I came across this adorable video and had to share it with you. A sweet elderly couple decided to use the piano in the atrium at the Mayo Clinic to lighten the mood and make each other (and others) smile. A major reason that I married Aaron is because he makes me laugh. We bring out the goofy and the silly in each other, and I hope we're continuing to do that fifty years from now. Enjoy!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Essential - Critical - Must-Have
Do you ever feel like your life's become a Dilbert cartoon? How did it get to be June already? It seems like just yesterday I was sitting at home in my jammies every day watching Rachael Ray before taking Max for a trail run. Oh, how life has changed!
As many of you know, I resigned from a position at a local bank as soon as I realized that the culture and direction of the company did not match my career goals. I spent my precious days at home doing a bit of freelance work and yearning to work for Compassion International. Aaron and I sponsor a Nicaraguan Compassion child named Jenssy, and I wanted nothing more than to find meaning in my work the way I knew I could at Compassion. I thought God was calling me to use my creative gifts in full-time ministry. I prayed and prayed, and I even interviewed for positions for which I was clearly overqualified, but nothing seemed to be the perfect fit. As always seems to be the case, God had other (better) plans. God is like that. And He's always reminding me that, no matter our vocation, we're all on mission for Him.
In March, I found what promised to be the job of my dreams, and I spent most of April undergoing an intense interview process (six total, plus a hair follice drug screen and a 185-question personality/logic test). At the beginning of May, I became the communications manager of a beautiful local country club. I love the job! I work on a picturesque property, where I write newsletters; design brochures, flyers, posters, and signage; take event photos; and manage advertising, among other responsbilities. Having the opportunity to leverage my creative talents at work has been very fulfilling. I am also blessed to work in an environment in which people take the time to thank me for what I do. The golf-related perks don't hurt, either!
They say hindsight is 20/20, and I'm able to understand now some of God's purpose in having me work at the bank. While it was a tough season in my life, I know that it strengthened my assertiveness, which has already come in very handy in my new position.
Knowing that this position is right where God wants me right now doesn't mean I don't face my share of challenges. Even though I'm new in my position, my workdays have already become very long. Sometimes I feel like my life has become a Dilbert cartoon; every task I'm given is "critical," "urgent," and "must-have." It's these days, though, that something beautiful is happening. It's these days when I find myself going to God more often. It's these days I'm reminded that I can't do it all on my own, and I'm not the one in control. As I become less, Jesus becomes greater (John 3:30).
If you're struggling with challenges, whether at work or just in life, remember that God is probably using these situations to draw you to Himself and to prepare you for a role in an incredible story.
So when I'm having an "essential/critical/must-have" kind of day, I'm going to try to remember to stop what I'm doing and simply go to Him in prayer . Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) And I'm pretty sure He meant it.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
This had me in tears yesterday!
Aaron and I have been considering adopting another puppy so that Max has a companion while we're away at work. Since we love labs, I ended up at the Mile High Labrador Retriever Mission's Web site, http://www.milehighlabmission.com/. I am not one who cries easily; I can't really remember the last time, prior to yesterday morning, that I cried. However, as I read the following on their Web site yesterday, I suddenly felt hot tears rolling down my cheeks. Rescuing Max was one of the best decisions Aaron and I have ever made together, but adoption is a commitment into which one shouldn't enter lightly. Thank you to whoever wrote this beautiful piece of work, which should make people think carefully about dog adoption and rescue.
When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My house-training took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."
As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.
I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My house-training took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."
As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.
I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Cold Shoulder
What I learned this week: Even when it's snowing wildly, Max would rather be outside in his doghouse (which, to be fair, is equipped with a thermostat-controlled heater & memory foam dog bed) than inside the house with me. Go figure.
