Does This Baby

A few months ago I hired an Image Consultant. Those of you that know me in real life are probably thinking what the hell? I know, I know, I'm into fashion, I went to design school, and I dress pretty well, why did I hire an Image Consultant? Well, truth be told I felt like I needed to up my professional game a little. I was hired at my company when I was twenty one, and sometimes I think some of the execs still see me as a twenty one year old. Even though I'm thirty now, a mother now, and have successfully managed crucial parts of our business. Prior to our first session Katherine, the image consultant, had me fill out a dozen personality surveys. Then we had a two hour discussion about the results of the survey. A huge light bulb went off when I realized all the things I wrote down on paper weren't actually the things I wanted at all. Katherine pointed out that on paper I wanted to fit in, go unnoticed. But the things that I was passionate about, my goals, my dreams, t...

My boss suggested watching this clip today. I wish my parents forced me to put one pay cheque into saving while I was working part-time in high school. They trusted me to use my money responsibility. Big mistake.

I've been pretty blue lately. I think it's being 30, which is totally dumb because I have a great hubby, lots of friends, a beautiful daughter, a house, good hair, and nice clothes. What more could any woman want? Last October I picked up Oprah's magazine O. The edition was all about pursuing your passion. It's been in the back of my mind ever since then. I can't help but think I'm not pursuing my passion, and it's slowly killing me. Okay, that was a bit dramatic. It's not killing me, but it has made me review every single decision I've ever made. When I look at the past though, it seems like everything happened the way it was supposed to. If I start regretting stuff, then other really great stuff would have never happened. If I did that, I wouldn't have gotten married. He's wonderful, and it was a beautiful wedding so of course I don't regret it. If I had gotten that, I wouldn't have tried to have a baby. And she's amazing ...

I spent my Saturday at the 7th Annual Women of Worth Conference. Empowered Leadership WOW is back and better than ever, with a powerful program that will WOW you.Get out of the boardroom and into the ballroom, and GET WOWED with world-class speakers, entertainment, food, fun, meaningful connections, inspiration and celebration at THE empowering event of the year.   It was a super inspiring day. The speakers weren't touchy feely feminists. They were smart, strong, funny business women, that showed off how awesome, and supportive their husbands were. I loved it. So much so that I bought two tickets for next year. For the last few days I've been reflecting about how I'm a woman of worth, and where I want to continue to grow. I think you have probably noticed my posts have really been career focused lately. That's all I've been reading too. Penelope Trunk is my unofficial career coach at this moment. It must have something to do with turning 30. I think I'm...

Big Hairy Audacious Goal I first heard the term from our company's CEO, but I think he stole it from James Collins or Lululemon . Basically, if there were no limits, what do you want for yourself. My BHAG professionally, is to own a business that allows me to travel, or work remotely. I don't know what that business looks like, all I know is that I want it, and everything I do for my career here on end has to line up with that goal. This thought process allows to me to make small goals to get me to the BHAG. Right now I'm working towards more specialization in my field, logistics and transportation. Pretty sexy, eh? What's your BHAG, and what are you doing to achieve it? BHAG by clearlyshopaholic featuring folding wayfarer sunglasses

When you start dating a great guy, everyone asks, "When are you gonna get serious?". When you get engaged, they ask, "When's the wedding?". After you get married, they ask, "When are you gonna have a baby?". After the first baby is born, they ask, "When are you gonna give her a sibling?". I'm not gonna lie. During the first year we had Eloise, I couldn't imagine ever wanting another child. It was hard work. As much joy, and happiness she brought hubby and I, we were also slept deprived, bickering, and exhausted. Well, we sleep better now. We're more connected, and more in sync with each other than we've been in years, and while I can see another baby in the future, I just don't want one any time soon. Elle isn't ready to be a big sister anyway.  She snarled, "No" to me, the other day  when I asked her if mommy should have another baby. Career wise, I finally feel like I know what I want to do when I gro...

I hate it when people complain about their jobs. My feeling is, if you hate it that much, quit. However, I do get that people can feel blue from time to time. Maybe you're not advancing fast enough, maybe you're not given enough projects, or maybe your raise wasn't as high as you expected. You don't want to quit over that stuff, but you've all of a sudden forgotten why you actually like your job in the first place. This is what I would do, if I were in a funk. 1)List all the things about your job that you love For me, I love that I have my own office. I love that our company culture supports working parents. Most of the exec team have missed one day or another to watch their kid in a hockey game, or play. I love the employee stock option program. I put in $100 of my pay cheque towards company stock, and the company matches it 100%. I love my health, and dental plan. I love that I have established meaningful friendships that will last me my whole life. 2)Googl...

