Yes, in just about 24 hours a new decade begins. The aughts (is that how you spell it?) are over. The year has been pretty turbulent, and I wish it was ending with more of a concrete future for what's ahead, but what fun would that be? I don't think it was necessarily a bad year, but it was quite the transition.
Things I'm thankful for this year:
-I'm officially out of Champaign and living in Chicago
-I traveled a lot of the country, and know, it's always going to be Sweet Home Chicago
-One full year of no school!
-Lots of really random part-time marketing work that keeps life interesting
-I'm pretty much not allergic to cats anymore
Things I'm glad to leave in 2009:
-Lots of interviewing that led to no where
-Gaining some weight, then dieting and working out a lot to lose it
-A new hotel every week instead of my own bed
-Too many lost weekends due to travel
-Waking up at 6am all the time (see a theme here?)
-Being 23. What a boring age to be.
-Drinking too much in really boring U.S. towns
Goodbye 2009. Hopefully we send you off with a really fun party tomorrow night. Champagne is in the fridge. Bring it on '10.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Things I've Learned from Working in a Mall
I've never worked in retail or in a mall setting before doing these Windows Phones promotions and it's been an interesting experience. I have much more respect for those that work in small stores all day and deal with customers for eight plus hours. I've learned/come to expect some things from malls that would have never crossed my mind before. If you've worked in retail, do these sound familiar?
1. There is a mall sound, a constant buzzing/talking/roar that is always going on.
2. You have no idea what the weather is like outside, or only have a slight idea by what the customers are wearing.
3. You say the same greeting all the time. It's very hard to vary it.
4. Samples are amazing and always available somewhere. Cinnabon, smoothies, ice cream, coffee, sausage, garlic bread, Chinese food, there is always a tray of samples somewhere.
5. I expect a mall discount at the food court. I'm wearing a branded t-shirt, I want my 10% off and will choose food court restaurants based on who gives a better discount.
6. Some customer always want you to explain something or chat about the product while you're closing and trying to leave.
7. The first hour of work is the best because barely anyone is there yet and your fellow employees are all still friendly and not tired.
8. Kids love balloons and lollypops. This isn't solely retail-related, but was reinforced this weekend.
9. You look forward to breaks and what to eat during that break all day.
10. You really wish you had those gel soles for your shoes, but are too lazy to find/buy them for your shift.
11. Not knowing exactly where random stores such as Justice or Build a Bear are will make women shoppers very angry at you.
Don't judge that man trying to straighten your hair at the kiosk. Don't be mean to the woman asking if you'd like to fill out a quick survey. Don't be completely rude to an employee and think you sound cool because of it. Don't tell me you don't need $10,000. Don't let your five year old drink an energy drink. Don't buy your five year old a Smart Phone. Definitely go see the puppies at the puppy store.
1. There is a mall sound, a constant buzzing/talking/roar that is always going on.
2. You have no idea what the weather is like outside, or only have a slight idea by what the customers are wearing.
3. You say the same greeting all the time. It's very hard to vary it.
4. Samples are amazing and always available somewhere. Cinnabon, smoothies, ice cream, coffee, sausage, garlic bread, Chinese food, there is always a tray of samples somewhere.
5. I expect a mall discount at the food court. I'm wearing a branded t-shirt, I want my 10% off and will choose food court restaurants based on who gives a better discount.
6. Some customer always want you to explain something or chat about the product while you're closing and trying to leave.
7. The first hour of work is the best because barely anyone is there yet and your fellow employees are all still friendly and not tired.
8. Kids love balloons and lollypops. This isn't solely retail-related, but was reinforced this weekend.
9. You look forward to breaks and what to eat during that break all day.
10. You really wish you had those gel soles for your shoes, but are too lazy to find/buy them for your shift.
11. Not knowing exactly where random stores such as Justice or Build a Bear are will make women shoppers very angry at you.
Don't judge that man trying to straighten your hair at the kiosk. Don't be mean to the woman asking if you'd like to fill out a quick survey. Don't be completely rude to an employee and think you sound cool because of it. Don't tell me you don't need $10,000. Don't let your five year old drink an energy drink. Don't buy your five year old a Smart Phone. Definitely go see the puppies at the puppy store.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Who needs New Years for Resolutions
I've decided I'm going to get into a regular work-out routine again. I've done this by investigating some gyms in the area (although gym memberships are expensive!) and doing a half hour workout off of a workout video today. I've been doing a free pilates class once a week for the last few weeks, but now that that's over, I need to get into the groove I was in on the road. It was so much easier when a high-tech gym was a floor below me in a hotel or when it was nice out and I didn't mind being outside for a run.
I figure if I start doing this now, at least twice a week, I'll be in a good groove once the New Year starts. Eating better is going to be tough with the holidays still here, but I can start working on that again too.
Do you have any resolutions to be started in the next few weeks?
I figure if I start doing this now, at least twice a week, I'll be in a good groove once the New Year starts. Eating better is going to be tough with the holidays still here, but I can start working on that again too.
Do you have any resolutions to be started in the next few weeks?
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