Merry Christmas to All and Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Merry Christmas my lovelies!!!!

Well technically its 11pm on Christmas Eve when I'm writing this but by the time you read it, Santa will have already visited all you good girls and boys!! It's the most wonderful time of the year because it's CHRISTMAS TIME and it also happens to be my birthday!!!! Yes that's right, I was born on Christmas Day!!!

Now for some time there has been a debate about whether or not having a Christmas birthday is a good thing? I honestly go back and forth with loving the fact that I have a Christmas birthday and hating it.  When I was little I used to think it was so cool that my birthday was on Christmas because I was the only person I knew that had that birthday.  However, as I got older it became more and more difficult to celebrate my birthday because I could never have a physical party on my actual birthday, many of my friends would go away for Christmas, or everyone was busy with shopping or planning their Christmas parties.  As I got older I began to find the fact that I shared a birthday with the big man upstairs pretty hilarious (i.e. this year I dared my mom to ask the bakery to write "Happy Birthday Tori and Jesus! which shockingly they did!!!)  I'm also rocking this great shirt for my Christmas PJ's from lookhuman.com

Now, every time I tell someone my birthday is on Christmas, 9 out of 10 times the first thing they ask is "Do you get ripped off when it comes to presents?" Honestly, I've been fortunate that my parents have always spoiled me rotten when it comes to presents and really go out of their way to make sure that I feel appreciated on my birthday!  To make this day feel super special, I laid down a few guidelines for my family to follow... 1. NO CHRISTMAS/Birthday cards.  I'm sure many of you have never heard of this but the lovely company known as Hallmark actually makes a card that is marketed for those of us that were in fact born on 12/25.  2. Wrap my presents differently.  Now this may not seem like it would be a big deal for people who don't have a birthday that shadowed by a major holiday but for me it makes a huge difference.  I simply ask my family to wrap my Christmas presents in one wrapping paper and my birthday in another so we can distinguish which is which.  3. Opening my presents at different times.  Usually my family will all open all our Christmas presents first then take a little break and later open my bday presents.


For those of you that have the privilege/misfortune of sharing the same birthday as me I wish you A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and oh yeah, Merry Christmas, or what ever you celebrate!

My next post is probably going to be showing you what I've bought/received for Christmas and my birthday!

Where has the time gone

Hello Lovelies,

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of my lovely grandmothers passing.  My grandma was an incredible woman and I miss her everyday.  When my grandmother passed, it taught me to take advantage of each and every moment and live for the moment.  There were so many things I would have loved to have said to my grandmother but I never got the chance.

A picture of my grandmother from 1985

Recently, I was talking to one of my coworkers and we were talking about death.  Both her and I had different experiences with death.  Her father had a long battle with cancer and knew how long her father was going to live.  I unfortunately didn't have that luxury.  I remember the morning of November 21, 2010 like it yesterday.  I had gone to an amazing All Time Low concert the night before and stayed up really late talking to my friend.  When I woke the next morning I had 10 missed call from my mom and my house phone.  I instantly knew something was wrong.  I listened to the voicemail on my phone and could tell that my mom was upset in the message.  I tried calling my mom but she didn't answer so I called my house phone.  My dad picked up the phone and asked me if I had talked to my mom.  I told him no and he had to break the news to me that my grandmother had died.  I can honestly say that was the worst moment in my life.  I had seen my grandmother only 2 days prior and she was completely fine.  I couldn't believe she was gone.  When I had said goodbye to her, I didn't think that was the last time I would ever talk to her or even hear her voice.  My coworker and I have different views on death and which way is better.  Clearly, I would have liked to have known that my grandmother was going to pass and I would of had the opportunity to tell her how much I love her and how much she means to me.  Although, I didn't get the chance to tell her that, I hope that she's watching me from heaven and knows how much she inspires me everyday!

*Any one who is reading this needs to know that this is a deeply personal post and it is really hard for me to write this.  I'm actually bawling my eyes out while I'm writing this because I've bottled up my emotions about this for so long.  I miss my grandmother everyday but know her spirit is her with me.

My grandmother's high school yearbook picture.  I actually took this picture and have it displayed in my room

My grandmother's and I at Disney World

My grandmother and little baby me

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.  ~Author Unknown

The Importance of Networking

Hello All!!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days but I'm trying to work out a schedule for when I'm going to post (and what I should post about).  I'm thinking 3 times a week (it could be more but 3 is the number I'm going to promise weekly).

As you can see by this blogs title I'm going to be talking about how important it is to network.
When you're searching for a job, sometimes the only way you can secure an interview is by asking your personal connections for a recommendation or simply the opportunity to get your foot in the door.  A piece of advice I've gotten over and over again is "to reach out to your family, friends, and acquaintances and ask them if they know anyone in your field?"  This might not lead to a job but if you ask someone you're close to for that persons email address or phone number that's a major step.  After reaching out you can setup a meeting where you can talk about the field with your new connection.  Don't be afraid to ask if it's ok if you keep in contact with them and occasionally ask for advice.  Obviously, when you meet with this person you'll have to do your best to impress them.  Once you impress them (which I'm sure you will) they could recommend you to other companies who may have a job or may call you down the line with a possible position.

Case in point, the other day my supervisor from my internship called me with a possible lead for a position I may be interested in.  She had taken the liberty to talk with that person and give them an informal review of my work.  She then contacted me and mentioned how she thought I would be perfect for this position.  Fingers crossed this could be the end to my job search!!!!!  But it's such a sweet gesture when someone thinks of you first for a position and wants to see you get a job.

It's extremely important that with every person you meet you make a good impression and hope that they will remember you!


Tori