Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all had a good week. It was kind of my last 'normal' week. Next week I work Monday-Wednesday, the movers come on Thursday to pack my goods and load them, and then I fly out to Charlotte on Sunday. Yikes. Sh*t is getting real, people.
Here's 5 things on my mind this Friday:
1. Eggs. I really hope that I get to the lake on time on Saturday to partake in some egg dying with my nephews and niece. I also hope they receive some of those Reese's Peanut Butter eggs from the Easter Bunny and that one of them is kind enough to give one (or share one) with their aunt. :)
2. Delta. I am steadily becoming a very valuable customer to Delta. I purchase two flights this week - one for a trip to visit Alli in New York in August (eeks!! So excited!!), and one for my trip home for Christmas. Yes, you read that right. I already bought my ticket home for Christmas as the flight price was already starting to creep up and I didn't see it going any lower so I figured I'd buy it. I will probably be buying my ticket home for the 4th of July soon, too. Now that I have flown the Charlotte-Minneapolis route many times, I know how low prices go, and how sickeningly high they can get, so I figure I might as well lock in the lower price point when I can.
3. Study. I am once again using a vacation day today to study. Go me. But this will allow me to take Saturday and Sunday off and *hopefully* not feel guilty. I won't hit my 18 hours for the week, but oh well. Some weeks I just can't fit everything in and I am sure I will make up the hours missed when I am in Charlotte.
4. Eat. Eat. Eat. I have been eating out so much lately as I have so many good bye lunches/dinners/etc. Like yesterday, my boss took me out for breakfast, a friend at work took me out for lunch, and a former co-worker treated me to macarons in the afternoon. I usually try to only eat out once a week but that is just not possible these days, and it's only going to get worse next week when all my kitchen stuff gets packed up as I won't have my things for as long as a week possibly.
5. Moving? It still doesn't feel real that I am moving. I have done a lot to prepare for the move like set up utilities, donate belongs to Good Will, sell furniture, and submit a change of address form, but I have not packed a single box. That is because the moving company does it for me (which is paid for by my company). Which is awesome! But it makes the move feel less real because if I was in charge of the move, 80% of my things would be packed by now!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! And for those who celebrate Easter, Happy Easter!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Practicing an Attitude of Gratitude
A couple of weeks ago on my day off from work, I met up with a good friend for lunch. I had lunch with her shortly after I found out about my move, but we hadn't had a chance to meet up since, so we had lots to catch up on. I think I held it together last time I saw her as the news of my move was so new and I was still working through my emotions. Well, at this lunch, the reality of the move had started to set in and I was a bit of a total crying mess. Luckily this friend is a fellow crier so she didn't pass any judgment over the fact that I pretty much cried through our entire lunch - and luckily I was facing the wall of the restaurant so I had some privacy.
Nearly 10 weeks after finding out about this move, I continue to really struggle with it. Maybe it's the fact that it's being forced on me (yes, I could have said no, but I really couldn't for financial reason). Maybe it's the fact that I have no control over the timing. Maybe it's the fact that I am already stressed to the max January-June due to CFA studying and just can't really handle another major life event. Maybe it is the sum of all of these things. Whatever the reason -no matter how many times I try to tell myself that it will all work out, that it will be ok, and that this next year won't be a dark phase of my life, I am just really struggling to believe it.
So after my friend listened to my litany of complaints about all the things happening related to the move, she gently recommended that I consider starting a gratitude journal. She explained how she had kept a gratitude journal during a challenging time in her life and thought I might benefit from it as well.
And she is completely right. I had received a couple of journals for my birthday, so I decided to make one of them a gratitude journal.
.JPG)
So each night, usually after I finish studying, I think back on the day and come up with 3 moments/things that I am grateful for. I know that eventually this dark cloud that has been hanging over me will part and I will find it easier to focus on the good things in life - but for right now, it's a conscious exercise to focus on the good. I am hoping that by focusing on the good things in life, it will help me move past the feelings of anger and resentment that I have been harboring lately.
I don't expect this gratitude journal to make a difference over night. But hopefully with time, it will help me shift my attitude and become a little more of a "Tigger" and a little less of an "Eyore," as my former boss so succinctly put it in the card he gave me at my going away party.
Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? Are you good about practicing an attitude of gratitude? With the exception of difficult times in my life, I feel like I am pretty good at focusing on the positive in life.
Nearly 10 weeks after finding out about this move, I continue to really struggle with it. Maybe it's the fact that it's being forced on me (yes, I could have said no, but I really couldn't for financial reason). Maybe it's the fact that I have no control over the timing. Maybe it's the fact that I am already stressed to the max January-June due to CFA studying and just can't really handle another major life event. Maybe it is the sum of all of these things. Whatever the reason -no matter how many times I try to tell myself that it will all work out, that it will be ok, and that this next year won't be a dark phase of my life, I am just really struggling to believe it.
So after my friend listened to my litany of complaints about all the things happening related to the move, she gently recommended that I consider starting a gratitude journal. She explained how she had kept a gratitude journal during a challenging time in her life and thought I might benefit from it as well.
And she is completely right. I had received a couple of journals for my birthday, so I decided to make one of them a gratitude journal.
.JPG)
So each night, usually after I finish studying, I think back on the day and come up with 3 moments/things that I am grateful for. I know that eventually this dark cloud that has been hanging over me will part and I will find it easier to focus on the good things in life - but for right now, it's a conscious exercise to focus on the good. I am hoping that by focusing on the good things in life, it will help me move past the feelings of anger and resentment that I have been harboring lately.
I don't expect this gratitude journal to make a difference over night. But hopefully with time, it will help me shift my attitude and become a little more of a "Tigger" and a little less of an "Eyore," as my former boss so succinctly put it in the card he gave me at my going away party.
Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? Are you good about practicing an attitude of gratitude? With the exception of difficult times in my life, I feel like I am pretty good at focusing on the positive in life.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Love Where You Live
For those who know me well and have read this blog for awhile, I think it is pretty clear that I really, really love Minneapolis. So much so that I could practically be an ambassador for this city. My deep love for Minneapolis is part of the reason the move to Charlotte is so hard for me. Now, I do realize that Minneapolis is not perfect. Our climate leaves
something to be desired from December through March. And it can be hard
to be a new person in this city as people tend to stick to their groups
of friends. And it's not the best city for single 30-somethings since
people tend to marry in their 20s around these parts. But all in all,
the good outweighs the not so good.
It's no secret that I am not exactly excited about the city of Charlotte. I know quite a few people (mostly through work) that call Charlotte home and say that they love it... A frustrating aspect of this move has been the fact that most of the people who claim to love Charlotte can't succinctly explain what it is that they love. It's almost like the city has, as the French would say, a certain "je ne sais quoi." When I ask people to explain why they love the city of Charlotte, their love of the city is just something they can't seem to explain.
Maybe I expect too much when I expect people to have a succinct reason for liking the city they inhabit. After awhile, I guess you probably just accept that it's where you live and you stop thinking about the reasons that you love where you live.
So maybe the average person can't succinctly explain why they love where they live. But I can. If someone was moving to Minneapolis and asked me why I love Minneapolis, I could easily answer that question. I'd tell them that we are one of the top 10 cities for running and that we have beautiful running trails, many of which are along lakes and rivers. I'd tell them that we battle Portland each year for the top spot for Friendliest Biking City and that our bike sharing program has been very successful and is something I utilize daily April-November. I'd tell them that we have a wonderful live music scene and it's rare for a musical artist to not include Minneapolis on their tours. I'd tell them that our downtown is vibrant year round and offers a great selection of restaurants - some of which have awesome happy hours. I'd tell them that there are great farmer's markets throughout the city, my favorite of which is the one in my neighborhoood. I'd tell them that many large companies, such as General Mills, Target, Medtronic, and Best Buy, are head quartered in Minneapolis which means we have lots of employment options (just not in my field of Fixed Income, unfortunately).
I'd tell them all of this, and so much more.
If you love where you live, do you think you could succinctly explain why? If someone was moving to your city, what selling points about your city could you provide?
It's no secret that I am not exactly excited about the city of Charlotte. I know quite a few people (mostly through work) that call Charlotte home and say that they love it... A frustrating aspect of this move has been the fact that most of the people who claim to love Charlotte can't succinctly explain what it is that they love. It's almost like the city has, as the French would say, a certain "je ne sais quoi." When I ask people to explain why they love the city of Charlotte, their love of the city is just something they can't seem to explain.