Pressure Cooker Love
When the White family came to visit us recently, they came bearing gifts, which included two huge bags of home-grown pinto beans -- the most delicious in the world, in my completely unbiased opinion. That, combined with my growing pile of Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, served as the impetus for my purchase of a digital pressure cooker. If you know me at all, you're aware of how ridiculously analytical I am. So, after reading through dozens and dozens of product reviews, I finally settled on a Cuisinart. I've been pleased with the other Cuisinart products we own (coffee maker, coffee grinder, toaster, juicer, food processor, stick blender, etc.), so I wasn't surprised by the pressure cooker's strong reviews.
I wouldn't dare show you these pictures without sharing my recipe. So, here you are:
I've already prepared several dishes in the pressure cooker and have become infatuated with this cooking appliance. Not only does it cook pinto beans like a dream, but it can also soften potatoes in mere minutes. When it was snowing the other day, I used it to make this:
I wouldn't dare show you these pictures without sharing my recipe. So, here you are: Cheesy Potato Soup
4 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 onions, chopped
1.5 c. water
3 c. milk
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 c. mild cheddar cheese, grated
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
parsley or green onion, chopped (for garnish)
Put potatoes, onions, water, and salt in pressure cooker. Set on high pressure for 3 minutes. Allow slow cooker to release pressure naturally. Transfer contents to a stock pot. (If you like your soup chunky, you may want to set aside a few chunks of potato to add back into the soup later.) Use a stick blender to puree the potato, then stir in the milk and pepper. Cook over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in cheese until melted. Stir in most of the bacon, reserving a small amount for topping. Transfer to bowls (or bread bowls*, in my case!) and top with reserved bacon and parsley or green onion garnish. Enjoy!
*I just used a small knife to hollow out small, store-bought, round loaves of sheepherders' bread.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Important Management Principles
Lately, I've come to the realization that the communication and management principles that I studied so extensively during my undergraduate and MBA programs (which make so much sense!) are rarely applied in the real world. I'm not sure if it's that these approaches are "easier said than done," or if some other issues are at play. In any case, as I aspire to become the kind of leader I studied in school, I wanted to refresh myself on the most common management missteps. I'm sharing them here in case you're interested, too. My guess is that if you've been working in the professional world for any length of time, you've been on the receiving end of some of these management mistakes. Those of us who manage others need to remember how that felt and do what we can to avoid treating our own staff the same way.
1. Sending Mixed Messages - Don Blohowiak of Lead Well Institute wrote a fantastic article about how what managers do often contradicts what we say. For example, we tell employees that we have an "open door" policy and will always make time for them, but when they come into our office, we answer the ringing telephone or scan through emails while they're trying to talk to us. Another example: Telling an employee that she needs to take more intiative but then berating her for implementing a new idea without getting your "stamp of approval."
2. Focusing on the Negative - Let's face it: Screw-ups tend to grab our attention more easily than positive achievements do. However, if we're constantly pointing out our employees' mistakes without recognizing and thanking them for what they're doing well, they're going to become discouraged and unmotivated, and they'll probably look for other work.
3. Resisting Change - We all know the old saying that the only certainty in life is change. Yet many managers get stuck in a rut of doing something a certain way just because that's the way they've always done it. They feel threatened by anyone who challenges the process, and they become defensive. To stay competitive in the rapidly changing, increasingly competitive global marketplace, however, managers need to be flexible, open to fresh new ideas, and willing to embrace change, no matter how uncomfortable it might be.
4. Failing to Leverage Our Employees' Unique Strengths - I'll illustrate this management mistake with an example: Susie and John are two colleagues in the same department who have the same job title. Susie loves and excels at business development, but she isn't as strong in operations. John, on the other hand, really enjoys operations but dreads making sales calls. Many managers would make the mistake of making both Susie and John participate equally in sales and operations, but a strong manager would leverage their strengths and allow each to do what he/she does best. In other words, Susie would shoulder more of the sales responsibilities, while John would handle a greater share of the operational side. The two employees would complement each other. See how that works?
5. Squelching Employee Ambition - Often, we force employees to remain in a position for a certain length of time, regardless of their performance, before they can advance. We say that it's because they need to master the responsibilities of the position before we promote them, but if they're already blowing their goals out of the water, how is this argument even relevant? By prioritizing tenure above performance, we encourage laziness and mediocrity, and really, who wants that?
