Birthday fun and the long weekend.

Well hello there!

I feel as if I have been away from my computer forever! I had been working on my Fitness Tuesday’s post for a while so I was happy I still got that out on time this week.

A lot has been going on in the recent days, so lets start with last week. Last Thursday I celebrated my 24th birthday! No huge party this year, just a nice family dinner and then a quiet birthday dinner date with D.  I received some amazing presents including a record player (!!!!!), a fancy hour long massage AND a new camera (yay!!!! now my pictures will be at least 3 times better!).

Next up, D and I jetted out of the city for an amazing long weekend at the cottage. We got to catch up with both sets of parents and a few ‘cottage’ friends which was great! I could not have asked for better weather for a long weekend!

So, here is our weekend at a glance…according to my new camera!!!

Birthday dinner with D.

Sushi!!! My favourite food!

Record player. (Audio-technica)

Its not a summer weekend, without golf!

Photo op! (more pictures happen when I am playing like crap!)

Ah. My dock. How I missed you!!!

Happy hour and goofing around.

Also note…the lovely burnt skin I acquired. Man it was hot out there, I wore sunscreen too!!!!

More to come soon day dreams. Just forgive me for the lack of posts I am currently adjusting to my new schedule!! I am sure I will be more consistent too!

Until next time!!

Fitness tuesdays 12.0.

Hello again day dreamers!

For the past few months I have been super busy so I fell into a routine of making some pretty boring lunches. These however are not boring, they are fresh and they are all easy on the waistline!

Mixed Bean Salad

• 1 can mixed beans or Chickpeas (strained and rinsed)
• Yellow pepper (chopped)
• Cucumber (chopped)
• Tomato (chopped)
• Balsamic vinegar (2 table spoons–estimate)
• Olive oil (1 table spoon–estimate)
• Italiano Spice (1 table spoon–estimate)
• Tabasco (to taste 5-10 dashes)

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. If desired chill before serving.

Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, Italiano Spice, Tabasco

Put into bowls and serve!

Breakfast or Lunch Veggie Omelette

• 2 eggs (whisked)
• Olive oil (1 teaspoon)
• Orange peppers (chopped)
• Zucchini (chopped)
• Mozzarella (2 table spoons)
• Tabasco and pepper on finished omelette (optional)

Heat oil in a small pan. Add in eggs, cook for 2 minutes. Add veggies and cheese, cook for 1 minute. Fold in half, cook for 1 minute. Plate add pepper and tabasco, if desired.

Mmmm there is a nice filling and balanced lunch!!

Asian Noodle Soup

• 2 cans or 1 carton of Vegetable broth (I could have made my own….but I cheated)
• Egg Noodles OR whole wheat spaghetti (I was out of egg noodles)
• 1/4 package of firm tofu (cut into small cubes)
• baby bok choy (chopped)
• 1 or 2 green onion’s (chopped)
• 1 tea spoon of canola oil (I substituted grape seed oil)
• 2 table spoons soya sauce

Precook spagetti, drain and let cool. Heat broth in a pot, bring to a boil. Add in bok choy and tofu, cook about 5 minutes. Add in oil, soya sauce, onions and noodles. Cook on low heat for about 2 minutes or let it brew until you are ready to eat!

Enjoy with a spoon and/or fork!! YUM!

Tofu and Vegetable Stir fry

• Extra firm tofu (cut into large squares)
• Bok Choy (chopped)
• Mushrooms (halved)
• Zucchini (chopped)
• Red Pepper (Chopped)
• HP Szechuan Sauce (I cheated, I’m horrible)

Chop all veggies and tofu. Add all veggies to a pan and cook. Cook tofu in a smaller frying pan. 

For a heavier meal serve over rice!

 

Until next time day dreamers!

On the hunt, interviews.

Good morning all!!

This has been a great week for me!! I went to bed on Sunday night with a ‘feeling’ that Monday was going to be a good day. Guess what, it really was! I found a bunch of interesting jobs to apply for and I got a call back for an interview (YAY!!!!). This finally felt as if my hard work had paid off. Funny enough this was a job I had applied for back when I was still in school, and of course since that day I have received a few more offers/signs that people may be interested (typical, but having choices is good!).

Anyway, so yesterday was my interview day, in the past I would say that I am not an interview person, I would let my nerves get the best of me, in hind sight I probably wasn’t doing enough research before the interview and that was causing me to not snag the job. So here I have a few of my tips on interviewing.

