I'm at that age....
you know- that age where you realize you thought you knew everything and it turns out you know nothing.
you look at your friends and you question how you're so different yet still the same
you look at your past and you realize you can't get it back
you look at your future and you step softly and slowly in the hopes of not screwing up the next 25 years
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Think Global Act Local
My University had a week dedicated to the "Think Global Act Local" message. Silly me, I assumed my fellow friends in Universities were also exposed everything I learned about social awareness. We're not only talking about the "green/Eco" theme going around the U.S. I mean seriously thinking about other people before you buy that non-fair trade item, before you smoke your cigarette in a public place, before you throw away rather than give away and before you open your mouth!
I know this is just a little blog and maybe only 2 people read. But writing this down and putting it out there helps me sleep better at night. It reminds me of my past, allows me to contemplate my present and plan for my future.
Back to Thinking Global and Acting Local....with a focus on recent conversations: Naivety is only allowed prior to a certain age. If you're still naive to the outside world by the age of 22 you are ignorant and, in my recent experience, prejudice. It's sickening. There are more people in this world than you and your loved ones. Yes, of course, your family and friends are very important and can be put first. But if there is a stranger in the room or a new experience waiting on the other side of a door you better open that door and invite that foreigner to join you! You don't need to enjoy the experience or the person but I strongly feel you need to embrace the opportunity. I think you'll be a better person to the ones you love most by experiencing new things everyday.
If you experience new and different things, experiences outside your comfort zone, you can do one of two things: 1) you can choose to change accordingly or you can 2) stay the same. Both options are great! If you choose #1) It should be a positive change to help a negative aspect of you life. With #2) Staying the same proves you had it right all along and deciding to stay concrete brings in confidence that only you can have in yourself.
So remember: You are one citizen on the 6.778 billion people on earth. Do your part to respect them and the favor will be returned.
I know this is just a little blog and maybe only 2 people read. But writing this down and putting it out there helps me sleep better at night. It reminds me of my past, allows me to contemplate my present and plan for my future.
Back to Thinking Global and Acting Local....with a focus on recent conversations: Naivety is only allowed prior to a certain age. If you're still naive to the outside world by the age of 22 you are ignorant and, in my recent experience, prejudice. It's sickening. There are more people in this world than you and your loved ones. Yes, of course, your family and friends are very important and can be put first. But if there is a stranger in the room or a new experience waiting on the other side of a door you better open that door and invite that foreigner to join you! You don't need to enjoy the experience or the person but I strongly feel you need to embrace the opportunity. I think you'll be a better person to the ones you love most by experiencing new things everyday.
If you experience new and different things, experiences outside your comfort zone, you can do one of two things: 1) you can choose to change accordingly or you can 2) stay the same. Both options are great! If you choose #1) It should be a positive change to help a negative aspect of you life. With #2) Staying the same proves you had it right all along and deciding to stay concrete brings in confidence that only you can have in yourself.
So remember: You are one citizen on the 6.778 billion people on earth. Do your part to respect them and the favor will be returned.
Living life to the fullest...for each and every one of you
-Rachel Kellar
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Road Ahead
I've known my best friend since kindergarten. We are completely opposite, but similar in so many ways. Just the other day we were enjoying a hot yoga class (in 98 degrees) and the poses that were easy for me were difficult for her and visa versa.
She chose a University close to home and I traveled hours away from home, however we both "took our time" in graduating. As I move back to our hometown, she has the opportunity to intern at a west coast vineyard. I am so happy for her and the move - so happy that I am going to be a part of her trip! We are taking a 30 hour ROAD TRIP!
The two route options are:
a) New Mexico, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco
b) Oklahoma, Colorado, Boise, Salt Lake City
The object of the trip is to arrive at our destination safe and sound. My friend is keeping her car during the intership, so we are driving there and flying back without her. Vegas is tempting....but I'm not sure it's the best option. I've never been to Vegas, but I'm sure I will go at sometime in my life. Salt Lake City, Boise Idaho? I doubt a friend will have a bachelorette party in either of those towns, so maybe now's the time to visit!
Check my twitter for updates on the road!!
She chose a University close to home and I traveled hours away from home, however we both "took our time" in graduating. As I move back to our hometown, she has the opportunity to intern at a west coast vineyard. I am so happy for her and the move - so happy that I am going to be a part of her trip! We are taking a 30 hour ROAD TRIP!