I had the misfortune of firing a pretty likable employee some years ago. Long story short he was caught lying numerous times, and I couldn't trust him anymore. I hated him for putting me in such a lame position, but instead of getting mad, I put my energy into a poem. Because that is just how awesome I am. My wish to you A dozen new clients Tears of joy Never ending love Peace and devotion Hard work paying off A new car A feeling in your heart That everything is going to be alright My wish to you Forgiveness and graciousness My wish for me Humbleness and mercy

In high school I thought I'd be a business woman when I grew up. I didn't really know what kind of business, but I knew I'd have a briefcase, and all the right answers. And I'd yell, "F*ck, just get me a coffee", to my idiot assistant. Nobody taught us about HR in high school. Well, I don't have an idiot assistant, and even if I did, yelling at them isn't as glamorous as I imagined. But I am grown up now. I have an office job. I work for a very successful company. I have manager at the end of my title. I can afford my mortgage, childcare, and a designer denim obsession. I think I grew up OK, but I want more. Instinctively, more means bigger, better, and expensive things. But I'm trying to put my ego in check, and figure out happiness beyond money. Yeah money makes me very happy, but I'm looking for something Wayne Dyer would be proud of. Career wise I've got a few plans for this year, complete my business management certificate, writ...

So long 2010, it’s been swell. I had a pretty great year. Developing minor arthritis sucked, but I found a really great homeopath, and have managed to live pretty normally with it, and without taking any drugs. Arthritis aside, these are my top accomplishments.  I went back to work! It’s a big deal. It meant leaving my 1 year old for over 8 hours a day and trusting my sister/nanny to raise her to be a smart healthy toddler, which she is. Thanks Nika! I Bought A House After ten years of renting in Vancouver, we bought a house , out in freakin’ Coquitlam, but I love it. Love the space, love the yard, love the trees in the back, love that I rarely see my neighbors. And especially love that it’s mine. Went to 5 Weddings Yes I count this as a huge accomplishment. Weddings are exhausting. And when you’ve got a 1 and half year old that doesn’t sit still, it’s even tougher. We made it though, ate great food, and watched our friends make beautiful commitments to each other.  Tau...

Long time no blog. But I needed to share my great news. My company has a blog, and I recently signed on to be a contributor. My title is Community and Lifestyle Correspondent, hehe. This is on top of my regular Transportation Manager responsibilities but I'm super excited, and my creative juices have just been going bananas. Here's my mug for site. I'll keep you posted on any articles that maybe of interest.

Hubby was reading the Georgia Straight this past weekend, and found that my one of my favorite pop bands is coming to town, Dragonette . They're playing Wednesday night, doors open at 8pm. Before I finished thinking about what if, I didn't have a baby to breastfeed to bed, and what if, I didn't have to work in the morning, he suggested I go. Me: Huh? What? Really I should go? Do you think? What about Eloise? What about work in the morning? Him: GO! He knows me better than I know myself. Or maybe he just doesn't want me to complain about how I missed another fun event because I'm such a selfless, devoted mother. I bought tickets this morning so I couldn't change my mind. OK not as devoted after all. Wish me luck.

Eloise was so distraught the first week I went back to work, that she made herself throw-up all night Tuesday. I stayed at home with her on Wednesday. She wasn't well until the weekend. That was the longest week of my life. There were no illnesses making me feel guilty about being a working mom, on the second and third week, so they flew by quickly. And now I think I'm finally back in the swing of things. However, I'm still trying to get used to wearing high heels again. I'm going to invest in some Dr Schol's insoles.

I go back to work, tomorrow. OMG! People have been asking me how I feel about it. My general response is, "Excited, because I really need to start exercising my brain." I didn't realize how dumb I'd gotten this year, until yoga class yesterday. I've been taking yoga on Tuesday nights for the past 4 months. It's been great for my body, and an awesome excuse to leave the house without my baby. However, since I'm going back to work, I figured that I might actually want to spend evenings, after work, with my child. So when I signed up for my next series of classes, I decided to do a weekend class, Saturdays 1pm to 2pm. At the first class we started a little late, because of new registrants, signing of waivers, and payment processing. To my surprise, the instructor went an hour over. I guess it was to make up for the late start. I had only paid for an hour parking, so I was a little nervous when I walked out to the car. The Universe gave me a free pass t...

As many of you in the blogosphere know, it is hard being clever, and witty all the time. So I'm not, which is why I don't blog all the time. But to all my fans, you know who you are, that keep telling me to blog more because I write funny shit, thank you, thank you, for your kind words, for your support, and for your childlike faith that writing good shit comes easy to me.