"You blog? What's your blog about?"

The inevitable question comes up whenever you mention to someone that you have a blog, whether it be your best friend or a complete stranger. Well, this is a question that I have also been asking myself over the past few months which is on of the main reasons for the lack of posts over the past several months.

"What do I blog about? What is the purpose? And why would people care to read my blog?" There are thousands and thousands of blogs to read and choose from and have a variety of topics. Some use their blog as an everyday journal entry, some share their new food creations, and others take a more intellectual approach and post their papers or topical posts about their masters thesis. These are acceptable uses of this medium and can be quite enjoyable or useful.

But what do I want my blog to be proclaiming? This is a question I have been seeking out without being extremely proactive in finding the answer. Proactive in the sense of actually writing and looking at my own blog, but I have continued to be proactive in reading others which has offered a sense of direction and possible ways to find my answer.

I have been consistently reading John Acuff's blog and have found it to be quite helpful and inspirational to work on my own blog over the past few weeks. I highly recommend checking his out and even subscribing if you enjoy learning about writing, social media, general communications, public speaking, etc.

In a recent entry about blogging, he recommended a book called "31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo." by Bryan Allain. It is an ebook that you can buy for only $4.99 on Amazon. I am currently on day 4 or 5 and it has been extremely helpful in looking at my blog in a new and different way. I am currently working on answer the question of what my blog is about. Allain has these Mojo Actions that you do each day which are actions to help bring focus and newness to your blog. These actions vary from looking at the actual design, looking at the focus, and even figuring what you are feeling while writing your blog.

Over the next few weeks, I am hoping to hone in on the purpose and focus so that way I can continue to grow in my writing and share with others. Acuff recommends this book to people who have had a blog for 10 years or 10 minutes and I am going to do the same. It is funny, accessible, and thought-provoking when it comes to how you can properly use a blog. It is already helping me which I hope means that rather than leaving my blog in empty cyber-space, it can actually be used for a purpose and enjoyment.

Get Ready!!!

Cash for Car!!!~~

Hey everyone!!!
Guess what?? I'm going to be driving in the next few months!!!! BAHHH!!!!! Driving will truly give me an independence from my family and friends that I have never had, which I cannot wait for!!! I'm soooo excited!

I'm trying to earn some extra money for the specialized car that I hopefully will be getting in the next few months!! I have passed an evaluation and will be starting lessons sometime this summer. I am looking for some extra work to buy my car with as it will have to a newer minivan so hopefully the adaptations will last several years as it is expensive to do. God has already provided the funding for lesson (5k) and the eventual adaption of the car (unsure but expensive).
Right now I am saving everything I can in "future pig" for the car. I love writing and tutoring on the side for people as it is truly my passion!! If you know anyone who needs resumes, cover letters, tutoring, editing, or anything else done (Including creative suggestions!) - please share with your friends!!! I would love to help out and all of the proceeds will be going towards the car!!! Call me if you need help or would like to refer a person (Donations of ideas, referrals, coins/bills for future pig, or any other encouragements are more than welcome!)!!! My cell is 630-967-4628 or email me at bek.soen@gmail.com or facebook me!!!
Thanks!! - Bek

15 people in life I would love to have over for dinner:

People in History I’d love to have over for dinner…
• Laura Ingles Wilder – Love these books as I read her over and over
• Anne Frank – Her story brought me into a world of heartache I had never known
• President Obama
• Gordon Ramsey – He’s a tough critic. Yet he cares and wants the best for everyone
• Prince Harry – I’d like to hear his side of things
• Madeline L’Engle - I love her writing
• Courtney Schmidt – I miss and love her friendship.
• John Updike – Another favorite author that I’d like to pick his brain
• Walt Disney – He must have been a fun guy
• John F. Kennedy – No surprises on this one. I’m obsessed and ok with that
• James – The guy who wrote to book of the Bible.
• George Eliot – She wrote Middlemarch and other great works
• Bob (Trainer from Biggest Loser) – I could use a few lessons from him
• Alexander the Great – I want to find out if he was really that GREAT
• Anastasia – The Russian Princess (and my niece named Anastasia)
• Barbara Walters – Do you think she’s ok with being called Babs?

