Getting in that Christmas spirit

Only 7 more shopping days til Christmas!

I went out shopping with my sister on Saturday at both Target and Ross.  It was every man/woman for himself/herself.  People were scrounging among the discount items like wilder beasts after the last piece of prime rib.  Ok maybe I took my analogy too far but it was packed like no other in Ross.  The check out line snaked around half of the store!  Target was just as packed and we could hardly find a parking spot in the lot.  We ended up having to walk half a mile to the store.  I may be exaggerating just a little.

I am relating to you my chaotic shopping Saturday to say that it when it comes to Christmas shopping, it's a jungle out there.  Have we lost sight of the meaning of Christmas in all of our rampant consumerism?  Has the hustle bustle of the nation's peak shopping time disguised the true meaning of the holiday?  Why are we all acting as if stores will run out of goods?  When I was younger I would laugh off questions like this writing the commentators off as grumpy adults who didn't like to shop.  I guess now I am one of those grumpy adults!  Or maybe as you get older just see things in a different light.  Don't get me wrong though, I will still take the brand new purse and makeup, Mom!

<3 RK

Last day on the job: Going out MC Hammer style

Dear Blog,

In my previous entry I said that I would relate to you the details of my recent layoff.  At the time it was terrible but now that I look back on it, it is a rather amusing story.

It was Blast from the Past day at work.  The theme was to wear something from a decade past.  This was the third 'Spirit day' we were having at the office.  This day was preceded by 'Head to Toe Day'  where we wore crazy socks/hats and Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Day.  As with the other office Spirit days, I took this day very seriously.  My team of course consisted of all men and I was the only one who participated in any of this.  Not that I cared anyway.  I had decided that I was going to fully take advantage of any dress up days I was ever afforded at work.

So, on the morning of October 25, 2013, I strolled into work as MC Hammer from the 90's.  I donned a bandanna printed with dollar bills, a baggy sweatshirt,  parachute pants, boots, several gold bead necklaces, and a chain that read "BOSS."  Yes, boss was written in all capital letters.  It is important to take into account that I am a short, petite woman and the exact opposite of  MC Hammer.  When I got to the office, my friend who had helped me put my outfit together was intent on taking pictures in the hallway.  She was dressed up as Janet Jackson and we took pictures with another girl who was dressed up as the one and only Whitney Houston.

The rest of the morning in the office was uneventful and outside of the occasional co-worker stopping by to compliment my outfit, I went about my work day with little to no interruptions.  I stepped away from my desk for something and came back to a missed call on my phone.  I looked at my computer only to find an instant message from HR head, Dan,* asking me to come to his office.  I didn't think too much of it as I had just opted into my company's insurance plan and thought he may have had some questions for me.  Or, perhaps I would be getting a promotion?!   I did feel mildly ridiculous for having my crazy outfit on.

"There is no easy way to say this but today will be your last day here," Dan said.  I paused to let the words sink in.  This was not what I had expected at all.

All I could think of was how crazy I looked in my MC Hammer get-up.  The next few minutes seemed to trickle by as I pondered how I could take off the money bandana on my forehead.  I slowly reached up to take the bandana off.  I still had my chain on though.  The one day in my life I chose to wear a BOSS chain and here I was being fired!  Dan made no comment on my attire.

My boss, Robert*, on the line while working from his remote office in the Northeast, explained that my position was not generating enough revenue for the team and that they were going to take a different approach to their marketing efforts after looking at the budget.  Really?  I couldn't believe it.  I told my boss and the HR director that it was a pleasure working with them.  Dan asked for me to give my key card back as well as the key to my desk drawers.  He said that it was company policy for me to gather my things and leave the premises immediately.

I boxed up my things in a daze hoping to make a quiet departure without attracting too much attention. My Janet Jackson co-worker asked what I was doing for lunch and I told her what had happened.  She was just as surprised as I was.  I told her that I regretted my outfit choice.  I went down the hall to my other friend's cubicle in HR who said that she would walk me out to my car.  As I stood by the car, I told her that it had been a good year and a half at the company and that it had become like a second family to me.  My eyes welled up with tears.  She said that we would still keep in touch.

I stopped at McDonald's to gather myself and order a McFlurry and fries to soothe my pain.  The drive home felt like a dream.  I held in all my emotions but I was still in a state of shock.

Mom was at home and she welcomed me in with a hug.  I relayed the story to her  in full detail.  Despite my sadness of being laid off unexpectedly,  I realized that I was actually glad I had worn my MC Hammer outfit that day.  At least I had gone out in style!

<3 RK

My lovely BOSS chain: Going out in style

Writing something everyday

Hello world,

I am currently taking a writing class where the instructor told us that the key to being a writer is to write something...anything...everyday.  I am going to try to implement this suggestion through the rest of December and into the new year.  If I don't write here then I will write in my journal.  Or, start working on my novel.  :)

I love writing and the process of putting down my thoughts on paper regardless of how silly or mundane they may be.  Writing brings clarity.   I find it therapeutic.   I have always felt better able to express myself through my writing as opposed to aloud.  Perhaps this has to do with my being an introvert?  With that said, I will often times have a great idea for a blog post or a scene for a story line but I won't write it down.  Why you ask?  I think I have a moderate fear of failure.  I question whether my words will be good enough.  I question the quality and flow of my writing.  Will the reader understand what I'm trying to convey?   So, I am making it my goal this month to write something each day.  Practice makes perfect, right?

