A Big Announcement

So much for being disciplined and keeping up with my blog. Although, in my defense, I have had a lot going on during the last couple of months.

So, even though you have have already heard via my LinkedIn and Facebook updates, I want to officially announce that I have accepted a full-time position with Nationwide Children's Hospital as a web interactive specialist. I am just thrilled!

I've heard a lot of people say over the last couple of years that the best jobs aren't ones that you find online, but are ones that you hear about directly from someone you know. In my case, that couldn't be more true! I am so thankful that one of my instructors heard about this position, thought I might be a good fit and passed the description along to me. Now more than ever, I understand the value of networking!

The situation isn't ideal. The position is a 36 week contract, which has the potential to become permanent in 2014. While it would be great to know where I will be working for more than nine months, I know that I'll be secure until after our wedding, and the experience that I'll gain will be so valuable in helping me find something else, in case the job doesn't become permanent. I'm not even going to worry about it, because I am so excited for this opportunity! I am focusing on the positives.

I had orientation Monday and Tuesday this week, and if it's possible, I'm even more excited than I was when I received the offer. Learning more about the hospital makes me realize how lucky I am to be working for such an amazing organization. I've always said that I want to work with children, and while this job won't allow me to interact directly or work hands-on with kids, I know that I will be giving back to an organization that helps so many children and families. I have no doubt the Big Man was looking out for me on this one.

It's true that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. As excited as I am for this new opportunity, it is hard to leave my current position with Ohio State's OCIO. I am so thankful for my time here and all that I've learned. I've been fortunate to work with some really great people who I will really miss. Thank you all for everything over the last two years!

High Five for Friday

ONE. This is my FOURTH post this week. Go me!

TWO. I babysat this week for a family that I haven't seen in nearly two years. They used to come to the daycare where I used to work. They left, then soon after, I left, and we kind of lost touch. It was so neat to how things have changed for them in the last couple of years. They moved to the other side of the city into a beautiful house in an adorable neighborhood. The last time I saw them, they had two kids. Now, they have three! Such a sweet little family. It was so good to see them. They didn't remember me, but they warmed up quickly. It made my heart swell!

THREE. I hope you all had a happy Valentine's Day! This year is our last Valentine's Day together before Tyler and I get married. We didn't do anything too crazy, but it was nice to just spend time together. As crazy as my schedule has been since the start of the semester, we don't see each other very much, other than weekends. We exchanged gifts, went out for Mexican food and rented Ted from Redbox. I sent him a cookie bouquet to work, which got lost in the mail, so Kensey and I hand delivered it to his apartment. He bought me some PJs and a bag of Cadbury eggs. Why not Valentine's candy? The guy knows me too well. Cadbury eggs are my favorite candy and they're only available around Easter, so forget the heart shaped chocolates.

FOUR. I spent some time this week updating and re-designing my resume. I'm not going to share a picture, because that would be boring. But I think updating it with my newest positions and giving it some new flare has really boosted my job-seeking confidence! Fingers crossed that the next couple of months will bring something my way.

FIVE. My parents are cooler than your parents. It's a fact. And I hope Tyler and I share the kind of love that they do for years to come.

Throwback Thursday

Happy Valentime's Day! While I don't believe it's necessary to devote a special day to showing someone how much they mean to you, I don't believe dessert is necessary either... That doesn't mean that both aren't nice. :)

So, anyway, have a great day with your significant other, or with your family or with your friends! Be thankful that you have people to love and that you have people to love you back, no matter what the relationship is.

I decided I want to start doing some #ThrowbackThursday posts, but with a different approach. Have you ever heard an older song on the radio or on your iPod and felt super nostalgic because of where the song takes you? It happens to me all the time (probably because, much to all of my passengers' dismay, I always have the radio in my car on scanning mode). I always think about texting the person who shared the memory with me or the person who the song makes me think of, but then I feel silly. Or I forget. So I have decided I am going to keep those instances in mind for Thursdays and share them with everyone. Well, everyone who reads this. So, okay, maybe a couple of people.

So, here you have it.

Tyler Valentime's present got lost in the mail (frustrating). Well, not really lost, but misplaced for awhile, so I had to pick it up at a UPS customer service center on the far west side of Columbus. On my way there, scanning as usual, Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive," came on the radio. I got that goosebumpey feeling and cranked up the volume.

I don't know how many of you are fans of Rock Band, but this song is one of my favorites to sing and that game is how I learned all of the words. Every time I hear it, it brings back a few specific memories.

First of all, when I was a junior in high school, Rock Band was the coolest thing ever. Everyone had it, so my friends and I usually ended up playing it at someone's house every weekend. I always remember my friend Whitney singing this song and killin' it. So, I always think of her when Bon Jovi blares through my speakers.

My next Rock Band memory is coming home from school on a Friday afternoon, probably still my junior year, to find my parents drinking beers and playing rock band and grabbing a guitar. Hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em right? Looking back on it now, I realize I have the coolest parents ever.

Finally, my mom, two of her closest friends and I are going to see Bon Jovi in concert on Sunday, March 10 at Nationwide Arena. I planned the outing and bought my mom's ticket as her Christmas gift. (I guess I get being cool from her.) I have no doubt that the next time I hear "Wanted Dead or Alive," on the radio, I will have some memories to add to the list. I'm sure that some of them will make me laugh so hard I'll want to pee my pants (I'm looking at you Jenny and Heather). Can't wait!

Do you have any memories associated with Bon Jovi? Do you get that feeling when you hear an old song? Or do you think I'm crazy?

I Will Never Be...

I mentioned last week that I've been suffering from a serious case of writer's block, so I've taken a cue from a fellow Columbus blogger and decided to write my first "Things I Will Never Be" post.

