If you want something done right...

I've read a half dozen books lately that I realize about 150 pages in that they are a complete waste....but then I'm already 150 pages in - why not finish the book and get a much better one next time?

But it seems like I'm in a never ending cycle of finding a really great book and then 4 terrible books. Then I find a fantastic writer, I read all of his/her books, and 5 more terrible books looking for another great author.

So I've decided to pick up writing again. When I was a kid I used to write short stories and thought one day I'd get published (on the frig). It was fun and I wrote what I wanted to read.

I'm looking for something creative, whimsical, mysterious and timeless. I think I'm going to have to write it myself. Not for anyone else to read or in an attempt to get published, but to find everything I love about a really book. The kind of book you can curl up with a glass of wine, a blanket, soft music, and really enjoy.

Watch out Dan Brown and Lauren Weisberger!

They don't teach you this in college

When I started my career with Fossil, I was the typical recent college grad. Naive, thinking I should be making lots of money with no experience, and completely willing to work 12-14 hour days/weekends/holidays to get ahead....

And then 2 years passed and I realized that it wasn't really working. All the hours I spent at work rather than with friends, traveling, or trying to be in a successful relationship. All gone.

Now that I'm even just a few years older, I've finally moved up in my career...by way of a mid-20s crisis and 2 cross country moves... Also, I am viciously protective of my personal time. I refuse to get a "Crackberry," I don't share my personal cell number, I don't check e-mail on vacation, I only stay a few nights a week past 6 or 7, and I only work weekends if absolutely positively required. (so far only twice in the past year)

The funny thing is, I feel more successful now than I did working 80 hours per week! I finally have a work/life balance.

I have strong friendships, I have been in a few relationships that have taught me more about me, and now I know what I want out of my life.

I'm happy!

Happy New Year!

I'm not one to scramble around at the first of the year to make New Year's resolutions. Why make resolutions when you're just going to break them on Jan. 2?

So last year I made "New Year's Goals" and none of them included silly cliche resolutions like: Lose 10lbs.


Here are my 2008 Goals (not resolutions!):

1. Love my job. Make a change to make it great or find the silver lining.

2. Set aside time to take a continuing education course. Either a language course, an art or cooking class, or something else that I enjoy learning about.

3. Set a good example for my nephew. I have so much to teach him! He may still be in the giggle and drooling stage, but he's going to learn a lot this year.

"I want to be a good person and live my life the right way, keeping in mind that there might be a little kid who's watching what I do." - Rebecca Lobo, U.S. Olympic basketball player

2008 is going to be another good year!