I am a sucker for "best of"/"worst of" lists. My December magazines are read from cover to cover as I indulge in what these writers consider to be the highlights and lowlights of the past year.
So I decided to put in my own personal retrospective of 2010, as I experienced it.
THE BEST OF TIMES
1. Shaun and I got married on May 8. There were some mild stresses (our church told us in January that we wouldn't be able to use their space due to renovations, so we had to move to a new church AFTER the invites were printed, and also develop a transportation plan since our original church was right next to our reception location) but being surrounded by family and friends really made it the best weekend I can imagine. I will never forget the cheers as we were officially pronounced "husband and wife," the beautiful toasts from my Dad, Judith and Kevin, dancing all night and the party lasting after the reception ended. We have awesome photos of the day (Devon, you are amazing) and I truly could never ask for a better day.
2. Finished grad school. Masters Degree? Check! Will I go back for more school? Probably. I really like school. I also really liked NOT having class from June on, so a break is good too.
3. Work improved greatly in one fell swoop. I was miserable for a long time, and then it got better. It's amazing how a toxic work environment impacts your entire life. I will be forever grateful that work got better- I never thought it would happen.
4. Weddings! We celebrated in Disney World for my oldest friend Kate (not in years, in amount of time I have known her. I have known Kate longer than I have known my sister) and it was great to see her and Matt so happy. We also went to Penn State in May to celebrate Jill, our dear friend and former neighbor from Wynnewood. Both of these weddings were extra fun because of the great guests that were there - it's great to celebrate people you have known for a long time, because you know their families too!
5. TRAVEL - I went to India in January of last year. I will admit I was scared to death to go across the world basically on my own. Then my luggage got lost and there were many great moments of misery. But I learned a LOT and got to see part of the world that I never would have seen otherwise. (Details are available on my India blog). We also did a mini-moon in the Berkshires (Porches Inn was amazing) and our BIG honeymoon trip on a Mediterranean cruise, which is what I always dreamed my honeymoon would be. So yeah, in 2010 I was in Europe and Asia. I feel so world traveler-y. My bridesmaids also took me to Disney World in March for my "bachelorette weekend" - drinking around the world at Epcot, Jellyrolls, Celebration Town Tavern. It was awesome.
6. Friends. I can't get over how lucky I am to have such great friends. Whether it was wedding preparations or venting over the aforementioned work-related misery over GChat, or just grabbing a beverage after work - I am amazed and humbled by the number of awesome people both Shaun and I have in our lives.
THE WORST OF TIMES
I could very easily say that 2010 was the best year ever... but I know that it wasn't because too many people lost someone they love this year. The one that touched me the most was Lauren. Lauren is my cousin's 4 year old daughter who fought a hard fight against neuroblastoma since May of 2009. I hadn't heard of neuroblastoma prior to Lauren's diagnosis, but learned an awful lot about it through her mom, who wrote so honestly and eloquently of Lauren's triumphs and struggles. It is appalling to me that children's cancers don't get the research funding that adult cancers do, yet the kids are the most defenseless of all. Kids shouldn't have to suffer, and their parents and families suffer almost as much as they do. If you're looking to support a cause that really needs it, check out Cookies for Kids' Cancer or Alex's Lemonade Stand. Lauren earned her angel wings in October, and too many other kids have suffered too much.
I am still driving the same old car, still living in the same apartment. I need to take better care of myself, need to make more of an effort to see my family... there are lots of things I want for 2011. It's already shaping up to be quite a big year for us.
I hope everyone finds what they want in 2011. Work together, make people happy, find an excuse to celebrate something.
2010 was a big year for me, but I can't say it was the best year ever, because who knows what is to come?
12.31.2010
8.19.2010
"Higher" Education?
I'm watching the ABC News expose on the recruitment practices of for-profit schools like the University of Phoenix. As someone who has worked on the admissions front, and now on the communications front, for traditional universities, stories like this always intrigue me. Yes, it's true that many students are easily swayed by recruitment tactics, and it is completely against my beliefs to treat higher education as a "sales pitch." It makes me angry that what was once an opportunity to learn is now commoditized, and that traditional institutes of higher learning need to compete with places who aren't out to instill a sense of appreciation for all there is to learn out there, and are instead out to make a buck.
But here's the thing. Students have changed. The culture has changed. I talk to students and prospective students all week long and I can count on one hand the number who ask about the quality of education, the course content, the faculty qualifications. Those on the academic side of the university strive to create programs that are relevant, reflective of current research and will inspire students to be more than they were when they first walked through the door. But what do these prospective students want to know, more often than not? "What job can I get with this degree?" "Can you give me statistics on how many graduates of this program get jobs right away?" It's no longer education for the sake of becoming educated, but a more results-oriented world. Higher education is nothing more than a means to an end, and the growth of this attitude is killing the liberal arts disciplines in particular.
