Tag: me

Friday at 1am vs. Friday at 6:30am.
The struggle is very real this morning.

I got home from babysitting at 1am this morning, after I had to stop and get gas. I snapped that selfie because the gas station lights were kind of perfect. See also: my coat-hat-hair combo made me happy. I felt adorable.

I finally fell asleep around 1:45 and my alarm jolted me awake at 6:15. I decided my second day hair was fine and stumbled in to work early.

My co-worker said when he walked in 20 minutes later (I was the first person there) that I was “a sad single person if I really had nothing better to do than to come into work early on a Friday.”

Um, OUCH dude! I explained why and he said he was kidding, but still…that kinda stung a little! Way to hit me where it hurts!

Happy Friday friends! There’s only one more week till Christmas!! Eeeee!

@snapthistiger tagged me to post 6 Selfies from 2015. I went back into the archives to find some that you might not have seen…and some that you have! 

  1. This is from today. I dig my hot pink shirt and black mini skirt. Evidently, so did some dude driving by my house today while I was getting the mail–he felt the need to honk at me!
  2. The black lace dress that made me feel INCREDIBLY sexy. I didn’t buy it, but holy crap, that thing fit like a glove and I felt like a million bucks!
  3. From the wedding in New York–That’s me and Theresa aka T-Money. She’s a 4′11″ ball of fire. AND a New York State Trooper. I LOVE her and we still keep in touch.
  4. One of my besties and I this summer. Candace has been my bff since I was 8.
  5. Do you notice something in the background of that shot? See my friend Rob peeking out from the shower curtain in my old office at my old job? I miss hanging out with him.
  6. I took that one this summer one evening while waiting for my ex-boy-friend to get home from work. Summer, come back to me!

I’m tagging @two-o-nine @amanda-healthyhappywhole and @runningmyownrace to post some selfies from this year. I want to see your pretty faces ladies!

Currently.

I couldn’t sleep last night until well after midnight. The struggle. It’s real.

The man at the coffee shop said I needed a dirty chai (with a shot of espresso) in it. I still taste the coffee. I don’t like coffee so ugh. But I’m so in need of the caffeine that I’m drinking it anyway.

It’s Friday eve friends. We’re so close!

Wednesday afternoon Energy drink date. (What? It’s a thing! Or not. Whatever)

-Have you tried the It Works! Energy drinks? They are delightful. They taste like pear. Very long story short, when I went to New York in August for that wedding with my ex-boy-friend I met a friend of his who is very high up in the It Works! Company. We tried those energy drinks and I LOVED them. Delicious.

-I went to help with a video announcement for my church last night. I was supposed to be the videographer, that’s why I ran before I went there. Of course, they asked me to help be the talent so I put my stocking cap on and made it work. It’s supposed to be Christmasy anyway, so we’ll go with it!

-Perks of working for State Government: When the President gives federal employees another holiday off, we get it too! The Prez signed an order giving us a half day of holiday pay on Christmas Eve so I’m done at 11:30am (since I come in at 7:30!). As I have no vacation time I am super excited about this! See also: I’m excited about having MLK Day, President’s Day, Arbor Day, Columbus Day, and Veteran’s Day off next year!! #blessed

-A friend texted me last week out of the blue asking me to babysit his kids tomorrow night while he and his wife go see “Star Wars” for his birthday. At 9:30pm. On a weeknight. I agreed because I’m too nice, but I’m currently regretting saying yes because WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?! That’s so late! I go to bed at 9 during the week. I love sleep. Sleep is my favorite. Past Melissa is dumb for saying yes.

-Did I mention that I LOVE my new job? I get to do new things each day, but they are the same kinds of things. Kind of like when I was at the TV Station. I get to write again. I’m meeting tons of new people…including a cute boy or two! 😉 And I LOVE LOVE LOVE my co-workers. My boss is awesome and I get to flex my time. If I only take 30 minutes for lunch then I can leave 30 minutes early. I’m a fan!

-I have a bit of Christmas shopping left to do. I buy presents for my mom from dad and I need to finish that up. I also need to get a few other things but then I’m done! I’m hoping to get that finished tonight or tomorrow.

Guys. It’s almost Friday Eve. We’re so close! Have a good one!

