Tumblr hug! Pass it on to your ten fav followers and don’t break the chain! Have a great day:)

livelaughlovearedhead:

multisportmom:

m0tiv8me:

imeanfitness:

thefitavenger:

imaginationbeth:

i-dont-require-your-help:

laurancethelorax:

not-at-all-natural666:

caffeinedeathwarrior:

thatintrovertedfangirl:

successfulsociopath:

kenziepotakuwannabe:

pawkitty:

YAY TUMBLR HUGS!!! Thanks for the hug @celestial-fire-writer and @little-miss-heartfillia. Okay, here I go! @nalu8099 @stolenfruitsnack @makepretendprincess @unashamed-shipper @obsessed-but-welldressed @howdy @kenziepotakuwannabe @kawaiipotatoblogger @megaowlfeatherblog @rebelotaku0987 and one more for good measure @marina-dragneel

@pawkitty, @queenkelina, @makepretendprincess, @kago-bae, @kagomesscent,@successfulsociopath, @kagomesdestiny, @purekagome, @theladyofthewest, @narqueen, @artistefish, I love you guys!

Omg I exceeded my daily post limit so i had to post it now I cri Thanks! And hugs to @inusmasha, @dorkdenmark (actual cutie here i mean what) @dorknorbae @saphire-wolf13 @magnus-the-falafel@samirahalabbasdefensesquad@aphnorja@magnus-chase-is-bae@thatintrovertedfangirl@askthe2pcanada​ You’re all so cooler cooler than this leek behind the screen, that’s for sure

Thank you @successfulsociopath

My hugs go to

@canadiangeekgirl

@cardigansarepunkrock

@dalekgirl511

@hallelujah-honeybees

@dannydogforpres

@avengingdemons

@sassyspoon92

@synical-roll

@writing-daydreamer

@caffeinedeathwarrior

You sweeties are the best!

Thank you, @thatintrovertedfangirl!  ❤

My hugs go to:

@pbj-molecules

@precious-kitten-castiel

@shanilivne

@lord-of-the-fandoms

@ysolomone

@netflix-and-social-awkwardness

@gabriellehinton

@dontblinkoryouredead

@destiel-24-7-365

@not-at-all-natural666

(Plus a group hug for all my other followers because you guys are all awesome!)

Thank youu @caffeinedeathwarrior

Sending hugs to @impalawalla @surreally-real @fandomandfangirlworld @idjitpadalecki @doieverforgetthepie @myfavoritebisexual @if-you-read-this-you-re-stupid @star-of-the-rising-sun @laurancethelorax @renegademisha and im so sorry if i forgot someone i have a memory like a goldfish…

Here are my fave followers, either online or irl, love you all: @waitingformywinterbucky @awesomazingkitty @impossiblyblueobservation @vnrealistic @not-at-all-natural666 @mystical-seventh-mcnugget @drawspoopymisha @a-gang-of-hylians @i-dont-require-your-help @a-mish-mash-of-misha

Thank you @laurancethelorax 🙂 sending my hugs to:
@teamfreewill-imagine @the-snarky-british-girl @demonpoofball @itravelledfarireachedforthestars @velociraptor-rexy @5secondsofdorkydimples @tormented-tortoise @imaginationbeth @releaseyourinnergeek @righteousnerd

Thanks @i-dont-require-your-help 🙂
Passing my hugs too: @theres-an-angel-behind-the-mask, @jonlikescookies, @generations113, @comewithmetothestars, @attackeyebrow, @ohmycarlisle, @skellydun, @thefitavenger

Thank you @imaginationbeth and my hugs go to @insaneoldme @geek-gym-fitblr @crow-with-glasses @imeanfitness @musclepuppy @travisvsworld @geeky-little-nurse @arkinthecurious @hezarou @timmy-bhblz

Thanks @thefitavenger i would like to send my hugs to @harcules @jonsjourneytohappiness @m0tiv8me @geek-gym-fitblr @aiming-for-godlike @hiitlikeabeast @holypreachercurls @n0-brain-n0-gain @musclepuppy @run-done

@fitand40ish @atransformativejourney @fatgirlgetsfitatlast @zamplifts @ibringmotivation @multisportmom @funsizegirl @lancelotfiles @jules-did-it @labrat-to-gymrat @hesse-hex @angelsrevolution @future-fitness-freak @cycles-and-scalpels @boopatch

Thanks @m0tiv8me! Who doesn’t love a hug?! 💗
I’ll send a big fat hug out to; @3rdlegend, @deliciousdistractions, @justhiitit, @bourbonboobsandbeer, @thirtyplus, @imswimpedalrun, @livelaughlovearedhead, @mudddbunnie, @bluegrassnbarbells & @@nhironman33
Happy Monday!

