Out of the comfort zone
Hard restart is still in effect, although the results are not instantaneous and the gratification hasn't been realized yet.
I'm in Missoula, MT this week for work. I bitched out how boring Missoula would be. But you know, it is an incredibly beautiful city. The nature is great, people walk everywhere, and the weather is just fantastic. Unfortunatley, haven't taken many pictures, but here is one from dinner the other night on a patio overlooking the Clark Fork river. I'm not a nature person by any means. But this town has a small town feel with amenities of a bigger city, plus wonders such as Yellowstone National Park within it's reach. Families are riding bikes around tons of nature trails, dogs are running around in green parks, it's just great.
Today I did something I've never done before: eat at a restaurant by myself. Sounds totally minor right? Well, I am just an insecure person, but I wanted to enjoy my last night here. Other nights (and lunches), 2 other people attending the same meeting as I were kind enough to let me tag a long. It was so much appreciated and actually really fun. But tonight was different. I went to the hotel restaurant and sat on the patio overlooking the park while a band played at another nearby park in the background. Kids were laughing, dogs were running, it was just great. I sat by myself at a 5 person table and read a magazine and people-watched. I ordered a salad and salmon. And you know what? It was actually nice. I didn't have to worry about being engaged in conversation or being funny or witty (which most of the time, just comes out as sarcasm in my voice). I mentioned to the hostess that I'm from Kentucky, and low and behold, one of the bartenders was too, so he came over and we spoke at length about Keeneland and I rambled about the Dame being closed down for a hotel/condo development. It was great.
So, I survived eating dinner alone by myself at a restaurant. I don't really have a point, other than to realize that it's progress that I'm making- into just being more comfortable with what I have and who I am. :)
Hard Restart
So, just like you can hard reset your computer or your cell phone, I think I need to hard reset myself. I did it yesterday, and hopefully I can figure out what is holding me back. My weight is always a source of concern, so I re-started Atkins again yesterday. I'm also working on being a better worker, more creative, better wife (I'm a bitch a lot of the times, poor David, although he is so fantastic about it- can't ask for anything more), better friend, just more productive and happy.
And I'm going to take up hobbies, like selling on EBay and learning how to sew quilts and handbags (really, anything, since I don't know how to use a sewing machine).
Wish me luck!
Kindness is...
a security guard at Macys who found David's phone today, and then proceeded to call the number that said "mom." So sad that honesty seems to be a rarity these days.
Fresh Starts
Springtime is here. Bring on the warmer weather and hopefully more sun.
It's been a year since my mom died, and the year has flown by. I can't believe it's been that long. But then again, it feels like it's been forever since she really was the mom I want to remember.
Start a new job tomorrow, and with that comes new experiences and hopefully new friends. I was lucky enough to have made fantastic friends with very bright people at Alltech, and I have the same hopes for Bullard.
Lilly has been with us for nearly 1 year now, and wow how she's matured. We hired Petopia (www.experiencepetopia.com) to walk her the 3 weekdays that David and I are both working. Hopefully it will calm her down, give her more exercise, and hopefully the lovely dog walker doesn't quit! Lilly can be quite a lot to handle on a leash.
I'm a year older, but luckily 27 is not a trauma-inducing number, so I'm doing good. Went hog-wild at MAC and got all new makeup. I'm also giving up tanning beds out of fear of getting "old skin."
Vote for my wedding!
Please vote for my wedding!
Click here
Dear Lady at McDonalds
Dear Lady at McDonald's drive-thru on 2/21 at 12:38pm,
Thank you so much for letting me cut in front of you- you were turning right into the notoriously busy Tates Creek Center McDonald's and I was turning left. Even though you clearly had been waiting longer than I to get into the ever-congested drive-thru, you were kind enough to let me get out of the turn lane. As we both waited about 10 minutes to get through the line, I wanted to thank you for your favor. When I approached the window to pay for my food, I asked the teller to let me pay for yours also. I got the crazy eye. I explained that you let me cut in front of you and I just wanted to pay for your order as a "thank you" for your kindness showed. I got another crazy eye, and a "I don't trust you." (She literally said that, then looked at my credit card as it was fraudulent) and "We don't do that here."
So, I apologize that not only did I not get to pay for your food, but that you had to sit behind the discussion for 3 minutes extra. I tried to call the store manager to ask if this was common policy, but no one will answer the phone. In turn, I've submitted a comment on McDonald's website seeking clarification of this "policy."
Sincerely,
The girl in the Honda CR-V
Positive Energy and Shameless Promotion
I think I've asked everyone I know for positive energy and good thoughts and it really seems to be doing a number on me- a good one, that is! So thank you to those friends who whether through prayers or just good thoughts, help provide me with positive feedback and the energy I need to make it through this little rough patch.
I had an interview last week for a promising position. Probably won't hear back about that one until next week. This week I have a very exciting interview for a position that I really want, with a company that I find extremely admirable in their promotion from within, team atmosphere and overall friendliness of employees. I had interviewed for an entry level position prior to taking my previous job, and withdrew from consideration at the very end to take what ended up to be a more challenging position. The position I'm interviewing for now though, I know I wouldn't have been called for without this past year of experience I've had, so for that, I'm thankful.