The two route options are:
a) New Mexico, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco
b) Oklahoma, Colorado, Boise, Salt Lake City
The object of the trip is to arrive at our destination safe and sound. My friend is keeping her car during the intership, so we are driving there and flying back without her. Vegas is tempting....but I'm not sure it's the best option. I've never been to Vegas, but I'm sure I will go at sometime in my life. Salt Lake City, Boise Idaho? I doubt a friend will have a bachelorette party in either of those towns, so maybe now's the time to visit!
Check my twitter for updates on the road!!
Living life to the fullest...one interstate at a time
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Reminder: Don't take anything for granted.
Yesterday at the Dallas Cowboys training camp we catered a meal to wounded Veterans. These were guys in wheelchairs, missing arms and legs and still covered in fresh bandages. One guy had 2 metal legs and looked like a robot from the waist down. Another was covered from head to toe in a protective suit from what I assume was a burning accident. He only had holes for his eyes, mouth and nose. I had never seen these heros in person before. It was the most humbling experience I've had in a long time.
One guy brought his 5 year old son with him. The dad had lost his arm but his little boy was sitting next to him and you could just see the twinkle in his eye every time he looked at his dad the war hero. Forget the Dallas Cowboys, my Daddy's home from overseas! He didn't lose his life, just his arm. We can still play catch and he'll see me grow up to be a football player or even a hero like him. Wow...
I've been in San Antonio for 6 years and I've respected the military men and women I see all over town but this experience was just what I needed before I leave to Dallas. I will not have the opportunity to see this Dallas because there aren't any military bases. But I will not forget the men and women who do serve my country and make sacrifices for my safety everyday.
I also just heard from my friend in Afganistan who told me the following story via facebook chat:
"today we had a major weather storm out here and we were out on mission.
so i wanted to finish first, which we did, but on the way back we saw a village near by was flooded
people everywhere and they ran to us asking for help cuz there were women and children stuck in houses and they had no way to get to them
so i made the decision to stay and help and we pulled out all the kids, infants, and women but one. we couldnt reach her in time
but they thanked us for trying our best and we took photos of the whole thing but my "bosses" only saw that my people were out of uniform
they didn't give my boys any credit for saving that village, all they said was where is his gloves, where is the eye protection, etc
we were in a flood the gloves were soaked and useless
the eye pro were fogging up and blinded us but they got mad cuz we didnt wear them"
It is unfortunate that leadership in every profession can be frustrating to deal with but the next time I hate on my boss for making me wear pantyhose, I'll think about how I'm just coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinners, not saving a village from a massage flood!
And (because good things come in 3's) I'm so happy my friend Tanya's brother is home safety from his active duty!!
-Rachel Kellar
One guy brought his 5 year old son with him. The dad had lost his arm but his little boy was sitting next to him and you could just see the twinkle in his eye every time he looked at his dad the war hero. Forget the Dallas Cowboys, my Daddy's home from overseas! He didn't lose his life, just his arm. We can still play catch and he'll see me grow up to be a football player or even a hero like him. Wow...
I've been in San Antonio for 6 years and I've respected the military men and women I see all over town but this experience was just what I needed before I leave to Dallas. I will not have the opportunity to see this Dallas because there aren't any military bases. But I will not forget the men and women who do serve my country and make sacrifices for my safety everyday.
I also just heard from my friend in Afganistan who told me the following story via facebook chat:
"today we had a major weather storm out here and we were out on mission.
so i wanted to finish first, which we did, but on the way back we saw a village near by was flooded
people everywhere and they ran to us asking for help cuz there were women and children stuck in houses and they had no way to get to them
so i made the decision to stay and help and we pulled out all the kids, infants, and women but one. we couldnt reach her in time
but they thanked us for trying our best and we took photos of the whole thing but my "bosses" only saw that my people were out of uniform
they didn't give my boys any credit for saving that village, all they said was where is his gloves, where is the eye protection, etc
we were in a flood the gloves were soaked and useless
the eye pro were fogging up and blinded us but they got mad cuz we didnt wear them"
It is unfortunate that leadership in every profession can be frustrating to deal with but the next time I hate on my boss for making me wear pantyhose, I'll think about how I'm just coordinating breakfast, lunch and dinners, not saving a village from a massage flood!
And (because good things come in 3's) I'm so happy my friend Tanya's brother is home safety from his active duty!!
 |
| My friend Ricky's Platoon |
Living life to the fullest...and grateful for the freedom to do so!
-Rachel Kellar
Monday, June 28, 2010
Goodwill
My favorite new store is GoodWill!!
Check out these 'vintage' purses I bought for $8.00 total! ($4.00 each).
I can just picture that straw clutch with my bright green 'golf' shorts, a flowy white top and bright wedges. The colorful clutch would be great with an all white outfit or an all tan outfit. I think it would really pop! The bright pink sticker is just the price tag I haven't taken off yet.