Maybe I expect too much when I expect people to have a succinct reason for liking the city they inhabit. After awhile, I guess you probably just accept that it's where you live and you stop thinking about the reasons that you love where you live.
So maybe the average person can't succinctly explain why they love where they live. But I can. If someone was moving to Minneapolis and asked me why I love Minneapolis, I could easily answer that question. I'd tell them that we are one of the top 10 cities for running and that we have beautiful running trails, many of which are along lakes and rivers. I'd tell them that we battle Portland each year for the top spot for Friendliest Biking City and that our bike sharing program has been very successful and is something I utilize daily April-November. I'd tell them that we have a wonderful live music scene and it's rare for a musical artist to not include Minneapolis on their tours. I'd tell them that our downtown is vibrant year round and offers a great selection of restaurants - some of which have awesome happy hours. I'd tell them that there are great farmer's markets throughout the city, my favorite of which is the one in my neighborhoood. I'd tell them that many large companies, such as General Mills, Target, Medtronic, and Best Buy, are head quartered in Minneapolis which means we have lots of employment options (just not in my field of Fixed Income, unfortunately).
I'd tell them all of this, and so much more.
If you love where you live, do you think you could succinctly explain why? If someone was moving to your city, what selling points about your city could you provide?
Friday, March 22, 2013
Virtual Friday Coffee Date
Greetings and Happy Friday, everyone! I am back from what I believe is my last business trip before my move (which is in about 2 weeks - yikes). It's been over a month since I did a virtual Friday coffee date post, so I thought it'd be good way to catch up on what's happening in my life these days!
If we were having coffee today...
- I'd tell you that I am tired. Really tired. I have traveled every week since the week of February 18th and all this time zone hopping and the disruption to my schedule has worn me out.
- I'd tell you that I am really excited to meet a friend's baby tonight. I think some baby snuggles with her baby boy who turned 1 month yesterday are just what my soul needs.
- I'd tell you that on Wednesday, a vendor from work who is around my age was also on my flight so we shared a cab to the hotel and then decided to go for a nice long walk since it was a balmy 55 degrees in Charlotte (it was 6 in Minneapolis so that felt awesome). We walked past my apartment and checked out an area where I can see myself running so that was fun.
- I'd tell you that while I want to see as many people before I leave, it's getting increasingly difficult to plan things as I am so tired between work stuff and CFA studying. Trying to juggle my study schedule and packing tasks and seeing people on the weekends is just not working very well.
- Speaking of CFA studying, I'd tell you that I am ahead of my study schedule so will probably have about 2 months to review, which is a very good thing as the essay format of the morning half of the exam is FREAKING ME OUT.
- I'd tell you that I went rogue in the kitchen when I made dinner for Phil and I on Tuesday night and that the dish I made (stir fry with steak) is now one of Phil's favorite things I've made! I was so sure it wouldn't turn out as I really don't trust myself to cook without a recipe. I guess I can afterall!
- Lastly, I'd tell you that the highlight of my week was finding out that my sister Abby is coming home for Easter! My brother from Chicago is coming home as well, so this means I get to see all of my siblings, and all of my nephews and my niece. That is a VERY big deal as we are so rarely all together (I can't remember the last time that happened - I think it's been years).
If we had coffee this morning, what would you fill me in on?
If we were having coffee today...
- I'd tell you that I am tired. Really tired. I have traveled every week since the week of February 18th and all this time zone hopping and the disruption to my schedule has worn me out.
- I'd tell you that I am really excited to meet a friend's baby tonight. I think some baby snuggles with her baby boy who turned 1 month yesterday are just what my soul needs.
- I'd tell you that on Wednesday, a vendor from work who is around my age was also on my flight so we shared a cab to the hotel and then decided to go for a nice long walk since it was a balmy 55 degrees in Charlotte (it was 6 in Minneapolis so that felt awesome). We walked past my apartment and checked out an area where I can see myself running so that was fun.
