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

Moving to DC

What a weekend it has been.  Friday morning at 6am, Mom, Dad, a truck, a Uhaul trailer, a Honda Accord, and I headed to Washington, D.C.  We had a lengthly trip but luckily did not hit any traffic.  We arrived in Maryland around 7pm.  I got to meet my roommate, who is very nice, and we were able to unload the entire Uhaul before it got really dark.  I stayed at the hotel Friday night but woke up the next morning knowing the bed was the first thing we needed to set up.

Saturday, we spent the entire day getting things out of boxes, building furniture, and trying to put my room in some sort of order.  The day came and went very fast.  Sunday, we decided to take a break from building and unpacking and acted as tourist.  We visited most of the monuments (Washington, Lincoln, etc.) and the memorials (WWII, Veterans, Korean) in honor of Memorial Day weekend.  The monuments and memorials were so neat.  I've only seen pictures before but being in the capital for such a patriotic holiday was very neat.  But I have realized I need to brush up on my history.

Today, we spent the afternoon at the Washington National Zoo!! The pandas were soo cute but the lions won my heart today.  Man did they put on a show!! One of the lions saw something in the water and jumped into the water to get it.  Once he got out he had a rabbit in his mouth.  There were two other lions who were insanely jealous.  I took a video of one trying to get some of the rabbit.  Check it out on my Facebook.

After a long day at the zoo, we came home and built more furniture and hung pictures.  My room is finally starting to feel like home.  I don't start work until Thursday so until then I am going to continue to organize my room and get all the errands I need to out of the way in the next two days.

This move has been stressful but I am so happy to be up here.  Once I am settled in, I believe this will be an unbelievable adventure.  Be sure to stay tuned.  This year has a lot in store for me. ;)

Trip Down Memory Lane

Today I completed my undergraduate studies at Auburn University.  This morning, while I was attempting to study, I started thinking about the many things I have learned through 18 years of school.

In kindergarden, I learned that I can relate to adults fairly easily, even as a five year old.  My kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Bailey, use to let me stay up during nap time and talk to her, color drawings, and even pull some teeth.

In first grade, Mrs. Reid taught me how to write.  My handwriting to this day is because of her.  Lower case letters below the dotted line, capital letter to the top of the paper (that's when we were allowed to use handwriting lines).

In second grade, Mrs. Riggins taught me how to make school fun.  School wasn't just about reading and math you can learn about how the world was created.  She was always dressed to a tee and knew exactly how to have fun.

Third grade was probably my favorite grade.  It was my last grade in Golden Springs and I had the coolest teacher, Mrs. Upchurch.  Third grade I cut my hair extremely short (like above my ears short), had a retainer, and wore dresses.  So it was my awkward stage, but little did I know what middle school would bring.

In fourth grade, I had to make all new friends and thanks to gymnastics I already had some friends that I knew that would be in my class.  I wouldn't have made it through that grade without them.  In fourth grade Mrs. Beshears helped my reading level sky rocket, well from below average to where it should have been all along.  This is the year I realized I liked to write.  We had a journal that we were required to write in once a day at school.  I guess I've kept that habit because I still keep a handwritten journal.

Oh fifth grade, the best class ever, as Mrs. Holcomb would say! I was a little confused when it came to what school to root for but in the end I saw the light ;) Mrs. Poore (now) helped me understand science just a little more and made me really interested in other subjects besides math.

Sixth grade was the year of change.  I moved to the middle school where boys were cute and the walls were blue.  Classes changed every period and I had a different teacher for ever subject.  Mrs. Moore helped me in science, Mrs. Graham with math, and Mr. Berry (who gave me the nickname KP) helped me in social studies.  I had my first group of girlfriends, my first boyfriend, and my first nickname.  I joined the youth group at church and made even more friends.  School was becoming a lot more fun because there was more to do after school than just homework.  I tried out for cheerleading, took piano, and did numerous activities at church.  I guess my interpersonal skills started to develop then.

