Looking Through The Lens: 2016

Showing posts with label 2016. Show all posts

Picture this with me. The 4th of July is a great time of year. Families and friends get together all over the country to celebrate the independence of this great nation. People will be grilling hotdogs and burgers. There will potato salad, coleslaw and corn on the cob sitting on tables decorated with American flag tablecloths. Kids will be running around and jumping through sprinklers. There will be watermelon eating contest, and seed spitting contest, three-legged race, and water balloon throwing contest at festivals nationwide. Hundreds of thousands of sparklers will be lit at dusk. At the same time there will be masses of people huddled on blankets and in bag chairs to watch fireworks go off. It's a wonderful holiday enjoyed by all.

All, that is, except for those who aren't as lucky and have to work that holiday weekend. Now I fully understand I choose to work at a place that is insanely busy this time of year. I know what to expect and what is to come. I know that in these next few days I am going to be dog tired, slightly stressed, and wishing for it to be October already. Don't get me wrong I love the fourth of July. Like I said, it's a great time of year.

As you go on vacation this holiday weekend, whereever that may be, may I make one simple request, please be kind to those who are stuck working. If you take the weekend to go out to eat remember so are thousands of others. Your servers, cooks, hostesses, bartenders, etc. already have enough to deal with than to have to put up with someone who is impossible to please. During the holiday season customers can be awfully rude and sometimes down right nasty to restaurant workers.

You're on vacation (at least not at work), for goodness sake. Relax, slow down, enjoy the time with your family and friends. Try not to be in such a rush. Yes, we realize that we are busy, no I cannot give you the exact time a table will open up, I assure you we are going as fast as we can. After all we are all human here.

So as you go out this holiday weekend, just be kind to those who have to work. It'll make our day and yours that much better, I promise you.

Read more about 4th of July adventures, here.

I don't read as often as I should or want to. This is what most people will tell you. I am one of those people. Sometimes, while I am reading, I can't read fast enough to get through the story. I try to read faster because I love the story and I want to know what is going to happen. Moral of this story is when I do read, I love to read.

My most favorite author to read is Elin Hilderbrand.

I like her books because they are easy summer reads.

I have read three of her books and I want to read more.

Barefoot was my first read of hers. I will not give anything away, but it is exactly what the book says. "Three women. Three secrets. One long hot summer."

The Beach Club I totally related to because my parents own a small mom and pop resort in Northern Michigan and I could understand the opening of different buildings. Other than that a very good read.

A Summer Affair is another good read, like they all are. This book sort of made me mad during parts of it because of certain characters behavior but it was over all a good book.

I highly recommend reading her books. Her books are summer romance books. If you are not into those books then don't read them, but I HIGHLY recommend you giving them a shot. I plan on ordering a few of them to read throughout this summer.

Let me know if you have ever read any of her books. Do you recommend one of hers? What about another author?

Here is her website to view all her books and to learn more.

Graduation is, what a lot of people call, a huge accomplishment.

Great, fantastic, although at this moment in my life I do not see it as that. I know that I finished something that I should feel great about. All, I can do is think other wise. I am sure, though, if I had a career I would be thinking that it was a great accomplishment. Anyways, I am not here to dwell on that fact.

A little heads up to those who may be graduating the next year or so, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, will ask you how do you feel? OR How does it feel to be a real person? So prepare your answer now if you are nearing graduation. I don't think mine is appreciated by most. "Umm, well, I don't really feel any different."

As of now, I am enjoy my time with my family and making a little money where I can. I am applying for jobs, but I am also figuring out what I want to do with my life. I know what you're thinking, don't you think you should have done this before graduation? My response, don't you think you should mind your own business? This is a huge thing for me to do. I am deciding what I am going to do with the next phase in my life.

No.. no.. no one is rushing me into deciding what I need to do, but a lot of people are asking.

Change doesn't come easy for me. I try to make sure that my decision is okay by everyone. I don't want to disappoint anyone for any choices I make. I know that is not the way it should be, but that is the way I am. I know I should be making choices that make me happy. If these choices make me happy they should make other's happy as well.

This is a weird time in your life. At least for me, a lot of my friends have gone different directions and are all starting the next phases in their lives. It is a huge transition to go from seeing your friends, pretty much every day to hardly ever talk to them. People move and move on and it is one of the hardest thing to do. I know my friends are still there for me whenever I need them, its just a bit different right now.

So my life after graduation has been full of emotion. It is definitely, a point of huge change and a lot of decision making. I feel thankful for all the lessons and people that I have met through my college career and if you are one of them and are reading that I want you to know what I appreciate you and our time that we shared. For now, I'll be where I am looking at where I am going.

I don't think you can really get to know me in 25 questions, but I thought, "hey, why not?" I have not done one of these in a really long time, so here it goes.

25 Get to Know Me Q’s

1. What is your middle name?: Rose. I love it. I will pass it on.

2. What was favorite subject at school?: Math and Science. Now ask me why I have a business degree.

3. What is your favorite drink?: I love coffee, vanilla tea, and pink lemonade.

4. What is your favorite song at the moment?: I don't really have a favorite song, but I have been on a 70's music kick.

5. What is your favorite food?: My grandpa's goulash OR garlic parmesan chicken wings.. bone in. None of this whimpy boneless crap.

