30 Days....

I have 30 days to do something cool.  To live a little more life than I usually do.  That is my goal for June 2011.  I find myself more and more struggling to get through each week...not the weekends, really, but the week days.  I wish away the days during the week...the days I have to work....thinking that they are only preventing me from living a great life on the weekends.  Now I know that has a lot to do with the fact that I'm [still] not satisfied with my job and work life.  BUT, another huge goal of the upcoming months is to dig deep to find out what I might want to do career wise.  Now that my fantastic husband is employed [thank ALL of the Gods that I've been praying to for that] - I feel a little more free to really discover what is going to make me happy in my work life.

Career Searching Tip - I suggest keeping a work journal on your desk for you to write down things you like and don't like about your job - or what some dream/nightmare aspects of a job would be for you.

So as I set out on this 30 day journey...please bare with me.  I may miss a few postings, I may not do extraordinary things every single day, but I will do my best to live a little more and a little better.  I know I have so much to be grateful for and I should treasure every day A LOT more than I do.  Every day is a gift that is never promised to us, but we should acknowledge how special each day is and appreciate the people around us who make our lives worth living.

10

1. Vacations – planning, counting down, taking them, experiencing them [but not coming home from them]  You know those people who say, "it's been a good trip, but I can't wait to get home to my own bed, etc" Well, I am NOT one of those people.

2. Concerts - As you can see from my previous post, I have a thing for live music and entertainment.  There is no other rush like it that I get when the lights completely go dark, the music begins and the show has started.  Nothing like it.

3. Owen - My nephew and Godson is one of my most favorite people in the world.  The closest thing I have to a child of my own and I love him just like that.  Every minute I get to spend with him and watch him grow up and teach him things and hear him call me 'TeeTee' is a blessing.

4. Time with good friends - As I grow older and my world starts to change, more and more I realize the value of friendship.  I am blessed with some amazing friends, some I've known forever and some that I just feel like I've known forever.  Day after day, our lives grow more and more busy, so the time we spend together is limited, but it only makes me appreciate the time we DO get to spend together even more. 

5.  All Things Disney - Anyone who knows me probably knows about my love of Disney.  It started when I was probably 4 years old and has multiplied every year.  All the trips to DW and DL, watching vacation planner videos every Saturday morning, listening to Subsonic Radio every day at work {wishing I was in DW instead of a cube}, sharing information and watching Disney videos with my Dad, taking my husband on his first {of many} trips to DW and seeing him enjoy it and thinking about how happy all things Disney makes me.  

6. My Workout Buddy - Never have I ever worked out and gone to the gym on such a regular basis as I have since I found my workout buddy, Kelly.  Since January, her and I have had a pretty good weekly schedule of what days we do which classes at which YMCA location.  {For me} the motivation for going to classes and keeping to that for a long time has been huge.  Not only has it helped me with myself and taking care of myself, but it has been a huge gift to have a friend supporting you along the way.  It is SO different having someone you can talk to before, during and after class - but most importantly - someone to look over at, roll your eyes and say 'I'm dying!'

And yes...Kelly and I wore our wedding dresses last summer for the Bachelorette finale!

7. Sun - Something that we haven't had much of in the past couple months.  I cannot believe the winter we have had and how much I am looking forward to nice weather.  With sun comes sand volleyball, outdoor patios, backyard BBQ's, outdoor baseball, zoo trips with Owen and of course walks around the lake with my dog and my husband.     

8. My Future - If I have learned anything this year, it is that you cannot completely control or predict your future.  But, I am learning to embrace the unknown and realize that wherever life takes me - my future will be amazing.  Down the road, there are so many adventures that await R and I and I am happy and excited to get there.  

9. My Family - Without the love and support of my family, I would be nowhere.  Every day and I more and more appreciative.  And one thing I appreciate more and more each day is how much I LIKE my family.  I know not everyone does.  But I am lucky enough that I like my family and enjoy the time we spend together. Liking your family and loving your family are two very different things -- I do both!

10. Scrabble - Someday I will beat my husband at this tricky, tricky game...

Popular

It has been quiet a while since I have been this excited about new music and concert tours.  I definitely go in spurts of being an active compact disc buyer (yes, I still buy CDs and don't think I could ever give that up) and concert attendee.  There really hasn't been anything that great out in the last year or so.