Hugs are always welcomed!  Thanks @multisportmom and @geeky-little-nurse.  Here’s a big ole hug for @breatherunlive, @destroyingthedarkness, @over40fitness@justbrooksy, @snapthistiger, @keepgoinggreen, @amanda-healthyhappywhole, @runningforbiscuits, @marathonmelissa, @busylivinnow, @conquerthyself, and @jim829

Thank you @livelaughlovearedhead! My hugs go to @two-o-nine @getittogetherg @becky-balances @running-matt @running-engineering-cats @mynamesmom @rachaelfightsback @mrstrivialbob @trivialbob

Hi, Melissa! Happy New Year and congrats on your new job! I’ve been following your blog since you were at the Ocho and I’ve never messaged you before, but I’m curious/nosy about your job search experiences. It’s awesome that you got so many offers from different sectors! I’m trying to change industries now and am struggling with how to market myself. (I’m actually applying to governments now with no government experience!) Would you be willing to share your tips/strategy for applying?

Sorry @ongradschool that this has taken me awhile to get to. I honestly didn’t know how to start this answer. But, I’m going post it publicly, just in case I can help any one else as well.

First of all, thank you! My life has been crazy the past year or so, but I think I’ve finally settled where I am supposed to be.

The things that I know about working for the government: When you fill out your application, make sure you are using the key words that they say they want in the questions. The State of Nebraska has a complicated system that screens the applications before anyone even sees them in the department or agency that you’re applying at. If you don’t have the key words that they used in the questions in your answers, your application won’t get flagged to move on in the process. It’s scary, but true.

They also ask every person the exact same questions and score you on those answers. But you should still try to be yourself and make them like you. Its easy for them to see who they want based on personality..and that could give you the edge. I know, I know. It’s easy for me to say that you should be relaxed in interviews when I already have a job! However, it is important.

It is also important to have at least 2 questions prepared to ask them. My favorite, and the one that they always seem to love answering is “why do you like working here?” Gives good insight into why you might want to consider accepting their offer.

Try to get as much varied experience as you can. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and I thought when I was at the Ocho that I would NEVER be able to leave because I was pigeon holed into that job/career. NOT TRUE! It did take someone taking a chance on me as an unproven Membership Director to get me out the Biz. However, my new boss didn’t even care about that job when it came down to offering me this job. They LOVED that I had so much TV News writing experience. Because, honestly, that’s what I’m using here. So try to think of different ways to market your skill set. Don’t allow yourself to pigeon hole yourself! 

Have someone who knows resumes look at yours and help you out. @reginatarae looked at mine. She rocks! I bet she’d help you too if you asked! 🙂

Remember, that you have to be your own personal cheerleader! No one else will do it for you. So don’t be afraid to promote yourself. Use LinkedIn to do that, and to find jobs. A lot of people including potential employers checked out my LinkedIn. So keep it classy and updated. Also, have a professional photo there. It does make a difference!

Network. Talk to people that you know that work there. Do your research. Know what you’re talking about. Don’t ramble on in the interview. Clear, concise answers are the best. They know you know your stuff if you don’t have to keep talking. Act confident. Even if you aren’t. The job that I interviewed for as a Marketing Manager, the man straight up told me that I was an awesome interview and that he wanted to hire someone exactly like me; confident, vivacious, outgoing, someone who can talk to people. So if you’re nervous, try practicing with a friend. I did that a few times. 

I also like to ask, if they don’t tell me, when they expect a decision. That lets them know you are serious and want to hear from them.

And I ALWAYS write a hand-written thank you note right when I get home from the interview. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who have said that this made a difference in the hiring process!

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need anything else! And good luck!!

My phone REALLY wants me to figure out Fahrenheit to Celsius conversions, apparently. @two-o-nine did you do anything to my phone from Winnipeg???

The app says it’s set in Fahrenheit…but you can see that I’m getting Celsius temperatures.

I have no idea how to convert it, and it’s kind of irritating me. Lazy Melissa does not want to learn.

