The Help...

I just finished reading this fascinating book. Yes, I might be behind. But I have been busy! Anyways, this book by Kathryn Stockett is a must-read. Personally, I love these stories. My parents grew up in the south. My dad, more specifically, was alive during all of this. He grew up in a southern country club. I am positive his mother's friends had this type of help, although my dad has never mentioned it.

This book, along with a course I took in college, had me questioning my parents. I asked them why they never spoke of this time. They struggled to answer me. They replied they were young. My dad was 10 when Brown V. Board was passed. At 10 years old, you begin to remember things. Where you were when certain things happened, and what you were doing.

The sociological aspect of race, and gender fascinate me. People are socialized to believe certain things about them and the world. Why does a little girl have to have a pink bib? Why does the white girl have to have a white doll? I still don't get it. For as far as we are forward in many aspects, the world is still so far behind on others.

Oh The Life of an Airline Child...

Let's face it, being the child of a pilot has its perks. I have reaped the benefits of it for as long as I can remember. As I approach 25, (in 2.5 years) I realize I need to take FULL advantage of the benefits while I still can. So, this past weekend I had nothing to do. I had just gotten to my parent's house from the gym. (I have to water their plants while they, too, reap the benefits of free travel.) It was noon, and I was curious as to what my big brother was doing that night. He lives in Vegas. It's a strange question to ask someone who is hours away from you. Well, I decided I was going to go visit him for the night. Just the night. I had to work Monday. (Remember, I am a grown up now?) Anyways, I check the flights to see if they are open. Well just my luck, there was a flight at 16:04 to Las Vegas that was pretty much wide open! It is now 1pm, and I am half an hour away from my apartment. I need to pack, shower, look professional, (you have to represent the airline in a positive way), and be out the door NO LATER THAN 2:15 if I want to be able to make it to the airport in time to catch the flight. 

Welp, I made it! I was off to Vegas. With this being a VERY last minute trip, we had nothing planned. We decided to go see Le Reve at the Wynn. The show was amazing. It was a water show with acrobats and such. They had one minor tech problem, but other than that I felt as though I was transported into a dream; like the title of the show suggests.  And because my brother is a local, we received a discount on our tickets. (There are always deals, you just have to ask!) I won $40 playing video poker, while my brother lost $20. He was not to pleased. We had a late night snack of In-N-Out. I cheated, and bought a ticket home, because I could not play the "wait in the airport and hope I make it home game" flying stand-by. Overall, my 27 hours in Vegas was a success. My otherwise boring weekend, turned into quite the adventure. 

Le Reve 

Find out more here.

Next weekend I am thinking I may trek to Kansas. 

Oh yea, that half marathon...

training and idea is dead. Who has the energy to work out after a long day in their cube? Not I.


I'll work on it.

The First Photo...

Yesterday I had the opportunity to run a photo shoot. Yes, I was working with elderly people, and their adult children, but it was still a fantastic experience. I found the photographer we wanted to work with. Set the appointment up. Made sure we had the check to paid her. Helped decide on clothing, and spots to snap the photos. I saw it from start to finish.

Six weeks ago I never would have imagined having the opportunity to do this. Because my company has internal marketing (we don't use an outside agency), I get to see projects from start to finish. It really is quite fascinating. An example of this is placing an ad in a newspaper. I find the newspaper we want to advertise in. Find a media contact, and request a media kit. I then help decide if we should place an ad in their publication, how big it should be, and if it should be in color or black and white. If we decide to advertise with that paper, I buy the ad space. I then help create the art for the ad. Once the ad is approved by the community it is representing, I send the as, or traffic it to the publication. I request a read receipt, and tear sheets. Tear sheets will show us that the ad actually ran, and what the quality looked like. A few weeks later, I receive the invoice, and verify that we are paying the correct amount.

How cool is that? If I worked at an advertising agency, I would see MAYBE one step. I know for a fact I would not see the whole process in its entirety. For a first job, this is turning out to be pretty legit!

(To view the photographer we used in Fort Collins, CO click here.)

Drastically Different

My life has become drastically different since my last blog, and I am not sure where to even begin.

I have officially begun my adult life in the working world. I support 95% of my life and its adventures. (My parents still generously pay for my cell phone bill, and gym membership). It is hard to believe that in the economy, I was able to find a job BEFORE my internship even ended. Currently, I work as the Marketing and Sales Coordinator for Spectrum Retirement Communities, LLC. I help with creative services for 21 retirement communities across 9 different states. Everyday is different, and never dull. The most upsetting part of my job is when I run the weekly reports and see residents have moved out because they have become deceased.

Everyday I learn new tricks of the trade. Tomorrow, for instance, I will be at our community in Fort Collins running a photo shoot. I never would have thought I would be in charge on running a photo shoot! I have been with the company for about 90 days which is so minimal considering the lady I work with has been working for the same individuals for 22 years!

Next, I have moved out of my parent's basement! I now live in LoDo area of Denver. My backyard is Coors Field. While the Rockies were playing it was fantastic for people watching! I have yet to truly explore all that Denver has to offer. I am hoping that I can soon! My goal is to find the perfect coffee shop for the winter season that is approaching.

Stealing?

here.

Let me tell you about my half marathon training...

Well, I am trying. That is about all I can say. I really actually do not like running, so this is a challenge. I get bored at the gym after about 30 minutes. However, on the positive side, I have found 2 others who also want to participate in this crazy thing I am doing!

I have begun working with a trainer. Well, today was the first day. It DID NOT go well. She told me to do my cardio BEFORE meeting with her. So I did. Twenty minutes on the elliptical. I was feeling good. I meet up with her, and my ass felt like it was continually being kicked. I was feeling decent until about 30 minutes into our 50 minute session when nausea struck. What is someone suppose to do when this happens???

Well for me, I tried to work through. I wanted to prove myself! Well, bad, bad idea. I had to stop in the middle of my session and excuse myself to the restroom. I vomited. How pathetic am I? Really, Kim? Apparently I am even WAY more out of shape than originally anticipated. These next 6 months are going to be the worst 6 months of my life. (But maybe I will be able to buy some adorable new clothing with all of the weight that is going to fall right off me due to my extensive training.)

Here.