Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Best of 2010

So for the entire month of December I have been struggling with finding the best way to make a "Christmas card" that sums up the year of 2010. I considered: writing something in MS Word and mailing it out to everyone, shutterfly photo slide-show, FB status- year in review... and finally decided blogger is the best place.

As the year draws to a close, it's hard to believe how much has happened in a such a short time. Here is a little summary of some of my favorite and life changing memories of 2010...



Christmas and New Years with Zach



-My first house with great roommates! Molly (roomie for 4 years), Christie (newly found friend from CO), Erika (childhood friend), and Sarah (friend since freshman year).



Orlando, FL- Spring Break with the roomies and Dad+Diane




I turned 21 (the same weekend as Sarah)




Got dumped for the first time... Some loves, even great ones, don't last.




Jenna Graduated!




Said good-bye to a friend...




...Said goodbye to my Grandfather. I miss you.




...Said good-bye to a place we love (Cabin in Escanaba, MI)




Celebrated Molly's 21st birthday on a party bus!



Got a new roommate named Eloise (meow)



Joined 10,000 people dressed as Zombies for a pub-crawl



Got a tattoo to commemorate family.


Got a job for after graduation.



That's my 2010 in a nutshell... I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring!


6 Billion Others


I first heard about this initiative this summer... and I think it's fantastic! It focuses on exploring the differences and similarities of people around the world. The similarities link us together in ways we never thought possible and makes the world seem all that much smaller. The differences, aren't that many, and make it obvious that someone across the world isn't really all that different from yourself... they have the same hopes and dreams, worries and sorrows, and its these things that we share unite us.

6 Billion Others is not a geopolitical study, nor is it a work of sociology. It is a perspective on humanity, a collection of human stories. Stories of fears, joys, and dreams, which make up our common Story. Bearing witness to the diversity of mankind, we wish to show that difference does not exclude understanding: on the contrary, it is necessary for the survival of the world as we know it. To understand each other so we can work together to preserve and make our world a better place.

Innocence and Imagination


One of the full-time workers had brought her daughter to work with her today (a half-day), and while I was sitting at the desk, I got to witness the magical and engaging spirit of innocence and imagination that only children can have. They sat in the coffee shop for 15 minutes as this little girl invented and acted out a story of her own making. She started to draw a crowd, as women gathered round to watch this child's imagination become a reality.

As her story ended and the crowd dispersed her mom said, "Time to go."

The little girl replied with a question, "Where? Where are we going?"

To that her mother replied, "To the magical forest in the parking garage. Do you want to go on an adventure?"

And the little girl excitedly replies, "Yes! Yes! I want to go! Follow ME!" as she marched towards the door.

And the mother said, "Wait for me. Do you want to take the magic staircase or the magic elevator?"

Decidedly, she answers, "The magic staircase!" And they walk away...

This made my day, and reminded me of a simpler time when everything in life was an adventure, and even the simplest things were magical and came to life. I hope one day I will get to experience this again through the eyes of a child.

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Power of Three



The power of three. Three is a mystical number that shows up repeatedly in mythology: three fates, three muses, three graces. Three is a prime component of fairy tales: three wishes, three little pigs, three bears. Three creates a series, a pattern of cause and effect. Three is a basic structure of life: carbohydrates, protein, fat; electron, proton, neutron; past, present, future. And it is a basic structure of stories: beginning, middle, end. Schoolhouse rock even claims that "3 is a magic number"

In my life, 3 definitely is a magic number. I have two siblings, and together we make three. We have always been very different, but have remained close. After the divorce it became even more important that we become that glue that holds the family together. No one could change that, not divorce, not distance, not time. We we would always be family, three as one.

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet. ~Vietnamese Proverb

With an emphasis on the feet. So for 4 years now I have been searching for a way to express this, something permanent, that would forever remind me of the roots, love and support I have from them. My first idea was of getting the Gaelic word for family "taeglach"... but I decided that I didn't want something that I couldn't even pronounce. My next idea, was an ambigram (a word or name written so it reads in more than one way), but in order for it to be legible, it would need to be quite large... and I wasn't sure how big I wanted it. So finally, I found something that not only could symbolize my Irish heritage, but also my relationship with my siblings, and the importance of family: the Triquetra (a.k.a Trinity knot)

A widely recognized knot for the past two centuries, the Triquetra has been used as a sign of special things and people that are threefold, such as Mother, Daughter, Grandmother- the Trinity of soul, physical, mental and spiritual- and especially the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is uncertain what the symbol truly meant to the ancient Celts, but I know what it means to me. I wanted to get in on my foot to remind myself of my roots, to stay grounded, and true to myself and where I come from.



