Actually, it was yesterday that I was having a pity party. Things are taking alot longer than I thought to get the business structure and website up and running. I have been delayed by external forces and obligation.
I decided to clean out my storage and donate the items to goodwill. On my way to Raleigh Rescue Mission, this nice construction worker asked to help me with putting the microwave into the car. I stated do you need this microwave. He stated "yes" so we proceeded to put it in his car. On my way to the mission, I passed this lady in her late 30's with a suitcase sitting in Moore Square Park. I asked her if she needed a sleeping bag and she did. Lucky thing, there was a nice thick scarf at the bottom of the plastic bag.
After my arrival to Raleigh Rescue Mission, I only had four seat covers to give. But I felt so happy that I had given items to those who most needed it.
Thus, my pity party ended quickly. On my way home, I thought how lucky and grateful I am for what I do have.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Library-Wealth of Information
Headed over to the library, where I am reading some good articles in Inc. magazine. I was thinking I should start a community website for people in startup phase of their business. It would be fun adventure. I could interview some really good business people both small and large business organizations/companies. This would be beneficial to all. I was thinking earlier today that my goal is to have or be involved in several businesses by the end of the year. It can be done.
I jotted down some of the people who I would like to interview in coming months:
Local: Lisa Disbrow, CEO, Molly and Scout; Clothing Boutique; Homegrown celebrity
Rick French, CEO, French West Vaughan; Notable/Large Marketing Company on East Coast
National: Paul English, CEO, Kayak; Travel Search Engine and Gethuman (assitance with automated phone systems of big corporations)
Arianna Huffington, CEO, Huffington Post; bloggers who post news 24/7, attracts 8 million views a month.
I jotted down some of the people who I would like to interview in coming months:
Local: Lisa Disbrow, CEO, Molly and Scout; Clothing Boutique; Homegrown celebrity
Rick French, CEO, French West Vaughan; Notable/Large Marketing Company on East Coast
National: Paul English, CEO, Kayak; Travel Search Engine and Gethuman (assitance with automated phone systems of big corporations)
Arianna Huffington, CEO, Huffington Post; bloggers who post news 24/7, attracts 8 million views a month.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Patience is a virtue!
I remember when I ended my business and was returing to the corporate world, I had a phone call from a local university stating they needed a contracted Event Planner and requested I send my info into her. What a great opportunity but at an unlucky time. I was going back to my full time job in Clinical Research. I knew I could not seve two masters at one time. One or both would suffer.
The lesson I learned is patience, I should have given myself more time to hang in there. Doors were opening up for me but the time was inopportune time. But you have to trust your gut feeling to do what is best for you.
Patience:
Meeting right people. Networking is great but not quantity; it is quality and people who have right connections or talent that you need to tap into .
Not being so easly discouraged.
Just because you have a great idea or product does not mean people will be banging down your door.
The lesson I learned is patience, I should have given myself more time to hang in there. Doors were opening up for me but the time was inopportune time. But you have to trust your gut feeling to do what is best for you.
Patience:
Meeting right people. Networking is great but not quantity; it is quality and people who have right connections or talent that you need to tap into .
Not being so easly discouraged.
Just because you have a great idea or product does not mean people will be banging down your door.
Missing my old paycheck
There I was in Grand Asian grocery store. Gosh, I love that store. But today, what I really want is to fill up my grocery cart with loads of chocolates sweets. BUT that is out of the question. I cut down on sugar and sweets. Simple reason is... no dental insurance.
So, with one big breath, I shoved my grocery cart in the other directions. When there is no money 'in' then there is no money 'out' (spending). That is law of money for me. However, I need to eat. I realize more and more when you have little money your choices are very limited to what I "need" and not "want". Case in point in the grocery store... I would not have thought twice on buying a few extra items. But now I have to think in bulk and cheaper in a pack. Not necessary junk food. I passed on Calamari salad which I drooled over. Passed over the pre-packaged seaweed salad and pork buns.
I have never been without money so I feel great sorrow for someone who has to truly live each day like this.. making hard choices for their family. Bread.. no bread. Milk for baby but no orange juice for his sister. I am one person. I can't imagine how to shop/feed a family on a tight budget.
As I passed through my last aisle, all my mind could say is eat more rice noodles, which are cheap. However, I only know one kind of soup (Pho) to make. Hmmmmmm....I am cooking more at home nonetheless.
When, I reached the checkout counter, all I could is think I miss you 'money'. I wish I had been more wiser in conserving more of you. I wish I had respected you more when I had you."