Top 10 things I will miss about unemployment:

I'm a list writer. In many ways, I love to write lists so I can cross them off when I complete tasks. I love writing lists of the things I need to work on or complete by the end of the week, month, and year. (see that list there?) My brain organizes information in that way. I often have to process through a list of friends or activities to remember some minute detail that I was searching for to remember. I don't want to forget all of the enjoyable things about this long period of unemployment, especially since I will most likely return to this state one day. I want to focus on the positives as a reminder to myself and others who are going through this stage.

The top 10 things I will miss and have loved through unemployment:

10. I will miss sleeping in! I have truly enjoyed the option to stay up later and sleep later. My body will quickly adjust and I will soon reach "old lady" status again of going to bed before or by 10 and waking up at 5:30, BUT I do love and will miss my bed. :)

9. I will miss the opportunity to take as much as time as I want to plan my meals and make them! Over the past month, I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to look over recipes and take time making myself a delightful lunch or scrumptious dinner; sometimes spending hours doing so.

8. I will miss my random day trips up to Trinity. Over this past school year, I have visited my friends at TIU on several occasions; sometimes with little to no warning. These have been some of the greatest and most challenging times over the past year involving conversations that have completely changed my direction or thought of direction.

7. I will miss the ability to be available to talk on the phone whenever my friends can! Lauren could literally text or call me at any point and we would talk while she was in the car driving to babysitting, school, etc.

6. I will miss my comfy clothes! I hope they have casual Friday but that doesn't mean I can come to work in my pjs.

5. I will miss watching tv or movies randomly in the middle of the day if I want to. Although I didn't do much of this except for the occasional movie, I won't have the opportunity to watch too many episodes of Arrested Development or Modern Family at 1 in the afternoon.

4. I will miss Wednesday mornings. These were mornings often spent by myself as my mom was away and Tim was sleeping. They were times of quiet and peace, especially when I stopped watching tv.

3. I will miss Facebook. I know this may seem trivial to you but communicating with people is what I do. I love having random Facebook conversations with old friends, new friends, old coworkers, and acquaintances. Communicating is a part of my daily life and I will miss the constant ability to do so via Facebook and Twitter.

2. I will miss tutoring my first graders. Since February, I have had the opportunity to tutor 2-5 hours a week at a local Kindercare. These children have brought such a joy in my life as I have spent an hour working on their school work. Someday I see myself returning to this job and maybe working on it full time, or as full time as I want it to be. This full time job right now will help me pay off my school loans and then I can return to what I really want to do.

1. I will miss the randomness that my day involved. Sometimes I spent all day looking for a job. (Top ten things I will not miss!) Sometimes it was organizing my room, hanging out with a friend or my sister, shopping, working, shredding, sleeping, reading, etc. I did enjoy the flexibility that I had during this time because when I graduated college, I jumped head first into the campaign and my internship. God gave me this time to teach me a lot about patience, waiting, depending on him, and more. I know I will keep learning these things and other but it will look different now that I have a consistent schedule, which I am very excited about at the same time!

Please Remind me of this post if in 7 months I am looking for a new job!!!!!

God's overwhelming Love

This week has been extremely intense, in some of the best ways possible. On Sunday, I was feeling pretty defeated over my job hunt situation. I talked with my friend Tony who snapped me back into the reality of putting my focus on to the things of God and how He takes care of my every need. After this discussion and some prayer, I made the decision to fast from looking for a job for the entire week. I told a few people this plan but basically decided to just spend the time that I would looking for a job in the Word and prayer.
Monday morning I had spent an extended time in the Psalms really soaking up the cries and prayers of David. Later that morning I received a call from an unknown number which ended up being AIM (Analysts in Motion) Consulting services with a job that they were interested in me applying for. I went in the next day for a person interview with AIM and to talk about the job.
By Thursday, I went into Allstate Insurance and interview for a Recruiters Assistant position. It was pretty nerve-wracking as I was going into the corporate offices. I basically went through a pre-interview with one of the AIM consultants which was good because it calmed some of my fears and helped me process through some thing to talk about before the interview. At the end of the interview, I felt confident in the way I had presented myself but really unsure about whether I would get the job.
The entire week I was really praying that God's will would take place through all of it. I had so many people supporting me through this week which was amazing! Even my old manager from Advocate called me and asked about if I had heard from them yet because she had been called as a manager. Friday I was a nervous wreck having a panic attack whenever my phone made any noise. But I knew that God was in control and I was going to still be in His Hands no matter what.
I got a call at about 1:30 from AIM saying they didn't have any final answers yet but asked me if I was still excited and would be able to come fill out paper work that day. About half an hour later, my phone rang again. I think I nearly died before answering. Ultimately, my consultant Steven told me I got the job with Allstate and that I needed to come in right away to fill out paper work. Anyone want to guess what my first reaction was? I cried. like almost sobbed.