Seventh and eighth grade was the beginning of my trouble years.  As much as I wish I could take back some of the things I put my parents through, in the end, I guess I really learned.  Cheerleading was my life and boys came second, friends third, and classes last.  My perfect grades through elementary school began to slip and so did some of my friends.  I started learning life lessons whether I really learned them that year or not.

High school came and went and couldn't have gone fast enough.  The first two years were a joy and then my best friends graduated.  I was left to conquer the school with just my grade and I wasn't ready for it.  I stayed in cheerleading (thanks to my parents).  If I wouldn't have stayed in cheerleading I would be a lot worse off.  My parents kept me as grounded as they could while I still had a rebel streak to prove.  Senior year was a year where I learned who people truly were and what little these last four years meant for my life.

Then freshmen year came at Auburn.  I moved completely on from my high school experiences and picked up with my old self.  I made great friends who helped me survive these last four years.  I had a boyfriend that held me back but soon got rid of him before my sophomore year could be ruined.

Sophomore year through this last year have been an absolute blessing.  I have learned so many things about myself, life, and other people.  This world is so much bigger than the first 18 years of your life.  They are like a building block for the next four years of college and on.  I cannot thank my parents enough for raising me the way they did.  I learned so much from them and the role models they set for me.  I can't thank my college friends enough for showing me what true friends are and how everyone is different.  Lastly, I can't thank my boyfriend enough for the lessons he has taught me in the last two years.  It has been a blessing to come to the plains and learn so much from so many different people.

I hope that these last 18 years of school and 22 years of life have prepared me for what's ahead.  I have big goals and dreams set for myself.  I was taught at a young age to never give up on what you want and that's what I plan on doing for the rest of my life.  Even without school, I know I will continue to learn everyday.  You can never have too much knowledge as my dear friend Morgan says.  Thank you to all the people who supported me throughout my building block years.  I hope I can go into the world and make you all proud but most importantly live up to my hopes and dreams.

The Power of Networking

I recently took a trip to Washington D.C. There were a lot of firsts for me but I was excited to do some things I had never done before.

I have never flown completely alone before. I had never been to a city were I didn't have someone with me. A lot of other boring details of things I had never done before got accomplished on this day but that isn't the message of my blog.

I was extremely nervous to do the unknown alone. However, I quickly learned this world is a lot smaller than we think.

I met a lady on the plane who was from DC originally and was working in Atlanta with a nonprofit organization. We talked for about half the plane ride and when we landed she handed me her business card and said keep in touch. Look me up on LinkedIn.

While in DC my only form of transportation was the metro. So I had to tackle this public transportation by myself. So naturally I was extremely focused on signs and time and making sure I got on the right color line. I had to look like a tourist until a lady came up to me and asked ME for directions. She said I looked like I knew exactly what I was doing and commended me for taking such a risk to do this on my own at a such a young age.

Later that day I had a three hour wait for my flight back to Atlanta. I was trying to study (and not doing so well) when a gentlemen sat next to me at the bar. He began to ask me about my day and my life story. So I figured I'm not going to get any studying done, I'll humor him. Come to find out, he was in DC because he won an award for designing a program for the National Weather Service.

After talking with him for almost an hour I just wanted to sleep on the plane because I knew my long drive back to Auburn that night would be long and exhausting. I happened to sit next to a lady who just wanted to chat. Okay. Why not? I've met some interesting people today, let's have a chat. This lady lives in AR where Brenden will be moving. She began to tell me everything he needed to know about Fayetteville. Then the conversation never ran dry for the entire 2 hour flight. We had a lot in common and didn't want to stop talking because she was so interesting.

I learned that day that we are all connected in some way. People want to help others (most of the time.) why should we sit by ourselves and pretend like we don't need anyone or anything? Meeting and talking with those people that day helped solidify what I've always believed: networking is a powerful tool. There are too many people in the world to just stick to our tiny box of people. The only way to grow is to learn and there is only so much you can learn from a tiny box.

So venture out and meet new people. Try new things and don't be afraid to be honest and open with people you don't know. They may know someone who knows someone that can help you out in the near or far future.