6. What is the last thing you bought?: Milk, bologna, tater tots.

7. Favorite book of all time?: Unfortunately, I don't read enough to have a favorite. I read only on occasion. Since school is over with I have more time to read!

8. Favorite Color?: Lime Green and Midnight Blue. One is energetic and the other is calming.

9. Do you have any pets?: I have a beta fish named Frankie. My family also has a golden retriever named Ellie Rose. Yes, she is named after me.

10. Favorite Perfume?: It's not fancy perfume, but I love Endless Weekend and Love Love Love by Bath and Body Works.

11. Favorite Holiday?: Any holiday that brings my family together. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter...

12. Are you married?: Ha. No.

13. Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times?: No unfortunately not.

14. Do you speak any other language?: English. Sloppy Spanish and Italian.

15. How many siblings do you have?: 2. Older sister and older brother. Youngest child is the best.

16. What is your favorite shop?: Favorite mom and pop shop is Poppins on Mackinac Island. Its a card shop.

17. Favorite restaurant?: I love food so here is literally so many I can list.

18. When was the last time you cried?: Today. Job searching stress. YAY -__-

19. Favorite Blog?: I have slipped away from the blogging world, but I am back so I hope to find a favorite one soon.

20. Favorite Movie?: The Shinning or My Girl.

21. Favorite TV shows?: Castle, Fixer Upper, Anything on the Food Network, Impractical Jokers, Ghost Hunters (TAPS), New Girl, and Property Brothers.

22. PC or Mac?: PC

23. What phone do you have?: Samsung Galaxy S6

24. How tall are you?: Tall enough to reach the top shelf but short enough to not hit my head on the door frame.

25. Can you cook?: Yes. I love to cook. I find it therapeutic. If you want dinner cooked for you I am your girl.

Dear AMA Fam,

This year has been prime or in John's words, best case. You have all become such a huge part of my life. I wish to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for such a fantastic year. Listen, you're my fam for life.

I have had a whirlwind of a year. I learned one of the biggest lessons this year; I am not a born leader. I am okay with that. Starting the year out as case director was hard. I went through nights of anxiety attacks, break downs, hair pulling out, you name it, it probably happened. With the amazing support from Ashley, Therese, and a few others I pulled myself from the position to better myself. Some times its okay to be selfish. Thank you for letting me use this year as a year to find myself and try things that pushed me to the limit and beyond.

It got 1000 times better from there. From the beginning of the year we were a family and with every event we became closer and closer. With the year coming to an end it is becoming harder and harder to say goodbye. I am flooded with so many wonderful memories from the past year. When asked at the last AMA meeting what our best AMA memory was, I couldn't choose one. I could have listed them all.

Some of my personal favorites are:
Volunteering at the Food Trucks
NOLA - Every. Single. Moment.
Any time this group got together is a favorite moment of mine

The only regret I have with AMA is not joining it from the beginning. Being involved with this organization for only 2 years is not long enough. Since I have had such an unbelievable time with the collegiate level I have thought about seeing what it is like to be involved at the regional level. I know this is something you're probably trying to do already, but some advice for next year, get those freshmen to join. Make them a part of the family.

I am so glad that as a family we were able to grow and experience things on a personal and professional level. Remember we are a professional organization first, social second. :)

So thank you, AMA Fam, for being the best part of my college career.

"So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money when we look back now will our jokes still be funny? Will we still remember everything we learned in school? ... I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye. Keep on thinking it's a time to fly and this is how it feels. As we go on we remember all the times we had together. And as our lives change, come whatever, we will still be friends forever."

P.S. I know my sass is a lot to handle. I can come off as harsh, mean, salty, etc. Do not take that as a personal shot. Do not think for one moment that I don't appreciate you. I do, I appreciate each and every one of you.

Sophomore Year.
Side note: Sophomore is a very weird word.

First full year in the AIMC program. I joined AdGroup, which is the on campus Advertising Registered Student Organization. I didn't like it then, and even though I am not in it, I don't like it now.

I lived in my own room! I got out of the whole roommate situation. I guess college roommates just aren't my thing. I love living by myself. I live by my rules and I know that if I make a mess it is my responsibility to clean it up. I also do not have anyone disrespecting me and my things.

I met two of the most AMAZING people on earth and even though it took us a full year to become friends it was the start of the greatest friendships I have ever had.

Besides the two mentioned above, I continued to meet a lot of other very influential people in my life.

I opened my heart up a little more. Let a little more love in and in return let a little more love out.

This year I learned to love being alone. I accepted the fact that being alone was a good thing.

I also opened my mind up to other people's opinions and thoughts. Yes, I am talking about the controversial topics. I gained, what I think is, a better understanding of what other people think. This was a growing year. I am more accepting of people and their beliefs even if it goes against what I believe.

Other than that last one my sophomore year was very blah and boring.