Check out these 'vintage' purses I bought for $8.00 total! ($4.00 each).
I can just picture that straw clutch with my bright green 'golf' shorts, a flowy white top and bright wedges. The colorful clutch would be great with an all white outfit or an all tan outfit. I think it would really pop! The bright pink sticker is just the price tag I haven't taken off yet.Living life to the fullest...with Good Will
Friday, June 25, 2010
Times Change and so does Business
There are people in my life I receive advice from, business and personal advice. I've found that someone who gives me business advice shouldn't be giving me personal advice (and shouldn't really know about my personal life). So I need to learn which friends or colleagues I should consider advice for each area in my life.
Someone who gives me business advice and knows that my personal goals are to have a family may not encourage me to work hard because it may sacrifice a family in my future. On the same note - A business friend may not consider me for a job because they think I'm ready to move home to Dallas due to my personal lifestyle which gets me up to Dallas every other weekend. I would rather you tell me everything you think I need to know - I'll decide what's a sacrifice and what's an opportunity I cannot refuse.
And a personal friend may not ask me to be a part of their wedding or invite me to an important moment in their life because they know I am busy with work and think I have no time for them. So not true! I make time for people I want in my life.
It's my life and I can decide how to live it, where to live it and with whom to live it with. Yes, my business life is busy. But business changes and I can choose to change with it or not.
On that same note: I am young businesswoman but I've saturated my life with this hospitality/communication industry and I feel incredibly comfortable planning a wedding for 8 or a dinner for 8,000. Easy-peasy!
I understand there is a time for "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" but the business world (and possibly the nation as a whole) is becoming more relaxed and more laid back. Hand shakes are customary, but I've been known to receive a high-five from my CEO.
Southwest Airlines is a wonderfully run company and their staff, planes and pilots are laid back, which makes the entire flying experience more comfortable. Look at hotels in your town - they aren't stuffy and unapproachable. They do whatever they can to accommodate your needs whether you are in the penthouse or the discount room.
I am having another life crisis today and I realize while I have a professional job, I can make it what I want. If my client seems laid back and relaxed I can approach them in that way. Being stiff around a laid back client will challenge the business relationship. On the opposite side, some clients are uncomfortable with a laid back work place and they would find words like "awesome" inappropriate (even though I first learned that word from my stuffy english teacher during a spelling bee.)
When in Sales we need to relate to our clients, we need to adapt. Not each year, not every month, but every minute of the day we must adapt. When I answer my phone I never know who's on the other line and what different version of Rachel I can be. But I do know that I love and enjoy being every version of myself that there is.
I hope to never become a version of myself I can't stand.
Someone who gives me business advice and knows that my personal goals are to have a family may not encourage me to work hard because it may sacrifice a family in my future. On the same note - A business friend may not consider me for a job because they think I'm ready to move home to Dallas due to my personal lifestyle which gets me up to Dallas every other weekend. I would rather you tell me everything you think I need to know - I'll decide what's a sacrifice and what's an opportunity I cannot refuse.
And a personal friend may not ask me to be a part of their wedding or invite me to an important moment in their life because they know I am busy with work and think I have no time for them. So not true! I make time for people I want in my life.
It's my life and I can decide how to live it, where to live it and with whom to live it with. Yes, my business life is busy. But business changes and I can choose to change with it or not.
On that same note: I am young businesswoman but I've saturated my life with this hospitality/communication industry and I feel incredibly comfortable planning a wedding for 8 or a dinner for 8,000. Easy-peasy!
I understand there is a time for "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" but the business world (and possibly the nation as a whole) is becoming more relaxed and more laid back. Hand shakes are customary, but I've been known to receive a high-five from my CEO.
Southwest Airlines is a wonderfully run company and their staff, planes and pilots are laid back, which makes the entire flying experience more comfortable. Look at hotels in your town - they aren't stuffy and unapproachable. They do whatever they can to accommodate your needs whether you are in the penthouse or the discount room.
I am having another life crisis today and I realize while I have a professional job, I can make it what I want. If my client seems laid back and relaxed I can approach them in that way. Being stiff around a laid back client will challenge the business relationship. On the opposite side, some clients are uncomfortable with a laid back work place and they would find words like "awesome" inappropriate (even though I first learned that word from my stuffy english teacher during a spelling bee.)
When in Sales we need to relate to our clients, we need to adapt. Not each year, not every month, but every minute of the day we must adapt. When I answer my phone I never know who's on the other line and what different version of Rachel I can be. But I do know that I love and enjoy being every version of myself that there is.
