2010: So far

I was just looking at the photos I've added to my 365 Project set on Flickr. I'd say its a pretty good year so far.

An ambitious weekend

It's an ugly, rainy Saturday that's supposed to be crappy all weekend. I don't really mind as long as I have a good book, internet access and a well-stocked kitchen.

In anticipation of my sloth-like existence today, I prepared a yummy raspberry-topped plate of french toast.

Be jealous. It's only 9:30 and I'm ready for my morning nap.

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• Fun Facts About Sloths (neatorama.com)

Life update, part 1

I've been radio silent for a long time. But don't think that I've been lounging around in my pj's on the couch. At least, not all the time.

I have had quite the amazing few weeks; it's been hard to keep up with writing it down. Even my journal has been feeling neglected and I do feel a little bit bad about that.

For the most part I've been keeping up with the 365 Project. It has been easy since I always have my iPhone on me. The more difficult part is finding shots that I think are interesting or that I haven't taken before.

First on the job front.

I have been loving my job lately. I finally feel like I know what I'm talking about, that I'm taken seriously and that I can see actual positive results of the work that I'm doing. After putting in a few hours work, I can stop and having something to show for it. And I'm proud of it!

The first project that I finished last month was the writing and development of 6 online courses. They weren't life-changing or the most creative things in the world, but I built them on time, with little to no issues and the client was pleased. So much so that they asked me to stick around for another 6 weeks to work on developing a classroom workshop that will be delivered to 150 people in 5 breakout sessions.

Again, working with the client and my project manager has been wonderful and actually inspiring! Brainstorm sessions to determine what the goal of the classroom session will be turned into great collaborations; and I got to draw all over the whiteboard to help pull together all the ideas into something spectacular. It's moments like that where I feel great. Everyone on the team was pleased and excited about the work that we were now all required to do.

Already, all my preparations have been spot-on and I can write all my documents and practice for upcoming train-the-trainer sessions without panic because I'm ahead of schedule. I have such a sense of calm about this that it's almost frightening.

Also job related... I got a new job!

A few weeks ago I applied for a contract instructional design job. I had a phone interview with Cammie, the recruiter, that turned into a wonderful 45 minute conversation. I completely geeked-out talking about training and elearning and the challenges of clients 'not knowing what they don't know' and the additional job of trying to explain better training options rather than showing them 100 PowerPoint slides of fluff.

It was so exhilarating to speak with someone else who 'got it' about adult learning. It reminded me about all the little things I've done to bring me to this point and how it all ties together. Project Management, web development, graphic design, audio/video production,... even the skills I picked up while in a sorority is valuable -- but that's another posting.

She suggested that I speak with Stacie, the Director of Instructional Design for a full-time position with the company that she works for. That turned into an interview the next Friday where I traveled to King of Prussia, PA. It's over an hour away from my house, but the great part is that the job is mainly virtual.

The interview was more of a meet & greet. It was easy and interesting. I showed some of the projects that I worked on and spoke intelligently about my experience. It was just fun! I was asked to come back the following Friday for my 2nd interview which went equally well. Before I left I was given a verbal offer and just a few days ago I received my official offer letter. Granted, it's a bit of sticker shock to go from a consultant salary to a full-time salary, but I think the opportunities this job will provide will be invaluable and I am really excited to start this new gig in April.

Also career related is an opportunity I have developing a workshop for my local ASTD chapter. ASTD is the American Society for Training and Development of which I'm not a paying member, but I attend local meetings.

At the last meeting was a presentation about the useful of social media to develop your personal brand. I was excited about it because I'm all about social media! I blogged about the presentation which then led to a conversation with one of the local chapter officers about creating a hands-on workshop for members who want to know how to set up their own social media accounts.

W00t! Game on! I meet with the group this Saturday to discuss a plan for creating this hands-on workshop. I am so excited!

Phew, that's enough for now. There's still plenty of stuff going on, but I'll save that for another post.

365 project: snooze

Sometimes it's just not worth fighting it.

365 project: Rainbow!

My gas gauge was blinking at me with its furious orange light. I pulled into a gas station and was annoyed with the attendant (yes, it's Jersey. We don't pump our own gas) because he couldn't make up his mind as to which pump he wanted me to park in front of.

After I handed over my credit card I noticed the trickle of rain had stopped and the once gray sky had turned golden. I immediately looked up and there in front of me was a huge rainbow that arched from one side of Route 1 over to the other side of town.

That's when the attendant pointed and shouted, "Rainbow! Look!"

And that made me smile.

Sorority Nerd

Image by bearclau via Flickr

I have become obsessed.

Since I have been asked to serve as the Chapter Advisor for my sorority at my school, I have charged at this responsibility full steam ahead.

First, I am a sorority geek. As an undergrad, I was my chapter president, house manager (our version of a RA), and was heavily involved in the recruitment of new members. As an alumnae, I was the Recruitment Advisor for 2 years and worked on several iterations of a chapter/alumnae website.

But now I've taken on this reaction that I can only describe as passionate. For the first time, I find myself doing something that just seems so incredibly fun, and professionally relevant. All the things I've done career-wise is coming together: project management, technology stuff, training & development. And matching it up with the joy I received out of being in a sorority: the sense of belonging, natural leadership, relationship building -- has turned into the perfect blend for me.

Within the two weeks since I agreed to take on this role, I have already formed a relationship with my 'mentee', met both the Greek Advisor and House Director, contacted most of my fellow alumnae advisors and created a website for the Advisors to communicate with each other. I've gone through the manuals and the electronic file-sharing site. I'm even preparing a 4-hour officer retreat program from scratch to be delivered next weekend.

I am overwhelmed with information which will take time for me to process, but all these great ideas are coming to me like lightning strikes and I have to record then when it happens, on paper, in a file, or even a voice memo on the iPhone.

I haven't been this charged in I don't know how long. It feels pretty good.

365 project: floppys

I opened a seldom used drawer at work and found a bunch of 3.5" floppy disks hiding in the back. I wonder how long they've been in there. I wonder what's on them. It's not like I can find out since none of my computers even have a floppy drive anymore.

Hey. 1997 called and it wants its floppys back.

365 Project: Found buttons

I found these buttons sitting all alone in a tray in the mailroom waiting to be thrown out. I rescued them and gave them a new home on my cube wall.

I love them.

The bright, cheery colors, the sayings. I feel like they were made just for me.

365 Project: Cover me

I've been thinking a lot about health care lately, especially since I'll have to be paying a lot more for it soon when I have to get it through COBRA.

I consider myself pretty lucky that I could get bloodwork done, talk with my primary physician and get x-rays without an appointment all for a $20 copay.

I thought about letting my health insurance lapse when I go unemployed, but decided against that. While I'm all for living spontaneously, I'm not about to get irresponsible. Even if it means shelling out about $350 a month when no income is coming in.

I sure hope Congress figures out this health care bill soon.