How Bad is Life Really

Have you ever had a life event put your life into perspective?  I'm sure we all have had some kind of life event that has effected us in a way that we will never forget.  This week, I started following three gentlemen on Facebook that I do not know.  All three are US Army Soldiers and are at the Medical Center in Bethesda (10 minutes away from my office) where they are having surgery every three days to fight infection in their amputated leg(s).  They are also fighting to keep their arms without having them amputated as well.  I don't know any of these guys but it is a life event that has put my life into perspective.

I have had minor issues this week, hell my whole life, compared to these gentlemen.  Everyday I get on their Facebook page and read their updates and I am amazed by they're strength and progress.  It makes me cringe that people complain everyday because of the most minor issues.  My mind has been filled this week by the dramatic changes that will effect their lives forever.  Everything I have done this week, from driving to work to trying to balance on one leg during a workout, I have thought about how their life has been forever changed. This tragedy will effect them and their families for the rest of their lives but yet they are still positive and staying strong.  Our minor issues, from losing weight to car repairs, cannot even compare to their sacrifice.  

These men are American Heroes.  They have sacrificed their legs for us to live safely in America.  Next time you are having a rough week, think about the million of men and women who have fought for our country and are living (or not living) with injuries because they don't even know you and they decided to sacrifice themselves for you.

Many of us know at least one person who has served in the military.  Take a moment to thank them for the service they provided you.  And next time you see a soldier just take a moment to say thank you.  After you walk away from them, think about everything they gave up so that you could walk around this world and not have a care in the world.  We all have issues that come up, big and small.  I'm not saying that your issues are any less important.  I just want people to realize that it could always be worse.  When you think you are at your lowest point, think again.  I promise you someone is suffering worse than you are.  Find strength in that and pull yourself together.  Stay strong and believe in yourself!

Roller-Coaster of Passion

Since I have moved to DC the weather has been all over the place.  I've experience a "cold" (50 degree) mornings and highs around 70, the power has gone out for 24 hours due to thunderstorms with winds at 70 mph, and temperatures in the 100's.  No snow, just yet, but I know it's coming for me in the winter.

The weather has been all over the place just like my running, training, and workouts.  I set a New Year's Resolution to have a purpose for my workouts.  Not to just go out and run aimlessly through the neighborhood but to have passion behind my workouts.  Yesterday was the second workout since I've been here that I actually had that passion.  My first was in the gym about two weeks ago when I hit my first low of missing everybody and wishing I was at home.  I hit the weights really hard and my body paid for it for the rest of the week.  I was so sore my passion dwindled from my workout for the rest of the week.

Yesterday, I rekindled that fire.  I came home, after work, and was stir crazy from sitting in an office at a computer all day.  So, I set out for what's been my usual since I moved here 2.5-3 mile run.  Once I got out on the road, I channeled everything into that run.  I found a 2 mile loop around my neighborhood with shade and a safe area that I was able to run twice!  I haven't ran more than 3 miles probably since April.

Now, I've mentioned to you all before, music keeps me going and yesterday was no exception.  Last week, I started to want that passion again.  So, I started a new workout regimen and made a new playlist. Thanks to Pinterest, I had a rocking playlist and a workout plan that was going to challenge every part of my body.  Even though I started this program last week, I was just going through the motions of the workout.  Feeling the burn, for sure, but not enjoying it like I use to.

After completing my run yesterday I walked down the hallway to my apartment with my arms in the air over my head and my fists clenched.  I was finally back with the drive to WANT to run.  I've done most of my runs early in the morning, because of the weather, but they have been really lonely.  My music wasn't "pump you up" kind of music.  I just kept wishing there was someone running beside me or that I knew the people I was passing like I did in Auburn.


After realizing I had this burn back in me I've decided I need to set another goal for myself.  My cousin and I have mentioned another half-marathon but I can feel deep in my stomach that my body wants to do a full.  I just need to get that feeling in my head in order to commit to the idea.  I hope I can keep up this passion for my workouts/runs.  It is great feeling.


If you are losing that passion in your workouts/runs, or if you have never really had it, try something new.  You will never keep or get that passion without doing something you love to do.  Workouts shouldn't be a miserable thing.  If you love to dance, try Zumba.  If you like to spend most of your time in quite places, try yoga.  If people energize you, try any group fitness class.  There are so many different workouts you can try to find that passion.  And if you still can't find anything you like, get in touch with me.  I will help you figure it out.  I promise you, once you get that feeling when you workout, you won't ever want to stop.