"Sibling relationships outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust."
~Erica E. Goode, "The Secret World of Siblings," U.S. News & World Report, 10 January 1994



Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

Friday, December 10, 2010

Just Haven't met you yet...


I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united

And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility

And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get

Oh, you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet

I just haven't met you yet
Oh, promise you, kid
To give so much more than I get

I said love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
(I just haven't met you yet)
Love, love, love, love
Love, love
I just haven't met you yet

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

TOMS


I wanted to dedicate this post to a company that started with one man, an inspiration to help children in need, and it's amazing journey since then...

TOMS shoes and the One for One Movement:
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

Check out the video to get the whole story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKhV9kpGM-k&feature=player_embedded


TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Want to get involved? You can look for TOMS shoes online at www.toms.com or head to your local Nordstroms. If you still want to get involved, consider participating in One Day Without Shoes. This event is meant to help raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life by going without shoes on April 5, 2011. Over 250,000 people went without shoes in 2010 and over 1,600 events took place around the globe! It was incredible... Now's your chance to make an impact.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Case of the Mondays... In a daze


Have you ever had one of those Mondays where you just go through the motions? You're not paying attention to what you're doing, but somehow everything gets done? This was the case for me today... especially at work.

My job at the library is repetitive. I sit at the desk for the first 3 hours (usually working on homework). The next hour and a half I am in the stacks looking for books that staff or students have requested. While searching on the 4th floor, I decided to stop and use the restroom. Normally this wouldn't be news worthy... but today it definitely is.

In my daze of going through the motions, I head in the second door on the left. As I walked in I thought to myself, "Oh this is a small bathroom, there are only two stalls" but didn't think anything further as I head to the open stall. It wasn't until I exit the stall to wash my hands that I see it... the urinal. I frantically wash my hands as I hear the other "person" (what I had thought must be a woman... I was starting to think otherwise) was exiting their stall. I turned my back just in time so he wouldn't see my face... As I exited the bathroom, the sign on the door confirmed what I had feared. In my dazed state I had opted to use the Men's restroom.

Needless to say, that guy was either thinking "That's a weird looking fellow wearing tight jeans and a pony tail" or "What the hell is she doing in here"?! Looks like today was a bad case of the Mondays. Needless to say, next time I will be more careful!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Done looking into the past

I am done looking into the past, a past that brings too much pain. The only way to move forward is to not look back, not to wonder, and not to care. Look to the future. It's not about where you've been, its about where you're going. Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Random act of kindness... People amaze me




Today while I was at work I saw something that just made me smile to myself.

Setting: I was sitting at the reference desk working on homework and helping the occasional student. However, I kept getting distracted by the CUTEST little boy (still not talking... so about 1 1/2?) running around and giving his mom a hard time. He wasn't obnoxious or anything, but he clearly thought that running away from her was a game. He just couldn't seem to stay put. She took him and his older brother (about 8 or 9) to the coffee shop and bought him a muffin to keep him quiet and in his seat while she went to the bathroom.

Lori and I were watching this play out as the mom walked away. Lori and I turn to each other at the same time and say "We should keep an eye on him while his mom goes to the restroom." We smile and chuckle as we watch the little boy getting ready to make a dash from the table. Before we can even stand-up to go grab him, 3 women at the coffee shop do it. One woman just turns to the little boy and says "Where do you think you are going? You know you can't go anywhere. You have to wait for your mom." and the little boy just sits there, smiles, and turns back to his muffin.

It was amazing how these women stepped-in and banded together to help another woman without even considering otherwise. They were never asked, but every woman in the vicinity was keeping an eye on this toddler as he teeter-tottered about shrieking. It's the little things in life, like this willingness to lend a hand, that make life worth living.

So lend a hand... you'd be surprised who it inspires.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Old Friends



"Even though we've changed and we're finding our own place in the world, we both know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not still friends."