6. Thinking Our Employees Should Feel Lucky Just to Have a Job - In this tough economy, we might think that our employees' gratefulness for job stability is enough to keep them present and productive. The truth, however, is that most still need to receive recognition and career support to be motivated. Top performers, in particular, require special attention because of the significance of their contributions and their attractiveness to competitors.
A few other management mistakes come to mind, but I'll save those for another post. What kinds of problematic behaviors have you observed or experienced, and what was their impact?
- CLW
1. Sending Mixed Messages - Don Blohowiak of Lead Well Institute wrote a fantastic article about how what managers do often contradicts what we say. For example, we tell employees that we have an "open door" policy and will always make time for them, but when they come into our office, we answer the ringing telephone or scan through emails while they're trying to talk to us. Another example: Telling an employee that she needs to take more intiative but then berating her for implementing a new idea without getting your "stamp of approval."
2. Focusing on the Negative - Let's face it: Screw-ups tend to grab our attention more easily than positive achievements do. However, if we're constantly pointing out our employees' mistakes without recognizing and thanking them for what they're doing well, they're going to become discouraged and unmotivated, and they'll probably look for other work.
3. Resisting Change - We all know the old saying that the only certainty in life is change. Yet many managers get stuck in a rut of doing something a certain way just because that's the way they've always done it. They feel threatened by anyone who challenges the process, and they become defensive. To stay competitive in the rapidly changing, increasingly competitive global marketplace, however, managers need to be flexible, open to fresh new ideas, and willing to embrace change, no matter how uncomfortable it might be.
4. Failing to Leverage Our Employees' Unique Strengths - I'll illustrate this management mistake with an example: Susie and John are two colleagues in the same department who have the same job title. Susie loves and excels at business development, but she isn't as strong in operations. John, on the other hand, really enjoys operations but dreads making sales calls. Many managers would make the mistake of making both Susie and John participate equally in sales and operations, but a strong manager would leverage their strengths and allow each to do what he/she does best. In other words, Susie would shoulder more of the sales responsibilities, while John would handle a greater share of the operational side. The two employees would complement each other. See how that works?
5. Squelching Employee Ambition - Often, we force employees to remain in a position for a certain length of time, regardless of their performance, before they can advance. We say that it's because they need to master the responsibilities of the position before we promote them, but if they're already blowing their goals out of the water, how is this argument even relevant? By prioritizing tenure above performance, we encourage laziness and mediocrity, and really, who wants that?
6. Thinking Our Employees Should Feel Lucky Just to Have a Job - In this tough economy, we might think that our employees' gratefulness for job stability is enough to keep them present and productive. The truth, however, is that most still need to receive recognition and career support to be motivated. Top performers, in particular, require special attention because of the significance of their contributions and their attractiveness to competitors.
A few other management mistakes come to mind, but I'll save those for another post. What kinds of problematic behaviors have you observed or experienced, and what was their impact?
- CLW
Culture Shock
Sorry I haven't updated the blog in a while, but I've been pretty busy lately. Aaron and I have both been working really long hours. Speaking of which, I recently secured a position with a bank whose corporate culture could best be described as "old school." Management trainees (MTs) undergo an initiation process unlike anything I've ever observed in the corporate world. As such, I was recently tasked with doing a skit at a regional staff meeting. The only guidelines I was given were that it had to be relatively short, humorous, and preferably humiliating. The following is what I delivered. Note that it's a rap to the tune of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song. I hope you enjoy it as much as our employees did.
Now this is a story all about how
my life got flipped, turned upside down
and I’d like to take a moment to be real frank
and tell you how I became an MT at a bank called [MY BANK].
In Lake Havasu City, where I was raised,
ridiculous heat filled most of my days.
Then in Arizona, at U of A,
I spent late nights cramming, with more of the same.
Summa cum laude, I graduated from school
and decided I’d rather live some place cool.
First we tried Albuquerque, which was still too hot,
so the hubby and I figured we’d give Colorado a shot.