I have been looking for a job for nearly 6 months and it had finally happened. Not in my timing - if it were my choice I would've been working in December. But God was taking care of me during this entire time. He knew I would be making new friends during this period and I needed the opportunity to develop those, He knew I needed to learn to depend on him 100 percent through a breaking of my life, He knew I needed to give Him control before I was ready to step out into the job life again.

Ultimately He has shown His overwhelming love for me this week, this month, and even more so during this time of looking for a job. A chapter in the Bible which has really impacted my time is 1 Peter 5 but verse 7 has specifically comforted me.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

He cares for me and wants me to express my anxieties! Oh boy, have I taken that to heart!!! We are all going to have our own stories when adventuring out into the world and are looking for jobs. Ultimately I may only spend 6 months at Allstate or I may be there for years. But God has brought me through a lot over these past 6 months. I would have never learned the seriousness of dependency that I need to have on him if I would've been given the first job that I interviewed for because I got it on my own. I didn't even apply for this job - they sought after me because of my resume on Monster. When I let God take control of my life, His stories that He gives me are the best! I cannot help but keep reminding myself of the Jeremiah verse about how God has planned out our lives for us to prosper. (Please see previous post if you haven't already!)
I start work on Tuesday and would so appreciate your prayers!!! Thanks again for all of your support.

Interviews are like first dates...

For all of you that are going through the job interview process like me:

Ok, so I had an interview today with Allstate for an assistant type of position. And as I've gone through the long process of interviewing, I've realized its a lot like going out on your first few dates. Both are neverwracking, possibly life-changing, possible rejection, worry, anxiety, loss of sleep, and first impressions. Mentally preparing for an interview is much like preparing for a date. It is constantly on your mind (when you go to sleep and when you wake up). You go through possible questions and answers to these questions. You freak out, stomach is turning in knots, you prepare your outfit before hand (possibly even buy something new). Ultimately you go into the said interview and/or date and most of your mental preparation is not used. You don't go through your greatest strengths and weaknesses like you thought you might. Or in a first date, you don't go through all of deepest fears and accomplishments. You do end up covering a few vital pieces of information, put yourself out there, and then it's over.

Now it is time to wait. I sent the proper thank you email (in a date, this may look like a text but same concept). The advantage of a date is you may receive immediate feedback as to whether you are going out again, or you may not. Most job interviews, at least in my case, I wait. You sit there fidgeting at your phone waiting for them to call or checking your email every half an hour. Maybe I'm just showing some of my neurotic behavior here but I think we can all relate. Just like a first date could be life changing and you end up dating/marrying the person, a job interview could lead to a life long career, or at least satisfying for a period of time. It can also result in rejection of the job and it is passed along to someone "more qualified." First dates can result in a similar type of non-life changing result. The parallels are astounding in my mind.

Today I went out on a first date with Allstate Insurance. I'm currently in the neurotic behavior stage as I wait. If you I don't get the job, I know it will hurt a a little bit. I may even cry (Shocker, I know!). But ultimately I'll move on and hopefully have another one. I'll let myself go through the grief of rejection for a little bit and move on, this may be a day or a few minutes. Thankfully, I can then hold onto the promise that we are given in Jeremiah 29:11 which says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Friends, thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement while I've been going through several "first dates" these past 5 months. I truly would've crumbled without you. :) *Like a cookie*

The FedEx arrow

Have you ever noticed the fed ex arrow? Look at this logo bellow and look at the white space in between the "E" and the "X."



See it now??? Now every time you see those Fedex trucks on the road, you will only be able to see the arrow. Some people find this annoying. I love it. My dear professor, Wayne, showed us the arrow image in my desktop publishing class. I've never looked at the Fedex logo the same. (I'm sitting in Starbucks and have seen three trucks since starting this random blog.)

I love learning these random facts of life and sharing them with others. I hope as to not to come across in a boastful, all-knowing way; because I am far from that. If you know of a job where I could do this, I'm totally in. Observing and learning these random facts is one of the missions in my life, but ultimately my goal is to pay it forward to the person sitting in the driver seat next to me as they learn a random tidbit. Hopefully you can never look at a FedEx truck the same again.