- I'd tell you that while I want to see as many people before I leave, it's getting increasingly difficult to plan things as I am so tired between work stuff and CFA studying. Trying to juggle my study schedule and packing tasks and seeing people on the weekends is just not working very well.
- Speaking of CFA studying, I'd tell you that I am ahead of my study schedule so will probably have about 2 months to review, which is a very good thing as the essay format of the morning half of the exam is FREAKING ME OUT.
- I'd tell you that I went rogue in the kitchen when I made dinner for Phil and I on Tuesday night and that the dish I made (stir fry with steak) is now one of Phil's favorite things I've made! I was so sure it wouldn't turn out as I really don't trust myself to cook without a recipe. I guess I can afterall!
- Lastly, I'd tell you that the highlight of my week was finding out that my sister Abby is coming home for Easter! My brother from Chicago is coming home as well, so this means I get to see all of my siblings, and all of my nephews and my niece. That is a VERY big deal as we are so rarely all together (I can't remember the last time that happened - I think it's been years).
If we had coffee this morning, what would you fill me in on?
Monday, March 18, 2013
It Was the Best of Times
Today marks the start of my final three weeks in Minneapolis. It's hard to believe that just over 2 months ago, I found out about my relocation and now I am just weeks away from making the actual move... I'm losing a couple of days this week due to a trip to Charlotte and then will be out of town for about a day for Easter, so it feels like I have even less time. My calendar is filling up with lunches and I'm trying to see friends one last time before my move without making my schedule too intense. All of this would be so much easier if I didn't have to find 18 hours a week to study for the CFA, but so it goes.
I did have a great opportunity to see a lot of friends and family this weekend, though, as my friends threw a going away party for me on Saturday night. The wife of my previous boss was really good about taking pictures of everyone throughout the night so I can't wait to get those pictures from her! In total, about 30 people came to the party and while I didn't get to spend as much time with each guest as I would have liked, it was still really awesome to have so many people in one place at the same time.
My friends surprised me with a "Minnesota Memories" scrapbook which I will be adding to when I get the photos from the party and they also gave each attendee a note card with an addressed envelope with my new mailing address so I will likely be getting quite a few notes in the mail after my move which will really brighten my day! Additionally, I also received a 3-month "macaroon of the month" subscription! Clearly my friends know me well!
I am proud to say that I set aside the tears and sadness for a night and just soaked up the time with family and friends. It really was the best of times and it was a good reminder of the many friendship my life has been blessed with over the last 10 years I've lived in Minneapolis. The reprieve from those feelings of sadness was short-lived as the sadness returned yesterday as the finality of this move started to sink in a bit more, which I suppose is to be expected.
I hope to see some of these friends again before my move, but if that doesn't happen, at least I will have the memories of that evening to reflect back on over the months to come as I start this new chapter of my life in Charlotte.
I did have a great opportunity to see a lot of friends and family this weekend, though, as my friends threw a going away party for me on Saturday night. The wife of my previous boss was really good about taking pictures of everyone throughout the night so I can't wait to get those pictures from her! In total, about 30 people came to the party and while I didn't get to spend as much time with each guest as I would have liked, it was still really awesome to have so many people in one place at the same time.
My friends surprised me with a "Minnesota Memories" scrapbook which I will be adding to when I get the photos from the party and they also gave each attendee a note card with an addressed envelope with my new mailing address so I will likely be getting quite a few notes in the mail after my move which will really brighten my day! Additionally, I also received a 3-month "macaroon of the month" subscription! Clearly my friends know me well!
I am proud to say that I set aside the tears and sadness for a night and just soaked up the time with family and friends. It really was the best of times and it was a good reminder of the many friendship my life has been blessed with over the last 10 years I've lived in Minneapolis. The reprieve from those feelings of sadness was short-lived as the sadness returned yesterday as the finality of this move started to sink in a bit more, which I suppose is to be expected.
I hope to see some of these friends again before my move, but if that doesn't happen, at least I will have the memories of that evening to reflect back on over the months to come as I start this new chapter of my life in Charlotte.
