Busy couple of weeks!!!

Well I guess this whole back to blogging thing went down the drain real fast. couple different reasons, my life isn't very interesting, its pretty much the same Shtuff different day, so i realized my days are pretty boring and unintresting to blog about. And I've just been busy with thiss and with thatt and then theres that other thing and shya!

But anyway, I've just been trying to keep up with classes and getting in hours at work and work on projects and shoot in the photography studio and try and start running again and the whole diet thing.

The whole diet thing, ugh I just really like food. I was good for about 6 days straight, ran everyday, at the 1,200 calories, and did some circuit training at home, but the 7th day I had a lil break down, soo busy and I was just SO stressed out ALL i wanted to do was chow, so i did. Which that led into discouragement for the second day (Tuesday) but now, today I'm back at it and plan to run after class (where I am while blogging). I really have been enjoying running outside, im up to running 2 straight miles (yes I know thats not much) but I just started cut me some slack. I cant wait untill I can run 5-6 or more miles a day. I WANT to run a half marathon in September, but with my internship this summer we'll see what my schedule allows for training. I have 20 pounds that I'd like to lose, and im so impatient, but i'll get there. It doesn't help that im extremely picky, so veggies dont really make the cut. so eggs, turkey sammys, grilled chicken, and fruit are about all I have been eatin. (before my 2 day splooge)

I really wanted to lose like 10lbs before I head to Arizona April 6th, but that didnt and wont happen. Ill just take it slow (thats usually the only successful way, as trying to lose 5lbs a week youll end up gainin it all back) But YES, ARIZONA in a week. so excited, itll be 3 nights and 4 days, and I'll get to listen to high up retail industry leaders, CEO's, Economists and all that, itll be really intresting to hear lots about the industry. Plus a little warm weather and get away will be nice. I just cant decide if i want to take my camera or not!!! hmph. I wont have much time to shoot or anything, but I mean just a little bit, and itll be fun to have it around when hangin with the girls.

So this Friday I am going on a tour to Corporate Target in Minneapolis. The Stout Retail Association is takin some members, im pretty excited, i've always wanted to go in a check it out n see the corporate world. Im missin work, but i already made up the hours today. Then im staying in Mpls and my mom is gonna pick me up and then we're headin out to mall of america to try n find a couple outfits for arizona since i must look fashionably professional :)

Which then leads to SRA. (Stout Retail Association) I am running for a board position tonight at the meeting. *(Elections night) I'd really like to be on the board and get more involved. Not only is it great on the resume, but Itll be good for me to gain some girlfriends and build some relationships with others while in college. Needless to say I lack girlfriends of any kind, close ones anyway. I noticed I've been shying away from that the past couple years, not sure why. So yes, hopefully I'll get "elected", I have some ideas stirred up! Itll have to work with me being president of the photography club, but next fall semester my duties will decrease because its election season in the fall so someone else will take over and i'll train them. So I will have plenty of time for SRA< plus i only have 1 job now on campus. not working at ashley or the bar anymore, so that frees up more time for "me" and more time for sra. I dont know how i can be so introverted but raelly an extrovert at the same time. I feel like im a natural born leader, i've been leading student organizations ever since ive been in college, and i really enjoy doing it. I have no problem talking infront of other people, and im an open book, im not exactly shy and I dont have a problem taking charge, but at the same time, if i dont know anybody, i am quiet, i dont talk, and im in my own little world. I am a HUGE homebody, i stay home all the time unless im at class, work, or clubs, which really isn't "all the time" since i AM at class club or work often. But ive been finding myself wanting to stay in a lot and just relax, have me time and stuff. Haven't been big into drinking at all lately, i think ive gone out under 5 times this semester, if even 5. I get really self concious going out, socially. Its so weird i dont even get it. When im dealing with school or work i can be just fine being outgoing and talking and taking the lead of conversations and tasks, but when im in a group being social outside of school or work, i kinda back off and get really sheltered and quiet. again, who knows what my deal is. But sometimes i try and force myself to go out but it usually ends up failing. Anywho, this lecture is pretttttty boring, I really dont even know what the professor is talking about, i dont think anybody is listening, their all on their laptops. On facebook pretty much. I am just happy spring is here, and its starting to look like it a littttle bit. Upper 40's all week, But I just cant wait till its upper 60's+ Yay! but, walking outside to class in the sunshine does "brighten" my day a little bit even if its still 25 out in the morning! SO, heres to spring!!!