Power Outage in DC

What. A. Weekend.  When I left work Friday afternoon, I was very much looking forward to a relaxing weekend of movies, pool time, and just lounging around enjoying the wonderful AC.  Well, none of these things happened.  Friday evening, I was watching the movie Roommates (I don't do scary movies).  I decided it was getting a little too weird so I changed the channel to the Olympic trials.  Before I could see anything on the screen the power went out.  Now, at this point, I am freaking out and thinking somebody is trying to scare me.  Well, the power flickered and stayed on for about 5 more minutes.  This gave me enough time to get in my room, light some candles, and close my door.  The power went back off and I sat there hoping it was just a joke and that they'll be back on in a minute.


That never happened.  Creepy noises get extremely loud when you are sitting in the dark.  I sat on top of my bed with my knees hugging my chest for about 30 more minutes then decided I need to go to bed or I was going to torture myself all night waiting for the power to come back on.  I had no idea a storm had done this. It was a gorgeous Friday in DC when I came into my apartment that evening.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky.  I just heard loud winds rattling everything around me - well I thought they were ghosts trying to come and get me (haha).

Someone added a For Sale sign on the front of this car.
Glad to see they still have humor.

It's amazing how hot a room can get once the AC is shut off and your fan can't work.  I didn't sleep much Friday night.  I slept until about 2AM then went back to sleep and slept until 5AM.  That's when my weather system started going off.  An obnoxious beep every 20 seconds.  I was so hot and I just wanted to sleep so I grabbed my favorite pillow, my teddy bear, and the blanket my Mom made me and went to the couch.  I could faintly hear the beep but with my head buried in the couch and little sleep I feel asleep quite easily. I woke again at 8AM because my upstairs neighbor decided he was ready to be up and began his usual routine of running throughout the apartment.  The pool didn't open because the electricity keeps the pumps flowing which I guess keeps the pool safe?? 

This is a tree a few blocks behind my office building.

So after walking around the complex and realizing everyone around me was out of power I decided to go get lunch.  I was driving around charging my phone and began to notice this isn't just a Rockville storm, this was a DC Metro Area storm.  I was able to access phone service and a little bit of 4G once I was out of my apartment complex.  I called Mom to find out what had happened to the area and accessed Twitter to see what the rest of the world was up to.  Mom tells me millions of people in the area are out of power too.  While on Twitter the rest of the world was FREAKING out because Instagram quit working for not even 24 hours.  WOW.  This world just amazes me sometimes.

I finally got power back Saturday evening around 11PM.  I have never been part of a "natural disaster".  I was barely 4 when the blizzard came through Alabama so I don't remember much of that.  This was a huge eye opener to me.  While I've read and seen the aftermath of natural disasters, I had no idea what people went through when things like this happened to an area.  I was only affected in the smallest bit but it still makes you realize there are bigger problems in the world than an application on a phone not working.

DC is slowly recovering.  My office has power but just a few blocks behind us they are still without power and have trees laying on top of their houses and cars.  Maryland governor declared this the largest power outage in the history of Maryland and Virginia has declared a state emergency.  Please keep this area in your prayers as the three electric companies continue to work throughout the week to recover power for the area.  How does the most powerful city in the world function without power?  Well, it doesn't.

Are You Aware?

I've been doing a lot of research lately on the different channels social media offers to BILLIONS of people all over the world.  I found this picture while I was doing research and thought it was definitely worth mentioning.  This is what is happening on the web every minute of every day! How amazing are those numbers? 

Have you ever thought about the billions of people that can view your data?  Whether you have it private or public it is all still accessible.  Once you are on the web, you cannot be taken off.  Most of the research I've been doing I have to make sure I type 2012 after the search or I could get articles and data from 2006 or earlier!  Next time you are making a post, think about what you put online.  I am so guilty of this! Most of the time I post with the thought that my followers and friends are the only ones that can see my data.  However, I'm not private on most of my sites so there are plenty of people that could search for my name or anything I could be talking about and it can pop up in a search engine.

Try Google searching yourself.  What do you find?  Now if you have a name like John Smith it might be a little different than a more unique name.  When I search my name, the first link that pops up is my Twitter account.  The next few links are not related to me but then take a look at the images.  The first image is my picture from my college job as an orientation leader coordinator.  You have no idea how much information you can find on yourself.

I am writing this blog to make you aware that it isn't just you sitting at a computer.  It is you and billions of people that you have no idea who they are.  I have been active on the internet since the 7th grade.  Probably not my smartest choice, but I've always been intrigued by it.  I am aware of the severity but still post a lot of data DAILY.  I do not want to turn anyone against these interesting products and sites but please be careful what you put on the web.  It can never be erased.  A delete button only takes it away from your eyes, not the universe.

