I started a new job a few weeks ago. Today in my inbox I found this email:


I will set you up with Cody---he is not there all the time as he is a student, but he is the one that has been there the longest.  His boss is Melinda who is a full-time employee who overseas the operation.

I know I've been traveling a lot lately, but not overseas...

My college has this cool new feature where voice messages appear in my inbox using speech technology. It is quite amusing to read how the computer translates the messages. Here are some of my favorites:

Translation #1: Hey Melinda this is Abby from collision center

Translation #2: Hey you know you guys willing to share with us and help us to get the stuff that blind I'd appreciate it thank you

Translation #3: Meeting deadlines with this other program -- as well and it's got more complicated than we had hope so -- just by the beach bite.

Translation #4: Hi Melinda this is Ann from nicest apartment extension.

Translation #5: I'm just trying to apply for scholarships and website says that the application available but when I click on begin it says it's not available. So I'm just wondering if you -- that's just not up yet or what's going on with seven skip.

Translation #6: And just figuring out how I need to get that done a $500 for wincher so when you get a ride on this

Translation #7: Hi Melinda hey I just wanted to see if you had any desire disorders.

Translation #8: Debrief after the conversation and talked urine makes sense us any about if I can be helpful on -- what you're gonna do it so if anything.

Translation #9: I got approval from the names germ I am working for them revise your words

Translation #10: Hey Melinda this is Gabriel down thoroughness center and I was just calling to see if we could confirm about the nap boardroom tomorrow

Take a guess at what the caller is actually saying. I’ll post the correct messages in few days.

Catalyst for Change

A while ago, Katrina and I were discussing the question, “If you were a Disney Princess, which one would you be”? Anyone who knows Katrina, knows how much she adores Ariel. Such a good match, considering both Katrina and Ariel are adventurous and fun-loving, making them fun to be around.

Then came my turn to answer, “If you were a Disney Princess, which would you be?” Only, Katrina added, “and please don’t say Belle.”

Me: Why not Belle?

Katrina: Because, Belle is always trying to change things and people. Trying to make things better.

Me: What’s wrong with that?

Katrina: You don’t want to spend the rest of your life doing that. Besides, she doesn’t even have a cute prince.

Me: Haha. Yeah, why didn’t they make him cuter?

But the truth is, I would be Belle. Belle is a free-thinker, courageous and not afraid to speak to her mind. She pushes forward when all the odds seem against her. And although she is stubborn, she is also compassionate and loyal. And she finds love when she least suspects it. OK, that last part still has to happen for me, but I think the other characteristics fit me pretty well.

Lately at my job at college, I have had to bring out my inner Disney Princess, Belle. For several months I have been working to improve things in the office and I wanted to share something I learned recently because I feel it can apply to many life situations.

Throughout the past several months of rolling out changes, many people have given me opinions about how I should do things. Whether or not I am headed in the right direction. Whether or not I am moving quickly enough. It seems like nearly everyone has an opinion to share, even if I don’t solicit their opinion. And more often than not, everyone would do it differently because their method is certainly better. Or so the intonation of their opinion implies.

I began to question myself and my strategy. So I asked for more opinions. I suppose I was hoping to get opinions that would validate me and that those opinions would outnumber the opinions telling me how could do things better.

My boss shared something with me a few days ago that really helped. He said that “people are always willing to give an opinion, especially if you ask them. But that doesn’t mean they have thought about it as much as you have or researched it as much as you have.”

My parents encouraged me to be selective about whom I ask for an opinion. I still believe that getting input, especially from experienced individuals, is priceless. After all, maybe they can draw on personal experiences that would benefit me.

I can gain insight from those who want me to succeed because I trust that they will provide thoughtful opinions. After gathering those thought-out opinions, it is my responsibility to sift and select those insights most helpful to me in moving forward.

Making changes in my college office has been challenging. But I have been living and breathing this for months. I have had sleepless nights and shed many a tear trying to make improvements. I have met with professors who specialize in direction I want to go, read books and bookmarked pertinent blogs. I have conducted a college-wide audit and compiled all the research into a usable resource. I know the end goal and I know the best route to take to get there. One challenging part is helping others see that end goal and helping them to understand that if we work together, we can make big improvements. The other challenging part is to continue down this path even when others doubt that change can be made.

I may not know exactly how life will turn out, but Belle didn’t know that either when she rejected Gaston's marriage proposal. All she knew was that she wanted something more to life than to massage Gaston’s feet by the fire. She didn’t settle for what others defined as great. Even though Gaston was great in the eyes of the villagers, Belle knew that she would never be happy with Gaston. She continued to seek something that would be great for her personally. (Disclaimer: I am not against marriage…just using this as an example.)

Each of us probably has our own hero that we look up to. I hope that as we face challenges in life, we realize that the reason we look up to this hero is probably because he/she was happy in life. The hero probably had to overcome challenges by relying on those closest to him/her and relying on his/her own conscience. I hope I remember this valuable lesson…to ultimately let my conscience be my guide.

The importance of spelling...

Yesterday I was talking to a co-worker about how years ago I wanted to be a writer, and were discussing all the things that go into writing.  I'd just started to say that my desire probably came from reading so many books when I was younger, when I was interrupted by someone at work who came in and handed me the following letter... On official letterhead, even.... (I took the letter from the man and started reading it out loud to everyone standing nearby until I started laughing too hard )
enjoy.

Some people should really give up their careers and go to college.
Also, probably don't sign up for month to mouth contracts. sounds iffy to me. 

I recently had surgery on my shoulder and was out of the office for about two weeks. I returned yesterday to this amazing decor! The best part was that I just went to the Owl City concert. I think I might leave this decor up forever.

4th of July

My college held a really fun 4th of July celebration! Dad, Rebecca and I went to eat some yummy food and enjoy some music and amazing fireworks.

We made a brief stop at Baskin Robbins because I am pretty certain that it was one million and two degrees outside.


After the snack, we walked over to the stadium to enjoy the fantastic concert!

David Archuleta...so cute! Mom gave Rebecca permission to date him.


Brad Paisley!!! Loved it all!

Thanks for the tickets, Mom!

I leave in less than two weeks on a trip with college colleagues. Yeah! In preparation, we are getting together for lunch a few days before we leave to discuss important travel topics. The lunch organizer recently sent out this email to the lunch group:

If there are any spouses, future or potential spouses, or sibling/spouses coming, we’d be happy to add them to the count as well.

In addition, the final list of discussion topics are in:
· Is Lady Luck a true random pick of people in our class?
· Does Tab actually taste good?
· Should we be paying rent to the college since we practically live here?
· How do you avoid bed bugs at 5 star hotels around the world
Please come with a 2 page write-up of one of the above points.

In response, another colleague wrote:

In addition to bed bugs, someone needs to write a one page (front and back) report on a more personal topic. Given the long flights we all will be taking, someone needs to research and write up the etiquette associated with passing gas while on the plane. Recycled air is bad enough without the inclusion of personal emissions.