48 days until Europe!!

One of my fears in life is failure. I Want to have a successful life, full of love, health, happiness and wealth" So this quote reminded me about, well me i guses, Instead of sitting around worrying about my future, im busy creating it everyday.
“If you want to conquer fear, don't sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy”
Dale Carnegie quotes (American lecturer, author, 1888-1955)

Decisions, Decisions..

Ohh lordy. trying to figure out what i want to DO for the rest of my life, is on my mind, a lot lately. I do have about 2 years left of college (I took a semester off after high school, transfered, and am doing a lot academically, so its taking a little bit longer than most) BUT I still have a little.."life anxiety" I kinda just want to make sure I get a job, and am happy with the job, or I should say career. And one thing about me, is I am determined to make a lot of money. I know that first you "should" find a job you love before being concered about money, otherwise youll be down a road of daily unhappiness and dreading waking up at 630am for work. BUT I want to be able to live as I want, freely financially. I know that I will be there a couple years after college, I am not "over confident" but, I know I will be doing well, not guarenteeing it RIGHT after college, but I do have confidence it wont take me long to be where i wanna be financially after college. NOT trying to sound cocky.

What am I weighing in on? WELL, currently I am pursuing my bachelors degree in..
Retail Merchandising and Management
with concentrations in..
- Buying and product management
-store operations
-Fashion Marketing
Also, with 2 minors in
-Business administration
-Photography

BUT heres the thing.. Buying and Product management? Lets just say working with numbers is far from my favorite thing!and for a lot of buying positions you start of as a business analyst, and frankly, I cant realllly see myself being happy doing such a thing. BUT the job is financially rewarding. What do I like working with? People. Though my social life is very much slacking, and I dont have to many friends, I am a people person, and I like to think of myself as good with people. What does that lead me to? Store management! Okay, I could be happy with that, but is it as financially rewarding as i'd like it to be? It could be...with some sacrifices. Currently, I am doing a 10week internship with kohl's stores, training to be an assistant manager. So I do have my foot in the door with what i do believe to be a good company to work for. Salary is decent, would i want more? yep. That leads to seeking a Executive team leader position at Target.
Now mind you, Target is a pretty tough company to get ins with, very competitive interview process (I already interviewed with them and made it to the 3rd round, but didnt get accepted for the final, man those interview questions are toughies) But, I am not giving up with targs as of yet. Now that I know what to expect next round of interviews with them, I can come a little more prepared. Also, at that point of 2nd round with them, I would have been president of Exposed photography club so I'd have a little more brownie points on my scale.
ANYWAY, working as an Executive Team Leader (thats what they call managers/assistant managers) is a very high stress level and intense job. (so I've read, and heard) Full time? yeah thats 50-60 hours a week, and October-December it very well could/would be more than that. Targs really wants recent graduates to do this job, because they have the capabilities of keeping up with the target, "fast, fun and friendly" pace and culture. Also, most likely we dont have families yet, so working those long hours would be less challenging. salary? rewarding. Overtime? No.
SO what I want to maybe try and do, is work as an ETL for target the first few years out of college and get that hardcore training and experience, then maybe see what else is out there as my life starts to settle down a couple years out of college. Now, this is all, very wishful thinking. Yes I have confidence in myself when it comes to this matter, but Target is very competetive.