I hope to never become a version of myself I can't stand.
Living life to the fullest...every minute of the day!
-Rachel
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
It's not a Need it's a Network
I'd like to point out that I am still very good friends with many of my ex-boyfriends. I choose to do this for the following reasons:
a) they are someone you let into a private part of your life....You wouldn't want someone to share that private side of you out of spite
b) they are very talented and good men who I am honored to know personally
and
c) you never know when you might need something.
One is a chef, one is a clothing designer, another is in politics, one in real estate, another does alot with the church and yea, there are some who are just there - but I'm sure they'll do something GREAT in the future. You never know....
For example, the other day I went out to dinner to my ex's restaurant. He said business was slow, so I invited a girlfriend and we went out to eat there. It was nice to see him, he gave us an appetizer sample along with a dessert sampler, and the food was delicious!
A few weeks later I bought a chicken for $4.00. I could have bought 2 chicken breasts for $7.00 but an entire chicken (which comes with 2 breasts, right?) for $4.00?! My mother didn't raise an idiot. I understand you are paying for the convenience of the 2 breast being cut, skinned and packaged but I don't have a deadline for dinner time. I can sacrifice a few more minutes in the kitchen for the $3.00 I saved.
So I bring home my whole chicken and I realize - I have an entire chicken in my refrigerator!! And I have no idea how to go about cooking it. I should obviously use some type of fat (oil, butter) and some seasoning, probably some herbs because I like herbs. But at what oven temperature? For how long? Do I cover it or leave it open for the heat to seep in? Come in ex-boyfriend who is a chef! "Hey, how's is going. Thanks for everything you did at dinner the other day. It was a great seeing you. I'd like to repay the favor by inviting you over for dinner on one condition 1) you teach me how to cook a whole chicken and what to do with all the extra pieces to make it last."
You may be happy to hear I successfully cooked a chicken and enjoyed a thigh and a leg with a healthy sweet potato. I will be having chicken stir-fry tonight with the breast meat and some rice and veggies. I also created a broth from the roasting product including the bones, so I'll enjoy chicken soup sometime this week and probably save some for a later date when comfort food is needed. My friend also wins on this because now I can/will rave about his restaurant and the fact that he can do private cooking lessons.
Moral of the story: you never know when you might need to reference your past. And when you do, don't think of it as a need, think of it as a networking opportunity.
a) they are someone you let into a private part of your life....You wouldn't want someone to share that private side of you out of spite
b) they are very talented and good men who I am honored to know personally
and
c) you never know when you might need something.
One is a chef, one is a clothing designer, another is in politics, one in real estate, another does alot with the church and yea, there are some who are just there - but I'm sure they'll do something GREAT in the future. You never know....
For example, the other day I went out to dinner to my ex's restaurant. He said business was slow, so I invited a girlfriend and we went out to eat there. It was nice to see him, he gave us an appetizer sample along with a dessert sampler, and the food was delicious!
A few weeks later I bought a chicken for $4.00. I could have bought 2 chicken breasts for $7.00 but an entire chicken (which comes with 2 breasts, right?) for $4.00?! My mother didn't raise an idiot. I understand you are paying for the convenience of the 2 breast being cut, skinned and packaged but I don't have a deadline for dinner time. I can sacrifice a few more minutes in the kitchen for the $3.00 I saved.
Photo courtesy of: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1024418
So I bring home my whole chicken and I realize - I have an entire chicken in my refrigerator!! And I have no idea how to go about cooking it. I should obviously use some type of fat (oil, butter) and some seasoning, probably some herbs because I like herbs. But at what oven temperature? For how long? Do I cover it or leave it open for the heat to seep in? Come in ex-boyfriend who is a chef! "Hey, how's is going. Thanks for everything you did at dinner the other day. It was a great seeing you. I'd like to repay the favor by inviting you over for dinner on one condition 1) you teach me how to cook a whole chicken and what to do with all the extra pieces to make it last."
You may be happy to hear I successfully cooked a chicken and enjoyed a thigh and a leg with a healthy sweet potato. I will be having chicken stir-fry tonight with the breast meat and some rice and veggies. I also created a broth from the roasting product including the bones, so I'll enjoy chicken soup sometime this week and probably save some for a later date when comfort food is needed. My friend also wins on this because now I can/will rave about his restaurant and the fact that he can do private cooking lessons.
Moral of the story: you never know when you might need to reference your past. And when you do, don't think of it as a need, think of it as a networking opportunity.
Living Life to the Fullest - with my network of friends!!
-Rachel
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