This is Maggie and I in a nut-shell. We have been friends since we were 5-years-old. Do you know what that means? That means we have been friends for 16 out of our 21 years. That's 76% of our lives. Do you know how much we know about each other? Everything. How well we understand each other? Perfectly. How easy it is to pick-up after extended periods of time? As if nothing has changed.

What started as giggling during snack-time, and tracking down the Easter Bunny during recess has grown and evolved into a friendship that makes her family. She is my sister, and a reflection of my heart. She has been with me during some of the best times:
(Phantom Lake-- Who else could I share such a special place with?)
and the some of worst.

You will always be my best friend, no matter what we go through, how we change, or what phase in our life we are in. "A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are." And no one has proved this better than Maggie. Thanks for always being there for me, I look forward to what our next 15 years of friendship will bring.







Friday, November 26, 2010

Family

After re-reading through my last post, I have decided that one of the quotes deserves a dedicated post, all of it's own. So...

"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outs
ide the touch of time." ~Clara Ortega

This has become quite apparent as my family continues to grow older and as everyone enters new phases in their lives. This Thanksgiving was one of the best yet, and definitely one of the most emotional. The conversation ranged from reminiscing about favorite childhood memories, to Jason's career and his future with Lynn, and to our
recently passed Grandfather.

I am so lucky to have a family (especially siblings) that know my heart better than I do. They always know what I need and are there to support me. The holidays can be a hard time for everyone, but with family it can be a time to rejoice and celebrate deep love, great memories, and hopes for the future.







Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Little Sister


"A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double."- Toni Morrison

-This is my sister and I. In some ways COMPLETE opposites (and if you know us, you understand what I am talking about) but in other ways we are the exact same. Despite our differences (my typical outfit--sweatpants-- and hers --abercrombie--) our hearts are the same.
Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. ~Author Unknown
We love big or go home, and yet at the same time are afraid to love and surrender our hearts. Heartache and uncertainty are hard for anyone to deal with, but no one knows this better than us.

-So, this post is dedicated to my little Sister, Jenna, because I have never been more proud of her. This girl has been through a lot in her short 18 years, and I now know she is on the right path for her and will be happy and successful in any way she decides to be.

I love you Jenna! You are the mirror of my heart and I am so lucky to have you as a sister.



"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." ~Clara Ortega


"Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship." ~Margaret Mead


**This one is for you Jen (we both know its true):

If your sister is in a tearing hurry to go out and cannot catch your eye, she's wearing your best sweater. ~Pam Brown

Monday, November 22, 2010

Finally an Adult!

I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last post! I have so much to update you on, so let's get right to it!

-After an exhausting semester of interviewing and job hunting, I have officially accepted an offer for my first ever, full-time, real-life, adult job/ career! I will be starting next year (June '11) at Polaris Industries in the Leadership Sales and Development program (headquartered here in MN). It's nice to know that all of my hard work has finally paid off! The position will consist of a marketing rotational program (for the first 20 months) and a subsequent 2 years in field sales (DSM). They were my number one choice, so I am SUPER excited!

-I just started "Insanity"... and it's already holding up its end of the bargain by thoroughly kicking my butt! It is an "at home" work out program (similar to P90X) but a 60 day program and you don't need to buy any extra bells and whistles. Money back guarantee... so I am hoping to see some results! (will keep you updated as the 60 days progress).

-Re-connecting with God... this has been in the back of my mind for a while now, but has been placed on a back-burner for some time. It wasn't until recently that I decided that my life was getting too crazy and I needed to re-center myself. So God seemed like a good way to do that :) Laura has always been a great inspiration for me, so seeing her on her journey continues to motivate me to seek one of my own.

-Possible trip to Europe with Jenna? That's right... I got to travel with Jason last year, so now it's our turn. Hoping to save enough money by the time I graduate to travel for a few weeks (Greece is definitely on my list of places to see). Overall, I just miss my sister. She is one of my best friends and we NEVER get to spend enough time together! Sister bonding time, what could be better than that?

-Good friends = good trips! I got to visit Christie in CO for a weekend! It's hard to be away from such a good friend for that long, so it was nice to go out and see what her life was like out there (almost didn't come back!). Plus, for some reason they have this thing called "Fall break" where they get to come home early for TG... so dinner and drinks celebrated her arrival back home :)

-TG: Family... 'nuf said.