He got an exciting job fixing people’s bones;
I was destined to become a corporate drone.
Then I saw [MY BANK]’s funny ads on tv
and thought it might be the Colorado bank for me.
After tests and interviews, I came on board
and, at the beginning, was incredibly floored.
Then reality sank in; I started working a ton.
Sixty-hour weeks just aren’t that much fun!
Being an MT is like pledging a frat,
complete with initiation, hazing, all that...
Luckily, though, this bank’s the best in the state,
with great customer service and a staff that’s first-rate.
So I’m pressing on; I’m sure you’ll see me around --
probably washin’ windows or shovelin’ snow off the ground.
---
DISCLAIMER: The postings on this blog are my own and don’t necessarily represent my company's positions, strategies or opinions.
Now this is a story all about how
my life got flipped, turned upside down
and I’d like to take a moment to be real frank
and tell you how I became an MT at a bank called [MY BANK].
In Lake Havasu City, where I was raised,
ridiculous heat filled most of my days.
Then in Arizona, at U of A,
I spent late nights cramming, with more of the same.
Summa cum laude, I graduated from school
and decided I’d rather live some place cool.
First we tried Albuquerque, which was still too hot,
so the hubby and I figured we’d give Colorado a shot.
He got an exciting job fixing people’s bones;
I was destined to become a corporate drone.
Then I saw [MY BANK]’s funny ads on tv
and thought it might be the Colorado bank for me.
After tests and interviews, I came on board
and, at the beginning, was incredibly floored.
Then reality sank in; I started working a ton.
Sixty-hour weeks just aren’t that much fun!
Being an MT is like pledging a frat,
complete with initiation, hazing, all that...
Luckily, though, this bank’s the best in the state,
with great customer service and a staff that’s first-rate.
So I’m pressing on; I’m sure you’ll see me around --
probably washin’ windows or shovelin’ snow off the ground.
---
DISCLAIMER: The postings on this blog are my own and don’t necessarily represent my company's positions, strategies or opinions.
Love - 365 Days a Year
I'm not very fond of Valentine's Day. Yes, it's "SAD" (Singles Awareness Day), and it's an extremely commercialized holiday. I'm frugal, so I struggle with the idea of my husband spending $25 on flowers that will die in a few days or on chocolates that'll just make me fat. Dining in a super-crowded restaurant doesn't really sound appealing, either. However, I think what bothers me the most about Valentine's Day is the fact that the holiday implies that people must be told to do something nice for their spouse or significant other. The thing about love, though, is that it's not something we can do just one day a year. It's something we must choose to do every day. Yes, it's a feeling, and a great one at that, but it requires communication, effort, and commitment, too. In a healthy relationship, we're constantly making gestures that communicate our love for each other. It's love 365 days a year.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Review: Sunbird Restaurant
Since having moved to Colorado Springs, Aaron and I keep hearing about how great Sunbird Restaurant is. It is a fine dining establishment that sits high atop a rocky bluff and is (I've heard) a popular venue for Air Force Academy graduation celebrations. It's also the #2 restaurant (#1 for fine dining) in Colorado Springs on urbanspoon and has been recognized multiple times by local news media as offering the best Sunday brunch in the city.
Aaron and I drive by Sunbird every day, so when he found discounted gift certificates on Double Dollar Deals a few months ago, he took advantage. On Sunday, we finally had an opportunity to visit the restaurant for champagne brunch. It was very crowded, which we figured was a positive sign, and we had to wait about 20-30 minutes to be seated. Having expected an impressive view, we were a bit disappointed that the Sunbird overlooks an industrial area of the city. However, this sentiment was quickly replaced by a sense of amazement at the wide selection of breakfast and lunch options available. in addition to scrambled eggs, potatoes, "enchiladas" that were more like tamales, London broil, mozzarella chicken, and several other entrees, the Sunbird's Sunday brunch included custom-made omelettes and fajitas, meat-carving stations, crab legs, freshly made waffles, chocolate fondue, and a tantalizing array of sweets that included creme brulee, miniature cheesecake bites, cakes, and my favorite of all-- freshly made bananas foster. Mmmm. The bananas foster was the only item that really stood out-- everything else was just ok-- but variety definitely wasn't lacking. By the end of the morning, Aaron and I were completely stuffed. I definitely felt a couple of pounds heavier when I went for a run later that afternoon, but it sure seemed worth it!
