'm honest, sometimes to a fault. If you're a close friend, I don't hold back. "Does this make look good?" No. "Is this a bad idea?" Yes. "Do you think...?" [insert honest opinion]. Friends have actually mentioned that they ask me certain things because they KNOW they'll get an honest opinion from me, even if it hurts. I'm not one to sugar coat things. I guess I never learned how? I do stay true to the whole "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" (I'm not a total bitch), but if you ask my opinion, be prepared for a healthy dose of honesty. Hard working I haven't seen this one on anyone else's list, but it's very important to me. I'm a very hard working individual. I will work my ass off for you if you're my boss, and with you if you're a coworker. I will lose sleep over unfinished projects with a looming deadline. I care enormously about my work or any project to which I'm assigned duties (any bridesmaids out there may relate to that), and I will work tirelessly to get them to completion. In other words, you can count on me. Go Getter Hand in hand with the above, but a little different, and I wasn't sure exactly how to word this one. I guess I mean I am able and willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. Prime example: at one job, we were set to present at MetLife, and their Snoopy rep was out sick. Who offered to get in the costume? I always offer to stay late, or learn something new, or just DO when others back out. This doesn't mean I'm a suck-ass either; I do have boundaries, but I'm quite focused in trying to get where I want to be, and will do what it takes to get there. Enthusiasm If I'm excited about something, you will know. Repeatedly. If I'm excited about something for YOU, you will also know repeatedly. My enthusiasm is infectious, or so I hope. And I make no secret of hiding it, even if it's over something ridiculous. Acceptance So I said above that I'm not especially nice, and I'm not (unless I have to be, which was true in a former role and even my besties were fooled that I actually wasn't super nice all the time but rather sarcastic and occasionally fake...as needed for work purposes). However overall, I hope that people know I'm extremely accepting of everyone, regardless of religion, race, political affiliation, etc. I don't discriminate, and I don't judge (for the most part... I mean if you're preggers and drinking Jack and Coke while smoking, I may judge a bit). But I think most people I know know this about me. They can tell me almost anything, and I won't judge them for it, whether it's good, bad, ugly, and/or generally unacceptable. This may also be a fault, but unless their personal safety is involved, I try to accept everyone's situations and also keep them to myself (#6?).
After last month's spending freeze I went a little crazy this month, but I'm not too mad about it. I had been keeping an eye out for sales and got away with a few really great steals, especially at Nordstrom Rack. I bought out all of their clutches because they have a battery pack in them so you can charge your phone while it's in your purse, and who wouldn't want that?! I also bought a bunch of plaid wool scarves because you can't beat $15 each before the holidays. Coupled with a few things I've bought throughout the year at miscellaneous sales and such, and minus one or two more things for Blue, I'd say my Christmas shopping is complete! Other than that, I found a Uniqlo sale on all of their Heat-tech underthings. I tried them for the first time last year and it's amazing, especially for layering. It's super thin, but uses some Japanese awesome technology to like, trap your body heat and keep you super warm. I needed shoes and was able to score a 20% off coupon from Blue who had made a purchase at Payless recently. Though the Target booties may have to go back, because while I was cleaning out my closet last night, I found a pair that apparently I bought last year and never wore (oops). The other Target and Amazon items were for my Eleven costume. Also, did you guys know that Aeropostale is going out of business? I used to shop there as a teen, and then stopped because the styles seemed a bit young/immature for me, but I recently found my way back there to stock up on basics like jeans and sweaters because everything is 50/70% off online AND in store! I have no excuse for the weekend getaway purchases. I found this awesome little thrift shop and couldn't help myself. The leather heels fit like a glove (and I love slingbacks in general), and the purse is made of the softest leather I've ever touched. And the wool items are like, the non-itchy, thick wool, not those flimsy wool things that are in stores now. (I know "flimsy wool" sounds like an oxymoron, but it's true!) I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to go on a perma-spending freeze for the rest of the year now, but I don't even care because I finally feel like I have more than enough to make it through the winter. And I filled a second Thredup Cleanout bag and already need another one, so maybe that will help?!
Have you ever bought something and then lost it/forgot to wear it?
Reading: Nothing, which is not surprising. I went on a reading tear in September (which for me is 4 books), and while I've started a few last month, I can't say I'm reading anything right now. This should be a quiet month though, so hopefully I'll get back into it. Listening to: Tegan and Sara- Walking with a Ghost
Watching: scary movies! I just watched A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Lost Boys, Poltergeist and Firestarter for the first time! Baby Drew Barrymore is fantastic!
Excited: that I won my first blog giveaway, a $50 gift card to Uncommon Goods! Have you seen their site?! So many unique gifts and fun stuff, and it's going to be hard to chose what to get! Thanks so much Charlotte! Celebrating: Me and Blue's 2 year meet-a-versary by going to see my first NHL game since I was... 12? Anyway we went last night and The NY Rangers shut out the St. Louis Blues! It was such a great game and I can't wait to go back!
Googling: All the stuff and things I need to see in New Orleans this December! And hotels and flights of course. Got any tips for me? Wearing: All the boots and plaid. ( And boots and plaid and boots and plaid....) Discovering: My fall clothes again! I've finally managed to switch out my summer clothes for fall/winter, though today it's 70 degrees here. Hoping to wear some new pieces that I purchased at end-of-season sales last year, like my J Crew vest! Annoyed by: my phone. Ya know what happened within the first 1/2 hour of my Halloween party? "Your phone ran out of film!" It maxed out of space. And I don't know how because I've deleted every extra text message, voice mail, picture, and app possible. It's so frustrating! I can't even update to the new iOS because of lack of space. Ridiculous. Starting: my wish list! December is not only Christmas but also my birthday! I think I'm super easy to shop for, but Blue and my mom have been asking, so I'm starting to put a list together.