More to follow when it's not so late at night!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Attitude is everyting

I finally got to sleep in! But as I was moping around, procrastinating getting ready for work, I read my friend Tony's fb status. It really inspired me, and I hope it inspires you too. Don't be content with the status quo... always strive to make yourself and those around you better. It all starts with your attitude.

Here is the quote. I am thinking about reading it every morning when I get up:

"Everyday think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it, I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, not be angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can"

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Becoming an adult

Sorry for the long lapse in posts... life has been getting the better of me. As my last un-inspirational post stated, I barely have time to sleep!

So here has what I have been up to:

-Interviewing for full-time positions for when I graduate in May.
To people outside of the Carlson School of Management realm, this may seem like I am getting ahead of myself. However, there are about 500+ people just from my school all fighting for jobs right now, in a market that hasn't completely recovered yet. I just feel blessed for all of the experiences I have had, the preparing I have done, and the infinite amount of advice my dad gives me (usually unsolicited haha). So where am I interviewing? So far it has been with General Mills, Polaris, News America Marketing, and Target.

These interviews aren't just "any old interview" and advice like "just be yourself" does not apply. Obviously you want to be authentic and make sure your personality fits with the company you will be working for, but preparing, practicing and forming answers using the STAR technique, looking up company history, networking etc all takes hours and hours of time! Not to mention that that's only for the first round of interviews. Then you have to wait to see if you make it to the second round... schedule that, and block off an entire day to go to their headquarters and interview for another 1-2 days. So yeah, interviewing.

-Delta Sigma Pi.
My co-ed professional business fraternity has mandatory weekly meetings on Tuesday nights. Mandatory Professional events every other week, volunteering events, fund raising, and recruiting/ social events. Last week I spent 12 hours just participating in things for DSP.

-Work
I work 15 hours a week in the school library. Its easy, but there goes another 15 hours of my week. And I am possibly looking at doing an internship for a beer company- managing their social media marketing.

-Class
This is the least assuming part of my life, oddly enough. But the past two weeks has been mid-term time on campus and looked a little like this: 2 midterms and a group project and a paper due one week, and a similar situation the next week. It just never seems to slow down!

-Intramural s
Wed nights: Soccer at 6:30-7:30, basketball from 8-9pm
Sunday nights: Double header soccer games 6:30-7:30, 7:30-8:30

Well, that about sums it up! So I apologize if I have not been as diligent in maintaining contact with my friends and family. :( I promise this will improve! I miss you guys! Love you, and thanks for tuning in.


"The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created--created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating."

So here's to the future! It is what you make of it!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

-------

I have nothing inspiring to report as of late... its all I can do to just keep going. Barely sleeping, always interviewing, always homeworking...

Updates soon to come.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Insights Discovery Profile...

So this week, at our Delta Sigma Pi meeting, we had a professional speaker come talk to us about our personal styles, how we interact with each other, what kind of energy we give off when working in groups. All of the results were based on a personal inventory survey that we took in June. If you want to know/ understand me... here it is in a nut-shell.

Check this out... It's freakishly accurate:

"Shannon is independent and creative, owning strong internal feelings, high principles and deep personal integrity. Low key acknowledgment for her contribution is likely to be appreciated by her. When she gives help to others, she expects to get it reciprocated, particularly as recognition for this help. She will be hurt if people ignore her and likes to be remembered and appreciated for the services she continually seeks to offer to others. She can be a rather gentle, compassionate person but may be prone to stubbornness at times." <-- as if this wasn't eerie enough, wait for what it says next "She tends to be disinterested in subjects for which she sees no practical application. Her work has to contribute to things that matter to her and she tends toward perfectionism only when she cares deeply enough. Because she tends to live for the present moment, she does not sense the need to prepare or plan more than is necessary. She tends to be there when she is needed, offering low-key stability and strength to people and situations in need. Although objective, she may be more interested in finding creative solutions to problems than in seeing those solutions become reality."

"Because she lives by principles and rules, Shannon is very consistent and dependable. Her modest manner can restrain her from pushing herself forward and this occasionally results in her being under-valued."

"Shannon avoids conflict like the plague, is a calming presence in conflict resolution and is keenly aware of group dynamics and involvement."