SOOO this decision is affecting me now....how? wellll if i dont see myself doing the whole buying/product management/corporate deal, why pursue the concentration? it DOES look good on the resume because they aren't the easiest classes in the world. BUT I the 4th concentration i am doing pursuing yet, is Human Resources. I could swap HR for Buying, and HR would relate more to my store management positions over Buying would. I have looked into a bunch of Corporate HR positions, and they really interest me and I see myself doing that, over buying. Just dont think itd be as $$ rewarding. BUT I am trying to keep in mind that I will be doing what i choose for a VERY long time, its a career, not a job I can just quit like that if i dont like it, its long term commitment for the most part. So I DO want to be happy with whatever this path will lead me to.
So as far as right now, I need to decide if i should keep my buying concentration, or drop that and add HR concentration. Probably before fall so i dont waste anymore credits. so, im in a blegh spot. I Just want to be happy, healthy & wealthy growing up, is that too much to ask? I sure hope not!

Soooo with all of that said, will any of this leave time for my own photography business? I sure hope so, because I over the passed 2 years I have developed a strong passion & love for photography. Every aspect of it, it never gets old. there is SO much to learn and experiment with, how could it get boring? EVERY couple you work with shooting engagements or weddings or baby portarits or senior portairts, they are all so different and bring something new and fun to the table. Having my own photo biz would be ALL in my own hands, i can do whatever i want with that, how freeing and exciting is that? I have invested in a new, loveable DSLR the end of 2010, and I just want to do so much with it. I have one wedding booked for the end of September, my first wedding. Umm thats pretty nerve racking. BUT the couple i hear is very flexible, its both their 2nd wedding, and are on a low budget, so its not TOO much pressure, so to me itll be a great experience and a great couple to work with for my first wedding. If i work for Targs eventually, say 50-65 hours a week, every other weekend..i donnnttt think this will leave me much time to be behind the camera. EVERY decision comes with its positive and negatives. and im just trying to remember to do what will make me happy, not only wealthy. If my internship goes well at kohl's this summer, well maybe I'll start with them after college and see where it takes me. Sure its not as $$rewarding as targs, but thats why you do your job damn good and move up the ladder quickly ;-)


Annyywhoooo, enough rambo jamboness. sorry for the long read, if their are readers out there! I am at work, 10am-830pm shift, my once monthly ashley furniture work weekend, and so i thought Id, blog.

On a not so serious note.. HOW CUTE is my neice? ahh I love her.

"Argue for your limitations, and they're yours"
-From Don't Sweat the small stuff
("Our minds are powerful instruments. When we decide that something is true or beyond our reach, its very difficult to pierce through this self-created hurdle."_

I Welcome Myself Back!

Ohh I have been busy busy! Not to much time for blogging! But, kelsey parr got my excited about blogging again! (though she doesnt know it)! There is so much going on in my life right now, and this year, it would be a shame not to document it. Time is FLYING by, just flying. Recently I have decided I need to start spending more time on myself, and blogging, sitting down and just typing away about who knows what, is something that relaxs me. I dont have class (or work) until 12:20 on Mon/Wed/Fridays, even so, I'd like to start working up at 8am, getting a work out in, doing some homework and or reading, and or blogging. I always find myself complaining there is not enough time in the day, so I decided sleeping in till 10 or 11 on those days isn't exactly diminishing that complaint.

Goals for this week? WORK OUT, WORK OUT, and workout. I am going to start the (30 day shred) by jilliam Michaels in the morning, along with some tredmile action on the side. Also, I have lots of school work and extra curricular activities to focus on. Like, putting in hours in the photography studio, meeting with group members, planning for photo club, going to work & class, and finding time for myself.

Exactly, Thirty One days until Tuscon Arizona
Seventy Two days until London, Scotland, Ireland & Amsterdam
102 Days until my Kohls Intership

Exciting Year for me :-) I know I will grow SO much, more than ever throughout the year of 2011 as a student, as a photographer, as a woman, and as someone who plans to be nothing but successful and happy after college within my career goals & plans.

With that said, time to hit the sheets so I can start my new week with a fresh start, a good workout and some hott coffee in the AM :-)

Night!


"The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it."
-RoSEANNE Barr