Girl Scouts
I remember when I was in grade school being a girl scout. I never really liked it (I competed in gymnastics nationally) and I was always missing events and I really didn't like to camp. But I do remember one year when we went to a different camp (it was with the boy scouts and looking back that's probably the only reason we liked it ha) and we had a blast.
I remember driving up and there were these huge water tanks all over that looked like giant pills. Our leaders told us to stay away from the rainwater tanks but when they weren't looking we would pretend we were on that magic school bus show and ride them and imagine that they were big pills and someone was sick (I know lame, right?).
But when we finally got settled into camp we found out we had cleaning ladies (ok so it was kind of like camping, more like renting a cabin) so we were excited that we didn't have to have a chore sheet like we usually did (we hated the way our leader was a creepy neat freak, she would make us wash and rewash everything over and over until it was perfect). She would even have these old shipping containers that we would keep our cleaning supplies in and she drew smiley faces all over them (she was weird) so you can see why we were happy to have people cleaning up after us.
So instead of doing chores and learning things about wilderness we got to decide what we wanted to do. We hung out with the guys (of course we chose to do that ha) and we read ghost stories and roasted marshmallows and at the end of the weekend (after having such a great time) we found out that we got our friendship badge. I wish though that all of the badges could have been that easy.
I ended up leaving girl scouts a few months later (even though I was the highest cookie seller) and I am really glad that I left at a time where I had so much fun. At the time, I thought that everyone was doing girl scouts and I figured even if I didn't like it I should stick with it, but later on I realized that so many people didn't do it and that I was normal for hating it ha.
Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 @ 7:48 PM by Brian
Committing to your job and everything it entails
I recently heard from someone I know that just graduated and accepted a job, that when she signed on with her company she had to sign a form that she will agree to computer training or any certifications that she may need throughout her working there. Of course, the company will pay for those certifications or any CBT courses that she may need, but she has to agree to do them in a timely manner if asked to do so.
My guess is that a lot of people over the last 20 years were hesitant to conform to the technology based economy and work place that we have developed into. A lot of the older crowd were used to doing things their way and probably had a hard time adjusting or maybe weren't so eager. The fact is though, technology is constantly changing and businesses need to keep up (or stay ahead) if they are going to stay in business or at least keep up with the competition.
There are a lot of people who would prefer one bank over the other or one phone company over another one if that one has online banking or bill paying. So if you are the company that doesn't or you have employees who really haven't stayed up to date with technology on their own, you are going to fall behind and probably lose out a lot of money.
So companies need to ensure (for their own safety) that their employees will keep up to speed with the latest technology and be certified (like the a+ certification that my aunt needed for her job) accordingly.
Thankfully though the company pays for it and I think she even said that they are given paid time off to get the course completed (I think it was about 3 days or so). So they really are accommodating as long as you are as well. But I do think that people who are signing onto contracts with companies now are the kinds of people who are up to speed with the internet and technology and Microsoft office (what is expected now a days) so they shouldn't have a problem signing a sheet like that and they are also probably eager to keep up to date because it doesn't only help the company, it helps them personally too.
Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 @ 6:47 PM by Brian
Eureka! I did it!
So I have some great news to share everyone. Brace yourself. I just won a Nobel Peace Prize…okay, I lied. I got my A+ certification TODAY! Can you believe it? 500 hours of work later! It's taken me a few months but it is so worth it to be done. I worked on it through an online program since I obviously have work and school to attend. E-learning is new to me but I am glad I took the opportunity to do it. While I know there are lots of programs and types of e-learning, this was a great way for me to get the certificate. I have always been into computers; considering my dad was a MIS (Manager of Information Systems) and my mom works for a software company it was kind of obvious I would go for this. Now, I do not know if I wish to be a computer tech or anything but I now have the ability to be one if I want to. They make bank after all, it could be very lucrative. Now I will admit it was a challenge even for a computer geek like me to learn everything I had to. Luckily there was an enterprise learning library for me to fall back on to do research and watch videos for the training. I knew most of the things but not in the great detail required so that learning library online really helped me as both a now official computer technician and as a computer user overall. The A+ certification is vendor-neutral, meaning no company or organization is funding or promoting it for their profits, and consists of two exams. Now, in order to pass, you must demonstrate knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting and repairing desktop systems. The second exam you take, you pick from a list of three specialist exams that highlight one of the following roles: IT Technician, Depot Technician, or Help Desk Technician. I did the IT Technician exam obviously. Now if I want to make big bucks doing computer tech work, I know I will have to get more certifications to become more appealing to employers. Again, since I did it mostly without any problems, I had to brush up on some configuring protocols, I felt super confident. At least now I have a fallback if things in my career path do not work out. Well I ought to write a darn paper at this point even though I'd rather be blogging about my achievements…I swear I am not egocentric or conceited, promise.
Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 @ 9:49 AM by Brian
THE BEST PART OF THE WEDDING PLANNING IS THE CANDY TASTING
My best friend's wedding is rapidly becoming my biggest nightmare. First, the guy that she is marrying is such a jerk. I have tried, gently telling her that maybe he is not the right guy for her, but somehow, she believes he is and that is that. Then she is very demanding and wants things just so. She let her sister pick out the bride's maid dresses and these things were floral print and hideous. I didn't know what to say about them, because after all she and her sister thought that they were just perfect, I on the other hand felt like an idiot in the thing, but that is what you sign on for when you are in a wedding party. I think that when I get married, I am going to pick a color and then let everyone choose the style of their own dress, after all the bridesmaids have to pay for these dresses, and yet the bride gets to tell you exactly what you have to wear, like it or not. And yes, if you think about it, it is a ridiculous concept. Anyway, she keeps assigning me jobs and they have all been boring, well accept for the candy job. I got to go and order the wedding candy and I got to taste test different ghirardelli chocolate. It was incredible, I felt like royalty and actually I brought my boyfriend along, because everyone doesn't agree on the tastes of things, plus I really don't like peanuts and I know that a lot of people do including my best friend, so I figured I would need a second opinion. I had a really good time doing this job and that so far has been the only fun that I have had in helping plan this wedding. You have heard of Bridezilla, well I think that is what she has a case of. She even told the groom to be that he couldn't wear the tux of his choice and she took him back to the store to have him get something "more appropriate" and the joke of that is that what he chose was a very simple black tuxedo, very appropriate. Well, I am now looking forward to the wedding for two reason, the delicious chocolates, and the fact the wedding will put an end to the wedding planning...finally. : )
Posted on Monday, April 13, 2009 @ 12:23 PM by Brian
WEIGHT LOSS ON MY MIND
There are so many advertisements today for weight loss. It seems like every magazine I pick up has some sort of information about how to lose weight, which would be fine if they really worked. As a person who has struggled with my weight through my teen years and now into my twenties, it just seems to me that more could be done in the area of nutritious foods to help me along. I have been on several diet plans, like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers, and these programs are great as long as you stay on them. My problem is not with dieting, but when I come off. I really like Oprah and have watched her battle with weight loss and exercise, and all I can think to myself is that losing weight must be really tough. I mean here is a woman, who has all the resources and money to do whatever it takes to lose the weight and even she keeps on this roller coaster ride of weight loss. I just think that shows that weight loss and obesity are a state of mind. Perhaps it has more to do with people's taste buds, or their insecurities, I am just not sure what the deal is.
All I know is that personally I do really well on diets and with diet pills and exercise, but it seems that once I return to eating regular food, I tend to overdo it. I think maybe it is because every food on the market is not made in single serving size and lacks general nutrition. I have considered going vegetarian or vegan or even raw, but I don't know if I can really eat like this at school and in the real world. It just seems to me that it is very easy to fall off the wagon this way. Diet pills do a good job of suppressing my appetite and giving me energy, so I am not really sure why I overeat, but I definitely do. They say acknowledging the problem is the first step to fixing it. I am sure this is true, but I am not really sure where to start...maybe wiring my jaw shut, who knows.
Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 @ 3:41 PM by Brian