Tips and Tricks of Interviewing

1. Know the employer. The second you get the call for an interview, hop on your computer and do your research. In the events world, websites will often tell you types of events they are involved with and what the values of the companies are. This can often give clues to questions they may ask, but also you can start thinking how you can relate your own experience to possible duties and responsibilities you would do in the new position.
2. Always say yes. When you are doing a serious job hunt, you apply to some jobs that may not even be right up your ally, but heck you need a job right!! If this type of employer calls, or if it is a job that you like but maybe it’s not the pay rate you want (etc.) take the interview! I have gone to interviews determined that I would be the perfect fit, then seconds into the interview realizing that this was not a place I wanted to work. I have also gone to interviews that I wasn’t super excited for and was pleasantly surprised with what the job was and the team I would be working with. In any case treat every interview as practice. Even if you don’t want the job, you will be more prepared for the interview for your dream job!
3. Know what you are great at. I used to go into interviews pretty much cold turkey, now I like to prepare. One of the steps I take is to write down three skills that I am great at. This sounds simple, but I have previously been asked this question when I was not prepared and I was stumped! I could tell you 15 areas where I felt I had a weaknesses or I could improve, but strengths…my mind was blank! If you are anything like me, gloating about your amazingness (not in a joking way–which I excel at) is tough sometimes. So throw the modesty out the door. Tell them why you are great and why the job is for you!!
4. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Interviews are often done in front what feels like the stuffiest, strictest and more intimating people you have ever met, but really they are just people looking for the same thing you are, a great fit for the job! The question period is always tough and you want to sound super professional, which you should, BUT you also have an amazing personality and that’s what they want for the job! In my past few interviews I have tried to lighten up a bit. I get very nervous, I mean heart pounding, feel sick to my stomach nervous, but while I speak in a professional manner I’m not afraid to answer a question honestly and bring in personal stories that really highlight me in both a personal and professional way!
5. Do the little things. These are the things that your mom probably taught you as a kid when being polite to adults. First off shake hands with everyone who is interviewing you and look them in the eyes while you do it. At the start of an interview if they thank you for coming, don’t just say no problem, also thank them for having you and let them know you are excited to be there! Do the same at the end of the interview, let them know it was great to meet them, thank you for having me and I look forward to speaking with you soon! I also bring resumes with me. Depending on when you applied to the job, your resume may have been updated, also I print mine on nice paper, which is always a nice little touch. I have also been attaching my business card to it. If you don’t land that job, chances are they will toss the resume and keep the card, you never know when something more fitting might pop up!
6. Bring a portfolio. Now this may or may not apply to everyone. Back in September, I would have said it didn’t apply to me and my career as an Event Coordinator either. Creating a portfolio was actually an assignment  done back in the fall for my marketing professor. When she first spoke about it, a blank look came over my face, what the heck can I put in a portfolio?? In my mind portfolios are for architects and artists…not any more! I have created a portfolio with pictures of myself at events, event posters, tickets, any other event materials I have on hand. I also add thank you notes and letters of reference. I have even added in a few school projects and some pictures of my time in Forestry (I like to remind the employer that although my events career is not environmentally focused, that is still a huge part of me and my undergrad is not something to be brushed off!). So if you have a job where a portfolio makes sense create one! For me it has added about 10-15 more minutes in front of the interview panel, and as I go through it with them it is more personal and light-hearted and I really do think this is where they see me as myself and in my pictures they see me in action as both a worker and a volunteer.
7. Just breathe. As I mentioned above, I get extremely nervous for interviews. I have no problem chatting with someone at a networking event about myself and my career but there is something about two or three against one, sitting across the table from you that is so horrible!! Although I can’t eat breakfast, my heart is pounding and I feel ill, right before I go into the room I take a big breath and remind myself that its JUST an interview. You are not going to be eaten by lions. You can prepare beforehand, but in the end just be yourself. Have you had a job before? Can you talk to humans and not just your fish? Do you have friends? If you answer yes to all or at least the talking to humans question, then you have a personality that people like. If your friends, family and past co-workers see something in you then chances are employers will see that too!

I hope these few little tips help, they have helped me in recent interviews and we will see about my interview I just had. I am sure I will post a little something something if I snag it. Good luck to everyone and I am sending my ‘good feeling’ vibes to you all so maybe you will also get a call back in the near future!!!

Until next time day dreamers!

Example page of my portfolio, from my Key Notes & Brush Strokes event back in March.

Fitness tuesdays 11.0.

Yoga!!

In a recent post I mentioned that I wanted to start doing more yoga in the near future. So fancy that, about three days after I moved a long time girlfriend said, ‘lets go out for dinner this Friday, oh and do you want to go to a yoga class with me first?’ My response was, ‘yes of course!’

So for the last week and a bit, I have held a 10 day unlimited pass at Yoga Sanctuary (College Street Location). I unfortunately didn’t get to as many classes as I had hoped, being new in a town I am a hot commodity for get-togethers!! Anyway, I did get to a few classes and absolutely loved it!! The space is amazing, there are creaky wood floors, huge vaulted ceilings and nice big windows. When I first got into class I remember thinking wow this would be a great event space and my mind was racing during the opening meditation, by the end of class I was so relaxed I could have taken a nap! Pretty much what every event planner needs is yoga!