So, with one big breath, I shoved my grocery cart in the other directions. When there is no money 'in' then there is no money 'out' (spending). That is law of money for me. However, I need to eat. I realize more and more when you have little money your choices are very limited to what I "need" and not "want". Case in point in the grocery store... I would not have thought twice on buying a few extra items. But now I have to think in bulk and cheaper in a pack. Not necessary junk food. I passed on Calamari salad which I drooled over. Passed over the pre-packaged seaweed salad and pork buns.
I have never been without money so I feel great sorrow for someone who has to truly live each day like this.. making hard choices for their family. Bread.. no bread. Milk for baby but no orange juice for his sister. I am one person. I can't imagine how to shop/feed a family on a tight budget.
As I passed through my last aisle, all my mind could say is eat more rice noodles, which are cheap. However, I only know one kind of soup (Pho) to make. Hmmmmmm....I am cooking more at home nonetheless.
When, I reached the checkout counter, all I could is think I miss you 'money'. I wish I had been more wiser in conserving more of you. I wish I had respected you more when I had you."
My dear friend Max
I am so lucky and grateful to have met Max (a Jamaican) in Jamaica on vacation. He moves with such grace and beauty. He is soft-spoken, polite, and humble. Yet, he is a MMA (Mix Martial Arts) fighter with sharpest acuity in England.
His life is so fascinating..filled with many highs and lows. There are people who moan and blame their past failures, hardship, circumstances, or family on how they or their life turned out. But Max has never complained. When he told me he was homeless for a year living out of his car hustling for a dollar. I was amazed. When he told me he lived in the ghetto and saw his friends getting killed on the way to school. I was horrified. When he told me that elections were so bloody in Jamaica... that he spent most of his time lying on floor of apartment to avoid being shot. I was first mortified but then I was filled with great compassion and empathy for my friend. He is such a gentle giant with a beautiful soul. Through all his harrowing and life-altering experiences, he bears no hatred for mankind or terrible disgust for humanity. He remains unchanged to his true values, beliefs, and morals. His faith is strong and his courage...insurmountable.
I wish there were more Maxes in this world. What a better place this would be....
His life is so fascinating..filled with many highs and lows. There are people who moan and blame their past failures, hardship, circumstances, or family on how they or their life turned out. But Max has never complained. When he told me he was homeless for a year living out of his car hustling for a dollar. I was amazed. When he told me he lived in the ghetto and saw his friends getting killed on the way to school. I was horrified. When he told me that elections were so bloody in Jamaica... that he spent most of his time lying on floor of apartment to avoid being shot. I was first mortified but then I was filled with great compassion and empathy for my friend. He is such a gentle giant with a beautiful soul. Through all his harrowing and life-altering experiences, he bears no hatred for mankind or terrible disgust for humanity. He remains unchanged to his true values, beliefs, and morals. His faith is strong and his courage...insurmountable.
I wish there were more Maxes in this world. What a better place this would be....
Counting pennies
Last Friday, while I was cleaning house, I collected all my spare change that I found in a small sandwich bag. I decided to make it a game to see how I much money I could find around the house while cleaning. I went through all my winter coats and found a $20.00 bill. In total, I found $31.43 in change. I felt so rich. I ran down to the bank and deposited the money very quickly. My mom had given me $200.00 which I quickly deposited also. It was good enough to pay my HOA. I had calculated previously (before quitting my job) how much money I needed for monthly mortgage and bills. As a Vietnamese, I have inherited the gift of saving. I believe my traits were passed down from a long line of ancestors. They had a gift of hoarding money to ensure they will be able to eat the next day. Rice is staple of our diet. I remember my mother telling me if 'you don't have a pot of rice on stove then you were going to hungry that day.'
I try not to feel any self pity because of low cash flow. I have to remember that I made a choice to go part time at work to follow my dream. I try to answer these three questions when I feel somewhat blue/down. One, do I have enough food to eat? Yes, and I have enough for tomorrow and the next week. Two, do I have a warm bed to sleep? Why, yes, I do. Lastly, and most important question, do have a family and friends as vital support and resource system? Yes, I am so lucky to have a mother who loves me and friends who care re: my wellbeing. Also, I always tell myself I have 2 hands, 2 feets, and mentally balanced most days. I am so very lucky for good health. Ahhhhhhh...... I feel so much better.
I am sure this lull that I am going through is just intermission of life. God is setting the scene for the next stage in life. That always gives me reason to pause and remember I am not in control.