Friday, March 15, 2013
On Walking a Tight Rope
It's no secret that I have felt overwhelmed lately. In general, CFA season is always a really hard time for me as life begins to feel like a tight rope that I am precariously balanced one. I've walked this tight rope the past 2 springs, balancing work, studying, and seeing family and friends, and have come out on the other side of it with a pass and a sense of relief of getting through that difficult phase. Now this year, heaped on top of those commitments, I am trying to balance a crazy travel schedule and what feels like a never ending list of moving-related tasks.
Over the past couple of months, I've handled it ok. Sure there have been cracks in my "I can do it all" facade. Those cracks mostly manifest themselves in tears at inopportune moments and settings, from sitting at the gate at the airport with my mom on our way back from Charlotte to eating dinner at a crowded restaurant with Phil to sitting at my desk at work (which is the worst of all as I have zero privacy since my workspace is completely open). But when the cracks showed, I gave myself a pep talk, and carried on.
Well this week I just sort of hit a breaking point. While attending the conference in Florida was a good career opportunity, the long days spent in a windowless conference room coupled with dinners out that lasted until 10:30-11 pm left me just plain exhausted. And then I found out I have to go back to Charlotte once again next week and I thought - ENOUGH!
There's nothing I can really cut back on right now. I can't say no to trips like the one to Charlotte next week. I can't stop studying 18 hours a week for the CFA. I can't abandon my moving to do list, nor can I ask for help as they are all things I need to do (luckily my company pays for a moving company to pack my goods which is a huge relief). But what I can do is take a mental health day. And that is what I am doing today. Granted, it won't be this uber relaxing day of leisure and rest, but it will allow me to get a good night's sleep, get caught up on some moving to do's, and get a head start on my weekend study hours.
I have a full weekend ahead of me which includes meeting up with Amber today for coffee, attending my old boss's birthday happy hour tonight, helping to run a potluck breakfast for run club tomorrow morning (totally kicking myself for offering to help but I felt bad resigning from the board so felt I should take on something), and most importantly - attending my going away party on Saturday night.
That's a lot to pack into one weekend so my hope is that by taking today off, I can enter the weekend feeling a bit more relaxed. I especially want to feel calm and rested tomorrow night so I can fully enjoy my going away party!
So here's hoping today's mental health day is a restorative one for me!
Do you take mental health days? This the first unplanned day off I've taken from work in a very very long time, but it feels very necessary.
Over the past couple of months, I've handled it ok. Sure there have been cracks in my "I can do it all" facade. Those cracks mostly manifest themselves in tears at inopportune moments and settings, from sitting at the gate at the airport with my mom on our way back from Charlotte to eating dinner at a crowded restaurant with Phil to sitting at my desk at work (which is the worst of all as I have zero privacy since my workspace is completely open). But when the cracks showed, I gave myself a pep talk, and carried on.
Well this week I just sort of hit a breaking point. While attending the conference in Florida was a good career opportunity, the long days spent in a windowless conference room coupled with dinners out that lasted until 10:30-11 pm left me just plain exhausted. And then I found out I have to go back to Charlotte once again next week and I thought - ENOUGH!
There's nothing I can really cut back on right now. I can't say no to trips like the one to Charlotte next week. I can't stop studying 18 hours a week for the CFA. I can't abandon my moving to do list, nor can I ask for help as they are all things I need to do (luckily my company pays for a moving company to pack my goods which is a huge relief). But what I can do is take a mental health day. And that is what I am doing today. Granted, it won't be this uber relaxing day of leisure and rest, but it will allow me to get a good night's sleep, get caught up on some moving to do's, and get a head start on my weekend study hours.
I have a full weekend ahead of me which includes meeting up with Amber today for coffee, attending my old boss's birthday happy hour tonight, helping to run a potluck breakfast for run club tomorrow morning (totally kicking myself for offering to help but I felt bad resigning from the board so felt I should take on something), and most importantly - attending my going away party on Saturday night.
That's a lot to pack into one weekend so my hope is that by taking today off, I can enter the weekend feeling a bit more relaxed. I especially want to feel calm and rested tomorrow night so I can fully enjoy my going away party!
So here's hoping today's mental health day is a restorative one for me!
