Thursday, March 22, 2012

On Werds.

I spelled it like that on purpose. I'm mixing up "words" and "nerds," since sometimes I consider myself a "nerd" about "words."


Do you ever feel a connection with a word? I'm not talking like "Oh my brother's name is Curtis, too!" I'm talking about passion for a word/some words that would describe who you are/what you do/who you've become/where you live.

For instance, I feel incredibly passionate about the following words, and anytime I hear them, I feel this overwhelming sense of love, pride, hope, and peace- especially if they're referencing something about my own life or someone I know's life.
  • Dancing
  • Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Quinnipiac
  • New York
  • Boston
  • Dream
It may have something to do with the fact that I love the English language. Don't fight me on this, I know it's not a beautiful, "Romantic" language, but it's (obviously) familiar to me, and there are SO many words that I learn (thank you Words with Friends and Scramble with Friends) daily that I try to implement into my vocabulary. (But inevitably I forget and am reminded when someone uses the word "ilk" in a meeting, and I slump back into my seat and feel sad for my brain for not challenging it more.)

But, I think it also has to do with the fact that the words, themselves, are familiar to me. And to an extent: they define me and who I am.

For all my life, I've connected with the word "dancing." I'm assuming that if my mother had put me in gymnastics training instead of dance classes at age 3, I'd have no connection to the word dancing, and the active verb in the list above wouldn't be dancing, it'd be gymnastics. But, from ages 3-21 it was a priority. I'd go to school, then I'd go to dance class. As I got older, I'd go to school, then I'd stay at school and dance for my high school dance team, then I'd go to dance class after that. On the weekends, I'd have dance competitions and football games to dance in. In college, I was part of the dance team and I met my best friends through... you can guess: dancing. We had this activity in common, and it was more than just a sport to us: it was our every day passion.

Similarly: I've been in advertising for 5 years. I see the word spelled out and it gives me a sense of satisfaction, one that I can only describe as "Yeah- I'm a Mad Man, jealous? And no, I don't drink that much- but I want to." I'm happy with my chosen profession. I'm good at it, and it's a fun arena in which to work.

I think Public Relations is on there because that was my major in college. For 4 years, I was breathing those words to my parents, professors, friends, strangers- and it became synonymous with my college life- even though it plays 0 roles in my life today.

Quinnipiac is on there, but for a larger reason. A sense of pride overwhelms me when I see the name of my alma mater anywhere- but not because I lived there for 4 years (I mean, Connecticut isn't on this list,) but because I met great friends there, enjoyed amazing study abroad experiences through the school, met phenomenal professors, and laughed my way through 4 quick years, which, had I gone anywhere else, may not have happened.

I think Boston and New York are on there for obvious reasons: my past (probable future) and my present locations. Fortunately, for a non-sports-obsessed-person like me, I'm able to enjoy both cities and have enough room for both in my heart. (Phew!)

Dream is also on the list. I wasn't going to go in depth with this word, since it's so general that I'm sure alot of people feel the same way as I do about it. But, the more I think about it- the more I realize that I'm living my dream, and that's special to me. I'm living the life I had planned for myself. I'm in my 20s in New York City working in advertising. I've worked damn hard to get here, and now that I'm here, I have to work on more dreams for myself- ones that I'll make a reality.

So- there you have it. A list of some words that define me and who I am, and what I love.

Am I crazy to have a list of words that I see/hear and get all excited about? Do you have a similar list?


Thursday, March 8, 2012

A Month?!

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. I'm sure you've all been clicking into my blog from your "favorites" menu bar, wondering what the heck happened to that nutty New York chick.

Well- for starters...

1. Work has been insane. Good insane, but insane nonetheless. We actually just launched some Speed Stick videos on YouTube... so if you're an 18-34 year old male who needs antiperspirant/deodorant, or a girl who wants to hear what ACTUALLY goes on his dudes' heads in certain situations... check them out! www.youtube.com/speedstick

2. Half Marathon Training! As some of you kids know, I'm running the NYC Half Marathon with the St. Jude Heroes team, and I couldn't be happier about this decision. For starters:

- All the money donated goes to the St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, and as you know, that's near and dear to my heart- being on the Friends of St. Jude NYC Committee.
- Let's be serious: my calves and legs are getting super toned and that's perfect timing for spring (skirts/no tights- woo woo.)
- I'm working out/running because I HAVE to, which makes it a "duh" decision at the end of the day
- I can kinda eat whatever I want and because I'm burning 400-800 calories a day (on days I run,) I'm not gaining anything. I've actually lost a solid 5 lbs and have kept it off for over a month. (HURRAY!)
- PARTY TIME afterwards!
- Oh yeah, and the feeling of accomplishment I'll have after running 13.1 miles (and the ROUTE?! SO amazing! Central Park/Times Square/West Side Highway/South St. Seaport... I mean come on... so awesome.)

Also- if you haven't donated already, please do help (even $5 helps!)
www.mystjudeheroes.org/britt

3. Friends Visiting and Typical NYC Living. My friend, Katie, was visiting from Kansas City for the better part of the last month. My coworkers and I pulled her leg easily convinced her, whilst on a business trip to KC ourselves, that she simply HAD to come to NYC to help us with the insanity (see number 1.)

She was here for work (we are coworkers,) but staying with me and our other coworker/friend. We tried our hardest to show her the best NYC experience- from going out at night to eating fun dinners, enjoying drinks, and I even took her to see SNL when I was able to score tickets from their open lottery I applied to last August (#WIN.)
Obviously, she had to experience a fish bowl at Brother Jimmys.

My cousin, Lindsey, came down this past weekend (her first time out and about in NYC!) and I showed her Times Square & Macy's. We had drinks with friends, and went to a special someone's birthday dinner/party until 3AM (undoubtedly one of the longest nights of her life!) She had a blast and I'm hoping she'll come down again when the weather is nicer and there's a ton more things to do in the city. Sister, Maddie, Gillie- if you're reading this, plan a weekend you can all come down and we can have a girls weekend :)

The theme of the party was "Lumberjack Chic," hence the plaid.

So, there you have it. There's been a lot going on this last month. I'm hoping to stock up on some good topics for the next few weeks to write to you about. Most notably:
- MBA (Mission Basically Adult)
- My Favorite Thought Catalog Blogs
- Typical Goings On of a 26 Year Old Chick in NYC during Spring 2012 (which I'm SURE will be your fave.)

DONATE TO MY RACE! www.mystjudeheroes.org/britt


xoxo



 
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