I try not to feel any self pity because of low cash flow. I have to remember that I made a choice to go part time at work to follow my dream. I try to answer these three questions when I feel somewhat blue/down. One, do I have enough food to eat? Yes, and I have enough for tomorrow and the next week. Two, do I have a warm bed to sleep? Why, yes, I do. Lastly, and most important question, do have a family and friends as vital support and resource system? Yes, I am so lucky to have a mother who loves me and friends who care re: my wellbeing. Also, I always tell myself I have 2 hands, 2 feets, and mentally balanced most days. I am so very lucky for good health. Ahhhhhhh...... I feel so much better.
I am sure this lull that I am going through is just intermission of life. God is setting the scene for the next stage in life. That always gives me reason to pause and remember I am not in control.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Seize the moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, the weather was so beautiful and warm in middle of Janurary. I decided I was going for bikeride. Business will still be there when I returned. I was planning to shut down my first business, Event Planning. It was so hard to see after months to build a business that one can dismantle it in hours. But it felt good in a way...to put the past behind me. I falied but I did not failed too far. It was a great life experience.
The great gift of failing is to begin over again...more intelligently.
The great gift of failing is to begin over again...more intelligently.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Turned down
This week has been ever so bumpy. This past Monday..my job interview for endo clinic (part-time) was canceled. Today, I was turned down for homehealth job due to lack of experience (which I understand); however, if anyone can do floor nursing at the hosptial for 8 years and juggle a mimium of 6 patients who are acutely ill then that is a one good nurse. Yes, get that nurse a cape. She or he is nameless superhero desigused in white uniform and able to bound from room to room while carry loads of strange gadgets/needles/medications. Well, I do have a orientation class tomorrow for vents so that should be good for increasing my knowledge base/expertise.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Today..
Today was a great day! I felt so rejuvenated! I woke up about 6am. My mind was fresh and clear. I wanted to leap out of bed but my body had not caught up with my mind. I had stayed up late last night completing a collage of what I wanted out of life (business, marriage, and children). My focus right now is getting the business up and running. I glued the following powerful words on my board: 'kick ass business', 'leadership', 'number one', 'bright ideas', 'express yourself', 'celebrate', 'voice', and 'no regrets'. I put the bulletin board in my office to remind me of what I am now becoming.
I had lunch earlier with a girlfriend I adore. It started out as a session to revised her resume at my house. But since we are both are searching for employment...eating out should be 'out of the question'. As I was walking back home to meet her, she had already grab a table and marked her spot at the Sushi restraurant and was waving at me from the window. Oh boy, it can't say 'no' now. It is really hard for me to be with her since her spending habits become me. I had chili in frig and felt twang of guilt when I stuck my chopsticks into the shrimp sushi. I had spent $13.00 on lunch. I tried telling her to eat at home more or take a cooking class. No avail. I am going to have to email her and let her know my credit card stays home. No eating out for me or I have drink water and watch her eat.
I had lunch earlier with a girlfriend I adore. It started out as a session to revised her resume at my house. But since we are both are searching for employment...eating out should be 'out of the question'. As I was walking back home to meet her, she had already grab a table and marked her spot at the Sushi restraurant and was waving at me from the window. Oh boy, it can't say 'no' now. It is really hard for me to be with her since her spending habits become me. I had chili in frig and felt twang of guilt when I stuck my chopsticks into the shrimp sushi. I had spent $13.00 on lunch. I tried telling her to eat at home more or take a cooking class. No avail. I am going to have to email her and let her know my credit card stays home. No eating out for me or I have drink water and watch her eat.
Monday, January 11, 2010
What is tweet...twitter all about?
This strange word "twitter" is so weird. It sounds like birds chipping for food...not some Internet based tool for social, marketing, and information sharing website. Who is tweeting? Well, it appears in most articles I am reading....everyone. Are 'real' everyday business people tweeting? Can you let me know if it has increased your sale? Was there unexpected bonus or reaction from twittering? Do you love it and why? Is free based marketing and selling Enterprise disguised as cool tool to use? Give me your thoughts.
Tweet. Tweet. Over and out.
Tweet. Tweet. Over and out.
Here goes......
I made the leap. I am a 40 years old female who just 2 weeks ago was employed at one most beautiful and touted company in Raleigh. I had a good team, loving/wonderful boss, and great paying job. So why did I quit my corporate job of 11 years? Well, simply put to follow my dream of owning my own business. This is my story and my journey into the unknown when recession is all time high and lay-offs are more frequent than a bad hair day.
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