Monday Things

  • Today is my beautiful Momma’s birthday. I made that collage and posted it on Facebook for her. She’s the best mom ever. I lucked out.
  • I hung out with the Nebraska Governor again this morning for a meeting about a program. We all were introducing ourselves and when he got to me he said, “We met last Monday at the Mansion! How has your first week been? Do you like it so far?” GUYS. I’m Memorable to the Governor! How cool is that?!?!
  • We’re having a food day on Wednesday for a girl who is leaving so I’m making Cranberry bread. I might take that or I might make banana bread tomorrow. Who knows? The world is my oyster!
  • I ran when I got home from work tonight. I did not want to, but I drug myself off the couch and did it. Then I saw I had to do a bunch of lunges and squats per @theholidayhustle so now my legs are shredded and running tomorrow should be fun!
  • I’ve been struggling with running lately. It’s no secret. I’m trying to get myself together because I plan on running my 12th Half Marathon in May when I run the Lincoln Half again. See also: I want to lose about 10 more pounds. I am seriously considering hiring Sabrina because I appear to need a kick in the pants.
  • I’m considering downloading Tinder again. That is how I met my ex and I deleted it (obviously) when we were together. But then I think, do I really want to open THAT can of worms? But it appears Mr. Right isn’t going to come randomly find me so I guess I have to be a little proactive. Dating is THE WORST. 

Make it a great week friends!

My day in pictures.

As I was stopped at a red light this morning I saw that sunrise in my rearview mirror. I thought that picture was pretty cool.

Also, I got my employee id card today. It gets me in to the building, and into my area at work. I deal with a lot of sensitive information so they keep it locked up. I have 24 hour access and am authorized to drive state cars! Pretty cool!

I found out more of what I’m going to be doing…and I’m pretty excited about the scope of it all. It’s awesome that I’m trusted to do so much!

Have a great week friends!

I GOT MY DREAM JOB!!!!

YOU GUYS!!!

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Wednesday afternoon I got a call from the State of Nebraska offering me the job as a Public Information Officer for the Department of Health and Human Services!!

I know that likely doesn’t sound like something most people would want or like, but as someone with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and 10.5 years in TV News, it is a very logical next step when you get out of the news to go into PR or Communications for a company or corporation. State jobs have amazing benefits, 12 holidays a year (including Arbor Day because that holiday was started here!) and pretty awesome pay and vacation time too. I was ecstatic!! I have been trying to get a job with the state for years now, so I was so happy.

The Marketing gig I started Monday? That SUCKED. I was a glorified proofreader. And I felt creatively stifled. I went in Thursday morning and put in my notice…after only 3 days of work! They were cool about it and I went home after about an hour! 

This is where things start to get interesting:

  • I decided I do a little Christmas shopping and headed towards the Outlet Mall about 40 minutes away.
  • On the way there I got a phone call from the News Director of the TV Station I interviewed with last week in Buffalo, New York. He wanted to “catch up” with me.
  • He said, “Melissa, it has to be obvious that I like you and want you to work here. What will it take to get you to Buffalo?” (if only a man was saying that to me in the context of wanting to be in a relationship with me!!!)
  • I told him that I had taken the marketing gig, and hated it. And that I’d been offered the job with the state and I really love it And he said, “I don’t think you’ve ever been told this, but you have it. You are sharp, smart, you are talented, you are not just a producer, you are management, an EP (Executive Producer), and eventually a News Director. You have some much potential to be so great in this business.”
  • Well, crap! I told him he just made my decision harder. He was working really hard to sell me on it. I still don’t think they can meet the money I want, and that’s a big deal to me.
  • He told me that no matter what, if in 2, 3, or 5 years I wanted to get back into the Biz, to just call him and no matter where he was he would get me a job at his station–he thought that highly of me and I was that good.
  • YOU GUYS. I have never been so flattered and humbled. This whole unemployment thing has sucked, but man, this was a good way to see that I am in demand in different fields!
  • He told me to think about it and to call him tomorrow. My answer will still be no-I’m going with the state job. But, wow, is it nice to be wanted!!
  • Then while shopping I hit EVERY BARGAIN! I got a Kate Spade IPad case for $20 (regularly $75). I got a skirt and sweater at J. Crew for $21 total for both! (with 40% off and another 20% from a scratch off ticket that would be for 0-20% off! WIN!) I bought a Christmas gift that was regularly $25 on sale for $3. I think I need to go buy a lottery ticket!! 😉
  • I really feel that the following things are true:
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If I hadn’t lost my job, I never would have known what wonderful opportunities lie out there for me. I honestly was just holding myself back at my previous job. Now? Now I’ve had 2 job offers for amazing positions in 2 days, I have been offered 3 full-time jobs, and there may be a 4th coming next week. I feel awesome. Thanks for believing in me, and all of your words of encouragement friends! I couldn’t have survived without your support!