I will never be...

... more concerned with my appearance than my emotional well being.

... able to go a day without talking to my mom.

... able to turn down a cookie, or a cupcake or ice cream.

... satisfied with the clothes that are already in my closet.

... the kind of person who puts myself before my (future) children.

What will you never be? It's a thought provoking topic to ponder. While you're at it, check out what Holly from Running in Stilettos had to say about what she'll never be.

Straight to the Moon

Anytime the topic of our honeymoon comes up, I can't help but giggle and think about watching reruns of The Honeymooners on Nick at Nite.

Who didn't love Jackie Gleason? His character was so funny. Except for the whole threatening spousal abuse thing. But hey, it's a classic. 

Nostalgia aside, Tyler took care of booking our honeymoon a few weeks ago and I couldn't be more thrilled! We are officially departing for Cabo San Lucas the Monday after our wedding. 

Does anyone remember Mrs. Merchant's freshman geography class? We had plan our dream vacations and I chose Cabo after I saw the kids from Laguna Beach take a spring break trip to the Baja Peninsula. So, I guess, in a way, Mr. Post is making my dreams come true. ;)

We are staying at Casa Dorada Resort and Spa. It's going to be beautiful and fun and sunshine-y and I just can't wait!

Can we go now?

Look, I'm all ready! 

High Five for Friday

You thought I gave up on the blog, didn't you? You don't have to explain. I don't blame you; I would have thought so, too. I have been awful about keeping up to date lately.

As much as I love writing, it's all I really do anymore. At school, at work and at my internship, writing is my main focus. I am so lucky to get to do what I love, but when free time comes along (once in a blue moon) and I want to write something for me, it seems like I have writer's block. 

I have a lot of ideas for upcoming posts, and I think keeping it fresh and fun and writing in a different style than I do in my (semi) professional life will make me motivated to update more often.

So, here goes nothing.

ONE. This January I started my internship with NTN Buzztime, Inc. You probably think you have no idea what Buzztime is, but if you have ever played trivia at places like BDubs or Applebees, you do. I have been given the awesome opportunity to write for their blog. The topics are new and fun and I love the people that I work with. I honestly could not ask for a better internship experience during my last semester. 

TWO. My friend, and MOH, Liz, came to visit me last weekend. We got so much accomplished and did a whole lot of nothing at the same time. I don't know how we managed that, but I'm not complaining. We picked out jewelry for the bridesmaids to wear for the wedding and spent a solid two hours in Sephora. We also caught up on Pretty Little Liars via Netflix. Okay, she caught up, I re-watched them all and loved every minute of it. I had so much fun and it was so good to spend time with her. I couldn't ask for a better maid of honor!

THREE. My mom has been on me about biting my nails since I was born. Okay, probably not that long, but you know what I'm saying. I have always had an issue with biting my nails and I never wore nail polish. When I got engaged, my mom told me that if I was going to wear such a pretty ring, I needed to have big-girl fingernails, and for the first time, it actually stuck. I have become borderline obsessed with painting my nails. I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist (about most things), so painting my nails is a pain. Maybe that's why I never did it before? The second the polish starts to chip, it is coming off and I am spending (lots of) time re-polishing them to perfection. I keep trying new colors and new looks (thank you, Pinterest) but I keep coming back to this:

Hard-Kourt Fashionista by Nicole by OPI

I honestly don't even know what possessed me to buy it in the first place (Ok, I do know. It is my obsession with all things Kardashians. Don't judge me.) because it is not something that I would typically wear. But I love it! I've only had it for a few months and half of the bottle is gone. I am going to have to stock up before the Kardashians are no longer kool (see what I did there?) and it's discontinued. Woof.

FOUR. Tyler and I are heading home this weekend to meet with our FOCCUS couple assigned by the church to help us in our marriage preparation. Last time we met with them we had to take a "survey" (call it what you want, it was a test) about, well, everything. Tomorrow we will meet again to discuss the results. It's exciting to be this far along in the process, and I'm looking forward to hearing our couple's insight. While I'm home, I am planning to spend sometime with my good friend, cousin and bridesmaid Stacy, and visit the two cutest twins in the world. Wait, maybe I should ask their mom first?

Look how much they miss me!

FIVE. Tyler and I signed our first lease together last night. We are staying in Columbus and we will be renting from Tyler's former boss and her husband, who have become good friends of ours. I couldn't be any happier! I haven't stopped smiling. We officially (okay, not until July 15) have our first home together. The future is finally starting to fall into place and I am so pleased with the direction in which it's headed. 

Tyler signing his "Herbie" Hancock

The last lease I will ever sign as "Morgan J. Passmore"

If you write a #H54F post, link up with Lauren. Have a great weekend!

Monday Blues

Love this picture that I found here.

Happy Monday!  Is there such a thing?  Woof.

Today was my last first day of school ever.  If I learned anything in college, it's that I am not productive before 10:00 a.m. on a Monday, so my schedule allows me to hit snooze a few extra times on Monday mornings.  And on this particular Monday, my first class was cancelled, so I got a few extra minutes hours of sleep. :)

My schedule is jam packed this semester.  On top of my regular class and work schedule, I start an internship to complete my professional writing minor on Wednesday.  Even though I may have stretched myself a little thin this semester, I am so excited to start my internship at Interactive Hospitality.  It seems like such a cool place to work and I think that it will be super valuable experience.  And hey, it's only one semester.  If I end up feeling overwhelmed by the last few weeks, I have the rest of my life to recover...

Have I mentioned that I graduate this semester?

Check back later this week to see how my first few days go and for a few new topics that I've been toying around with!