College is NOT job training. But the majority of the population views it as such, so of course they are wooed by the for-profit schools, citing statistics that those with a degree will earn a million dollars more over their lifetimes than those without a degree. I wonder what this data looks like now, with college degrees in everything and anything so ubiquitous that the value of the education itself is reflected only in the end, not the means. In this Machiavellian world, it is easy for a student to be wooed by the basic idea of the for-profit schools: you give us money, we'll give you some classes, we'll give you a degree. Students don't have the opportunity to put thought into studying subjects they love, because they are pushed into degree programs that will give "results."
Much like you don't need an English degree to be a great writer, you don't need a business degree to run a successful business. But instead of getting real advising from academics and administrators who have seen and experienced enough to know that a student needs to study their passion, the boom of education as an industry has forced schools to churn students through programs that give them the quickest and easiest degree. Don't want to write papers? Here's a program for you. Good luck the first time you have to put together a report and don't have the first idea of where to start. The idea that all that is needed is a degree cheapens the degree itself. It's not about the piece of paper, it's about the learning that leads to the degree.
The real problem of the for-profit schools is that they bend too quickly to market demands. Of course people are going to say that they don't want to work too hard to earn their degree, that they want academic credit for "life experience"- yielding to these demands has created a monster, and traditional academic institutions are forced to compete with the "have it your way" education that is produced. People looking to earn a degree are a vulnerable population, and by acquiescing to "audience demand" these prospective students feel empowered... but they lose the value of learning to think and write for themselves, of letting themselves be educated because they are letting themselves be "taught."
So now the general public is starting to realize that a degree is not a guarantee of any job or position. They are lashing out at those schools that painted the picture that a piece of paper alone will open doors. Yet, these schools were only giving students the answer they wanted to hear. And believe me, students will keep calling and asking what job they can get with X degree to 100 different places until they find the answer they want. It's good business to offer a response to consumer needs, right? Those for-profit schools got so popular because they gave the answers students wanted to hear, but the real problem with education was that these students were asking the wrong question in the first place.
But here's the thing. Students have changed. The culture has changed. I talk to students and prospective students all week long and I can count on one hand the number who ask about the quality of education, the course content, the faculty qualifications. Those on the academic side of the university strive to create programs that are relevant, reflective of current research and will inspire students to be more than they were when they first walked through the door. But what do these prospective students want to know, more often than not? "What job can I get with this degree?" "Can you give me statistics on how many graduates of this program get jobs right away?" It's no longer education for the sake of becoming educated, but a more results-oriented world. Higher education is nothing more than a means to an end, and the growth of this attitude is killing the liberal arts disciplines in particular.
College is NOT job training. But the majority of the population views it as such, so of course they are wooed by the for-profit schools, citing statistics that those with a degree will earn a million dollars more over their lifetimes than those without a degree. I wonder what this data looks like now, with college degrees in everything and anything so ubiquitous that the value of the education itself is reflected only in the end, not the means. In this Machiavellian world, it is easy for a student to be wooed by the basic idea of the for-profit schools: you give us money, we'll give you some classes, we'll give you a degree. Students don't have the opportunity to put thought into studying subjects they love, because they are pushed into degree programs that will give "results."
Much like you don't need an English degree to be a great writer, you don't need a business degree to run a successful business. But instead of getting real advising from academics and administrators who have seen and experienced enough to know that a student needs to study their passion, the boom of education as an industry has forced schools to churn students through programs that give them the quickest and easiest degree. Don't want to write papers? Here's a program for you. Good luck the first time you have to put together a report and don't have the first idea of where to start. The idea that all that is needed is a degree cheapens the degree itself. It's not about the piece of paper, it's about the learning that leads to the degree.
The real problem of the for-profit schools is that they bend too quickly to market demands. Of course people are going to say that they don't want to work too hard to earn their degree, that they want academic credit for "life experience"- yielding to these demands has created a monster, and traditional academic institutions are forced to compete with the "have it your way" education that is produced. People looking to earn a degree are a vulnerable population, and by acquiescing to "audience demand" these prospective students feel empowered... but they lose the value of learning to think and write for themselves, of letting themselves be educated because they are letting themselves be "taught."
So now the general public is starting to realize that a degree is not a guarantee of any job or position. They are lashing out at those schools that painted the picture that a piece of paper alone will open doors. Yet, these schools were only giving students the answer they wanted to hear. And believe me, students will keep calling and asking what job they can get with X degree to 100 different places until they find the answer they want. It's good business to offer a response to consumer needs, right? Those for-profit schools got so popular because they gave the answers students wanted to hear, but the real problem with education was that these students were asking the wrong question in the first place.
8.18.2010
Camp?
