Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything, blogosphere! Do not fret, however—I have indeed been thinking about you and have missed you greatly. 
Where have I been? Well I’m glad I asked myself that question (since no one else has). 
I’ve recently settled in to the, for lack of a better metaphor, chapter of my life. 22 days ago I was offered a social media position at a wonderful, all-natural skincare company called Aidance Skincare. 21 days ago I completed my last college assignment and officially earned those last credits finalizing the completion of my bachelor’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Four days ago I packed up belongings and moved into a house in Providence, Rhode Island with two really great people—a New Hampshire native, Craig, and a German girl going for her master’s from Johnson and Wales, Franzi. And yesterday was my first day of work at Aidance. 
It’s weird how we grow up. I know it may sound cliche, but I really think it is. It’s been so long since we were clueless of any sense of time other than bedtime to signal the days and our birthdays to mark the years, we just view time as this thing always passing rather than arriving. I remember this day in the photo, climbing into boxes as if it were this magical place that seemed filled with limitless possibilities of fantabulous(< I did not know that was an accepted word) wonders. I remember getting a kitten I named Tigger when I was just two years old, sitting in the backseat of my dad’s care as we got a box with the cutest little orange kitten you’ve ever seen(fo’ reals). We all have our childhood memories and things that remind us of them—and we have to remember not to forget about them. These were the times where everything was an adventure and the simplest things dazzled our minds. But grownups tend not to think that way; at least most of them, any-who. In these recent, very quickly passing weeks, the idea of being a “grownup” continued to run through my head as I discussed health insurance, taxes, and even shopping for my first real mattress away from home(I’ve been sleeping on an air mattress for the last couple years, my back was killing me! I think that’s a primary reason I wanted to graduate college a bit earlier than expected)—an adult is what I’ll be for the rest of my life. How am I going to handle being old?!
But even though I may have to grow up and worry about all those things that life forces you to worry about these days, I can always be young at heart. Even just my couple days at work for Aidance Skincare has reassured me that you can continue to have fun and enjoy life and those around you while still being a great success and doing some pretty cool things. I am truly excited for the work I am doing and I literally cannot wait to do it again tomorrow, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
If we allow life’s little quarrels and stresses to get to us too much, we will allow them to run our lives and keep us trapped in that dull, soulless cardboard box that a lot of old people are in. But if we focus on the good, doing good for others and, as Darien Lake Resort would put it, “remember it’s fun”, we’ll be able to open up that world of imagination, creativity and innovation that the cardboard box revealed to us as children. Don’t let, whatever it is, get you down. I want to see you smiling and looking up at the world. Show us all what you’re made of. I’m ready for it all. I’m ready to take on the “real world”. I’m ready to do great things. 
Let’s do this.

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything, blogosphere! Do not fret, however—I have indeed been thinking about you and have missed you greatly. 

Where have I been? Well I’m glad I asked myself that question (since no one else has). 

I’ve recently settled in to the, for lack of a better metaphor, chapter of my life. 22 days ago I was offered a social media position at a wonderful, all-natural skincare company called Aidance Skincare. 21 days ago I completed my last college assignment and officially earned those last credits finalizing the completion of my bachelor’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Four days ago I packed up belongings and moved into a house in Providence, Rhode Island with two really great people—a New Hampshire native, Craig, and a German girl going for her master’s from Johnson and Wales, Franzi. And yesterday was my first day of work at Aidance. 

It’s weird how we grow up. I know it may sound cliche, but I really think it is. It’s been so long since we were clueless of any sense of time other than bedtime to signal the days and our birthdays to mark the years, we just view time as this thing always passing rather than arriving. I remember this day in the photo, climbing into boxes as if it were this magical place that seemed filled with limitless possibilities of fantabulous(< I did not know that was an accepted word) wonders. I remember getting a kitten I named Tigger when I was just two years old, sitting in the backseat of my dad’s care as we got a box with the cutest little orange kitten you’ve ever seen(fo’ reals). We all have our childhood memories and things that remind us of them—and we have to remember not to forget about them. These were the times where everything was an adventure and the simplest things dazzled our minds. But grownups tend not to think that way; at least most of them, any-who. In these recent, very quickly passing weeks, the idea of being a “grownup” continued to run through my head as I discussed health insurance, taxes, and even shopping for my first real mattress away from home(I’ve been sleeping on an air mattress for the last couple years, my back was killing me! I think that’s a primary reason I wanted to graduate college a bit earlier than expected)—an adult is what I’ll be for the rest of my life. How am I going to handle being old?!

