Starting a New Chapter

Why, hello there!

It’s been forever and a day since I last wrote, but I guess I was just waiting for the right moment to make my comeback. I have news – BIG news, that I really need to get off my chest...!

I’ve taken a job offer in New Brunswick! Not just any job offer though, but pretty much a position that’s been my goal since I can remember. And the best part is, is that it’s not really a static “position” at all. I’ll be working for a recent start-up Software Solutions company, doing Business Development and Marketing. But really, I’m helping the CEO and Founder build the entire company. Seeing as I grew up in a family business and double majored in Small Business and Marketing in University, and have been heavily entrenched in the SMB world since my career began at Purolator – I could not be more ecstatic! It’s everything I’ve worked for up until this point.

And this could not be a more perfect example of how networking, and working hard at the things you love, pays off.

While I was in University, myself and 3 other guys tried to start a tech company in our spare time. We worked on it for about a year or so, until we had to chalk the whole affair up to a great experience, as it failed to go where we wanted it to. We met so many great business people in that time, presented our plan to various companies and committees, and wrote an extensive business plan for it. After that we kind of all went our separate ways after graduating. I went to Purolator and did sales for 2 years, 10 months (today is actually my first day not employed at Purolator) and one of the guys, Todd, went on to do his MBA after working in management for 2 years. As part of his MBA, he decided to take an opportunity to start a company. It’s been about a year since he started, and he’s kept in touch with me very sporadically over the past 4-5 years since University. A couple of months ago, he wanted to talk to me about what he was up to, and I really just wanted to find out more about what he was doing. Those first few conversations turned into him offering me a position to come help him run the business, under the title Vice President of Business Development and Marketing.

It happened very, very quickly. It was one of those opportunities where if I hesitated for any anount of time, the ship would sail. And I knew in my heart that I simply could not say no. I knew that even if for some reason it bottomed out, it would be the experience of a lifetime, and something else would probably sprout from it. I had about four weeks to say yes, find an apartment, and get things sorted out. Whew.

Even though this should feel like Cloud 9, it wouldn’t be life if there wasn’t a flip side to it, unfortunately. I have to move away from my boyfriend, for at least a little while. He has plans to join the Coast Guard this year as he just wrote the entrance exam. Oddly enough, he decided he wanted to join the Coast Guard before I was even offered this job, and at the time, I was really sad that he’d have to go away for 4 years. But now I’m the one who’s leaving first. Weird how things work out like that sometimes. After backpacking Europe this past summer together, we have plans to own a hobby farm someday *knock on wood* hopefully within the next 6 years or so. Even though I’m sad that we’ll be apart for however long, I’m also happy that we both get to do what we want before really settling down. Not many people get that chance to grow independently when you’re in a relationship. And hopefully it makes us stronger. It’s corny, but no matter where I am, he always feels close. He’s my best friend, and I couldn’t ask for someone more supportive of me.

So right now I’m just packing up my things, listening to some Sigur Ros , Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, and Radiohead. It’s bittersweet really.

Olympic Pictures

Recieving the flame - so excited! I'm on the left.

Looking at the camera, I love this shot!

By the by, I've been working on two business plans recently. One of them I'm keeping secret because I'm superstitious like that. The other is for Halifax Retro. I am revamping the site and gearing Halifax Retro more towards the DIY section, where I will have a running commentary on various crafts I am making, selling, etc. I've recently taken an interested in pottery, and embroidery. I have also taken a current interest in learning more about Wiccan philosophy (last year it was Buddhism). So I am experimenting in combining any art/ crafting with pagan symbolism and history. I'm working on the HalifaxRetro website in the next few days to restructure it to suit this new undertaking. More to come in the next few days! Exciting!!

Happy Holidays, everyone, & Keep it Bizzzy!

Olympic Torchbearer 2010

Oh, and no big deal or anything, but I must’ve forgotten to mention that I’m going to be an Olympic Torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics!!

I’m so unbelievably excited, and more than that – I’m running tomorrow! My run is in New Minas, Nova Scotia at 1:03 pm. Wolfville will be hosting events for the Torchbearers and community all morning, which makes this day even more special. I certainly don’t expect it to be the spectacle that took place for Sydney Crosby, as he ran with the Torch here in Halifax yesterday. However, it’s so satisfying to know that I’m sharing this experience with someone like Sydney Crosby, Shania Twain, and not to mention so many other inspiring Canadian leaders. My bosses, my co-workers, my boyfriend, my best friend, and my family are all coming to cheer me on - here's hoping I don't fall flat on my ass...!