I'm also thankful for Mr. Jim Host, who, after learning I was no longer with my former company, offered a kind word and permission to use him as a reference. It's funny to think I actually did a presentation with him to a large group of people. Didn't seem odd at the time, but now it does. He's a legend!
And then, on the topic of public speaking- I was on my way to Zumba with Kathy (my sister-in-law) who then reminded me that I ALSO spoke at my MBA graduation with one of the Vice Presidents of the company I'm interviewing for this week!
So, I'm feeling the positivity, and now have 2 points of promotion so far this week- and it's only Tuesday :)
Relaunched Website
Check out my newly redesigned website!
New car!
David's car kicked the bucket last week. We're donating it to charity (Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes) as it actually could probably be fixed relatively easily, however he doesn't want to put any more money into that red beast (1993 Olds Cutlass Supreme- blech.)
So, he took my Accord and I got what I wanted, a 2008 CRV EX-L with leather, heated seats, satellite radio, moonroof, power everything, 4WD- I'm very excited about the car, not excited about the monthly payments, but they're within our budget. I haven't taken any pictures of it yet, but this is the stock photo with the color I got:
Merry Christmas
Wow, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I've thought about it several times, but honestly there hasn't been anything to say (or ramble about). Just been busy with buying a house, getting married, starting a new job, decorating said house, and now Christmas. This year has been an absolute tornado of good and bad things in my life, and I can honestly say I don't think any more could have happened in 2007 than did.
Synopsis: Got engaged, mother died, graduated with my MBA, got a new job, bought a house, got a dog, got married, renovated house.
Thanksgiving without my mom was hard- I don't think Christmas will be as bad. I just distinctly remembered my last Thanksgiving with my mom because I cooked a big dinner and took it to her at the nursing home. She wasn't feeling well, but tried to be happy anyway. David and his mom joined us, as did Kelly Anne, who gave her a lighted house to put in her room, which I now have in my living room for Christmas.
Christmas last year was different because my dad was in town. He, Lauren and I went to see her, and upon his shock of realizing she didn't have a TV, we went to Target and he got her a flatpanel TV. I hung it for her before school started back in January. I hope she enjoyed it- I think she was happy to have something nice like that.
This is the first Christmas in about 7 years that my dad hasn't been in town visiting, so it is interesting for David and I to start establishing our own traditions, even though it seems like we've been together forever.
I put a lot into my Christmas tree this year. My mom was great at trees, so I gave it a shot this year and know I won't want to take it down.
Many thanks to my friends and family for helping me come through this year armed with support, strength and confidence. I hope one day I can return all of the favors that have been paid to me this year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. (and Lilly wants to show you her Christmas sweater!)
Professional Wedding Pictures
I love Natalie, my photographer! The pro pics are online now, and they're fabulous!
Go to www.nataliehagen.com and at the bottom of the page, enter event ID hagen_sandford
:)
I'm still alive, and married!!!
I know I haven't posted in a while, but as anyone who reads this probably knows, I've been busy with work and house buying and wedding planning- no to mention the actual "getting married" thing.
A few pics:
Flowers with my mom's necklace on them:
After the wedding:
Honeymoon in Mexico:
Kiva.org
I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva.
You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Hay Sineat in Cambodia. They still need another $1,100.00 to complete their loan request of $1,200.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this business off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Hay Sineat too:
http://kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=16793&referralId=
It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.
Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.
Thanks!
Emily Ho
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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:
'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'
-- BBC
'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'
-- CNN Money
'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.'
-- The Wall Street Journal
'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.'
-- Entrepreneur Magazine
In the Lexington Herald Leader
Too funny- my quote is really awful- I don't think I actually said that...
http://www.kentucky.com/109/story/100250.html
Graduation Speech
I was the speaker on behalf of my class at graduation Friday. It was the proudest moment of my life so far, as cheesy as it sounds.
Click here to watch it!
I graduated yesterday with my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and I am so excited so I thought I'd share a few pictures. I was the student speaker for my class, but I don't have any pictures of me speaking yet- need to get those from friends. I got a standing ovation and it was truly the proudest moment of my life so far!
I'm off again now to keep partying like a rockstar with my classmates, because we earned it!
Almost finished!
I'm counting down the hours to graduation, although I'm doing it somewhat reluctantly. It has been such a crazy year full of highs and lows, and I can't believe it's almost over. I'm giving a graduation speech to the students, and then will celebrate with friends and their families. I'm sad my family is unable to make it, but glad that David and his family will be there. I go to Boston to visit Anne, Joe and James next week, and when I get back, will begin work at Alltech. It's going to be surreal getting back to the "real world," however receiving a paycheck again will be great!
Engagement photos online!
Go to www.nataliehagen.com and at the bottom, enter event ID hagen_ho
Click under each picture to view it in black and white or sepia.
New member of the family
Meet Lilly- she is an Airedale Terrier and she is 4 years old. David and I adopted her from the Woodford Humane Society- a fantastic animal shelter in Versailles, KY. She is very smart and loves to play with her duck toy and her fake barbell. She's very camera shy for some reason, but I finally snapped a good one of her. Also are some pictures of her from Petfinder.com