When writing one of these sentimental posts does anyone really know where to start? I sure don't.

Let's go all the way back to the beginning...

Fall 2011/Spring 2012

I don't remember the complete details, but I do remember I had a rough first week, month, semester. I feel like a lot of freshmen do. If you know me, I am a fighter. Things may try to tear me down, but I fight to stay standing. Freshman year was the biggest fight I had. I changed friends faster than Usain Bolt. I faced challenges that seemed to big for life.

I went through some of the biggest losses in my life that year. Two of the most kind-hearted people left this earth to be with God. One by choice the other by accident, both by surprise.

I switch my major. No one, not even me saw this coming. My entire life, and I mean ENTIRE life, I wanted to be a dental hygienist. To be honest, part of me still does. I switched to Advertising/Integrated Marketing Communications. To this day it was one of the best decisions of my life. Also, one of the most challenging.

I met a friend who, even though we don't talk anymore, I still am grateful to have met. She is still one of the biggest influences in my life.

I challenged myself to open up a little bit more. I taught myself that life isn't going to be fun living closed off.

My aunt told me something I will never forget. "Never forget who you are and where you come from."

I learned that it's okay to make a fool out of yourself. At least you are making people laugh, and laughter is the best. Also, not to get embarrassed about so much.

On to my list of thanks...

Thank you to my first roommate who taught me that if I don't like the situation I am in, I need to change it.

Thank you to my second roommate who taught me that bullies will be bullies and you have to stand up to them. Stand your ground. Fight, but don't fight back. There is no need to sink to their level.

Thank you to the many friends who made the first year all possible.
Anna, Taylor, Sammie, Jon, Travis, Alex, Byron, Mike, Garrett, Jenny, and many more.

Thank you Amanda K. and Kayla W., for helping me make it through Micro Bio even though I was leaving the science program.

Thank you Tom Mehl, for helping me transition into the AIMC program. You helped me then and still continue to do so.

Thank you to my cousin Eric for making the trip to Copper Harbor over Christmas break, who knew that that trip would start a 5 year tradition.

Writing this post has flooded my mind with memories...

The night Garrett called me at 2-3 am because he had just hit a deer and didn't know what to do. I also hung up on him the first time, because you don't wake me up from a slumber. I'm glad I did eventually pick up.

The day my grandparents drove to Big Rapids just to bring me medicine.

Going for drives with Stopher and Sammie and 2 am.

My freshmen year was full of ups and downs. I do not regret a single moment of it.

While I sat on the giant chair on my parent's property, I watched this car pull into the parking lot of the restaurant/bar I noticed that it is an elderly couple and the first thought that ran through my head is that they aren't going to want to stay here because the restaurant is closed. Then I notice they are still getting out anyways. Cute as can be couple. I watched the man get out of the car and I can tell he must be up there in age because he struggles to get out of the car. He walks over to the driver side and helps his wife out. As they walk to the building they are holding hands and it litteraly brings a tear to my eye. If I was thinking I would have taken a picture because what I just witness ladies and gentlemen was true love. The kind of love that you have for your best friend, your soul mate, your other/better half. It makes me think about every friend of mine. Those who I've loved more than a friend and those whose lives are no longer a part if mine. In any way I have touched their life and they have touched mine, its changed me to be the person who I am today.

This couple made me realize that I can't wait for love to come find me. I have to go and find it. I have to search high and low. It could be easy as it finding me, but if I don't look how am I supposed to find? You answer that ladies and gentlemen. :)

When my grandparents had their 50 year anniversary, I was in awe of everything. Their love for each other, their marriage, their friendship and how no matter how rough it got for the two of them they stuck together and went through it. It makes me want a relationship like that. :) Now I know not every relationship is like that but don't we all want everlasting love?

What is your relationship like or what kind of relationship are you looking for?

Note: I wrote this a long while ago. I reread it today and I found this adorable. To this day I can imagine that little old couple.

Today is Galentine's Day. If you do not know what that is then you need to educate yourself. Take a day (or a weekend) and watch Parks and Rec.

I have two Galentines this year. They are my Al(l)ison's, my PIC, the Thelma to my Louise, the Ann to my Leslie, the chocolate to my peanut butter.

The first gal is Allison. The one with two L's. Number 2 in our 127. She will be the one that will join me in adopting all the golden retrievers in the world. She shares my love of sandwiches. She is beyond sassy and that is one of the many reasons why I love her. I know I can talk to her about anything going on in my life. I can share Sims logic with her and understand completely. She is not afraid to be who she is and from that she inspires me to be who I am. She's not the loudest person in the room, but she definitely is one of the smartest and one of the wittiest.

This girl is my Alison. She is the number 1 in our 127. She has heard many of my vents and frustrations. She is my Grandma Alison. She has opened my mind to many things. She has helped me grow both professionally and personally. I wouldn't be in marketing position that I am if it wasn't for her. I know she is going to go places in her life and I can't wait to cheer her on on the way.

I hope the best for both of these girls. I love them so much! Happy Galentine's Day, my ladies.