Thank God for Pop Music.

No matter how people classify 'pop' music - I will always believe it to be the universal feel good music that is easy to listen to and makes you very happy, even happy enough that it makes you want to dance!

My girl Britney is BACK!  Unlike most people, I never stopped being a fan and listening to her music and KNOWING that she would eventually make it back into the spotlight.  Her new CD Femme Fatale is a perfect example of Britney. Dance. Pop.  It is great for working out, dancing and singing in the car.  I cannot wait for her upcoming tour (with or without Enrique?) Here is just a sneak peak of what Britney has to offer....this song is incredible.  I dare you not to move when you hear this song.

I just love this girl and know she is going to continue to Rock It.  

Took this picture at Britney's Dream Within A Dream Tour in 2001

And then there was NKOTBSB.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this was even possible.  But here it is and in a mere 3 months...I will be seeing them all LIVE!    After our NKOTBSB night last Saturday, I have been rejuvenated with my love obsession.  I've come to realize that is it embedded in me and that I am completely okay with that.  I have people right there with me (kristine) who understand what that love obsession is all about.  

 It will be an unforgettable few weeks in July.  And I will savor every moment BEFORE the shows, in anticipation for a couple of the greatest nights of the year century!

Just a taste of what NKOTBSB will bring....

Over.Whelmed.

Definitely feeling completely OVERwhelmed these days. Sometimes I feel like I can't catch my breath long enough to figure out where I am and what I'm doing. So much has happened/continues to happen over the last six months. Sometimes I forget what it was like to have everything in life nailed down and figured out and not *really* have many things to worry about. {although I usually find a few things to worry about at all times.}

I never quite understood the ramifications of what it means to be unemployed. Certainly never had to deal with it in my life. But man, does that smack you right in the face and make you look at everything COMPLETELY different.

R and I never imagined that only 3 months after our wedding our whole world would be turned upside down. I have never been on a roller coaster like this in my life and it has proved for some real testing of strength and character.

Things that I have learned through this experience...

1 - I will never take for granted having a job ever again. (and neither should YOU)

2 - Sometimes it's okay to ask for help and rely on people who ARE able to help

3 - Many people forget about your 'situation' and do not provide extra support that is needed

4 - Other people step up to the plate and are more than supportive and understanding

5 - Money management. (Do I really need that dress? Well, yes, but I can't afford it right now.)

6 - Playing a game of scrabble (via facebook) against your husband on a friday night is the
best.

7 - Our appreciation for the small and the big things has been beyond enhanced

8 - Letting go of 'planning the future' - we never really know what a week, month or year will bring us

Because of what we have gone through and continue to go through every day - we have a new found appreciate for so many things. We have learned things that we will keep for the rest of our lives and will definitely make a difference in the long run. We have learned so many lessons that some people never learn in their lifetime. We eventually will look at this time as one of the hardest but most influential times in our relationship and in our life. And until that point of closing this chapter in our lives and in our marriage....we wait...we persist....we laugh...we cry...we hope...

What am I doing?

Had a though last week.....

Some of my very favorite music includes boybands, britney spears and broadway...

One of my biggest online news sources is people.com...

I am addicted to horrible reality TV, including the entire Real Housewives franchise...

My favorite vacation destination is Disney World...

What in the hell am I doing working at Minnesota Public Radio?!?

I have had that thought more than once and continue to struggle with it. I'm not sure I'll ever be as "serious" as everyone around me. Not that I don't care about it all or feel that it is important. I just do not bleed public radio - like so many of my co-workers.
I wonder if I will ever find another job that I actually have the fire and passion for. Sometimes I feel like a poser, but I can't help what makes me happy in life!
I can be very serious at times - too serious even - but most of the time I am a 10 yr old girl and those things that made me happy then, still make me happy to this day.
I guess I am okay with that. I just hope people can always accept me for who I am, what is important to me and what makes me happy. I never pretend to be someone I am not - and I hope people can always see that in me.

But for now, I will continue to love pop music that makes me sing and dance, bad reality tv that makes me feel "less crazy" and disneyworld will always be my happiest place on earth.

