It's a random Tuesday and I am at home. That means it's Mardi Gras which means Lent starts tomorrow. Wait … what.... it’s Lent again ?! I'm not mentally prepared for Lent. Really like how in the world did that
happen so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was logging back into all my
social media accounts after last years Lent. While giving up social media is
usually the way I go this year I have decided to do something different.
Instead of giving up things I’m going to adopt things. Not like a puppy or a kid, but I’m going to do things
that I don’t normally do instead of giving up things I like to do. I mean I can't give back a puppy or a kid in April .... That's not how that works ... right?! Like Social Media
(Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.) and Soda, or sweet tea. Tho I will admit my social media breaks these last few years have been nice and in the run up to an election year it would make sense to do so again. Maybe I should re think this ................... Mostly I don’t wanna give up social media this year cause … well I don’t
want to. Also, I have some things coming up that will make Social Media
necessary and fun.
My boss and I are going to the SERC conference as part of
SMPS down in Tampa. Last year when I went they had these Social Media
challenges that I couldn’t participate in and I really wanted to. Also my older nephew tried out for something
pretty awesome the other day at his school and the announcement of if he’s in
or not will be on social media. My other nephew will be spending the weekend
with us in a few weeks and I like to cause Jealousy with his brother on how
much fun we are having. The Sussex family returns for what might be their last official engagements and say what you will
about that couple I love and miss them. So I want to soak it all up while I
can. I 100% get where they are coming from and am kind of proud of them for
putting themselves first. Tho it does kind of crack me up that the Spare .... the what 6th in line for the throne .... has caused a meltdown in Buckingham Palace cause he wants to step back. He never said I don't want to be a Royal he said I don't want to be a SR Royal. There's tons of Royals around them that aren't SR royals but get to enjoy the perks. I wish the rest of the world would let them move on, and
that includes the Royal family, media and their so called fans. My Auburn Gymnastics team has several really huge meets
coming up in the lead up to the SEC Championships in late March with the
regional championships in early April. So I just don’t feel like all that is
stuff I want to skip. I’m also hoping there will be some more fun things that I
am not aware of yet that might hit my radar. I like happy surprises.
So this year here’s my plan of what I’m going to do instead of give up.
- My mom and I are starting a workout program where we use our exercise equipment at least once a day together. It’s kind of a fun bonding thing. We started out wanting to do it once a day for a week, I’m going to extend it through Lent, I haven’t told her yet but hopefully she will be on board.
- I’m going to set my phone for an alarm to go off twice a day I get up, leave my desk, walk around the building and come back to said desk on the 10th floor. I might even take the stairs a few times. I might not, I mean it’s 10 floors people, then again … how will you know. My job is one of those where I get to the office sit in my chair, log on to my PC and only get up to use the restroom, go to the printer or if a coworker calls and asks me to come help them with something. That's not healthy.
- I’m going to write actual letters. I had meant to send out Christmas cards this year and it just didn’t happen. I gathered all the things several times to sit down and do it then never did. So, then I thought it would be kind of cool to just randomly send these people letters during the year so during lent I’m going to make some of those happen. I’m thinking at least a letter ever other week during Lent.
This Lent I’m hoping to make about experiences not about giving things
up. What are you giving up or adding to your lives for Lent this year?!
Marcy
@beaslma
Day 1 was fun, relaxing but fun. Registration started at 9
but the first session wasn’t until 1. So I slept in a bit and took a little
extra time getting ready just cause I could. Then I registered for the conference
then went and got some lunch. At that point I ran into some of the ladies from
my chapter but they weren’t planning to go to any of the events this afternoon
so they went left and I went right. It was nice to not have to rush ...rush...rush.
The first session was about obtaining certification known as
CPSM. There’s a test that has to be taken to get it. I was hoping that the course
would spend more time talking about the actual test not just why getting the certification
was important. The two giving the course were very knowledgeable about the
process and the reasons behind getting the certification. It was a nice first
event don’t get me wrong but it wasn’t really what I was expecting.
From there I came back to the room for a bit then decided to
go to the 2nd session which was about how you can get more involved
in SMPS and in your own chapter. That was a spur of the moment decision but I'm glad I went. It was very interesting to see the time, effort,
and thought that has gone into this organization. It was given by the CEO of
SMPS so that was cool. All of the speakers were from Headquarters and they
spent a lot of time about how HQ could benefit the various chapters.
My office is hosting a webinar next week for possible
members to attend and they gave me some good ideas and conversation starters to
use. Our chapter is considered a “developing chapter” cause we don’t meet the member
requirements yet. We are about 10 shy but hope to get there within the next
month or so. Five other members are attending the SERC so that’s been fun
getting to know them a little better. We all went to dinner tonight and swapped
stories and networked a bit with others there. I have so many business cards
but can’t put a name with the card at the moment. It’s crazy how many people
you can meet in the span of 5 minutes.