I spent today at something called "Brand Camp," sponsored by Jack Morton's Boston Office. Jack Morton isn't exactly an ad agency in the traditional sense; it's a Brand Experience Agency and Brand Camp is their way of spreading their agency ideals to recent grads. While I'm just out of grad school, it has been over 13 years since I finished undergrad... which placed me at about 13 years older than the average Brand Camper. But let me tell you- it was an incredible day. I have spent a lot of time lately thinking about where my career is heading. I don't really fit in within the world of higher education (although there is a chance that could be moving in a positive direction for me right now), I don't necessarily see myself in a traditional ad agency setting either. I have met with several people related to client-side marketing, and enjoyed it, but it wasn't until today that I discovered that a company exists that could tie together so many of my interests and skills. We talked today about how consumers experience a brand from so many touch points, and in order to really impact a consumer's experience, there needs to be buy in at every level, including employees. And there it was - my training experience at Disney, my HR experience, my Communications experience, my geeky love for data & analytics and my Advertising degree all rolled up into one. How cool is that? I never really realized that this sort of thing exists... but man, I felt a sense of excitement I haven't had in a LONG time. I love this kind of stuff!
One of my favorite things about today was that there was a great sell on the Liberal Arts degree. Jack Morton's managing director talked about his History degree, and how they love that there is a diversity of backgrounds within their agency. After YEARS of telling people that an undergraduate major is not important, as long as you learn to write well and think well... it was simply gratifying.
So we'll see what happens after today, but it was great to spend 8 hours thinking about things in a different way, and reminding myself that maybe a place (outside of Walt Disney World) where I feel real passion for the work does exist.
One of my favorite things about today was that there was a great sell on the Liberal Arts degree. Jack Morton's managing director talked about his History degree, and how they love that there is a diversity of backgrounds within their agency. After YEARS of telling people that an undergraduate major is not important, as long as you learn to write well and think well... it was simply gratifying.
So we'll see what happens after today, but it was great to spend 8 hours thinking about things in a different way, and reminding myself that maybe a place (outside of Walt Disney World) where I feel real passion for the work does exist.
7.22.2010
Why I feel bad for BP
OK, so I kind of feel bad for BP. I know the whole gulf oil thing is a giant screw-up, ruining the ecosystem for hundreds of thousands of organisms, people included. It's a disaster of epic proportions. And to have an underwater well without a disaster plan in place is completely irresponsible. BP is by no means innocent.
But here's what I started thinking about: BP by no means owns the ONLY underwater oil well. I did some minor research to find that there are close to 4000 oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. They are 15 structures operating at the deepest depths owned by a variety of oil companies.
The accident happened to a BP well... but it could just as easily have happened to a well owned by ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Shell. And guess what? None of these companies offered up a solution to BP's problem. Meaning that they ALSO were not prepared for a disaster of this magnitude and hadn't proceeded with proper due diligence when building a structure that had the ability to destroy the lives of communities along the gulf.
So yes, as the cries of "Boycott BP" echo around the world - I know that they were the ones unlucky enough to get caught with their pants down. But we have to remember that NONE of the oil companies would have known how to fix it, so we have to look at the industry as a whole. The other oil companies have nothing to be proud of - what's the phrase? "Where but for the grace of God go I."
But here's what I started thinking about: BP by no means owns the ONLY underwater oil well. I did some minor research to find that there are close to 4000 oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. They are 15 structures operating at the deepest depths owned by a variety of oil companies.
The accident happened to a BP well... but it could just as easily have happened to a well owned by ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Shell. And guess what? None of these companies offered up a solution to BP's problem. Meaning that they ALSO were not prepared for a disaster of this magnitude and hadn't proceeded with proper due diligence when building a structure that had the ability to destroy the lives of communities along the gulf.
So yes, as the cries of "Boycott BP" echo around the world - I know that they were the ones unlucky enough to get caught with their pants down. But we have to remember that NONE of the oil companies would have known how to fix it, so we have to look at the industry as a whole. The other oil companies have nothing to be proud of - what's the phrase? "Where but for the grace of God go I."
7.03.2010
Gets Me Every Time
I am not, by nature, a crier. My friend Niki & I were discussing last night while looking at wedding pictures that neither one of us are the type who cry at weddings - it's just not in either of our natures. This is not to say that I'm unemotional - to the contrary, I cry at funerals, sad movies, and any time I see my father tear up.... but weddings, graduations and happy occasions just don't inspire tears in me.
But there is one thing that gets me EVERY time. It's silly, and maybe just a little embarrassing. I cannot listen to the finale of the musical "1776" without getting completely choked up. I know it is merely a dramatization of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I know that only a small percentage of the signers are represented in the musical, that the declaration was not signed in one great ceremony but over a period of time, and that it's just a Broadway show about the Continental Congress and therefore more for entertainment than historical value. But there is just something about that final scene. For those not familiar with it, the final scene consists of a roll call of representatives from each state, each of whom steps forward and signs his name to the Declaration, followed by a dramatic gong of a bell:
"New Hampshire. Dr. Josiah Bartlett. {GONG}
Massachusetts. Mr. John Adams. {GONG}..."
and so on. The gong of the bell gets increasingly loud and dramatic, as does the orchestra swell in the background.
