Lies, Lies, Lies

NaBloPoMo Prompt: How good are you at telling a lie?

My ability to tell a lie isn’t the best. Mainly because my memory isn’t the best and I usually don’t remember what I said. So I usually try to stick with telling the truth. Now having said that, I am pretty good at the art of omission which I don’t believe is telling a lie. It’s just not telling the entire story. For instance…

If someone asks me a question, I’ll answer the question. In most cases I typically don’t give too much additional information. I realize that this can cause a bit of frustration to others although I’m a firm believer of people asking what it is they really want to know. If I want to know something, I ask the question I want. I don’t ask a ‘feeler’ question in hope of pulling out the information that I really want to know.

As I get older I believe in the importance of telling people the truth instead of a ‘white lie’ that might make them feel better about themselves or a situation. I would want for them to do the same for me. And besides, my face is an open book and they would know that I'm not telling the truth.

What about you…are you good at telling a lie?

Feelings

NaBloPoMo Prompt: Are you good at hiding your feelings or is your face an open book?

I think that most people who know me will say that I wear my feelings all over my face. Especially if someone says something that I think is strange in a ‘Are you serious?’ kind of way.

I remember years ago while working in the same unit as a friend of mine our manager sharing an observation with us. She said that during weekly staff meetings if another member of the team said something that was a bit obscure, we would look at one another and our faces read exactly what we were thinking. After that coaching moment, we would just look down and doodle and not make eye contact.

I would like to say that since then I’ve matured and that my facial expressions have gotten better, but they haven’t. And I honestly try not to look at people like they are asking me the dumbest possible question in the world, or that I have close to no interest in what they are talking to me about. But it’s hard. I have a short attention span, and if someone doesn’t engage me pretty quickly then I lose interest just as quickly.

On the other hand, I am good at hiding my feelings in non-face to face encounters. For those who are in my inner circle, I try to place their feelings ahead of mine. If it’s something that I’m not really interested in doing, I will still probably do it for them. And if I’m angry or upset about something that has happened, I usually won’t say it, but my actions probably say it loud enough.

What about you…are you good at hiding your feelings or is your face an open book?

October NaBloPoMo - Mask

Here it is another first day of the month and I’ve decided to participate in NaBloPoMo! Seems like a good way to get back into blogging and the theme is intriguing (and what probably really pulled me in)…mask.

When I first think of the word mask, I think about something that covers someone’s face. But then there are all of the synonyms for mask: cover, disguise, conceal, and hide to name a few. And those are the words that resonate more with me. I don’t think I liked to wear Halloween masks when I was younger; yet I am pretty good at the other things.

Maybe this month will help me to figure out more things about myself. Or maybe it just might be some very random things that you’ll read!

Choices

The March NaBloPoMo question for Friday was about choices: Would I rather make my own choices or have someone make them for me?

Well, anyone who knows me (and I mean barely knows me), knows that I like to make my own choices. Every since I can remember, I have been pretty independent and like to make my own choices. I can still remember meeting an Army recruiter in one of my classes my freshman year of college. I enjoyed talking to him and even contemplated considering the military. When I talked to my Dad about it, I can still remember him saying "You don't like for me to tell you what to do. What makes you think you'll want someone else telling what to do, when to do it and how to do it?" Ah, he knows me so well.

Uncertainty

How fitting that the March NaBloPoMo prompt for yesterday would be about uncertainty: How do you feel about uncertainty? Is it exciting or scary?

Earlier today I decided to apply for a different position within my company. After speaking to my manager about the position and doing some research on my own, I decided that I would apply. When applying for any position, I only think of myself as my competition. I don't worry or think about who else might apply. With this current opening, I feel that I have great qualifications that will make me  a very competitive candidate for this position. It wasn't until I submitted the needed form that I began to have doubts.

I work for a large company in the insurance and financial services industry. One of the big pushes at my company is for continuing education to obtain an insurance designation. Although insurance designations are highly regarded in the insurance industry, they aren't so much in the non-insurance world. And, although I work for an insurance company, the positions that I have held are not insurance specific such as a claims adjuster or insurance agent. Hence, why I focused on educational opportunities that would benefit me in any industry.

After submitting my interest in the position, I began to feel uncertain about my qualifications since I don't have an insurance designation. (This position is not insurance specific either) Although I have stood by what I believe in to be important as far as education, I am now wondering how my choice will impact me professionally. Believe me, I know about the checklists that are used to wade through potential candidates. (Yes, I worked in Human Resources once upon a time)

So, how do I feel about uncertainty? Right now it's a good mixture of exciting and scary. Exciting for the opportunities this new position would bring, and scary because it would create a big change in my life. Right now, I am looking at both of those things as positives. Bring it on!

NaBloPoMo Prompt: Do You Live Close to Your Family?

According to Mapquest, I live approximately 16 hours 18 minutes or 995.82 miles from my family, and there are 4 states that separate us. (Guess I'll be thinking twice about driving home for my brother's wedding in June) 

Since the early '90's I have lived in a different state from my immediate family. My first move from the state of Michigan only placed me over the state line to Indiana and about 30 minutes from them. It really didn't really feel like I had moved away from home and I would still see my family all the time.

My next move kept me in the state of Indiana, took me to Indianapolis which is about 3 1/2 hours away from family. I finally completed my bachelor's degree and landed my first 'real' adult job that had career potential. The distance wasn't too bad since I was able to drive home for a weekend or whenever special family things came up.

