I Failed At Blogtober

So, let's talk the obvious. I failed at Blogtober.

Unfortunately life happens and A LOT of life happened in October. I could give you a million reasons why I couldn't pull it off, but it came down to work being the busiest month yet (with lots of travel). My focus has definitely been elsewhere. One thing I did realize is that I blog and enjoy it when not forced. Ha!

Someone near and dear to me lost a very important person in their life. It has been a completely new experience for us to navigate together. I can't even pretend to understand the thoughts and emotions they are going through. It is hard, isn't it? Not being able to physically do something for someone who is going through loss.

Aside from that, October brought WAY more work/life imbalance than I thought. 90% work, 10% life. It is that time of the year. I won't do much complaining. I still love my job. Sometimes I just feel like I could have lots of me.

So, now that is is November .... It has been so busy! I had a friend from college move to the city. I have to tell ya, this has been pretty damn great. I have a friend, one that loves spontaneity and is loving being in the city for the first time. I love the willingness to go to any neighborhood, any day, for random activitities. It makes me feel lively, the way life in this city should be lived.

I had a mini - 48 hour reunion with some of my best friends from DC. We all now live in different cities from NYC, St. Louis, Raleigh and one that just returned back to DC from Savannah. Crazy how we grow up and move away. Life. It was so refreshing to be around those people. I miss each of them like crazy. I miss drinking bottles of wine with them and having Sunday dinners. I miss cuddling with the dogs and all the crazy memories I built with them my 4 year stint in DC. Growing up sucks sometimes. Even though leaving is bittersweet, we made promises to visit one another and I have no doubt we will keep to those promises. Looking forward to the next trip.

The next month is busy too. Thanksgiving, Christmas, work trip to Portland (with a few days of pleasure), and a visit from my dad.

Yep, I am knocking off another item on my list - wine tour in my favorite place of willamette valley, Oregon. I couldn't be more excited than I am. Myself and two co-workers are going to go. Then, hit up a million places on our "must do" list.

After that, my dad is coming. My relationship with my dad is .. strange for a better word. Growing up I was the epitome of a daddy's girl. Then, time when on and things changed. It was strained for a number of years. Nothing sucks more than being proud of yourself, but not having the vocal support of parents.Regardless, my dad has visited me in DC and now NYC and I couldn't be more proud and more excited to show him my city and my life. I have so many fun activities planned for his visit. I am happy to be able to share this with him. Now, if only I could get my other parent to come ... another day, another blog post.

I think I may be done for the day. I have treated today's blog post like my diary. Apologies.

10 Things You'd Tell Yourself When You Started Blogging

Another day, another blog entry. Secretly (well, not so secretly), I did not think I would be able to keep up. I delayed here and there, but overall enjoying this challenge.

Today's Monday #blogtober entry is "10 things you'd tell yourself when you started blogging." I think that is pretty easy and I may not even have 10. I started blogging as a challenge to myself. I have a list of things to accomplish before I am 29. Who knows why I picked 29 and not 30! It was a personal goal and I didn't really have micro goals within it. But, here are some things I thought about before I started.

1. Simplicity is best. I think I did the opposite of what most do. I wanted this to be easy. I "do" digital marketing as my job - SEO, PPC, coding, design, etc. I actually wanted my blog to be plain and easy. I didn't want it to be another job. Hence the extreme blandness of the blog.
2. Connect with people through writing ... ok, I am still working on this one.
3. Accomplish my list of 28 things to do before 29 and blog about them all. This has obviously become something more extended for me.
4. Be real. No topic was hands off. This was a place I could write and share my feelings and not be judged.
5. Be consistent. This one, I have struggled with. There would be times when I blogged frequently and then go a month or so without.

I think that sums it up. I don't have 10, but I think that is just fine. I have really come to enjoy doing this. 

Chat tomorrow!

Stacy

Fall Bucket List #blogtober

Fall is by far by favorite season and living in New York makes it that much better.

Who doesn't love boots, sweaters, beanies, and scarves? Oh, and don't get me started on the hot drinks ... Coffee, hot chocolate, PSL (pumpkin spice latte - sorry Megan). 

Now that we have covered what I love, let's talk about my Fall Bucket List.

1. Go for a last Fall hike outside the city.

2. Take the boat to Randall Island for Oktoberfest

3. Participate in some beer fests around the city

4. Cuddle up and watch movies

5. Find 5 new baking recipes for fall delight

6. Use my crockpot 1 x per week!

7. Take a trip to a B & B in Vermont. 

8. Finally give in and buy a good black leather jacket

9. A visit from my dad to show him the city

10. Attend an NFL game in NYC

Wow, I guess I had a lot more than. I thought! Cheers to fall from the comfort of my living room (window open) enjoying 50 degree weather. LOVE!