Our second trip to the Sunbird was tonight. Since I'd just returned from Denver, Aaron and I were eager to spend some time with each other. We planned to head to Marigold Bakery & Cafe, but since we couldn't get an early enough reservation there, we figured we'd try out the Sunbird's nighttime view instead. We scored a window table, and the city lights were a scenic treat. Live music in the bar area a room over made for a pleasant ambiance as well. Aaron ordered a "Chef's Creation" (house special): Pepper Steak. It was a three-course meal served with bread, salad, and sorbet. Though it wasn't a great cut of meat, Aaron really loved the sauce. Clearly not a cheap date, I settled on the Filet Mignon "Oscar style," which meant that it was wrapped in bacon and topped with crab meat, asparagus, and bearnaise sauce. As usual, I ordered it medium rare, and for once my steak wasn't overcooked! In fact, it was cooked perfectly and dripped with flavor. The asparagus was fantastic, too. For dessert, we split some of the most delicious bread pudding either of us has ever had. I guess I'll be going for a long run tomorrow to make up for my indulgence!
Though the Sunbird isn't exactly budget-friendly, it's definitely worth a visit, whether for a special occasion or just some drinks/dessert one evening.
Aaron and I drive by Sunbird every day, so when he found discounted gift certificates on Double Dollar Deals a few months ago, he took advantage. On Sunday, we finally had an opportunity to visit the restaurant for champagne brunch. It was very crowded, which we figured was a positive sign, and we had to wait about 20-30 minutes to be seated. Having expected an impressive view, we were a bit disappointed that the Sunbird overlooks an industrial area of the city. However, this sentiment was quickly replaced by a sense of amazement at the wide selection of breakfast and lunch options available. in addition to scrambled eggs, potatoes, "enchiladas" that were more like tamales, London broil, mozzarella chicken, and several other entrees, the Sunbird's Sunday brunch included custom-made omelettes and fajitas, meat-carving stations, crab legs, freshly made waffles, chocolate fondue, and a tantalizing array of sweets that included creme brulee, miniature cheesecake bites, cakes, and my favorite of all-- freshly made bananas foster. Mmmm. The bananas foster was the only item that really stood out-- everything else was just ok-- but variety definitely wasn't lacking. By the end of the morning, Aaron and I were completely stuffed. I definitely felt a couple of pounds heavier when I went for a run later that afternoon, but it sure seemed worth it!
Our second trip to the Sunbird was tonight. Since I'd just returned from Denver, Aaron and I were eager to spend some time with each other. We planned to head to Marigold Bakery & Cafe, but since we couldn't get an early enough reservation there, we figured we'd try out the Sunbird's nighttime view instead. We scored a window table, and the city lights were a scenic treat. Live music in the bar area a room over made for a pleasant ambiance as well. Aaron ordered a "Chef's Creation" (house special): Pepper Steak. It was a three-course meal served with bread, salad, and sorbet. Though it wasn't a great cut of meat, Aaron really loved the sauce. Clearly not a cheap date, I settled on the Filet Mignon "Oscar style," which meant that it was wrapped in bacon and topped with crab meat, asparagus, and bearnaise sauce. As usual, I ordered it medium rare, and for once my steak wasn't overcooked! In fact, it was cooked perfectly and dripped with flavor. The asparagus was fantastic, too. For dessert, we split some of the most delicious bread pudding either of us has ever had. I guess I'll be going for a long run tomorrow to make up for my indulgence!
Though the Sunbird isn't exactly budget-friendly, it's definitely worth a visit, whether for a special occasion or just some drinks/dessert one evening.
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