Also, yes, my Wi-Fi is called “Hide ya kids, hide ya Wi-Fi.” It makes me giggle. The man from Time Warner thought I was a nut. (shrugs) whatever, dude!

Well, well, well…Look who ran this weekend! It’s me!!

Just a couple of very chilly miles, but it’s better than sitting on the couch which is what I actually wanted to do.

I signed up at 3 o’clock this morning for the Lincoln Half marathon. It will be my 12th half overall and 6th Lincoln Half in a row. Training starts in a few weeks.

I did my hair today because I had time. So you guys get to see it!

Back to work tomorrow. I don’t really have the Sunday Sads…just wish I could go on vacation to somewhere warm!

Have a great evening friends!

Time to order your C & Z calendar!

a-yogi-who-wods:

Alright folks, I’m setting the cost of the calendar at $18.  That will cover printing+shipping to my place+shipping to your place+roughly $8 per order going to the New York Bully Crew.  And, if you would like to pay more than $18 for the calendar, the surplus in payment will go to the aforementioned shelter.  So what now?  Logon to Paypal and send me (c3carranza@gmail.com) your payment, email address, name, and mailing address.  If you don’t have Paypal and don’t want to sign up for an account, message me on tumblr and i’ll send you my mailing address.  International orders? …I don’t know.  Message me on tumblr and we’ll figure something out.  The deadline to place your order will be 8PM Pacific Time on January 2nd, 2016.  I will only be printing the amount of calendars that are ordered + a few extra for my fam.   

Look who I finally got to meet today! It’s @rachaelfightsback!! This amazing girl was traveling back to Denver and made her way through Nebraska this afternoon. So she stopped for a little while to hang out with me and my bestie!

I knew that she and I would be fast friends, and I was so right! We clicked instantly! Bonded over boys, running, moving, weight loss, life, and tumblr.

I’m trying to talk her into doing the Lincoln Half marathon with me in May…but I don’t think she can make it work.

I will see you again my friend! Thanks for hanging out with me today!

Calendar update

a-yogi-who-wods:

Okay, so the whole voting on the top 12 photos for the calendar isn’t going to work.  Tumblr only lets you post like 8 photos per post and multiple posts stating “pick your top twelve” will be too confusing.  So i guess i’ll just pick the 12 photos.  i gotta have like 900 photos in my phone from our 3years together, but i’ll do my best to narrow down the list to include shots from his younger days.  So now i just need to know how many of you want one.  i should be able to keep the cost under $20 with proceeds going to the New York Bully Crew . so now all you gotta do is message me and let me know you want one.  I’ll figure out the Paypal/mail me a check part tomorrow.  I’m hoping to get at least 10 orders to appease mine and Zeet’s ego and to be able to make a decent charitable contribution to the shelter.

I’m totally buying this. Because Zito is adorable…and Christian is one cool dude. You should buy one too!

Sometimes you think your hair looks awesome so you want to document it and you accidentally end up taking very serious selfies, including one very overexposed one.

But dang you guys! My Hair was on point today! Also, dem cheekbones though! They kinda disappeared on me in a bit of that weight gain. Glad it’s coming off, and they’re coming back.

Thanks for indulging my narcissism. I promise it won’t happen often.

Let’s Catch Up

Selfies with Rio. That dog cracks me up. She was excited that I sprung her from the vet. We took a few selfies and snapchats then went home to snuggle.

The Vet’s Office had that as their sign. I actually stopped the car and came back around to take that picture. Because I LOL’d and when that happens you must stop and take the photo.

New Christmas Sweater. It’s the style that is supposed to be big and loose on my frame. I was a bit nervous about it, but I like it. It is warm and cozy. I’m a fan. I’m also wearing jeans that are a size smaller than I’ve been wearing for the past 6 months or so because of the relationship weight gain.

So that leads me to this…

Fun Fact: (Will this get me kicked out of the Fitblr category for this??) I actually LOST weight over Christmas. Like 4 pounds down. So weird. I don’t even know.

Running. Running and I are trying to get back into a good relationship. I sign up for the Lincoln Half on Sunday and I will start training at the end of the month so I really need to get my stuff together. Like now. Note to self, the longer you don’t run, the harder it will be to actually get back into the habit. So, GO RUN MELISSA! NO EXCUSES.

Life is humming right along right now. Work is good. I really enjoy all the things that I get to do, and I love the people I work with.

Have a great (short!) week friends!