#AdventuresWithMelissa

That is my hashtag to cover a multitude of adventuring in my life. A whirlwind trip to Buffalo, New York in 24 hours? That’s an adventure. A 9 hour long job interview for a TV News Producer Job? Totally an adventure. Two job interviews in 26 hours for two very different positions where I’m told I’m a finalist for both jobs? Yep, nailed it. Just another adventure!

So, you wanna know how my trip went to Buffalo? Here are the highlights:

  • I sent that snapchat to a friend to show his friend who was sassing me when I landed in Buffalo. I had been up since 3:45 am, but my hair was a champ and I was a ball of nervous energy.
  • After cabbing it to the TV Station, I had lunch with the News Director, who then handed me off to the Assistant News Director. I met some producers, anchors, and reporters and got a tour of the station.
  • I proceeded to have mini-interviews with the Assignment Editor, the Operations Director, The General Manager, and the aforementioned News Director and Assistant News Director. It was a lot of me talking about myself, my experience and why I got out of news and might want to get back into it.
  • I sat with a couple of producers and watched a newscast or two. But the biggest thing I came away with? I don’t want to get back into the business. 
  • Somewhere along the interview I realized I’m over it. I’m done with TV News. It’s a nice thing to be able to realize.
  • The News Director took me out for Wings, (because Buffalo!) and asked me, bottom line, what would it take to get me to Buffalo. That second picture is near my hotel, the Buffalo Theatre district.
  • I told him that I know my worth, I know what my experience is worth, and I know that I’m not just a producer, I’m management. I also told him that I know what the cost of living difference is between Nebraska and Buffalo. (Hint: it’s a decent amount!)
  • So I named a number that was totally fair, and he said that the job paid $15k less, but that they could go to corporate and see what they could do, because I was worth it. He told me I was a finalist for the job, and I told him that I had another offer on the table. We discussed things and he said they would be in touch in the middle of the month.
  • So there’s that.
  • I sent that Snapchat to the same friend, because I was showing him my King Size Bed, ALL TO MYSELF! Bliss.
  • Tuesday I flew back and got in to Lincoln around 10:30am. I had an interview at the University of Nebraska-Omaha at 2:30pm for a job as the Membership Director for the University’s Classical Radio Station. I was exhausted and cursing myself for setting up the interview.
  • AND THEN I WENT TO THE INTERVIEW and it was AWESOME!!!
  • The Station manager LOVED me. HE said so, he remarked how I was such a great interview, how I was so personable, how conversational I was, etc. I ate that up! 😉 (oh, you want to compliment me? YES PLEASE!)
  • I asked him to describe his perfect person for this position and he said, “Well, you. Someone who is vivacious, outgoing, can talk to people, has a great personality, can make connections, can make the big ‘asks’ for money, someone who is funny, and smart, just like you.”
  • <<INSERT HEART EYE EMOJI HERE>>
  • You don’t know how hard it was for me not to toss my hair, and grin like a fool. Well, maybe, I DID grin like a fool!! He told me that I was a finalist for the job, one of the 3, and that he would let me know in two weeks.
  • So I sent that final photo to my friend after the interview because with everything that has gone in the past 2 months, to be told by two interviews in two different fields that I’m a finalist for the job? I feel like a million bucks!!
  • Today, I start the job at the Marketing Company. I should hear from the State Job this week, and from UNO next week, and from Buffalo the week after. I’m not taking the Buffalo job. I’m burnt out of news. But is nice to be wanted. I thought that last photo was a pretty perfect way to look at this chapter of my life, As always, I’ll keep you posted about my latest Adventures!! 😉