As the names are read, I get more and more choked up. I can't help thinking about what it meant for each of these men to sign their name to that document, branding themselves traitors to their home country and determined that what the colonies could attempt together would certainly be better than their current reality under England. I know the drama of it is cloying, and as a student of history should be wary of this purely emotional reaction... I don't know whether it's pride that I get to live here, nostalgia for a time when more people were proud to be Americans, or quite simply the perfect marriage of musical theatre and American history, two things that have always been passions of mine.
Several months ago I saw the amazing American historian and author David McCullough speak at a JFK Library forum. He was an absolute inspiration, and near the end of his remarks stated, "Read the books that you love. That’s the key. And reading aloud is a wonderful, wonderful way to bring a work alive, as is music. History should be taught with music. History should be taught with theater. History should be taught with art."
This weekend I will celebrate one my favorite holidays by watching my DVD of "1776" and perhaps tuning in to the CD in my car (the Original Broadway Cast with William Daniels has a superior finale and the preferred performances of most songs... the revival cast with Brent Spiner has better production values. I of course own both). I will celebrate the fact that the real meaning behind the 4th of July is the emotion, and that the art of theatre is able to stir these emotions in me.
Happy birthday, USA.
But there is one thing that gets me EVERY time. It's silly, and maybe just a little embarrassing. I cannot listen to the finale of the musical "1776" without getting completely choked up. I know it is merely a dramatization of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I know that only a small percentage of the signers are represented in the musical, that the declaration was not signed in one great ceremony but over a period of time, and that it's just a Broadway show about the Continental Congress and therefore more for entertainment than historical value. But there is just something about that final scene. For those not familiar with it, the final scene consists of a roll call of representatives from each state, each of whom steps forward and signs his name to the Declaration, followed by a dramatic gong of a bell:
"New Hampshire. Dr. Josiah Bartlett. {GONG}
Massachusetts. Mr. John Adams. {GONG}..."
and so on. The gong of the bell gets increasingly loud and dramatic, as does the orchestra swell in the background.
As the names are read, I get more and more choked up. I can't help thinking about what it meant for each of these men to sign their name to that document, branding themselves traitors to their home country and determined that what the colonies could attempt together would certainly be better than their current reality under England. I know the drama of it is cloying, and as a student of history should be wary of this purely emotional reaction... I don't know whether it's pride that I get to live here, nostalgia for a time when more people were proud to be Americans, or quite simply the perfect marriage of musical theatre and American history, two things that have always been passions of mine.
Several months ago I saw the amazing American historian and author David McCullough speak at a JFK Library forum. He was an absolute inspiration, and near the end of his remarks stated, "Read the books that you love. That’s the key. And reading aloud is a wonderful, wonderful way to bring a work alive, as is music. History should be taught with music. History should be taught with theater. History should be taught with art."
This weekend I will celebrate one my favorite holidays by watching my DVD of "1776" and perhaps tuning in to the CD in my car (the Original Broadway Cast with William Daniels has a superior finale and the preferred performances of most songs... the revival cast with Brent Spiner has better production values. I of course own both). I will celebrate the fact that the real meaning behind the 4th of July is the emotion, and that the art of theatre is able to stir these emotions in me.
Happy birthday, USA.
6.15.2010
Finding my Inspiration
Since I blogged last, I got married and graduated from graduate school. It's been a busy few months!
I'm also feeling a little lost. I don't mind my job, but I don't love it. I see signs of burnout in myself, where I get immediately frustrated with the people around me and can't inspire people like I used to. I had the most wonderful time surrounded by our family and closest friends at our wedding last month, and now I mostly feel lonely. There are hundreds of things I like to do, but I'm just not motivated.
I was not a bridezilla or someone who couldn't hold a conversation without mentioning her wedding, but I suppose that part of it is post-wedding letdown. I have been searching for new jobs but am finding that there aren't any jobs out there that get me really excited.
So- how do I get excited again?
I'm also feeling a little lost. I don't mind my job, but I don't love it. I see signs of burnout in myself, where I get immediately frustrated with the people around me and can't inspire people like I used to. I had the most wonderful time surrounded by our family and closest friends at our wedding last month, and now I mostly feel lonely. There are hundreds of things I like to do, but I'm just not motivated.
I was not a bridezilla or someone who couldn't hold a conversation without mentioning her wedding, but I suppose that part of it is post-wedding letdown. I have been searching for new jobs but am finding that there aren't any jobs out there that get me really excited.
So- how do I get excited again?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