But even though I may have to grow up and worry about all those things that life forces you to worry about these days, I can always be young at heart. Even just my couple days at work for Aidance Skincare has reassured me that you can continue to have fun and enjoy life and those around you while still being a great success and doing some pretty cool things. I am truly excited for the work I am doing and I literally cannot wait to do it again tomorrow, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

If we allow life’s little quarrels and stresses to get to us too much, we will allow them to run our lives and keep us trapped in that dull, soulless cardboard box that a lot of old people are in. But if we focus on the good, doing good for others and, as Darien Lake Resort would put it, “remember it’s fun”, we’ll be able to open up that world of imagination, creativity and innovation that the cardboard box revealed to us as children. Don’t let, whatever it is, get you down. I want to see you smiling and looking up at the world. Show us all what you’re made of. I’m ready for it all. I’m ready to take on the “real world”. I’m ready to do great things. 

Let’s do this.

A week ago I received a rather different assignment in my Professional Selling class at RIT. It was dubbed, &#8220;The Five Golden Assignments&#8221;—where could this be going?After further explanation, these assignments turned out to be personal and social development assignments; likely meant to get our arrogant, non-appreciative, give-me-more-now generation to step back, reflect and put some meaning and warmth back into the world (the good kind of warmth, like hugs and stuff, not the ozone depleting kind, hello?!).Finally a homework assignment I can make sense of!
I&#8217;m not going to give them all away just yet, but as I go through them, I&#8217;ll be sure to update you through here. Let&#8217;s get started, shall we?
Golden Assignment Numero Uno: Set Goals
I&#8217;ve set some goals over the recent months and this seems like a convenient time to expose them for what they&#8217;re worth.
I&#8217;ve really been trying to expand myself spiritually, mentally and socially and let me tell you, my life hasn&#8217;t felt more meaningful, virtuous or just plain real since I can remember. I&#8217;ve been meditating more and more, really learning how to control my dreams and where my mind goes, and I&#8217;ve never felt closer to people in my life. I feel more aware and sensitive to so many problems surrounding us, which could make you upset but you can use it only to make you stronger in the end in order to better more people&#8217;s lives around you. Optimism can go a long way in changing the lives of everyone you encounter.But no matter how positive and optimistic you are, bad things still happen, and I continue to see them happen to the best of people; but somehow a beam of light can always make it through their eyes and by doing as they do and seeing that light and then spreading that positive energy to as many as you can, it will turn it self toward you again even when you&#8217;re feeling nothing can go right. Spreading that positive energy is my goal. Maybe you can make it yours too? Smile. Tell someone you like their boots. Anything you think this world could use more of (as long as you aren&#8217;t hurting anyone).
p.s. I have a REAL WORLD job interview on Monday. Eek!
p.p.s. My big sister is getting married in a week! Double Eek!

A week ago I received a rather different assignment in my Professional Selling class at RIT. It was dubbed, “The Five Golden Assignments”—where could this be going?

After further explanation, these assignments turned out to be personal and social development assignments; likely meant to get our arrogant, non-appreciative, give-me-more-now generation to step back, reflect and put some meaning and warmth back into the world (the good kind of warmth, like hugs and stuff, not the ozone depleting kind, hello?!).

Finally a homework assignment I can make sense of!

I’m not going to give them all away just yet, but as I go through them, I’ll be sure to update you through here. Let’s get started, shall we?

Golden Assignment Numero Uno: Set Goals

I’ve set some goals over the recent months and this seems like a convenient time to expose them for what they’re worth.

I’ve really been trying to expand myself spiritually, mentally and socially and let me tell you, my life hasn’t felt more meaningful, virtuous or just plain real since I can remember. I’ve been meditating more and more, really learning how to control my dreams and where my mind goes, and I’ve never felt closer to people in my life. I feel more aware and sensitive to so many problems surrounding us, which could make you upset but you can use it only to make you stronger in the end in order to better more people’s lives around you. Optimism can go a long way in changing the lives of everyone you encounter.
But no matter how positive and optimistic you are, bad things still happen, and I continue to see them happen to the best of people; but somehow a beam of light can always make it through their eyes and by doing as they do and seeing that light and then spreading that positive energy to as many as you can, it will turn it self toward you again even when you’re feeling nothing can go right. Spreading that positive energy is my goal. Maybe you can make it yours too? Smile. Tell someone you like their boots. Anything you think this world could use more of (as long as you aren’t hurting anyone).

p.s. I have a REAL WORLD job interview on Monday. Eek!

p.p.s. My big sister is getting married in a week! Double Eek!

Bringing smiles to hundreds of little kids during the Imagine RIT Festival. And only three cried :)

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a mascot… it’s not all glits and glamour!

An extra credit assignment freshman year to take a picture of a ghost encounter and post it to a web site to show how &#8220;encounters&#8221; require a little more critical thinking to be fully believed turns into it getting published in a haunting of upstate New York book.

An extra credit assignment freshman year to take a picture of a ghost encounter and post it to a web site to show how “encounters” require a little more critical thinking to be fully believed turns into it getting published in a haunting of upstate New York book.

Tags: RIT