2011 - Oh Boy...!

2009 - 2010 - 2011 and beyond. I cannot believe how much time flies. 2010 has definitely been a year to remember. So many amazing things happened and I'm very grateful.
But it has also been one of the most difficult years of my life as well. Either way, I'm grateful for all of the things that have happened that have led me to this point in my life and am hoping and praying for an amazing 2011.
Like everyone else at this point in time - I am re-evaluating my life and everything in it. Looking toward the future with hope and fear and uncertainty.
I feel very blessed with the year I had. I planned a wedding in 7 months and married the love of my life on May 22nd. We had a fabulous wedding and honeymoon, and I am so grateful that all of that happened and had so much support from all of the people in our life that mean the most to us. Summer was great. Lots of time with friends and playing sports and busy as ever. Then bad news hit in August and we found out that Rian was losing his job. It was quite a blow, especially after all of the years and dedication Rian has given to the company.
We knew that in the long run this would be the best - but it still was/is a difficult thing to go through. We are still struggling with this, but luckily I was able to find a new (better paying) job and started working at Minnesota Public Radio in November. The bump in pay was huge for us and we are happy about that. We are still plugging away and trying to find something for Rian.

I always heard about people dealing with layoffs and unemployment, but I never fully understood what it was until this happened to us. Luckily, Rian and I have each other for support and also have my parents who have been amazing throughout this tough time. I realize that there are so many out there that have no support and I can't imagine how difficult that would make things.
Trying to look at the silver linings - at least we don't have any children we are trying to support or huge amount of debt (although having to buy a furnace in October wasn't a fun thing to do) and I still have a job and am able to cover both of us for insurance.
Overall, it is a huge learning experience for Rian and I and maybe something that happened to teach both of us and something that will help us for the rest of our lives. Lord knows I will never take for granted having a job ever again. And, I think we will take away some heavy lessons that will benefit us for the future. We have learned (what we already knew) how fun a night at home with movies or catching up on our DVR is instead of going out to dinner or to a bar. We enjoy cooking meals at home for each other or cooking together. We cut out the little things that we don't necessarily need (but sometimes enjoy buying). We have appreciated even more being able to go over to my parents house for dinner and enjoyed their company. I am realizing how lucky I am that Rian really likes my parents and is okay hanging out with them. I know that doesn't always work that way, so I really appreciate that from both sides.
We have and continue to learn a lot about life, our life and our situation. I am still completely keeping the faith that things will turn around for us and Rian will find a job soon. I am hopeful that 2011 will be a positive year full of new beginnings and opportunities.
I am ready to start enjoying being a newlywed and doing all those fun things. Creating our home together and our life together. We are still able to do a lot of that now, I just can't wait when we have more freedom to enjoy this time in our lives. We will get there and we will appreciate it even more.
Professionally, for me, I have started on a new adventure that I'm still trying to get used to and figure out. As anyone who is even remotely close to me knows that I seem to always be looking for a new job and a new opportunity. I do believe I have found a good place to be - yet (of course) I'm still desiring more/something different. Not sure if I will ever be satisifed with any current job, but I still feel like there is something more out there for me. Something that will actually fulfill whatever it is that has seem to have been void in my life all these years. Someday - Somehow!

Who knows - maybe 2011 is the year of the Heaslip's winning the lottery and all of these problems will be behind us.....for good.

Either way, I'm still searching, still hoping and still dreaming - I don't think I will ever stop dreaming.

Fashion is Chaos.

I'm convinced that all of my exceptional outfits, accessories, everything put together can only be done in a chaotic state. Whenever I have an idea in my head of what I am going to where and how it is going to look - it never turns out that way.
Yet, on random mornings when I have no idea what to wear - I seem to just put together a complete outfit and it just works.

Fashion cannot be forced. Fashion is a life style. Fashion is a (my) driving force.

Fashion is ever changing - which is why I can easily get bored of my clothes - yet cannot seem to part with them in case they come back full circle.

Carrie Bradshaw - one of my style icons - taught me to show my personality and my emotions through my clothes, to never be afraid of color and that accessories make the outfit.

When I'm (trying to) put an outfit together, I simply say to myself - WWCBW?

{What Would Carrie Bradshaw Wear}