So what? I now know that my Dad leads with a red energy: this means he is VERY competitive, demanding, determined, focused on results, strong-willed, and purposeful. We are opposites (imagine that) so in order for us to get along, I need to let him direct and decide, focus on results. However, when interacting with me he should speak in a relaxed tone, use logical explanations, take time to ask questions about me etc. This can help so many people learn to appreciate others and the unique energy they can bring to a group!

So overall I lead with a green energy... what do you guys think? Feel free to comment (doesn't matter if you agree or disagree), I would like to hear both sides!



Also, if you're curious about this you can check it out at www.insights.com or just google: "Discovery Insights."

Friday, September 24, 2010

Updated design/ layout

Hi Everyone!! (for anyone that still reads this)

I have updated the look of my blog to reflect the new things that are happening in my life. Right now my life is almost entirely consumed by school, Delta Sigma Pi, and job searching! So my life is all about finding balance and figuring out what I WANT from life! Due to my new single status I have realized that it's time to stop basing my decisions on what other people want and what other people want for me... what Society expects of me.

So get excited about the posts to come... they should be very introspective and revealing of my new journey to discover what my dreams are.

Dream big everyone!

"You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period."

Friday, June 18, 2010

It's officially over...

Zach decided today that he just needs time for himself... and mentally, logically, I understand. However, my heart and body don't understand. So I forced the issue, and that's it.

We're done.

Before we started going out (again) we decided that this time it was all or nothing. We had too much history and feelings to have it just be maybe. We gave it a shot, and I found out that love sometimes... just isn't enough.

At least now I know that I have a lot of love to give, and I deserve to be happy. I will find someone that wants me, loves me, and will want to stick with me through everything. I and I will give the same in return.

Until that time... it's all about me, baby. Time to find God, good friends, and new adventures. Watch out world, here I come!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

I feel sick..

I appologize that this blog is becoming a personal diary... but my friends and roommates are getting sick of hearing about it... and writing about it helps me organize my thoughts... so here it goes.

I have never before been so emotionally distraught that I feel physically sick. I had heard from other people what it was like, but I had no idea to what degree it can consume you. I feel sick. Constantly. The mere thought of food makes me gag... sleep evades me... even the world cup and game &7 can't distract me. Constantly wondering... hopig, while knowing that hoping just makes this time even more toxic... prolongs the pain.

I can't help thinking that its the lack of closure that is killing me the most. Is this "break" just a pussy way of saying we're breaking-up? Is it because there is someone else he would rather be with? What did I do wrong? When did I stop being what he needed and loved and became an obligation, a hassle, just something else to worry about? How can love become so one sided? Unrequitted love is the worst and most painful experience. Scratch that, lost love is the most painful experience. It's worse than the 3 months I spent selling books, crying every Sunday.

Everyone keeps telling me that I will get over it, that I should focus on what I want, what's important to me... but how can I when I was basing that on the one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with? Everyone says it is better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all... that's bullshit. I never want to feel like this again. Ever. This is what I get for letting myself fall in-love when I know that it often ends in hurt. Never again.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

How do you know when to move on?

No relationship is easy... but what about a relationship that has always been long-distance... and has been going on for 3 years (with a 1yr break in the middle)?

What do you do when someone grows to resent the relationship, sees it as a burden, but still claims to love you?

Do you sit around hoping you will have a chance, some day, to spend more time together, work things out, or just make the leap of faith... OR, do you accept it for what it was (a great learning experience, filled with first loves, and great moments) and try to move on?

Is it possible for someone to claim to want to marry you one day, and ask for a "break" the next?

Do people that go on breaks ever get back together... or is that just a prolonging way of saying "we're done"??

How can your heart tell you one thing and your mind tell you something completely opposite? Which one do you listen to?

How do you deal with a broken heart... how do you deal with being dumped for the first time? How do you deal with losing your first and only love?

How can you move on when you were so ready to love and to be loved? How can you grow and move past it without shutting yourself off completely?

How do you try and do daily things like: sleeping, eating, going to work... pretending to be okay when your heart tells you it won't be okay?

How long should you wait before you "get back out there"? What if you don't want to...

All of these what-ifs and the only advice that keeps ringing in my head are little notes my mom sent me when I was selling books:
~"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"."

AND
~"Keep the promises you make to yourself"

And I intend to do both of those.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Semester is almost done!