On my last day at work before leaving for Europe, my boss told me to submit my name to have a chance to be an Olympic Torchbearer. Because Purolator is the official carrier of the 2010 Olympics, 10 spots were reserved for our employees nationwide. We had to write 200 words on what being a Torchbearer would mean to us. I figured since it was my last day at work for the summer, I’d sit down and make a real effort to relate being a Torchbearer to my evolving position at Purolator. I must admit, it was pretty good. But honestly, I did not think that karma would allow me to travel Europe on a 3 month sabbatical, and give me an actual opportunity to be a Torchbearer, all in one year. But when I was in Prague, sure enough my boss got a hold of me via Facebook to tell me the news. I was chosen! One very expensive fax later (they needed my signature while I was in Prague), it’s all come down to tomorrow. It’s simply an honor, that’s all I can say.

I’ll be posting pictures soon. You can view every run for the Olympics live here.

Keep Bizzy!

Rainy Day Inspirational Read

I love articles about entrepreneurs who start from the gound up, and with creative ideas. Especially when it's Canadian. This is a great read for any aspiring female entrepreneur out there.

ps - where can I find information on inventory balance, or "science" as she puts it?

Keep Bizzy!

Berlusconi?

It's easy to have proper, or at least, a less cloudy perspective when looking from the outside, in. This kind of makes me question our own society, and the censors we're all subjected to, but choose to deny and carry on ignorantly. I mean, the guy owns, or co-owns a number of trusted media agents in Italy, of course he's going to be presented in a certain light. However, this CBC story itself might be propoganda that is deflecting something going on right now in our own country - pointing fingers at others while I subconsciously cling tighter to a manufacture ideal here at home?

... or I might just have to stop watching so many conspiracy documentaries.

Keep Bizzy.

Freedom 35

In life, things come up that prevent you from stocking away your savings every month - such as a big trip, buying a home, a car, etc. However, I think it's important to have an idea of how much of a financial cushion you'll want (and need) upon retirement age - and most importantly, a realistic plan to get there.

I like playing around with this savings calculator from time to time.

Keep Bizzy!

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"Even if the whole earth and sea were turned to gold, they could hardly satisfy the avarice of a woman... You can more easily scratch a diamond with your fingernail than you can by any human ingenuity get a woman to consent to giving any of her savings."

Andreas Capellanus

Back, But Not The Same

My dearest blog, how I've missed you! Has it really been 5 months since I last wrote? Let me please say that for the most part it wasn't by choice, but lack there of! And I thought about you often!

We've safely arrived back from our whimsical journey throughout Europe - and when I say whimsical I really mean the most incredible, life altering, perspective changing, self-renewing, eye opening adventure I might ever know! We brought along our miniature laptop to update our readers of our endeavours along the way, but it died soon into our trip which left us with an added 5 lbs of weight only useful for charging our ipods; which by the way, miraculously survived somehow.

We were gone from June 11th, 2009 - September 4th, 2009. In that time we backpacked, couchsurfed, hosteled, WWOOF'ed, and mostly camped in all of 13 countries:

- Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Murrow, Limerick - we stayed in a Benedictin monastery for 4 days)
- France (Roscoff, Rennes, Le Mans, Paris, Dijon, Lyon, Marsailles, Nice)
- Italy (Versailles, Rome, Naples and Pompeii, Milan)
- Switzerland (Geneva)
- Austria (Vienna)
- Czech Republic (Prague)
- Germany (Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg)
- Denmark (Copenhagen)
- Sweden (Stockholm, Gothenberg)
- Norway (Oslo, Favang, Lillehammer)
- The Netherlands (Amsterdam)
- Belgium (Brussels, Brugges)
- Luxombourg (Luxombourg City, Mercsh)

As you can imagine, to discuss them all would be nearly impossible, especially when trying to interject all of the experiences, feelings, and all of those little moments that at the time seemed so unspectacular, but become the most endearing. I will post pictures as soon as I can.

This trip not only required a lot of planning, but also a lot of support from family, friends, and co-workers. We were so lucky to have so many people that understood how important this trip was for us. The way everything came together is a twist of fate that barely ever happens in real life. We know that, and it will never, ever be forgotten. I can put how I feel about this into three words - pay it forward. And I will.

One of the great things about being back is that I can now put this one accomplishment behind me and move onto the next thing! And there are so many things to come.

As always, stay Bizzy!

Wordpress Rules!

The new Halifax Retro website is up and running!

I'm loving the new look and all of the features that come with Wordpress! I've been spending quite a bit of time on organizing things on the site, uploading old articles, etc. Please bare with me, as my posts on here have been a little scattered. If I'm MIA on here, it's usually attributed to work/ writing for Halifax Retro... so, feel free to tag along!

Working with Wordpress lately, I'm so tempted to get my MissBiz blog on the bandwagon... we'll see how much time I have before Europe, which is only 5.5 weeks away!! We plan on uploading pictures, videos, and articles as much as feasibly possible during our trip. So check out the site for those updates!