My next move was due to a career change, and took me to Cincinnati, Ohio and about 5 hours from my family. Due to the travel with my company and the added distance, this move started making it a little more difficult to see my family. Now trips home were planned in advance or around a holiday or other special event.

My next move brought me to where I currently live, Dallas, Texas. Needless to say, the distance (and my business travel schedule) only allows me to travel home once or twice a year, definitely around the holidays or when other special events that I have planned to return home for.

Do I miss living near my family? Definitely! I miss just being able to drop by my mom's home for a home cooked meal, or go tailgating with my dad for a Notre Dame football game. I miss not being there when there is a family illness and being able to provide comfort and support. I miss getting together just because it's Friday.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll move closer to my family. Until then, I'll be thankful for frequent flier miles and the ability to get a direct flight home when I need it. And I'll enjoy my siblings letting me be 'the favorite' during those short trips when I am home!


Pic of me & my family after the 2010 Chicago 3 Day Walk

February NaBloPoMo

Can you believe that I have already signed up for February NaBloPoMo?! Over the past month I have found out just how time consuming keeping up a blog can be. And not that I am complaining. I am really enjoying writing for my blog!

One of the concerns I am experiencing is making certain I am writing about things that will interest other people. I mean, I think my world is somewhat interesting. But even I get bored with my world sometimes.

So, for the month of February I am going to try to follow the theme from NaBloPoMo. This month's theme is: RELATIVE. I decided to look up the meaning of relative (curtesty of dictionary.com):

noun

1. a person who is connected with another or others by blood or marriage.

2. something having, or standing in, some relation to something else.

3. something dependent upon external conditions for its specific nature, size, etc. ( opposed to absolute).

4. Grammar . a relative pronoun, adjective, or adverb.

adjective

5. considered in relation to something else; comparative: the relative merits of democracy and monarchy.

6. existing or having its specific nature only by relation to something else; not absolute or independent: Happiness is relative.

7. having relation or connection.

8. having reference or regard; relevant; pertinent (usually followed by to ): to determine the facts relative to an accident.

9. correspondent; proportionate: Value is relative to demand.

So, it looks like I might possibly be exploring my family relationships, friendship relationships, business relationships, etc. Looks like this could be interesting. And if all else fails, I can just go back to my very random posts!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten on Tuesday is something that I stumbled across on one of the blogs that I follow. Each Tuesday, 10 questions (sometimes very random like this week) are posted and then answered.  I think it's a great way to get conversation started AND it gives me something to post on Tuesdays!

If you're interested in participating, you can find Ten on Tuesday at Roots and Rings by Chelsea.

1. What are 3 things that are on your Christmas wish list?

I just received a friendly reminder text from my mother this morning that she hasn't received my Christmas wish list yet. So I guess that answers that question!

2. What’s your favorite Christmas song?

I am probably in the minority that Christmas music isn't one of my favorite music types.

3. Do you have a favorite band or singer that sings it especially awesome?

See the answer to Question 2.

4. Have you heard about the website GoodReads?

Never heard about GoodReads until today! And this is the reason I love reading blogs...I always find out new and relevant information for me. (And there's an App for GoodReads too!)

5. What are 3 books you want to read?

I have been working on my masters degree for the past 18 months, and haven't had much time to read for pleasure. I have been reading Emily and Einstein for almost a year and really would like to finish it!

6. Do you hunt deer?

Seriously? Uh, no.

7. Have you started Christmas shopping? Are you completely finished?

I have. I purchased items to send overseas to a fellow 3 Day Walker's brother who is deployed in Afghanistan, and I purchased a gift card for a family in need. I now need to start shopping for my immediate family.

8. Did you shop on Black Friday? What was the best deal you got?

No, I love shopping but can't take the crowds and didn't do any cyber shopping either.

9. What’s one holiday tradition your family has?

My parents are divorced and I always spend Christmas Eve with my Dad's side of the family. We do a gift exchange and my Dad plays Santa. And there is always great food and merriment involved!

10. How many blogs do you read? Do you subscribe/unsubscribe often or do you purge every once in a while?

Probably too many! I just counted, and right now in my FeeddlerRSS App I have 52 blogs that I am following. Some of those bloggesr are like me and don't post on a regular basis. Although the majority do post at least everyday. Now that school's out, I have more time to actually read the blogs.

And yes, it probably is time to do a purge!

December NaBloPoMo

Ok, here we are at the beginning of another month that I will attempt to participate in NaBloPoMo!

For those who follow my blog, you already know that I have attempted this challenge several times and haven't been successful. To those same loyal followers, you also know that there's not much that I set my mind to that I don't accomplish!

Although the idea behind NaBloPoMo is to blog every day, my goal is just to blog more often than I have been. And in the process hopefully I will find a few more blogs to follow. So here's to December NaBloPoMo and seeing how often I blog this month!

November NaBloPoMo

What better way to revive my blog than to participate in NaBloPoMo for November!

My few dedicated followers already know that I have been pretty busy the past 18 months working on my masters degree. I am happy to report that I have finally obtained it! Hopefully now I will have more time to focus on blogging which is something that I have always wanted to do. Please be patient as I find my voice and the focus for my blog. At the very least hopefully you'll find some entertaining stories to make you laugh!

Well, here's to the next 30 days of blogging to get me back on track!