I am definitely a beginner, I do know the names of a handful of poses, thanks Wii Fit yoga, but that is about it! I didn’t feel out-of-place though which was great, the class I attended was a slower class. For someone who was just starting it was great, fast enough that I got a great workout but I could still follow along quite nicely!

Yoga is interesting for me, as a semi-retired runner (*I do hope to run half marathons again…just have to fix my knee issues….), I am used to fast paced, heart pumping, sweat dripping workouts. Yoga can work up a sweat, but the non-hot yoga classes are not as intense as I am used to when I workout. However, when I woke up the next morning I could feel ever muscle in my shoulders, arms and back! That was enough proof right there that I did have a great workout the night before!

So, if you live downtown and you are a fan of yoga you should try out Yoga Sanctuary for sure! They have several locations in the Toronto region! I only wish I lived a bit closer, the trek definitely slowed me down from getting to more classes!

Below is a picture I took from Yoga Sanctuary’s Website. The minute I walked into the space I wanted to start snapping photos, but I am pretty sure it would have been against yoga etiquette. So thank you Yoga Sanctuary for the picture because I cannot describe this space well enough without it!!

Yoga Sanctuary College Street Studio

Until next time day dreamers!

A book review v2.

The book worm is back!!! I recently finished reading Seriously…I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres.

If you have been a reader of Morning Day Dreams for a while, you might be thinking, wow it takes you a really long time to read books. Well I am a busy women okay!! But I have had a bit more time for reading recently! If you can’t remember, check out my last book review here!!

Overall, I thought this book was a great read. I am a huge Ellen fan and she’s great at getting a chuckle, especially if you are down with her sense of humour. The style of the book is short, witty, and unrelated chapters. It was great for a light and quick read, but I found it too jumpy. At the end of a book I like to have a feeling about the characters or the author of the book. This gave a few snippets of who Ellen was but overall what a little too random for me.

If you are an Ellen fan, yes read it. If you are not too big a fan, I wouldn’t recommend it. As a fan I got the jokes and I could hear her voice, but at the end I was kind of wondering what the point was.

My rating: 3.5/5

 

On the hunt.

Hello Day Dreamers!

If you are a regular reader then you already know that I recently finished up my Event Management Certificate at Conestoga College. When I was in school I was doing some light job hunting, but I have stepped it up now that I have a home base and I am free to start working right away!

I am learning very quickly that being at home is not my cup of tea. Even I can only find so many things to clean during the week!! We all know it’s not a great job market out there, but that just means you have to try even harder and keep your head up to get that job!! I wanted to write a job hunting post for all of you out there who might need that extra push, but also for myself! It is tough to keep focused and for me writing about job hunting gets me excited about it too!

Job Hunting Tips and Tricks

1. Job hunt like its your job. For the past week and a bit, I have been setting my alarm, making breakfast, having my morning coffee and then getting right to the job hunt. I have set myself set up in our spare bedroom/office and I get on my regular job boards and I get to it! Whether I am applying for jobs, researching companies or making phone calls, I am working from about 9:00am to 3:30 or 4:00pm. So sit at a desk and set some working hours for yourself to help stay focused.
2. Keep your options open. Sure we all have that perfect job in mind and after just graduating from a program that I am passionate about I am hell-bent and determined to become an event coordinator, BUT that doesn’t mean I am not seeing what else is out there. Some times you might find jobs within that dream company that could be a great stepping stone to that perfect job, so don’t disregard a job posting because it doesn’t say event coordinator (or whatever your desired position is!). The starter job could be your ticket in and you will never know if you don’t try!
3. Follow up. I am so guiltily for not following up on every job I have ever applied for. Saying that I am getting better and I am making an effort to source numbers, ask for HR and get my name heard. It’s not easy and I leave lots of voicemails and emails, but sending your resume is not enough any more! HR departments are receiving so many emails per day it’s tough to make yours stand out. So call them a day or two after you apply and make sure they have looked at your resume and make sure they know your name and how interested and amazing you really are!!
4. Get out there. Part of this is something that I already wanted to do, but D also suggested getting out there in a different way. First off get out there by going to events! Networking events are a great way to put a face to a name and you never know who you might meet and opportunities they could have for you! What D suggested for me is to get out there everyday. He suggested that I go downtown and do my job hunt from a Starbucks or cafe, library, or any public place where I can be productive, but also meet new people. You never know where you will be when you meet a potential employer!
5. Volunteer. I know, you want a job that pays and so do I. However, volunteering is the best way to get your foot in the door. Two of my previous jobs I have been hired because I had been a volunteer! I was a trusted face and when a job that suited me came up there were no questions asked it was mine! So get out there and offer to help out at events or maybe the company needs a few extra hands a couple of days a week! People will very rarely turn down free labour!
6. Never give up. I have applied to so many jobs in the past few weeks and months. I have heard back from a few, but it was through an email saying the position was filled or I didn’t fit what they were looking for. Yeah that might sound like a downer, but I look at it as a positive. These employers have taken the time to read and evaluate my resume and they often have feedback for me. Every job out there is not for you. So one person turning you down is not a big deal. What is a big deal is that your name is out there and they now know what you are about! So keep it up!!!