~ Miss Bizzy

Preps Progress

This weekend we both purchased a 3 Month Global Eurail Pass! I was a little iffy on getting my hepatitis shots, but hearing this made me feel much better about it. I mean, if we can't trust Timmy's, who can we trust, right? Lol...

Tonight we're planning, planning, planning! Update are surely to come!

Top of Your Game

I just came across a really neat little section featured on CBC.ca called, Top of Your Game with Mark Tewksbury. Right now they’re talking about challenging yourself to identify goals that you want to reach, and taking the steps to make them happen. Mark outlines it all in steps, so it’s more manageable. I’m at a stage right now where I’m just about to embark on a journey of a lifetime, but I’m simultaneously thinking about regaining focus upon my return, so this type of mentoring is really useful. As usual, I have a head full of ideas, but need some help sorting out the more important and immediate things to concentrate on.

Step 1: Ask yourself questions
Step 2: Expand your perspective
Step 3: Make a plan
Step 4: Act effectively and take the first step

Although these can be a little cliché and generalized, I’ve always thought that it was so important to at least try and keep abreast of the things you really want in life, and how you plan to achieve them. Even looking back to when I first began this blog in 2006, many of my goals did not faultier with the changing of time and experiences, but some have. That’s life and you have to expect it. Regardless though, it’s important to at least have direction - but to be fair to yourself, and expect detours along the way.

My Step 1: Asking myself the questions (abbreviated):

1) What am I most happiest doing (career wise)?
2) Where do I see myself settling down?
3) What are my ultimate goals for the foreseeable future?
4) Savings timeline for owning a house by 30-ish?

This is my homework for the next few days.

Keep Bizzy!

East Coast By Choice!

Halifax Retro was a featured guest on East Coast By Choice for Earth Week! We collaborated and wrote an article which documents in a few hundred words the evolution of our projects - Halifax Retro, Wwoofing, etc, from the past couple years, and going forward! Basically a timeline of our persuit to be more earth-conscious human beings. You can read the spotlight here!

Keep Bizzy!!

A Cure for The Times

I honestly believe that this will change the fabric of perspective for so many people in our world. In a time when we are in such a depressed and cynical state, could we have asked for a more awe-inspiring glimpse of hope? Honestly...? Not only that, but it's about time we were kicked really hard for our self induced illusions - in such a fake society we live in, we need to get back to something more real, more organic. I don't know if this was calculated - probably not - but regardless of whether it was or not, this is genius in every way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

I can't stop watching it!

~Bizzy

F2F Event... and me thinking I'm hilarious.

Remember back in the day, when the last few days of high school were easy breezy (dare I even say fun?) while waiting for the final dismissal bell of the year? Feet up on the desk, and being allowed to chew gum in class, finally? Yeah… my last 6 weeks of Purolator wont be like that. At all.

In fact, these next few weeks are really going to challenge my abilities - possibly more than they ever have in my last 2 years of working here. With pushing the courier leads competition that is soon coming to a close in mid-June; calling leads like mad in the interim; making my usual retention calls to my customers; organizing the Face 2 Face Golf Tourney to be held on May 31st; and training my substitute Inside Sales Rep… a tear of relief may be shed after all is said and done. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t want it any other way - I’d rather be too busy than too bored any day. However, my plan is to just put my head down and charge through like nobody’s business!

Today was a pretty good indicator of my above claim. I had a 9 am meeting with my boss and the Events Manager of Progress Magazine to discuss Purolator’s role at this year’s Face 2 Face Golf Tourney. The meeting went super well – I’m always happy to get away from my desk for a bit, and to interact with real people, especially when it involves marketing in any capacity. We actually met at Julian’s French Bakery on Young Street in Halifax. I bought a loaf of 10 grain bread while I was there… it’s to die for!

The F2F Golf Tourney is something I’m really, really excited for. It’s happening a week before I leave, so I’m also thinking of it as a farewell party (I can pretend, right!?). The best part is that this year, Purolator will be more focused on meeting and greeting the SME’s in attendance, and getting to know their businesses more! After all, it’s the SME’s of this country that are going to see us through this recession, and even thrive from it (I believe anyway!). This ultimately means that I have to step up and make sure things happen since this is my realm, and my customer base. We have some great ideas for networking, not to mention we have some hilarious events happening throughout the day. Purolator will be hosting several golf competitions to raise money and awareness for Tackle Hunger, namely a Hockey Glove Driving Contest! It’s pretty self explanatory. I’m in the middle of writing up our meeting notes from this morning, and polishing up the Purolator F2F Business Plan.

So this is pretty much how my days will be for the next 6 weeks… busy, and all over the place. I’ll let you know how it pans out once I’m on the other side… other side of the world that is…!!! OHHH! Get it? Haha...

~Really Bizzy

My New Buddy!

