9.30.2008

And the stealing continues...

Saw this on Yahoo today... The former Seattle SuperSonics are now the Oklahoma City Thunder. They unveiled their new jerseys.

YUCK!

Based on the article, the jerseys look familiar to that of another team... so Bennett continues to steal from others... LOSER!

9.27.2008

A Love for Guacamole

JC Mirasola LOVES guacamole - as you can see below. I couldn't resist taking a few photos of him eating... he had guac EVERYWHERE! :-)


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

9.21.2008

Go Rays

After having the worst record in MLB last year, the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a spot in the playoffs yesterday by beating the Minnesota Twins 7-2!


(Today's Sports page cover of The Tampa Tribune)

Go Rays!

9.17.2008

I've been tagged...

So, I was tagged by one of my college roommates, Melissa, to post six quirky things about myself.

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Mention the rules on your blog.
3) Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.
4) Tag six fellow bloggers by linking them.
5) Leave a comment on each of the six blogger's blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Hmm ... this was really difficult, but here's what I came up with -

1) In true Virgo fashion, I am a bit crazy about things being in their place. I can't focus when things are not where they should be (shower curtain wide open when no one is showering, dresser drawers left even slightly open, toilet paper not on the holder, etc). Drives me crazy!

2) I won't drive by myself at night to get gas in my car (or anywhere for that matter). Don't know why - just don't do it. Poor Brian gets the wrath when I ask him to come with me somewhere and he doesn't want to go. :-)

3) Typos (especially on a resume) drive me bananas! You can't imagine how many senior level, educated folks have sent me emails (or resumes) with typos. Can someone please show them how to use spell check?

4) I FREAK if I see anyone’s purse on the floor. My family is from Cuba, and I’ve always been told it’s bad luck and brings money trouble. So, I’m that crazy friend (and coworker) that tells people to pick their purse off the floor. Yes, I know I’m weird (but at least I acknowledge it).

5) I could eat pasta and ice-cream every day and never get sick of it! But, then again if I did - I’d have to submit a tape to be selected on the show “The Biggest Loser!” While I LOVE ice-cream and pasta, I don’t think I’m ready for all that exercising and crying!

6) The dishwasher has to be loaded from back to front. I don’t want to see any glasses in the front of the rack when there’s plenty of room behind it. I tend to re-organize the dishwasher a bit.

According to the rules, I'm supposed to tag six more people... but, being that my blog contacts are minimal - I can only tag my sis-in-law Stephanie. What are your quirks?

Re-energized

I attended the annual HR Tampa conference today. I try to attend every year, as they usually schedule excellent presenters/topics. This year was no different. All of the speakers and breakout sessions were GREAT, and each gave me ideas to incorporate into my life as a Recruiter/HR professional.

These sessions came just in time. Over the past year, I've been REALLY stressed at work, but didn't really feel challenged - just overwhelmed. I've worked many hours each week - but haven't felt like I've made much progress. And I actually began to question whether or not I wanted to continue in the recruiting field. I felt so disconnected from the HR world. I was drained.

But, after today - I feel RE-ENERGIZED! As I sat in these sessions, my mind was racing! I came up with several ideas to not only enhance my career, but improve how a few things are handled at work. Some of the improvements seem minor, but I think will make an impact on our employees - especially new hires. Right now, I handle the recruiting function (and have a lot on my plate as the only Recruiter), but I want to incorporate on-boarding and leadership development into my functions. I mean, these go hand-in-hand with the recruiting role (at least I think so). Recruiting, on-boarding of new hires, and developing future managers/leaders within the organization - how cool! I am going to spend my free time researching these functions to learn as much as I can, so I can come prepared to discuss with my manager during one of our weekly one-on-one meetings. I may need to work on this slowly though as she recently offered me another project...

When I interviewed for my position, I explained how I wanted to learn more about compensation and was told that perhaps I could work on comp projects as a Recruiter. I've always had an interest in learning about the compensation role, but never had an opportunity to learn from/observe anyone in the position (since I've never been based out of a corporate office). I even looked into taking online classes to receive my CCP certification. Since my interview (nearly two years ago), my manager has remembered my interest in comp and recently offered me to participate in the annual merit review process starting in December. It's approximately a four month project. There's a lot involved with it - spreadsheets, following up with supervisors, reviewing performance assessments, working with Corporate compensation, etc. One HR Generalist handles the process each year for our business unit, but I will be assisting her with it this time around. Definitely will add a ton of more work to my already full plate, but I'm VERY excited in taking part in this process and want to do a great job!

Thanks HR Tampa (& fabulous speakers) for inspiring and challenging me to make a difference, to learn more, and to aspire to give more for the betterment of our organizations and employees. All the things I set out to do years ago, but somehow lost track of for a brief moment.

9.10.2008

My Husband, the Great

So, I lost one of my pearl earrings when we first moved into the house. It was a pair given to me by my mom and grandmother when I was a teenager. I didn't really value them as I should've till just a few years ago. I was really upset I had lost them and talked to Brian about it all the time.

Brian has always given GREAT gifts. He listens to the things I really want or need, and at any given occasion - SURPRISE! I love that he listens to the details. Even though his listening skills are truly selective. None the less - he listens.

For my 31st birthday, he bought me pearl earrings from my FAVORITE jewelry store in the world... Tiffany & Co! I absolutely LOVE them! I don't ever want to take them off, but I will. I'll take excellent care of them. I don't want anything to happen to them.

I can't wait to buy the strand of pearls to match. It's such a classic set. But, the necklace will have to wait. I'm going to need to designate a savings account to save for it! :-)

Goodbye 30, HELLO 31

Today I turn thirty-one. It's a bit strange to know that I'm no longer just thirty... I've actually begun my climb into thirty-something. My twenties were great; I hope my thirties are even better!

Some exciting things occurred during my 30th year - we moved into our first new home and Brian was promoted to Assistant Principal. I have so much to be thankful for - a loving husband, wonderful family, great friends, promising career, new home... There's still so much more I want to do and become. There's a lot to look forward to in the upcoming year. I hope year 31 is as good as (or better than) my 30th.

Thank you all for your birthday wishes! Your thoughtfulness and generosity are overwhelming.

I am truly blessed.

9.02.2008

Happy Birthday, Monica!

Legal to drink 10 years ago,
Back when we thought 30 was old.
Now 31 and a lot has changed,
With husbands to love and babies to raise.
And though we don't see each other as often as we did back then,
You're still one of my very best friends.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONICA!

I found this picture yesterday... it's from your 21st birthday. Gosh that was a fun night out in downtown Gainesville. The week of partying was fun... three Virgo roommates - all turning 21 within a week's time... CRAZY! Oh, at that's Melissa putting bunny ears behind us... Awww, do you remember the gigantic 3/2 apartment we had for only $600 a month? Those were the days!

We've been friends for a very long time (at least 16 years) and been through a lot together - good and bad. And despite all of the crazy stuff, we've managed to stick together. I love you like a sister. I hope you have a FABULOUS 31!

Love ya,
Jolee
(sorry for the cheesy poem - I thought of it today at lunch)

P.S. - I wish I could still fit into those size 2 pants in the picture! Hmmm... how much exercise would I have to do to get back into a size 2?? :-)