The next entry will be Day 1 of my writing experiment.  Here we go...December 8, 2013...wish me luck.

RK

Why hello long lost blog....I need you back in my life!

Dearest Blog,

It's been nearly two years since we last met so I have a few updates for you.

1.  I have been living in Houston since February 2012.  I moved back here after interning in D.C. for about a year.

2. In June 2012, I started working for a certification company in Houston as a Business Development Coordinator.  My position entailed cold calling and setting appointments for the sales staff with decision makers in a wide range of industries including Forestry, Aerospace and Jewelry.  I had mixed feelings about the position but stuck with the job as I really enjoyed the people I worked with.  My departure came as a surprise to me and I was laid off almost a month ago today, October 25, 2013.  More on my interesting departure in another entry...

3.  Despite the shock of my recent layoff, I have been enjoying the respite from work this past month.  I need an outlet for my musings on life now that I am cut off from my office routine and all my co-worker chit chat.  So, this is going to be it!   Get ready for an interesting few entries.

<3 RK

DC, I love you, but it's time to part ways...

Well, I am no longer on pins and needles.  I got the news early Monday morning via e-mail that I didn't get the job.  I was disappointed but I knew it was a 50/50 shot.  I am still a little bummed out to be honest but I promised myself that I would draw a line in my job search.  And this is the line.  Life goes on.

DC has been a great home to me for the past year.  I have been fortunate enough to gain some great experience through my many internships.  And I've been able to try out different work environments in interning for a PAC, a non-profit, a PR company and lastly, in working for a publishing company.

I am going to miss my awesome friends here in DC so, SO much.  I am coming back to visit and harass you, never fear.

And this is going to sound cheesy as all get out but DC you will always be in my heart!  Here is what I will miss most about the District itself:

1. The metro!  Or as I like to call it 'The Tro.'  While public transit has its flaws, overall the DC metro system is convenient and clean.  And it makes for excellent people watching.  People of all colors, shapes and sizes.  Professionals riding alongside homeless people.  Crazy, creepy, angry, annoyed, ridiculous people.  I love seeing this crazy mixture of humanity.  Even when I am shoved into some guy's armpit, I am disgusted but simultaneously comforted by the fact that I will be cracking up about it later on.  Just writing this down is already making me miss the 'Tro.

Ring around the tro-sies

2. The walkable streets.  For those who haven't lived here, DC is divided into four quadrants with the Capitol at the center.  Unlike other major cities, walking home from work is plausible especially if you live close to a metro stop.  When I am rich and move back to DC, I am living right by a metro stop.

3. Awesome cultural events/festivities.  It seems like there is always some major event going on here.  A few of my favorites from the past year:  Festivals on the National Mall,  July 4th concert on the Capitol Lawn, Labor Day concert with Chuck D,  free events at the Kennedy Center,  International Festival, the Stewart/Colbert Rally to Restore Sanity, DC Art Night, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the MLK memorial dedication.  Whew.

Bottom line:  DC, I will miss you.  And I will be returning to visit your land and its people.  Also, if you haven't visited the Chocolate City, please use any excuse to go.  And if you don't have anyone to go with, go by yourself!

Waitin' and wonderin'

Have you ever felt as if you were on pins and needles?  That's how I have felt for the past few days waiting to hear back from a sales position here in DC.   After following up by phone and e-mail last week, I finally got a phone call on Friday afternoon saying that someone would let me know by this next Tuesday.  I know I shouldn't be dwelling on what they will decide as I have no control over it but here I am dwelling. So, I could be back in Texas come this weekend or I could still be here in DC and on the apartment search. Either way I have decided I will be fine.  It's just the not knowing part that I don't enjoy!  I should take Dad's advice though and trust that God will know what is best for me.

In the meantime, here is a list of what I need to do following either decision:

If I get the job:  Find a place to live by Feb. 15.

If I don't get the job:
Box up all of my stuff and book flight with three suitcases.
Look to head home by this next Monday (30th)
Party with friends in DC for last time!
Continue job search in Houston.

If you are still reading by now, congrats!  I know that was a terrible to-do list with no relevance to your life.  And you are awesome for caring to read this far.

Bottom line:  I need to prepare to leave and just be pleasantly surprised if I hear a positive response instead.  I will keep you updated.

Grabbing the world by the lapels

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.  Life's a bitch.  You've got to go out and kick ass."  -Maya Angelou

I read this quote on a friend's facebook status today and just thought, wow!  What an awesome thing to say.  I clearly need to read up on Ms. Maya Angelou.

I identified with it because I am back in DC and trying to make it happen.  I'm looking at sales positions now.  Interviewed last week....hoping for another interview this week.  I extended my deadline to Feb. 1 to find a job up here.  If not, I am going back to Texas.  And I am OK with it now.  I will write more later but I am tired like no other, just needed to get that awesome quote etched in stone on here.