Two years ago, the thought of children did not cross my mind. I was career-driven. I was ready to take over the world. Then... I turned 27. And suddenly, from somewhere deep inside me, I started to her the tick-tock of my biological clock. It was sudden. It was alarming. But, it is there and I can no longer ignore it or pretend it's not a factor in my decision-making.
I spend a lot of my time pondering questions like "What if I got pregnant?" and "How would we make it when I'm earning only a fraction of my income while on maternity leave?". Will getting pregnant (if I even can) ruin my career growth by putting me on the mommy track? Will I lose interest in my career because suddenly my priorities will drastically change, including my inclination to spend 4 hours commuting to a job that I like, but don't love?
So many questions. So few answers. But, what I do know is that in my heart, I really want to have kids. I want to shape the future by raising a child that brings value into the world.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Top 10 Ways Figure Skating Prepares You For Life
I've been actively involved in figure skating for the last 16 years. While I can't let skating take all the credit for the way I turned out (I did have great parents, family, friends and role models), it definitely played a formative part in my development. I dedicate this post to the figure skating world.
1. Skating teaches you how to fall and get up again. Over and over and over again.
2. Judging isn't fair. Neither is life.
3. Hardwork and dedication will eventually pay off.
4. Keep your head up and eyes open for other people. They don't always watch out for themselves.
5. Visit the skate sharpener frequently. You can't keep your edge with dull blades.
6. Sparkles and pretty costumes don't make you a better skater.
7. Take care of your wounds and injuries. If you don't, they will wreak havoc on you in the future.
8. Skate like everyday is your last.
9. Push yourself. You can't grow if you don't try something new.
10. You don't have to do it all yourself. That's why we have coaches, friends, and family in the stands to cheer us on.
1. Skating teaches you how to fall and get up again. Over and over and over again.
2. Judging isn't fair. Neither is life.
3. Hardwork and dedication will eventually pay off.
4. Keep your head up and eyes open for other people. They don't always watch out for themselves.
5. Visit the skate sharpener frequently. You can't keep your edge with dull blades.
6. Sparkles and pretty costumes don't make you a better skater.
7. Take care of your wounds and injuries. If you don't, they will wreak havoc on you in the future.
8. Skate like everyday is your last.
9. Push yourself. You can't grow if you don't try something new.
10. You don't have to do it all yourself. That's why we have coaches, friends, and family in the stands to cheer us on.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Life's little (or not so little) setbacks...
About a year and a half ago, my boyfriend lost his job. And when I say he "lost" his job, I mean his brother-in-law fired him for no particular reason other than for vengeful spite. So it was labelled "restructuring" and he walked away with a three month severance package. But, let me tell you - three months is not a long time... especially when there are NO jobs in the area similar to what he was doing.
So, after the three-month severance ran it, we lived off my paycheque and our savings accounts. Plans for vacations, improvements to the house, possibly a wedding... all put on hold. We renegotiated the mortgage to a smaller monthly payment more feasible on my salary. We cancelled trips. We limited social engagements. We started fighting incessantly. I lost my appetite and almost 20 pounds. I accepted a job two hours home because it was a chance for me to start fresh and make more money. We essentially fell apart financially, emotionally, and physically.
We went almost 6 months on my sole income. When he did find a job, it was part-time and dismal, but any income was better than no income. They he was layed off again for two months in the summer and had to start the job search all over again. And finally, he landed another entry level job with some potential for advancement. To be honest, I'm not sure how we survived. But, I think the bigger point is that we did. There were definitely some dark and dismal days. I spent almost a year of my life in tears. Nothing made sense. Hard work didn't seem to matter. There was no light at the end of the tunnel.
But then, as suddenly as it went bad, it started to turn around. There was more money in the bank. My appetite came back. We started talking again. We started making plans again... maybe a small trip away in the summer, weddings, babies... And just like that, the light came on in the tunnel. It wasn't easy. It wasn't fun. But, it did remind me that we can all fall. But, you never fall all that far if you have valued friends and family to help you though it.
So, thank you to my friends and to my family. You sincerely helped us recover from what was a not-so-little setback.