Do you take mental health days? This the first unplanned day off I've taken from work in a very very long time, but it feels very necessary.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Always, Sometimes, Never: The Travel Edition
Well what do you know, I am once again in the midst of a trip. This time to Orlando. Please don't be jealous. I'm attending a conference for work which is a good learning opportunity for me but I could just as well be in Timbuktu because between the conference, client dinners, and studying for the CFA, it's not like I will see the light of day. But I guess I will see palm trees and sun from the confines of the hotel, which is probably better than looking outdoors and seeing snirt (the midwesterner's term for the lovely combination of snow and dirt)! I *hope* this is my last work trip before the move because I am totally worn out! I can't wait to get home tonight so I can sleep in my own bed and not eat out every meal. Except I found out last night that I have to go back to Charlotte AGAIN next week. It's a quick trip but still. It's like the powers that be forgot I am studying for the CFA and preparing for a cross country move. :(. But I digress.
Through all the traveling I've done, I have definitely developed some habits, rituals, and perspectives so I thought I'd share them in the format of an "always, sometimes, never" post.
I always...
- attach my keys to a latch in an inner pocket of my backpack when I get to the airport - and they stay there until I fly back into the airport. That way I always know where they are and avoid the "OMG where did I put my keys" panic attack.
- travel with my backpack (and put my purse inside of it while boarding to meet the 2 carry-on maximum rule), even when I don't bring my laptop. I think a backpack is the most space efficient and ergonomic carry-on, although traveling with one probably makes me look like I am a college student.
- try to sit in an aisle seat as I like the freedom of being able to get up and go to the bathroom without having to disturb someone else. My exception is international flights as I like being able to lean against the window when I try to sleep on those flights.
I sometimes...
- have a drink in the airport at the start of a trip if it's for personal or if it's an evening flight and I don't have to study on the flight. It's nice to have a glass of wine to start off a trip!
- get upgraded to first class now that I have Silver status on Delta (which is the lowest status so really not a big deal). I love it when this happens as the extra seat room is awesome since I kind of have long legs!
- get really, really annoyed with people in the security line that don't observe what should be well known rules by now. Like last week a women went through security with 2 full 20 ounce bottles of water. What in the what? Does she live under a rock?
I never...
- initiate conversation with my seatmate. I am just not a 'talk to a stranger I will never see again' type of person.
- check a bag on domestic flights, even though I can check a bag for free on Delta. I've had a couple of awful experiences of having my luggage get lost and it's way more efficient to just carry-on.
- have been in an airport that is as nice as the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. We have the best food options and book stores, IMO. It is a rather large airport but once you understand how it's laid out, it's actually really easy to navigate.
Do you have any travel rituals?
Through all the traveling I've done, I have definitely developed some habits, rituals, and perspectives so I thought I'd share them in the format of an "always, sometimes, never" post.
I always...
- attach my keys to a latch in an inner pocket of my backpack when I get to the airport - and they stay there until I fly back into the airport. That way I always know where they are and avoid the "OMG where did I put my keys" panic attack.
- travel with my backpack (and put my purse inside of it while boarding to meet the 2 carry-on maximum rule), even when I don't bring my laptop. I think a backpack is the most space efficient and ergonomic carry-on, although traveling with one probably makes me look like I am a college student.
- try to sit in an aisle seat as I like the freedom of being able to get up and go to the bathroom without having to disturb someone else. My exception is international flights as I like being able to lean against the window when I try to sleep on those flights.
I sometimes...
- have a drink in the airport at the start of a trip if it's for personal or if it's an evening flight and I don't have to study on the flight. It's nice to have a glass of wine to start off a trip!
- get upgraded to first class now that I have Silver status on Delta (which is the lowest status so really not a big deal). I love it when this happens as the extra seat room is awesome since I kind of have long legs!
- get really, really annoyed with people in the security line that don't observe what should be well known rules by now. Like last week a women went through security with 2 full 20 ounce bottles of water. What in the what? Does she live under a rock?
I never...
- initiate conversation with my seatmate. I am just not a 'talk to a stranger I will never see again' type of person.
- check a bag on domestic flights, even though I can check a bag for free on Delta. I've had a couple of awful experiences of having my luggage get lost and it's way more efficient to just carry-on.
- have been in an airport that is as nice as the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. We have the best food options and book stores, IMO. It is a rather large airport but once you understand how it's laid out, it's actually really easy to navigate.
Do you have any travel rituals?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)