Wow, so I know I haven't written in a super long time... it's now already the end of April! Crazy how time flies when you have every second of every day planned out :)

Anyways, I don't have time to write a full post today, but I just wanted to make a quick blurb about my birthday:

-Nice weather = nice Shannon. I love nice weather, and it totally determines my outlook on the day!
-I got to play tennis with Adam... I should look into taking lessons.
-This bday was the best one yet! I got to see almost all of my good friends and even have brunch with my dad.
-Extravagant doesn't always = better. Instead of going out for dinner we went to Preston's for drinks ad appetizers. It was a great way to end a perfect day.
-Bed by 9pm, yes please! I love getting a good night's sleep!

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday weekend perfect. I love all of you and life wouldn't be worth it without you guys! xoxo

Monday, February 1, 2010

The Daily

So this is dedicated to describing what made me happy today, where I found excitement and saw light for the future! I figure the more I talk about all of the good things, the more they will become the focal part of my day, and the more content I will be with my life!

So today I found happiness in:

-Making a new friend. This semester is so much more challenging but also so much more fun! I have different people in every class and in different rooms so I get the chance to meet and get to know more people!

-Finding a quiet, secret place to study, in the business school! I get distracted, when people around me are giggling when i am trying to get stuff done and studying at my house is nearly impossible unless I lock myself up-stairs. So today I found a quiet place to study and work in the Marketing-office hallway. It is on the 3rd floor and has huge windows that look over the entire West Bank of campus so I don't get as moody when I don't get to go outside. Today I got to watch powdery snow silently cover campus... a fresh start.

-Finding someone who is as dedicated to working out as I am. Christie and I both bought fit-passes for the semester. It was $55 and lets us go to any group class every day of the week for the entire semester! Today was spin (our favorite) but we are definitely look forward to "Butts and Guts" on Sunday!

-Relaxing and watching the Bachelor. I know it's a cheesy reality TV show and stuff like that doesn't really happen, but I like knowing and hearing that other people have similar doubts, hope and needs when it comes to relationships. It reassures me that what I want isn't completely out of the question, and that I deserve to have it.

The only thing that can make my day complete is talking to the one and only guy that I want to hear before I fall asleep every night. He knows exactly how to calm me down, and exactly how to make me stop worrying about the little things. I love him. <3 :)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Settling...

Conversation about the future:

Person 1: "I hate doing the same thing every day, and nothing exciting to look forward to, I don't want that"

Person 2: "But that's what the real world is, you wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, maybe watch tv, and do it all again"

Person 1: "But what if I want more than that?"

Person 2: "That's just the way life is in this country. You have vacation days to look forward to"

Person 1: "So 10 days are fun while 354 are horrible... If that's the way it is I would rather move to France or Germany where they have 24 days of vacation a year!"

So starts my quest for happiness in everyday life. If the above is the fate I am destined to be an active part of society, I might as well find a way to make it some what bearable... or even better... Exhilarating and Vivacious! My new goal each day is not to "make it" through, but to find at least one thing to share with someone, smile about, and remember. I want to live. My NEW new years resolution.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Moving on and growing up...

Welcome back to blog-life. It has been a long time and a lot has changed since I returned home in June.

For some reason I had this idea that growing/changing as a person, and becoming more open-minded could only be achieved abroad. Now don't get me wrong, it's definitely a lot easier to see the changes and differences when you are hit in the face with it, but its definitely not the only way. And for this, I have decided to start writing again.

I have so many ideas, hopes, dreams, goals... and I know that if I don't share them with someone or if I don't write them down (even if no one reads this) that they will never be realized and will remain just that... ideas. Dreams. Hopes. I have discovered that my greatest fear is not living life to the fullest, not finding my passion, not finding a purpose, not discovering what else is outside my Midwestern bubble, and not challenging myself to see things the way other people see them. I am always told to find a passion, find something you can live, breath, eat, and sleep... but where is mine?

I had thought it was traveling and the thrill of discovery while challenging myself outside of my comfort zone. However, while I was abroad and traveling alone it no longer was... but rather quite lonely. So instead I can conclude that it is the people, helping and experiencing with others the joys and wonders of traveling and the discovery that goes with it. This led me to the idea to seek information about study abroad counseling on campus. Long story short: I didn't get the job.

So, I am focusing on my studies and my internship with a technology company this semester hoping to find a new passion there. In the mean-time I will try to figure out this thing we call "life" and bide my time until my next travels...