... his name is Asolo! Sounds like something from Star Wars, no? I might alter it slightly... to Captain Solo.

In all seriousness though (...even though I'm totally serious when I say my backpack's name is Captain Solo, or Asolo, depending on my mood)... I love my backpack. It's so light, yet durable. Or at least, I think it's durable - that's yet to be seen I suppose. It's perfect as far as I'm concerned. There's enough room to fit a couple light outfits in, has 2 (!!) detachable daypacks; the top comes off and is like a huge fanny pack, but I wear it like a messenger bag, and on the front is a super tiny backpack, or hydration pack. It's made for girls, so the waist sits really nice, and it a good size for my somewhat small upper body and shoulders.

Well, here is an actual description and picture of my bag. Adam's packpack can be seen here. For some reason, his looks much smaller than mine in these pictures, but his is actually bigger (and heavier, unfortunately).

Stayin' Bizzy!!

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"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."

~Susan Heller~

Ramping up...

We spent this last weekend rummaging through two year’s worth of belongings and organizing various piles – the Salvation Army pile – the "my friend would probably want this" pile – the "oops, I forgot to give this back to my sister" pile – the "what the hell is this?" pile… you get the picture. Its funny how some things you never see until you’re packing up to move somewhere else. I have this Swedish love knot that my nana gave me several years ago, and I wont throw it out. I have empty jewelry boxes from when I was really little that I've just always hung onto. I realized that for whatever unimportant reason you hang on to certain things for, most likely laziness, after a while it’s the mere principal of never letting it go that becomes the reason why you don’t let it go, ever. I mean, I don’t think I’d ever miss those empty jewelry boxes, heck, I don’t even know where most of them came from in the first place, but there they are… in a box marked bedroom.

I think I did a way better job at "freeing" myself this time around of pointless “things” – because that’s all they really are, just things. I’ve had some pretty great memories over the past few years in this little apartment – I don’t need much more than that anyway.

With that said, we have storage booked for the first of May, which gives us an entire month to stow away our apartment, instead of rushing near the end. Best news is, it’s a block away from us! Oh, and not to mention... and maybe most important (obviously the most important!) – our tickets are officially booked! On the way there, we fly from Halifax – Toronto – Frankfurt (exciting!!) – to Dublin! On the way back we fly from Paris – Montreal – into Halifax. I feel like the plane ride there will be one of the most exciting parts!!

That’s probably an exaggeration... I'm just way too excited...!

Keep Bizzy

Toothpaste for Dinner

I have an unhealthy obsession with Toothpaste for Dinner.

I just...... can't...... STOP!!!

Free Skool Links

Being an e-zine founder (Halifax Retro), and a follower of the Halifax Media Co-op, I'm always on the lookout for similar organizations and networks that produce free newsworthy articles and social/ political commentary.

I came across two great websites today that coincide with the purpose and values of Halifax Retro in many respects - offering a symbiotic network of social, political, environmental research and critique.

• openDemocracy
• Globalresearch.ca

Take notice of the new section on my sidebar for these links... fancy!

Keep Bizzy!

Fat Tax

This infuriates me.

"Tax sugar drinks to fight obesity, authors say" (??!!)

Give me a break! Taxing sugared drinks? Yes, this is the answer -- of course! Because a 10% tax on a Red Bull is going to influence the decision of someone who already pays the rediculous prices for caffein drinks anyway, right? You mean, I have to pay $3.30 instead of $3.00? Just like keeping marijuana an illigal substance prevents people from getting it? Or raising taxes on cigarettes prevents people from smoking? Because that's exactly what the government wants - the tabacco industry to decrease! Riiiiight... I forgot that the government doesn't depend on taxes - it's probably the cause of all these objective news articles I've been reading.

....please forgive the sarcasm. Obviously this tax ordeal isn't about anyone's health, or their grocery bills. Taxpayers are not the ones benefiting here in the least. It's actually the complete opposite.

Great spin, CBC.

A more appropriate title?

"Fat Tax: Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures".

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My Little Guardian

I have a little mouse that hangs around my desk at work.

I’ve never seen him, but I know he’s somewhere close by. I had a supply of trail mix and granola inside my desk a few months ago and one day I picked it up out of my drawer and a steady stream of mix fell through the bottom. I then thought I could prevent this from happening again by keeping my hot chocolate on top of my desk, and in a cloth bag.

But when I came into work this morning, my little mousy friend chewed through the bag and must be on one hell of a sugar rush today. Judging by the little teeth marks, he’s only a teeny one.

I haven’t told anyone in the office. We have each others' back's.

And he might be good luck!

~Keep Bizzy~ (like my little mouse friend and me!)

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“It's true that every time you hear a bell, an angel gets its wings. But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap snap, an angel gets set on fire."

Jack Handy