Strengths Finder 2.0

Besides the Wii Fit, one of my favorite Christmas presents this year was a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. I LOVE BOOKS! One of the business books I've been wanting to purchase is "Strengths Finder 2.0" by Tom Rath. It is supposed to be one of the best assessments out there for determining what your strengths and talents are. I wanted to take the assessment for myself and also learn more about it for my research on career coaching and potential future use on clients.

My top five strengths were:

Responsibility
Relator
Achiever
Individualization
Learner

I thought these were pretty accurate. One of the great things about the website (www.strengthsfinder.com) is that it allows you to set up an action plan related to your strengths. Although a little pricey at $20 (list price; it was less B & N with their bestseller discount and my membership discount), I think this is an assessment everyone should take. The price includes the book and access to the website which has a number of resources, so I think it's a good value.

More on this topic later.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite days of the year. It might even be my favorite, if I were forced to choose. One of the best parts about life, however, is that I don't have to choose - I can have all my favorite days!

I have one of my best days planned. First, a personal training session at the gym. This is a double bonus because my trainer is my "sister-in-law" so I get to see her and work out. Since Erin now has another family, she can't spend Christmas Eve with us. Last year we decided to have a Christmas Eve brunch together so we were able to see each other on this special day. So we're doing it again. After that I'm headed to Nashua to bake Uncle Al's cookies, wrap some presents, then head over to the Kilgores for our traditional Christmas Eve together. Then it's back to 49 Lynn Street, time to put on the new Rudolph pjs, and to bed so Santa can come!

Wishing everyone a fantastic Christmas Eve eve, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day!

Boston Blog - The Beantown Bloggery

I wanted to share my favorite blog about happenings in Boston with all of those who live in this neck of the woods (and even those that don't). Lots of cool information about the city here I never would have known otherwise!

http://www.beantownbloggery.com/

Apartment Living

I really like my new apartment building...everyone seems nice, the common areas are relatively clean, etc. I have had a bunch of packages delivered here recently, without any problem. But of course, I jinxed it by blogging about my books arriving today! UPS says they're here, but there's no sign of the package. I know there are a couple other people in the building who also frequently order from B&N, so I'm hoping that in the next day my sign by the mailboxes pleading for my package is answered...

New Books!

Books are one of my favorite things, and nothing beats getting a new one (or three!). I have been especially book-happy since finishing graduate school in May. One of my goals is to start a blog focused on book reviews of business books. I've been procrastinating on that, but it hasn't stopped me from buying new books (that I will eventually review...)!

Here are the new titles I expect to be waiting for me when I get home from work today:

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do about It
I am really thinking about what to do next in terms of my career, and this book was highly recommended to me. It's a recently updated classic and I'm looking forward to reading it!

Life Entrepreneurs: Ordinary People Creating Extraordinary Lives
One of the possibilities in terms of next steps for me is career/life coaching, so this book really jumped out at me as one I should read. Regardless of whether I decide to go to the coaching route, I'm sure this book will be inspirational and interesting.

Mass Career Customization: Aligning the Workplace with Today's Nontraditional Workforce
My interest in coaching and HR drew me to this book. The world of work is definitely changing, as are the people in it. I'm really looking forward to getting this author's take on the situation and where the future will lead us!

Hopefully they'll be reviews of these up soon!

Reflecting on 2008

There are still four good weeks left of 2008, but I can't help but start reflecting on the year. It's been quite a ride! I have always wanted to get into scrapbooking, and have done a little bit here and there, but nothing too serious. Tonight I made the title page for 2008, and am looking forward to looking back over the year and hopefully capturing it all. Here is one of my favorite pictures!

This is Erin and I after the Baltimore Running Festival 5K (yes, we are each holding two cups of beer - Fenway style!). We had intended to run the half marathon, but unfortunately life got in the way. This picture captures a lot of the year for me: new beginnings, goals, celebrations, and spending time with my favorite people. Registration for 2009 begins next week, so here's to looking back and looking forward!

Back to Work

The long weekend passed so quickly! It was a nice, low-key weekend with friends and family, just as Thanksgiving should be. The 49 Lynn Street party on Saturday night was good, mostly Erin's friends. All I know is that I am getting too old to stay up until 4 AM! :-) For me it's back to work and time to start planning for 2009!

Thanksgiving

I have to be honest and admit that I’ve never really been into the whole Thanksgiving thing. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely thankful, especially this year, but the holiday hasn’t really ever done much for me. This year I am trying to get into the spirit. In no particular order, here are the things I am most thankful for this year:

• My health and being “structurally intact”
• The best sister on the planet, hands down
• Being so geographically close to my family
• A great work situation
• Good friends
• Marty
• The Rose Bowl

Here’s to a great upcoming weekend shared with family and friends!

Just Like the Old Days at 49 Lynn Street

Erin and I have been talking for awhile about how it would be fun over Thanksgiving to have all our old high school friends over to my parents' house to hang out like old times. When we saw all of Erin's friends last week, we got a positive response so decided to go for it. Both of our groups of friends tended to end up over at the house on weekends in high school, and it will be fun to recreate that atmosphere with both of our groups. And this time we don't have to sneak beer or steal from the liquor cabinet! Will post pictures after the event!

Go Purple Panthers!

Massage Therapy: The Good, The Bad, and the Painful!

I got a massage today. You’re jealous, right? Well, don’t get too excited yet. I am not a very flexible person, and that is the kindest way to say it. I will always remember that I was unable to achieve the highest level of the physical fitness award in elementary school because I couldn’t do the damn V-sit stretch. Well, it’s been quite a few years and not much has changed. It turns out it’s not really my fault (so says my trainer and I’m happy to believe her) and so she recommended massage therapy in addition to my regular stretching routine. It’s great, but…

I love my massage therapist. She is really fantastic and working with her has changed my life. But these are not relaxation massages. I practically have to beg for her to be “nice” and her response is always, “Do you want to be an athlete or do you want to relax?” Well, I want to be an athlete so I guess that means no pain, no gain. We discovered today that my tendency to sit Indian style, and with my legs crossed (“like a pretzel”) is causing all kinds of problems with my hips, leg muscles, and lower back, which are very painful to fix.

Needless to say, I’m a little sore. But I have faith that it’s worth it! Here’s to a good run tomorrow.

Wedding Planning and A Serious Haircut

Did I mention that Erin is getting married?! I’ve been really bad about blogging, but I sincerely hope that the wedding adventures will give me lots of material. So far, so good. She and Jeramie have been engaged since early September and the planning is well underway. Her dress is all set (and amazing) and I think we picked bridesmaids’ dresses last night (pending approval from the rest of the girls). I am keeping a journal to give to Erin as part of her wedding gift to remember all the gory details of this process, so I will share bits and pieces here. Last night we went to look at dresses for Mom. It was amusing to say the least. I am literally still laughing out loud at the realization that the “strapless dress” she loved was really a skirt. I’m going to look for pictures and post what I find. Let’s just say she’s going to continue to shop.

Yesterday was also a big day for me – I got a serious haircut! Somewhere between 6-7 inches – gone! I told Kate to just go for it, I trust her and I am very happy so far. It’s definitely an adjustment, but I think I like it. Pictures to come soon.

Coming Soon...

New posts coming soon - stay tuned!