Until next time ...

Stacy

What I Can Live Without #blogtober

A day late ... I know, I know.

Yesterday's post, that I'm doing today is "what you can't live without."

Let's kick it off! My phone. High maintenance, selfish, silly? I don't think so. I love what my phone offers me. I live so far away from all my family members and some of my best friends. My phone allows me to many great amenities. I am able to talk, text and facetime everyday with friends and family if I choose. I do not think I could go without.

I'm also following in Megan Hyde's footsteps and saying that I could also not live without my compassion. It keeps me real and brings me down to earth. Sometimes I think I show it too much. I can only do so much to help make people and situations better but I wouldn't give it up!

Until next time ...

Stacy

Blogtober - Dream Jobs

Dream job when you were little - what is it now?

Would you know that I can't remember exactly what I wanted to be when I was little. I do remember loving to dress up and dance. I could say I most likely wanted to be a dancer, ballerina. Every little girl wants to look beautiful in a tutu, amazing makeup and dance to music.

For now, I will settle going to the Ballet in NYC.


Now, at the ripe age of 28, I am an Area Director of Digital Marketing for the Northeast Kimpton Hotels (Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh). Fancy new, huh? I, without a doubt, love what I do. I manage the search marketing strategies for the hotels aka how you show up on Google. I am involved in web design, paid media and so many other dorky, cool things. 

For now, I love my job. Maybe someday, if I think of some completely awesome business idea, I will have a startup. Who knows!

Hello, October! #blogtober14 begins

So long Summer ... 

I just said, out loud, "How could it possibly be October already?" The year has flew by and it's just plain insane.

My amazing childhood friend, Megan Hyde, invited me to do the #Blogtober14 challenge created by Helene from Helene in Between and Taylor from The Daily Tay. The challenge? To write everyday in October. 

With that, let's kick it off with the first post. "If you won the lottery, you would ..."

I will be shallow for 5 seconds and say I would go on a major shopping spree. Who doesn't like some new clothes?

I would then go backpacking and explore all the places I have dreamed about. Backpacking in South America, train jumping in Europe, golding in Ireland and shark diving in Australia. I would truly allow myself to "live it up" for a few good months.

After all is said and done, I would settle down a bit and buy a house. Preferably in North or South Carolina. I would fly my family out for the next holiday and celebrate in appropriate fashion. It has been such a long time since we were all together ... celebrating.

Being the responsible person I am, I would invest a good chunk of money. I would continue working, because let's face it ... I love working. I do. Weird? Maybe. Perhaps if i came up with some really good business idea I would start that on the side. Who knows ...

The possibilities are endless!

HeForShe - What is Feminism?

Allow me to kick off with a definition. 

[Feminism] The belief that women are and should be treated as potential intellectual equals and social equals to men. These people can be either male or female human beings, although the ideology is commonly (and perhaps falsely) associated mainly with women.

The basic idea of feminism revolves around the principle that just because human bodies are designed to perform certain procreative functions, biological elements need not dictate intellectual and social functions, capabilities, and rights

Feminism also, by its nature, embraces the belief that all people are entitled to freedom and liberty within reason - including equal civil rights--and that discrimination should not be made based on gender, sexual orientation, skin color, ethnicity, religion, culture, or lifestyle.

In the simply amazing video, Emma Watson talks about Feminism. What does it REALLY mean, who does it matter to, what do we do? She also launches the HeForShe campaign to women and men. Her speech is simply beautiful and though provoking. She is a young 24 years old and beyond her years in wisdom. It was ... moving.

She down right nails the definition of Feminism. A known word, yes, but a word confused for it's true meaning. One of the highlights in her speech was the comment below.

"I decided that I was a feminist. This seemed uncomplicated to me. My recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating and anti-men."

I couldn't agree more with comments throughout her speech.

Bossy ... When a little boy, young man or even adult male is assertive - he is known as a leader. When a little girl, teen girl, or even adult woman does, she is known as being bossy. 

ds like bossy send a message: don't raise your hand or speak up.Those words, "bossy" send strong messages - don't raise your hand, don't speak up. 

Work pay ... since when should women not get equal pay as male counterparts? Take a male and a female both applying for the same job. Both male/female went to honrable colleges, have previous work experience. Is it really fair if the male counterpart were to get offered more?

Decisions ... I can actually tell you a time where this almost affected me. When I lived in Virginia, there was a lot of debate about allowing contraception to be available anymore. Along the "Personhood Amendment." You have to be absolutely crazy if I am going to let someone (in this case, a male governor candidate) to tell me what I can and can't take. This is my body and I will do as I please. That decision, should be a woman's decision and right. No one else's to take away.

Regardless, I think this new campaign #HeForShe is amazing & brilliant. Go on, guys ... Show your love for women :)