So, after the three-month severance ran it, we lived off my paycheque and our savings accounts. Plans for vacations, improvements to the house, possibly a wedding... all put on hold. We renegotiated the mortgage to a smaller monthly payment more feasible on my salary. We cancelled trips. We limited social engagements. We started fighting incessantly. I lost my appetite and almost 20 pounds. I accepted a job two hours home because it was a chance for me to start fresh and make more money. We essentially fell apart financially, emotionally, and physically.
We went almost 6 months on my sole income. When he did find a job, it was part-time and dismal, but any income was better than no income. They he was layed off again for two months in the summer and had to start the job search all over again. And finally, he landed another entry level job with some potential for advancement. To be honest, I'm not sure how we survived. But, I think the bigger point is that we did. There were definitely some dark and dismal days. I spent almost a year of my life in tears. Nothing made sense. Hard work didn't seem to matter. There was no light at the end of the tunnel.
But then, as suddenly as it went bad, it started to turn around. There was more money in the bank. My appetite came back. We started talking again. We started making plans again... maybe a small trip away in the summer, weddings, babies... And just like that, the light came on in the tunnel. It wasn't easy. It wasn't fun. But, it did remind me that we can all fall. But, you never fall all that far if you have valued friends and family to help you though it.
So, thank you to my friends and to my family. You sincerely helped us recover from what was a not-so-little setback.
Monday, February 16, 2009
25 random things about me...
Similar to my Facebook post, here are 25 random things about me.
1. I'm desperately afraid to drive in the snow and will look for any reason to avoid it.
2. I have a secret addiction to smut. I love TV shows like Nip/Tuck and Grey's Anatomy.
3. I get up on Sunday mornings to watch Coronation Street with a cup of tea.
4. My favourite night of the week is Wednesday because I spend it with my Nana.
5. My dog is my baby. I consider the fact that she can sit, shake a paw, and walk off leash to some of my greatest accomplishments.
6. Eventually, I want to restart my career as a figure skating coach and run my own Marketing/Communications consulting company.
7. I have recurrent nightmares of someone chasing me. The location is always different, but the person chasing me is always the same.
8. I firmly believe that you should always have a contingency plan. Plan A, Plan B. Hell, there's nothing wrong with Plan C either.
9. I still love to skate... no matter how much it hurts the next day.
10. I have been in university for 8 years now... and I still have approximately 3 years to go.
11. Ever since I took a course on Serial Murder, I've had to stop watching shows like Criminal Minds and Dexter.
12. As a child, the steering wheel feel off our boat. We would have died, except my dad's friend's foot caught the throttle and killed the engine.
13. I miss my Papa, my Uncle Donald, and my Aunt Eileen more than I care to admit.
14. I love carbs. Bread, pasta - you name it.
15. I think the work-life balance is a myth. 24 hours a day is simply just not enough time for me to accomplish everything I want.
16. I think one of the greatest privileges in life is having and raising kids. One of these days, I'll do it myself! Until then, I have my dog.
17. While I may forgive, it doesn't mean I forget.
18. I suffer from the inability to say "no".
19. I watch the Rachel Ray show in hopes that her cooking prowess will rub off on me.
20. I miss spending time with my girlfriends.
21. Only certain foods are allowed to touch. For example - items touching on pizza is acceptable. Shephard's pie, however, is unacceptable. Meat, potatoes and vegetables are not meant to be mixed together. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
22. I have a terrible fear of turning 30. While I still have a few years to go, it just doesn't seem like it will be enough time for me to conquer the world as I once envisoned that I would.
23. I don't believe in the atom. When someone physically shows me one, I'll buy into the conspiracy. Until then, things are just made of stuff -- a table is made of wood, a shirt is made of cotton, a person is made of tissue.
24. Save for a rainy day. You just never know when the umbrella will fail.
25. I love inside jokes. Life is just not complete without private innuendos.
1. I'm desperately afraid to drive in the snow and will look for any reason to avoid it.
2. I have a secret addiction to smut. I love TV shows like Nip/Tuck and Grey's Anatomy.
3. I get up on Sunday mornings to watch Coronation Street with a cup of tea.
4. My favourite night of the week is Wednesday because I spend it with my Nana.
5. My dog is my baby. I consider the fact that she can sit, shake a paw, and walk off leash to some of my greatest accomplishments.
