Running out of time.

Everyday I think about my blog and I think about topics that I want to blog about, and then I'm never around for just a moment to myself to type everything out. I'm going to try to get better and set aside just some time for myself to blog and keep everyone updated. This weekend was hectic because my beautiful sister came into town and her husband to spend just two days with us. It was great to see her. We've also been working on the new property any chance we can get. I'll keep updating with photos when I download them.

You should all know that I'm glued to my TV on Monday nights. I must admit that I'm obsessed with the ABC show, Castle. http://abc.go.com/shows/castle

Also on Monday nights, my inner college kid comes out and there are only two more episodes of Greek on ABC Family, EVER!!!! MUST BUY THE SEASONS.....

Thankful.

I've learned a lot over the past couple of months in my career and in life. I've had many great mentors in my life (I've been very lucky)and most recently I have had the great opportunity to look up to someone that was helping me find my path. He always told me inspirational stories and "case studies" that I could learn from. Every story had something behind it that I could take away and I appreciated all of them.

He told me this quote that he always refers back to by Steve Jobs. "For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today. And whenever the answer has been no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something...almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose."

I appreciate his honestly, trustworthiness, encouragement and friendship. Having a mentor that is very frank with you is uplifting. He encourages me to be the best that I can be. He gave me the best compliment that my public relations ability comes naturally and I'm one of the best that he's worked with. What a compliment! Sincerely, thank you!

Accreditation in Public Relations.

One of my favorite professors at the University of West Florida always told me to keep my public relations books and to never sell them back. Why I listened to her is beyond me and why I even kept them in my house is another mystery. I've been in a study group for my accreditation in public relations. I just finished teaching the last chapter today and we are now studying on our own. I started looking for my PR books tonight and found four that will be useful. I'll be in my own little PR world until the end of April. I have to do a PR Readiness Review and then take my test in Mobile. Talk about nerve-racking.

Mardi Gras and Young Professionals.

Here is the link to the Pensacola News Journal article: Krewe members mix beads and business

Behind the Computer Screen.

I was approached about an article for the Pensacola News Journal by a reporter last week. I gave her a couple of names for people to interview, but she knew that I was also in a Mardi Gras krewe since I work closely with the news media. I knew that the story would come out in Sundays paper and was anxiously awaiting to see the final piece.

I thought it was a great feature story since Mardi Gras is coming up and the city has been focusing on young professionals and change in Pensacola. See below.

Reading the comments on pnj.com is never a good idea and I don't know why I even bothered, but I guess I'd like to know what was said instead of being oblivious to it all. I hate how these people can sit behind a computer screen and hide their faces but type the most vicious things about Pensacola, the articles and the subjects. Then I think about the time these people spend online and write behind a screen without showing their face or name. They aren't the ones doing things for the community or trying to help us grow, we are! Others like me want what is best for Escambia County and the City of Pensacola - they just want to complain about it. These faceless screen names give me motivation to want to do more and be out there and fight for a thriving community.

Valentine's Day 2011.

I love Valentine's Day and normally always celebrate with my friends. It's the concept that I love my friends and it is fun to keep them close to me on this holiday. I also love the smell of fresh flowers and the fun colors of pink and red everywhere I go.

Adam is normally not home for Valentine's Day and for the past couple of years, my best girlfriend and I go to a restaurant together, buy each other presents and enjoy a movie like Step Up 1, 2, and 3! Thank you to my friends boyfriend for letting her spend the day with me.

This year, Adam was actually home for Valentine's Day and we wanted to spend the day together at home instead of fighting the Valentine's restaurant crowd. He stopped by Joe Patti's earlier in the day and pick up some beautiful cuts of salmon. I got home and had a sweet card waiting for me. Busy me left the card I bought for him in my car, so I put on the pause button to run outside and sign it!
I started to make yellow rice and he started the grill. We used our grill basket the night before so he thought he'd heat it up to make it easier to clean. What he forgot was that the handle was hot, poor guy burnt his hand and I had to cook dinner. I think he planned that part! Our dinner turned out wonderful with seasoned salmon with a raspberry vinaigrette sauce, asparagus and yellow rice. We also rented a sweet movie and enjoyed a quiet evening together.

Happy Valentine's Day and many more to come!