Awkward Work Encounters

Being new to the business world and not technically studying business, it's needless to say, I do not know much about this crazy intense world.  In the last few weeks, I have become a lot more business oriented just by being around it.  I've learned it's not okay to stare in bewilderment when you meet the president of a department. It's okay to just listen in meetings when you are new and have nothing of value to say. And it's imperative that you know the latest news (world, nation, local, politics, sports, lifestyle, and especially industry news).  You will be tested.  Whether in casual conversation, in meetings, or out on a business lunch/dinner.

However, there are many more things that I'll never understand.  Having the awkward conversations with your boss or asking for an expensive item that you know you'll need to expedite your work are never fun.  It will probably never get easier having all those weird encounters but I know that comes with every job.  It's how you handle the situation that makes it easier to deal with.  Take a few breaths and just go talk to them.  What's the worst that can happen? They fire you? haha

I have been extremely blessed in that I love the work I do and I am so lucky to have found this company right after graduation.  The learning experience has been exponential (already and we haven't even launched).  I know some of you know the company I am working for and some of you may not.  I wish I could broadcast it to the world but for the time being I have to keep it a secret.  I trust the people who do know not to blab their mouths (please!) but encourage them to talk about what I do.  This is going to be great.  Stay tuned for a blog post about the launch of our company and I hope you will love it!

Getting in a Routine

This was my first full week of work. My first week of work consisted of Thursday and Friday.  My second week I was in Chicago for 3 days and only worked Monday and Friday in DC.  And now I'm on my first full week and I am exhausted.  How do you guys do it?

I've decided the only way to help me get use to this type of week is getting into a routine.  Granted, this week was not the best example of that.  One night I stayed up until 1AM, another night I went to sleep at 10PM, a few days I got up and worked out and other days I hit the snooze. (Side note: I have never used my snooze until now. If my alarm was set for 8AM in college, I was up at 8AM no matter how tired I was. This week, we became close friends.)

So, my routine needs to consist of three things: 1. A bedtime 2. A set time to wake up 3. A time to run.  I've been trying to run before work because it's a lot more relaxing to come home and do nothing than it is to know I have an hour workout ahead of me.  I've noticed on the days I don't go for a run I'm hungrier and more tired.  On the days I do run (or go to the gym), I have more energy and my diet is much better.  The last one on my list (set a time to run) should be easy so long as the other two are in effect, which will definitely be the hardest.

Number 1 is the hardest.  I can always think of something else I need to fit into my day (or want to fit in) and the time gets pushed later and later.  The second one isn't as hard because like I said, I've never been a big snooze button person so hopefully I won't get into the habit of using it.  And if I do, I'll just set the alarm 9 minutes earlier than I really need to get up. ;)

Since I am new to this whole grown up thing, I would love some tips on how you make it through your week.  I'm not a busy mom.  I don't have any family here so I don't have places I HAVE to be.  The only thing that is set in my schedule is the time I spend at work (9-6).  So, please, feel free to leave me a comment here or on my other social pages.

With love,

Kayla

First Week in a New Chapter

Last week I moved to Washington, D.C. to start my life as a professional woman. I had no idea what to expect all I knew is I was exited for something new and different. As my last post stated, my parents helped me move everything in and get me ready for this huge transition. They left on Wednesday morning. The first realization of being alone in this big city started that night. I kept thinking to myself, what have I done? How will I make friends? All I have is work here. No clubs or college activities to keep me meeting new people. After consulting with Brenden, I began to feel a little better. I'm outgoing and fun. I can meet people.

Thank goodness my first day of work was the next day to keep my mind off being alone. I had a great first day. Once all the paperwork was finished, I was immediately given my first assignment. A very large one at that. So for the 8 hours I'm at work it consumes my time. Thank goodness my professors made me do competitive analysis and PowerPoint presentations all through my four years. I feel confident I can knock this first assignment out of the park.

In the words of my boss, I am to be a sponge for the next few weeks. Friday was my first full day of work and wow was it full of information. I left that evening a little later than the office was open. But I know this will be my first of many nights I'll leave a little late.

The weekend came and went and was full of activity. So I was beginning to feel like I wouldn't be alone after all. I kept myself busy and realized the more things I do the easier it will be to get through this. I also realized why people get married right after college. It would definitely make this transition a lot easier. But part of my journey is to learn to be independent. And I will do just that.

Today, I worked a half day because I am flying out to Chicago in about 30 minutes. Chicago is a dream place for me to go (and one day live in). I will be there for a week soaking up information about this new position.

After 22 years of being taught about life and prepared to go into the real world, you never realize how hard it will be to make it. People warn you, but it's not nearly big enough. I am excited about this challenge and chapter in my life. It comes with a lot of changes but I know I will come out just right.

Kayla