6. Eventually, I want to restart my career as a figure skating coach and run my own Marketing/Communications consulting company.
7. I have recurrent nightmares of someone chasing me. The location is always different, but the person chasing me is always the same.
8. I firmly believe that you should always have a contingency plan. Plan A, Plan B. Hell, there's nothing wrong with Plan C either.
9. I still love to skate... no matter how much it hurts the next day.
10. I have been in university for 8 years now... and I still have approximately 3 years to go.
11. Ever since I took a course on Serial Murder, I've had to stop watching shows like Criminal Minds and Dexter.
12. As a child, the steering wheel feel off our boat. We would have died, except my dad's friend's foot caught the throttle and killed the engine.
13. I miss my Papa, my Uncle Donald, and my Aunt Eileen more than I care to admit.
14. I love carbs. Bread, pasta - you name it.
15. I think the work-life balance is a myth. 24 hours a day is simply just not enough time for me to accomplish everything I want.
16. I think one of the greatest privileges in life is having and raising kids. One of these days, I'll do it myself! Until then, I have my dog.
17. While I may forgive, it doesn't mean I forget.
18. I suffer from the inability to say "no".
19. I watch the Rachel Ray show in hopes that her cooking prowess will rub off on me.
20. I miss spending time with my girlfriends.
21. Only certain foods are allowed to touch. For example - items touching on pizza is acceptable. Shephard's pie, however, is unacceptable. Meat, potatoes and vegetables are not meant to be mixed together. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
22. I have a terrible fear of turning 30. While I still have a few years to go, it just doesn't seem like it will be enough time for me to conquer the world as I once envisoned that I would.
23. I don't believe in the atom. When someone physically shows me one, I'll buy into the conspiracy. Until then, things are just made of stuff -- a table is made of wood, a shirt is made of cotton, a person is made of tissue.
24. Save for a rainy day. You just never know when the umbrella will fail.
25. I love inside jokes. Life is just not complete without private innuendos.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
And the blogging begins...
Ladies and gentlemen, it is official! I've entered into the world of blogging. Why, you might ask? Well, as some of you know, I'm helping out my cousin with some Marketing initiatives for her start-up home party business.
I've been doing some investigation into the world of social media (things they won't let me do at my full-time job in corporate hell). While I'm all over the benefits and capabilities of Facebook, I'm just now getting familiar with the blogging world. And what a complex world it is!
But, on the other hand, what a rewarding world it is! I've been reading posts by other Gen Y bloggers and I'm quickly learning I am not alone in my angst and indecision. I've found a few resourceful communities, like Brazen Careerist and Modite. It seems like most Gen Y bloggers are all equally distraught when it comes to finding a balance between what you want to do and what pays enough to do it. It's a fine line, really. Do you love what you do or do you survive? The measure of success has certainly become blurred.
So, here I am. Doing what I love. I've always loved to write, but somewhere over the past few years, I've forgotten that. So, through my blogging, I hope to recapture this love and maybe even improve my skills. In addition to this blog, I'm also writing an advice blog to support the Marketing initiatives of the home party company. I'm also writing content for a monthly newsletter (stay tuned for additional details in the coming month). And eventually, maybe, this will lead into a whole new career path.
'Til next time...
I've been doing some investigation into the world of social media (things they won't let me do at my full-time job in corporate hell). While I'm all over the benefits and capabilities of Facebook, I'm just now getting familiar with the blogging world. And what a complex world it is!
But, on the other hand, what a rewarding world it is! I've been reading posts by other Gen Y bloggers and I'm quickly learning I am not alone in my angst and indecision. I've found a few resourceful communities, like Brazen Careerist and Modite. It seems like most Gen Y bloggers are all equally distraught when it comes to finding a balance between what you want to do and what pays enough to do it. It's a fine line, really. Do you love what you do or do you survive? The measure of success has certainly become blurred.
So, here I am. Doing what I love. I've always loved to write, but somewhere over the past few years, I've forgotten that. So, through my blogging, I hope to recapture this love and maybe even improve my skills. In addition to this blog, I'm also writing an advice blog to support the Marketing initiatives of the home party company. I'm also writing content for a monthly newsletter (stay tuned for additional details in the coming month). And eventually, maybe, this will lead into a whole new career path.
'Til next time...
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