Tomorrow is the first full day of the conference and starts
up at 7:45 with a breakfast and the opening key note speaker then a full day of
sessions. Several I’m very excited about others that I’m interested in but
would be ok with if it were full and I had to bail. Ha! I’m glad I got to come
to this event, I think it will be very beneficial and it’s definitely giving me
the break I needed.
Marcy
So on Sunday I woke up earlier than normal, grabbed my bag,
and headed to the airport for my first ever SMPS SERC (Society for Marketing Professional
Services Southeast Regional Conference). Last year my boss got to go in Atlanta
and this year is my turn. As I walked out the door the handle on my bag broke
and I thought well aint that a bitch. I hoped it was not an omen for the trip.
I soldiered on cause I wasn’t repacking that bag into another bag at that
point. I mean come on bag that wasn’t cool at all.
The plane ride was uneventful which is just how I like em.
It was my first time traveling American Airlines and no I wasn’t in the 737, I
checked that last week. The plane however seemed really really really small. Like stupid small. I’m usually a Delta girl, I like the brand, the people are
always friendly and I just feel comfortable in their planes. However upon
booking this flight I realized that my connection in Atlanta to Charlotte
(cause you can’t do anything with Delta without it involving Atlanta) would
have been taking off in Atlanta at the same thing that American would have been
putting my luggage on the carousel for me to pick it up in Charlotte. AKA this time
a direct flight won.
Upon arriving in Charlotte I went to find my rental car, another
first for me, I chose Avis instead of Hurts my usual go to. Why did I choose
Avis …. Cause one that’s what American Airlines was affiliated with, two I was
able to get the car I wanted. See dear reader I’m in the process of thinking
about my next car. My current Sonata is about 6 years old and while I’m like it
to last a few more years I’m starting the process of thinking about it now. I’m
ready for something different. I’m thinking Hyundai Kona (cause I love the look
of it and the fact it’s kind of a newer car), but have also looked at the Santa
Fe (I’d like to stay in the Hyundai family. I’ve also thought about the Honda
CRV as an option. So I’m using this trip as a “test drive” of a vehicle of this
type. I ended up renting a Hyundai Santa Fe. I do like the car, I liked the way
it drove. I spend 90% of my time in my car alone so it’s hard for me to justify
a car like this but I think I’m past just having a sedan. I do need to make
sure mom could climb into it. My
conference is in Asheville, NC but I have friends who live in Charlotte, NC. So
I’m going to spend a few days after the conference ends hanging out with them.
I do kind of hate having to rent a car on Sunday so that I can use it Thursday
and Friday it’s just chilling in the parking lot for a few days which seems
like a waste. Oh well ….that’s adulting.
Upon arrival in Asheville, NC (about an hour and a half from
Charlotte) I drove into the hotel resort and was blown away cause it’s kind of
tucked away and like crossing a portal to another kind of world. The resort lobby
was beautiful, the detail they put into the place was amazing. Walking up to the
front desk the guy could have ben a little nicer but whatever maybe he was near
the end of his shift ….whatever. He definitely could have told me how to get to
my room with a little more detail but I’m sure he’s giving that speech a
billion times and just doesn’t think the complex is very hard to navigate cause
he does it daily. This resort has different areas that you could be staying it
each with a fun different kind of name. However there are ZERO signs, I take
that back there are signs but they are very hard to see. I finally found my
room and realized that they spent the majority of their money on the lobby. The
room is nice don’t get me wrong but this room could have been at any hotel.
None of the charm or love that the lobby has was also utilized in the rooms.
At this point I was starving, it was after all close to 3pm
and I hadn’t eaten anything yet. So I decided to jump back into the Santa Fe
and drive around the area. I was disappointed. As beautiful as the complex around
the resort is the area around it left some to be desired. I did make a stop at
a local convenience store for some snacks and drinks for the next few days.
Day 1 was just a travel day. The actual conference starts Monday
am with registration and some events in the afternoon. So I worked some on
Sunday just to put my mind at ease. A few things I needed to get done so that
others could do their part while I was around. This made me feel better about
sleeping in Monday morning and just chilling a little bit. I think I might need
professional help.
This is my first conference I’m looking forward to how it
goes, I’m also looking forward to meeting some new people.
I’ll check in a few times this week to tell you how this is
going for me …. Giving up Social Media and Soda for lent has been hard. I love
getting an Icee on road trips, couldn’t. Just about every drink I like has soda
in it. So no drinking. Every event talks to sharing this or that on Social Media.
If you are interested they are asking people to use #SMPSSERC in any of their
posts.
Marcy @beaslma