I hope these tips help you in your own job hunt or at least motivate you if you were getting a little down and out. I am going to follow my own advice and in fact I have already signed up to volunteer for a few up coming events in May and June!

Good luck to you all of you and remember to keep living those dreams!

 

Until next time day dreamers!

A guest post.

Hello all!

Yesterday I did a guest post on my good friend Harriet’s blog! She is one of my Australian besties, so be sure to check out my blog post and her wonderful blog!!!!

Check it out here Harriet Kempton Blog!!!!

 

Until next time day dreamers!!

 

Fitness tuesdays 10.0

Music is an amazing motivator and for me I find it a necessity when I’m working out. When I’m not in a workout class and I am hitting up the gym solo I can’t get into my workout with out my iPod. To help get you all motivated I thought I would post about by 10 favourite pump up songs. These songs just seem to give me that kick in the butt I need when I am staring at a wall while on a the treadmill/elliptical!!

Work out playlist (in no particular order)

1. Dragonette- Let it go (laidback luke remix)
2. Calvin Harris-Feel so close
3. Deadmau5- Sofi needs a ladder
4. David Guetta- I just wanna F.
5. LMFAO- Champagne Showers
6. Snoop Dog- Sweat
7. Flo Rida, Ft. Sia- Wild Ones
8. Sleigh Bells- Kids
9. Skrillex- Bangarang
10. Foreigner- Jukebox Hero

Yeah, you can’t have a playlist without a little Foreigner right? However, my absolute favourite pump up song from this playlist right now does have to be number Dragonette!!  So you can check it out I have added it below!

Enjoy!

Until next time day dreamers!!

Golf season is here.

I NEVER thought I would ever even think about golf having a season, other than when I would be mad about the leafs leaving the playoffs early to play golf. This year though I am so pumped! Just last week I played my first round of golf and burrrrrr it was chilly out there! D’s program at school hosted a golf tournament and I was excited to play in it, but now that I have done event management I found myself critiquing how they organized everything, I’m ruined, I don’t think I will ever fully enjoy an event again. I still have a great time though, so what more can you ask for.

The tournament was hosted at Doon Valley Golf Club, which actually isn’t a bad course and it’s where I played my very first 9-holes last summer! They have just opened the new back 9, so even though I played there last year the layout was completely different! So if you are in the Kitchener-Waterloo Area you should check out the course! I have played at some difficult courses, but there one gave you challenges but was fun to play!

Anyway, now that I have played once I am excited to get back out there! I almost got upset when D suggested we leave our clubs up north and just play when we go to the cottage/he’s parents place. All I could think was, what about the weekends where we stay in the city!?!?!? But he is right, we have minimal storage at the new place, so it’s probably a good idea! I am just nuts with golfing fever!

I can’t help it!! The sun is shining, it’s getting warmer out there and I can’t wait to get out on the course again!! If only I could wear cooler looking clothes, I think it would be the perfect game ha!

D all bundled up and practicing his swing!

Until next time day dreamers!!!

Thats all she wrote.

I almost feel like dancing all day long!

It feels so good to be done school and for real this time!! (when I graduated from uni, I declared that I would NEVER go back to school…1.5 years later I was in college) This time I am pretty sure I’m done. It was a long and hard year, but I am so happy that I went back. Event management is my calling, I only wish I had of found it a few years earlier. I am happy I went to university, but there are other programs that I could have taken that could have led me to today and made me even more prepared for the future. However, I’m not going to live in the past, I am just happy I found what I love and what I’m good at!

In the last few weeks I have accomplished lots, I finished school and I moved to Toronto. Now I just have to land myself that perfect job and I will be all set! I know when I first found out about moving I was a little unsure, but now that I am here, I love my new apartment and as much as I am going to miss all of my friends from KW, it’s also nice to be reunited with some older friends that I left in Toronto a few years ago!

I’m happy, D’s happy and Keira is shockingly happy.

I can’t wait for what the next few weeks, months and year has to come!!! So hooray and congratulations to all of the other graduates out there!!!!

A celebratory very chilly round of golf after school finished up!

Until next time day dreamers.